I know I didn’t mention this yesterday but it’s been pouring here in Southern California all week, some of the worst rains I’ve seen since 2005. Fortunately the house has held up well. Now on to the continuation of the Weekly Cool Links #21.

Cool Tech
For the last couple years I’ve used XBMC installed on my old Xbox as my be all media player for our living room, but with news from the most recent CES I just might look into replacing it sooner than later. Here are the devices I’m looking into.

Patriot Box Office Media Player
HDX BD-1
Asus O!Play HDP-R1
Popbox
Boxee Box (by D-Link)

The Boxee Box would be the one that is most like my current setup, since it’s based off the XBMC, but I’m not very happy with D-Link after various issues with some of their devices I’ve had in 2009. Right now it’s a wait and see approach, the Patriot Box Office is at Fry’s now for $130, but it seems a bit under whelming.

Cool Stuff
I know you thought I was done with 2009 lists after 21.1 but I had to share the Top 10 Everything of 2009 by Time. And the last mention of 2009 in this post, Gamasutra’s 99 Best Free games of 2009. Last week I watched this awesome video from TED about the intelligence of crows, it’s really eye-opening and will get you to look at crows in a whole different way. Of course this picture of search terms might make you wish you were a crow (women want their men to propose, and men want their women to give them head). If all that has made you feel a little less smart, check out this periodic table of elements with pictures!

Cool Advertising
Companies aren’t happy with just names, now they want to own colors… This is just plain wrong.

Cool Food
Kelly and I have done our best to start eating in more often, and it’s sites like No Takeout that help me plan our meals, they give a complete menu, shopping list, and game plan to get your meal done and on the table. Of if I’m just looking for a recipe based off of items I have there is Supercook or a new site I found call Cooking By Numbers.

Cool Videos
How online gamers play games in real life…

British comedy skits based on PBS like shows (this on is on Water there are others)

More PG Porn! This time with the lovely Jenna Haze!

Superhuman tape measure skills

Realistic Hollywood Sex-Scene

Now, on to the links!

TV Stuff
If you have ever wanted to know more about the themes that make TV writing then I highly suggest to take a couple hours to browse and read around TV Tropes.  It’s especially a great read for anyone that’s ever wanted to learn the tricks of the trade for writing anything from Comics to TV.

Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, what’s the difference?

Music Stuff
Looking for music like the music you like?  Check out Musicovery, a music discovery service.  Doing a search for Jimmy Eat World on there actually links me to a number of other bands I’ve also enjoyed throughout the years.  Pretty impressive.

Here is a funny music video

Chicks Man
If you are interested in attractive philologists, check out Hot for Words.  She’s not really my type, but hey I know there are a lot of you out there that like big boobed blondes.

Check out these chicks melting ice.

Food Stuff
Lifehacker had an article this week on 10 Simple Freeze Tricks to Save You Time and Money.  Info and links about what can be frozen (Broccoli yes, Onions No) to how to make your freeze more efficient.  It’s a good starting place for many people.

Windows 7 Stuff (Tech Stuff)
So yesterday Windows 7 was released.  I’ve already been using it for 3 weeks and think it’s pretty great, especially the 64bit version because nothing beats using 8 gigs of RAM on a computer (except 16 gigs).  A number of websites had guides for Windows 7, but Lifehacker’s Complete Guide to Windows 7 is the most comprehensive, plus it links to lots of other great starting points to learn more.  If you are looking for a more historical look at Windows, you have to check out Maximum PC’s 50 Best (and Worst) Moment’s in Windows History.

Funny Stuff
Check out Life’s pictorial on 30 Dumb Inventions, how about those screaming tomatoes, and to think people follow that crackpots “religion”.  I only read Maxim magazine for the articles, that’s why I’m sharing the 10 People in Every Office article they recently posted.  Lastly check out Stuff White People Life and Photobomb for some more funnies.

Oh no the Pixar lamp killed the letter I!

Halloween Stuff
Halloween is coming up so Kelly and I are working on making our place a little spooky for the trick or treaters that were are expecting (our first Halloween with them).  So far we have lights up on our porch, and three pumpkins.  I’m exploring the use of dry ice in our flower bed to make it a bit foggy, and also looking at some other options for scariness.  Recently I found this section on Halloween Props over at Instructables.  I’m thinking of trying my luck on one of two of these.

Software Stuff
It’s here again, the top voted software from Lifehacker, this list is from their April to September voting.  Lots of good stuff there, and most of the software is free or has free versions to try before you throw down some money.

Cool Stuff
Ever needed to open a Master combo lock that you lost the combo to?  Well you can either do it by figuring out the combination (about a 5 minute process if you follow this guide) or you can use a cut up soda can… The choice is yours.

Hey I Have Van Heusen Shirts!

Funny Stuff
Bootysweat must be checked out personally to appreciate it, that’ the most I’ll say about that.  I highly suggest creating the video for a friend at the end.  For anyone that is a How I Met Your Mother fan, you’ll appreciate the website, It Was The Best Night Ever.  And lastly what Weekly Cool Links isn’t complete without some sexist vintage advertising?  For more great “vintage” ads check out Marcy Writes.

Cool Videos

Like always I have some videos to share.  First video is a link to an SNL parody video of the Disney Vault, really looking forward to checking out 101 Fellations!

So this is what my parents were up to in their teens!

Can’t wait for Lost to come back, but this can hold you over till then.

Lastly a list of Fan cuts of TV shows and movies like the Lost one above.

Remember this?

News Story from LA Times.

Warning!  Picture heavy!