Totally Charmed By Darth Vader and Son

Just when I thought I was completely over physical books, Darth Vader and Son came along and completely charmed me. This hyper-adorable picture-book features Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker as if they were a normal father-and-son pair doing normal father-and-son things. For example, Vader takes Luke to the Mos Eisley cantina and chides him for making bubbles in his drink. Ha! When Luke has his eye on a Jar Jar Binks toy, daddy Vader says, “These are not the toys you’re looking for.” Double ha!

Check out the video above and the images below for more info on Darth Vader and Son. Any of you going to buy it?!?

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Efeet: Cute Dishware With Feet!

Here’s a super-cute Kickstarter project a pal of mine is working on. I know Dylan Kendall from her work with Hollywood Arts, a performing and visual arts facility that helps educate homeless and at-risk youths. For her next act, Dylan is working on Efeet — an adorable line of dishware with feet! The products look cool and fun (and I love the pun-tastic name!). Right now I’m looking at my cereal bowl and thinking, “Why aren’t you more fun? Why don’t you have feet?” Seriously though, check out the video above and let me know what you think of Dylan Kendall’s Efeet.

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LEGO Super Mario Bros. Project on Kickstarter Rules!

Here’s an unusual, cool, and fun Kickstarter project for you. Zachary Pollock wants to create the entire first level of Super Mario Bros. with LEGO, using one block per pixel. This feat requires more than 780,000 pieces. The finished product would be around six feet tall and 90 feet wide. Pollock’s goal is to reach at least $26,400, mostly to pay for LEGO bricks. Here’s an excerpt from the Kickstarter pitch:

I want to inspire a new generation of LEGO enthusiasts. I also want to show people what they have forgotten, that building with LEGO can be done at any age. My second goal is to use this project to test the waters for a foundation I would like to start that will work with children doing healing art projects using LEGO bricks. This project aims to push the limits of imagination about what you can do with LEGO bricks and particularly to break down stereotypes people have about both LEGO and video games only being toys. I want to show the world LEGO and video games can be works of art as well. Last but certainly not least I, and I think many other people, really want to see the entire level 1-1 of Super Mario Bros. made from LEGO because it is just FUN! Right now I think we all need a little more fun in our lives.

This sounds awesome! Any of you willing to contribute to Pollock’s LEGO-tastic effort?

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Major Changes to Google+

Google has given its Google+ social network a major redesign. Highlights include increased customization, improved photo/video sharing, and better conversation management. So far, I have mixed feelings on the changes. I really like the nav bar on the left. Since I don’t use chat too often, a lot of the space on the right is wasted for me. There are also other areas on the page where space is used inefficiently. Of course I need more time to get acclimated to the new environment.

How about you? You digging the #NewGooglePlus?

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Google Project Glass = Dragon Ball Z Scouter

My initial reaction to Google’s Project Glass was, “Wait…Sunday was April 1….” After reading more about it and watching the video above, I see that it’s just the latest in a long line of rip-offs from Google. This is nothing more than a Saiyan scouter, like the one Vegeta used in Dragon Ball Z. The company claims that it’s a lot more — it’s a wearable tech initiative “that helps you explore and share your world, putting you back in the moment”.

I’m totally down with Project Glass. I just want it so that I can do things like stare at a kitten and scream, “Power level 9000?!?” I figure that’s at least five-years worth of entertainment. Totally worth it.

Seriously though, are you interested in wearable tech like Google Project Glass (in a non-DBZ way)?

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Coffee Talk #458: Green Cars and You

As some of you know, I’ve recently acquired a learner’s permit. I don’t really want to drive, but I might have to in the near future. If possible, I’d like to get a green or greener car. I’ve been following the market as a fan for years, but in the last week I’ve done heavy research on green automobiles and…

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, Kobe Bryant’s all-star broken nose, phone news from Mobile World Congress, or the Oscar winners, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

As some of you know, I’ve recently acquired a learner’s permit. I don’t really want to drive, but I might have to in the near future. If possible, I’d like to get a green or greener car. I’ve been following the market as a fan for years, but in the last week I’ve done heavy research on green automobiles…and I’m totally bummed with what I’ve learned. Of course I expected there to be compromises, but it seems like things kind of suck no matter which way you go. To help me think this though (input please!), here are some thoughts on my green-automobile study.

Hybrid Cars: These are easily the most convenient green cars. You drive and fuel them as you would a regular automobile. You just enjoy more miles per gallon (around 40 to 50, depending on the model). The plus side is that you use less gas. However, you’re still pumping out the same types of pollutants into the air and using fuel that’s mostly derived from imported crude oil. It’s slightly greener than a standard car, but not by much.

Natural Gas Cars: The Obama administration is high on natural gas. The emissions are much cleaner than those from gasoline — up to 97 percent less carbon monoxide, 25 percent less carbon dioxide, and 60 percent less nitrogen oxide. America and Canada are rich with natural gas deposits, so the fuel wasted and potential hazards of importing crude oil are out of the equation. The cars aren’t too inconvenient either, with plenty of natural gas pumps in California and a range of 240 miles (Civic Natural Gas).

The problem is fracking, which (in addition to being fun to say) is the process of extracting natural gas. The EPA has done numerous studies on the environmental impact of fracking and numerous details have vanished. Some studies show that fracking causes damage to the local air and drinking water. Some are even going as far to say that fracking has a harsher impact on the environment than drilling for oil. While the emissions from natural gas cars are much cleaner, the fracking process might negate the greenness.

