Strange, Odd, Weird or Wacky

Tsunami Soccer Ball and Volleyball Kicked 3,100 Miles to Alaska

by Steve Levenstein

Now ain't that a kick: signed soccer and volleyballs found washed up on an island off Alaska several weeks apart are to be returned to their surprised but grateful owners. The balls may be the first identifiable pieces of debris from Japan's devastating March 11th, 2011 earthquake and tsunami to reach North American shores.

Starbucks To Phase Out Crushed Bugs From Pink Drinks & Pastries

by Toby

Just as I was introduced to Starbucks coffee-free Strawberries and Creme Frappachino, I learn that its lovely ballet pink color is not from the mix of deep ripe strawberries and luscious thick cream. Darn that I had to find out that a cactus feeding bug found in Central and South America is the mother of the color in Starbuck's pink drinks and desserts. Yum. Chopped cochineals.

Helen Keller Sunglasses: Insensitive Insult or Respectful Tribute?

by China.new

When you wear Helen Keller sunglasses, “You see the world, the world sees you.” One wonders what the real Helen Keller, blinded by illness at an early age, would think of the Chinese company who came up with that jarringly inappropriate motto.

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Burger King Japan's Bakin' Up a Big Bacon Bargain

by Steve Levenstein

Got a yen for bacon? Got a hundred yen? Then get your appetite to Burger King Japan! For a limited time only, the popular fast food chain is offering customers a whopper of a deal: 15 strips of bacon on almost any Burger King Whopper for just 100 yen.

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Dice Dumpling Soup Gives Good Luck to Hungry Chinese Gamers

by China.new

Eat a bowl of dice? You bet! Chinese gamers are said to enjoy this lucky snack served at an unnamed casino. From the looks of it, though, I'd say it tastes like craps.

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Nerdy Keyboard Sandals Show Off Your Geek Sole

by China.new

Nerdy “types” out there will want to step into these keyboard sandals, artfully imprinted to soothe the geek sole... er, soul. Even the skinniest 98-pound weakling will get a kick out of these cheap flip-flops as they're ideal for a trip to the beach - sand kicking by bullies optional but likely inevitable.

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Japanese Robot Rings Redefine the Face Palm

by Steve Levenstein

A bizarre set of robotic rings developed by Japanese researchers puts the concept of wearable robots in – actually, “on” – the palm of your hand. Consisting of spherical, movable, electrically-powered eyes and mouth, the rings could someday enhance communication through non-verbal means.

Melty Chocolate USB Lamp Pours Out Calorie-free Illumination

by Steve Levenstein

Hot chocolate just got hotter... and lighter, too! The Melty Chocolate USB Sweets Light pours out warm, comforting, calorie-free light while avoiding what would appear to be a sticky mess in the making.

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Android Espresso Cup Jump-Starts Your Personal Operating System

by China.new

Google's Android is a Linux-based operating system run by mobile devices like smartphones and tablet computers. Espresso is a concentrated, caffeinated beverage prized for its effect on sluggish organic digestive and cognitive systems. The limited edition "Robopresso" delivers the latter in a cup inspired by the former.

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ThinkGeek Launches K-Cup Meals and game of Thrones Perfume

by Jill Harness

Meals from Keurig Machines and a perfume based on Game of Thrones, ThinkGeek has done it again with another amazing product line launch.

“Fat Guy” Underwear from China Pounds Home the Message

by China.new

Stout men considering moving to China should be prepared some very direct critiques from the country's ad agencies. You may think you're just slightly overweight but that package of “Fat Guy Briefs” in your shopping cart dares to accuse otherwise by pulling no punches.

Must Have Geek Easter Chocolates

by Jill Harness

Looking for a great gift for the geek in your life's Easter basket? Then consider getting them this great Han Solo frozen in carbonite chocolate bar or the zombie bunny white chocolate candy.

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Ten Terrific Chinese Drinks You MUST Try!

by China.new

If you've been turned of by The Top Ten Weird and Bizarre Chinese Soft Drinks, prepare to turn the other cheek and turn your taste buds back on again! China is a land of contrasts, and for every bizarre drink there's a delicious canned or bottled taste treat just waiting for you to crack open. Sit back, open wide and enjoy!

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Burger King Japan Serves Fast Fruit with Apple-Topped Burgers

by Steve Levenstein

The limited time BK RiNGO from Burger King Japan slips a slice of flame-grilled apple into a Whopper Jr-sized burger. They're also including a couple of BK Chicken Wings with each burger. Now that's some sweet deal!

Baked Apple: China's iPhone Branded Gas Stoves

by China.new

You'd be forgiven for thinking smartphones are kinda big in China but consider this: put your hand on an iPhone branded gas stove while it's cooking and we guarantee you it will really, really smart!

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Fill Your Energy Up with the IV Drip Bag USB LED Light

by Steve Levenstein

Want to add some “House” to your home? The IV Drip Bag USB LED Light from JTT Online Shop plugs into your laptop, PC or a standard wall outlet, filling your personal space with soft, diffused light as you nurse that important report towards completion.

Rock Out With Your Thumb Out

by Jill Harness

Sure, playing the piano is a great skill and all, but carrying the instrument around whenever you want to practice can be a little tedious, especially with today's high-speed lifestyle. Fortunately, the finger piano makes practicing easy and fun.

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Unhappy Meals: China's Top 8 Fake Foods

by China.new

China's 1.3 billion people are hungry for wealth and riches. Too often, however, making a buck means taking a buck by foisting imitation nutrition on the unwary. These top 8 Chinese fake foods and drinks may leave a bad taste in your mouth but consider yourself lucky you're just reading, not eating.

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Cosplay Cyclops Anime Girl Rocks Tokyo Wonder Festival

by Steve Levenstein

Teenage mutant Leela's girdle? The Cosplay Corner at the Winter 2012 “Wonfes” sported someone (or some thing) so shocking, disturbing and, er, cute it deserves a blog post to try to explain it... and the more you know, the more disturbing it gets.

The Top Ten Weird and Bizarre Chinese Soft Drinks

by China.new

Though Japan is infamous (and rightly so) for its weird and bizarre soft drinks, China is quickly narrowing the gag gap with its own unique canned & bottled horrors. These ten terrifying tipples may not be available in your local supermarket unless you've been Shanghai'd, so to speak, but that's a GOOD thing. Just consider yourself lucky China doesn't export everything they make.

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