Lively, currently in beta, is Google’s answer to Second Life. The downloadable application allows you to create rooms, decorate them to your liking, then make and invite friends over. Of course, you’re far better off actually doing these things in real life, but if you have poor personal hygiene and/or no friends you’re sure to find it very rewarding.

Graphic designer Russ Mills’ portfolio features some innovative illustrations, created using some equally innovative methods:

“they begin life as sketches in ink, the tool of choice is the Bic ‘fine’ because it gives me a lot more mileage than more expensive, snootier fine liners that break if you give them too much stick. The sketch is transported into my ageing mac and then abused in photoshop (you may have heard of it) i use this because of the joy of multiple undo’s plus its the closest I can get to painting without painting.”

More info on Russ’ MySpace and blog.

Ah, the Rubik’s Cube - possibly the most frustrating puzzle/toy/gadet/thing ever invented. Few people are blessed with the patience to complete one, discounting those, like myself, that opt for the “peel the stickers off and rearrange them” method.

Ad agency DDB New Zealand cleverly plays on the themes of time and patience in Rubik’s new campaign.

In 1992, James May (aka Captain Slow) was fired from Autocar magazine for creating a hidden message in their end of year “Road Test Year Book”. Try reading the red letters in the above image (click it to enlarge), or head over to the wikipedia article about James May.

Suffolk-based illustrator Simon Wild has a great portfolio that’s well worth a look.

Saatchi & Saatchi’s campaign for Safeguard soap is a graphic reminder of the importance of washing one’s hands.

The Shit Box is a lightweight, portable cardboard toilet that’s ideal for festivals, camping or the homeless. At £15.67 it’s well worth a punt if you’re off to a festival this summer.