Cablebabble

Gizmodo’s got a cute article on the myriads of cables out there and what you’re supposed to do with them. Nice reference (although I’m pretty sure they got at least one photo wrong) but what I like most is the opening photo.

Intelligent Kiln Project: Genesis

So what if your kiln was smart? (Gosh, this sounds like a GE commercial)

But… what if your kiln really was smart? What if it sensed things happening during a firing, analyzed and decided on a course of action, then responded appropriately? 

Would that make a difference in the way you fire glass? The time it takes? The way you construct molds or assemble the glass? In your firing success rates? The amount of glass you could fire at one time? Would it allow you to discover (and potentially auto-correct) a problem that occurs during firing? Most important, would it make a difference in what you can fire? 

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Do your counters glow in the dark?

Here’s a kinda gloomy thought: You work and save and rack up multimonths of angst and near-bankruptcy to give your kitchen one of those homeshow makeovers…only to discover that you’ve got your very own Manhattan Project.

Read a story in the old grey lady about the increasing tendency of granite countertops, especially the really unusually beautiful ones, to emit not only radon but also radiation. Turns out they can contain stuff like uranium, and the EPA is getting a tad concerned. My favorite quote from the article: “It’s not that all granite is dangerous, but I’ve seen a few that might heat up your Cheerios a little.”

Imagine: Now you can cook your steak right on the counter! And when it’s done, don’t light those candles; just turn off the lights and eat by the romantic light of your kitchen countertops. Look at all the energy you’ll save!

Gee. Kinda gives “green living” a whole new meaning, doesn’t it?

Koji Osakaya (Japanese)

• Restaurant website
• Location: Northeast (Lloyd Center)
• Price to fill up two people: About $40

My cousins and I hit up “Dark Night,” the new Batman movie on Sunday night. (As an aside, it was pretty violent and also pretty good, if a tad preachy.) Afterwards, we stood outside the cinema, blinking in the bright light, and tried to figure out where to go for dinner.

In true gadgeteer fashion I whipped out my PDA, activated Google Maps and searched for restaurants within walking distance. Koji looked the best of the lot, so we headed over that way. And in fact, there was a lot to like about it.

For one thing, there was this really cool hot sake machine in the corner that was fun to watch. For another, the selection was nice and the food was good. Jeff had a bowl of noodles while Robyn and I went to town on the sushi. Most all of it was good. They started miso soup; I had my favorite sunomono (vinegared cucumber salad with a topping of steamed shrimp and cress), and it was not only good but probably TOO substantial.

I wouldn’t say it was knock-your-socks-off memorable, but it was above average, workmanlike Japanese food at a fairly reasonable price. If you’re in the neighborhood, it’s worth a try.

Museum of Beauty

Probably no surprise that whenever I find an intersection between art and technology, I’m fascinated. Konica Minolta’s advertising the “Museum of Beauty” on websites right now, and I gotta admit it’s one of the best commercials for a supergadget that I’ve seen in a long time. (They’re hawking a no-touch digitizer)

Give it a look if you get a chance, and make sure you’ve got the sound on. There’s a pretty effective marriage of music and motion that adds to the experience.

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