Valentine's Day always tends to creep up on even the best and most thoughtful gift-givers—leading people to scramble to the flower store on the big day in vain. So this year for Valentine's Day, give the gift of long-lasting roses that will both stand the test of time and arrive directly at your loved one's door with these best-selling premium rose packages.

1. Rose Box™ Golden Box & Long-Lasting Roses

MSRP: $249 | Sale Price: $187 (25% off)

Make that special person in your life feel extra special this Valentine’s Day with this unique box of 9 to 10 long-lasting roses that will stay fresh for a full year without any maintenance.

2. Rose Box™ Velvet Gray Box & Long-Lasting Roses

MSRP: $199 | Sale Price: $150 (25% off)

Available in a variety of colors, this velvet box of roses comes with 8 to 10 flowers that will stand the test of time without any upkeep.

3. 24 Rose Square Box

MSRP: $350 | Sale Price: $215 (38% off)

Available in red, yellow, blue or pink, these 24 everlasting roses come wrapped in a luxurious black velvet box.

4. 24 Roses Round Box - Red

MSRP: $350 | Sale Price: $200 (42% off)

Perfect for a significant other or a family member, these long-lasting roses come in a variety of colors and are handpicked by local farmers.

5. Red Everlasting Rose

MSRP: $155 | Sale Price: $105 (32% off)

Perfect for lovers of Beauty and the Beast, this gorgeous rose comes with its own beautiful crystal glass case that will protect it for months to come. Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/02/01/these-gorgeous-roses-can-last.html

Andy Gill, founding member, guitar player, and "Supreme Leader" of the hugely influencial post-punk band, Gang of Four, has died. He was 64.

Members of the current Gang of Four line-up tweeted the following:

Andy Gill. pic.twitter.com/DHNCz5lAe6

 GANG OF FOUR (@gangof4official) February 1, 2020

“This is so hard for us to write, but our great friend and Supreme Leader has died today,” Gang of Four wrote. “Andy’s final tour in November was the only way he was ever really going to bow out; with a Stratocaster around his neck, screaming with feedback and deafening the front row.”

The band continued, “One of the best to ever do it, his influence on guitar music and the creative process was inspiring for us, as well as everyone who worked alongside him and listened to his music. And his albums and production work speak for themselves. Go give ’em a spin for him…”

Read the obit at Rolling Stone.

Image: YouTube Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/02/01/andy-gill-iconic-post-punk-gu.html

https://boingboing.net/2020/02/01/man-kicked-off-flight-for-wear.html

The latest Nintendo Switch console is undeniably awesome, but these nine best-selling and top-rated accessories will take your Switch gaming experience to the next level. From wireless controllers to projectors, you're sure to find something here that will change the way you play for the better.

1. 8BitDo® SN30 Bluetooth Gamepad (Red)

MSRP: $30 | Sale Price: $24 (20% off)

Play your favorite games in unparalleled retro style with this Game Boy-inspired Bluetooth gamepad that comes in a variety of colors.

2. Nintendo Switch Bluetooth Audio Adapter

MSRP: $60 | Sale Price: $40 (33% off)

Connect your favorite wireless headphones to your Switch for a more immersive, wire-free gaming experience with this simple audio adapter.

3. Nintendo Switch Battery Charger Case

MSRP: $60 | Sale Price: $40 (33% off)

This charger case will give your Switch twice the battery power when you're on the move—ensuring that you’ll never have to take a break from your favorite games.

4. Wireless Controllers for Nintendo Switch

MSRP: $50 | Sale Price: $38 (24% off)

These unique controllers will dramatically expand the functionality of your Switch, by allowing you to customize and configure each button and control. They even feature an accelerometer and gyro-sensor for added awesomeness.

5. GameCube Controller Adapter For Wii/PC/Nintendo Switch

MSRP: $20 | Sale Price: $10 (50% off)

Play your Switch (or even your Wii or PC) with the convenience and functionality of a GameCube controller with this external adapter.

