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August 28, 2006
Google Maps Flight Simulator
The uses for Google map's API seems endless. Just to add to an already long list of cool innovative uses with Google's framework is a flight simulator that allows you to soar thru the highly detailed satellite maps.
You take control of a plane - pivot, turn, dive, and climb into the skies while exploring your landscape. I managed to find my parent's house in San Francisco, my current apartment in Los Angeles, and my old apartment in New York. Just for sh*ts and giggles, I also flew thru Disneyland. SO COOL!
Posted by tranism at 5:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 20, 2006
The Abandoned City San Zhi (part 2)
I got a lot of emails regarding a recent post about an abandoned site in Taiwan consisting of podular housing off the northern coast of the country. It took me awhile but I've found more pictures (in color) of the site and more info.
The area is called San Zhi. There are no named architects since the whole site was commissioned by the government and several local firms. They were trying to create a posh luxurious vacation spot for the affluent and rich streaming out of Taipei. Now this is where things get weird. The local papers say there were numerous accidents during its construction, and as news spread to the urbanites of the island state, nobody wanted to vacation there, much less visit. Locals say the area is now haunted by those who died in vain and because they are not remembered, they linger there unable to pass on.
This explains why the area was abandoned. If the site is haunted, no amount of redevelopment is going to bring the masses to that spot. Even demolishing it is out of the question because destroying the homes of spirits and lost souls is a HUGE no-no in Asian culture.
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 7:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (41)
Harry Potter Year 5
Shocked, surprised, thrilled and wanting to sit down and start the next book immediately. It's now 5:30 AM and I've just finished the 5th book in the Harry Potter series; Order Of The Phoenix. I know I'm quite behind compared to other Harry Potter fans but I made an effort to read it his weekend and I'm so glad I did.
Leaving off from the events of the 4th book, it's now the 5th year at Hogwarts and Harry Potter is trying to figure out what will happen in the Wizarding community now that the Dark Lord Voldermort had returned. Unfortunately he faces ridicule from people who don't believe him and a Wizard government falsely misguided and attempting to squish Harry's story with asinine bureaucracy.
If you thought the last book (and movie) were dark and action packed, just wait until you read and see this one. The story-line is top notch. There are so many twists and turns, I'm sure even M. Knight Shalaman would be envious. Here is where we finally see the line drawn, between the forces of evil and those who oppose it. Harry is growing up, dealing with adolescence and his own identity. We see his best friend Ron become more self-confident and reprise his role as the "lazy dorky friend", and of course Hermione - who really is the brightest witch of her age. I found myself reading with my mouth gaped open at times, trying to read fast and faster. I'm not gonna give anything away but I already know, there's just no way the movie version (July 2007) can suck. There are times when content is so good, even Hollywood would have to try really hard to botch it up.
It is in this book, we finally learn of Harry's past in full detail, and what is destined. It perfectly sets up for the 6th book; The Half-Blood Prince and I can't wait to start on it!
Posted by tranism at 5:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
August 18, 2006
Firefox Crop Circle
Some geeks are sooo geeky, they actually transcend to geekdom-nirvana. In the case of the Oregon State University Linux Group, they showed off their geek-prowess by making a giant 220 ft. crop circle.
Ironically, when I consulted my crystal ball, I see fox like aliens overtaking this planet and enslaving the human race. Didn't anybody see The Signs??? Crop circles are mapping points for an invading army! Humans just never learn.
Posted by tranism at 3:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
August 17, 2006
Origami While You Bus
Other than listening to your iPod, looking out the window, pretending not to stare at other riders; you can now use that 'oh so useless' bus transfer and make some origami.
REZ DESIGN slapped on stickers across Liverpool buses to give riders something constructive to do. Why not make an origami french fries holder? Hey, you never know when you need something like that. The design is water tight too. I bet if some of the Survivor contestants knew how to make it, they would have had a hell-of-an easier time transporting fresh water.
Posted by tranism at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 12, 2006
Roll Rampant And Free
Muralist Maya Hayuk adds her skills to a new skate park project in Philly called Roll Rampant and Free - giving the city's skaters a bright, colorful, and vibrant place to do all their wanna-be and not so wanna-be Tony Hawk moves. I will also point out one of the guys in this photo is HOT, but I won't say who.
more pictures after the jump
via core77
Posted by tranism at 11:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
August 8, 2006
The Human Hamster Wheel
This street-ready grass-lined wheel was built by a group of students from the Dalhousie School of Architecture.
The wheel is their summer project but more importantly a social statement "not enough grass in the city of Halifax". Their contraption, "take the park with you."
Talk about getting lost in the park, or walking in circles. I would have liked to hear the brainstorm that gave birth to this idea. Go Canada!
via Inhabitat
Posted by diverseawareness at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)