Studio recording of The Axis of Awesome’s “4 Chords”. The song that proves that all you need to be a pop star is four simple chords.

Released only a couple of weeks ago, Microsoft Songsmith takes your singing and creates a somewhat workable tune around it. YouTube users have fun with it by entering a cappella versions of hit songs to see what music Songsmith comes up with. The results are hilarious, like this cruise ship version of Roxanne by The Police.

Check out the link here.

Ever feel like The Game of Life was too cookie-cutter for your much more morbid lifestyle? Toymaker Takara Tomy is coming out with a new “super spicy” version of The Game of Life, which includes stops like shotgun weddings, gambling sprees, and the sudden and unexplained disappearance of family members. The economy sucks, people are stressed, things never go as planned. By the time you’re done playing a round, you might be thankful for what you have. The game is based on a Japanese idiom called ??????? (jinsei wa haran banjo)—life’s a roller coaster ride. It comes out in April, and will retail for about $40.

Check out the link here.

A US man divorcing his wife is demanding that she return the kidney he donated to her or pay him $1.5m (£1m) in compensation.

Check out the link here.

An exhibitor polishes the customized Mercedes-Benz SL600, Luxury Crystal Benz, studded with 300,000 Swarovski crystal glass, displayed at the pavilion of custom car accessory company Garson/D.A.D at Tokyo Auto Salon 2009 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, east of Tokyo, Jan.9, 2009.

Check out the link here.

So, I’m scrolling through a message board when I see a thread titled, “How to get permanent marker off of the dog?” How can you not be intrigued by that question?

So I clicked, and this is what I found:

Apparently, when this mom wasn’t looking, her two-year-old decided the dog was a suitable canvas. Did I mention that apparently the dog stayed still for the ordeal, even turning over so the other side could be adorned as well? Crazy kid!

Note to self: when you have kids, keep the permanent markers hidden away. 

And this cute little doggie looks like my best friend’s dog Miss Dixie, so I found it that much funnier!

Check out the link here.

I have been trying to find the perfect anniversary gift for my husband. It’s our first anniversary so I want it to be special.

I think this may be too special. (FYI Each one costs about as much as a high end handbag!)

Check out the link here.

With several dozen invited guests in the room, the couple sat in a decorated booth with Ryan Green of Normal, a friend of theirs who became an ordained minister online. As Green, dressed in a T-shirt, officiated, they said the same vows.

“I promise to honor your life’s choices, comfort you in sorrow, celebrate in your joy and support your endeavors…,” they said. “Whatever the world brings, I take you as my partner.”

Business went on as usual in the front area of Taco Bell, and some customers in the Friday night supper rush stopped to watch.

Shortly before the ceremony, Kathy Brooks, the groom’s mother, said, “This is the way to go — there’s no stress.”

She said her son proposed on New Year’s Eve, and the wedding was planned in about a week. The couple bought wedding rings on clearance for 80 percent off, spending about $45 per ring.

Green told them they could have the ceremony anywhere they wanted, and he asked them where they’d like it to be.

Their answer was Taco Bell, where they enjoy hanging out.

Check out the link here.

Fellow blogger so pauvre has a cute link to find out your hobbit name… I’m going to take her lead and ask that you post your hobbit names in the comment section…  Dimple Bunce of Brockenborings thanks you. Check out the link here.

Sarah Needleman of The Wall Street Journal wrote an interesting article about a new CareerCast.com study from Les Krantz, author of Jobs Rated Almanac, about the best and worst jobs in the U.S.The study evaluated 200 jobs according to environment, income, employment outlook, physical demand and stress. The data are from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau, amongst others:According to the study, mathematicians fared best in part because they typically work in favorable conditions — indoors and in places free of toxic fumes or noise — unlike those toward the bottom of the list like sewage-plant operator, painter and bricklayer. They also aren’t expected to do any heavy lifting, crawling or crouching — attributes associated with occupations such as firefighter, auto mechanic and plumber.The study also considers pay, which was determined by measuring each job’s median income and growth potential. Mathematicians’ annual income was pegged at $94,160, but Ms. Courter, 38, says her salary exceeds that amount. Check out the link here.