6. Nintendo Switch Dual PokeBall Charging Dock

MSRP: $15 | Sale Price: $10 (33% off)

Charge your Switch in style with this PokeBall dock that offers a sleek and stylish design along with overcharge protection for your gear. Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/02/01/take-your-gaming-to-the-next-l.html

I've been to Japan at least 8 times, so I feel like I am pretty good at knowing what I need to do before I go. This video, "Must-Do Things Before Flying to Japan" has a number of useful tips, like how to book a good restaurant in advance, how to get a SIM card, how to book tickets to Disneyland, how to get a rail card, how to get a visa (most countries give you 90 days with no visa required), and which medications not to bring with you. Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/02/01/heres-how-to-plan-for-a-trip.html

Face-synthesizing algorithms often struggle with facial details like eyes and teeth. These features sometimes get pinned to a fixed spot as a head turns, resulting in an uncanny valley dweller.

A new algorithm, StyleGAN2, fixes this problem and produces "eye-poppingly detailed and correct images." It can also generate never-before-seen cars, churches, and animals.

Image: YouTube Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/02/01/new-machine-learning-algorithm.html

A few years back, my brother Rick Pescovitz came up with Under The Weather Pods, single-person pop-up shelters. You may have caught Rick on Shark Tank (video below). Rick was sick of getting soaked at his kids' soccer games and was inspired by a portable toilet he saw by the field. Under The Weather Pods are designed for watching sports, fishing, and other outdoor events where it's raining, windy, or cold, but you are either obligated to watch or having so much fun you don't want to leave.

As travelers are taking unusual steps to protect themselves from the Coronavirus, from wearing water jugs on their heads to covering themselves in plastic tarps, my brother thought to see how his StadiumPod, meant for seated spectators at sports games, would work on an airplane. He tells me the flight attendant happily took his photo and that the man who sat next to him didn't even bat an eye. Stay safe out there!

Under the Weather Pods

Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/02/01/personal-anti-contamination-te.html

Michael Harriot's take on why the NFL rejecting PETA's ridiculous ad is so notable is the best I have read.

...On one hand, PETA gentrifying the movement for social justice by likening the “human prejudice of fur coats, trained circus tigers and ribeyes” (yes, they actually said that), to the institutional racism that permeates America is despicable but expected. It’s just the next logical leap from Black Lives Matter to White and Blue Lives Matter. We know that whites are always gonna white, especially at the Super Bowl. I’m sure, somewhere in the PETA office, there’s someone explaining that “this is what MLK would have wanted.”

On the other hand, I am not on the NFL’s side either. The NFL might contend that they don’t want to invite such a divisive political statement during the most-watched television event of the year. But you know what else is white as fuck?

The Donald Trump ad claiming America is stronger, more united and more prosperous, which is scheduled to air during the Super Bowl. Or the $11 million Michael Bloomberg ad that will air during the Super Bowl. Or—and I just like to list things in groups of three—perhaps the whitest of them all:

The Super Bowl itself.

So, yes I’m conflicted. I can’t decide if my position of “Fuck PETA” is strong enough to overcome my “Fuck the NFL” stance. It’s like watching that time when white supremacist Richard Spencer lamented that Donald Trump isn’t racist enough. Or if Chris Cilizza played a game of Stupid Jeopardy!

https://boingboing.net/2020/02/01/the-root-on-that-peta-ad-the.html

In 1982, Susan "Sulu" Dubow recorded "Ode to Spock," her terrific musical response to the Vulcan's death in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Dubow will be familiar to fans of Dr. Demento's radio show of odd music -- dozens of her songs were played on the program. The following is from Dubow's mini-autobiography on IMDB. What a fun and creative life!