Electric Cars: The awesome news is that electric cars do not emit greenhouse gasses. The bad news is…actually, there’s a lot of bad news. First of all, the cars are frickin’ expensive. The cheapest one I found was the Mitsubishi i, which starts at $29,125 (you do get a $7,500 federal tax credit though). On the plus side, EV charging stations are plentiful in California; as an apartment dweller, I’d have to rely on them. The bad news is that electric cars have limited range — around 60 to 80 miles per charge. While it’s common to hear of Hondas lasting 20 years, electric cars usually require an expensive battery replacement in ten years or less. Similar to natural gas cars, the fuel source is questionable; while electric vehicles don’t emit pollutants, a lot of electricity is derived from dirty coal burning.

Certainly electric cars are cleaner than hybrids and most would argue that they’re cleaner than natural gas cars, but they come with far more compromises and cost much more.

Hydrogen Cars: I’d love one, but no way I can afford one.

Anyway, those are some of my (frustrating) thoughts on green cars. What do you make of all of this? Have you ever considered a green automobile? Would you put up with some inconveniences and/or higher prices to treat the planet a bit better? Leave a comment and let me know (please!).

Coffee Talk #445: Solar Flares, Super Powers, and You

Radiation from the largest solar flare in six years will be hitting planet Earth today. This, of course, means that many of us will be getting new super powers. Some of the effects will be immediate, while others will see their powers manifest over,,,

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, RIM’s new CEO, Mitt Romney’s tax returns, or the third Olsen sister, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Radiation from the largest solar flare in six years will be hitting planet Earth today. This, of course, means that many of us will be getting new super powers. Some of the effects will be immediate, while others will see their powers manifest over a longer period of time. Since a number of us are about to become Übermensch, I thought it would be a great time to discuss the superhero powers of your dreams.

As for me, I’m going to go with Wonder Man’s ionic powers. The dude is pretty much immortal and invulnerable since he’s made of ionic energy. Not having to eat, drink, or breathe is handy too — super useful for apocalyptic events and alien invasions. And to be completely honest, this choice is mostly derived from picking up Peter David’s underrated My Fair Super Hero from the discount rack at the comic-book store recently.

Now it’s your turn! As your body is bombarded with an unusually high amount of solar radiation today, what kind of super powers are you hoping to get?

Google+ Hangouts + Muppets + Queen = Awesome

I love this promo video for Google+ Hangouts. It combines a few of my favorite things (hopefully Julie Andrews is stuck in your head now). Hangouts is a super-cool feature and I’m curious to see if more people will start using it. The Muppets are obviously awesome. Lastly, it’s set to the fantastic “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie.

What do you guys and dolls think of the spot? Are any of your using Google+ Hangouts? Who’s your favorite Muppet?

Coffee Talk #433: Gaming, Tech, and Jimmy Fallon

During a multifaceted geek chat with Nerd Friend X, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon came up. As a tech enthusiast and a gamer, I feel obligated to support the show. It helps that I actually dig Fallon’s humor and my buddy Gavin works on the show…

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, if Tebowmania will die down now that the Broncos’ streak has snapped, your WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan (!!!), or Rooney Mara vs. Kate Mara, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

During a multifaceted geek chat with Nerd Friend X, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon came up. As a tech enthusiast and a gamer, I feel obligated to support the show. It helps that I actually dig Fallon’s humor and my buddy Gavin works on the show. I was surprised to learn that Nerd Friend X hates the show and Fallon. It’s one thing if he doesn’t like Fallon’s humor and the show’s writing; it’s not for everyone. As a gamer and tech enthusiast, I feel that he should support it. After all, nobody else in late night features game developers and tech editors.

I love that Epic Games’ Cliff Bleszinski showed Gears of War 3 on the show. It’s awesome that Naughty Dog’s Evan Wells and Christophe Balestra dropped by to demo Uncharted 3. Microsoft got a ton of press when Microsoft’s Kudo Tsunoda showed Kinect to mainstream America on Fallon. TheVerge.com’s Joshua Topolsky (ex-Endgadget) drops by regularly to tell Jimmy and his audience about the latest and greatest in consumer electronics. Is there a late-night show that’s more nerd-friendly than Late Night with Jimmy Fallon?

Jimmy Fallon, his writers, and his producers are the future of late night…at least the future of what I want late night to be. People that grew up with games and/or obsessed with nerd toys are getting older. I love that there’s a late-night TV-show that covers my interests with respect and enthusiasm. I dream of the day Fallon gets the 11:30 slot, bringing great games and tech content to “the big show”. With your support, he’ll get there.

What do you think of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon featuring videogames and consumer electronics? If Fallon gets an 11:30 show, do you think he’ll continue bringing on game developers and tech experts as guests? Or will games and geek stuff be relegated to after midnight instead of before it?

Sulu Wants Star Wars and Star Trek Fans to Combat Twilight

The legendary George Takei (Star Trek’s Hikaru Sulu!) is calling for “Star Peace” — a movement that aims to unite Star Wars and Star Trek fans against the evil of Twilight. This is truly one of the most worthwhile causes I’ve heard of in years! Naturally, an Asian-American man is bringing everyone to their senses. Check out the video above and let me know what you think (please!).

Now kindly excuse me as I have to find my phaser and lightsaber. Hopefully they both work against bloodsucking teenagers.