Happy New Year faithful robots. To 2001 I say, "good riddance", (actually I shout, making violent kicking gestures, “GET THE FU*K OUTTA HERE 2001”) - bring on 2002. And for those of you who might be going to see the Human League tonight at Backflip, I'll see you there!

If you use Windowze, you need this. Absolutely indispensable.

First there was Michael Graves, then Mossimo - now add 'King of Whimsy' Philippe Starck and Todd Oldham to the list of designers doing an exclusive line for Tar-jé (Target). I've said it before and I'll say it again, I applaud Target for their 'design for the masses' approach - they know consumers crave design that's smart and interesting, and Target makes it accessible and affordable. In fact, I understand that Starck's line will consist of 65 exclusive household items all priced at around $10 US. Bravo!

The latest report is that Sarah's cat, Twiggy has a bad, bad habit. You see, she voices her frustrations by peeing on Sarah's pillow. Most recently, the cat-alyst was too many relatives sleeping over for the holidays. Not that I can actually blame Twiggy - when you think about it, it seems like the ideal way to get one's message across. Maybe I'll try it the next time I get frustrated at work. Nevertheless, I'm looking for a solution to help her out with this pissy problem. Got any ideas?

Until then you can visit some other cats that hate you.

There's a great photo album from last January's L.A. Fischerspooner concert over at glamourpimple.com - make sure you flip through every page as not to miss the candid shot of Ethan Hawke - here's an excerpt:

Spencer was in the bathroom taking pictures oh himself in the mirror, when who walks in? you guessed it! Ethan Hawke!, who proceeds to taked a dump, and NOT WASH HIS HANDS!!! And then he walks over to his table, and EATS! GROSS!

I've always liked QuickTime VR content and felt it's one of the underutilized media types on the web. Apparently VRWAY agrees - they have a neat site where they link thousands of real destinations across the globe using QTVR. It's a pretty cool proposition, being able to visit anything, anywhere on-demand. Check it out.

So you've witnessed your perfect mate from afar, but you just can't overcome your shyness and actually introduce yourself - what can you do? Try Coincidence Design. They claim it's not stalking, I'm not so certain...

Oh yes, and let's not forget a big, big thanks to my still secret 'Secret Santa' for the wonderful CD and bonus Legos. Thanks so much! You rock. Who are you? Tell me.

Hope all my fellow robots had a pleasure-filled holiday. Just a quick link today - an interesting article on how companies are able to use the courts, trademarks and copyrights, proprietary technology and deep corporate pockets to control what Internet users do and say, threatening the openness that made the Net unique. Read & enjoy.

In case you choose not to send an ImageStation eCard for your holiday greeting, you can try the nifty eCards at Evolution Bureau - trés cute.

Still trying to find the perfect holiday gift? Here's a suggestion from DWR worthy of passing on:

This has been a tough year for many arts-based nonprofits. Funding has been scaled back from national sources like the NEA, and contributions from individuals are at an historic low in the U.S. The gift of a membership to one of these organizations is a meaningful alternative for those of us with philanthropy in mind. Here are some direct links for organizations you can either donate to, or use to find other charitable organizations:

SFMOMA:
http://www.sfmoma.org
Exploratorium:
http://www.exploratorium.edu
Museophile:
http://vlmp.museophile.com/usa.html
Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum:
http://www.si.edu/ndm
Docomomo:
http://www.bk.tudelft.nl/docomomo

Tokyo first impressions:

- Everyone is so polite – almost to the point of absurdity. One example: At night, the taxi drivers turn off their lights at every red light and stop as not to blind the driver in front or oncoming traffic.
- Speaking of cars, they’re all totally spotless and dent free – and amazing as this sounds, what’s even more amazing is there are no apparent places to wash the cars. I don’t know what the secret is.
- Tokyo is HUGE. It seems to go on forever. I don’t think I could ever learn my way around this city.
- Vending machines are everywhere, selling water, soft drinks, beer and cigarettes. But I still haven’t been able to find any of the famed vending machines selling used panties, though. Maybe it's a myth.
- Soft drinks have the most disgusting names here. One popular brand, Pocari "Sweat" seems to be about as popular as Dr. Pepper. Yuck!
- The sushi and fresh, real wasabi (freshly ground from wasabi root) taste amazing. I'm spoiled forever. I don't think I'll ever be able to enjoy sushi in the states again.

All in all, I really love Tokyo. It's a beautiful, fun-filled city. More updates to come.

If I were a work of art, I would be M. C. Escher's Lizards.

I am a bizarre juxtaposition of the real and the unreal. Based in the realm of mathematics, my two-dimensional appearance belies a complex and free-willed behaviour which both delights and confuses people.

Which work of art would you be? The Art Test.

I'm off to the land of the rising sun tomorrow. Tokyo Go-Go! A week of future-filled excitement.

Attention all robots in the Detroit area; Must see show coming to your town (I wish I could go!):

ADULT. - live Detroit, USA : Friday, Dec. 7, 2001
Ghostly International presents... chapter II: Disco Nouveau.

Venue:
The Labyrinth
1703 Cass Ave.
Detroit, Michigan
$15.00, 18 and over.
Doors: 10pm-4am

featuring: ADULT., DMX Krew, Ectomorph DJ Set, Charles Manier.
http://www.ghostly.com/dn

The latest spam from my once beloved mp3.com boldly states at the top, "Get Signed! Get Heard!". Aside from the obvious questions about their egregious use of exclamation points, I have to wonder - has any band actually achieved any amount of serious fame as a result of being promoted on mp3.com, or is the idea of an online record label having the same sort of impact as a conventional label merely a pipe dream? I'm asking – this inquiring mind wants to know.

Since every website and news outlet seems to be awash with reports of the "revolutionary" Ginger/IT (henceforth officially known as Segway) transportation device, I feel obliged to throw in my $.02.

Pros:
- Environmentally friendly
- Easy to ride
- Intuitive controls and interface
- Inventive use of gyroscopic balancing system could benefit many future devices.


Cons:
- Chunky PlaySkool appearance
- 75 lbs!
- Top speed of only 12.5 MPH (slower than an electric Zappy)
- $3,500-4000!


Call me jaded, but I simply don't see the Segway heralding in a new era of human mobility. I mean c'mon, $4,000? Around these parts $4,000 will buy you a whole lot more transportation that's a whole lot more practical than the Segway. A $4,000 investment should at least buy you enough oomph to be able to cross a bridge. Not only that, but watching the videos on the Segway site, I can almost see the American population becoming more out of shape and more obnoxious (imagine your first experience almost getting mowed down on a public sidewalk by a Segway riding fool chatting it up on his/her cell phone). How 'bout we promote something with positive health benefits and zero environmental impact like biking, or even walking for that matter.

Neat idea. Neat use of technology. Just not what I'd call revolutionary - more like a solution looking for a problem. Wake me up when the personal VTOL hovercraft or jet packs are ready.