Serves Him Right for Serving His Country

This is borderline sickening. See that guy woman pictured above. Do you see the purple heart band-aid on her first chin? See it? Well you didn't see any at the DNC, and know why? Because it was difficult to get wounded in Texas by Viet Cong. (Seriously though, how sophomoric!)

Serves Him Right for Serving His Country

This is borderline sickening. See that guy woman pictured above. Do you see the purple heart band-aid on her first chin? See it? Well you didn't see any at the DNC, and know why? Because it was difficult to get wounded in Texas by Viet Cong. (Seriously though, how sophomoric!)

The New iMac G5

This is too cool. I may have to finally bring myself to get a Mac.
(Thanks Paul)

The New iMac G5

This is too cool. I may have to finally bring myself to get a Mac.
(Thanks Paul)

Kamikaze Strike Photographs

Would it be correct to say that basically kamikazes were the first guided missiles?
(via !)

Kamikaze Strike Photographs

Would it be correct to say that basically kamikazes were the first guided missiles?
(via !)

If They Mated

Cute.

Created after Conan O'Brian's "If They Mated", here are the examples of what the Springfield townspeople would look like if they had kids. Enjoy browsing through, and your suggestions for the next match are welcome!

If They Mated

Cute.

Created after Conan O'Brian's "If They Mated", here are the examples of what the Springfield townspeople would look like if they had kids. Enjoy browsing through, and your suggestions for the next match are welcome!

Jet-Powered Wheelchair

And the winner of the 2004 Darwin Award is...
(via Gizmodo)

Jet-Powered Wheelchair

And the winner of the 2004 Darwin Award is...
(via Gizmodo)

When Geeks Protest the RNC

This sign is pretty funny. I am sure this will be the last we see of these geeky signs. </SARCASM>
(via Boing Boing)

When Geeks Protest the RNC

This sign is pretty funny. I am sure this will be the last we see of these geeky signs. &lt/SARCASM&gt
(via Boing Boing)

What happens if I...

A site that asks the important questions in life.

This site is dedicated to the lost inquisitive desires that growing up destroyed. The spirit of the inner-eight-year-old we thought had died is brought back to life by our simple little experiments. Only this time it's no longer eight... It's 22.

(via Bifurcated Rivets)

What happens if I...

A site that asks the important questions in life.

This site is dedicated to the lost inquisitive desires that growing up destroyed. The spirit of the inner-eight-year-old we thought had died is brought back to life by our simple little experiments. Only this time it's no longer eight... It's 22.

(via Bifurcated Rivets)

Other People's Stories

Some of these are really cool.

Every story on OPS is a story a contributor heard from someone else. These stories have been overheard and misheard, told and re-told and sometimes refined over time. They do not shy from hearsay, gossip, myth or guys we knew in high school. OPS is dedicated to the time-honored tradition of stealing other people’s material and we therefore recognize our debt to those from whom we’ve stolen and acknowledge that these stories do not belong to us.

Other People's Stories

Some of these are really cool.

Every story on OPS is a story a contributor heard from someone else. These stories have been overheard and misheard, told and re-told and sometimes refined over time. They do not shy from hearsay, gossip, myth or guys we knew in high school. OPS is dedicated to the time-honored tradition of stealing other people’s material and we therefore recognize our debt to those from whom we’ve stolen and acknowledge that these stories do not belong to us.

Differences between blogs and wiki

In case you are curious.

Differences between blogs and wiki

In case you are curious.

How the hell do you steal a bridge?

I guess like this.
(via Backwards City)

How the hell do you steal a bridge?

I guess like this.
(via Backwards City)

Classic Anti-Piracy Ads

This solved the problem.
(via Waxy)

Classic Anti-Piracy Ads

This solved the problem.
(via Waxy)

Tongue Twisters

Here is a site full of tongue twisters such as

The thirty-three thieves thought that they thrilled the throne throughout Thursday.

The best part is they have tongue twisters in different languages. Check out this one from Rwanda.

Ibibiribiri bibiri biri mu murima wa Mubirigi. Hari umugabo wo kwica ibibiribiri bibibri!

(via The Presurfer)

Tongue Twisters

Here is a site full of tongue twisters such as

The thirty-three thieves thought that they thrilled the throne throughout Thursday.

The best part is they have tongue twisters in different languages. Check out this one from Rwanda.

Ibibiribiri bibiri biri mu murima wa Mubirigi. Hari umugabo wo kwica ibibiribiri bibibri!

(via The Presurfer)

Cleaner throws away trash art

This cracked me up:

LONDON (Reuters) - A cleaner at London's Tate Britain modern art gallery threw out a bag of garbage which formed part of an artwork because it was thought to be trash, British newspapers reported Friday.

Criticism accepted! Oh this was my favorite part.

The newspapers said the spokesman would not reveal how much the bag had cost to replace.

Yep, I can see how a bag full of garbage would be hard to find.

Cleaner throws away trash art

This cracked me up:

LONDON (Reuters) - A cleaner at London's Tate Britain modern art gallery threw out a bag of garbage which formed part of an artwork because it was thought to be trash, British newspapers reported Friday.

