Urlesque http://www.urlesque.com Urlesque http://www.urlesque.com/media/feedlogo.gif Urlesque http://www.urlesque.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/God Bless the Cyber-USAhttp://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/04/god-bless-the-cyber-usa/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/04/god-bless-the-cyber-usa/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/04/god-bless-the-cyber-usa/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Happy 4th of July, everyone! It's probably safe to assume that you've just logged on briefly to google barbecue recipes or DIY fireworks tutorials (just as well that you didn't make it to the store... maybe they're better enjoyed at work... or NOT AT ALL).

But while you're here, did you know that you can take your patriotism to the next level with just a couple of clicks? Start with our prior salute to cute kids who love America, of course, and if you're not feeling it after that, THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF AMERICA from CalRats is sure to do the trick.

If the rousing MIDI tones and uplifting web design don't inspire your love of country, well, you'd better pray that you don't cross paths with the The Boss and his devastating vocal chords anytime soon.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>fourth of julyFourthOfJulyjuly 4thJuly4thofficial website of americaOfficialWebsiteOfAmericaColin McDonald2008-07-04T08:00:00+00:00Beat the Heat, Watch Free Patriotic Movies Onlinehttp://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/03/beat-the-heat-watch-free-patriotic-movies-online/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/03/beat-the-heat-watch-free-patriotic-movies-online/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/03/beat-the-heat-watch-free-patriotic-movies-online/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you're looking for a way to beat the heat (or thunderstorms... or relatives) this weekend, check out Hulu's Days of Summer series. The suit-owned website that allows you to watch streaming, full-length shows and movies is rolling out a new flick each day to celebrate the lazy, hazy months, and this week we've even noticed some mildly patriotic fare!

Yesterday it was 'Men in Black,' today it is 'Jerry Maguire' (because what could be more American than saving the world from aliens and football-related existential crises?), and the Classic War Movies collection from last week is also not to be missed. Hulu's clue for tomorrow's movie is "024543221739" which we've sent to the producers of 'Numb3rs' for analysis. In the meantime, we're predicting either 'Apollo 13' or 'The Sandlot.'

You'll have to deal with embedded 15 second commercials periodically, but it's better than getting struck by lightning in the pool. And commercials are definitely American. Celebrate safely, urlbots!

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>huluAlex Moaba2008-07-03T16:00:00+00:00Did You Mean Digg?http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/03/did-you-mean-digg/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/03/did-you-mean-digg/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/03/did-you-mean-digg/#commentsFiled under:



Though it launched back in 2004 perhaps you're just now learning about the user-submitted social news aggregator called Digg. Maybe you've heard co-workers talking about it while they're playing with their iPhone and you thought, "Wow, I should really check out this website!"

Just make sure you type digg.com with a double G -- if you accidentally visit dig.com, you'll never see this guy getting hit in the head with a football, and you may never learn 'how to make an 18ft tall Firefox 3 robot.' Instead you'll be greeted with all of Disney's latest press releases.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>digdiggSeth Werkheiser2008-07-03T14:00:00+00:00Celebrity Websites 1.0http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/03/celebrity-websites-1-0/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/03/celebrity-websites-1-0/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/03/celebrity-websites-1-0/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The presence of celebrities online is nothing new. The web even spawns careers these days (that is, if you consider challenging imbiciles to eat a pig's vagina a "career"). And yet, deep in the dark corners of the Internet lies the home pages of the rich and famous that are covered in e-cobwebs and cyberdust. It seems that whether you're a bit player on a TV drama or a legendary singer/songwriter who helped define a musical genre, anyone who's sampled even the smallest teaspoon of fame doesn't necessarily earn the right to an official website that looks as if it weren't updated since 1998.


She's an world-renowned actress and universally regarded Hot Lady, but Hallewood (get it?), is an inexplicable Flash-derived equivalent of a glossy magazine aimed at adolescent girly girls with ADD. Outgoing links open to pages that may, indeed, be leftovers from the Geocities era. Nabbing Oscar gold, it seems, doesn't necessarily net you a page that doesn't look like a pop-up ad covered in cotton candy.



At Travolta.com (because is his first name really necessary?), John's home page is laid out much like a blog of unrecorded posts and updated bullet points). His filmography is listed alphabetically, although you can also sift through the titles by decade which is great if you like sifting through stuff by unnecessary units of time.



