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“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug,” so said Mark Twain. Being stumped for a good name can stymie a writer, which is why I find generators to be so useful. While a list–even a randomly generated one–is no match for a keep and clever brain, sometimes the lifeline of a made up name helps cut through the crap of writing. While I’m not a big fan of the Elizabethan era; nor quite the marketing demographic for the madcap Austin Regency age, this generator caught my eye.
Inkalicious’s Pseudo-Elizabethan Place Name Generator.
It is perfect for coming up with good place names for your latest public domain monster mashup. The Lychgate of Northanger Abbey perhaps?

Make sure you listen to Jonathan Coulton’s SkyMall while looking through this list of 35 Most Ridiculous SkyMall Items.

The Saga of Leno vs O ‘Brian took an interesting turn with this news report from NMA News.   NMA a Hong Kong-based news organization is also responsible for these delightful two pieces on Tiger Woods found  here and here.  Conan Smash!

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From Hong Kong, land of mystery and adventure come President Obama: the Action figure!

The figure is a 1/6 scale (roughly 12″) figure produced by  DID Corporation.
Not content to have our new chief excutive simply behind a podium, the folks at Gamu Toys put the figure throughj its paces with a collection of action shots;  the highlight of which is too groovy to link to, but must be posted here.  The president wielding a katana and wakizashi.

From the remixable culture file, Paste Magazine, has set up a page allowing users to use their image—or any image, really—into the now iconic Obama “Hope” painting by Shepard Fairey. This painting was recently acquired by the US National Portrait Gallery, and became part of the permanent collection. Mr. Fairey first came to prominence with his “Andre the Giant Has a Posse” aka “Obey Giant” sticker campaign in the 1980s.

The Paste Magazine page is called Obamicon.Me. Standard terms and conditions apply, user must register, images are controlled by Paste Magazine, etc…etc…

My two contributions are variations on other cultural remixes. Shepard Fairey’s own “Obey Giant “and the Dobbshead of J. R. “Bob” Dobbs of the Church of the SubGenius.

Obey Giant

J. R. "Bob" Dobbs

(images are © and ® their respected owners)