A sure fire way to get people to take the stairs

Volkswagen has started something they term The Fun Theory, which is "the thought that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better." One way they've done this is by creating a giant piano out of stairs. There is an escalator right next to it leading to the same place, but that's no fun, is it? Take a look at this video:

Now I'm just waiting for someone to organize a flash mob around it.

Other things they've done is create a "speed camera lottery". Speeders get photographed and receive a citation. People abiding by the speed limit get entered into a lottery for a chance to win part of the money collected from said citations. That's definitely a lottery I would participate in!

I like lightning.

The lightning bolt sets fire to combustibles and damages objects in its path. It can melt metals with a low melting point, such as lead, gold, copper, silver, or bronze. If the damage caused to an interposing barrier shatters or breaks through it, the bolt may continue beyond the barrier if the spell’s range permits; otherwise, it stops at the barrier just as any other spell effect does.

[The image is a real person, painted with body paint (not 'shopped) by artist Craig Tracy. Check out his gallery for more amazing body art.]

When it comes to gaming I noticed I gravitate towards two things: healing and lightning. If I can do both, even better! I love how lightning is pure, raw power and I'm the one wielding it. I also find that it offers a sense of familiarity regardless of the game. Lightning, and those who wield it, can be found in most genres. I can be a wizard/sorcerer, a druid, a shaman when it comes to traditional fantasy. I can use Captain Marvel's "Shazam" lightning bolt in the DC universe. I can play a Emperor Palpatine-esque character in the upcoming Star Wars MMO. When looking at a new game it's always easy to figure out which class is for me, unless none of them have lightning powers!

Do you have a favorite "style" of character you gravitate towards?

Another week off, so soon!

Two weeks ago, my lovely DH and I went on our belated honeymoon/anniversary/Christmas/V-day/Birthday cruise. And then I went back to work.

Boo!

But, it wasn't bad. School is out so we weren't very busy. I got some possibly good news. And overall I just like my job most of the time. I feel lucky, since so many people can't say that. But then again, books + me = bff so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise.

However I'm still glad to be off another week. =]

As my body is want to do after a vacation (especially one involving so many climate changes), I've developed a cold of some sort. Now I've got a whole week off to recover until we're thrown into the midst of our busy season.

Sure we've got laundry to do, and we *still* need to get our rebate forms out in the mail... but other than that I'm going to quite enjoy this week of relaxation. I've got Sims that need a little TLC, a cleric to level, and hopefully a few more games of Headbanz in my future (which I will have to do a post about at some point.

Merry Christmas, everyone!