As a actress, painter, talk radio personality and ordained minister in Church of The Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness, certified cuckoobird Sally Kirkland has a lot on her plate, so naturally a singular web page is an ideal way to keep public record. Sure, she "currently has no access to e-mail" (which is the best thing written on a web site...ever), but no worries -- she's left a phone number. Using the Internet to leave a phone number? Perfect.

It's hard not to feel for the musician labeled a "has been" since being eternally cast in the shadow of his former performing partner, Paul Simon. But at the same time, you know the guy is probably in the Adirondacks somewhere, reaping the residuals of "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" as he types away at a computer behind floor-to-ceiling glass windows looking out onto endless flora and fauna. And there he sits, updating his home page with endless amounts of "writings" to which, if he were perhaps more "clear headed," wouldn't likely give a second glance. (Bonus points, though, for a really annoying but definitely contemporary plug-in photo gallery!)



So you play a cryptic character shrouded in mystery on a cult drama beloved by millions of devoted fans. Time to update the website, right? Not if you're Lost's Mila Furlan, whose kinda-French (?) role of Danielle has provided one of the most intriguing elements of the show. In remaining just as vague a person as her character, Furlan welcomes you with a windblown, purple-tinted headshot in which she looks prepared to devour you from head to toe. Bizarre screen grabs are littered along the bottom of the page (um, is that a spider monkey on her shoulder?!), all of which sit neatly underneath broken links to eBay and CafePress, which either means the page's original designer wanted to garner arbitrary traffic or Mira Furlan has discontinued her line of homemade "Vote For Danielle" tees.



He hosts 'Wheel Of Fortune','just so you know.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>art garfunkelArtGarfunkelcelebrity websitesCelebrityWebsiteshalle berryHalleBerryjohn travoltaJohnTravoltamira furlanMiraFurlanpat sajackPatSajacksally kirklandSallyKirklandEliot Glazer2008-07-03T12:00:00+00:00Artist Makes Rainbows And So Can Youhttp://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/03/artist-makes-rainbows-and-so-can-you/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/03/artist-makes-rainbows-and-so-can-you/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/03/artist-makes-rainbows-and-so-can-you/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Artist Fred Stern was one of those grade school landscapers who made himself and everybody else in class very happy by obsessively adding rainbow flair to anything he came into contact with. The Rainbow Boy grew up into a Rainbow Man and everybody was willing to overlook his obvious God complex because Fred uses ginormous water pumps and, uh, the SUN ITSELF to create city-spanning rainbows. Rainbow flair of that magnitude makes everyone super happy. But no, you can't hire him for your Baby Shower. Fred reserves his rainbows for those who need them most. Yes, I'm talking about children with cancer and the camps they go to in the summer.

For example, look at what the Rainbow Maker did for Camp Quality over at the right there.

Yay! Look at what you can do at home sans Godzilla-sized water pump:

The pic comes via the Wooster Collective, a blog devoted to street art and rainbows and things that typically, at least in the art world, have the life span of a fruit fly. So Elfo's Rainbow might not be 20,000 ft. like Fred's, but it can be yours! Once we determine just what hair product that can of spritzer is.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>elfos rainbowElfosRainbowfred sternFredSternrainbowwooster collectiveWoosterCollectiveJake Hostetter2008-07-03T10:05:00+00:00Url-y Riser: Thursday, July 3, 2008http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/03/url-y-riser-thursday-july-3-2008/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/03/url-y-riser-thursday-july-3-2008/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/03/url-y-riser-thursday-july-3-2008/#commentsFiled under:



photo:// WTL photos' flickr (cc)

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Eliot Glazer2008-07-03T08:00:00+00:00Top 5 Oversized Sites for a Complete Scrolling Workouthttp://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/top-5-oversized-sites-for-a-complete-scrolling-workout/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/top-5-oversized-sites-for-a-complete-scrolling-workout/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/top-5-oversized-sites-for-a-complete-scrolling-workout/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Like bowlers with one freakishly sinewed arm, we web browsers all too often neglect our full range of scrolling muscles. It's not all up and down, people! What about the horizontal slide? The tragically underrated diagonal swipe?!

With the goal of improved conditioning webwide, we're happy to present these five beautiful, oversized sites we found via the amazing nastynets community of artists. Your fingers are about to push the boundaries of cyberspace. Don't forget to stretch!



