diary

There's some good stand up comedy material in Japanese shoe measurements: "Foot Morphology and Fitting of the Shoe to the Foot" In the Japanese shoe size system, shoe size is determined by length and ball girth. The shoe size indicates the size of the foot that fits the shoe, not the size of shoe itself. A shoe is manufactured on a last, so last size and shape determines the size and shape of the shoe. The foot shape may vary even when the foot length is the same. Any shape mismatch causes disuncomfort [sic]. Through research into the size and shape variations of Japanese feet, we are developing a method of shoe design that takes shape characteristics into consideration. Foot Morphology and Fitting of the Shoe to the Foot

Based on the new version of Wists, in progress - Cribcandy version 2 launches. Enjoy! Cribcandy 2 point oh!

Friends, Alex, Helen, James and Nancy built a geodesic dome for burning man. By built, I mean completely from scratch i.e. they fabricated the tube connectors. Now admittedly James is a NASA engineer, but if this had been me the dome would still consist of a bunch of steel rods and a few empty wine bottles. Flickr: Photos from alexnigg

Google news archive has just launched. I searched for the most life changing experience I ever had. It was there, and emotional to read. In February 1983, a group of us fell 800 ft while climbing in Wales. RIP David Solomons and Richard Palmer. I won't forget you. - Google News Archive Search

Some people from The Twelve Tribes : The Commonwealth of Israel parked up three really nicely restored old 50s buses in Washington Square last night. I think they are Christans, but are playing 'Irish/ Israeli' folk music in NYC next week. I would suggest that they should be called Oi Vay Maria. Anyway, I learned this really interesting fact - If you are a hippy traveller, the best place to park up your trailer for free, is the car park at a mega Walmart. Hippies and ultra-consumer capitalism have a symbiotic relationship after all.

"Divebars. Jukeboxes. Allen Iverson. Beerball. Super Mario Kart. NetFlix. LiveFuckingJournal. The way my girl looks in that skirt." Very well written piece about loving America for the good things, after seeing it fresh after backpacking abroad. The Musty Man - Hating America

Giant Manatee cruises Hudson River

I've switched to 'outliner style' for my blog, as default, so that I can post more quick links and to help prevent me from writing boring diatribes.

Apparently Starbucks is suing because someone is using their trademark 'double shot'. From now on I will refuse to use Starbucks trademarked terminology when ordering coffee just to mess with them (I could always just not buy Starbucks coffee, but that would be adult and mature and inconvenient): I will ask for Small, Medium or Large instead of the stupid: Tall; Grande; Venti, Party Bucket and Swimming Pool or whatever. I will ask for Skimmed milk in California and Non- Fat milk in New York (this apparently seems to confuse them). I will remind them I wasn't invited every time I am referred to as a "guest". When asked for my name, it will be: "freecoffeeforeveryone" or "Hugh Janus" or something equally hilarious. And I will ask for a "doubleshoto (sic) expresso" from now on. I'm sure Starbucks are trembling at the thought, but its probably just too much coffee.

US based BBC journalist Matt Wells launches his blog - worth checking out. Rhapsod

I put together a wists list of locations in Greenwich Village, which were frequented by Bob Dylan in the early 60s. Wists: Bob Dylan locations.

Wists maps launches Part of Wists rev 2 which I'm busy working on, Wists maps is being released early for a really cool showcase application which will be live shortly. What is wists maps? When you click on 'add to wists' bookmarklet and are in the edit screen before you submit your new item, there is a checkbox at the bottom, marked