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  <channel>

    <title>symbii.com | Something You Might Be Interested In</title>
    <description>Something You Might Be Interested In - last 20 stories</description>
    <link>http://symbii.com</link>
    <copyright>?2012, Niraj Sanghvi</copyright>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:24:56 CST</pubDate>

    <item>
      <title>Protesting SOPA and PIPA</title>
      <description>By now you've probably already seen lots of major sites (Google, Wikipedia, Wordpress, Reddit, etc.) make significant changes or shutdown altogether to protest SOPA and PIPA for a day.

Reddit has a great explanation of what all this web censorship really means for users, websites, and search engines...</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[By now you've probably already seen lots of major sites (Google, Wikipedia, Wordpress, Reddit, etc.) make significant changes or shutdown altogether to protest SOPA and PIPA for a day.
<br><br>
Reddit has a great explanation of what all this web censorship really means for users, websites, and search engines both via <a href="http://blog.reddit.com/2012/01/technical-examination-of-sopa-and.html">a blog post from yesterday</a> (this is a permanent link) and <a href="http://www.reddit.com/">their homepage</a> today (this is only temporary until the blackout ends).
<br><br>
And <a href="http://wordpress.org/">Wordpress.org</a> makes it really easy to make your voice heard, letting you send letters to your representatives (if you're in the US) or to the State Department (if you're outside the US) in just a few clicks. This issue affects those outside the US as well, as described in the Reddit post.
<br><br>
I found Google's censored logo and Wordpress.com's homepage to be some of the most visually striking and effective messages:
<br><br>
<center><img style="border:0px" src="http://symbii.com/images/stories/wordpress_censored.png"></center>
<br><br>
The reason so many people are making a big deal about this is that it really is a big deal, and there's too many people that aren't aware of it. Hopefully this stops bills like these which try to regulate the internet without actually knowing the widespread implications of such actions. The mere fact that Reddit would be considered a foreign site and Pirate Bay would be considered a domestic site under the wording of the bills makes it clear that they were drafted without any real technical understanding.]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=937&amp;tid=30</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=937&amp;tid=30</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:24:54 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Interesting shows for the start of 2012</title>
      <description>TV show schedules seem really weird now, with shows taking breaks mid-season or waiting to start new seasons after the holidays. I found a comprehensive list on Warming Glow of when shows are starting/resuming over the next several weeks since I watch too many TV shows. Here's the short version (with...</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[TV show schedules seem really weird now, with shows taking breaks mid-season or waiting to start new seasons after the holidays. I found a <a href="http://warmingglow.uproxx.com/2011/12/when-are-our-favorite-shows-returning">comprehensive list on Warming Glow</a> of when shows are starting/resuming over the next several weeks since I watch too many TV shows. Here's the short version (with some additions by me):
<br><br>
<blockquote>
<b>ABC:</b> Happy Endings/Modern Family/Suburgatory (Jan. 4)
<br>
<b>NBC:</b> SNL (Jan. 7), 30 Rock/Parks and Recreation/The Office/Up All Night (Jan. 12)
<br>
<b>CBS:</b> How I Met Your Mother (Jan. 2)
<br>
<b>FOX:</b> The Simpsons/Family Guy (Jan. 8), Fringe (Jan. 13), New Girl (Jan. 17), Bob's Burgers (Mar. 11)
<br>
<b>FX:</b> Justified (Jan. 17), Archer (Jan. 19)
<br>
<b>AMC:</b> The Walking Dead (Feb. 12), Mad Men (March)
<br>
<b>HBO:</b> Eastbound and Down (Feb. 19)
<br>
<b>SHOWTIME:</b> Californication/Shameless (Jan. 8)
<br>
<b>IFC:</b> Portlandia (Jan. 6)
<br>
<b>Comedy Central:</b> South Park (Mar. 14)
</blockquote>
<br>
The complete, much longer list can be seen <a href="http://warmingglow.uproxx.com/2011/12/when-are-our-favorite-shows-returning">here</a>.]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=936&amp;tid=18</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=936&amp;tid=18</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:16:42 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Interesting music video</title>
      <description>This video is pretty cool...