 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Colin McDonald2008-07-02T18:00:00+00:00YouTube's Societal Destruction Offset by Vintage Letter People Videoshttp://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/youtubes-societal-destruction-offset-by-vintage-letter-people-v/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/youtubes-societal-destruction-offset-by-vintage-letter-people-v/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/youtubes-societal-destruction-offset-by-vintage-letter-people-v/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Ok, real talk -- you missed out if the Letter People weren't a part of your childhood. Quite frankly, it's amazing that anyone ever learned to read without silly Misters or Misses representing the alphabet. Just look at those tall teeth on Mister T! Kids from the seventies through the nineties knew all about them, and what's taken over? This copycat? This? Tragedy.

Fortunately we have letterpeopleland, a YouTube account featuring 70 videos of the classic TV series, including an original mini-documentary from the account owner. Seems like a really nice guy with an apt defense of the TV uploads, noting that it's a canceled PBS show with no DVD, so YouTube is the only way to continue its educational services (we hate to call attention, but this must be shared).

Embedding is disabled on all of the videos, unfortunately, but they're best browsed as a collection anyway. Each letter person's intro video is there, of course (don't miss the amazing Mr. S or the kind Miss U helping Mister Q talk), as are the swingin', groovy, triptastic songs and segments for all kinds of other sounds.

Letterpeopleland is even more vital given the changes made to the characters for the sake of political correctness in the nineties. Misters and Misses became Mr. or Ms., and some of the all-male consonants became female so that the all-female vowels weren't outnumbered (letter frequencies be damned, apparently). Sure, something probably needed to be done about "all wrong" Mister X, but no more Delicious Donuts or Cotton Candy because they're junk food? Really? And what's with Happy Hair, and the rest? Fortunately the wild web's provided a home for good old Horrible Hair (courtesty of another YouTuber) and so many others. Think of the children, for crying out loud.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>alphabetThe Letter PeopleTheLetterPeopleColin McDonald2008-07-02T16:00:00+00:00Don't Buy Your Fireworks Here... Places You Want to Avoid This 4th of Julyhttp://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/dont-buy-your-fireworks-here-places-you-want-to-avoid-this-4/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/dont-buy-your-fireworks-here-places-you-want-to-avoid-this-4/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/dont-buy-your-fireworks-here-places-you-want-to-avoid-this-4/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Maybe it's the bald eagle superimposed on the American flag, itself superimposed on Laura Bush (who's naturally dressed as Lady Liberty), but some places just scream "Buy Your 4th of July Fireworks Here!" And I do, I really do because I'm a sucker for over-the-top patriotism and the awesome hair that normally comes with it. Other places, though -- the ones with concerning names and homicidal mascots -- make me scream, then run for cover. Watch out for these ... Places You Probably Want to Avoid Buying Explosives From This Independence Day:

In case you had any doubts -- YES our fireworks are illegal. But lest you forget, our country was founded by outlaws and renegades! There's nothing more patriotic than buying wholesale Black Market Fireworks this 4th of July and scorching your neighbor's hedge.


Yeah, maybe the name is inspired -- by a part of our collective history that doesn't exactly make me want to beam up at sparkles in the sky with cracka pride.

The mascots for crazy Dean's and crazier Steve's are lovably kooky in that apesh*t crazy "I eats cat food" kinda way, until you realize that these are crazy people in charge of selling massive quantities of burn-your-face-off fireworks. Steve, especially, has quite the sales pitch.



Something about Guerilla Imports' line of, ummm, specialty merchandise makes me think that when they finally do locate that "best possible fireworks supplier," their business relationship will be featured prominently on 'The Wire'. No one's safe on that show! And that's all I want for you this 4th of July. Be safe, so maybe just upload a fireworks screen saver instead.



 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>buy fireworksBuyFireworksfireworksfireworks storesFireworksStoresJake Hostetter2008-07-02T14:00:00+00:00Celebrities Have Eyes Just Like Us! Except Ours Aren't Photoshopped or Creepily Collected Onlinehttp://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/celebrities-have-eyes-just-like-us-except-ours-arent-photoshop/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/celebrities-have-eyes-just-like-us-except-ours-arent-photoshop/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/celebrities-have-eyes-just-like-us-except-ours-arent-photoshop/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Think you know your celebrities? Can't get enough of their amazing features? Then cast your gaze on 102 Celebrity Eyes, another project from the celebrity autograph collectors, and try not to get freaked out. These people will not stop until they've transplanted you directly into your favorite celebrity's soul.

