Freitag Star Tek

by Carol T Chung

Even Freitag, those lovely truck tarp recycling chaps, bow down before the Cult of Mac with their Star Tek laptop sleeves. which are specifically designed for the Powerbook and iBook. They come in either fume stained white or yellow. As if having a Mac didn't push you into the 2% realm of the elite, this laptop sleeve will surely secure your place. Although it's not as skin tight as I had initially hoped, it still rocks pretty hard. The rubber exterior is waterproof as is the coated zipper, making it nearly impossible for water to weasel its way in there. There's also a nice cushy neoprene lining. And in all honesty, the slightly extra space is great for sliding in a pen and perhaps a thin book and papers.

Aichi Expo

by Josh Spear

Times Online has a wonderful article about the Aichi Expo in Japan... Wondering what it would be like to star in a film before you see it? You can go to see a special animated film at the expo, and you will be asked if you'd like to take part in the show on your way in--just by placing your face into a hole in the wall. High resolution cameras scan your face from several angles, to place you in a random part. Everyone in the theatre who wants one, gets a role, and a Toshiba supercomputer processes the one-time-only film in the back. Maybe this is a future in interactive film-- it sure does seem fun. The expo is packed full of virtual reality safaris, robots, and more. Aichi Expo just recently opened last week and runs until September 25th, a total of 185 days, so if you find yourself in Japan, there is plenty of time to check it out!

Game Gardens

by Carol T Chung

From the folks who brought you that adorable mmog Puzzle Pirates, Three Rings have created Game Gardens: a place of 'experimental online game development.' So if you know how to program in Java, you can use their tool kit to create you own games and upload them to the site for others to play. They also provide a forum in which to ask questions and share ideas. So if you've ever been curious about what it's like to make a multiplayer game, here's your chance.

Live: Kaiser Chiefs and The Changes in Chicago

by Ari Bendersky

Last Thursday night, Kaiser Chiefs visited Chicago and I have to say, it was sad to see them go. The band stormed the stage at the Double Door, thundered through its hour-long set and left almost as quickly as they arrived.

When I got Kaiser Chiefs’ CD a few weeks ago, I wasn’t sure if I was going to write about them (don’t get me wrong, the CD is pretty hot, but I’d just written about a slew of other British buzz bands), but after seeing them up close and personal, I was blown away. Lead singer Ricky Wilson’s quirky energy surpassed anything I’ve seen in a long time – even Mick Jagger, who took to this same, intimate venue in 1997, doesn’t hold a candle.

Thwart Design

by Josh Spear

Thwart Design is an art and design collective, with an interesting line of products. Their aim is "to generate an assortment of projects from conceptual to marketable, our mantra being the pursuit of raw creativity." It's all in their effort to break the mediocrity of commercial art forms. They don't want creativity to lie dormant, and they are seeking like-minded individuals to collaborate with them on all realms. Check out the site for some more of their products, these Coast-it's are totally cute-- "bar napkins no longer will be the host of great ideas".