Strange, Odd, Weird or Wacky

Nubot Video Chat Doll Attends Meetings as Your Remote Avatar

by Steve Levenstein

Who says you can't be in two places at once? Introducing Nubot, a smartphone faced robotic avatar doll controlled by Skype and webcam that allows you to interact with others remotely.

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McDonald's Japan Big America Burgers are Back “4” 2012!

by Steve Levenstein

If you loved McDonald's Japan's quartet of “Big America” burgers last year and the year before, well get out the napkins and the antacid because they're baaaack! This year's fast food final four kicks off with the Grand Canyon Burger, followed by three more hamburger homeland homages filling out the first quarter – not to mention your waistline.

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FX-Neo Eye Drops Cornea the Market on Cooling Ocular Refreshment

by Steve Levenstein

If you're looking to freeze the competition with a bitterly cold, icy stare, pick up FX-Neo eye drops from Japan. These cooling drops are formulated with chill minty compounds, invigorating amino acids and beneficial vitamins meant to revive and refresh your eyes.

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Pawel Grunert Still Finds Time To Design With A 'Re Purpose'

by Toby

Just when you thought you'd seen the last soda bottle chandelier, table, or chair... Polish interior designer Pawel Grunert creates the bottle chair to end all bottle chairs: the Eco Chaise Lounge, a magnificent, dynamic sculptured work that's as organic in design as Grunert 's wood and steel masterpieces.

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Chinese Internet Retailers Now Stocking Kim Jong-Il T-shirts & Hoodies

by China.new

North Korea's “Dear Leader” may be gone but online retailers at China's Taobao Internet Mall are making sure he's not forgotten by flogging Kim Jong-Il t-shirts and hoodies. Lookin' sharp, comrade!

Nerd Jewelry from Japan Measures Your Level of Geek Chic

by Steve Levenstein

Geek chicks looking to flaunt some geek chic should look no further than Mass Item's “Measuring” line of math set women's jewelry from Japanese designer Kyozo Kawabe. The miniaturized and accessorized rulers, triangles and protractors come in a variety of colors and won't leak ink into your pocket protector.

Hello Kitty's Tribute to Visionary Apple CEO, Steve Jobs

by Steve Levenstein

Sanrio, Japan's kawaii character company and home of cuteness queen Hello Kitty, teamed up with California goods retailer LoungeFly to thank Apple's inspirational CEO, the late Steve Jobs, for a lifetime of creativity. The result was a bizarrely cute "Hello Stevie" love-child that ended up pleasing nobody.

McDonald's German Chicken Sausage Burger Blitzes Hong Kong

by China.new

If you're hungry enough to raise the Teutonic, then we kindly ask you to get a grip... on the German Chicken Sausage Burger, an epicurious menu offering from McDonald's Hong Kong. What say ye, Actual German Folks™, das schmeckt or das boo?

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Tap Water Is OK To Drink, But Watch What You Put Up Your Nose

by T Goodman

Neti-pot nose rinses have recently been reported to have caused the death of two persons in Louisiana. The pots, used by many to drain their sinuses during colds, flu, or allergy flare-ups, convey salt water through the nostrils....

China's Chocolate Fashion Looks Good, Tastes Great!

by China.new

A rather “tasteful” fashion show at World Chocolate Wonderland in Shanghai, China, featured clothing and accessories made from delicately (and deliciously) carved & crafted chocolate.

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Snore No More with the Snore Stopper Wristband

by Steve Levenstein

Tired of being kicked by bedmates awoken by your snoring? The “Snore Stopper” from Hivox prompts snorers to shift their snore-inducing sleep positions with a gentle electrical zap from a battery-powered wristband.

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American Freedom, Made In China? Them's Fightin' Words!

by China.new

“American Freedom, Made In China?” Them's fightin' words in some parts; a sad commentary on the state of the nation's economy in others. What's behind this incendiary phrase stamped on the side of an otherwise ordinary cardboard box?

Wacky Wax 'Candelier' is one Wick-edly Clever Lamp Design

by Steve Levenstein

Wax on! What's bright and white but uses no light... bulbs? The Candelier, of course, a majestic (and messy) chandelier made entirely from white wax by Japanese designer Takeshi Miyakawa. We're certain Mr. Miyagi would approve.

Giant Godzilla Christmas Tree Spruces Up Tokyo Mall

by Steve Levenstein

Pining for those classic Japanese monster movies that had you sitting on pins and needles? Well fir not, er, fear not! The giant Godzilla Christmas Tree from the Aqua City Odaiba shopping mall in Tokyo is the original nightmare before Christmas!

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Homemade 'Hummer' Lets Chinese Chef Show Some Swagger

by China.new

By night, Qu Zhibo is a chef and restaurant owner from Zigong City in China's Sichuan Province. By day, however, he's “Qu Zhibo, Hummer Driver!”... or something vaguely resembling a Hummer. Qu designed and constructed his 1-of-a-kind, 4-wheeled, 8-tired tribute to American rolling stock with GM's mighty military machine in mind.

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Japanese Scientists Listen to Oysters, Pick Up Pearls of Wisdom

by Steve Levenstein

Put a shell to your ear and you can hear the ocean. Japanese scientists have taken that concept to a higher level, inventing a device called the “kai-lingual” that can “hear” oysters commenting on their environment. Well shucks!

Colored Car Tires from China Look Wheel Strange

by China.new

Black tires too dull & gloomy for you? Double Star Tires is hoping their colorful new line of Rainbow Tires will replace basic boring black rubber road rollers wheel, er, real soon.

Nissin's Big Cheese Meat Cup Noodle Gives Cheeseburgers Stiff Competition

by Steve Levenstein

Cup Noodle can really hit the spot when you're studying, gaming or satisfying the between-meal munchies but it's not really a “meal”, is it? If you believe that, you haven't seen Big Cheese Meat Cup Noodle! Japan's newest flavor sensation is the closest thing yet to a cheeseburger in a cup.

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Innovative 'Shoe Socks' Show Off Japan's Sole

by Steve Levenstein

Like the look of wearing shoes but prefer to leave those dirty soles in the vestibule? Try Kutsu Kutsushita “Shoe Socks”, snazzy socks from Japan designed to look like your usual socks & sneakers combo!

10 Bizarre Christmas Party Costumes from Japan

by Steve Levenstein

If you haven't been asked to join in any reindeer games, get your antlers to Japan where the Christmas costumes are unlike any those found anywhere else. Check out ten of Japan's oddest seasonal costumes and accessories, offered by the fine folks at Village Vanguard in the spirit of “St. Christmas”... whoever or whatever that is.

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