The good news is that Red Bull has released another video about the jump:
The bad news is that on Rhys’ fourth cardboard box practice landing (he successfully landed three previous jumps into cardboard) he overshot the landing area and broke three vertebrae in his neck and compressed and broke two vertebrae in his back. Thus, no 360-degree Red Bull Experiment this year, though thankfully, Rhys will live to drive another day.
Valve is on top of the gaming world right now, and their Steam system is a great way to get new games.
If you’ve been holding off on getting yourself The Orange Box (and if you have a PC, you NEED this set of games), or any of the other titles in Valve’s repertoire (BioShock, Call of Duty, Quake, etc.) then be sure to check out their first-ever Steam storewide sale.
Every game in every genre from every developer and publisher on Steam is now on sale, and you can save 10-50% through January 1st. Plus, if you’re trying to make up for a poorly chosen gift, they also allow you to give the gift of game to friends and family through the Steam system.
The Sphere Project is a place “dedicated to the evolution of technical and creative 3D sphere design”, where 3D creatives can go to show off their handiwork.
The goal is to create a captivating and visually appealing sphere from the provided sphere scene using a 3D program and renderer of choice. Anyone is allowed to submit, provided they follow the rules, and a voting system brings the best submissions to the top. Clever ideas, thoughtful execution, technical expertise, and dazzing presentation are all considered, and the making the front page means you’re among the best of the best.
Submitted spheres can focus on modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering and compositing modifications, or a combination of any of the above, though above all, creativity and cleverness will win over most of the judges.
Why a sphere?
The sphere is arguably one of the most basic and fundamental primitives in computer graphics. Its uniformly curved structure allows for wide field of view coverage, as well as full diffuse tonal range shading. When reflective, its convex shape can reveal more of it’s surrounding environment than any other primitive, and when refractive it can bend surrounding light into a single concentrated caustic point. The sphere is an inherent form chaotically evident in nature and continually apparent in man-made designs. From the smallest atomic structures to the largest planetary globes, the sphere continues to be perhaps the most common geometric form in existence.
Given the chance, I’m sure Santa would gladly trade in his sleigh for a 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.
Featuring a supercharged (positive-displacement Roots-type) 6.2L LS9 engine producing “at least 100 horsepower per liter”, 595 lb.-ft of torque, a six-speed transmission, 15.5 and 15-inch carbon-ceramic disc brakes, tuned suspension that gives more than 1g of cornering grip, magnetic selective ride control, carbon-fiber front fenders, hood, roof panel, roof box, front fascia splitter and rocker moldings, a polycarbonate window in the hood that offers a view of the intercooler, a heads-up display, low three second 0-60 times, and a 200+ mph top speed, it’s the baddest ‘Vette to ever leave the assembly line.
For comparison’s sake, the power-to-weight ratio of the new ZR1 is better than the Porsche 911 GT2, the Ferrari 599, and the Lamborghini LP640.
Want one?
Better start saving that Christmas cash, because you’ll need to write out at least six digits to get your own; but boy will it be worth it!
As a friend and/or family of Design By Humans, they sent me an invite to their Friends & Family Sale, so as friends and/or family of DYH, I’m passing the savings on to you.
From December 26 through December 31, you can save 35% off of your entire order by using the discount code “DBHFAM”.
If you’re still searching and shopping for that perfect gift, then check out NOTCOT’s hand-selected list of over 350 gift ideas that have appeared in the last 30 days of their 2007 Holiday Gift Guide extravaganza.
It might be a little late to get most things shipped on time, but it’s the thought that counts; right?
On December 14, the Lewiston Tribune put a surveillance camera photo on their front page of a man in a black-and-blue checkered coat that had stolen the wallet of an unaware convenience-store customer.
Directly above that picture, the Lewiston Tribune put a photo of Michael Millhouse decorating a window with holiday spirit.
In a black-and-blue checkered coat!
Police quickly made the connection, and Michael was arrested on charges of theft.
