The Gettysburg Address Powerpoint Presentation

If Abe had Powerpoint his speech would have gone something like this:

Good morning. Just a second while I get this connection to work. Do I press this button here? Function-F7? No, that's not right. Hmmm. Maybe I'll have to reboot. Hold on a minute. Um, my name is Abe Lincoln and I'm your president. While we're waiting, I want to thank Judge David Wills, chairman of the committee supervising the dedication of the Gettysburg cemetery.

The Gettysburg Address Powerpoint Presentation

If Abe had Powerpoint his speech would have gone something like this:

Good morning. Just a second while I get this connection to work. Do I press this button here? Function-F7? No, that's not right. Hmmm. Maybe I'll have to reboot. Hold on a minute. Um, my name is Abe Lincoln and I'm your president. While we're waiting, I want to thank Judge David Wills, chairman of the committee supervising the dedication of the Gettysburg cemetery.

The HisTory of Michael Jackson's Face

Complete with facial comparisons and commentary.

The HisTory of Michael Jackson's Face

Complete with facial comparisons and commentary.

How to Build a Parade Float

Step by step instructions on how to build a parade float. Well the bottom half at least.

How to Build a Parade Float

Step by step instructions on how to build a parade float. Well the bottom half at least.

Outsourcing

This was an interesting article about outsourcing. He makes a great point with this quote:

If a U.S. employer said out loud, "Gosh, we have a lot of 50-something engineers who are going to kill us with their retirement benefits so we'd better get rid of a few thousand," they would be violating a long list of labor and civil rights laws. But if they say, "Our cost of doing business in the U.S. is too high, so we'll be moving a few thousand jobs to India," that's just fine -- even though it means exactly the same thing.

Outsourcing

This was an interesting article about outsourcing. He makes a great point with this quote:

If a U.S. employer said out loud, "Gosh, we have a lot of 50-something engineers who are going to kill us with their retirement benefits so we'd better get rid of a few thousand," they would be violating a long list of labor and civil rights laws. But if they say, "Our cost of doing business in the U.S. is too high, so we'll be moving a few thousand jobs to India," that's just fine -- even though it means exactly the same thing.

Centralia, PA

Interesting site about a little town called Centralia, PA: Centralia is a town located in the heart of the anthracite mining region of Pennsylvania. In May 1962, a fire in a trash dump accidentally ignited the coal mine under the town. It has been burning underground ever since. Attempts to put out the fire over the years have been unsuccessful, and the population of 1,100 residents has since dwindled to only twenty or so.

I had read about Centralia several years ago in a magazine article and was intrigued. I couldn't believe that this fire was burning for so long and nobody could find a way to put it out. Being interested in abandoned places, I thought it would be a great place to visit -- an opportunity to see a ghost town before it becomes one. So one year around Independence Day, while everyone else was off enjoying the usual holiday celebrations, I was hopping in my car and driving 300 miles to Centralia, to see fireworks of a different kind.
(via LinkFilter)

Centralia, PA

Interesting site about a little town called Centralia, PA: Centralia is a town located in the heart of the anthracite mining region of Pennsylvania. In May 1962, a fire in a trash dump accidentally ignited the coal mine under the town. It has been burning underground ever since. Attempts to put out the fire over the years have been unsuccessful, and the population of 1,100 residents has since dwindled to only twenty or so.

I had read about Centralia several years ago in a magazine article and was intrigued. I couldn't believe that this fire was burning for so long and nobody could find a way to put it out. Being interested in abandoned places, I thought it would be a great place to visit -- an opportunity to see a ghost town before it becomes one. So one year around Independence Day, while everyone else was off enjoying the usual holiday celebrations, I was hopping in my car and driving 300 miles to Centralia, to see fireworks of a different kind.
(via LinkFilter)

Aircraft Carrier on EBay

Ok I don't have a wish list like other bloggers but could someone find it in their heart to put in a bid for me. The current bid is only 6,001,200.00. Hmmm then again it might be a waste. I would probably only use it for fishing expeditions.
(via Boing Boing)

Aircraft Carrier on EBay

Ok I don't have a wish list like other bloggers but could someone find it in their heart to put in a bid for me. The current bid is only 6,001,200.00. Hmmm then again it might be a waste. I would probably only use it for fishing expeditions.
(via Boing Boing)

How to Identify Mad Cow Disease

A Public Service Announcement.
(via The Presurfer)

How to Identify Mad Cow Disease

A Public Service Announcement.
(via The Presurfer)

Farmer or Terrorist

From Cnn.com

FBI urges police to watch for people carrying almanacs

I never thought that the farmer's almanac would be lumped in with the Anarchist cookbook but I guess we have reached that point.
(via everywhere)

Farmer or Terrorist

From Cnn.com

FBI urges police to watch for people carrying almanacs

I never thought that the farmer's almanac would be lumped in with the Anarchist cookbook but I guess we have reached that point.
(via everywhere)

Year in Review Link Collection

Here.
(via The Presurfer)

Year in Review Link Collection

Here.
(via The Presurfer)

Where is my Gnome?

Somebody had a gnome stolen and set up a website. I think he might want to check the post below and he might find out what happened to it.

My gnome was taken on December 9th. If you see him, please contact me.

Where is my Gnome?

Somebody had a gnome stolen and set up a website. I think he might want to check the post below and he might find out what happened to it.

My gnome was taken on December 9th. If you see him, please contact me.

Death to Gnomes

I am not really sure what this guy has against garden gnomes. But I don't think he likes them very much.

If you see a Garden Gnome, pick it up and take it home. Make sure it is really dead; stick something sharp into its head.
(via Borklog)

Death to Gnomes

I am not really sure what this guy has against garden gnomes. But I don't think he likes them very much.

