Some of you may be outside, getting ready to enjoy some fireworks this evening, but for those of you who are either a) not in the United States or b) staying away from the ridiculous crowds that will surely form, I’ve got a whole different set of entertainment for you to enjoy. Pictures may be worth a thousand words, but the power of the blogosphere is a million-gabillion times bigger than any picture. Fear not, I’ve broken the ‘sphere down into five of the hottest posts I’ve seen this week. It’s like the circle has become a pentagon… or something.

Derek Semmler, that lucky bugger, went to watch Transformers: The Movie on opening day yesterday. He was blown away by the two-and-a-half hour action flick, applauding Michael Bay for putting together a great movie. In Derek’s review of the movie, he mentions that he shouldn’t have gotten his son a large Sprite. This is why I never drink anything while at the theatre!

Funds Zine compares investing in mutual funds with the choice between driving a car with a manual transmission and one with an automatic. Do you want risk and speed, or would you prefer safety and stability? This is where “family funds” come into play.

The Thinking Blog has unearthed, pardon the pun, the the self-mummified monks of Japan. If you thought Egyptian mummies were cool, you haven’t seen anything yet! These guys actually mummified themselves while they were still alive! The pictures found within are not for anyone that spooks easily.

Bob Buskirk went to the local steakhouse and inhaled a 40 ounce porterhouse. I’ve had some excellent porterhouse steaks at Gotham and Morton’s (Stonegrill wasn’t as impressive), so I can appreciate a nice cut of meat. Bob promises that he will soon attempt the 60 oz. version: he gets a gift certificate for $19.95 if he finishes it — with the sides — in less than one hour and 15 minutes.

Samanathon, like just about everyone else on this planet, can’t help but draw his attention to the newly released Apple iPhone. Instead of going through the different features, applications, and design elements, he has instead found several photos of an iPhone autopsy. Interested in what the innards of this beast look like, then click on, my friend, click on.

And that, my friends, is what is up (on Wednesday).