bookcloseouts.com
Monday, November 22, 1999 | 02:25 p.m.
You know those mall stores that are filled with stacks of weird books nobody bought? Like The Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen Fan Guide and The Encyclopedia Madonnica? Well, now you can buy these same unwanted books for super cheap off the internet. It's like the red-headed stepchild of Amazon.com. Nothing much is listed over $6, and there's a ton of crap under $3, especially if you're looking for a copy of Buy That Computer 1995.

Yard Sale Shopping Tips
Monday, November 22, 1999 | 02:14 p.m.
Be a smart shopper.

You know, for kids
Monday, November 22, 1999 | 12:18 a.m.
Watched The Hudsucker Proxy last night and realized once anew the genius of those damn Coen brothers. Fun Fact: Did you know Tim Robbins' first role was in Quarterback Princess with Helen Hunt?

The 1954 Senate Interim Report on Juvenile Delinquency and Comic Books
Monday, November 22, 1999 | 12:14 a.m.
See, people are always trying to blame the media. Shocking but true: "One fact is clearly noted: A background in knowledge of child education and development is not a requisite to becoming a publisher of crime and horror comic books designed for children." My god. Now I know.

Would you be caught dead in this outfit?
Monday, November 22, 1999 | 12:03 a.m.
I love the tabloids. And now I am so happy to learn you can read them online without feeling horribly guilty that you just spent beer money to find out how Cameron Diaz looks without her makeup on. Besides The Star, you can read The National Enquirer online and find out this week that Buffy can Slay Vampires, But Can't Bag a Man!. And, of course, the Weekly World News.

Echelonwatch.org
Wednesday, November 17, 1999 | 01:20 a.m.
Echelon is a world-wide intelligence gathering organization run by the the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and headed by the NSA, the scariest of all scary government agencies. It monitors telephone calls and the internet, and uses many, many satellites to gather information. This project has remained secret for 20 years, but recently Australia admitted that Echelon was going on. And why are they collecting this data? They claim it's for "National Security" but please explain to me how monitoring all private citizens and celebs like Princess Di helps us defeat the evil Red Menace. I can't say I'm surprised, but it's like everything Mulder and Scully believes is true. Read this whole site and complain to your congressperson.

Chu-chu rocket
Wednesday, November 17, 1999 | 12:58 a.m.
Did you ever see the Mr. Sparkle episode of the Simpsons? Remember the fish-bulb video tape with the surreal Japanese commercial? Well, some Japanese commercials are really like that and this is amazing. It's for a video game which apparently is about the eternal struggle between Cat and Mouse. Add it to your permanent MPEG collection. (and learn more about Chu Chu Rocket at the Gaming Intelligence Agency. )

American Science and Surplus!
Wednesday, November 17, 1999 | 12:28 a.m.
I have always loved this catalog and am just thrilled to see it online. The word "science" is used very loosely as they stock everything from weird 3-D picture books to obselete battery types. The descriptions are great, too, and simply reading the catalog is just as amusing as playing with your new Hypodermic Needle pen. I remember my brother ordering like 10,000 plastic ants for two dollars back in the day. Excellent value. Two thumbs up all around.

He's totally booted and banned
Tuesday, November 16, 1999 | 11:15 p.m.
A Seattle judge has banned Scott Abraham from "making or responding to postings on the Internet site rec.skiing.alpine either directly or indirectly, in person or through others." This is the first time I can think of that a flame war was validated in court. I mean, I can see something like this on alt.religion.scientology or something, but rec.skiing.alpine?