Digital Journal — Check out news, gadgets and technology from around the world. Pick up some new jokes, hear some shocking revelations and read a whole bunch of useless facts to impress your friends at dinner parties. This is Bits & Bytes.
Mona Lisa Ain’t Smiling
Da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa is deteriorating so badly that conservation experts at the Louvre have ordered an urgent analysis of its condition. The wood has begun to warp and the painting’s surface is becoming discoloured. Early next year, the work will be moved to a climate-controlled room.
Going once, going twice, sold!
Marilyn Monroe fans will have the chance to own a piece of history when famous photographs and design sketches are auctioned off later this year. In December, the original costume design sketch of the famous white dress worn by Monroe in The Seven-Year Itch will sell at a memorabilia auction. The sketch by designer Bill Travilla is expected to sell for $80,000 to $100,000 (US). Other photos along with 500 movie and TV items will also be sold off to the public.
Nerd Power!
With an arsenal of superpowers that would shame super-dork Clark Kent — ungodly coding ability, opposite-sex repulsion, analytical reasoning and less-than-ideal personal hygiene — Happy Worker Inc.’s “Geekman” action figure is a beacon of light
to nerds everywhere. One of the first Canadian-designed action figures, Geekman comes equipped with glasses, handheld computer, watch, notebook computer and coffee mug (hey, geeks need a buzz too).
A Company Built on Lies
Germany-based Perfect Alibis offers clients exactly that — excuses to the suspicious spouses of philanderers. Horny husbands can pay the company to field telephone calls to a fake number, or even mail an invitation to a phony business seminar. For the low-budget player, $12 will get you a reassuring SMS to a distrustful spouse. Lying has never been so profitable (for non-politicians, that is).
“Them phones is purdy crazy”
President George W. Bush recently showed off his high-tech photo-op skills in a briefing about making the U.S. broadband-friendly. Using Motorola’s Ojo videophone, Bush learned how consumers can remotely activate their home monitoring systems. Let’s see Osama break through that line of defence.
Monty Python Silly Walks to Broadway
If the words “I fart in your general direction” throw you into a giggling fit, then be prepared for mondo laughs when “Monty Python’s Spamalot” hits the Broadway stage in 2005. Based on their popular film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, “Spamalot” will feature song and dance numbers written by Python Eric Idle and will star Tim Curry as King Arthur and David Hyde Pierce as Sir Robin.
iPod’s Got Shotgun
For the true iPod fanatic, Alpine Electronics’ Interface Adapter allows drivers to hook up their MP3 player to a headset and cruise to tunes hands-free. Compatible with iPod and iPod Mini, the Adapter can turn a casual road trip into a rock ‘n’ roll adventure.
Camp Robbin’ Hoods
Russian police raided a summer camp that allegedly trained teenagers to become criminals. Like a surreal Oliver Twist, kids were taught about the criminal underworld and how to respond to police questioning. At least 30 teens and two “trainers” were caught, along with handheld manuals detailing everything you wanted to know about robbery.
Baseball Has Been Very Good to Me
Whether you follow the Jays, Expos or any other baseball team, handheld portable media players can be your 24/7 ticket to homers and double-plays. MLB.com is making condensed games and classic footage available for download on these handheld multimedia devices. Watch the Jays winning the World Series over and over because, hey, it might not happen again.
This article is part of Digital Journal’s national magazine edition. Pick up your copy of Digital Journal in bookstores across Canada. Or subscribe to Digital Journal now, and receive 8 issues for $19.95 + GST ($39.95 USD).
