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Kia’s 2010 big game commercial

Seriously, I like this Super Bowl ad best. Cracks me right up. Plus, ROBOT FTW.

Image via Wikipedia

Hello HPG readers old and new, and welcome to the inner reaches of my brain. Welcome to the hive mind!

I’m sure this isn’t news to any of you who read sites like HotPinkGeek regularly, but I spend a good portion of my time ‘researching’ the most ridiculous things on the internet and sharing them with those who will listen (and a few who really won’t).

Over the next few days I’ll be sharing with you my favourite lists of 2009 — websites, crazy people, whoa-worthy videos — everything you’ve come to expect from HotPinkGeek and more!

Without further ado, here’s today’s list: Websites where you can waste absurd amounts of time!

Now, I’ve not spent a lot of time organizing them into rank – in my head or otherwise – so I want you to look at this list as one solid, flowing piece of crap artwork wherein you could randomly choose a link and be whisked away to a magical land of ridiculous/funny/mind-blowing and lose the better portion of your productive work day. I am to distract and amuse!
And… go! (Click here for HPG’s Top 25 of 2009: Websites where you can waste absurd amounts of time)

I’m an Android lover. I’ve been running an HTC Dream (G1) for about 6 months now after being a loyal WinMo user for years. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll defend WinMo in about 80% of the arguments out there, but Android? Android is really on their game — they’ve got the style, they’ve got the smooth, usable OS, they’ve got regular updates, and they’ve got an impressive app store (sorry, WinMo).

Five months ago the Android Market had 10,000 applications to choose from and now — an impressive 20,000! Okay, okay Apple fanatics, I know you’re not impressed but really doubling the development in a mere five months is not too shabby at all.

Plus,

Number of Android fart apps – 23
Number of iPhone fart apps – 370+

Androlib has made up this chart on the growth of applications, paid and free, in the Android Market:

The Motorola DROID was a big hit and now it’s certainly apparent that the Android Market is gaining some speed.

What’s next, Android?

Seriously. Who doesn’t like to get gadgets and gizmos and toys? I don’t know anyone — every age group included — that wouldn’t absolutely love a talking robot.

Here are – in no particular order – my top five favourite gadget gifts for anyone this coming holiday season:

Mattel Mindflex Game – $100

This game is perfect for that stressful student or co-worker in your life as it’s very calming. It combines advanced technology with the power of thought to create an interactive experience unlike any other. It’s a great party game for the whole family and will make the geek in you gleeful.

Brando Tiny USB Rechargeable RC Helicopter – $40

My father (who, coincidentally, is not a 15 year old boy) purchased this helicopter this past weekend when I was visiting. He has always had an attachment to remote control toys and really loved this one in particular. It lights up and whirrrs and is one of the coolest remote control helicopters I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen plenty, trust me.

Star Wars Interactive R2D2 – $200

Collectors young and old will appreciate the details of this Star Wars Interactive Electronic R2-D2 Astromech Droid. Complete with movie-accurate messages and flashing lights, this droid responds to voice commands and has a special arm designed to keep your beverage handy. This friendly robot is designed to be a fun companion for kids aged eight and up.

LEGO Ultimate Building Set – $30

This might be the ultimate gift for those gadget-minded geeks in your life — young or old. If you think this is for kids, I dare you to ask around, you might be surprised by the answers you get. In the box you get 405 standard Lego pieces with house and wheel element, mini figurine, durable plastic storage case, and instructions.

Mother flippin' triangles, man.

This fantastically aggravating yet supremely addictive little game is the brain child of one of my favourite websites — DigYourOwnGrave. If you haven’t been there, I strongly suggest you do. I know those boys, and if you don’t visit their site regularly and they will hunt you down… and you don’t want that. Jussayin’.

So, you like to play Audio Surf while relaxing with some Chamomile tea to your favourite Whitney Houston ballads? You might think this game is for you, but you’re wrong. But then again, I have a feeling you’re generally used to being wrong, Bodyguard watcher.

Vector Runner is not for the weak of heart – this game will stress you out. It puts you, the pilot, in a racer bombing down the coloured line highway at break-neck speed. And this ain’t your mother’s highway. This damn highway is covered in ominious, life-threatening triangles. And just when you think you’ve got a handle on dodging lame little triangles *BAM* — bigger, meaner triangles.

Use the left and right arrow keys to pilot your ship. Avoid the obstacles and collect the powerups for bonus points, shield recharging, and invincibility. Pressing ‘ENTER’ will pause the game, but it will also incur a 250 point penalty. Bastards!

The newest version of this game features stereo sound effects and a pretty kickass soundtrack courtesy of the band We Got This Far.

What are you waiting for? GO. You show those triangles who’s boss. Be sure to come crying to me when you lose repeatedly. It will console me greatly.

Vector Runner on DigYourOwnGrave

This hot pink geek is looking to shed some of her outer soft, pillowy layer. That’s right, folks, I’m gearing up to crack down on my eating habits, exercise more, and hopefully sleep more.

Sure, you’re saying, but what does this have to do with geekiness? My love handles aren’t nerdy. My thunder thighs, while strong like a certain amazonian super hero, aren’t even remotely dorky.

What I’m looking for is advice from my fellow geeks! Like me, many of you spent much of your time in front of the computer, playing video games, programming software, building robots, and drawing up blueprints for your top secret underground lair… right? How do you stay in shape? How do you stop yourself from becoming pear shaped a la Dilbert?

I wrote earlier today on my MySpace blog about things that I’m looking forward to this fall. And it got me to thinking, what geek related things am I looking forward to?

There are always geek things on the horizon, but this fall seems to have a jackpot in store. Let’s take a look.

-NHL 2010 from EA Sports. The game launches on Sept. 15/09.

-Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. The animated movie opens Sept. 18/09. We saw the trailer when we went to see UP! and the 3D was pretty awesome.

-The Heroes season 4 premiere on NBC. 2 hour episode airs Sept. 21/09.

-SNL Fall 2009 premiere hosted by self proclaimed Fangirl Megan Fox. Airs Sept. 26/09.

-Superman/ Batman: Public Enemies. The full length animated feature comes out Sept. 29/09.

-NBA Live 2010 from EA Sports. The game launches Oct. 06/09.

-Toy Story 1 & 2 in 3D. The double feature launches for 2 weeks only starting Oct. 10/09. E-ve already has a reminder set in her iPhone calendar.

-Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen DVD release. Set for Oct. 20/09.

-Astro Boy. This is probably the theatrical animated movie that I am anticipating the most. Release date is scheduled for Oct. 23/09. The voice cast includes regular subject of my fawning and affection, Kristen Bell.

These are just a few of the things that I am looking forward to in a geeky kinda way. The baseball play-offs will also make me geek out, but I left them off of the list because they didn’t fit the profile as well as I would have liked.

What’s on your list?

What’s coming up for you?

Well? Are you?

Students at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa have created a working mathematical model for zombie outbreaks. They have taken precious time and energy, not to mention math and science to figure out that… well, we’re effed… kinda. Their studies have shown that if left to their own devices, a zombie out break could take out a sizable city in 4-8 hours.

Attempts to quarantine the braaaaain hungry undead seems pretty futile and finding an antidote could be a really, really long process (forget flesh eating disease cures here, folks, we’re talking flesh eaters). Long wait times for a potential cure would definitely lead to bigger life-loss and then, conversely, bigger hordes of hungry, hungry zombies (I’d like to see you make that board game, Hasbro).

Thus leaving the best solution — nearly two weeks of heavy hand-to-decaying-hand combat with the zombies… or you know, nuke the bastards.

We have to forget that that was once grandma and just reload the shot gun!

Check out the full article here:

Mathematical Modeling for the Survival of a Zombie Attack

Good afternoon geeks and geekettes.

I wanted to write today but I had no idea what to write about. So, I decided that I’d just go ahead with a list of 5 things that I love to geek out about.
-The following list is in no particular order.

1. Veronica Mars: I was introduced to the show on DVD after it was done its 3 season run on the WB/ CW. The script is quick, funny and filled with pop-culture references. The cast is young, hip, pretty and well rounded. Elliot from Just Shoot Me is V. Mars’ dad. The character of Veronica is smart, sassy, sexy, kind, conflicted and full of angst (but not in an emo way). I have watched all the seasons on DVD, E-ve even bought me Season 1 as a gift. I have watched episodes on Cosmo TV at 4am. I have streamed episodes on the computer at work. I have referenced the show on many occasions to people that have no idea what I’m talking about. And I guessed Veronica Mars right away when E-ve told me that she made the same kind of cookies that my gf made on TV. (Snickerdoodles)

2. Batman: When I was a kid I remember watching Adam West as Batman in re-runs at my grand-parent’s house. Sure the show was campy and a little ridiculous, but I loved it. Now that I’m a grown-up I have Batman comics and movies, I watch Batman cartoons on TV (5:30pm on Teletoon East and 8:30pm on Teletoon West, Monday to Friday), I own the 2 Michael Keeton Batman movies and the 2 Christian Bale Batman movies (but not the Val Kilmer or George Clooney movies). Today I looked for rumors online regarding the new Batman movie which hasn’t even been announced yet and had to stop myself from speaking aloud when I saw that they are thinking of having Rachael Dawes become Catwoman for the next film. Batman is my favourite super hero because he’s just a regular dude with a ton of cash and the drive to defeat crime. I could be him if I had a billion dollars and the martial arts training.

3. Sports: I geek out for sports. All sports. Today I loaded more baseball photos taken with my BlackBerry onto the MySpace page. The total is now 31 from 5 games that I have attended so far this season. I’ve also been to a CFL game this season and in the past I’ve been to see the Maple Leafs, Raptors, Toronto Rock and TFC. One of my biggest geek out moments came in junior high when our class trip was to Montreal and I got to visit and tour the newly opened Centre Bell. I got to see the dressing room full of photos of Hall of Fame players, I got to see the set of Coach’s Corner and sat in Don Cherry’s chair and I got to see the 23 Stanley Cup Championship banners hanging in the rafters.

4. Harry Potter: I own and have read all of the books (with the exception of the 6th, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince which I borrowed) and have seen all 6 of the released films. In fact, E-ve and I went to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on the IMAX screen last week. I am not ashamed of the fact that I am a grown man and enjoy the tales of Harry and his friends. I almost bought the Quiditch game for PS2 when it was first released, but was able to resist. I even have a copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard which E-ve got me for Christmas.

5. The internet: I love the internet. I’m on Twitter and MySpace. I have a blog that I write almost every single day (on the blog roll here just fyi) I write blogs on the MySpace page when I’m bored. I check sports sites, email, news and YouTube daily. I have internet on my BB that gets used all the time with quick links for weather, news, sports, search engines, Facebook, MySpace, maps, and an RSS Feed to keep track of various blogs and such. The internet is a place full of wonder, and I wonder if someday I will reach the end. I certainly hope not.

So, there are 5 things that I geek out about. I know that there are more. Some are minor geek outs, some are more severe. I think that everyone should have a few things that they love enough or feel passionately enough about to smile and rant and ramble about.

I know I do.

Use your keyboard to guess letters of words from the various categories. Each correct word will give you some money, while each mistake will decrease your budget (or energy if you have no gold). Use your budget and the 1-3 keys to train warriors and send them to the enemy castle. When a type of warrior is used often, he will promote to higher experience level. Check “How to play” section from main menu for more details.