Gift for a newly adopted son? I am getting married May 27th. My fiance has a 5 year old son who I will be adopting shortly (within a month) after the wedding. My question: I want to get him a gift or symbol of some sort... more inside

Meet Cyc (pronounced "psych") the next step toward artificial intelligence...this time with common sense and the ability to watch your webcam to learn about you. (insert inevitable Terminator "Skynet" reference here)

Carogi bags. This is, by far, my one possession that gets the most comments and questions. In fact, I own two of them and just ordered another. If you're looking for a gorgeous, versatile, reasonably-priced purse-backpack thingie, this is for you. I really love them!

Cracking locks? I just realized the ingredients are stashed under my desk

Melon-O-Lanterns. It'd be a shame to eat these, but they're awfully cool to look at. My first post, so please be gentle.

The very, very last of the MoFi t shirts We still have a few shirts left over. I have just 1 large 11 extra larges That is all. Once these are gone, there ain't gonna be any more. You can paypal me direct (not tracicle) with your information (name, address, mofi nickname, how many shirts and what sizes) at michaelescher@comcast.net. The cost for the shirts are same as before, $17 (US currency). Thanks all.

Websearch :
Is searching getting easier or more complicated do you think?
Seems there's a new thingy every other day.
Tips? Preferences? Loves? Rants? Desires? Advice?

The Phillips Collection of beekeeping books. A selection of ten full, searchable texts has now been made available online.

Study claims IQ differences at least 50% genetic "A 60-page review of the scientific evidence, some based on state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain size, has concluded that race differences in average IQ are largely genetic." Full article and critical responsess in the June 2005 issue of Psychology, Public Policy and Law, a journal of the American Psychological Association. more inside

Monkey Scavenger Hunt. (as played in #mofirc). Skrik. Bratcat. Drivingmenuts. Patita. Nostril a.k.a. Chy. more inside

Okay, this is disturbing: RealDolls Museum [NSFW]. RealDolls posed in tittilating lifelike situations. But there's just something about those soulless eyes... (shudder). [via ArtDorks]

African gorilla family, believed stolen ... wasn't. more inside

An Alabama State Represenatative doesn't see that banning of homosexual authors and books with homosexual characters as censorship. Republican member Gerald Allen is unselfishly "protecting the hearts and souls and minds of our children." How nice. more inside

Contact Juggling is Freaky! I'm just sayin. more inside

Share files, get 3 years in jail - I've not been able to verify this from any other sources, but generally the BBC is a reputable source...

Scientists have spotted an ivory-billed woodpecker in the wild. One male was spotted in an Arkansas swamp. There hadn't been a confirmed sighting since the 1940s. more inside

Mind Your Manners! “Manners are made up of trivialities of deportment which can be easily learned if one does not happen to know them; manner is personality—the outward manifestation of one’s innate character and attitude toward life.” Emily Post We can't all be Miss Manners, but perhaps an Etiquette Seminar might be the right step in becoming an Etiquette Consultant. more inside

Wes Anderson á la The Decemberists The Porland art-rock/theater-geek band The Decemberists' video for their tune "16 Military Wives" is a clever parody of Wes Anderson's Rushmore.

Jon Stewart Applies the Smackdown Again This time to hapless CNN "anchors". Will termination ensue? Hopeful fans await. [Quicktime .mov] more inside

FantaSigns, Your Name in Art™ For Mother's Day, or perhaps for our very own mothers-to-be, Monkeybashi and Mickey! Or just for fun.