If you see a Garden Gnome, pick it up and take it home. Make sure it is really dead; stick something sharp into its head.
(via Borklog)

Do it yourself BattleMech

Now this is a treehouse:

One January evening Jim arrived home from work early and there were two pickup trucks in the driveway with him. Oh yeah, he had said something about getting a couple of old shipping crates for the kids to play with. He and his friends unloaded the crates and dragged them into the garage. Little did either of us know then that these crates would take over our garage for many months to come and keep Jim very busy for the next seven months.
(via Borklog)

Do it yourself BattleMech

Now this is a treehouse:

One January evening Jim arrived home from work early and there were two pickup trucks in the driveway with him. Oh yeah, he had said something about getting a couple of old shipping crates for the kids to play with. He and his friends unloaded the crates and dragged them into the garage. Little did either of us know then that these crates would take over our garage for many months to come and keep Jim very busy for the next seven months.
(via Borklog)

Windows XP Box

From Mini-itx.com

I needed a small Windows XP machine and a Mini-ITX board was the obvious choice. So I decided to build my "Windows XP Box" in a Windows XP box. The external dimensions of the box are a tiny 243mm x 200mm x 48mm.
(via LinkFilter)

Windows XP Box

From Mini-itx.com

I needed a small Windows XP machine and a Mini-ITX board was the obvious choice. So I decided to build my "Windows XP Box" in a Windows XP box. The external dimensions of the box are a tiny 243mm x 200mm x 48mm.
(via LinkFilter)

Lord of the Rings' Got Milk?

Pretty funny LOTR milk ads parody.
(via Chaos Theory)

Lord of the Rings' Got Milk?

Pretty funny LOTR milk ads parody.
(via Chaos Theory)

Which A Christmas Story Character are you?

There are too many of these quizzes around. I love this movie however, and it is a short quiz so I will pass it on. It turns out that I am the "old man". Stupid quiz.
(via Pop Culture Junk Mail)

Which A Christmas Story Character are you?

There are too many of these quizzes around. I love this movie however, and it is a short quiz so I will pass it on. It turns out that I am the "old man". Stupid quiz.
(via Pop Culture Junk Mail)

Escape From Neverland

Warning! Warning! Boys escaping! Michael Jackson's little boy toys have finally wised up and made a run for the border, breaching the defenses of the Neverland Ranch.

Experience the thrills and chills of being Michael Jackson by trapping little boys with your mighty net gun before they escape from your ranch and tell authorities your dirty little secrets.

I didn't write this game!! (but i did laugh)
(via Weird Links)

Escape From Neverland

Warning! Warning! Boys escaping! Michael Jackson's little boy toys have finally wised up and made a run for the border, breaching the defenses of the Neverland Ranch.

Experience the thrills and chills of being Michael Jackson by trapping little boys with your mighty net gun before they escape from your ranch and tell authorities your dirty little secrets.

I didn't write this game!! (but i did laugh)
(via Weird Links)

Create Your Own Stamps

Now you too can be on a stamp!
(via Off On a Tangent)

Create Your Own Stamps

Now you too can be on a stamp!
(via Off On a Tangent)

Hampton Court Ghost in Enhanced Video

You probably heard the story by now. A ghostly figure appearing on a security camera. This website has a video enhancement of it.

"When enhanced and stabilized the video looks far less like a ghost and more like an attendant of some kind (wearing a period costume). The press and media took the most ghost like image of the low resolution sequence and circulated the low resolution and shaky images from video without any processing to balance contrast and used this to claim it was a ghost, but when you look at the sequence once enhanced and stabilized it looks less convincing.

Would a 17th century spirit know how to operate a Fire exit door? I'm sure most modern people have difficulty closing them but the "ghost" seemed quite able to get it to work, closing one side then the other. The motion of the legs, arms and hands appear totally solid and are consistent with that of known human articulation."

Not to sound cynical here (but see blog title) but did anybody really think that this was a ghost? Anybody?

Hampton Court Ghost in Enhanced Video

You probably heard the story by now. A ghostly figure appearing on a security camera. This website has a video enhancement of it.

"When enhanced and stabilized the video looks far less like a ghost and more like an attendant of some kind (wearing a period costume). The press and media took the most ghost like image of the low resolution sequence and circulated the low resolution and shaky images from video without any processing to balance contrast and used this to claim it was a ghost, but when you look at the sequence once enhanced and stabilized it looks less convincing.

Would a 17th century spirit know how to operate a Fire exit door? I'm sure most modern people have difficulty closing them but the "ghost" seemed quite able to get it to work, closing one side then the other. The motion of the legs, arms and hands appear totally solid and are consistent with that of known human articulation."

Not to sound cynical here (but see blog title) but did anybody really think that this was a ghost? Anybody?

Britney explains Quarks

Who says pop stars are dumb? Britney knows quite a bit about quantum mechanics.

I am guessing Christina Aguilera will now tell us about theoretical astrophysics!
(via LinkFilter)

Britney explains Quarks

Who says pop stars are dumb? Britney knows quite a bit about quantum mechanics.

I am guessing Christina Aguilera will now tell us about theoretical astrophysics!
(via LinkFilter)

Stephen King Book Covers

Cool site with every Stephen King book cover.
(via Off on a Tangent)

Stephen King Book Covers

Cool site with every Stephen King book cover.
(via Off on a Tangent)

Lord of the Rings Bathroom Break

The final Lord of the Rings installment is a bit long. About 3 1/2 hours. So what happens when you get one of the large sodas and need some relief? The San Francisco Chronicle has an answer:

Fortunately, the makers of "Lord of the Rings" have given viewers a subtle visual cue for when to dash for the facilities. Whenever Arwen (Aragorn's elfin love interest, played by Liv Tyler) appears onscreen, nothing important happens.

