Things about stuff

The distant future, the year 2000 …

Get the latest Flash Player to see this player.

The windup toys of the future are dancing to the Flight of the Conchords’ song “The Humans Are Dead.”

  

Joe was wikkid-pants-happy to finally meet his luchador hero, The El Borbah. But something's amiss.

The rumors are true. He’s here. And he won’t go away.

The Custom Publications team recently was honored with a visit from virtual-celebrity, hard-boiled defective and luchador extraordinaire The El Borbah. (These days, he insists on “the,” and I don’t want to suffer the consequences of sticking to my AP guns on this one.)

While his online posts and tweets are off-the-wall and engaging, I have to admit that his presence in the pod has been less than dynamic. In fact, he just stands around staring at either Phil or the copy machine. I’m not sure whether to call it intimidating or mopey.

And perhaps worst off all, his visit has turned into a week-long stay. Now more than ever, I sense The Elborbah always is watching.

  

Leading the trend for 2010, Taylor suggests books you can read upside down.

OK, Book Bag ladies, it’s time to collect ideas for our 2010 list. You can vote through the link you received by e-mail — and you can do so multiple times. Or,  submit your recommendations here.

That link includes a preview of what’s already been recommended. Not pretty, but maybe I’ll figure out that bit one of these days. You can submit suggestions only through the form, as you can’t do so directly into the spreadsheet.

Keep sending submissions until the end of October (official date TBD), then I imagine I’ll set up a voting system and let you know when to cast your votes for the final list.

By the way, if you’re wondering what the next book on this year’s list is, you always can check it out here.

Happy reading!