Criticism accepted! Oh this was my favorite part.

The newspapers said the spokesman would not reveal how much the bag had cost to replace.

Yep, I can see how a bag full of garbage would be hard to find.

Democrat or Republican

Can you tell if a person is a Democrat or Republican just from a picture? Take the quiz and see for yourself (They used photoshop to remove the horns from the republicans' pictures so it is a bit more difficult)

Democrat or Republican

Can you tell if a person is a Democrat or Republican just from a picture? Take the quiz and see for yourself (They used photoshop to remove the horns from the republicans' pictures so it is a bit more difficult)

Civil War Photos

Incredible site.

Over 1,000 Civil War Images, Photographs and Cartes de Visites including Army Life, United States and Confederate Government Officers, Union and Confederate Generals and Soldiers, Civilians, Battle Field Photos, Casualties, Infantry Units, Cavalry Units, Artillery Units, Engineering Units, Navy Units and Vessels, Prisoners, Hospitals and Doctors, Factories, Quartermaster, Lincoln Assassination Conspirators and much more.

Civil War Photos

Incredible site.

Over 1,000 Civil War Images, Photographs and Cartes de Visites including Army Life, United States and Confederate Government Officers, Union and Confederate Generals and Soldiers, Civilians, Battle Field Photos, Casualties, Infantry Units, Cavalry Units, Artillery Units, Engineering Units, Navy Units and Vessels, Prisoners, Hospitals and Doctors, Factories, Quartermaster, Lincoln Assassination Conspirators and much more.

Seven Mile Boots

The project SEVEN MILE BOOTS is a pair of interactive shoes with audio. One can wear the boots, walk around as a flaneur simultaneousy in the physical world and in the literal world of the internet. By walking in the physical world one may suddenly encounter a group of people chatting in real time in the virtual world. The chats are heard as a spoken text coming from the boots. Wherever you are with the boots, the physical and the virtual worlds will merge together.

(via Eyebeam reBlog)

Seven Mile Boots

The project SEVEN MILE BOOTS is a pair of interactive shoes with audio. One can wear the boots, walk around as a flaneur simultaneousy in the physical world and in the literal world of the internet. By walking in the physical world one may suddenly encounter a group of people chatting in real time in the virtual world. The chats are heard as a spoken text coming from the boots. Wherever you are with the boots, the physical and the virtual worlds will merge together.

(via Eyebeam reBlog)

NASA Faked the Moon Landings

All the proof you need is here.

NASA Faked the Moon Landings

All the proof you need is here.

Hoovervilles or Bushvilles

When I read stuff like this, I am amazed that the polls are as close as they are.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Some 1.3 million Americans slid into poverty in 2003 despite the economic recovery, and children and blacks were worse off than most, the government said Thursday in a report certain to fuel Democratic criticism of President Bush.

The percentage of the U.S. population living in poverty rose to 12.5 percent from 12.1 percent in 2002, the Census Bureau said in its annual poverty report, seen by some as the most important score card on the nation's economy and Bush's first term in office. The ranks of the poor rose to 35.9 million, a boost of 1.3 million.

Health care coverage also dropped last year and incomes were essentially stagnant, the Census Bureau said in its annual poverty report, seen by some as the most important score card on the nation's economy and Bush's first term in office.

Hoovervilles or Bushvilles

When I read stuff like this, I am amazed that the polls are as close as they are.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Some 1.3 million Americans slid into poverty in 2003 despite the economic recovery, and children and blacks were worse off than most, the government said Thursday in a report certain to fuel Democratic criticism of President Bush.

The percentage of the U.S. population living in poverty rose to 12.5 percent from 12.1 percent in 2002, the Census Bureau said in its annual poverty report, seen by some as the most important score card on the nation's economy and Bush's first term in office. The ranks of the poor rose to 35.9 million, a boost of 1.3 million.

Health care coverage also dropped last year and incomes were essentially stagnant, the Census Bureau said in its annual poverty report, seen by some as the most important score card on the nation's economy and Bush's first term in office.

Movie Title Screens Page

Why you ask?

What good is it? Whatever use you put it to. Browse and admire title and logo designs, check out movies that have completely different titles in different release prints (see Battle of Britain or The Premature Burial for good examples), check out the differences in multiple releases of the same title (see Aliens or Invasion of the Body Snatchers for a good example), check to see just how "wide" is the widescreen (width/height=aspect ratio... and does it match the sleeve description?)... use the logo when designing a web page for your favourite movie...include the title screens in your video database... the possibilities are... well, not endless, but many! Please note that the aspect ratio shown is merely calculated from the image size and, although very close to the actual ratio, may not be 100% accurate.

Movie Title Screens Page

Why you ask?

What good is it? Whatever use you put it to. Browse and admire title and logo designs, check out movies that have completely different titles in different release prints (see Battle of Britain or The Premature Burial for good examples), check out the differences in multiple releases of the same title (see Aliens or Invasion of the Body Snatchers for a good example), check to see just how "wide" is the widescreen (width/height=aspect ratio... and does it match the sleeve description?)... use the logo when designing a web page for your favourite movie...include the title screens in your video database... the possibilities are... well, not endless, but many! Please note that the aspect ratio shown is merely calculated from the image size and, although very close to the actual ratio, may not be 100% accurate.