Here's the behind the scenes on how they made it (kind of long):



</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[This video is pretty cool...
<br><br>
<div class="center">

</div>
<br><br>
Here's the behind the scenes on how they made it (kind of long):
<br><br>
<div class="center">

</div>]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=935&amp;tid=17</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=935&amp;tid=17</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:35:08 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Running down the tallest building in the world</title>
      <description>Saw this on Reddit and figured it was well worth posting. It's footage of Tom Cruise running down the Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world located in Dubai, for the next Mission: Impossible movie.

As one of the Reddit comments appropriately stated, "Tom Cruise is kind of a douche, but...</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[Saw this <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/ls67k/tom_cruise_may_be_a_douche_but_hes_got_balls_of/">on Reddit</a> and figured it was well worth posting. It's footage of Tom Cruise running down the Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world located in Dubai, for the next <i>Mission: Impossible</i> movie.
<br><br>
As one of the Reddit comments appropriately stated, "Tom Cruise is kind of a douche, but Ethan Hunt is fucking awesome."
<br><br>
<div style="text-align:center;">

<br><br>
(Linked from YouTube since IMDb won't let you embed <a href="http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1775738393">their video</a>)
</div>]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=934&amp;tid=16</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=934&amp;tid=16</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:08:03 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Incredible rendering</title>
      <description>I saw this post today on RealityPrime where it was titled "This Is Magic" and I have to agree. And the fact that this technology was created at U of I makes it even cooler. The short version is this video shows how objects (including ones in motion) can be added to a photograph and interact with the...</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[I saw this post today on RealityPrime where it was titled "<a href="http://www.realityprime.com/articles/this-is-magic">This Is Magic</a>" and I have to agree. And the fact that this technology was created at U of I makes it even cooler. The short version is this video shows how objects (including ones in motion) can be added to a photograph and interact with the lighting and objects already present in the image. The long version can be seen in the abstract I've included after the video. But really you just have to see the video.
<br><br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p><a href="http://vimeo.com/28962540">Rendering Synthetic Objects into Legacy Photographs</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/kevinkarsch">Kevin Karsch</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
</div>
<br><br>
<div class="via">
(Via <a href="http://www.realityprime.com/articles/this-is-magic">RealityPrime</a>)
</div>]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=933&amp;tid=29</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=933&amp;tid=29</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:30:45 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Symbii&amp;#39;s back!</title>
      <description>It's been a long time coming. And I suppose with Halloween around the corner it's appropriate to be bringing symbii back from the dead. Long story short, I got a bit bored with posting for a while, and then when there had been a hiatus of a few weeks (and then a couple of months), I started thinking...</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[It's been a long time coming. And I suppose with Halloween around the corner it's appropriate to be bringing symbii back from the dead. Long story short, I got a bit bored with posting for a while, and then when there had been a hiatus of a few weeks (and then a couple of months), I started thinking that if I was going to start posting here again, why not do an overhaul of the design as well?
<br><br>
Several more months later, I realized that if I was going to hold off on posting until I did a total redesign that accomplished all that I wanted*, it'd be a long wait since I've had various things keeping me busy. So I had it in the back of my head that I should start posting again, but nothing seemed worthy of a first post after such a long hiatus. But today I saw something that I found really cool...one of the kind of things that inspired me to start posting on symbii in the first place.
<br><br>
So symbii is back and I hope you'll still find it contains Something You Might Be Interested In! :)
<br><br>
-Niraj
<br><br>
P.S. Seriously, it's been so long since I posted something that the tools I use for posting look unfamiliar.
<br><br>
<small>
(*) I have a lot I want to redo...it's been a long while since I've messed with the actual code that runs this site, and a lot has changed in the world of HTML, CSS, Javascript, etc...The PHP code needs some serious cleanup too since I just kept building on top of it over time as I added features.</small>]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=932&amp;tid=1</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=932&amp;tid=1</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:06:25 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Tremendous Upside, Season 2, Episode 3</title>
      <description>Season 2, Episode 3 is now available! This week Dave and I talk about capitals, sponsors, browsers, sandwiches, answer mailbag questions, and more!