Below are a few tips to help choose your breaks in the "Rings" movies and a few other noted marathon films:

The Liv Tyler Rule of Diminishing Returns: It's becoming clear that Tyler's role was overblown in the series, most likely so they could include a chick on a Burger King souvenir drink glass. After the first half of "Fellowship of the Ring," where Arwen actually had something to do (she carried Frodo on horseback to safety), the character's scenes have become increasingly pointless.

Works for me. There was no need to expand her character's role in the movie. I can almost hear a movie executive saying "Yeah, but we need a love interest. We will green light it if you can add something in there."

Lord of the Rings Bathroom Break

The final Lord of the Rings installment is a bit long. About 3 1/2 hours. So what happens when you get one of the large sodas and need some relief? The San Francisco Chronicle has an answer:

Fortunately, the makers of "Lord of the Rings" have given viewers a subtle visual cue for when to dash for the facilities. Whenever Arwen (Aragorn's elfin love interest, played by Liv Tyler) appears onscreen, nothing important happens.

Below are a few tips to help choose your breaks in the "Rings" movies and a few other noted marathon films:

The Liv Tyler Rule of Diminishing Returns: It's becoming clear that Tyler's role was overblown in the series, most likely so they could include a chick on a Burger King souvenir drink glass. After the first half of "Fellowship of the Ring," where Arwen actually had something to do (she carried Frodo on horseback to safety), the character's scenes have become increasingly pointless.

Works for me. There was no need to expand her character's role in the movie. I can almost hear a movie executive saying "Yeah, but we need a love interest. We will green light it if you can add something in there."

New Year Countdown Timer

In the spirit of the New Year here is a countdown.
(via The Presurfer)

New Year Countdown Timer

In the spirit of the New Year here is a countdown.
(via The Presurfer)

World War I Christmas Truce

From Snopes.com

During World War I, in the winter of 1914, on the battlefields of Flanders, one of the most unusual events in all of human history took place. The Germans had been in a fierce battle with the British and French. Both sides were dug in, safe in muddy, man-made trenches six to eight feet deep that seemed to stretch forever.

All of a sudden, German troops began to put small Christmas trees, lit with candles, outside of their trenches. Then, they began to sing songs. Across the way, in the "no man's land" between them, came songs from the British and French troops. Incredibly, many of the Germans, who had worked in England before the war, were able to speak good enough English to propose a "Christmas" truce.

A spontaneous truce resulted. Soldiers left their trenches, meeting in the middle to shake hands. The first order of business was to bury the dead who had been previously unreachable because of the conflict. Then, they exchanged gifts. Chocolate cake, cognac, postcards, newspapers, tobacco. In a few places, along the trenches, soldiers exchanged rifles for soccer balls and began to play games.

The British and French troops, all along the miles of trenches, accepted. In a few places, allied troops fired at the Germans as they climbed out of their trenches. But the Germans were persistent and Christmas would be celebrated even under the threat of impending death.

World War I Christmas Truce

From Snopes.com

During World War I, in the winter of 1914, on the battlefields of Flanders, one of the most unusual events in all of human history took place. The Germans had been in a fierce battle with the British and French. Both sides were dug in, safe in muddy, man-made trenches six to eight feet deep that seemed to stretch forever.

All of a sudden, German troops began to put small Christmas trees, lit with candles, outside of their trenches. Then, they began to sing songs. Across the way, in the "no man's land" between them, came songs from the British and French troops. Incredibly, many of the Germans, who had worked in England before the war, were able to speak good enough English to propose a "Christmas" truce.

A spontaneous truce resulted. Soldiers left their trenches, meeting in the middle to shake hands. The first order of business was to bury the dead who had been previously unreachable because of the conflict. Then, they exchanged gifts. Chocolate cake, cognac, postcards, newspapers, tobacco. In a few places, along the trenches, soldiers exchanged rifles for soccer balls and began to play games.

The British and French troops, all along the miles of trenches, accepted. In a few places, allied troops fired at the Germans as they climbed out of their trenches. But the Germans were persistent and Christmas would be celebrated even under the threat of impending death.

Cubicle fun

Why do I have a feeling that management at most companies would frown on this idea?
(via LinkFilter)

Cubicle fun

Why do I have a feeling that management at most companies would frown on this idea?
(via LinkFilter)

Specs of the Century

Fun game where they show you glasses and you have to pick who owns them or has worn them.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

Specs of the Century

Fun game where they show you glasses and you have to pick who owns them or has worn them.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

World Beard and Moustache Championship

Seems like a pain to groom these to me.

World Beard and Moustache Championship

Seems like a pain to groom these to me.

The Grocery List Collection

History: I found an abandoned grocery list in a Schnuck's parking lot in St. Louis in 1996 or 1997. I decided to keep them every time I came across one. And the internet is a great place to do stupid things. So here it is.

The Grocery List Collection

History: I found an abandoned grocery list in a Schnuck's parking lot in St. Louis in 1996 or 1997. I decided to keep them every time I came across one. And the internet is a great place to do stupid things. So here it is.

The Republicard

Hehe.

The Republicard

Hehe.

The WILHELM Scream

A series of short painful screams performed by an actor were recorded in 1951 for the Warner Brother's film "Distant Drums." They were used for a scene where a man is bitten and dragged underwater by an alligator. The recording was archived into the studio's sound effects library -- and it was used in many of their films since.

"Star Wars" Sound Designer Ben Burtt tracked down the scream recording - which he named "Wilhelm" after a character who let out the same scream in the film "Charge at Feather River." Ben has adopted the scream as sort of a personal sound signature, and has included it in many of the films he has worked on. He and a small circle of sound effects people, including myself and Richard Anderson, continue the crusade to keep Wilhelm alive. The Wilhelm Scream continues to be heard in new films every year.