For some reason men aren't included here (what, nobody was feeling David Bowie?), but these starlets provide plenty of ocular overload. Only true fans will know them down to the eyelash. Prove your worth below!
  • With that sultry gaze, this uber-sexy Victoria's Secret model only has eyes for the entire internet!
  • Known for playing a Stepford wife, even the eyes of this A-list actress seem to be injected with something.
  • Follow this gaze with caution - this top model's eyelashes sport poisonous tips.
  • Looks like the life of a rock star has taken a toll on this self-proclaimed Dutchess of pop. Tired Eyed Crease?
  • It's not every day that you meet puppy eyes that can do girl next door just as easily as girl gone wild.


 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>celebrityeyeeyesLeigh Bond2008-07-02T12:00:00+00:00Carlton Banks Dances His Way Into Our Heartshttp://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/carlton-banks-dances-his-way-into-our-hearts/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/carlton-banks-dances-his-way-into-our-hearts/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/carlton-banks-dances-his-way-into-our-hearts/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Watch out Michael Jackson, it's twenty-five years ago and there's a new moonwalker in town. 'Dance Baby' features a young Alfonso Ribeiro aka Carlton Banks, complete with white pants, a red leather jacket and some of hottest moves this side of the equator. Oh, and be sure to pay close attention to the way he says I'm searching for the perfect partner at 1:45. Definite you're the man now dog potential.

[YouTube]

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>alfanso ribeiroAlfansoRibeirocarlton banksCarltonBanksJordan Breindel2008-07-02T10:05:00+00:00Url-y Riser: Wednesday, July 2, 2008http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/url-y-riser-wednesday-july-2-2008/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/url-y-riser-wednesday-july-2-2008/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/02/url-y-riser-wednesday-july-2-2008/#commentsFiled under:



photo:// Dark Roasted Blend via FFFFOUND!

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Eliot Glazer2008-07-02T08:00:00+00:00Setting Fireworks Off At Workhttp://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/setting-fireworks-off-at-work/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/setting-fireworks-off-at-work/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/setting-fireworks-off-at-work/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Hey Boss! The 4th of July is Friday, meaning the few underlings outside your sweet corner office who haven't already requested off Thursday through Friday of next week are itching to do just that and for what? To see some lousy fireworks? You were prepared to forgive them their starry-eyed sentimentalities because it's not like you can set fireworks off in the employee lounge during lunch and shoo everybody back to their cubicles afterward, keeping that streak of 80 hour work weeks going strong. BUT YES YOU CAN! With the help of Fireworks Supreme.
Bring all the heart pounding excitement of a live Fireworks show to your computer desktop with Fireworks Supreme! All the sights and sounds of a firework extravaganza! You'll ooh and ahh along with the crowd!
Now your office workers don't have to leave their computers to experience the magic of sustained independence from England. By the dawn's early light!

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>fireworksfireworks displaysFireworksDisplaysfourth of julyFourthOfJulyjuly 4July4Jake Hostetter2008-07-01T18:00:00+00:00The Handwriting Wizard's Wand Cuts Deephttp://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/the-handwriting-wizards-wand-cuts-deep/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/the-handwriting-wizards-wand-cuts-deep/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/the-handwriting-wizards-wand-cuts-deep/#commentsFiled under: , ,

My grandmother goes to a psychic about once every ten years. The only thing he ever told her about me was that I was going to become a lawyer, but unless I'm finally going to be able to get that kitten video law practice off the ground, I think he may have overestimated my tolerance for studying. I've never been one for horoscopes either, but after getting my free, no-registration required handwriting analysis, I think I may have turned into a pseudoscience believer.

Since you're analyzing your own handwriting, you'll first need to create a sample.

