Absolutely INSANE Bicycle Riding!!!

I previously wrote about "Parkour" (or "free running") and how amazing it is to watch these guys do what they do in an urban setting. Well, here comes "Parkour for Bikes" ...

My youngest child is just about ready to ditch the training wheels on his bike, and my second oldest is just starting to try some small tricks (e.g., riding with no hands, wheelie, bunny hop, ramp jumps, etc.). However, you can imagine how blown away they were by this video of what Danny MacAskill can do on a bicycle. Of course, I had to remind them that he must practice A LOT to get this good. ;-)




Danny Macaskill : Next level street trials from brainchild-films on Vimeo.

Innovative (If Not Workable) Concept Airplanes

This recent article does a great job of compiling and describing a slew of cool-looking airplane prototypes and concepts. Here is a sampling:

Ideo Lab's "Rube Goldberg Machine

For years I've been continually impressed with the high-caliber creative thinking that seems to roll out of Ideo Labs on an almost routine basis. So it did not surprise me too much when one of their corporate "team building" exercise became an instant Web sensation a few months ago. For those of you who missed it, you can read about this project and watch the video on their blog. Essentially, they spent two weeks devising a ultra-complex "Rube Goldberg machine" that would in effect connect all of its worldwide offices. Talk about a great way to build group unity, foster a fun work environment, AND inspire creative thinking among your team!

Speaking of Interesting Photos ...

Here's one that falls into the category of "it's GOT to be fake!" (even though it is a genuine photo from NASA's archives): the Space Shuttle Discovery is on the launch pad in Florida when replicas of Christopher Columbus' original exploration vehicles passed by. Talk about a passing of the torch!

click image to view original at TwitPic

Photos Taken at Unusual Angles

Just about everyone I know has taken the funny photos of themselves picking a President's nose in front of Mt. Rushmore or pushing over the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We love to have fun with how unusual angles can make for amusing images. This site collected a bunch of creative shots ... here's a sample that I call "Jet-Powered Bird":