Half of the fun in procrastinating on the Internet is the opportunity for unexpected education. To help you get back to being a productive human being, for today at least, here are some quick learnings curated from around the Blogads network:

Methodshop — Portland vs. Austin
With the addition of the Portland Digital eXperience (PDX) to the MusicFestNW lineup, MFNW may be the new and arguably better version of Austin’s SXSW. Well, I’ll be!

Regretsy – View It in a Room
“Claw Predator Rings” are a real thing. These exist in the world. Someone makes these…and now you’re better for knowing.

The Comics Curmudgeon – I’ll just have to “suspend” my disbelief (that anyone would say this ever)
Low-end suspenders are slightly more affordable than low-end belts. This, I truly did not know.

Lamebook – Spelling Counts
Proof-reading is dead. This isn’t breaking news, but we should all take a moment. RIP.

Crazy Aunt Purl – A year from now you’ll wish you had started today
September is a great month to start fresh on a goal. New Year’s resolutions are for suckers.

photo by flickr user Marc_Smith

The countdown for getting in some prime, last-minute white pants-wearing has begun. Before celebrating Labor Day just yet, take a few moments to appreciate the season with these summer-inspired posts from around the Blogads network:

Immaculate Infatuation– Instagram Challenge: #Still Summer
Enter the foodie contest by taking pics of delicious, seasonal dishes on Instagram. Don’t forget to tag photos with #stillsummer and @immaculateinfat.

Trailer Addict – Summer Must-Sees
If you’re still deciding what movies to go to this weekend, check out previews for what’s already in theaters as well as what’s soon to come!

Tom and Lorenzo – Gal on the Street
If you missed out on any of this year’s summer styles, get caught up with these highlights.

Mr. Kate – DIY Swiss Braids Hair Tutorial
Kate helps you beat the heat with this chic, braided up-do.

Turntable Kitchen – The August 2012 Mix
Send summer off right with this awesome August soundtrack.

photo by flickr user {Charlotte.Morrall}

Lots of students are heading back to school right about now. In light of all of the new binders and fresh optimism that mark this time of year, here’s some light reading for all from around the Blogads network:

IMBOYCRAZY– the blind leading the blind (pat 93)
Alexi passes along some “funny, because it’s true” life lessons.

Pintester – Nostril-Mouth Speakers
Teaching us How-Not-To make DIY speakers out of your face.

#WhatShouldWeCallMe – When my teacher assigns homework for the first day of school
Starting the year off strong. Nailed it.

Betches Love This – Betches love this college: Cornell University
Calling all Cornell freshmen: here’s your Spark Notes guide for the year.

GalaDarling – Join Us at the Blogcademy in New York City!
Headmistress Gala Darling is cohosting this blogger weekend retreat in October.

photo by flickr user Horia Varlan

Fall in love with these photos, words and other curiosities this morning.

Cute Overload – When Good Dogs Go Bad
The cutest dog on the Internet has got nothin’ on Devil Dog.

Immaculate Infatuation – ink.
If you’re a Top Chef fan, and you want to stay that way, have we got a restaurant for you — to skip?

The Bloggess – If it’s Wednesday, this must be Atlanta
On tour in Atlanta, The Bloggess is sharing some greatest hits from the archives. Today, 28 possible sequels for the Little Engine that Could.

design seeds – color salad
If a salmon spinach salad has ever inspired you to repaint your house, you should check out this color palette.

Lifehacker – Make Your Own Pancake Syrup and Skip the Overpriced Stuff at the Grocery Store
If you’re already resigned to not eating the real stuff (Maple, baby!), you can at save a few bucks and skip the HFCS.

photo by flickr user tstadler

Mmm… beans…

Twitchy – Roseanne Barr calls for a boycott of North Carolina, refers to Amendment 1 supporter as “f*cker.”
Welp, the headline pretty much says it all, folks. Although, as one of the many NC startups who opposed the Amendment, we implore Ms. Barr to reconsider the boycott.

Beyond Madison Avenue – AdMen and Athletes: Not So Different
The similarities between these two groups go beyond “healthy ego.” But that’s definitely one of the similarities.

HubSpot Inbound Internet Marketing Blog – 13 Sloppy Mistakes You’re Making With Your Calls-to-Action
Click here to learn how to get more people to click there!

