Welcome to the 144th issue of the Cool Tricks and Trinkets Newsletter offering weekly insights into new, cool, useful, fun, unusual and interesting sites on the Internet. 

In this issue:

- Exploring Electronic Consciousness
- Celebrate Somebody
- So You've Been Dumped
- Short Takes
- Rainforest of the Sea
- Buildings, Bridges and Tunnels
- Aphrodisiac Portal
- Edible Journey Through China
- Insects on the Web
- Subscribers' Sites

Exploring Electronic Consciousness 

In most cities, people don't know their neighbors across the hall, yet they will exchange the most intimate details of their personal lives with strangers in chat rooms. 

In the midst of this world there exists a place where the hangers-on and the more fanatical members of cyberspace come to rant and rave. Spark-online.com is dedicated to understanding the very nature of this brave new world we inhabit. 

http://www.spark-online.com

Celebrate Somebody 

Is there someone special in your life deserving of a memorable gift? This unique site produces an actual personalized gift book with individual entries and graphics composed and created by participating family members, friends and associates.

The book may have page headings such as "my birthday wish for you is", and "what I admire most about you is". The suggested headings help people think about what to write and let the recipient, know why they are loved and respected. A very cool site!

http://www.celebratesomebody.com

So You've Been Dumped

Love can sometimes be magic. But magic can sometimes...just be an illusion. If you're in the midst of a breakup or having heartaches in your current relationship, you may find comfort and solace at soyouvebeendumped.com 

Created with the sole intention of helping people in the aftermath of a painful break-up, it includes practical advice, articles and support in helping you get through an emotionally difficult time. Be sure to check out the 'ex-scape', the 'lighter side of breaking up' and 'how to make a fresh start' sections.

http://www.soyouvebeendumped.com/frameset.html

SHORT TAKES:

Fixing Appliances

If your dishwasher is leaking, or the baking element burns out in your stove, check out the Repair Clinic. This useful site provides consumers with helpful information for every major household appliance including troubleshooting, maintenance tips, answers to common questions and a diagnostic section.

http://www.repairclinic.com/ 

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Quote World

At a loss for words? Then go and get yourself a "real-time" quote at Quote World. With a database of over 13,000 quotations, you'll be spouting clever Shakespearean quotes in no time, impressing all your friends.

http://QuoteWorld.org

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Sound Effects Search Engine

FindSounds.com is the leading web search engine for finding sound effects and sample sounds on the Web. It is simple and easy to use, and suitable for all ages. (audio files containing obscenities are filtered out so this site is safe for children)

http://www.findsounds.com 

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Rainforest of the Sea

In the middle of the pacific ocean, a cluster of tropical islets preserves old growth forests and ancient coral reefs in equatorial isolation. Here in the richest of ecosystems we dive in tides of our past to face undercurrents of our future.

This site explores the Palmira Atoll, a speck in the Pacific Ocean awash with human history from Pirates to Kings. Discover the ecological treasure embedded in ancient coral reefs.

http://www.oneworldjourneys.com/palmyra/index.html

Buildings, Bridges and Tunnels

The Discovery Online site, Buildings, Bridges and Tunnels takes visitors on a journey through some of the most spectacular feats of engineering of the twentieth century. With interactive sections including 'Skyscrapers: Going up', 'Bridges: Reaching Out' and 'Tunnels: Digging In' the site is an architectural feast.

View information on everything from the Petronas Towers in Malaysia (the world's tallest building) to the world's longest tunnel, The Seikan, in Japan. Don't miss the live view of New York's Empire State Building from the World Trade Center at Skyscraper Cam.

http://www.discovery.com/stories/technology/buildings/buildings.html

Aphrodisiac Portal

Modern medical science recognizes a very limited number of aphrodisiacs and despite long-standing literary and popular interest, almost no scientific studies of them have been made. That is, until Johan's Guide to Aphrodisiacs.

The site is designed for serious aphrodisiac hunters who want to contribute and add to the knowledge base. Check out the - Persian Ritual - including peppermint, gardenia and almond milk.

http://www.santesson.com/aphrodis

Edible Journey Through China

What does the phrase "Chinese cleaver" sound like in Mandarin? You can hear that and other cooking terms spoken aloud on this charming site that has a homemade feel but is masterful at covering the surface of Chinese food preparation.

You won't get much detail or depth here: no step-by-step Chinese cooking instructions, for example. But you can discover the traditions behind different dining customs, learn about regional cooking and dining styles, choose a traditional Chinese festival to celebrate at home, or visit Food Avenue and "sample" the fare in Chinese food stalls.

http://library.thinkquest.org/C004204/frame.html

Insects on the Web

Like them or not, insects play a major role in almost every aspect of human culture. Perhaps you've experienced entomophobia (fear of insects), or enjoyed "The Flight of The Bumblebee", read "Metamorphosis", or seen "The Fly".

This site offers incredible graphics and fascinating stories of insects and the roles they play in our lives. It covers cultural entomology, insect macrophotography, educational resources and links to other web sites.

http://www.insects.org/

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If you're interested in advertising in Cool Tricks and Trinkets, email info@tricksandtrinkets.com
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SUBSCRIBERS' SITES - Many of our subscribers have fascinating on-line projects. This weekly section will introduce you to some of these sites. Please let me know about your project so that I might mention it in this section. Write me at info@tricksandtrinkets.com

~Cats in Cyberspace - Thomas and Sinbad are keyboard cats in cyberspace.>

~Joe Edelman - Digital Photojournalist

~The Koala and the Kiwi - A great taste of life down under.

~New England Now - Portal to New England

~Hope And Inspiration - helping others through some of the difficulties of life.

~Dannys Domain - Dan Daily, A man, A Legend, A Way of Life...

~Free and Clear Stuff - A great selection of Freebies.


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Contemplate in the morning.
Pull weeds in the afternoon.
The joys and labor of a single day
Are part of a whole journey.

TAO

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Have a great weekend.
Charles Kessler