A complete list of the movies that the Wilhelm scream appears in is here.

The actual scream itself is here.

The WILHELM Scream

A series of short painful screams performed by an actor were recorded in 1951 for the Warner Brother's film "Distant Drums." They were used for a scene where a man is bitten and dragged underwater by an alligator. The recording was archived into the studio's sound effects library -- and it was used in many of their films since.

"Star Wars" Sound Designer Ben Burtt tracked down the scream recording - which he named "Wilhelm" after a character who let out the same scream in the film "Charge at Feather River." Ben has adopted the scream as sort of a personal sound signature, and has included it in many of the films he has worked on. He and a small circle of sound effects people, including myself and Richard Anderson, continue the crusade to keep Wilhelm alive. The Wilhelm Scream continues to be heard in new films every year.

A complete list of the movies that the Wilhelm scream appears in is here.

The actual scream itself is here.

Merry Christmas

I will be back blogging on Friday. Seems like a very good day to avoid malls or anyplace where you have to park. Hopefully everybody has a very nice holiday.

Here is a very good short film. Yes, it is about Christmas. Kinda.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

Merry Christmas

I will be back blogging on Friday. Seems like a very good day to avoid malls or anyplace where you have to park. Hopefully everybody has a very nice holiday.

Here is a very good short film. Yes, it is about Christmas. Kinda.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

Orwell on Condition Orange

"In some ways she was far more acute than Winston, and far less susceptible to Party propaganda. Once when he happened in some connection to mention the war against Eurasia, she startled him by saying casually that in her opinion the war was not happening. The rocket bombs which fell daily on London were probably fired by the Government of Oceania itself, "just to keep people frightened." This was an idea that had literally never occured to him."

--1984
(Thanks Paul for this quote.)

Orwell on Condition Orange

"In some ways she was far more acute than Winston, and far less susceptible to Party propaganda. Once when he happened in some connection to mention the war against Eurasia, she startled him by saying casually that in her opinion the war was not happening. The rocket bombs which fell daily on London were probably fired by the Government of Oceania itself, "just to keep people frightened." This was an idea that had literally never occured to him."

--1984
(Thanks Paul for this quote.)

Graphical Zipcode

Incredible graphical representation of any zipcode in the US.
(via LinkFilter)

Graphical Zipcode

Incredible graphical representation of any zipcode in the US.
(via LinkFilter)

Applet that Recites Pi

An Applet that will recite about 42000 digits of pi in the language of your choice. It takes about 362 minutes. I didn't last 1/362nd of that time.

Applet that Recites Pi

An Applet that will recite about 42000 digits of pi in the language of your choice. It takes about 362 minutes. I didn't last 1/362nd of that time.

Layoffs Hit Elves at Arctic SantaPark

From JSOnline:

HELSINKI, Finland (AP) -- Santa's workshop may not be the joyous place it was in years past for the tens of thousands of tourists expected to visit northern Finland this winter. Facing a blizzard of debt, Saint Nick laid off many of the elves who work at the SantaPark attraction near the Arctic Circle.

Layoffs Hit Elves at Arctic SantaPark

From JSOnline:

HELSINKI, Finland (AP) -- Santa's workshop may not be the joyous place it was in years past for the tens of thousands of tourists expected to visit northern Finland this winter. Facing a blizzard of debt, Saint Nick laid off many of the elves who work at the SantaPark attraction near the Arctic Circle.

PETA leaflet

Yesterday I blogged about how evil PETA was. They were handing out leaflets to children with the graphic pictured showing how evil their moms are for wearing fur.

I am in the mood for steak for lunch suddenly. Extra rare.

(Thanks Kim for pointing out that they had a leaflet)

PETA leaflet

Yesterday I blogged about how evil PETA was. They were handing out leaflets to children with the graphic pictured showing how evil their moms are for wearing fur.

I am in the mood for steak for lunch suddenly. Extra rare.

(Thanks Kim for pointing out that they had a leaflet)

Zen Fishpond

Nice shockwave app of a zen fishpond.

Fish is an interactive pond that simulates the rudimentary actions of fish and human interaction. The user has a choice of dropping 'food' into the pond (to attract and feed the fish) or to drop various sized stones in (to scare the fish away). The project demonstrates basic behavioural patterns and consequent changes due to user interaction. This was explored further in the projects sw3d:exp and my final degree project audio intelligence.

Zen Fishpond

Nice shockwave app of a zen fishpond.

Fish is an interactive pond that simulates the rudimentary actions of fish and human interaction. The user has a choice of dropping 'food' into the pond (to attract and feed the fish) or to drop various sized stones in (to scare the fish away). The project demonstrates basic behavioural patterns and consequent changes due to user interaction. This was explored further in the projects sw3d:exp and my final degree project audio intelligence.

Star Wars Wallpaper

Some really nice star wars wallpaper for your desktop. Unfortunately I think it is wallpaper for the new trilogy and not the episode 4, 5 and 6.
(via Linkfilter)

Star Wars Wallpaper

Some really nice star wars wallpaper for your desktop. Unfortunately I think it is wallpaper for the new trilogy and not the episode 4, 5 and 6.
(via Linkfilter)

Porn Titles for 2003 Movies

Pretty funny.
(via Linkfilter)

Porn Titles for 2003 Movies

Pretty funny.
(via Linkfilter)

Worst Christmas Carols

Here is something for the holidays:

What is the worst of all the traditional winter holiday songs? The one that sets your teeth on edge or causes you to run screaming from the room when it comes on the radio? The one that causes you to grimace when a friend begins singing it? The one that prompts you to start boiling the vat of oil to pour from roof when the carolers out front begin singing it?