Advertising is Good for You – Guinness knows how to rock a QR code
The codes on these pint glasses only work when the user is drinking a Guinness. My goodness!

brandflakes for breakfast – superhero finger puppets
Next time you give someone the finger, really make it count.

photo by flickr user justinbaeder

It’s not too late for one more cup.

• Tom and Lorenzo – Mad Style: Far Away Places
  AMC’s Mad Men is known for its era-perfect costumes and scenery. But how else does the show use visual cues to move the story along?
• The Agonist – Probably Not the Way to Earn Respect
  North Korea’s latest missile may have been a dud, but that doesn’t keep the isolated nation from making vague threats.
• Laughing Squid – Barack Obama and Jimmy Fallon Team Up to Slow Jam the News
  Barack Obama: President. Candidate. Soul singer.
• FastCompany – Who’s Next: Pinterest Designer Sahil Lavingia And His New E-Commerce Site Gumroad
  The teenager behind Pinterest’s popular design is all grown up and ready to change the way we shop.
• AdVerve – McD’s Goes Revolutionary Red
  Just in case you like your manifesto served with a side of food puns.

photo by flickr user 7-how-7

Now serving 5 fresh articles and videos to enjoy while you wait for the caffeine to kick in.

• GOOD – Beyond Zipcar: Can Carpooling 2.0 Remake American Commutes?
  Will a European carpooling site successfully tap into the “largest network of empty seats on the planet?”
• AdPulp – Moms Get The Hero Treatement, Just In Time For The Olympics
   Proctor and Gamble celebrates you, moms… of Olympic Athletes.
• The Book Smugglers – Book Review: The Book of the Maidservant
  If you’re a fan of historical YA fiction, then we have a book for you. Everyone else, move along.
• Digital Inspiration – View Instagram Photos without the Apps
  Because you want to show your mother what this “Instaphoto thingy” is that everyone’s talking about without explaining how a smartphone works.
• The Daily What. – Early Bird Special
  Look out, Casey Neistat, this guy can run around the world, too. And without fancy Nike dollars!

Photo by flickr user betta_design

Smile! There’s always time for another cup. Grab a refill and check out these fresh stories:

•  Adverve: Twitter stream, animated.
  smart Argentina uses Twitter as a sketchbook with “flipbook” tweets. smart? Brilliant.
• Serious Eats: It’s Time to Make Cold Brewed Coffee!
  That’s right. It’s a little too hot for that 3pm grande Blonde roast.
• Give Me My Remote: Tonight’s TV Spotlight
  Can’t decide between Betty White’s prank show and American Idol Finals? GMMR will help you prioritize your viewing schedule.
• Seth Godin’s Blog: Don’t give up (you’re on the right track)
  Because it’s easier to achieve the impossible once you see someone else do it first.
• Perez Hilton: Comedy Central Develops Series Based On Blog
  Here’s hoping Bad Advice From My Brother isn’t the next $#*! My Dad Says.

photo by flickr user qole

Some morning headlines to go with those last few sips of coffee:

•  Baseball Musings: Game of the Day
  Just in case you’re not American and didn’t realize that spring means baseball.

• Twitchy: Seacrest appears on TODAY, making special announcement
  Maybe the 2012 Olympics will have a new “whitest teeth” event.

image by flickr user beppezizzi

Drop everything (but your coffee) and read these five stories!

• Fast Company: 3 Ways That Google Is Searching To Secure Its Future
  1. By not being evil. 2. By not being evil. 3. By being like Facebook… but not evil.
• dlisted: Lindsay Lohan Is Not The New Carrie
  Despite an endoresement from Steven King, LiLo loses the role to “Hit Girl.”
• Jim Romenesko: A record for comments deleted?
  Sure, a moderator has to do what a moderator has to do, but with such gusto?
• Tom and Lorenzo: Fall 2012 Trends: Ornate
  It’s only just Spring, but Tom and Lorenzo have seen the future — and the future is like really embellished!
• Laughing Squid: Squid Hat Costume by Hiné Mizushima
  Sure, we could tell you how to make it, but you’ll never be as twee as this preteen.

image by flickr user illuminaut