tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160665342024-02-19T11:21:37.800-06:00RubensteinWeb.comJason Rubenstein's Blog on Technology, Medicine, Performance Cars, Spaceflight, the web, and anything else that catches my interest.Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.comBlogger241125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-84934020055045198492019-10-07T22:10:00.004-05:002019-10-08T08:08:38.140-05:00Stranger Things Message Lights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Stranger Things Lights</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_hGwOsliQt7iSBK-avn-DsjD1r0tcDyt5NUdTm_5kd7ajt5SUYCJowaSKirWiutCs-iSxMxwAVLA8rKClylKURPf7fE-5_kJhyUhNoN-8Y4YynwwAaX1bHI1Ju8-EBSit8Pk/s1600/IMG_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_hGwOsliQt7iSBK-avn-DsjD1r0tcDyt5NUdTm_5kd7ajt5SUYCJowaSKirWiutCs-iSxMxwAVLA8rKClylKURPf7fE-5_kJhyUhNoN-8Y4YynwwAaX1bHI1Ju8-EBSit8Pk/s640/IMG_0016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This post will review how I created a web-controlled addressable Christmas lights to spell out messages like seen in "Stranger Things". </div>
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This project controls a string of addressable LEDs in a Christmas-light design with a NodeMCU over wifi, using MQTT controls from Home Assistant.</div>
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End Result:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-Nqox1lvArM/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Nqox1lvArM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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How it looks in a home assistant card:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoEnJVZxkfeFibSjBX39MCygcOEfunLdo9VYH5d63Ug09au29z00e0xaNmMGIetNCm7Aei-KYR_6e0wbwvd1FrnLtZY9xeFFETbo3j5GF8opwcoGylnZ4rfuBgd9mOXN_1JFJ/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="495" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoEnJVZxkfeFibSjBX39MCygcOEfunLdo9VYH5d63Ug09au29z00e0xaNmMGIetNCm7Aei-KYR_6e0wbwvd1FrnLtZY9xeFFETbo3j5GF8opwcoGylnZ4rfuBgd9mOXN_1JFJ/s320/Untitled.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What you need:</div>
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1x <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B010O1G1ES/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1">NodeMCU</a></div>
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1x<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B078RZBL8X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"> 5V Power Supply (8A)</a></div>
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1x <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/598853352/stranger-alphabet-mural-personalized?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_halloween_Paper_Goods_and_Party_Supplies&utm_custom1=c904076d-def5-4782-ad8b-8d874ff51f3c&utm_content=go_1707961854_69268681849_331635230316_pla-314261241107_c__598853352&gclid=CjwKCAjw44jrBRAHEiwAZ9igKMEBK7m5cXJ-K6A_bST7zZttTH9AbXq-ATc3jVg1MbKsM31Xec0nVxoC-UYQAvD_BwE">Vinyl Stick-Up Letters (full alphabet)</a></div>
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1x <a href="https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32681096039.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.6f054c4d8jnqke">String of 50 addressable Christmas Lights</a></div>
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If you want to control it via the web, will need home assistant, MQTT server. Otherwise, it will just play the one message programmed into it.</div>
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NodeMCU:</div>
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Just hook up the signal line on the lights to D5. Otherwise, the lights and NodeMCU are on the 5V and GND lines of the power supply. </div>
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***Don't have the power supply on at the same time the NodeMCU is hooked up to USB, this can overheat the power supply***</div>
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Here is the arduino program I used: <a href="http://github.com/jruben4/StrangerThingsLights">github.com/jruben4/StrangerThingsLights</a></div>
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You will need to enter in your own wifi SSID and credentials, and the IP of the local MQTT server. This program will look for three different commands on the MQTT channel - on/off, animation speed, and text string for the message.</div>
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As you hang your lights and letters, you can adjust which light is assigned to which alphabet letter in the end of the arduino program.</div>
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This program could be extended to more than 50 bulbs simply enough, if you were to get multiple strings and daisy-chain them together. You would need to re-assess the power supply amperage output though, I can only confirm the one listed here is good for a single string. Since only one bulb is on at a time though, the overall power need is low.</div>
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The lights are RGB, but we "pretend" that they are red, green, blue in a repeating triad much like the old 80's style Christmas lights. So light 1 is always red, light 2 is always green, etc.</div>
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In HomeAssisant:</div>
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I used a standard MQTT light setup in home assistant. The only native commands we use is the state on/off. Then we need two custom variables for animation speed and the string to spell out, and then automations to post these two variables to the MQTT channel if they are changed.</div>
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Add this to configuration.yaml:</div>
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input_number:</div>
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stranger_things_speed:</div>