From the comments it looks like The Little Drummer Boy is the worst. I have to agree. I never understood what that carol was about.
(via Chaos Theory)

Worst Christmas Carols

Here is something for the holidays:

What is the worst of all the traditional winter holiday songs? The one that sets your teeth on edge or causes you to run screaming from the room when it comes on the radio? The one that causes you to grimace when a friend begins singing it? The one that prompts you to start boiling the vat of oil to pour from roof when the carolers out front begin singing it?

From the comments it looks like The Little Drummer Boy is the worst. I have to agree. I never understood what that carol was about.
(via Chaos Theory)

Bert is Evil

We have reason to believe that Bert of Sesame Street is evil and you should keep your children away from him. Here in these pages are collected incriminating images and documents that prove that Bert is not the lovable harmless geek he so successfully makes us think he is.

I am convinced!

Bert is Evil

We have reason to believe that Bert of Sesame Street is evil and you should keep your children away from him. Here in these pages are collected incriminating images and documents that prove that Bert is not the lovable harmless geek he so successfully makes us think he is.

I am convinced!

Terror Alert

We are currently in condition Ernie. I repeat. We are in condition Ernie.

Terror Alert

We are currently in condition Ernie. I repeat. We are in condition Ernie.

The Official Hummer H2 Salute

A *fan* site for the H2
(via LinkFilter)

The Official Hummer H2 Salute

A *fan* site for the H2
(via LinkFilter)

Mission Statement Generator

From Dilbert.com you can generate a mission statement for your company. Such as:

Our mission is to continue to enthusiastically administrate multimedia based paradigms and continually leverage existing high standards in solutions

The more buzzwords the better the statement!!
(via LinkFilter)

Mission Statement Generator

From Dilbert.com you can generate a mission statement for your company. Such as:

Our mission is to continue to enthusiastically administrate multimedia based paradigms and continually leverage existing high standards in solutions

The more buzzwords the better the statement!!
(via LinkFilter)

The Future House from the Past

Finnish architect Matti Suuronen designed this UFO shaped dwelling in 1968, initially for use as a ski-cabin or holiday home. The idea behind the design reflects the optimism of the sixties. At the time people believed technology could solve all problems for the human race. The ideal was of a new era, a space-age, where everybody would have more leisure time to spend on holidays away from home.

Everything about this house looks futuristics except the hairstyles!!
(via Boing Boing)

The Future House from the Past

Finnish architect Matti Suuronen designed this UFO shaped dwelling in 1968, initially for use as a ski-cabin or holiday home. The idea behind the design reflects the optimism of the sixties. At the time people believed technology could solve all problems for the human race. The ideal was of a new era, a space-age, where everybody would have more leisure time to spend on holidays away from home.

Everything about this house looks futuristics except the hairstyles!!
(via Boing Boing)

Why people hate PETA

Because they are pure evil!

Why people hate PETA

Because they are pure evil!

Origami Concorde

A step by step guide on how to make a paper concorde. I think today might be a fun day to make a fleet of these for the office :)
(via The Presurfer)

Origami Concorde

A step by step guide on how to make a paper concorde. I think today might be a fun day to make a fleet of these for the office :)
(via The Presurfer)

Create a Face

Here is a cool site. It makes me feel like a police sketch artist. You can drag different facial features on to a head to make a face.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

Create a Face

Here is a cool site. It makes me feel like a police sketch artist. You can drag different facial features on to a head to make a face.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

Flying "Saucer"

The flying vehicles "EKIP" will transport heavy loads and large numbers of passengers (1000 and more) to the existing airfields of continental and waterlocked countries. It should be specially noted that the flying vehicles "EKIP" may use gas fuel (natural gas and hydrogen).

You can check out the brochure here.

Flying "Saucer"

The flying vehicles "EKIP" will transport heavy loads and large numbers of passengers (1000 and more) to the existing airfields of continental and waterlocked countries. It should be specially noted that the flying vehicles "EKIP" may use gas fuel (natural gas and hydrogen).

You can check out the brochure here.

20 Year Usenet Timeline

Google has fully integrated the past 20 years of Usenet archives into Google Groups, which now offers access to more than 800 million messages dating back to 1981. This is by far the most complete collection of Usenet articles ever assembled and a fascinating first-hand historical account.

An interesting look at the usenet of old.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

20 Year Usenet Timeline

Google has fully integrated the past 20 years of Usenet archives into Google Groups, which now offers access to more than 800 million messages dating back to 1981. This is by far the most complete collection of Usenet articles ever assembled and a fascinating first-hand historical account.

An interesting look at the usenet of old.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

Back Online

Comcast fixed the problem. Seems there was water in the cable leading into the house. They replaced it and now my internet is back up. Blogging to resume tomorrow.

Back Online

Comcast fixed the problem. Seems there was water in the cable leading into the house. They replaced it and now my internet is back up. Blogging to resume tomorrow.

Confessions of an Internet Junkie

"Hi, my name is Chris and I am an addict."
*Waits for obligatory "hi chris."*

Indeed I have a problem. It is not booze or drugs that happen to be the culprit but the sinister stream of ones and zeros that flow through my modem and is formatted by my computer to display my fix in the form of text, graphics and movies. How did I discover that I was addicted to the internet?

Last night I opened my web browser, much like Rush Limbaugh reaching for his Oxycontin and much to my dismay, there was no internet connection. It seems that Comcast has been playing around with their settings and for some reason I was disconnected. I called their tech support and they could only schedule a tech to come to my house on the 22nd.

"THE 22ND??!!!!??", was what I shouted back in disbelief.
They tried to mollify me by promising that they would put in a rush order meaning it could be as soon as tonight or sometime during the weekend. So I will be offline for god knows when.