Sulu, Susan Denise Lubin Dubow, was born in Chandler, Arizona in 1956 and acquired her name while performing on the Dr. Demento Show. She has received numerous awards for her songwriting and began writing poetry as a young child at Calvert Street School in Woodland Hills, California. Her sixth grade teacher informed her parents that she should pursue her talent which she did. Sulu begun winning poetry and songwriting contests beginning at age 13. She also took classes in dance, drama,improvisation, guitar and piano to overcome her shyness.Sulu, an avid fan of the Dr. Demento show while in college in 1976 began submitting songs to Dr.Demento in 1976. Shortly after that songs such as "I Love Your Toes,"and "Locked in the Closet" were popular on The Top Ten and eventually became "1.Sulu was asked to join the live show in 1977 where she became a sidekick. She performed with Dr.Demento in venues such as The Pomona Fair and The Wolf and Rissmiller Country Club continuing to write nearly 100 songs that were aired on the Dr. Demento Show.Sulu also wrote jingles and performed them on KABC's Ken and Bob Show on KABC Talk radio in the 80's and 90's and for Sports Talk KABC.

https://boingboing.net/2020/02/01/enjoy-this-star-trek-fans-de.html

Cotton Branch Farm Animal Sanctuary in Leesville, South Carolina is seeking volunteers to cuddle pigs and, eventually, adopt the animals as pets. The organizations rescued more than 200 pigs from a Kentucky property about a year ago. After suffering abuse and neglect, the pigs need more human time before they are ready for their forever homes.

"These pigs weren't socialized because they lived in such large numbers," said Joshua Carpenter Costner, the sanctuary's director of operations. "We noticed how quickly a lot of them were coming around when we spent time with them, and in order to find them homes, we thought it was a good idea to have people start coming out."

According to the ad posted on Facebook, "belly scratches, cookies, sitting with, and even just talking to our pig friends can get them ready for their new home."

(CNN)

Does loving-on sweet little faces like these seem like a good time? Then we have some GREAT news for you! We need piggy cuddlers!Visit https://t.co/ukyFtZ09Dt to sign up!Can't come visit? You can still make a difference in their https://t.co/mcFHyzcQz7 https://t.co/MkPVXFD686 pic.twitter.com/c6euFXjNp9

 Cotton Branch Farm Sanctuary (@cottonbranch) January 29, 2020

https://boingboing.net/2020/02/01/volunteers-needed-to-cuddle-pi.html

This Bodum pour-over coffee maker with a permanent stainless steel filter works great and is one of the cheapest I found.

This thing works to make pour-over coffee and costs less than $20. If you want pour-over coffee this is a pretty good way to get there. I started drinking pour-over a few weeks back and prefer the smooth taste.

I also prefer hot coffee to cold so there is that.

Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker with Permanent Filter, 1 Liter, 34 Ounce, Black Band via Amazon Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/02/01/this-bodum-pour-over-coffee-ma.html

The decade-old warning to stay off public WIFI systems is no longer valid.

EFF:

There are still a few small information leaks: HTTPS protects the content of your communications, but not the metadata. So when you visit HTTPS sites, anyone along the communication path—from your ISP to the Internet backbone provider to the site’s hosting provider—can see their domain names (e.g. wikipedia.org) and when you visit them. But these parties can’t see the pages you visit on those sites (e.g. wikipedia.org/controversial-topic), your login name, or messages you send. They can see the sizes of pages you visit and the sizes of files you download or upload. When you use a public Wi-Fi network, people within range of it could choose to listen in. They’d be able to see that metadata, just as your ISP could see when you browse at home. If this is an acceptable risk for you, then you shouldn’t worry about using public Wi-Fi.

Similarly, if there is software with known security bugs on your computer or phone, and those bugs are specifically exploitable only on the local network, you might be at somewhat increased risk. The best defense is to always keep your software up-to-date so it has the latest bug fixes.

What about the risk of governments scooping up signals from “open” public Wi-Fi that has no password? Governments that surveill people on the Internet often do it by listening in on upstream data, at the core routers of broadband providers and mobile phone companies.

https://boingboing.net/2020/02/01/the-eff-says-public-wifi-isn.html

...and then the kids wanted Rambo.

Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/02/01/how-to-make-a-second-top-gun.html

Anyone who works in the great outdoors or in a variety of fields that require the use of a good old-fashioned blade every now and then needs to have a good knife handy at all times. But walking around with a blade in your pocket all day simply isn’t practical (or safe) for most of us.