Get it via any of these methods:



iTunes podcast page

Zune podcast page

Direct MP3 file




















Play Podcast...</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[Season 2, Episode 3 is now available! This week Dave and I talk about capitals, sponsors, browsers, sandwiches, answer mailbag questions, and more!
<br><br>
Get it via any of these methods:<br><br>
<table width="100%">
<tr>
<td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=320588135">iTunes podcast page</a>
</td><td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://social.zune.net/podcast/Tremendous+Upside+with+Dave+and+Niraj/fa8d289d-cc60-45c1-8011-cbd0de59e2e4">Zune podcast page</a>
</td><td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2747/20110311%20-%20Tremendous%20Upside.mp3">Direct MP3 file</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=320588135">
<img src="http://symbii.com/images/stories/itunes_logo.jpg" style="border:0px;" vspace="2" hspace="4">
</a>
</td><td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://social.zune.net/podcast/Tremendous+Upside+with+Dave+and+Niraj/fa8d289d-cc60-45c1-8011-cbd0de59e2e4">
<img src="http://symbii.com/images/stories/zune_logo.jpg" style="border:0px;" vspace="2" hspace="4">
</a>
</td><td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2747/20110311%20-%20Tremendous%20Upside.mp3">
<img src="http://symbii.com/images/stories/mp3_logo.jpg" style="border:0px;" vspace="2" hspace="4">
</a>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<br>
<center>
<b>Play Podcast (using Flash):</b><br>

</center>
<br><br>
Or you can still sign up for <a href="http://symbii.com/podcasts/tremendousupside/tuwdn.xml">the feed <img src="http://symbii.com/images/rss_sm.png"></a> if you're using some other software/reader.
<br><br>
<small>The <i>Tremendous Upside with Dave and Niraj</i> podcast is recorded via <a href="http://www.skype.com">Skype</a>.</small>
]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=931&amp;tid=69</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=931&amp;tid=69</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 11 Mar 2011 01:03:17 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Tremendous Upside, Season 2, Episode 2</title>
      <description>Season 2, Episode 2 is now available! This week Dave and I talk with a special guest and discuss sandwiches, random wiki articles, sponsors, answer mailbag questions, and more!

Get it via any of these methods:



iTunes podcast page

Zune podcast page

Direct MP3 file




















Play...</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[Season 2, Episode 2 is now available! This week Dave and I talk with a special guest and discuss sandwiches, random wiki articles, sponsors, answer mailbag questions, and more!
<br><br>
Get it via any of these methods:<br><br>
<table width="100%">
<tr>
<td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=320588135">iTunes podcast page</a>
</td><td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://social.zune.net/podcast/Tremendous+Upside+with+Dave+and+Niraj/fa8d289d-cc60-45c1-8011-cbd0de59e2e4">Zune podcast page</a>
</td><td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2747/20110224%20-%20Tremendous%20Upside.mp3">Direct MP3 file</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=320588135">
<img src="http://symbii.com/images/stories/itunes_logo.jpg" style="border:0px;" vspace="2" hspace="4">
</a>
</td><td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://social.zune.net/podcast/Tremendous+Upside+with+Dave+and+Niraj/fa8d289d-cc60-45c1-8011-cbd0de59e2e4">
<img src="http://symbii.com/images/stories/zune_logo.jpg" style="border:0px;" vspace="2" hspace="4">
</a>
</td><td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2747/20110224%20-%20Tremendous%20Upside.mp3">
<img src="http://symbii.com/images/stories/mp3_logo.jpg" style="border:0px;" vspace="2" hspace="4">
</a>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<br>
<center>
<b>Play Podcast (using Flash):</b><br>

</center>
<br><br>
Or you can still sign up for <a href="http://symbii.com/podcasts/tremendousupside/tuwdn.xml">the feed <img src="http://symbii.com/images/rss_sm.png"></a> if you're using some other software/reader.
<br><br>
<small>The <i>Tremendous Upside with Dave and Niraj</i> podcast is recorded via <a href="http://www.skype.com">Skype</a>.</small>
]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=930&amp;tid=69</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=930&amp;tid=69</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 01:10:17 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Tremendous Upside, Season 2, Episode 1</title>
      <description>After taking a year off, we're back with Season 2 of Tremendous Upside! This week Dave and I recap 2010 and talk about Super Bowl Commercials, Office Food, Sandwiches, Twitter, check the mailbag, and more!