Slowly, I started to realize the ramifications of this digital drought.
No blogging. Ok, I don't blog much on the weekends anyway.
No online games. I *guess* I can go a few days without that.
No email. Ouch!
No web surfing. Ouch Ouch!

Information junkies like me need their daily dose of websites to keep them well informed. I mean of course I can watch one of the cable news shows but they are too slanted and you have to sit through commercials and boring segments to get to the good stuff. Newspapers are nice but they are outdated almost as soon as they roll off the press. The great part about the internet is we can pick and choose our stories virtually as soon as they happen.

I have already started going through withdrawal. I actually came in to work early for the first time ever since my computer at home was inert and isolated from the outside world. I awoke several times last night in a cold sweat and shaking off the nightmares of cold tentacles of ethernet cable strangling me. (Ok that was an exaggeration. One too many William S Burroughs novels for me as a child).

Have a good weekend everybody. I will resume blogging when I am back up and running. I guess I will go see a movie this weekend or even *gasp* buy a newspaper. I will end this post now because the shakes I am having from my withdrawal is making it difficult to type. Besides, there are spiders crawling on my arms.... Oh get them off.. GET THEM OF...................

Confessions of an Internet Junkie

"Hi, my name is Chris and I am an addict."
*Waits for obligatory "hi chris."*

Indeed I have a problem. It is not booze or drugs that happen to be the culprit but the sinister stream of ones and zeros that flow through my modem and is formatted by my computer to display my fix in the form of text, graphics and movies. How did I discover that I was addicted to the internet?

Last night I opened my web browser, much like Rush Limbaugh reaching for his Oxycontin and much to my dismay, there was no internet connection. It seems that Comcast has been playing around with their settings and for some reason I was disconnected. I called their tech support and they could only schedule a tech to come to my house on the 22nd.

"THE 22ND??!!!!??", was what I shouted back in disbelief.
They tried to mollify me by promising that they would put in a rush order meaning it could be as soon as tonight or sometime during the weekend. So I will be offline for god knows when.

Slowly, I started to realize the ramifications of this digital drought.
No blogging. Ok, I don't blog much on the weekends anyway.
No online games. I *guess* I can go a few days without that.
No email. Ouch!
No web surfing. Ouch Ouch!

Information junkies like me need their daily dose of websites to keep them well informed. I mean of course I can watch one of the cable news shows but they are too slanted and you have to sit through commercials and boring segments to get to the good stuff. Newspapers are nice but they are outdated almost as soon as they roll off the press. The great part about the internet is we can pick and choose our stories virtually as soon as they happen.

I have already started going through withdrawal. I actually came in to work early for the first time ever since my computer at home was inert and isolated from the outside world. I awoke several times last night in a cold sweat and shaking off the nightmares of cold tentacles of ethernet cable strangling me. (Ok that was an exaggeration. One too many William S Burroughs novels for me as a child).

Have a good weekend everybody. I will resume blogging when I am back up and running. I guess I will go see a movie this weekend or even *gasp* buy a newspaper. I will end this post now because the shakes I am having from my withdrawal is making it difficult to type. Besides, there are spiders crawling on my arms.... Oh get them off.. GET THEM OF...................

Reality TV has gone TOO far

Someone sent this to me. Ha!

Reality TV has gone TOO far

Someone sent this to me. Ha!

Disgruntled (ex)Burger King Employee

Tales from the front line of Burger King.
(via Pop Culture Junk Mail)

Disgruntled (ex)Burger King Employee

Tales from the front line of Burger King.
(via Pop Culture Junk Mail)

MIT Hacks

From boston.com:

A replica of the Wright brothers' plane appeared atop the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Great Dome yesterday on the 100th anniversary of the brothers' first flight. The prank follows a long MIT tradition.

I have blogged about the MIT Hacks before. Here is the link for the gallery of hacks. My favorite is still the R2D2 dome.

MIT Hacks

From boston.com:

A replica of the Wright brothers' plane appeared atop the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Great Dome yesterday on the 100th anniversary of the brothers' first flight. The prank follows a long MIT tradition.

I have blogged about the MIT Hacks before. Here is the link for the gallery of hacks. My favorite is still the R2D2 dome.

The "NEW" Air Force One

Air Force One had some recent modifications done to it. Click here to see for yourself.

The "NEW" Air Force One

Air Force One had some recent modifications done to it. Click here to see for yourself.

Dumb Laws

Here are some of the dumbest laws for your state or country. Here are some of the ones for my home state of Massachusetts:

Quakers and witches are banned.

Tomatoes may not be used in the production of clam chowder.

No gorilla is allowed in the back seat of any car.

A woman can not be on top in sexual activities.

Massachusetts liquor stores can only open on Sundays if they are in Berkshire, Essex, Franklin, Middlesex or Worcester counties and are within 10 miles of the Vermont or New Hampshire borders. (They are just now trying to do away with this one!)

Dumb Laws

Here are some of the dumbest laws for your state or country. Here are some of the ones for my home state of Massachusetts:

Quakers and witches are banned.

Tomatoes may not be used in the production of clam chowder.

No gorilla is allowed in the back seat of any car.

A woman can not be on top in sexual activities.

Massachusetts liquor stores can only open on Sundays if they are in Berkshire, Essex, Franklin, Middlesex or Worcester counties and are within 10 miles of the Vermont or New Hampshire borders. (They are just now trying to do away with this one!)

Vonnegut

I just stumbled onto this interview of Kurt Vonnegut today although it is a year old. He is one of my favorite authors and still has some kick to him. Here are some of the highlights from the interview:

My feeling from talking to readers and friends is that many people are beginning to despair. Do you think that we’ve lost reason to hope?

