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The 404 413: Where we're carved out of wood

Yesterday's show with guest host Alli went so well that we ask her to help us out again! Today we show off some beautiful fan artwork, run through outdated tech terminology, dispel "Batman 3" rumors about Megan Fox, and more!

We want to give a huge shout-out and thanks to Joe from Honolulu for sending us these two amazing woodcarvings of The 404! We're still blown away by the level of detail in the paintings and the ridiculous amount of time it probably took to make. Best of all, we love that it's a collaborative effort between two 404 fans: Blake Stevenson helped design our logo and Joe just took it to the next level. Cheers to both of you!

We're all a little worried about Chris Nolan's next "Batman" movie. We've been hearing a lot of rumors about the follow-up to last year's "Dark Knight," and even though we think Megan Fox is next level hot, we just can't imagine her as Catwoman. First of all, there are one thousand other characters in the Batman universe, why resurrect the same ones over and over? Let's see a Killer Croc! In other Megan Fox news, gamers will be excited to hear that she will be on Xbox Live on Saturday, August 29 @ 3 p.m. PT to play Gold Members in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen the Game. Cross your fingers and let us know if you actually play her!

Many more crazy stories from the Web in addition to an "Ask The 404" segment on today's show. Thanks for listening, all!

EPISODE 413 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Squash your salad spinner

A challenge of any kitchen, especially those that belong to gadget enthusiasts, is finding the space to store everything. For many people, the only way around this obstacle is to limit the number of times they indulge themselves in buying the latest and greatest kitchen tools. But in some cases, some clever modifications allow us to stock up on gadgets without worrying about running out of space.

This Collapsible Salad Spinner on Sur la table's Web site solves the space issue by using a patented design that allows the bowl to be collapsed to one third of its original … Read more

Some very refreshing swizzle sticks

In spring and summer, drinks taste much better when they're icy cold, and manufacturers have come up with a vast array of ice shapes to add into your juice pitchers.

What I haven't seen yet, however, is anything like this tray of Ice Kabobs. Made out of silicone, it makes three kabobs out of ice in fun strings of shapes. You can use them as swizzle sticks for a party, cold spears in a water pitcher, or simply as an addition to your own personal glass when you're trying to cool off at home.

The Ice Kabob … Read more

Helping hands to hold your corn cobs

The only time I crave corn on the cob is during the summer. Don't get me wrong, I still love a nice warm corn chowder in the winter: I just wait for the warmer weather to eat cobs of corn. As far as I'm concerned, cooking corn cobs right on the grill is the only way to do it.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who draws this connection between the warmer months and our favorite husked vegetable, as evidenced by these cute little Barbecue Folk cob holders. Each one is shaped like a different character dressed … Read more

An attractive storage solution for your E.V.O.O.

People have asked me several times to name what I use more than anything else in my kitchen. My first instinct is to name my good santoku knife as the winner, but if I'm being honest, then I'd say it's a bottle of olive oil. I cook with it every day, use it as dressing, mix it into my recipes, and drizzle it on finished soups, and if I were to write down what I eat every day, olive oil would show up on the list at least once every day of the week.

For the most … Read more

Say "I love you" with something sweet

Nothing says, "I love you" like a home-cooked meal, and nothing tops off a delicious dinner like homemade dessert. Just in time for Valentine's Day, you can get your hands on these silicon heart-shaped molds by Fauchon and make a dessert that's both tasty and festive.

Silicone molds have become popular vessels for baking. They store easily, allow for painless food removal, are dishwasher safe, and prevent the burned-on residue that shows up so frequently on metal pans. Since the heart is an odd shape, using a silicone mold means that your cake will come out … Read more

Slider tools have all of the fun, none of the fast food

If you were to look out of the front door of my apartment, you'd see a White Castle hamburger joint down the street. For those who aren't familiar, White Castle is a fast-food restaurant that specializes in burgers and fries, specifically a widely recognized miniature hamburger with grilled onions that causes indigestion problems. This miniburger, appropriately dubbed "the slider," is at the core of the comedy film, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, and is popular as a late-night snack or novelty meal.

Do I like the idea of a miniature hamburger? Absolutely. Do I … Read more

Exploding bike lock: Interesting concept, questionable execution

As an avid cyclist, my biggest concern about riding my bike in New York City isn't king-size potholes, wayward pedestrians, or even the hordes of aggressive cabbies itching to smash me into gray matter, but rather the constant fear of getting my bike stolen. I've been a victim of bike theft in the past, and it literally feels like the loss of a limb (not good), so I'm constantly researching new ways to deter thieves from snatching up my precious Surly Cross-Check. Whether it's making my bike ugly with stickers or carrying around extra locks in my bag, there's only so much you can do, because if a thief wants what you got, they're gonna get it no matter what.

Michael Lambourn gives cyclists one more bullet in the barrel with his SmartLock design. It's a cable lock with colored liquid inside that explodes everywhere if the lock is cut. It's a clever idea, and one almost certainly hatched after a freak skunk accident, and I applaud Michael Lambourn for making an effort to make cycling safer for paranoid city dwellers like myself. The goal is to achieve peace of mind while your bike is locked up, and the SmartLock is definitely a step in the right direction. If this product is successful and helps get people out of their cars and onto the bike, then I'll get behind it 100 percent. I just have a few critiques to make in the meantime.… Read more

Get precisely measured salad dressing every time

I like salads. I can't think of any meal that is more customizable. Basically, you cut a bunch of stuff up and throw it in a bowl. Which as a definition for salad suits me just fine. Whether I decide chunks of meat constitute a salad or opt for a vegetable-based ensemble, as long as it's in a bowl, I call it a salad. (As long as it's not soup, that is). More often than not, as a final touch, I reach for oil and vinegar.

Oil and vinegar are a classic combination and offer even more … Read more