Welcome to the 145th 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:

- Planning a Trip
- The Blue Flame Cafe
- Android World
- Short Takes
- In the Event of a Real Emergency
- Reptilian Zodiac Calendar
- The Comedy Lab
- It's All About Style
- Sun Protection
- Subscribers' Sites

Planning A Trip

Road Trips are often the most adventurous and memorable form of travel, a spontaneous burst of youthful freedom that drags you away to explore remote destinations. As many of us have already learned, a lack of proper planning can quickly turn such a vacation into a nightmare, as travelers learn the subtle difference between the word 'free' and the word 'lost'. 

Rand McNally's online guide to road tripping is a good place visit before hitting the road. The site enables travelers to plan their entire route, including hotels, activities, and tourist attractions, as well as visit a Travel Store where useful items are sold. 

http://www.randmcnally.com/rmc/road/rtgHome.jsp 

The Blue Flame Cafe

In fancy clubs and downtown haunts, impassioned musicians have sung 'The Blues' for over a century. This cool musical genres boasts fans from all over the world. 

The Blue Flame Café is an online oasis for blues lovers, 'an interactive biographical encyclopedia of the great blues singers. From Texas Alexander to Jimmy Yancey, the café has information on every notable blues performer you can think of. Each entry is accompanied by a music clip, short biography and photograph of the musician. 

http://www.blueflamecafe.com/

Android World

We've all seen sci-fi films and read books that feature frightening aliens, cool spaceships, and sentient robots. Androids are an example of the eerie clairvoyance in sci-fi storytelling, as modern scientists get closer and closer to creating real life-like human robots. 

Android World tracks the progress of the thirty-one current android projects worldwide. In addition to meticulously following these projects, the site provides articles (check out 'Androids in the Movies') and sells equipment (such as an Android Touch Sensor Board) and other products. Android World has a large underground following and has received a string of awards.

http://www.androidworld.com/

SHORT TAKES:

Spam, Spam, Nothing but Spam

Anyone who spends time online, knows about the endless stream of 'Spam' that sneaks its way into our in boxes. Most of us discard this virtual trash without a thought. Not so, for LA Times reporter David Colker. 

In his May article, Mr. Colker explores the trials and tribulations involved in taking 'Spam' up on its many outlandish offers, including making more money, a better body, higher education, etc. It is a humorous take on the frightening world of online consumer solicitation.

http://www.latimes.com/business/cutting/features/lat_junk010503.htm

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GI Photo Joe

GI Joe goes to war at this highly creative and eccentric website. Graphic wizard Eric Shindelbower creates visual magic when he inserts plastic GI's into real World War II photographs.

The site was designed for the enjoyment of action figure enthusiasts, but will be appreciated by anyone who respects individual creativity. The designer of the site is also generous enough to share his photographic and graphic tips with those who are interested in designing their own plastic war images.

http://www.angelfire.com/al3/giphotojoe/index.htm

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Lost in Translation

While it has not been perfected, translation software has made considerable progress. Grammatical, slang-free text is almost translatable into a foreign language and back to English (note the word 'almost').

Visitors will have a blast experimenting with the unperfected Systran translation software. The bizarre translations are hilarious and unpredictable, as noted in the list of 'Classic Examples'. Just enter a sentence and hit 'Babelize'. 

http://www.tashian.com/multibabel/

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In the Event of a Real Emergency

Established by President Truman in the 1950's, Conelrad (Control of Electronic Radiation) was a broadcast system to be used in the case of a national atomic catastrophe. It is now the name of a relatively quirky website that serves as a nostalgic monument to America's atomic age.

Conelrad.com is a bit macabre, with a design focus that immediately makes viewers feel as if they're in a fallout shelter in Arizona circa 1953. There are instructions on what citizens should do in the event of an atomic disaster, reviews of apocalyptic films like 'Day the World Ended', as well as 'Atomic Music', a musical section of songs that reference the subject. Take Cover!! 

http://www.conelrad.com/

Reptilian Zodiac Calendar

Tim Camuti created Lizardhouse.com in an effort to record and share his love of his quirky hobby with the rest of the world. This hobby is called 'herpetoculture', otherwise known as the 'keeping of reptiles and amphibians'. 

The site is beautiful, with a home page that imitates a reptilian zodiac calendar complete with calming music and a heartfelt introduction. Each animal on the site comes with a complete physiological overview including photographs, information on their behavior, diet, life span, enclosures, and care techniques. 

http://www.lizardhouse.com/

The Comedy Lab

It is often said that laughter is the world's best medicine, that it makes our days brighter and our lives longer. While the Internet is already chock-full of hilarious material, daily net surfers can always use a new source of comic entertainment.

TheComedyLab.com is an online laboratory filled with mad scientists trying to come up with the perfect formula for laughter. There are many cool features on the site, including 'Loser scopes; Astrology for the downwardly mobile', eldercare advice from Anna Nicole Smith, and 'orgy-planning' with help from Caligula himself. Other fun sections include Jokes, Videograms, and 'Puffy's Pager'. 

http://www.thecomedylab.com/

It's All About Style

'Designed to be worn by the gentleman', Ovadafut socks are made from the finest blend of French and Italian combed cottons and can be found on the feet of the world's 'most discerning men'. The French clothing label prides itself on its high quality product and highbrow clientele, including customers that walk everywhere from the White House to the Silver Screen. 

The website behind this 'exclusive' line of hosiery takes itself quite seriously, with a formal layout, celebrity references, and stylishly enduring quotes. The socks themselves are creative and beautiful, adorned with witty titles such as 'Ex-Con' and 'Earthquake', and sold for about eighteen dollars a pair. Visitors can order online or visit from a list of selected retailers nationwide.

http://www.ovadafut.com/ 

Sun Protection

Despite the common knowledge that sun bathing can be a serious health hazard, millions of sun worshipers continue to bake themselves regularly. Skin cancer is a heavy price to pay for a good tan, yet the general public continues to brave the beaches of the world. 

If you are hopelessly devoted to sun tanning, this site will educate you about the dangers involved. There are useful tips on how to properly protect yourself, as well as info about different skin types, protective filters, and sunscreen testing. This is a great website for anyone who wants to play in the sun and stay healthy at the same time!! 

http://www.sunprotection.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

~Freya Creative Floral Design - The wonderful art of Freya Prowe.

~Big Scoop Newsletter - Interesting trends in the kids' market 

~WeetHet - Subjects related to computers for both beginners and professionals.

~Creativity Pool - A global pool of creative ideas.

~Newell & Havens - Educating paople about the laws regarding estate planning.

~Controlled Chaos - Finding inner peace while accepting the chaos in your life.

~Computer Articles and Presentations - Great information and presentation.

~Helping Africa by Surfing the Internet.


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The mind that turns ever outward
Will have no end to craving.
Only the mind turned inward
Will find a still-point of peace.

TAO

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Have a great weekend.
Charles Kessler