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name: Stranger Things Speed</div>
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initial: 50</div>
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min: 1</div>
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max: 100</div>
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step: 1</div>
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input_text:</div>
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stranger_things_string:</div>
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name: Stranger Things String</div>
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initial: Help Me Mom</div>
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light:</div>
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- platform: mqtt</div>
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schema: json</div>
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name: "Stranger Things Lights"</div>
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state_topic: "lights/strangerthings"</div>
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command_topic: "lights/strangerthings/set"</div>
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brightness: true</div>
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Add this to automations.yaml:</div>
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- alias: Stranger Thing Message</div>
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initial_state: 'on'</div>
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trigger:</div>
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platform: state</div>
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entity_id: input_text.stranger_things_string</div>
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action:</div>
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service: mqtt.publish</div>
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data_template:</div>
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topic: "lights/strangerthings/set"</div>
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payload: >-</div>
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{"strangerthingslight": "{{ states.input_text.stranger_things_string.state | string }}"}</div>
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- alias: Stranger Thing Speed</div>
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initial_state: 'on'</div>
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trigger:</div>
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platform: state</div>
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entity_id: input_number.stranger_things_speed</div>
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action:</div>
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service: mqtt.publish</div>
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data_template:</div>
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topic: "lights/strangerthings/set"</div>
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payload: >-</div>
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{"strangerthingsspeed": "{{ trigger.to_state.state | int }}"}</div>
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Make this light in home assistant visible on the hue interface if you want to voice control on/off with Alexa.</div>
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Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-42283297684018149532017-12-21T21:03:00.001-06:002017-12-21T21:03:15.708-06:00I'm BACK! Actually I forgot this blog even existed until Mia found it by googling herself. It's weird that my kids are reading blog entries I made before they were born. It's true, the internet FORGETS NOTHING.Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-63754287844519206932009-06-10T07:27:00.001-05:002009-06-10T07:28:36.556-05:00My new websiteJust put up my new "professional" website, with links to my research papers as well.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.rubensteinweb.com/">http://www.rubensteinweb.com/</a><br /><br />Check it out, give me any feedback you might have.Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-58492021195709211172009-05-15T14:35:00.004-05:002009-05-15T14:37:38.584-05:00Star Trek Guide<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/MaxRadical/posters/startrekmovierecognitionguideSMALLE.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 701px; height: 424px;" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/MaxRadical/posters/startrekmovierecognitionguideSMALLE.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />A quick (and hilarious) guide to Star Trek MoviesJason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-36179037751075355122008-11-30T11:00:00.001-06:002008-11-30T11:02:50.437-06:00Bruce Lee + Nunchucks = AwesomeSome of the new Nokia ads showing Bruce Lee being awesome. And of course these are real - please.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OqGQ72bre30&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OqGQ72bre30&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/x-fZ6tJGJ6g&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/x-fZ6tJGJ6g&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-18933301847657795732008-10-10T13:33:00.002-05:002008-10-10T13:34:53.298-05:00Big Dog<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W1czBcnX1Ww&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/W1czBcnX1Ww&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />New fully automated robot "Big Dog" entering active service now.<br /><br />Also check out the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXJZVZFRFJc">parody </a>after you see the real thing.Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-42889331472356964082008-10-10T13:29:00.001-05:002008-10-10T13:32:08.236-05:00Batman/Toy Story<table width="400" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td width="5" rowspan="3" valign="top"><img src="http://static.spikedhumor.com/images/vcleft.gif" width="5" height="300"></td><td width="390" height="5" valign="top"><img src="http://static.spikedhumor.com/images/vctop.gif" width="390" height="5"></td><td width="5" rowspan="3" valign="top"><img src="http://static.spikedhumor.com/images/vcright.gif" width="5" height="300"></td></tr><tr><td height="273" valign="top"><embed src="http://www.spikedhumor.com/player/vcplayer.swf?file=http://www.spikedhumor.com/videocodes/165216/data.xml&auto_play=false" quality="high" scale="noscale" bgcolor="#000000" width="100%" height="100%" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></td></tr><tr><td height="22" valign="top"><a href="http://www.spikedhumor.com/articles/165216/Dark-Knight-Toy-Story-Recut.html" target="_new"><img src="http://static.spikedhumor.com/images/vcbot.gif" width="390" height="22" border="0"></a></td></tr></table>
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<br />Pretty good Dark Knight / Toy Story trailer spoof.Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-28443113920564809832008-09-17T12:07:00.000-05:002008-09-17T12:08:30.772-05:00Anti-theft baggiesPeople keep stealing your lunch? Get this baggies with fake mold printed on them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.skforlee.com/independent_work/images/moldy_bag_1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://www.skforlee.com/independent_work/images/moldy_bag_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.skforlee.com/independent_work/images/moldy_bag_2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://www.skforlee.com/independent_work/images/moldy_bag_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-90912166409930494522008-08-30T16:47:00.001-05:002008-08-30T16:49:04.436-05:00Low-Budget Terminator 2<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4mTCgIHpQXE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4mTCgIHpQXE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />VERY low budget remake of terminator 2 - in 6 minutes viewing time. Very funny, especially if you've seen the movie 1042 times like I have.Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-74955409108257067372008-07-06T15:18:00.002-05:002008-07-06T20:57:41.057-05:00Mobile Blogging<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOBeTmPSkS9xEejn-Ogkc4P2eb8nC9TaSDTuWf-tOC1blH-t-9UuQWqNDcDWTBWaOS05xBffl1qt0bnJ-2oM3FnmiYeNKoaRvqrI82Tz38-c9lA6HkWnn6s9DxEjeqQPT7o2t8w/s1600-h/IMAGE_00010-715249.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOBeTmPSkS9xEejn-Ogkc4P2eb8nC9TaSDTuWf-tOC1blH-t-9UuQWqNDcDWTBWaOS05xBffl1qt0bnJ-2oM3FnmiYeNKoaRvqrI82Tz38-c9lA6HkWnn6s9DxEjeqQPT7o2t8w/s320/IMAGE_00010-715249.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219998092735928642" /></a></p><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-WEIGHT:Normal;'></SPAN><br /><br />I figured out a pretty rapid way to post pics from my phone to the blog directly today, using the go@mobile.blogger.com email method. Pretty nice. Stay tuned here to see some major I-journalism, like police brutality or bigfoot or something. Or boring stuff like this picture of us driving out to the countryside.Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-17812866987425769962008-06-23T09:55:00.002-05:002008-06-23T09:57:02.916-05:00The Great Office War<object width="464" height="392"><param name="movie" value="http://embed.break.com/NTIxNzQz"></param><embed src="http://embed.break.com/NTIxNzQz" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="464" height="392"></embed></object><br><font size=1></font><br /><br />Epic cubicle nerf battle, very funny.Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-77366857472748547882008-05-12T11:26:00.002-05:002008-05-12T11:29:02.965-05:00The Mobile Phone Rip-Off<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.physorg.com/newman/gfx/news/2006/HB_sms__mobil__tekst_78015h.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://www.physorg.com/newman/gfx/news/2006/HB_sms__mobil__tekst_78015h.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />With increased competition in the mobile phone industry, voice package prices are dropping very low, so providers are trying to make up profit in other areas, like <a href="http://www.physorg.com/news129793047.html">charging astronomical fees for text messaging.</a> <br /><br />This article shows how the text message data charges are 4x as high as NASA has to pay to receive data from Hubble.Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-69082767128314554792008-05-07T14:56:00.001-05:002008-05-07T14:59:27.844-05:00Homeless Bond<object width="464" height="392"><param name="movie" value="http://embed.break.com/NDk4MjU5"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://embed.break.com/NDk4MjU5" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess=always width="464" height="392"></embed></object><br><font size=1><a href="http://my.break.com/content/view.aspx?ContentID=498259">Homeless 007</a> - Watch more <a href="http://www.break.com/">free videos</a></font><br /><br />Pretty funny skit...Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-51365899731334857322008-03-28T10:49:00.001-05:002008-03-28T10:49:43.498-05:00AnnualeFunny fake-drug-ad from SNL. Hold on to your hat!Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-75425055763503859002008-03-28T09:53:00.003-05:002008-03-28T09:55:53.667-05:00Bad Way to Go #2021 (birds list only)<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eCY0ejfxeZY&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eCY0ejfxeZY&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />What's worse (if you're a bird or superman) than being hit by the space shuttle as it rockets upwards? <br /><br />Answer: Being hit by the space shuttle, being knocked unconscious, then falling into the exhaust flames of the engines.Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-88307862685662905462008-03-24T12:41:00.002-05:002008-03-24T12:42:52.680-05:00Heart Fountain<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h45UrpBsCKI&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h45UrpBsCKI&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />Very cool, but a little creepy fountain.Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-24657453053039540512008-03-04T13:27:00.003-06:002008-03-04T13:30:50.929-06:00Product Review: Bad Investment<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.uberreview.com/wp-content/uploads/500x332-surf-unit-longboard_2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://www.uberreview.com/wp-content/uploads/500x332-surf-unit-longboard_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />Avoid investing in this item: <a href="http://www.uberreview.com/2008/03/shark-shield-surf-anti-shark-device-eaten-by-shark.htm">An electronic-shark repellent. </a> During testing, the item was actually eaten by a shark. The company says it's still effective for surfers who are "not moving" but should not be used while "moving, paddling, or surfing".Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-2187820145987837072008-02-26T10:14:00.003-06:002008-02-26T10:22:02.258-06:00Post-apocalyptic Surival Vehicles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2008/02/Sisu_Military_Vehicle.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2008/02/Sisu_Military_Vehicle.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Wondering what would be the best vehicle to protect yourself and your family for the potentially upcoming Apocalypse? Looking for anti-zombie features? This is a nice list of the top 10 anti-zombie survival vehicles.Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-50028432227332952722008-02-01T13:08:00.000-06:002008-02-01T13:09:50.125-06:00Red ShirtsSo true....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxlZNPRNc6aHg8aNq326HaZULRHiaXBFQxpUGrtjw14GrAX-HOUrvV5aT53jK2tMXKlQ522z04w_87cyFIiOBT_YXombed9XmEKL-MX-UaX4jTVdZgG9ebxI11mU3fCnxAD2k/s1600-h/2qdapol.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxlZNPRNc6aHg8aNq326HaZULRHiaXBFQxpUGrtjw14GrAX-HOUrvV5aT53jK2tMXKlQ522z04w_87cyFIiOBT_YXombed9XmEKL-MX-UaX4jTVdZgG9ebxI11mU3fCnxAD2k/s400/2qdapol.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162090949405942578" /></a>Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-9427744400824310142008-02-01T13:06:00.000-06:002008-02-01T13:08:05.346-06:00Top Superbowl CommercialsIt's that time again - superbowl commercial time! Check out this link for <a href="http://gawker.com/351176/top-25-most-memorable-super-bowl-ads">The top superbowl commercials</a>... I especially like this one:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="373"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2Z2_kKAe9y0&rel=1&border=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2Z2_kKAe9y0&rel=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="373"></embed></object>Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-52346936995981828322008-02-01T08:31:00.000-06:002008-02-01T08:34:23.400-06:00Official US Air Force Aircraft ID Chart<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.srl.caltech.edu/HEFT/images/campaign/04fall/Roswell/that%20silly%20government.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.srl.caltech.edu/HEFT/images/campaign/04fall/Roswell/that%20silly%20government.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a>Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-3815048501565774512008-01-30T16:09:00.000-06:002008-01-30T16:12:24.257-06:00Medical Myths<a href="http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/335/7633/1288">This</a> is a interesting article that debunks several commonly held health ideas.<br /><br />1. People should drink at least eight glasses of water a day.<br />2. We use only 10 percent of our brains.<br />3. Hair and fingernails continue to grow after death.<br />4. Shaving hair causes it to grow back faster, darker or coarser.<br />5. Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight.<br />6. Eating turkey makes people especially drowsy.<br />7. Cellphones create considerable electromagnetic interference in hospitals.Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-61562292935313020572008-01-11T18:23:00.000-06:002008-01-11T18:27:33.524-06:00Biofuel Comparison<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2007-10/biofuels/images/biofuels_ft_hdr.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2007-10/biofuels/images/biofuels_ft_hdr.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2007-10/biofuels/biofuels-interactive.html">This</a> is a nice comparison of various biofuels, as far as the energy input per output, as well as emissions from burning the fuels. As I've discussed before, cellulosic ethanol is a MUCH better fuel source than corn-based ethanol.Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-43127021319679607212007-12-14T08:35:00.001-06:002007-12-14T08:36:07.057-06:00Fighting Five-year-olds<a href="http://www.justsayhi.com/bb/fight5" style="display: block; background: url(http://assets.justsayhi.com/badges/898/71/fight5.n25q2sro07.jpg) no-repeat; width: 296px; height: 84px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 42px; color: #fff; text-decoration: none; text-align: center; padding-top: 145px;">23</a>Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16066534.post-4417900990313103832007-12-12T05:34:00.001-06:002007-12-12T10:36:32.887-06:00Airline ComplaintThis is apparently a true complaint "letter" turned into an airline service department. It is written on napkins, and is hilarious. It's available <a href="http://www.flight-club.org/blog/wp-content/photos/complaints.gif">as a GIF here</a>, and <a href="http://www.snopes.com/travel/graphics/seat29e.pdf">as a PDF here.</a>Jason Rubensteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140389163210091798noreply@blogger.com0