I myself feel that our country, for whose Constitution I fought in a just war, might as well have been invaded by Martians and body snatchers. Sometimes I wish it had been. What has happened, though, is that it has been taken over by means of the sleaziest, low-comedy, Keystone Cops-style coup d’etat imaginable. And those now in charge of the federal government are upper-crust C-students who know no history or geography, plus not-so-closeted white supremacists, aka “Christians,” and plus, most frighteningly, psychopathic personalities, or “PPs.”

What has allowed so many PPs to rise so high in corporations, and now in government, is that they are so decisive. Unlike normal people, they are never filled with doubts, for the simple reason that they cannot care what happens next. Simply can’t. Do this! Do that! Mobilize the reserves! Privatize the public schools! Attack Iraq! Cut health care! Tap everybody’s telephone! Cut taxes on the rich! Build a trillion-dollar missile shield! Fuck habeas corpus and the Sierra Club and In These Times, and kiss my ass!

That said, do you have any ideas for a really scary reality TV show?

“C students from Yale.” It would stand your hair on end.

Vonnegut

I just stumbled onto this interview of Kurt Vonnegut today although it is a year old. He is one of my favorite authors and still has some kick to him. Here are some of the highlights from the interview:

My feeling from talking to readers and friends is that many people are beginning to despair. Do you think that we’ve lost reason to hope?

I myself feel that our country, for whose Constitution I fought in a just war, might as well have been invaded by Martians and body snatchers. Sometimes I wish it had been. What has happened, though, is that it has been taken over by means of the sleaziest, low-comedy, Keystone Cops-style coup d’etat imaginable. And those now in charge of the federal government are upper-crust C-students who know no history or geography, plus not-so-closeted white supremacists, aka “Christians,” and plus, most frighteningly, psychopathic personalities, or “PPs.”

What has allowed so many PPs to rise so high in corporations, and now in government, is that they are so decisive. Unlike normal people, they are never filled with doubts, for the simple reason that they cannot care what happens next. Simply can’t. Do this! Do that! Mobilize the reserves! Privatize the public schools! Attack Iraq! Cut health care! Tap everybody’s telephone! Cut taxes on the rich! Build a trillion-dollar missile shield! Fuck habeas corpus and the Sierra Club and In These Times, and kiss my ass!

That said, do you have any ideas for a really scary reality TV show?

“C students from Yale.” It would stand your hair on end.

Bad Christmas Gifts

I think everyone at some point in their life has received at least one of these. One thing guaranteed every Christmas is that you will get at least one gift that you could have done without. You didn't ask for, you didn't want it and now you have to look happy and thank the person who took the time to find you something special because you can't spit in thier face. And now you are stuck with it. You can't toss it in the trash and the Goodwill refuses to take it. So with Friday being the traditional start of the Christmas shopping season, we will take a look at some of the worst Christmas gifts you can find.

(via Weird Links)

Bad Christmas Gifts

I think everyone at some point in their life has received at least one of these. One thing guaranteed every Christmas is that you will get at least one gift that you could have done without. You didn't ask for, you didn't want it and now you have to look happy and thank the person who took the time to find you something special because you can't spit in thier face. And now you are stuck with it. You can't toss it in the trash and the Goodwill refuses to take it. So with Friday being the traditional start of the Christmas shopping season, we will take a look at some of the worst Christmas gifts you can find.

(via Weird Links)

American Social Hygiene Posters

Some terrific old social service posters covering topics such as mental health, sexuality and cleanliness.

Have you ever seen a happier man than the guy pictured above?
(via geeky.chick.blog)

American Social Hygiene Posters

Some terrific old social service posters covering topics such as mental health, sexuality and cleanliness.

Have you ever seen a happier man than the guy pictured above?
(via geeky.chick.blog)

Alternative Energy Source

All you need is a phone line from the phone company to tap this free hidden source of power. If you have two or more lines, you have that much more power available to you. In many cases, the phone company leaves disconnected lines energized with power, figuring that the new tenant or homeowner will need the phone line turned on when they move in. Instead of physically disconnecting the pair to the premise, they simply change the programming at the central office to remove the dial tone and the ability to receive calls. The power is still on the line! If you're already paying for a phone line, you don't have to pay anything more to make use of the power that's always on it when you have Telco Powered Products™.

Heh, cute.

Alternative Energy Source

All you need is a phone line from the phone company to tap this free hidden source of power. If you have two or more lines, you have that much more power available to you. In many cases, the phone company leaves disconnected lines energized with power, figuring that the new tenant or homeowner will need the phone line turned on when they move in. Instead of physically disconnecting the pair to the premise, they simply change the programming at the central office to remove the dial tone and the ability to receive calls. The power is still on the line! If you're already paying for a phone line, you don't have to pay anything more to make use of the power that's always on it when you have Telco Powered Products™.

Heh, cute.

Block Clock

I have seen variations of this type of clock but not this particular one yet.

Block Clock

I have seen variations of this type of clock but not this particular one yet.

Postal Experiments

What is The Postal Experiments website about?

Having long been genuine admirers of the United States Postal Service (USPS), which gives amazingly reliable service especially compared with many other countries, our team of investigators decided to test the delivery limits of this immense system. We knew that an item, say, a saucepan, normally would be in a package because of USPS concerns of entanglement in their automated machinery. But what if the item were not wrapped? How patient are postal employees? How honest? How sentimental? In short, how eccentric a behavior on the part of the sender would still result in successful mail delivery?

Some of the things they tried sending unpackaged were a hammer, cash and a helium balloon.

Postal Experiments

What is The Postal Experiments website about?