Get it via any of these methods:



iTunes podcast page

Zune podcast page

Direct MP3...</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[After taking a year off, we're back with Season 2 of Tremendous Upside! This week Dave and I recap 2010 and talk about Super Bowl Commercials, Office Food, Sandwiches, Twitter, check the mailbag, and more!
<br><br>
Get it via any of these methods:<br><br>
<table width="100%">
<tr>
<td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=320588135">iTunes podcast page</a>
</td><td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://social.zune.net/podcast/Tremendous+Upside+with+Dave+and+Niraj/fa8d289d-cc60-45c1-8011-cbd0de59e2e4">Zune podcast page</a>
</td><td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://db.tt/tfdcYop">Direct MP3 file</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=320588135">
<img src="http://symbii.com/images/stories/itunes_logo.jpg" style="border:0px;" vspace="2" hspace="4">
</a>
</td><td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://social.zune.net/podcast/Tremendous+Upside+with+Dave+and+Niraj/fa8d289d-cc60-45c1-8011-cbd0de59e2e4">
<img src="http://symbii.com/images/stories/zune_logo.jpg" style="border:0px;" vspace="2" hspace="4">
</a>
</td><td class="message" style="text-align:center;">
<a href="http://db.tt/tfdcYop">
<img src="http://symbii.com/images/stories/mp3_logo.jpg" style="border:0px;" vspace="2" hspace="4">
</a>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<br>
<center>
<b>Play Podcast (using Flash):</b><br>

</center>
<br><br>
Or you can still sign up for <a href="http://symbii.com/podcasts/tremendousupside/tuwdn.xml">the feed <img src="http://symbii.com/images/rss_sm.png"></a> if you're using some other software/reader.
<br><br>
<small>The <i>Tremendous Upside with Dave and Niraj</i> podcast is recorded via <a href="http://www.skype.com">Skype</a>.</small>
]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=929&amp;tid=69</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=929&amp;tid=69</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 13 Feb 2011 23:16:43 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>I got hit in the face with a burrito because of fantasy football</title>
      <description>Inspired by the Subway footlong wager between Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal, Mark and I agreed to a War Across The Shore. The winner of our fantasy playoff matchup would get to smack the loser in the face with a Chipotle burrito. Plus, the winner earns an extra smack for each 5 points of victory margin....</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[Inspired by the Subway footlong wager between Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal, Mark and I agreed to a War Across The Shore. The winner of our fantasy playoff matchup would get to smack the loser in the face with a Chipotle burrito. Plus, the winner earns an extra smack for each 5 points of victory margin. Well, thanks to 46.5 points by Brandon Marshall and 38.5 by Chris Johnson, Mark won the right to smack me 13 times with his 202.5 point total. Enjoy the video evidence.
<br>
<blockquote><i>
Burrito Contents:<br>
double-wrapped tortilla<br>
cilantro-lime rice<br>
pinto beans<br>
barbacoa beef<br>
mild salsa<br>
cheese<br>
and EXTRA sour cream
</i></blockquote>
<br><br>
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>
]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=928&amp;tid=15</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=928&amp;tid=15</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:52:59 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Inception, explained</title>
      <description>Don't look any further if you're trying to avoid Inception spoilers. Someone on deviantart put together this awesome graphic showing exactly what was going on during the multiple layers in the movie for those that were confused. See the image after the jump.</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[Don't look any further if you're trying to avoid <i>Inception</i> spoilers. <a href="http://dehahs.deviantart.com/#/d2unnlj">Someone on deviantart</a> put together this awesome graphic showing exactly what was going on during the multiple layers in the movie for those that were confused. See the image after the jump.]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=927&amp;tid=16</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=927&amp;tid=16</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:33:38 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Van Quattro 2</title>
      <description>Six years ago, Dave Fymbo and I made a movie, which we starred in and shot ourselves. It's about time we released a sequel! So without further ado, here's Van Quattro 2!





