Is this bowling ball controller really the most dangerous Wii accessory so far? So we wondered in a June post. Manufacturer CTA Digital thought we were being a touch premature, and offered to send one along so we get some firsthand experience.

So, we spent the last few days knocking down thousands of virtual pins in Wii Sports, and the verdict’s in: we’re convinced CTA Digital has made this controller adapter as safe as it can be, but it’s still significantly more dangerous than bowling with just the Wiimote.

Wii bowlingball accessory

It’s not because of any flaw in the design of the ball. If you’re nervous of third-party controllers, rest easy: this is a well-planned, well-made offering. You set the Wii remote in the center of the ball, which splits in half like some Indiana Jones prop. MotionPlus adapters will fit, too, and unlike some other controller adapters we’ve tried, the infra-red “eye” on the end of the Wiimote stays uncovered so you can still use the pointer in menus.

The buttons on the Wiimote are accessible as well, thanks to an intricate arrangement of rods that connect buttons on the outside surface of the ball to pins that press the remote’s actual buttons. Sounds chintzy, but works beautifully. A set of plastic inserts mean you can customize the size of the fingerholes, but we found the standard size to fit like a glove.

Perhaps most importantly, the device also sports a fetching blue wrist strap — complete with lock — although if that puppy comes loose or breaks, you’re going to be in trouble. Fortunately, it’s an absolute beast of a strap. You could probably tie it to a rafter and swing from it, Tarzan-style (note: not recommended, kids.) It certainly puts the standard-issue Wii wrist strap to shame, and it’s not going to break or slip loose under any reasonable play scenario.

Smartly, the ball slips the “B” button -– which releases the ball in Wii Sports Bowling –- under the middle joint of your pointer finger. After a brief acclimatization process, you’ll be slinging out strike after strike. I scored at least as well with the ball as without it. That’s surprisingly uncommon for a novelty controller like this.

So why is it dangerous? It’s dangerous in the same way any old Wii controller is: if you’re crazy enough not to wear the wrist-strap or someone is absent-minded enough to stand too close to you while playing, someone’s gonna get beaned, or something’s gonna get broken.

That’s obvious enough, but the bowling ball makes these everyday risks worse for several reasons. One, it’s considerably heavier than a Wii controller alone, and as any physicist will tell you, more weight means more momentum, and more momentum means more damage. Second, it’s larger and poses a bigger threat to anyone carelessly walking past. Third, you don’t have your nice, soft hand wrapped around it: your hand’s on the inside, where it can’t cushion any blows. It’s inherently more dangerous than the standard Wii controller simply due to its weight and size.

Don’t let this prevent you from buying it, though, if you think it’s a cool idea. Keep it out of reach of the kids, enforce the same old common-sense rules every Wii owner knows, and you’re golden. Novelty controllers often feel cheap or gimmicky, but we found the Bowling Ball added enough to Wii Sports to make it an easy recommendation. Just don’t blame us — or CTA Digital — if you throw it through your TV.

§171. Conduct during playing

During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.

Why did I post this blog? For the first time in over 20 years I thought I might watch an NHL playoff game. I love hockey and most other sports but have not wasted my time watching them over the past 20 years. I thought I would be better off fulfilling my dreams rather than watching others living theirs. Back on point, I turn on the Detroit game and watch the opening, during the signing of the National Anthem I did not see one player or coach from either team with their hand over their heart. I guess I am getting old and I get annoyed at the total lack of understanding by most people of what it took to form this country and secure our liberties. I turned the game off.

Obama Disrespects Our Flag

As for this picture of Barack, I cannot get this out of my head when I think of him as the man that is currently in the Oval office. I figure I owe him the same respect that he gives my country.

Asked whether Obama normally puts his hand over his heart while listening to the national anthem, Obama spokesman Bill Burton replied by e-mail: “Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn’t. In no way was he making any sort of statement, and any suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous.” WAIT – WHAT – sometimes he doesn’t, he is the commander in chief?? AHHHHHH

America keep an eye on how he salutes when he does. Is the elbow bent with the hand over the heart, left breast? Or is the elbow bent just past 90 degrees with the hand placed deliberately below the heart and more towards the stomach? Or is the hand purposely opened with all the fingers open more than usual or does the hand form a V with the middle and ring finger? Do on search on this practice by rebellious groups of certain races and beliefs, you may be surprised.

Grizzly in the Wild

Grizzlies take great care to avoid other creatures and other grizzlies. Unless hunting for food they grizzly will avoid humans. They feed mainly on fish and berries. Almost every single grizzly attack on humans has been in defense of their young or because the human invaded their territory.

Adult male grizzlies have been known to kill young grizzly cubs. It is speculated that they do this out of a desire to mate with the female or that they are hunger or annoyed because their territory and personal space has been invaded.