which iPod are you? it don't matter - just do it!

An interesting new development that I read about today. The increasing merging of sports and technology brings Apple and Nike together. Here's a little something from The Street.com that I read today (click on title above to directly go to the story).

Long used on the run, Apple Computer's (AAPL) iPod soon will be customized for runners.

As part of a deal announced Tuesday with Nike (NKE), the company will soon release a kit that will essentially allow the digital music player to function as a pedometer, giving runners information on the distance they've gone, the calories they've burned, and the length of time they've been running. The kit will include a wireless antenna that will connect an iPod nano to specially designed Nike shoes.

Apple plans to release the package within two months for a price of about $30. Nike will begin offering shoes that include the pedometer sensor and the wireless antenna to talk to the one for the nano beginning next month. The shoemaker plans to update many of its shoe lines to incorporate the technology.

Many companies have been trying to tap into the success of the iPod. Car companies have been adding iPod connectors to their car radios and consumer electronics makers have come out with a raft of different iPod accessories, including speakers, wireless headphones and the like.

But the deal with Nike is one of the first efforts to connect the iPod to a nontraditional electronic device.

In addition to the pedometer information, the Nike+iPod kit from Apple will include software that will allow customers to designate a "power song" that they can play at the touch of a button during workouts, and to set up customized song play lists for use with particular workout routines. As part of the deal between the two companies, Apple plans to add a sports music section to its iTunes Music store.

Shares of Apple and Nike both rose following the announcement. In recent trading, Nike's stock was up $3.03, or about 4%, to $81.01, while Apple's stock was up 67 cents, or about 1%, to $64.05.


Hey, maybe this will help (not cure) in getting people off their sofas and into exercise a little more. Considering I detest both companies (Nike for the sweatshops they run and Apple on principle), this is a great idea. I might even consider this combo myself if my knee wasn't in such horrible shape.

modern roman orgies

I hang my head in shame for what the world, more specifically America, has produced. In a day where there is still hunger and starvation in EVERY country in the world, a growing sport is emerging. It even has an official sanctioning body.

The International Federation of Competitive Eating sanctions more than 100 competitive eating events a year. That's two competitions a weekend of people ramming as much food into their bodies as possible. The participants involved call it a sport, some even call themselves 'athletes'. Heck, even ESPN is covering it (click on 'modern roman orgies' above). Flat out - its gluttony; one of the seven deadly sins, remember?

In a society where we acknowledge that kids and adults are too fat because of what they eat, we now have a "sport" where people try to do exactly what we tell them is bad for them - and the "sport" is growing both in the number of people involved as well as the caloric content being ingested. Why does an idea like this even enter a grown person's mind? I've seen teenagers attempt to out do each other just to prove their macho-ness but why didn't someone say, "That's just pure stupidity. Why are we promoting such behavior? Fire the the ad agency who came up with this idea and beat the moron who suggested it."

But no, this raw symbol of why people think Americans are the spoiled kids of the world continues to shine forth. Its greed and callousness and contempt all rolled into one. We know what the world needs but don't give a shit enough to help out. We'll free the people of a domineering dictator as long as they have oil, which serves our needs. We have so much stuff that we make competitions to see how fast we can make it go away. We are so self-absorbed in the drive to get all things materialistic that we ignore what simple needs others have. I think America would be better off giving the world the finger at the beginning of each press conference, at least there would be no doubt about our intentions.

So like the ancient lore of Roman orgies being one of the trademarks leading to the collapse of its empire, competitive eating has become a trademark of the good ole US of A. I'm ashamed indeed...

super slo-mo

Bottles and_Bullets II
Originally uploaded by brynman.

This is a totally cool picture of a bullet smashing through a bottle of wine. The physics geek in me finds this amazing, especially the shockwave traveling through the wine. Its also cool in its artistic side as its well-lit giving it an etheral feel to i. The bullet striking it and the shattering of the glass is all frozen in a brief moment of time.

Art and science rolled into one. Wicked.

unphotoshopped

eve
Originally uploaded by _rebekka.

I found this picture a while ago on flickr and decided to finally add it to my blog. The photographer has done a great job of composing this shot and getting the timing just right. What people can do with a camera absolutely amazes me sometimes and this is one of those amazing shots (at least IMHO).

credentials

credentials
Originally uploaded by bcurry35.

Anyone think that they will take this as my 'official' credentials at my next school? Its worth a try, I'll send it tomorrow...