Echo chainsaw commercial shows TSA at their worst

by Mike Barish on

Echo power tools has a new television ad for their chainsaws that takes some liberties – though some would say not many – with the intimacy of TSA pat downs. The comical commercial features a man passing through airport security being subjected to a fairly aggressive, yet thorough, pat down of his crotch. Meanwhile, inattentive agents allow his chainsaw to pass through the X-ray machine undetected. He comments that, while he’s willing to put up with a lot of things, he requires that his chainsaw be reliable.

Is the commercial an exaggeration of how handsy TSA agents get during pat downs? Some would argue that they’ve seen way more ridiculous things happen at airport security checkpoints. All in all, it’s a pretty funny and topical ad.

What do you think? Is this a parody of what really happens during TSA pat downs or is it close to accurate? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Video of the Day: Big Wheel vs. Bus

by Mike Barish on

We’re all for using public transportation whether you’re at home or exploring a new city. It keeps excess cars off the roads, allows you to see a real cross-section of the population and is cheaper than taking taxis everywhere. That said, buses can be slow. Especially in major cities like New York. How slow? Well, comedian Mark Malkoff decided to find out. He raced a New York City bus across town on 42nd Street (right in the heart of Manhattan) while riding a child’s Big Wheel bike. Having ridden a bike in New York for years, I can tell you that it’s faster than taking a bus. But can the same be said for a tiny tricycle? You might just be amazed by the results (at the very least, you will be amused).

[Via our friends at Urlesque]

Video: Arcade Fire at Coachella

by Elizabeth Seward on

Music festivals are one of the best ways to spend your sweet summer time. Although we’re still a ways off from the official launch of summer, many music fans consider Coachella the beginning of summer… or, at least, the beginning of summer festivals. As the season of love via live music swings fuller into gear, I’ll help you navigate as many music festivals as I can. But for now, lets talk about Coachella.

Coachella is one of the bigger USA music festivals each year and it’s safe to say that the festival acts as a vacation destination for people across the globe. With 225,000 attendees last year, this year’s festival had a whole lot of hype leading up to its launch. Coachella just wrapped up last night and in case you haven’t heard, it seems as though there might have been some desert-style drama at the event, both good and bad.

Kanye West slammed the event and other event performers. Cee Lo Green showed up late and blamed the festival for his tardiness. But on a more positive energy note, Arcade Fire illuminated their audience with a set you can check out in the video above.

Juggling through 70 countries

by Grant Martin on

Some people like to take pictures of sentimental items in every country of their travels, some people dance. Luke Burrage chose to juggle. The international juggler and entertainer uploaded a video to YouTube this month highlighting his travels around the planet — 70 countries in total — where he’s juggling in each spot. We’re not sure if we’re more impressed by the beautiful range of destinations or the juggling skills of this guy, but either way it’s a great video. Check it out below.

Video: Mississippi tornado rips through power lines

by Elizabeth Seward on

A powerful storm system that produced damaging tornadoes tore through several states over the course of the last few days. Beginning in Oklahoma and Arkansas on Thursday, the storm moved through Mississippi on Friday and Alabama and Georgia. Eventually wreaking havoc on North Carolina and Virginia, this storm has claimed at least 35 lives in six states. With flash floods, softball-sized hail, and vicious tornadoes, homes have been demolished throughout the affected areas. The death toll is expected to rise today as the dust settles and the search for the missing continues.

This video was captured in Jackson, Mississippi–an area that was hit hard by the storm. Check out the flashes of color that erupt when the twister rips through power lines.