Ten suggestions

"the Ten Commandments", according to the way we live today:

Be true to yourself
Put yourself first
Don't use harsh language
Take a vacation; you deserve it
Be nice to your parents, if they were nice to you
Be a nice person
You have a right to be happy
If it's on the Internet, it's public property
Don't hurt anyone's feelings
You have a right to own nice things

Actor tries to trademark "N" word

The actor Damon Wayans has been engaged in a 14-month fight to trademark the term "Nigga" for a clothing line and retail store.

Sierra Trading Post:

I shop the Sierra Trading Post online all the time. I love to buy clothes from them. They have always provided excellent customer service. After my last order, they asked me to fill out a customer survey online. I added some comments. The president of Sierra Trading replied to me personally that I made his day with my encouraging remarks.
Read about him

Physics brain teasers

I found these via Biancolo.com:

Which is faster, swimming in water or swimming in syrup?

Can a plane on a conveyor belt ever take off?

The sprinkler problem, and other brain teasers by Richard Feynman

My new job title

You know those personality tests you take in order to find out what job you should be doing? They always say you should do what you're good at. Well, I'm good at procrastinating. If you're having problems deciding what to do today, and what you can put off until tomorrow, I'll help you, if I get around to it. I'm thinking of getting some business cards printed up, that say "professional procrastination consulting services," but I still have some dry-cleaning to do, and the junk rooms need to be cleaned out, and the car needs to be washed, and the dog needs a checkup, and I haven't filed my tax return, etc.

If you're having trouble getting everything done that needs doing, you're problem is you're trying to do it all in one day. You should try putting some of it off until tomorrow. I can help you with that. Some things really need doing today, like important things, and some things don't ever need to be done, like housework.

Sony creates Web site for Critics of 'The Da Vinci Code' Film

MarketingVox:

To forestall - or at least retain some control over - the expected controversy over the upcoming film The Da Vinci Code, based on Dan Brown's book, Sony Pictures is expected to launch a website to serve as a platform for some of the fiercest critics of the book, reports the New York Times. The site, thedavincichallenge.com, will publish essays by some 45 Christian writers and scholars and leaders of evangelical organizations, who will dispute the book's theological and historical claims.

Via the New York Times:

John C. Green, a senior fellow with the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, said that the Web site is an intriguing strategy for an industry often denounced by Christians.

"In some sense it gives evangelicals and other religious people a forum and a degree of legitimacy because they've been asked to give a critique,' he said. 'On the other hand, you could see this as a modest amount of co-optation, like Sony is saying, 'You guys are getting your say, so leave our movie alone.' '"

anti-telemarketing EGBG counterscript

You know that telemarketers are reading from a script when they call you, right? If you want to do a prank on the next telemarketer who calls you, try reading from this counterscript.

An economist looks at how to peel a banana

This 2002 article by Steven E. Landsburg in Slate asks "Should you peel bananas from the bottom up?"

Local movie screens on Friday

Les Butchart, a member of the Triad Indie Film Network, writes:

A digital feature film I made a couple of years ago, THE DEVIL'S GAME, will screen at The Scene this Friday night at 8:00. Cost is $5. This is a full two hours of B horror fun in a stylish dark comedy motif. It was shot entirely on DVCAM and edited on a Media100 system, an all-digital approach. One of the cool things about it is all the Greensboro locations, some of which no longer exist - Cup-A-Joe on Tate Street, Blumenthals (the exterior with the big blue sign) - and Elm Street itself. We shot from one end of Elm to the other, including interior scenes at Mack & Mack and the GreenBean. The film was shot entirely at night, so if you've ever wondered how digital video performs in minimal light, you'll see it here.

The film stars Christy Johnson (now the lead singer for The Arrival), and Roseanne Leigh (soon to star in MAX'S CAR); also featuring - Robert Harris, Mack McClain, Billy Ingram, Stephen Gee, Steve Willis, Tristan Younce, BlakeGriffin, Darryl Bodie, Branden Thompson, Mr. Rozzi, Eddie McLauren (Woods ofTerror owner) and many other Greensboro actors. TDG is a very ambitious "handmade, hobby film" shot on weekends by a crew of two, my wife and myself. Not a bad example of how to stitch together afeature for no money. Come check it out,

Les

The Scene on South Elm is located at 604 South Elm Street in Greensboro, NC. It is near the corner of South Elm Street and E Lewis St and is north of E Lee St.

Drawings of Mohammed are to die for

World Opinion Roundup -- Jefferson Morley's Review of Opinions and Commentary on News Around the World - washingtonpost.com: "In the Middle East, Palestinian militants issued a threat against citizens of Denmark and Norway where the drawings were first published. 'All nationals and those who work in the diplomatic corps of these countries can be considered targets of the Popular Resistance Committee and Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades,' the statement said, according to aljazeera.net."