by J.D. Rhoades
Serendipity-the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else entirely.
The Internet is a great place for experiencing serendipity. Like, for instance, while researching idea for this newspaper column, I ran across a few truly twisted items which I knew you folks, writers and readers alike, would appreciate.
Some of you have already seen the amazing human head knife block:
It’s the perfect way to insure that your next dinner party will be your last! Invite guests into the kitchen to marvel at this beauty, and it won’t be long before you’re enjoying that blessed solitude that’s so necessary for creative endeavor.
Unfortunately, it appears to be a design project by one Irene Van Gestel and not available for sale. But damn it, it should be!
Then there’s the Great Slumber Blood Puddle pillow:
The Great Slumber Pillow will supposedly be available soon, courtesy of FromKeetra.com. The manufacturer cannot guarantee, however, that your spouse or significant other will ever forgive you for this gag.
For the would be Buffalo Bill in the household, there’s the computer bag and jacket made of fake human skin…at least we hope it’s fake.
We definitely do not recommend wearing or taking these to any high school or college class, unless you have a powerful desire to be seen in handcuffs on the six o’clock news. I’m betting med students, on the other hand, will find it a laff riot.
According to the Website at skinbag.net, these
"Organic objects in synthetic skin" convey "pacific values aiming at individual blossoming." Okey-dokey.
It’s a gun! It’s a mouse! It’s a computer mouse shaped like a gun! If sitting in front of a screen all day makes you feel that life lacks action and danger, the Cybergun from The Sharp Edge is the gat you’re looking for!
What fun and odd crime oriented stuff have YOU stumbled across on the Interwebs?
Dusty,I don’t know about crime-oriented stuff; I might need to comment later in the day . . . but two things come to mind. First, at the Chicago Bouchercon, there was a lady selling plush toys that were microbes — and parasites such as “book worms”
http://www.giantmicrobes.com/us/products/bookworm.html
And then, just because I’ve seen how motivational posters can destroy morale, there’s always http://despair.com
That’s one of my all-time favorites when I get sick of pabulum.
J.D., I must have one of those head/knife blocks. If it’s a prototype only, we’ll have to find some way to manufacture them.
I like shopping at the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office Gift Shop (http://lacstores.co.la.ca.us) for some particularly ghoulish stuff. Like the Dead Body Outline beach blanket. Or the Coroner’s Toe Tag ID Keychain.
I obviously have some work to do. Either that or I’m just a staid bore ; )
J.T. : Bore? NEVER!