SciFi Tech had a great article about this new lighter than air craft.

Private jets? Please. New Money has earned the ability to buy something bigger and ostentatious-er. Ready for a flying palace? Yeah, that’s what I thought.

The Strato Cruiser Airship is a gigantic helium-filled blimp with a gourmet restaurant, spa, swimming pool, library and private offices. Add the Strato Cruiser’s resident DJ and it’s pretty much designed for a supervillain. I’m sure just kinda-evil rich people would enjoy, too.

Designs call for all manner of shiny, fun tech like carbon-fiber skin, sectional helium chambers and photovoltaic power cells. The Strato Cruiser’s but a concept, but you can still dream. Drool over those photos in the gallery below. — Adam Frucci

It makes you want to run right out, higher some henchmen (check out Local Henchman 432) and start working on your plan to conquer the world. If you do decide on this line of business then I would recommend reviewing the Evil Genius To Do List.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Fans (called browncoats) of the cancelled TV series Firefly have been some of the most rabid fans. They raised enough interest in a show that did not even go one season that the creator of the series was able to create the movie Serenity. Now they are taking this show on the high seas with the scheduling of a 5 day cruise to Mexico. The Browncoat cruise sails on December 1, 2007, leaving from San Diego, California. (And yes, I am blogging about this because I am a browncoat).

The official cruise site says:

• Cruise destinations include Cabo San Lucas, and Ensenada, Mexico.
• Cruise will span 5 fun-filled days and 5 exciting nights.
• Aren’t cruises expensive? We chose these dates in order to keep the prices low, as you can see compared to a typical land based con. Prices start at just $570 per person for a Full Event Pass - Inside Cabin, or $370 for a Limited Event Pass - Inside Cabin.

more info

Popularity: 5% [?]

P.Dilly of the Podcast Pickle has a giant pickle suit that he uses to promote the Podcast Pickle, his site about podcasts and podcasting. He says that coming back from New York City this week the TSA took his suit.

When we arrived hone in Dallas the Pickleman was not in our luggage. I checked with baggage, and they said TSA kept it in NY. That it was a security issue. That was all they knew in Dallas. They said TSA would be calling me soon.

How’s that again?

Popularity: 4% [?]

Apple announced great news for tired air travelers and harried flight attendants today:

Apple® today announced it is teaming up with Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United to deliver the first seamless integration between iPod® and in-flight entertainment systems. These six airlines will begin offering their passengers iPod seat connections which power to charge their iPods during flight and allow the video content on their iPods to be viewed on the their seat back displays.

This kind of news makes you want to go out and jump on an airplane but we won’t start seeing planes with this feature until mid 2007.

Read more

Popularity: 3% [?]

If you have ever had a hotel bed that seemed all oddly lumpy, the problem may not have been caused by the hotel chain. It might have been caused by the crowd at the Hotel Bed Jumping HQ. You can go here to post you pictures of hotel bed jumping. What’s next? Hotel towel stealing HQ?

Popularity: 2% [?]