The Academy Awards are approaching which means it’s time to dust off those search engines and all the permutations of gift/goodie/goody bag/basket for our annual list of items in the Official basket. This year I’ll be striving to keep things pure by not including items that are in those other poseur baskets, no matter how fun and amazing they may be. It’s a difficult task when you have news items like this one about Sprint and Samsung. Note the headline “Sprint And Samsung Give Oscar Nominees Phones.” That makes me want to overlook it since the nominees basket is not the one I’m after. But the content says “Celebrity presenters and performers at the 77th Annual Academy Awards will get the gift of global gab this year with the inclusion of the new Sprint PCS Phone by Samsung in their official Oscar gift baskets.” So maybe it’s the real deal? Motorola is continuing their “tradition of providing the 25 top acting and directing nominees with a not-yet-available mobile phone” and handing out a black RAZR V3, so no matter what you may read, that phone isn’t part of the Official basket (unless perhaps it’s in there too?!). The worst part is we may never know how close or far I get from the actual contents! But it’ll be a fun read anyway. Stay tuned.

There’s always some diamond accessories that try to grab Oscar attention. Last year it was a pair of shoes. This year the “conflict free” diamond producers are getting in the act with a necklace that features both cultured (aka manmade) gems and Canadian mined ones. 35 karats of those diamonds make up the Diamonds for Humanity necklace. The claim is that several actresses are “vying for the opportunity” to wear it which probably means they haven’t found a celeb who can decide what dress they are wearing yet, let alone if the necklace goes with it.

Rules of thumb for color design, nicely done. (via xBlog)

Hockey season is finally over, before it had a chance to begin. Some don’t believe negotiations will be resolved even before the start of the next season. Hal Bock, veteran sports writer for AP, points out that the last time the Stanley Cup was not awarded was also the last time the Red Sox won the World Series in the preceding baseball season.

Shown at DEMO 2005, In the Chair is a software system that gives feedback to musicians as they practice orchestral music. Content is provided by a symphony orchestra in the form of video and music files. Using the system, a musician follows the conductor onscreen, playing along with the orchestra. A microphone picks up what is being played and the software responds with text, audio, and visual critiques.

Although I’m not particularly interested in the nuptials of Prince Charles and longtime love Camilla, I was, of course, curious about her engagement ring. Rather than buying something new, Charles presented his fiancee with a ring owned by his grandmother. The central bauble is a square-cut diamond with three baguettes on either side. The ring was given to the late Queen Mother by her husband, King George VI, reportedly when she became pregnant with Queen Elizabeth. The symbolism of a royal heirloom to seal a relationship that caused no small amount of scandal is not lost on royal observers. The royal family often resets jewels and updates old pieces as fashions and owners change. That the couple apparently chose not to redesign the ring but wear it as is may speak more about Camilla’s taste than royal symbolism.

Yes, that was “the real” Lawrence Lessig as portrayed by Christopher Lloyd on West Wing this past week. But y’know they really should’ve had Aishwarya Rai portray Miss World. (via Matt)

What to wear, when to stand, and when to applaud…it’s all part of the “orchestral codes” that the N.Y. Times has decided to decipher. Actually, though, it’s a collection of traditions, quirks, conveniences, and, most importantly, rules of etiquette that are part and practice of a unique culture that varies from orchestra to orchestra. It all seems perfectly normal from the inside, though I can see how odd some customs may seem to observers. Many rituals arise from a desire to show respect and fondness for fellow musicians and of the art itself. The rest is mere convenience and whimsy.

I am a geek parent. Here is the unnecessary proof. Our baby has a Lamaze Soft Sorter (thanks Gwen!). Inside are four objects. Normal folks would be content to say to the baby “here’s the circle! here’s the square! here’s the oval! here’s the triangle!” But no, I have to say “here’s the sphere! and the cube! the cylinder! and the … triangular prism!” (I had to look that last one up.) I need serious help — or the baby will.

The Truth About Splenda is part of the Sugar Association‘s campaign against what it claims is misleading advertising of the artificial sweetener. They’ve also filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson whose McNeil Nutritionals subsidiary produces Splenda. In other Splenda news, Coca-Cola is introducing a Diet Coke with Splenda (actually “a blend of Splenda and acesulfame potassium (ace-k) for optimal taste”). Who knew that Diet Coke could turn into a brand name for a line of beverages instead of just the name of one?