My sister-in-law has a great talent in creating this knitted stuffed toys. Apparently this is an art called Amigurumi. I knew there was this growing culture in creating these things but I didn’t know they had an actual term for it all this time.

I really dig that Katamari figure up at top…I’ll have to sweet talk her into making one for her favorite brother-in-law. I think you can check out the rest of her work over at her Facebook page, Forever Yum

You know, if I can’t save enough to get an actual $1300 70-200L Canon lens, I may as well get this mug replica so I can look like I’m rich enough to drink out of one. (via NerdApproved)

Dear Santa,

The following is a list of just some of the items I want for Christmas this year. I know in the past I’ve written these letters in the hopes of getting items that will make my life ever so complete, but I usually don’t get any of these things. What’s up with that?

I know…perhaps you’re too busy reading silly children letters instead of coming here to my great blog to read my list. Perhaps since I’ve moved you can’t find my address (hint: Google maps)?  Or maybe perhaps some of the items on my list are just way to expensive for you?  (don’t you get a volume discount with your elves?)

Whatever your reason Santa. Just know I’ve been a very good boy and I think I deserve some if not everything on this list:

1. I’d love a new Wacom Pen & Touch tablet.  I’ve been using the same tablet for the last 8 years now and I wouldn’t mind a smaller one I can take on the road with me. While you’re at it Santa, Wacom’s pen-on-screen Cintiq is sexy too. Especially when I want to rub my drawing pen across some porn images.
2. I could use a couple of Zumbrella‘s Santa. No, not so much for the rainy season, but I’m hoping they’ll help me shoot better portrait photos. While you’re feeling generous, I can’t hold these Zumbrella’s with my hands while shooting my camera. So a couple matching stands would make me eternally grateful. Otherwise, a good ring flash would do the trick as well, but then you’d have to get me a new strobe too. I won’t be greedy.
3. What good is a couple of lights if I don’t have a good lens to shoot with? This tiny little white Canon 70-200 f2.8L lens is just what I need. You can appreciate it’s just as white as the snow in the North!
4. A PlayStation 3 would be nice. We all know it’s one of the best Blu-Ray players around. I want my little 11 month old boy to enjoy his educational programs in the crispiest picture available. You know I’m all about thinking of others before myself
5. Finally Sant’s…if you’re feeling generous this year. I might as well wish for the same thing I’ve been wishing for in the past 15 years in the hopes you’ll someday deliver this to me wrapped up in a big red bow. I know it’s hard to get a Porsche Carrera S stuffed into your sleigh. But I have faith that you’ll think of a way.

That’s all. Only five measly things. Because I’m all about selflessness, peace, love and harmony.

Love, Me.

So the doctor told my wife yesterday that our little guy may come anytime after the next 2 weeks.  EEEEP!   Holy Moses smell the roses, am I ready?  My wife looks seems calm and prepared, but I’m in a panic in my mind — “What do I bring with me to the hospital?  Where do I drop her off?” I better figure this out right away!

It’s not like we’re totally unready – just not as prepared as I’d like to be.  My wife told me there’s a Chinese superstition that they don’t get ready till the last minute so they don’t invite unwelcome guests.  You know, like of the spiritual kind.  Like the baby crib for instance isn’t supposed to be put together until she’s at the hospital.  I’m not sure I’m willing to wait until then…spirits or no spirits.  So I think we’ve compromised to build it this coming week.  I’ll just call the Ghost Hunters if my child ends up like Damien Omen.

We got our stroller, crib, bedding, car seat and baby clothing.  Seems to be the major items eh?  I got 1 daiper…we got that as a sampler in the mail.  Good nuff?

Anyway the reason why I brought this all up was that I saw this cute little collection of baby stuff posted on Monster-Munch.  Even baby stuff can be well designed eh?

Lately I’ve been shopping dragged to the mall with my wife and I see these little stuffed animals I thought would be a good pal for the little guy.  My wife says, “Boy’s don’t play with dolls”.   I differ!  Every guy I know so far had some kind of nappy childhood plaything for comfort.  I’m not the only one that had a busted up stuffed animal for comfort.  Am I?  Am I?

Why do I suddenly have an image of Damien Omen ripping up a doll to shreds?

Crayon Physics Deluxe from Petri Purho on Vimeo.

Here’s an interesting physics type game that is availabe for the iPhone.  It’s pretty neat.  Reminds me of a game I used to love on PC DOS a long time ago where you build these Rube Goldberg type machines to solve the puzzles, The Incredible Machine.

You know, I’m going to REAAAALLY look forward to having a little boy.  Among the many fun times we’ll have watching him grow, I’ll have a bonifide excuse for purchasing toys.  Hotwheels, Legos, Action Figures…oh I’m he’s giddy with excitement.

Talking about LEGO, here’s a personal project that supposedly took someone 4 years and $3000 to build.  Hardcore man. The scene comes complete with Trooper footprints in the snow, Chewie working on the Falcon, and Han Solo running through the snow corridors.  If only he had Luke half buried outside in TaunTaun LEGO guts.

I’ve been very good this year. Do you think Santa will grant my wish and get me this official 5000 piece LEGO Millenium Falcon this Christmas Day?   Come on Santa… I’ll even leave cookies and milk on my kitchen counter for ya.

Is it a keypad? Or is it jewelry?  Perhaps both?

Interesting concept taking the emoticon concepts into new areas in both function and form.  On this board it acts as a keypad you can use to insert emoticons into your messages.  But then you can pull out these round smiley guys and insert them into wearable jewelry.  Kinda geeky but I can see this being a fun holiday item for the young teen obsessed with IMing.  Cute little smiley characters too… I bet it would get lost so easily though. (via: Bajca)

OK, my hypothesis is somewhat vindicated…. we’re not the only country that does amazingly pointless activities, costing a heck of a lot of money & resources, qualifying for the “Why-Do-They-Hate-Us” list.

Apparently Vienna people have a lot of time on their hands as well.  A Guiness World Record was broken with this 96.73 feet Lego Tower.

Alright alright, it was “for the kids”   Mmmm hmmm. (via Gizmodo)

While I was searching around for good material I could use in class to teach Illustrator, I came across this illustration that has all these cool cars from various movies, TV shows, and video games. I don’t recognize them all, but there are more then a few that bring back old memories for me. Excitebike, the Starsky and Hutch car, James Bond’s underwater Lotus, ZZ top’s Coupe, etc. If this was a T-shirt I’d get it right away.

And then there’s this really talented Lego builder, Adrian Florea. This stuff is pretty amazing. There seems to be a whole LEGO “MOC” movement (“My Own Creation”) now where people compete for their own design creations using Lego pieces.  They’ve come a long way from the time I used to just stick a block together with 4 rubber tires and pretend that was my Landspeeder.