Attic '09 is a yearly festival dedicated to strange new ideas and inventions and is run by none other than Pep Torres of Stereonoise, known for their out-of-the-box inventions like sheets -see the Related Link for an article about the aphrodisiac bed linens- that will give your sex life a boost and investigations into things, well, only the most peculiar of minds tackle.

This year, the festival held from June 26th-28th in Vilanova i la Geltru at the Edificio Neapolis will feature a 'happiness' machine. Created by Jake Bronstein, the Fun-O-Meter is a vending machine that dispenses what else? Fun.

The machine, which first showed up at various locales in NY requires the user to pop in a coin, here €.50, into the slot and they receive: a fun idea, a map, in case the fun idea requires travel, some money back and a lucky charm -not sure what this will be, in the US, people were given a penny to leave heads up for a stranger, maybe a euro centime to leave heads up for someone? Hmmm, what brings good luck here? Only thing I can think of is the red underwear tradition on New Year's.

Thankfully, the Attic '09 folk realize that some may not be able to make the trip to Vilanova and so, they are bringing the giggle gadget to Barcelona's L'Illa Diagonal, floor 0, in front of Jamaica from today until June 18th. If it is a little smile pick-you-up needed on your lunch break from a day watching the glorious sun shine down from your interior office, then head over. I am thinking of going and putting the joy machine to the test myself, after all, a girl can never get enough glee!

The Fun-O-Meter is just one way to get in touch with inner happiness, also check out Jake's website zoomdoggle for other bizarre and giggle-inducing things, like the silly gumme bear operation photo series and the Muppets doing the Mr. Pink tipping scene from Reservoir Dogs -just note, lots of foul mouthery, in case the boss has a habit of coming in and peeking at your computer screen to see what you are up to.

See the Related Links for other things that have recently brought a wealth of smilage to my daily grind.......and if you've got some 'laugh till ya bust a gut' sites to share, bring 'em on!