March 8, 2002

Map of Springfield
If you love watching "The Simpsons" then you'll appreciate this detailed map of Springfield. It's interesting to see that Mr. Burns' estate is smack-dab between the Springfield Badlands and Springfield University. I'm personally amazed at how many hair salons and unusual museums this town has. They even have the World's Largest Toilet!

Trading Spaces Fanatic
I don't know why I'm so obsessed with this show on The Learning Channel. Basically it's a home improvement show where neighbors redecorate a room in each other's houses for two days on a $1,000 budget with the help of a professional designer and an amazing carpenter. The twist is that these dull rooms end up looking magnificent. Plus it's really funny, especially when people are led back into their own rooms and they get to see what their neighbors did. I remember seeing one episode where a woman was livid that they painted her bedroom yellow. You'll have to watch the show to understand how easy it is to get addicted. It's made me want to be a carpenter just like Amy Wynn Pastor; or maybe a funky designer like Genevieve Gorder and Frank Bielec. Go to this fan site to get all the dirt on the designers, carpenters and of course the ever-peppy hostess Paige Davis. Also be sure to check out the official Trading Spaces site for room before and after photos and video clips!

The Illustrated Catalog Of ACME Products
If you grew up watching Looney Tunes, then chances are you're well acquainted with ACME products. Here's a Web site that has "information and pictures of all ACME products, specialty divisions, and services (from 1935 to 1964)." Some of my favorite products include the ACME female roadrunner costume, a jet-propelled unicycle and pogo stick and a straitjacket-ejecting bazooka. If I had those items, I could rule the world...maybe.

JC Penny Fall-Winter Catalog 1980
Flipping through the JC Penny catalog used to be a big pastime for me as a little kid. I spent hours cutting out all the stuff I wanted and put it in a huge scrapbook. Granted I never got an electric guitar or an Easy-Bake Oven for Christmas, but I sure had fun looking at all those clothes, toys and Star Wars comforters. Travel back in time to 1980 when rollerskating was cool, latchhook rugs were hip and headbands were a fashion statement.

International Federation of Competitive Eating
Is eating 100 hotdogs in one sitting an eating disorder or a freakishly entertaining talent? For some people it's a sport. Welcome to the International Federation of Competitive Eating. These folks take pride in gluttony. Get info on how you can join the federation, or hold an eating event in your town. Check out the online store and sign up for "The Gurgitator" newsletter. Or perhaps buy an official shirt or cozzie.

One Tired Guy
Do you think skydiving or snowboarding is extreme? Maybe once you take a gander at this site you'll be rethinking what exactly makes a sport "extreme." Watch the trailer for the indie documentary "One tired Guy" about athlete Kris Holm and his thrilling unicycle moves. Yeah, I said unicycle. Kris is either a brave guy or a total nut. He unicycles mountain trails, slick rock, mogul ski slopes, rooftops and the guard railing of the Burrard Street Bridge. I hope Kris has some good medical insurance.

Chinese Communist Propaganda Poster Art
Stefan Landsberger has quite an impressive collection on Chinese Communist Propaganda Poster Art from 1949 till the present day. It's interesting to see the posters depict children (many times chubby babies) sitting on top of rockets and waving flags. Look at posters in such categories as "Iron Women and Foxy Ladies," "The Mao Cult," "Earthquakes," and "Heroes and Villains."

Miserable Melodies
Just because you're a talented actor doesn't mean you should sing covers of Beatles' songs or put out Christmas albums. This site pays tribute to every actor who's wanted to do double duty as a rock star. Check out tunes "sung" by William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Burt Reynolds and Fabio, among others. Of course, no one can sing "Hey Mister Tambourine Man" like Capt. Kirk. Thank God.