David Holmes is a Southwest flight attendant who decided to spice up the pre-flight instructions by rapping them.

Related:
David Holmes on CNN - Link
Rapping Flight Attendant Explains GAAP to Southwest Shareholders - Link

Here is a map which shows the first moonwalk done on July 21, 1969.  Link to full image.

Here is an interesting map that depicts the languages of Europe.  Click on the link to view the original map and language key.

Ever wonder what happens to the confiscated items taken at airport security checkpoints?  Apparently, TSA turns it over to state surplus property agencies, which will typically sell the items online or at retail stores.  Here is a list of .gov's that offer confiscated items in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington.  [via Wired]

Our own Kelly left the country a few weeks ago and is now teaching English in Guangzhou, China. I'm not sure if there is a more disorienting experience for a Minnesotan than to be dropped in the middle of China with no communication skills, so when I received my first email from her today, chock-full of culture-shock nuggets, I couldn't help but laugh.

Here are some fun facts, courtesy of our first foreign correspondent in China. She writes:

• chinese people peel grapes
• i learned to NEVER tell anyone how much i love coffee. i think it is
  viewed kind of like smoking!!!! some type of drug that all americans need to get through the day.
• as a white girl, i have an incredible power. within 5 minutes of
  walking into any establishment---be it a grocery store, a noodle shop, or even china mobile!(the national cell phone company)---backstreet boys will start playing.
• everyone in china will tell you they LOVE jazz music. and by jazz, they mean kenny g. and by kenny g, they mean the kenny g christmas album...in the middle of septmber.

...and you thought you only had to worry about lead paint in Elmo toys...

We probably need to consider drafting Kenny G. and Backstreet Boys non-proliferation treaties... before it's too late.

Picasa is a new web application brought to us by Google which lets you upload images to a locations on a map.  This would be a perfect way to journal about your travels and maybe suggest cool sites to friends and family.

[via meshly]

The New 7 Wonders of the World have been named.  The winners are:

• Chichen Itza, Mexico
• Christ Redeemer, Brazil
• The Great Wall, China
• Machu Picchu, Peru
• Petra, Jordan
• The Roman Colloseum, Italy
• The Taj Mahal, India

The 7 Wonders were chosen by people all over the world via an online vote. 

New7Wonders has now launched the nominations for the New7Wonders of Nature.  The nominations are open through August 8, 2008.

Related:
New 7 wonders of the world named (CNN)

We are flying by the seat of our pants... My little family is going on a road trip out east and our plan is to end up in Vermont. We don't know how long it's going to take us because this will be Zach's first road trip so, who knows, we may just end up at the end of our block. If all goes well, we will be driving to the Canadian-side of the Niagra Falls and spending some time there and then heading over to Vermont to visit a friend.

I don't know what my connectivity will be like while we are gone, but I will definitely post some notes from the road if I can.  I hear the cornfields of Iowa are beautiful this time of year.

Previously:
We're heading to Maker Faire, San Francisco
Vacationing in the Philippines

This Orikaso Picnic/Dinner Set is genius!  If you like to travel light, especially when camping or going on day hikes, this set is perfect for you.  The dishes are a flat heavy-duty plastic that you fold into dishes, cups, and bowls when you are ready to eat.  They are easy to assemble and won't leak. 

You can view a video on how easy it is to assemble the cup here.

[via Random Good Stuff]

Tall Eye is a Google Maps mashup where you can plot your location, choose the direction you are going to walk, and the map will show you what you will pass while on your walk around the world.

[via The Presurfer]