Raffe and Ralph Rock Out

In 2010, I crocheted this long-necked duo:

Raffe and Ralph

I recently re-created Raffe and Ralph using 3D software, so now they can rock to the rhythm:

Rock out with your neck out!

Behind the Wheel

Here are bonus photos from the previous "Woo on Wheels" post! Also, a PDF of last week's comic is downloadable here.

Old Man Woo races again

The official poster for the 1938 Woolen Hills Senior Care Home Grand Prix

Racer Woo with Old Man Woo in his "W" Racer car

Putting on my racer face

Old Man Woo's racer face

Old Man Woo driving fast and furiously

Motion-blurred: Old Man Woo

Motion-blurred: Howie Woo and Old Man Woo

Our racing helmets resemble fedoras.

Front view of the "W" Racer

Rear view of the "W" Racer

Presenting Old Man Woo in the "W" Racer

Mugshot of the Woo Crew: Shy Howie, Woomi, Howie Woo, and Old Man Woo

Here's a behind-the-scenes video about the construction of the "W" Racer and Old Man Woo:

Racing to the finish line

The secret to creating the above pic is revealed in more behind-the-scenes photos on the WooWork Facebook Page or on Flickr.

Thank you to MJ and Mom for helping photograph and videotape this project,
which took three to steer.

And thank you for visiting WooWork and participating in the grand race!

Woo on Wheels

In Yo' Face, Facial Recognition!

I've been in hiding for the past five months. Specifically, I've been hiding my face...

Have you read the news about Facial Recognition systems? This technology uses cameras and computers to automatically identify people by comparing their facial features to a database.

Once limited to science fiction, facial recognition is now used by governments and corporations for everything from law enforcement to targeted advertising to social networking.

But I've emerged from hiding to share good news: I can fool facial recognition! Using cunning and crochet, we can reclaim our privacy!

I'll post how-to photos next week, after my nose heals. Until then, here's a video of my Anti-Facial Recognition System:

UPDATE - March 20, 2012

Despite the vision-impairment glitch, the Anti-Facial Recognition System offers these privacy-protecting facial expressions:

You can create those expressions with a blank mask and a handful of facial features:

Endorsed by Anonymous (Howie Woo)

Stitch velcro onto the back of each piece.

MJ recorded the FACE:REC video and helped make this project possible. We demonstrate how blank expressions are equally effective against prying eyes:

I hope this demonstration empowers us to protect our privacy and to apply brakes on the rapid use of facial recognition on our lives.

One day, I hope to upgrade the Anti-Facial Recognition System with a vision-providing, head-mounted camera that will identify nearby facial recognition systems by linking to a database.

In yo' face, facial recognition!

Caption Needed: Rocket Girl and UFO Boy

What caption would you write beneath this playground scene?

Stalled by Shyness

Do you get tongue-tied around strangers? Do you feel self-conscious in public? Maybe you're shy...

I felt especially shy when I was 18. That year, I ordered from a drive-thru window for the first time. I became so self-conscious, I paid for my order and sped away without my food:

That same year, I entered university. Without friends or familiar settings, I became too embarrassed to eat alone on campus. A public bench would've felt like a public stage:

One day, my grumbling stomach led me to a private setting:

I closed the door to my washroom stall and brought out my lunch:

When I bit into my sandwich, I realized how severely my shyness had stalled me, literally:

Since then, I've resisted my shy impulses. Though not every anxious battle is won, I can now eat alone on a public bench (reluctantly). Yes, my girlfriend still orders for me at drive-thru windows. But I have never again dined in a lavatory.

The best shyness-management tip I've followed: Act as if you're outgoing, and most people won't notice that you're shy. After awhile—ideally—neither will you.

Was there a memorable moment when shyness stalled you? Please share! And please dine sanitarily.

Bon appétit!

Ralph and Ruth

Last time, we spotted Ralph and his pet giraffe, Raffe.

This time, we see Ralph and his partner, Ruth:

Ralph and Ruth

They're an affectionate couple:

Ralph and Ruth, necking

And they proudly engage in public displays of affection:

Ralph and Ruth with Raffe

Caption Needed: Ralph and Raffe *UPDATED*

What caption would you write below this photo of Ralph and his pet giraffe, Raffe?

UPDATE - November 5, 2010:

Catherine, of The Raggy Rat blog, wrote a rhyme to match this side-view of Ralph and Raffe:

"Ralph had a tall giraffe

he wished it would obey

but everywhere that Ralph went

it went the other way ....."

Thanks Catherine! And thank you to everyone who wrote such clever captions for R&R!

The Trouble Sisters

These two are known as the Trouble Sisters:

They've earned that title: a Florida home burned down last year and the Sisters know all-too-well how the fire started.

Look at the trouble they've gotten themselves into this time:

Along this pantry window lined with canning jars, one sister is in a pickle and the other is in a jam.

Public Service Announcement: Don't play near jars of fruit and vegetables. 

You might fall and submerge yourself!

Even if they escape from this predicament, it's likely that these siblings will again find trouble or trouble will find them.

They are, after all, the Trouble Sisters.