You can find the trailer for Van Quattro 2 here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VytZMiJA9vk

And the original Van Quattro...</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[Six years ago, Dave Fymbo and I made a movie, which we starred in and shot ourselves. It's about time we released a sequel! So without further ado, here's Van Quattro 2!
<br><br>
<center>

</center>
<br><br>
You can find the trailer for Van Quattro 2 here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VytZMiJA9vk
<br><br>
And the original Van Quattro is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_eNTASBee8
<br><br>
And finally, you can find more information on the blog at <a href="http://vanquattro2.blogspot.com">http://vanquattro2.blogspot.com</a>.]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=926&amp;tid=63</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=926&amp;tid=63</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:23:00 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>TBS buys Emmy ads for Conan&amp;#39;s NBC show</title>
      <description>Since NBC no longer has an interest in Conan, TBS has bought Emmy ads for his Tonight Show run. The networks usually take out ads to get their shows nominated, and with NBC's severed ties with Conan, it's not surprising that they wouldn't buy ads for his show.





But, as the Variety article muses,...</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[Since NBC no longer has an interest in Conan, TBS <a href="http://weblogs.variety.com/on_the_air/2010/06/tbs-buys-emmy-campaign-ads-for-conans-tonight-show-stint.html">has bought Emmy ads for his Tonight Show run</a>. The networks usually take out ads to get their shows nominated, and with NBC's severed ties with Conan, it's not surprising that they wouldn't buy ads for his show.
<br><br>
<center>
<a href="http://symbii.com/images/stories/conan_emmy_ad_tbs_1.png"><img width="300" hspace="4" vspace="4" src="http://symbii.com/images/stories/conan_emmy_ad_tbs_1.png"></a>
</center>
<br><br>
But, as the Variety article muses, it would be funny if Conan's show wins an Emmy while Jay Leno does not (NBC has bought ads for Leno).
<br><br>
<center>
<a href="http://symbii.com/images/stories/conan_emmy_ad_tbs_2.png"><img width="300" hspace="4" vspace="4" src="http://symbii.com/images/stories/conan_emmy_ad_tbs_2.png"></a>
</center>]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=925&amp;tid=18</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=925&amp;tid=18</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:33:28 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Conan on 60 Minutes on Sunday</title>
      <description>Conan's departure deal with NBC prevented him from appearing on TV until May 1st. So 60 Minutes did an interview with him that they will air tomorrow, May 2nd, at 6pm Central on CBS. They've been leaking excerpts of the interview where Conan is getting to comment more directly on the situation around...</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[Conan's departure deal with NBC prevented him from appearing on TV until May 1st. So 60 Minutes did an interview with him that they will air tomorrow, May 2nd, at 6pm Central on CBS. They've been leaking excerpts of the interview where Conan is getting to comment more directly on the situation around his departure, something he hasn't gotten to do much of. It's also rumored he will be talking about his deal with TBS, where he'll have a new show starting in November.
<br><br>
<center>

</center>]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=924&amp;tid=18</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=924&amp;tid=18</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 01 May 2010 13:15:14 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Awesome.</title>
      <description>This article's title combined with the visual literally made me laugh out loud.




Click to expand
</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/8532/photoblog-pittsburgh-falls-to-xavier">This article's</a> title combined with the visual literally made me laugh out loud.
<br><br>
<center>
<a href="http://symbii.com/images/stories/espn_pitt_xavier.png"><img width="600" src="http://symbii.com/images/stories/espn_pitt_xavier.png">
<br>
Click to expand</a>
</center>]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=923&amp;tid=22</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=923&amp;tid=22</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 21 Mar 2010 23:29:16 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Bing Maps gets Worldwide Telescope App</title>
      <description>This is very cool...the new version of Bing Maps has added Worldwide Telescope. This was previewed in this very cool TED talk where one of the things they showed was dragging around in Bing Maps streetview. When they dragged to see more of the sky, the image darkened and stars and outlines of constellations...</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[This is very cool...the new version of Bing Maps has <a href="http://www.bing.com/community/blogs/maps/archive/2010/03/10/new-bing-maps-application-worldwide-telescope.aspx">added Worldwide Telescope</a>. This was previewed in <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/blaise_aguera.html">this very cool TED talk</a> where one of the things they showed was dragging around in Bing Maps streetview. When they dragged to see more of the sky, the image darkened and stars and outlines of constellations became visible as in the picture below.
<br><br>
<center><a href="http://symbii.com/images/stories/bingmaps_telescope.jpg"><img hspace="4" vspace="4" src="http://symbii.com/images/stories/bingmaps_telescope.jpg"></a></center>
<br>
Now you can try it for yourself in the <a href="http://www.bing.com/maps/explore">new version of Bing Maps</a>. Towards the bottom of the page there's a button called "Map Apps" and clicking on it shows you a list of apps you can enable. If you turn on Worldwide Telescope, then go to streetview somewhere (it's somewhat limited on where you can do this), you can then drag the sky into view and the image will dim and reveal what constellations you can see at the present time. I can't wait to try it at night and see how well it works.]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=922&amp;tid=33</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=922&amp;tid=33</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:20:53 CST</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>Microsoft&amp;#39;s Translating Telephone</title>
      <description>Yesterday, Microsoft demoed a telephone conversation where one person spoke in English and the other in German, and the computer translated to the opposite language so they could have a conversation. This is very cool, and accurate enough to have simple conversations. From the YouTube description:


