Awake @ the links: Friday best of the web round-up

Time for another Friday afternoon best-of-the-web, where I filter out a bazillion things to bring you the coolest stuff I read and seen online this week. Enjoy…

• Family Guy Matrix Trailer - Epic, watch it and start your weekend with a smile
• Why leisure matters in a busy world - Interesting article about the importance of taking time off
• Twister bedsheets - No need for explanation here
• Become an expert with the power of deliberate practice - Steve Rubel applies greatness theory to the process of becoming an expert authority. Interesting read, especially for bloggers
• Why your loved ones want you to fail - Naomi reveals why those closest to you might not be your biggest supporters
• Are you talking to my generation? - James from MenWithPens writes a great column about writing to your readers
• How do I get a professionally designed blog? - Darren shares resources for blog design at all levels, from free to wordpress all-star.
• Understanding the value of ‘friends’ in social media websites - Maki shares his unique take on developing friends and followers across different social media hubs
• Research reveals new paths to productivity - Penelope shares 4 new ways to be more productive, not your standard getting things done list
• 10 misconceptions the self-employed deal with daily - Glen takes a look at the realities of working for yourself
• Women entrepreneurs just as successful, but less confident - Interesting research on women who start businesses
• Top 10 interesting facts about the brain - Very cool science-based facts about how the brain works
• Motherhood today: tougher challenges, less success - Two of every three women ages 50-64 say today’s mothers are doing a worse job as parents than mothers did 20 or 30 years ago
• The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart now America’s 4th ranked journalist - Interesting research behind blending of politics, journalism and humor
• One of the best intro’s in history - The Bloggess shares the story behind her riotous intro for Guy Kawasaki
• Cool pictures of all kinds of stuff people invented - Building on the Guy theme, the big K posts a ton of pictures of really cool/fun inventions and creations from the Maker Faire in San Mateo.
• Surprise findings about tech entrepreneurs - Tim Berry reveals highlights from new Kaufmann report, like twice as many US tech-entrepreneurs start companies in their 50s than their 20s.
• Breaking the glass - Seth shares a photo of a very cool thought-piece about taking life by the…
• Saying no - Chris Brogan write a compelling piece about the important of saying no to create more time for the stuff you really want to say yes to.
• Should you stop talking to prospects by phone? - Michel Fortin shares a provocative piece on eliminating phone calls for all but paying customers.
• The ultimate guide to a wildly sticky, successful and outstanding blog - Liz Strauss puts together a great compilation of tools, tips, techniques and articles.
• Thinking can ruin your life - interesting take on the paralysis of analysis
• Productivity vs ingenuity - Interesting take on getting things done versus getting things created.
• So, that should keep you guys busy over the weekend. Have fun!