6-year-old soccer phenom

I was a pretty decent soccer player, back in the day. But this six-year-old has better ball control skills than I had at eighteen. It's silly. Watch.

Click here for video

Book recommendation for Harry Potter fans

Some of you know that I've avoided reading the Harry Potter books for a long time because they seemed too kiddie to me, so first let me say:

Relax, Potter fans, I'm not here to bash the Harry Potter books.

In fact, I actually caved to years of peer pressure and started reading the Potter books last week. I've finished the first one, and I wanted to pass along a recommendation to those of you who have read all the Potter books and are craving another good fantasy series:

The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss, Book one of the Kingkiller trilogy.



I'm recommending this because it's basically Harry Potter for adults. Yes, I know, I've heard the Potter books get more adult as they go on. I'm not here to argue. And by adult, I don't mean they are hard reads, this isn't War and Peace or anything, just less...cute and fluffy. If your reaction to that is "But Harry Potter gets dark and scary!" well great, if you liked that then you'll like these books too.

The story and characters aren't all that similar to Harry Potter, but it's in the same classic fantasy subgenre of young-hero-comes-of-age-and-fights-evil. A good portion of the first book takes place at a University where people learn different forms of magic. The way magic is handled is totally different than it is in the Potterverse -- it's almost scientific in this series, and more limited, and feels more real.

Also, and this is the reason I'm recommending it; It' s pretty awesome.

The first book was published in 2007 and is available in paperback. The second book is due to be published this April. So yeah, you have to wait a while for Part 3. But consider this an option if you're looking for something to read, especially if you're so bored that you've considered reading the Twilight books (couldn't resist; does ANYBODY like those books? Then why has every girl I know read them?).

And if you're too cool for fantasy books, why are you reading this? Go read your Muggle stuff.

Crazy animations, part deux

While I'm on this kick, here's another animation that in many ways is weirder that the earlier post. This isn't what I would call "good," just so far down the road to Crazytown that it becomes hilarious.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=689_1232508571

Personally, I think the kid's dad is more frightening than the spider. Put some pants on already!

I love crazy animations

If you're like me and you miss the batshit insane Claymation animations of the 80s, treat yourself to the following short:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1GyJpnTN1I

Among other things, it features a cupcake falling in love with a squash, and getting to at least second base.