What...</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[Yesterday, Microsoft demoed a telephone conversation where one person spoke in English and the other in German, and the computer translated to the opposite language so they could have a conversation. This is very cool, and accurate enough to have simple conversations. From the YouTube description:
<br><br>
<blockquote><i>
What if your computer could transcribe and translate, in near real-time, a phone conversation you're having with someone speaking a language you don't understand? That's the promise of one prototype demonstrated by Microsoft researchers today during a preview of the company's annual TechFest event. 
</i></blockquote>
<br><br>
<center>
<iframe class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="385" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FFe7xVHMl_s" frameborder="0">
</iframe>
</center>]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=921&amp;tid=26</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=921&amp;tid=26</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:47:43 CST</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>Dos Equis&amp;#39; Most Interesting Man in the World [Update]</title>
      <description>I just heard a different radio ad for Dos Equis' Most Interesting Man campaign, and this one was even more hilarious than the first. Some of the lines from it:

When it is raining, it is because he is sad.

Even his parrot's advice is insightful.

If there were an interesting gland, his would be...</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[I just heard a different radio ad for Dos Equis' Most Interesting Man campaign, and this one was even more hilarious than the first. Some of the lines from it:
<blockquote><i>
When it is raining, it is because he is sad.
<br>
Even his parrot's advice is insightful.
<br>
If there were an interesting gland, his would be larger than most men's entire lower intestines.
<br>
His shirts never wrinkle.
<br>
He is left-handed. And right-handed.
<br>
Even if he forgets to put postage on his mail, it gets there.
<br>
He once knew a call was a wrong number, even though the person on the other end wouldn't admit it.
<br>
You can see his charisma from space.
</i></blockquote>
If you're unfamiliar with the campaign, check out this ad:
<center>

