A while back I posted an article about a urinal which doubles as a video game, and this invention was actually well received, even though I still don't understand the allure.

But this concept design for an e-Urinal really makes sense to me--a unit which is able to scan your urine and report possible health issues to you while you wait. And, while this particular model may still be in the conceptual stage of development, I can see this kind of thing catching on and changing the way our health issues are diagnosed.

Let's just hope you don't have to show proof of  health insurance in order to use this urinal, or I predict a lot of wet floors surrounding these things!

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The future of portable gaming looks pretty sweet, thanks to Razer's newest innovation Project Fiona, which looks like a tablet but has a gaming PC worth of power under the hood.

With Intel's Core i7 processors, both game controllers and a touch screen, and no issues with compatibility when running PC games (it will come with Windows 8 installed), this isn't just a tablet-it's a way to take your favorite PC games with you wherever you go, and have them look as good as they do on your monitor at home.

Now, the fact that the projected launch price is "under $1,000" may make this unit too pricey for all but the wealthiest and most diehard gamers, but to me it's all about what this unit represents-the future of portable gaming, and it's looking good!

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It doesn't take a lot of talent or imagination to come up with a new cocktail, especially if you like to sip on the strong stuff on a regular basis. Drinkers know what tastes good, what goes well together, and how to make your drink turn a pretty color in the glass, all without ever needing to crack open a Bartender's Bible.

These recipes aren't going to win any awards for being the most creative concoctions, but that's not the point-the point is they are all based on geek culture, and actually apply quite well to the characters from which they draw inspiration.

So, let the Drunken Moogle pour you a delicious sounding Dirt Block (Minecraft), or blow fireballs with a Charizard (Pokemon), all while drinking in moderation, of course.

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It seems like every movie trailer with any trace of geek interest gets sweded by fans then put on YouTube, so why should the trailer for the upcoming Peter Jackson film The Hobbit be left out?

Although this isn't a traditional swede, and the filmmakers from MonkeyTheater take some liberties with the lines,  it's still hilarious and entertaining to watch. My fav scene-when Bilbo is introduced to the dwarves. Haha, classic!

--via The Mary Sue

This unlikely romance actually makes a lot of sense when you think about it-they're both prone to violent fits of rage, he is more swine-like than Kermit will ever be, and they both enjoy spending time touring the stars in spaceships.

This adorable fan made illustration comes to us courtesy of DeviantArtitst Loopydave, and I think it would make a great poster for all the fans who love both the Muppets and Star Wars.

Link  --via The Mary Sue

These awesome sculptures are obviously inspired by toys, yet their style and subject matter would be lost on children. From a Kim Jong-Il potato head to a Virgin Mary shaped jet, Stephen Ives celebrates childhood in a decidedly adult manner.

Some look like toy mods, others are sculptures which are styled after plastic toys, and all have a unique style that is playful with serious undertones.

The only thing I don't like about these sculptures is the fact that they haven't been made into vinyl toy versions, because I want them all for my collection!

http://stephenivesartist.com/index.html  --via Super Punch

What do old school tabletop gamers, people who have recently discovered pen and paper roleplaying games, and those who are sick of paying a monthly fee for their MMO and/or want to actually see their fellow players sitting across from them have in common? Wizards of the Coast want you to help them develop the fifth edition of Dungeons and Dragons.

Straight from the dragon's mouth:

Liz Schuh, head of publishing and licensing for Dungeons & Dragons spoke with the New York Times about their new venture. The game “is a unique entertainment experience because it’s crafted by the players at the table, and every gaming session is different,’ said Schuh. “We want to take that idea of the players crafting that experience to the next level and say: ‘Help us craft the rules. Help us craft how this game is played.’”

I am an avid tabletop gamer, and I've been playing games like Dungeons and Dragons since the eighties, so I can see how player input could be invaluable to the process of creating a new edition of their game. But is it really necessary to keep updating the game, when preexisting rules can be adapted? What do you guys think -- is this a necessary update, or a Kraken sized advertising campaign?

Link  --via The Mary Sue

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Way before Peter Jackson turned the works of Tolkien into an epic series of movies, before Rankin Bass presented us with an awesome animated version of the books, there was another animated version in the works.

And by the looks of this animatic for The Hobbit, which was created by animator Gene Dietch in 1966, it was going to be one tripped out ride. The style reminds me of Mary Blair (Disney's Small World) or Jay Ward (Rocky & Bullwinkle), but what do you think? Would you have enjoyed watching The Hobbit animated if it were produced in this style?

--via ComicsAlliance

In today's fast paced world, sometimes we aren't walking fast enough to keep up with everyone else, or we simply don't have to energy to walk but still have places to go.

