Haft2Know

Last year, French automaker Renault presented 'Zoe', their first zero-emission concept car (hence the name) slated for mass production. According to the company, the Renault Zoe is meant to revolutionize the day-to-day travels of Europeans skipping from home to work to the market. Treehuggers and design aficionados alike shouted "oui, oui" for the Zoe, but one dissenting voice failed to agree. That voice belongs to a woman named Zoe Renault. The 23-year-old student says she doesn't want to be associated with a car her whole life, and has hired a lawyer to write automaker Renault, insisting they find another name for the vehicle. The final verdict is still pending.

It isn't the first time a car manufacturer has run into challenges with a car name. A few years ago, GM ran into some difficulty in Spain with their car the 'Nova', which in Spanish actually means 'doesn't go'.

In recent car naming news, General Motors just released a statement to all of their employees that the name 'Chevy' should be discontinued from everyday use. The company wants to reintroduce the full use of 'Chevrolet' into the daily vernacular of North Americans.

Here's the link Ms. Zoe Renault doesn't want any part of.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If the drone of South African vuvuzelas is keeping you awake these days, perhaps you can make your way to dreamland by counting the sparkles on this fancy-pants soccer ball. South African jeweller Shimansky just unveiled this life-size piece made of 6,620 white diamonds and 2,640 black diamonds, comprising a considerable 3,500 carats. The ball took three months to make and is estimated at a value of $2.6 million USD. That fact alone is enough to keep you awake at night.

This link sparkes.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Having only been announced fairly recently as the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics, Rio de Janeiro is well under way in their preparation. This project, named Solar City Tower was designed by Swiss architectural firm RAFAA. It stands 105m above sea level and promises to be an environmental wonder. Solar power draws sea water up to the top and then the falling water will drive turbines that will produce even more energy for the city. With an amphitheatre, auditorium, cafeteria and shopping, the building seems a happy marriage of humanity and nature.

More pictures can be found at this link.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A final tidbit this week is called Colorstrology - a light blend of astrology, numerology and colour theory. Check out what colour and personality traits have been selected for your birthday. Find out here.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Seattle artist Diem Chau creates moments of memory and nostalgia using unusual - or rather usual - media. Her Crayola Totems offer a playful and colourful way to look at the world. Chau makes herself available for commissions, but I imagine getting her time will become more and more difficult as the number of her followers increases. Below is an image representing how well she achieves likeness. It's quite remarkable given the size of her canvas.

Here's Diem Chau's website.

And her blog.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

From Japan comes 'Otete & Anyo' - Japanese for 'Hand & Foot' - beautifully made stamps customized to serve as a moment in time for the baby of your choice. Email a simple scan of Baby's hand or foot print and for about $100 you'll be able to stamp your little one's prints on everything, forever. The back of the stamp comes engraved with his / her birthday and name - all guaranteed to make a life-long impression for sure.

Here's the site

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

GE presents a handy tool to help you figure out how much power your old window air conditioner is actually using - how much it costs per year or month and how much oil it uses. While it was developed for the American user - and developed by Pentagram I might add which is why it's so good-looking - this clever interface is customizable for a number of large and small appliances and will tell you whether or not you should feel bad about cranking your ceiling fan these days.

Start figuring out your monthly power bill here.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

From Ballard, Washington comes the story of Edith Macefield, who refused to bow to pressure to sell her long-time home to land developers - so they built around her. Something for you to think about.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last year, French automaker Renault presented 'Zoe', their first zero-emission concept car (hence the name) slated for mass production. According to the company, the Renault Zoe is meant to revolutionize the day-to-day travels of Europeans skipping from home to work to the market. Treehuggers and design aficionados alike shouted "oui, oui" for the Zoe, but one dissenting voice failed to agree. That voice belongs to a woman named Zoe Renault. The 23-year-old student says she doesn't want to be associated with a car her whole life, and has hired a lawyer to write automaker Renault, insisting they find another name for the vehicle. The final verdict is still pending.

It isn't the first time a car manufacturer has run into challenges with a car name. A few years ago, GM ran into some difficulty in Spain with their car the 'Nova', which in Spanish actually means 'doesn't go'.

In recent car naming news, General Motors just released a statement to all of their employees that the name 'Chevy' should be discontinued from everyday use. The company wants to reintroduce the full use of 'Chevrolet' into the daily vernacular of North Americans.

Here's the link Ms. Zoe Renault doesn't want any part of.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If the drone of South African vuvuzelas is keeping you awake these days, perhaps you can make your way to dreamland by counting the sparkles on this fancy-pants soccer ball. South African jeweller Shimansky just unveiled this life-size piece made of 6,620 white diamonds and 2,640 black diamonds, comprising a considerable 3,500 carats. The ball took three months to make and is estimated at a value of $2.6 million USD. That fact alone is enough to keep you awake at night.

This link sparkes.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Having only been announced fairly recently as the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics, Rio de Janeiro is well under way in their preparation. This project, named Solar City Tower was designed by Swiss architectural firm RAFAA. It stands 105m above sea level and promises to be an environmental wonder. Solar power draws sea water up to the top and then the falling water will drive turbines that will produce even more energy for the city. With an amphitheatre, auditorium, cafeteria and shopping, the building seems a happy marriage of humanity and nature.

More pictures can be found at this link.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A final tidbit this week is called Colorstrology - a light blend of astrology, numerology and colour theory. Check out what colour and personality traits have been selected for your birthday. Find out here.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Seattle artist Diem Chau creates moments of memory and nostalgia using unusual - or rather usual - media. Her Crayola Totems offer a playful and colourful way to look at the world. Chau makes herself available for commissions, but I imagine getting her time will become more and more difficult as the number of her followers increases. Below is an image representing how well she achieves likeness. It's quite remarkable given the size of her canvas.

Here's Diem Chau's website.

And her blog.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

From Japan comes 'Otete & Anyo' - Japanese for 'Hand & Foot' - beautifully made stamps customized to serve as a moment in time for the baby of your choice. Email a simple scan of Baby's hand or foot print and for about $100 you'll be able to stamp your little one's prints on everything, forever. The back of the stamp comes engraved with his / her birthday and name - all guaranteed to make a life-long impression for sure.

Here's the site

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

GE presents a handy tool to help you figure out how much power your old window air conditioner is actually using - how much it costs per year or month and how much oil it uses. While it was developed for the American user - and developed by Pentagram I might add which is why it's so good-looking - this clever interface is customizable for a number of large and small appliances and will tell you whether or not you should feel bad about cranking your ceiling fan these days.

Start figuring out your monthly power bill here.

Posted by Haft2 at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)