Have you seen Internet photos of 3 dimensional sidewalk art? More than a few of my friends have sent me images of those amazing creations. The artist who creates those masterpieces, Julian Beever, is appearing today (May 16th) in front of the newest New York City Levi’s store in Times Square. You may have seen various pictures of Julian’s work which are ultra-realistic chalk drawings on sidewalks. These three dimensional images transform a regular sidewalk into a work of art. If you’re in the New York City area stop by the new Levi’s Store at 1501 Broadway (corner of 44th and Broadway).

Levi’s sidewalk artwork event with Julian Beever will help kick-off the
Times Square store opening in style as Levi’s open its arms to the city and
people of New York. Consumers visiting Times Square on May 16 will be
invited to become part of Beever’s art by actually posing in the 3D
picture. Visitors will get their photograph taken with Beever’s artwork and
will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see themselves on the “big
screen” as the photos will be displayed on a jumbotron in Times Square.

Link: Julian Beever Sidewalk Art

I still haven’t bought a Mother’s Day gift. I’m pretty sure my Mom won’t be into the fake two headed Holstein Calf plaque idea. But how about if I posted a favorite photo of her on the big screen in Times Square for Mother’s Day? For $69 (less a $25 coupon code) web site Kinemo is offering the opportunity to do just that. Here’s how it works. You upload your own photo and special caption. Pick the time period you want it to run. Put Mom in front of the big TV in Times Square (or use the link below to watch remotely). Bring plenty of tissues, because she’s sure to be touched — that is unless you’ve uploaded a photo of her gambling your inheritance away at Mohegan Sun with the caption “Mom Don’t Gamble My Inheritance”. I wonder if she’ll like this better than the cow head plaque? Use coupon code ‘ojiriwotu‘ for an instant $25 discount from the normal $69 charge bringing your net cost to $44 - the site will even document the event with a free 5×7 photo as well as text message or email you 30 minutes before the photo displays.

Mom’s unforgettable FameSlotâ„¢ costs only $69.00 and includes:

* Mom’s picture and message on the Reuters giant screen for at least 5 seconds
* A 5×7 photo print of the FameSlot, sent directly to you
* A notification to your mobile phone 10 minutes before Mom’s big moment
* A download of Mom’s picture on your mobile phone*

Link: Kinemo - Fameslot Mother’s Day Picture On Reuters Screen In Times Square
Link: Online image of Reuters Big Screen

Web site GoFrostfire.com has this unique two headed mounted Holstein Calf (in case you are wondering, it’s not real). Just think though, wouldn’t this just make the perfect Mother’s Day gift for that “Hard To Shop For Quirky Mom”? Admittedly it would take quite a huge sense of humor to keep a smile on her face while she un-boxes this gift (it would be a good idea to keep the kids out of the room while she opens it). Cost is $60 and shipping is free.

Link: Two Headed Holstein Calf Mount

This Sunday May 11, 2008 is Mother’s Day. Stuck for gift ideas? Judie has a great list of gift-worthy gadgets that any Mom would love. Of course there will always be the last minute shoppers who straggle into CVS on the way to Mom’s house and pick up the $4.99 Everlasting Flameless Candle (flickers and glows like a real candle). But what if CVS is closed and you can’t pick up that desperate last minute Mother’s Day gift? How about sending a generic video message from one of mom’s favorite performers. Well, her favorite performer is probably not making freebie cheezy e-cards - so you’ll have to settle for Liz Smith, Whoopi Goldberg or Lily Tomlin. Website WowOWow is offering canned e-cards with video messages to Mom on her special day. Nothing say’s “oops, I almost forgot” like an eCard — but it’s better than forgetting altogether. PS - If mom has a CAT or DOG - don’t forget cards from them as well!

Link: wOw Your Mom - Send a Mother’s Day e-Card from Whoopi Goldberg, LIz Smith or Lily Tomlin

Some mornings the press releases seem just a little well - far Fetched (pun intended). A Pet Care company named Fetch! Pet Care introduces Personal Training for your pets. I guess this is useful if you’re temporarily disabled or working some long hours and unable to exercise your pet. From their press release:

For those opting for the company’s Go Fetch! service, sitters arrive at
the client’s home outfitted with balls, frisbees, play toys, string and
sheer enthusiasm to give the dogs and cats in their care a fun-filled
workout. Each animal exercise regime is carefully tailored to the pet’s
age, ability, health condition, preferences and temperament.

Link:Go Fetch! - Personal Fitness Training for Pets

You’ve heard of those court-ordered gadgets which force people with prior DUIs to perform a breath-test in order to start their car engine, right? Well as if that wasn’t embarrassing enough, then take a look at this: If you are a risky borrower and you miss an automobile loan payment, this gadget will keep your car from starting.

When the light starts to flash, you had better have the cash.

That’s the reality for millions of subprime borrowers whose used car purchase is contingent upon having an unusual option: a little box mounted underneath the dashboard that forces them to make their payments on time.

A light on the plastic box flashes when a payment is due. If the payment isn’t made and the resulting code punched in to reset the box, the vehicle won’t start. The next step is a visit from the repo man.

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John Phillips sent this to me via Facebook, and I just had to share. Are any of you getting a Wii Fit? It actually looks like fun, and of course the video pokes fun…so enjoy.

Have you wondered just how healthy that meal at your favorite restaurant is? There’s a cool book that spotlights less healthy restaurant meals, and provides suggestions for alternative healthier dishes. Men’s Magazine took the book and compiled a list from it of the 20 worst foods in America and it’s quite an interesting read. I’ve always known that the Chili’s Awesome Blossom wasn’t terribly healthy - according to the article it has 2,710 calories and 203 g of fat — and that’s just for an appetizer! Check out more of what Men’s Health has compiled as the 20 Worst Foods in America.

Link: Men’s Health Magazine - 20 Worst Foods in America
Link: Order “Eat This Not That” Book from Amazon

Just when you think you’ve seen it all - here comes Verb For Shoe. They have created a $700 pair of shoes only a super geek could love. The company, which appears to have sprung from an MIT project that founder Ronald Demon developed, have just started shipping their latest shoe project. Here’s how it works (according to their site). When a Verb for Shoe wearer encounters another Verb for Shoe wearer, they both tilt their foot slightly and contact information is wirelessly exchanged. Later after returning to a PC, you can upload the days contacts…from your shoe. A picture of the shoe was well as an illustration of how it works are on the next page, so keep reading.

Link: Verb for Shoe.

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photo via: Reuters

The Olympic Flame is winding it’s way up Mount Everest this week. Journalists are firmly encamped at Rongo Monastery (5010m) where the media center is located. They’re following the Olympic Torch and providing reports on the progress. Oddly most of the news is not about the flame but about the extreme reporting restrictions and the allowed use of deadly force by the Nepalese government. This report from The Independent sums up the environment surrounding the Everest Torch run:

As Chinese climbers seek to reach Everest’s summit carrying a replica of the Olympic torch, the Nepalese government has closed down the upper areas of the mountain within its own borders and ordered everyone to stay away from the summit. It has even told the dozens of security personnel dispatched to the mountain they can shoot protesters seeking to disrupt the Chinese ascent.

Link: Everest Torch Silence Breeds Frustration
Link: A New Torch Controversy: the battle for Everest