Here's mine:


After that, it's as easy as answering a few simple questions about the curves of your S's and the lumps of your M's. Here's a sample of the wizard's biting analysis of my writing:
Jordan is moderately outgoing. His emotions are stirred by sympathy and heart rendering stories."
This couldn't be more true. Sometimes I'm in the mood to talk and sometimes I'm not. Also, about eight years ago when I used to be a big 'E.R.' watcher, I would tear up at the end of pretty much every episode.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>handwritinghandwriting wizardHandwritingWizardJordan Breindel2008-07-01T16:00:00+00:00Stuff White People Like (To Dance To) - Breaking It Down, Caucasian-Stylehttp://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/stuff-white-people-like-to-dance-to-breaking-it-down-caucas/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/stuff-white-people-like-to-dance-to-breaking-it-down-caucas/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/stuff-white-people-like-to-dance-to-breaking-it-down-caucas/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



For centuries, White People have loved to dance, move to the rhythm, and really feel the music -- to "get jiggy with it," if you will. Observing the anthropological phenomenon in its rawest state can often be jarring and discomforting. Explore the different ways in which Caucasians attempt to gyrate their bodies in sync with patterned sound!

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Eliot Glazer2008-07-01T14:00:00+00:00Canada vs. America - Which Country Has Cuter Kittens?http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/canada-vs-america-which-country-has-cuter-kittens/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/canada-vs-america-which-country-has-cuter-kittens/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/canada-vs-america-which-country-has-cuter-kittens/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As Americans gear up for our July 4th holiday weekend, we can't forget to give some props to our neighbors up North as they celebrate Canada Day today. In honor of the land of maple syrup, hockey and Alex Trebek, we want to share this hard-hitting investigative report from web hottie Chris Leavins, aka Cute with Chris, as he presents an argument that Canada is better than the USA based on the cuteness of their kittens.


[YouTube]

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>canadacanada dayCanadaDaychris leavinsChrisLeavinscute with chrisCuteWithChrisKelly Reeves2008-07-01T12:00:00+00:00Mustache Tee-Offhttp://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/mustache-tee-off/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/mustache-tee-off/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/mustache-tee-off/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

There's a battle underfoot. Or should I say... under nose? Because it has to do with mustaches and how a rat pack of young gun, independent T-shirt companies are A.) defining themselves through the 'stache, and B.) vying for 'stache supremacy with a slew of combatively awesome designs.




Excellent 'staches, the lot of them. But looks like Fancy Mustachio has already fallen, shaved and baby-skinned by the wayside. Out of stock!?! Who's getting scalped beneath their honker next? Only Tom Selleck knows.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>mustachet-shirtJake Hostetter2008-07-01T10:00:00+00:00Url-y Riser: Tuesday, July 1, 2008http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/url-y-riser-tuesday-july-1-2008/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/url-y-riser-tuesday-july-1-2008/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/07/01/url-y-riser-tuesday-july-1-2008/#commentsFiled under:


 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Eliot Glazer2008-07-01T08:00:00+00:00Furry Puppets Take on Avril Lavignehttp://www.urlesque.com/2008/06/30/furry-puppets-take-on-avril-lavigne/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/06/30/furry-puppets-take-on-avril-lavigne/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/06/30/furry-puppets-take-on-avril-lavigne/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Avril Lavigne's 'Girlfriend' may be the 2nd most watched video in YouTube history, but it doesn't hold a candle to Mesmo the Magnificent's heart-rending rendition of 'I'm With You.' The puppetry is pitch-perfect, and to top it off, Chuckles the spotted hyena was performing with a broken arm. Don't ask me how I know that.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>avril lavigneAvrilLavignefluff suchFluffSuchpuppetpuppetsJordan Breindel2008-06-30T18:00:00+00:00Once Again, Internet Makes Pre-Internet Era Look Betterhttp://www.urlesque.com/2008/06/30/once-again-internet-makes-pre-internet-era-look-better/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/06/30/once-again-internet-makes-pre-internet-era-look-better/http://www.urlesque.com/2008/06/30/once-again-internet-makes-pre-internet-era-look-better/#commentsFiled under: ,



We've praised the Vintage Ads LiveJournal community before, but we're in multiple hallelujah mode for a recent entry called 'Food and Drink.' Don't let the simple title fool you -- the epic post is a treasure trove of colorful-creepy-classic ads and design that would make any mad man or food fetishist weep. Your eyes will be in heaven before you've even scrolled halfway through the extensive collection (we totally agree with the commenter who calls it "almost poetic").

Internet aside, obviously, but was everything better in the 50s? If the ads say so it must be true!

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>vintagevintage adsVintageAdsColin McDonald2008-06-30T16:00:00+00:00