The game of LIFE is about to get larger - much larger. Life-sized, in fact!

The island of Yoron in Japan will host a life-size version of LIFE board game, where players will shuttle across the island in a bus to play along:

As 2013 marks the 45th anniversary of the Game of Life in Japan, one island has decided to celebrate by turning the entire place into one big Game of Life board complete with spinners and play money.

The life-sized Game of Life will be held from 20 July to 16 September on Yoron Island located just North of Okinawa. The impetus for this plan was the fact that the island is shaped like that hilly part of the game board where the spinner sits.

Throughout these summer months, players will be given a map showing the game squares and an allotment of fake money like that used in the game. The players will then spin one of four wheels located around the island and proceed to that spot. At the end of the game, any play money left over can be converted into gift certificates.

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Russians commonly use dash cams to record what happens on the road to defend themselves in case of accident fraud. That's why we have so much footage of the meteor that exploded over Chelyabinsk. The custom also records some wonderful instances of kindness. This compilation shows drivers and passersby helping drivers stuck in the snow, animals in the street, and many little old ladies terrified by traffic. -via Laughing Squid

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In a mere 7 minutes, Cargo tells the bittersweet story of a father's love and sacrifice. Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke's sad but beautiful short film was a film festival finalist--a well-deserved accolade.

-via io9

Java Jr. Coffee Creamer

Designer coffee be damned. Do you feel the best coffee comes from a diner? Now you can recreate that diner-esque feeling at home with the Java Jr. Coffee Creamer from the NeatoShop. This adorable coffee creamer looks like miniature version of the coffee pot found in your favorite dive. 

Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Kitchen Stuff. 

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Pirate Leg Pencil Sharpener

Avast, thar matey. Be ye lookin' fer an office supply worth stealin'? Behold th' Pirate Leg Pencil Sharpener from th' NeatoShop. 'Tis be a pencil sharpener that looks like a scurvy pirate wit' a wooden pegleg. 

Be sure to check out th' NeatoShop fer more great Office Supplies and fantastic Pirate items. 

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Hunny Bunny Honey Jar

Does your hunny bunny love honey? Hop over to the NeatoShop for the Hunny Bunny Honey Jar. This adorable container features removable ears that are actually in the shape of a carrot. The ears double as a honey wand.  

Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Kitchen Stuff. 

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The bite of this centipede can be very painful. It grows up to eight inches long. It is very fast. It eats mice, lizards, and the occasional bat. And it has a cousin in the United States. Sweet dreams, everyone! You can follow future episodes of the Three-Minute Species series at YouTube. Link  -Thanks, A.J. Fleming!

Photo: nikon@rte

After the death of its owner two months ago, a brokenhearted dog waits in vain in the church where her funeral was held.

Many years ago, Maria Lochi of San Donaci, Italy, found a stray dog abandoned in a field near her home and adopted it. The dog followed her everywhere, including to church for weekly mass. After her funeral, Father Donato Panna let the dog come to Mass to wait patiently:

'He's still coming to Mass even after Maria's funeral, he waits patiently by the side of the altar and just sits there quietly. I didn't have the heart to throw him out - I've just recently lost my own dog so I leave him there until Mass finishes and then I let him out.

'Tommy's been adopted by everyone in the village now and he is everybody's friend. Everyone looks out for him and leaves food for him - although it would be nice to find a proper home for him.'

Nick Pisa of The Daily Mail has more: Link | More on the loyalty of man's best friend: And My Dogs Can't Even Roll Over

Spending a few minutes with Santa at a mall or a Christmas party is a great joy for young children. But for children with autism, a busy setting with bright lights and loud noises isn't fun. That's why there's an opportunity in Madison, Wisconsin to meet Santa in a quieter environment:

For kids like William, the stimulation of lights and crowds and noise – three aspects inherent of just about every shopping mall, especially at holiday time – is simply too much.

"For them to not be able to have that," said Dena, "they're just missing out."

But this year, the Sekels' holiday wish has already come true.

"We were like, we have to go to this, this is our one chance to actually go," said Dena.

That chance came when they heard of an event in Madison that offered a quieter visit with Santa, particularly for kids with special needs.

That quieter visit was with a Santa Helper named Jim Sheldon, one of many helpers that take requests at malls while the real Santa is busy at the North Pole.

"Mall Santas and kids with sensory issues? That's a mess," said Sheldon.

Link -via Althouse | Image: Channel 3000

Our favorite beagle is ready for Santa's arrival in these sugar cookies made by Alayna, the Pink Apron Baker. This design and others were inspired by A Charlie Brown Christmas. Snoopy's house is painted with royal icing and lighted with sugar pearls.

Link -via Between the Pages

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This too-cute public service announcement is an ad for Metro Trains Melbourne. They eventually include some warnings about the danger of trains. Stay safe. -via Pleated-Jeans

Not too long ago I posted about a women who was ordered to wear a sign that says "Only an idiot would drive on the sidewalk to avoid a school bus." Remember? Well here she is, Cleveland woman Shena Hardin, holding that court ordered sign. If you forgot, she was ordered to hold the sign because she drove on the sidewalk repeatedly to avoid a stopped school bus. Oh sweet justice, you are too kind.

-Via Hyper Vocal

What? That is not a real puppy. That's too small to be a real puppy. Reference here (0:20 mark).

Maybe before you get to be a K-9 unit you have to be a Puppy-Unit. Can you imagine what the training is like? Killer kill! Yo, Killer kill! He stops criminals with his cuteness alone, I assume.

-Via Daily Picks and Flicks

Craftster irisx crocheted 637 granny squares to create this Nyan Cat blanket! The project took nine weeks. The finished product is something special. There's also a time-lapse video showing how the squares were assembled. Link -Thanks, Lisa!