Having long been genuine admirers of the United States Postal Service (USPS), which gives amazingly reliable service especially compared with many other countries, our team of investigators decided to test the delivery limits of this immense system. We knew that an item, say, a saucepan, normally would be in a package because of USPS concerns of entanglement in their automated machinery. But what if the item were not wrapped? How patient are postal employees? How honest? How sentimental? In short, how eccentric a behavior on the part of the sender would still result in successful mail delivery?

Some of the things they tried sending unpackaged were a hammer, cash and a helium balloon.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

The Official Rock Paper Scissors Strategy Guide. Just about anything you could possibly want to know about that game.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

The Official Rock Paper Scissors Strategy Guide. Just about anything you could possibly want to know about that game.

Captured Saddam Action Figure

Just in time for Christmas. Captured Saddam action figure with *ratty* beard. (Although they might want to put his head on a different body. What's up with the muscles?)

Captured Saddam Action Figure

Just in time for Christmas. Captured Saddam action figure with *ratty* beard. (Although they might want to put his head on a different body. What's up with the muscles?)

The Messy Cable Gallery

Who has the fun of maintaining these cable nightmares?
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

The Messy Cable Gallery

Who has the fun of maintaining these cable nightmares?
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

Infectious Gifts

Now you can give your loved one a Christmas gift of Anthrax, Cholera or even Staphylococcus!!
(via Dave Barry)

Infectious Gifts

Now you can give your loved one a Christmas gift of Anthrax, Cholera or even Staphylococcus!!
(via Dave Barry)

Crane Mishaps

Videos and pictures of crane accidents. This seems like a Fox show waiting to happen.

Crane Mishaps

Videos and pictures of crane accidents. This seems like a Fox show waiting to happen.

The Longest Line

One of the longest lines ever I guess. Make sure you watch the whole video though. It starts out a little slow.
(via The Presurfer)

The Longest Line

One of the longest lines ever I guess. Make sure you watch the whole video though. It starts out a little slow.
(via The Presurfer)

Virtual Drum Set

A virtual drum set for those who are living in apartments.
(via LinkFilter)

Virtual Drum Set

A virtual drum set for those who are living in apartments.
(via LinkFilter)

IBM to export 4,730 programming jobs

Well the heartwarming story lasted about 10 minutes until I came across this story.

In one of the largest moves to "offshore" highly paid U.S. software jobs, International Business Machines Corp. has told its managers to plan on moving the work of as many as 4,730 programmers to India, China and elsewhere, Monday's Wall Street Journal reported.

Here was one of my favorite parts.

Some workers are scheduled to be informed of the plan for their jobs by the end of January. After that they will be expected to train an overseas replacement worker in the U.S. for several weeks.

Train your replacement? Train the person who is taking your job as you head to the unemployment line? For all the CEOs and upper management who think it is a good idea to outsource engineering jobs to third world countries I want you to click here!

IBM to export 4,730 programming jobs

Well the heartwarming story lasted about 10 minutes until I came across this story.

In one of the largest moves to "offshore" highly paid U.S. software jobs, International Business Machines Corp. has told its managers to plan on moving the work of as many as 4,730 programmers to India, China and elsewhere, Monday's Wall Street Journal reported.

Here was one of my favorite parts.

Some workers are scheduled to be informed of the plan for their jobs by the end of January. After that they will be expected to train an overseas replacement worker in the U.S. for several weeks.

Train your replacement? Train the person who is taking your job as you head to the unemployment line? For all the CEOs and upper management who think it is a good idea to outsource engineering jobs to third world countries I want you to click here!

$20,000 in Christmas Bonuses

From cnn:

The company this year awarded its employees with bonuses of $1,000 for every year worked at the company. Even those who had worked less than a year got $500 each.

Wow, a company that actually cares about its employees and treats them as people instead of numbers. At a time when we mostly hear about greedy CEOs and upper management who care only about the value of their shares it is really heart warming to read something like this in the news. Now if only more companies would start treating their employees like this!!

$20,000 in Christmas Bonuses

From cnn:

The company this year awarded its employees with bonuses of $1,000 for every year worked at the company. Even those who had worked less than a year got $500 each.

Wow, a company that actually cares about its employees and treats them as people instead of numbers. At a time when we mostly hear about greedy CEOs and upper management who care only about the value of their shares it is really heart warming to read something like this in the news. Now if only more companies would start treating their employees like this!!

Jet Karts

Have a go-kart but frustrated with its lack of speed? This guy decided that it would go a bit faster with a jet engine!!

He also offers a low cost way to build a cruise missile.

Jet Karts

Have a go-kart but frustrated with its lack of speed? This guy decided that it would go a bit faster with a jet engine!!

He also offers a low cost way to build a cruise missile.

Architectural Eyesores of the Month

A monthly picture of some ugly architecture.
(via Boing Boing)

Architectural Eyesores of the Month

A monthly picture of some ugly architecture.
(via Boing Boing)

Oxymorons

A site dedicated to oxymorons. The top ten list is:

10. Pretty Ugly
9. Head Butt
8. Working Vacation
7. Tax Return
6. Virtual Reality
5. Dodge Ram
4. Work Party
3. Jumbo Shrimp
2. Healthy Tan
1. Microsoft Works

(via LinkFilter)

Oxymorons

A site dedicated to oxymorons. The top ten list is:

10. Pretty Ugly
9. Head Butt
8. Working Vacation
7. Tax Return
6. Virtual Reality
5. Dodge Ram
4. Work Party
3. Jumbo Shrimp
2. Healthy Tan
1. Microsoft Works

(via LinkFilter)

The Subterranean Fortress

Endless hours of hard work and careful planning over a period of 14 years went into this one-of-a-kind project. It will amaze anyone you choose to show it to. Or you can keep it completely secret as