It's no Beard Contest, but Beard Wars isn't a half bad idea - in fact.. it's a great idea.

That Knoxville woman who was suing a load of people over the MTV half-time show has dropped her lawsuit saying that she's made her point. And what point would that be? That she thought she could make a quick load of cash from an over-hyped media event, but then realized she probably couldn't pay for the lawyers. Live the American dream!

Nice digs from crownfarmer.

Hye Nashville residents.. be sure to get your vote on today - primaries may seem like a "waste of time" to some but it kind of helps determine the Democratic nominee - and we need a strong one if there is going to be any sort of competition for Dubya.

New book available from Space Invader. Very tempted to order...

Note to self: Visit Vanderbilt Fine Arts Gallery to view works from Robert Rauschenberg.

Has anyone seen the packaging that won in the Grammy awards last night? I've not seen the Jack Johnson Sessions CD but I'm really surprised it beat out the Bjork Family Tree collection. If anyone has any insight into the nominees I'd be interested to hear it... Ani Difranco beating out that sleek Sigur Ros packaging? Musta been good.

Some new software upgrades available now - AIM 5.5 - which supposedly works with iChat AV (though I've heard it only works with iChat AV beta - which is now expired). I'll get this one when there is a patch to remove the ads. And a new version of Mozilla Firebird, now entitled Firefox. Firebird was a tiny download, a fast browsing engine, and didn't take up much memory - if this is an improvement on that, I'm in.

Very nice interview with Mike Buzzard. Kind of strange to read an interview with someone you know, but if anyone deserves some recognition for his hardwork.. it's Mike. Link via another props deserving coder.

Helluvalot of nice illustrations and strange drawings at Los Fokos.

If I was the kind of guy who wore pins on a regular basis, I'd get mine from the new Pinpops. The new design offers 3 new packs of pins and a nice fresh layout (no one can hate on Cooper Black).

For all you lovers out there.. here are some Valentine's Day eCards.. courtesy of our friend across the pond - Ronnie. The 'Dying Wish' one is both inappropriate and hilarious. My favorite for sure.

Along with the 46th Annual Grammy Awards came the new "ultra-hip" site to reach out to teens about the education of digital downloading. What's The Download is doing its best to teach kids what's right, and what's wrong (and apparently with 67% of people saying they don't think file-swapping rules are clear.. this site was needed). Unsurprisingly enough, Napster is the site of the month (gotta change that brand name image from illegal hot-water troublemaker to legit download depot). Will this work? Is it not abundantly clear yet that if you aren't paying for a music license that you are stealing music? Is it really about understanding the rules, or is it more about actually caring about them?

My friend Mike put together some animations called Choppy The Chimp. The second episode is up now and it's... just as bizarre as the first one. However, the toon shading, animation, and overall art direction is pretty cool.

Interesting article about the backlash of Janet Jackson exposing her breast on national TV. Personally I think one of the biggest problems with the whole ordeal is how much it exposes the fact that the US is completely stifled in its sexuality - since when are breasts indecent? Take a look at some television programming in the UK, it's a very different vibe. Sex and sexuality are a huge deal over here, and while I don't think it should be treated flippantly, I don't really understand the need to constantly depress anything sexual. From what I saw of replays of the event, you couldn't really even see anything.

New works at Fensler Film... if you don't have the GI Joe PSA's yet you're seriously missing out on one of the more classic offerings of the Internet. I'm not sure the new ones will be able to live up to the legacy, but at least he's trying. Thank you Jeremy.

Note to self.. find $750 for this monitor.. it's the best deal possible for such a great monitor.

Nice variety of works over at Humus.. the first issue definetly has promise for more goods.

Nice QOTSA bootleg available at mastersoflethargy.com.. good quality boot, nice setlist. Have I expressed my love for Coolfer lately? So good...

According to a reliable source, it appears that there may be some actual Autolux news. The band was unhappy with the first round of mixes and have gone back to the drawing board... this time with Dave Sardy (who has actually done lots of stuff I've heard.. I just didn't know it). The band is eyeing a late March / early April release.