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For once, a clever advertising analogy that doesn't suck

What well-known identity is most desperately in need of a redesign?
America. The whole message is wrong. The creative brief—The Constitution—is great, but the execution is horrible. Today, its reputation is almost beyond repair (we may even need a new name and flag). Hopefully we’ll be getting a new managing team in soon.

John Travolta's House
John Travolta, apart from being an occasionally awesome actor and a Scientology nut, also has the dubious distinction of having one of the world's only noncommercial airports...in his backyard. John Travolta moved to Jumbolair, the world's only "fly-in living community."

Apparently, he used to have an airstrip near his old house, but was sued by his neighbors and then moved to Jumbolair.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration pilot database, Travolta is qualified in several types of single and multi-engine aircraft, and has the highest pilot medical certification possible. “We know that Travolta's an accomplished pilot. A lot of people fly for the pleasure of it, and he's one of them,” said John Clabes, an FAA spokesman. “If you have this many ratings on these types of high-performance aircraft, you're obviously a good pilot.”

Here's a link to an Architectural Digest article with lots of imagery, and an air trip video over his house.

How long before they build one in Dubai?

Volleyball: why does one player wear a different color?
I've been agonizing over this question for a while. I used to play a lot of competitive volleyball when I was younger, but I never understood this recent development in the game. It turns out that the person with the different color is a "libero."

The libero is a player specialized in defensive skills: the libero must wear a contrasting jersey color from his or her teammates and cannot block or attack the ball when it is entirely above net height. When the ball is not in play, the libero can replace any back-row player, without prior notice to the officials.

This replacement does not count against the substitution limit each team is allowed per set, although the libero may be replaced only by the player whom they replaced.

The libero may function as a setter only under certain restrictions. If she/he makes an overhand set, she/he must be standing behind (and not stepping on) the 3-meter line; otherwise, the ball cannot be attacked above the net in front of the 3-meter line. An underhand pass is allowed from any part of the court.

You can read the full answer here.

When cakes go bad.
I stumbled onto this cake website today full of the worst cakes in the world. Truly awesome stuff. I especially liked "Olympic Rings", Kermit's Gash, and the tartan special.

Spanish racism, continued
From Luis Aragones calling Thierry Henry a "black shit" to "Hamilton's family" at last year's Spanish GP, no one does institutional racism in sport quite like the Spanish.

And now, they've gone and done it again.

Derek Redmond - emotional sports moment

I saw this video again today while farting around for Olympics videos. This is really such a beautiful and emotional Olympic video. I challenge you to watch it and not get a tear in your eye...

YTT on the TV
I was interviewed by Al Aan TV last week about my trip to Kilimanjaro. It was a very good interview but what I love is how I am made out to be a great sports personality that conquered such a terrifying mountain. I was even asked what message I might have for all the Arabic children out there who look up to me.

You can watch the video here.

Rest in Peace, Isaac Hayes

Flags of the world - graded
Yay! I found it! I had linked to this on my blog years ago, but the original link disappeared. I found it again. This website is one person's attempt to grade all the flags of the world, with points deducted for such things as "graven images", "colonial nonsense" or "weapons". (via kottke)