</center>
<br>
And some of the lines from the original ad:
<blockquote><i>
The police often question him, just because they find him interesting.
<br>
He once punched a magician. That's right. You heard me.
<br>
When he orders a salad, he gets the dressing right there on top of the salad, where it belongs...where there is no turning back.
<br>
If a monument was built in his honor, Mt. Rushmore would close, due to poor attendance.
</i></blockquote>
<small>Posted Wed, Jul 18th, 2007</small>
<br><br>
<div class="update">
<b>Update: (4/30/09)</b> There's a new radio ad playing for Cinco de Mayo...here's all the lines I can remember from it (I may be paraphrasing some):
<blockquote><i>
It is said the sun comes up later on the 6th of May, in case his Cinco parties run long.
<br>
The Mayans prophecized his birth.
<br>
Even lucha libres remove their masks in his presence.
<br>
He once taught a German Shepard to bark in Spanish.
<br>
He serves sizzling fajita platters barehanded.
<br>
Bulls flat-out refuse to fight him.
</i></blockquote>
and one more ad that's been playing for a while but I had missed:
<blockquote><i>
He once buried a time capsule full of things that haven't happened yet.
<br>
He has been pronounced dead 7 times...make that 8.
<br>
His bear hugs are actually hugs he gives to bears.
<br>
He can't be bought, but his beard clippings have been know to show up on auction.
<br>
He has never lost a sock.
<br>
If he disagrees with you, it is because you are wrong.
</i></blockquote>
You can use the contact link at the top of the page to send me any additional lines and I will update this post accordingly.
</div>
<br>
<div class="update">
<b>Update 2: (6/22/2009)</b> Heard another new one over the last few weeks:
<blockquote><i>
Most songs about love are written for him, about him, or by him.
<br>
He'd never initiate a conversation about the weather, even in a typhoon.
<br>
He's against cruelty to animals, but isn't afraid to issue a stern warning.
<br>
Whatever side of the tracks he's currently on is the right side. If he crossed them, he would still be the right side.
<br>
He won the same lifetime achievement award twice.
</i></blockquote>
</div>
<br>
<div class="update">
<b>Update 3: (3/23/2010)</b> I just heard a new radio ad playing the last few weeks:
<blockquote><i>
Signs that say "This is not an exit" do not apply to him.
<br>
If he rides with you in your car, its resale value will instantly increase.
<br>
If he passed you on the street you would still feel stopped and said hello and asked you about your day.
<br>
He likes the word "fog".
<br>
If you were trapped with him in an elevator, you wouldn't want to be saved.
<br>
His business card just says, "I'll call you."
</i></blockquote>
</div>
<br>
<div class="update">
<b>Update 4: (4/29/2010)</b> Here's another new radio ad:
<blockquote><i>
The Aztec calendar has his birthday chiseled in.
<br>
The front of his house looks like it was built by the Mayans...because it was.
<br>
His tacos refuse to fall from the shell.
<br>
If you were to see him walking chihuahua, it would still look masculine.
<br>
Dicing onions doesn't make him cry...it only makes him stronger.
<br>
He has never filled up on chips.
</i></blockquote>
</div>
<br>
<div class="update">
<b>Update 5: (6/16/2010)</b> Here's another new radio ad:
<blockquote><i>
He has served as best man for grooms he's never met.
<br>
He strongly abides by the motto: "Safety third."
<br>
His garden maze is responsible for more missing persons than the Bermuda Triangle.
<br>
Even watching him sleep has been described as breathtaking.
<br>
He's never needed lip balm.
<br>
He went to a psychic once...to warn her.
</i></blockquote>
</div>
<br>
<div class="update">
<b>Update 6: (7/30/2010)</b> This one's a bit older, but I had missed it:
<blockquote><i>
His charm is so contagious, vaccines have been created For it.
<br>
Years ago, he built a city out of blocks. Today, over six hundred thousand people live and work there.
<br>
He is the only man to ever ace a Rorschach test.
<br>
Every time he goes for a swim, dolphins appear.
<br>
Alien abductors have asked him to probe them.
<br>
If he were to give you directions, you'd never get lost, and you'd arrive at least five minutes early.
<br>
His legend precedes him, the way lightning precedes thunder.
</i></blockquote>
</div>
<br>
<div class="update">
<b>Update 7: (7/3/2011)</b> This one's been on quite a bit recently:
<blockquote><i>
When he holds a shell up to his hear, he hears adult contemporary hits from the '90s.
<br>
His monkey business is the official business he carries on with primates.
<br>
The dinner he made last night was delicious. Ask anyone.
<br>
He finds squirrels untrustworthy.
<br>
If he were to say, "it's not you, it's me" he would be lying.
<br>
He figure skates, and it is glorious.
</i></blockquote>
</div>
<br>
More viral ad campaigns can be found <a href="http://viraladseries.blogspot.com/">here</a>.]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=618&amp;tid=22</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=618&amp;tid=22</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:31:35 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>More 24 talk</title>
      <description>Earlier today I was reading an article on TVSquad called *spoilers*

And finally, the usual
*spoilers*

Which all leads me to my conclusion:
*spoilers*
</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[Earlier today I was reading an article on TVSquad called *spoilers*
<br><br>
And finally, the usual
*spoilers*
<br><br>
Which all leads me to my conclusion:<br>
*spoilers*
]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=920&amp;tid=31</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=920&amp;tid=31</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:45:47 CST</pubDate>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>24 talk</title>
      <description>So we're 6 episodes in already, and I've gotta say, this season is *spoilers*

Drop your own opinions in the comments!</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[So we're 6 episodes in already, and I've gotta say, this season is *spoilers*
<br><br>
Drop your own opinions in the comments!]]></content:encoded>
      <link>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=919&amp;tid=31</link>
      <guid>http://symbii.com/stories.php?sid=919&amp;tid=31</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:14:06 CST</pubDate>
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