That's where the spnKiX come in-they're motorized shoes which are operated via remote control, and can race along at speeds up to 10 mph. And, all kidding aside, they look like a lot of fun to roll around in, if your bones mend easily and/or you have really good health insurance.

They're like Heelys 2.0, but the first batch is sorely lacking in many ways-way too expensive (over $600/pr.), battery that can only go about 3 miles before it needs to be recharged for a whopping 3 hours, and a design that can only support up to 180 lbs.

But think of the effect motorized shoes will have on the future-drunks being wheeled home via remote control, dance crews wheeling about the city streets battling until their batteries run out, and roving packs of tweens trying not to get beat up by skateboarders while still looking cooler than rollerbladers.

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This one's for all you science studs, because we all know that the sexiest organ in the human body is the brain.

And, while keeping your eyes glued to a textbook doesn't help your body get into shape, it will work wonders for your self esteem, and someday your pocketbook, if you're lucky!

So, put on your space themed tie and some blue jeans and show the world how sexy science can be.

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This amazingly large, and incredibly detailed, production model of the starship Serenity from the scifi tv show Firefly was recently unearthed in a Universal Archives warehouse.

Like many models used in production, it was resigned to a shadowy fate once the show wrapped up production, and many thought it ended up in a trash bin somewhere.

Here's more info on why this was such a significant find:

About three months ago, while getting a very rare tour of the Universal archives, we came across something tucked into a corner and covered in plastic that made our hearts skip a beat: a highly-detailed 12-foot-long filming model of the Reaverized Serenity. We could hardly believe what we were seeing!

As many Browncoats know, there has been a rumor around for years that a filming miniature used for the crash scene on Mr. Universe's planet. But that rumor was either denied as either being totally false, or that the miniature used was a simple styrofoam model. As you can see from the picture below, it does exist and is about as far from a "simple" model as you could imagine.

With such high production quality standards, it's no wonder Firefly still looks fresh to this day. If only the fan appreciation factor was enough to put Firefly back on the air.... *sigh*

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This incredibly well made cartoon is the product of some talented students from the ESMA School of the Arts in France, and packs a full length feature worth of content into an eight minute long short.

With an endearing storyline, cute cartoony style and some sweet visual effects, it's so slick that I can hardly believe that it was made by student animators! Check it out and see if Electro Shock changes the way you think about superheroes.

--via Cartoon Brew

Back in the good old days of convention cosplay, before the overuse of silicone and foam latex made for fierce competition and bare skin became an acceptable substitute for creativity, people had simpler tastes in costuming, and anime had yet to become the darling of the convention floors.

Now, that's not to say that these costumes aren't cool (for the most part, anyway) and well made, but the incredible production quality of modern costumes would date the cosplayers in this gallery, even if the quality of the photographs hadn't already made it obvious that they're from long ago.

The photos in this gallery come to you courtesy of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society from the Westercon convention of 1980, and they are full of warmth and charm, cosplay enthusiasts who aren't used to posing for hundreds of pictures, and only one scantily clad supergal. *gasp*

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You're looking at a true survivor, a tough little Corgi named Ole that survived a massive avalanche, which took the life of one of his owners, then spent four grueling days making his way back home. Here's the scoop:

Ole’s owner Dave Gaillard was out skiing with his wife Kerry along Hayden Creek with their diminutive dog this past Saturday. Dave happened to spot the avalanche which broke in the mountains above, and shouted to Kerry that she should “Retreat to the trees.” These would be his last words. Dave was buried under some 14 feet of snow. Kerry, heading his warning, survived by clinging to a tree. Ole was nowhere in sight.

Four days later, to everyone’s surprise, the little orange and white dog appeared at the Alpine Motel — some four miles away from where the Gaillards had been. He was dazed, hungry, and scared, but Bill Whittle says the little dog responded to his calls and ate and drank happily. During his journey, Ole had to endure bitterly cold temperatures and deep snow. Despite this, he appeared to be healthy aside from his hunger...

This sad yet heartwarming story makes me want to go out and adopt a puppy! Dogs, and their resiliency, never cease to amaze me.

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When hacks and mods are created for video games, they are typically created to enhance the gaming experience, and nothing says "experience enhanced" like giant pink dragons wearing Macho Man style gear and facial hair.

This wacky mod by FancyPantz brings the pain to the fantasy world of the video game Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, all while fondly remembering the pro wrestler/Slim Jim spokesman/fashion pioneer Macho Man Randy Savage.

If you're playing Skyrim on a PC, you can download this crazy mod here and add some showmanship to y0ur game! Guaranteed to make you say "Ooooooooh Yeah!" during your next epic gaming session.

--via Geekosystem