Enter the Higher Objects© Sawyer Utility Bracelet, which makes it easier than ever to safely and discreetly carry a blade in any environment.

Perfect for police, construction workers, campers, fishermen, and pretty much anyone else who needs to be able to get themselves out of a bind quickly and safely, this wearable multitool lets you fashionably carry a sharp knife and a handy screwdriver right on your wrist.

This practical and stylish accessory is perfect for conquering a wide range of odd jobs both indoors and outdoors, and it’s so light that you’ll barely notice it on your wrist when it’s not in use.

It also features a genuine leather strap that fits all wrist sizes and is made to stand the test of time—regardless of whether you primarily use your blade on camping trips or in your tool shop.

Outfit yourself with this practical and fashionable utility while it’s available for over 35% off MSRP at just $24.99. Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/02/01/this-accessory-is-perfect-for.html

Anyone who works in the great outdoors or in a variety of fields that require the use of a good old-fashioned blade every now and then needs to have a good knife handy at all times. But walking around with a blade in your pocket all day simply isn’t practical (or safe) for most of us.

Enter the Higher Objects© Sawyer Utility Bracelet, which makes it easier than ever to safely and discreetly carry a blade in any environment.

Perfect for police, construction workers, campers, fishermen, and pretty much anyone else who needs to be able to get themselves out of a bind quickly and safely, this wearable multitool lets you fashionably carry a sharp knife and a handy screwdriver right on your wrist.

This practical and stylish accessory is perfect for conquering a wide range of odd jobs both indoors and outdoors, and it’s so light that you’ll barely notice it on your wrist when it’s not in use.

It also features a genuine leather strap that fits all wrist sizes and is made to stand the test of time—regardless of whether you primarily use your blade on camping trips or in your tool shop.

Outfit yourself with this practical and fashionable utility while it’s available for over 35% off MSRP at just $24.99. Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/7h79HwW2EIg/this-accessory-is-perfect-for.html

When the new civil war kicks off, will you have fourteen 1980s machine gun VHS babes on your side? They're sharper shooters than the F35 Joint Strike Fighter, that's for sure.

Consider this your weekly reminder that Robocop was a documentary. Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/02/01/1980s-vhs-babes-shooting-machi.html

When the new civil war kicks off, will you have fourteen 1980s machine gun VHS babes on your side? They're sharper shooters than the F35 Joint Strike Fighter, that's for sure.

Consider this your weekly reminder that Robocop was a documentary. Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/VrgT4vWxYyQ/1980s-vhs-babes-shooting-machi.html

Straight from Latvia comes a sweater that, when worn, looks like a cat is hanging off your back and holding on for dear life with its claws. A red heart and the simple word "cat" are there to possibly remind us that our feline friends are to be loved even when they're ripping up our stuff. Made by Etsy shop Rata Blanca Sweaters and is currently sold out.

(Geekologie) Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/02/01/intentionally-distressed-sweat.html

Straight from Latvia comes a sweater that, when worn, looks like a cat is hanging off your back and holding on for dear life with its claws. A red heart and the simple word "cat" are there to possibly remind us that our feline friends are to be loved even when they're ripping up our stuff. Made by Etsy shop Rata Blanca Sweaters and is currently sold out.

(Geekologie) Read the rest

http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/hngQnSv73ks/intentionally-distressed-sweat.html

In the digital age, it can seem as though the life of the physical notebook or diary has come and gone. But most serious writers will tell you that there’s a special connection that comes from putting pen to paper, and these Leather Notebooks & Journals will help you bring that magic back.

Relive the golden era of writing down your thoughts and ambitions using good old-fashioned pen and paper with these elegant, handmade notebooks and journals.

With unique designs and hand-stitched embossed leather patches, these notebooks are great gifts for lovers of the written word.

They come in a variety of styles, feature durable hardcover backings, and come loaded with 50 sheets of handmade, tree-free cotton paper that can be used to record anything your creative mind can dream up.

They’re also light and compact enough to take with you without weighing you down.

Embrace your inner storyteller with these Leather Notebooks & Journals, starting at just $35.10. Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/01/31/relive-the-golden-age-of-writi.html