Thrillpeddlers :: Weblog

The Longest Line

As you may or may not know, when Apple opens a new retail store, Mac fans start lining up hours in advance to be the first ones inside, and to get the free Apple swag that's traditionally given away. But on November 30th, when Apple opened its Tokyo store (their first store outside the U.S.), the lines were... well... seriously, I have never seen anything like this, for any event, anywhere, ever. Here's the video. Remember, they're in line to get into a computer store. (Scenes like this must make Gateway cry.)

Damn hippies!

Many more outrageous album covers at BizarreRecords.com. I have to admit I've wasted entirely too much time browsing the collection. Several of the entries even include audio samples, like this one by Tom n' Jerry's Rockets. Dig in.

2003 Was Windows-free

Detroit Free Press technology columnist Mike Wendland recently celebrated the one year anniversary of his switch from Windows to Mac. His weblog, which documents his experiences as a switcher, has become a pretty valuable resource for anyone who's been thinking of moving to the Mac. I only mention all of this, because it reminded me that I'm coming up on my first year as a Mac user. One year of being virus, worm, pop-up, spyware, .dll error, critical update, and crash... FREE! Mike lists the top five reasons he'll never go back. I'll add a sixth: No more talking paperclip!

Hinn-sanity

There's a very informative article on the "Skeptical Inquirer" website about the faith-healing methods of evangelist Benny Hinn. (He's the guy on TV in the white suits with the outrageous comb-over.) For those of you not familiar with audience manipulation methods used by faith-healers and stage hypnotists, I encourage you to check it out. And while you're in the mood, take a look at James Randi's book The Faith Healers, which was my introduction to the tricks of the trade.

Paris Writhes Again?

Why are fans of Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie's new show The Simple Life flocking to the Thrillpeddlers' website? It seems that when you Google the misspelled 'Nicole Riche,' the first 20 results include 2 articles on our site about the 1950 Grand Guignol production of No Orchids For Miss Blandish. The production starred an actress named Nicole Riche who famously faked her own kidnapping as a publicity stunt for the show. (Miss Hilton, whose entire life seems to be a publicity stunt, proves that the practice is alive and well today.) The two articles are named The Lady Vanishes and Paris Writhes Again. Which one to you think gets the most clicks?

News In Brief

From this week's edition of The Onion.

Hasbro Pledges Additional 30 Marbles For Hippo-Hunger Relief

PAWTUCKET, RI—With global famine worsening, Hasbro pledged an additional 30 white marbles Monday to hippo-hunger relief efforts. "To see those starving, starving hippos just lying there, not knowing if they will ever get another chance to click and clack for life-giving marbles—it's too much for anyone to bear," Hasbro spokeswoman Lisa Reiderer said. "We cannot stand idly by while these sweet plastic creatures slowly die. It is up to all of us to get the most marbles for our hippos."