Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
ISBN – 9780307887436

Why list this book on my blog? Because while on the one hand it is a fun story about trying to win a tournament based on 80′s trivia, classic videogames and Rush music, all set inside a Second Life style world. It also has a very subtle, possibly unintended message that has resonated with me. That lesson being – get off the computer once in a while!

In the book the main character gets so deep inside the immersive game he begins to gain weight, stops bathing and cuts himself off completely from the outside world (there is a reason for that but I won’t spoil the plot) in order to win the game.

Thinking about the protagonists compulsion to stay “plugged in”, I couldn’t help but think of this article by Brian Lam of WireCutter wrote. In it Brian describes the various issue around our information saturated media. “I also stopped reading twitter and facebook regularly, because most of my online acquaintances are nice, but … I don’t give a shit about 99% of people I interact with online. I’ve met some great friends online, but once I find them I would prefer to spend that time and energy with the few I would do anything for. Also, clicking the like button 1 billion times will never give you an orgasm or a hug or a high five. All this has freed up about 3 hours a day for me.”

I’m not complaining that the internet is a terrible thing but it becomes that way when checking social media, emails and RSS feeds is the first and last thing I do in my day. So while I’m thankful for the many hours I spend online and the work it has afforded me – I also need to keep in mind why I work in the first place – so I can afford to spend time away from work and enjoy life.

Work – life balance.

- Ben

Source – Ebay

Asking Price – $14.25

Description – “The entire piece is about 2.25″ (5.7cm). Made from ceramic. This collectors salt and pepper shaker set features two Basset Hound dogs kissing. Each are separate pieces held together with magnets. ”

What? – That’s right they have magnets that make them kiss!

Ebay weight lifting bears!

Current asking price – $3.75

From the description – “These ceramic shakers stand 4 ¾” tall and are 2 7/8” wide. Bears (who look a bit like cats) are gray in color and are wearing old style one-piece exercise suits. Each is holding a barbell that has chartreuse colored weights. One shaker has two pour holes: the other three.”

Designing with Web Standards by Jeffery Zeldman – 3rd Edition
ISBN – 9780321616951

I wasn’t sure if a book on web standards would be that useful. But so far it has proved to be the answer to web developments new year’s resolution to lose some weight. And wow do the examples point to some eye opening problems. Many sites are bogged down by code that is unnecessary, bulky and caters to old browsers.

So out of interest I ran this site through the W3C validator and guess what happened???? RESULTS

That’s right all clean! Well actually at the time I had an paragraph tag that wasn’t closed. . . Anyways the book is turning out to be quite useful and I’m going to be keeping a closer eye on bulky coding from now on.

- Ben

Folding Techniques for Designers by Paul Jackson
978-1856697217

Origami techniques can only take you so far – although making cranes is fun. This is a craft I wish I made more time for – same thing goes for calligraphy, stencils, photography. . . I think I smell a New Years Resolution coming on!

- Ben

First name Mr – middle name ‘period’ – last name T! I pity the fool who don’t like these shakers!

Get em from Etsy Seller – ModernFX!

Princess Leia: “I have placed information vital to the survival of the Rebellion into the memory systems of this R2 unit. My father will know how to retrieve it. You must see this droid safely delivered to him on Alderaan. This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.”

Available here.

The dinner table is a battlefield and you best gear up to survive. Time for a flavour explosion!

Buy here!

Confronting a dish that is bland and unseasoned should not be done in anger – but in peace! These stone salt and pepper shakers are the perfect answer to a frustrating situation. Ahhh…… calm….

I think you can buy these – here.

Tooth / Teeth Salt and Pepper Shakers. These would be great if you were a dentist, or perhaps thats the last thing you would want to see after a day of cleaning teeth.

Created by Propagana Products.

Also available here.