Historical Maps Online

Nice.

The intent of the Historical Maps Online project is to publish electronically the images of maps charting the last 400 years of historical development in Illinois and the Northwest Territory. Designed to appeal both to map aficionados and to educational institutions, the project aims to provide a broad spectrum of content, from expert scholarship of mapmakers and mapmaking to general knowledge about cartography and history.

Historical Maps Online

Nice.

The intent of the Historical Maps Online project is to publish electronically the images of maps charting the last 400 years of historical development in Illinois and the Northwest Territory. Designed to appeal both to map aficionados and to educational institutions, the project aims to provide a broad spectrum of content, from expert scholarship of mapmakers and mapmaking to general knowledge about cartography and history.

Google Projects

Some of these are kind of cool such as Google Date.

Google Date lets you enter a date and then searches using Google for what happened on that date and shows three results. Since Google isn't very good at sorting documents for relevance when it comes to dates, it usually doesn't give you a list of big events, but of the things happening in the lives of random people.

Google Projects

Some of these are kind of cool such as Google Date.

Google Date lets you enter a date and then searches using Google for what happened on that date and shows three results. Since Google isn't very good at sorting documents for relevance when it comes to dates, it usually doesn't give you a list of big events, but of the things happening in the lives of random people.

Science Toys You Can Make With Your Kids

Very wholesome such as A PLASTIC HYDROGEN BOMB!

Science Toys You Can Make With Your Kids

Very wholesome such as A PLASTIC HYDROGEN BOMB!

Will Life Be Worth Living In 2000AD

From the July 22, 1961 edition of Weekend Magazine:

What sort of life will you be living 39 years from now? Scientists have looked into the future and they can tell you. It looks as if everything will be so easy that people will probably die from sheer boredom. You will be whisked around in monorail vehicles at 200 miles an hour and you will think nothing of taking a fortnight's holiday in outer space. Your house will probably have air walls, and a floating roof, adjustable to the angle of the sun.

Etc. Etc.

Will Life Be Worth Living In 2000AD

From the July 22, 1961 edition of Weekend Magazine:

What sort of life will you be living 39 years from now? Scientists have looked into the future and they can tell you. It looks as if everything will be so easy that people will probably die from sheer boredom. You will be whisked around in monorail vehicles at 200 miles an hour and you will think nothing of taking a fortnight's holiday in outer space. Your house will probably have air walls, and a floating roof, adjustable to the angle of the sun.

Etc. Etc.

3 2 1 0 Gmail Invites To Give Out

Email me if you want one.

UPDATE:
All gone. Sorry if you emailed me and didn't get one. If I get more I will try again.

3 2 1 0 Gmail Invites To Give Out

Email me if you want one.

UPDATE:
All gone. Sorry if you emailed me and didn't get one. If I get more I will try again.

Quentin Tarantino's Blog

Hmmm, perhaps?

UPDATE
According to Tarantino's publicist:

"It's fake. The guy is doing a great job though, don't you think? And truly, I'd hate to ruin his fun. But it's fake. Quentin hardly knows what a mouse is."

- Bumble Ward, publicist.

Quentin Tarantino's Blog

Hmmm, perhaps?

UPDATE
According to Tarantino's publicist:

"It's fake. The guy is doing a great job though, don't you think? And truly, I'd hate to ruin his fun. But it's fake. Quentin hardly knows what a mouse is."

- Bumble Ward, publicist.

The Wayback Machine

I got the google link from this site. You enter in the url of a website and it will give you archived links of what it looked like in the past to present. For example.

Slashdot from 1997
Blogger from 1999
ESPN from 1998
And of course Microsoft from 1996.

The Wayback Machine

I got the google link from this site. You enter in the url of a website and it will give you archived links of what it looked like in the past to present. For example.

Slashdot from 1997
Blogger from 1999
ESPN from 1998
And of course Microsoft from 1996.

Early Google

The first google page. Notice how different it was back then!

Early Google

The first google page. Notice how different it was back then!

George W. Bush Garden Gnome

Finally, a war gnome!

George W. Bush Garden Gnome

Finally, a war gnome!

Death Mask Gallery

I believe the word is macabre.

A death mask is a wax or plaster cast of a mold taken from the face of a deceased person. Death masks are true portraits, although changes are occasionally made in the eyes of the mask to make it appear as though the subject were alive. For the last few centuries they have been kept as mementos of the dead, much like postmortem photography.

Pictured above is the death mask of Alfred Hitchcock.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

Death Mask Gallery

I believe the word is macabre.

A death mask is a wax or plaster cast of a mold taken from the face of a deceased person. Death masks are true portraits, although changes are occasionally made in the eyes of the mask to make it appear as though the subject were alive. For the last few centuries they have been kept as mementos of the dead, much like postmortem photography.

Pictured above is the death mask of Alfred Hitchcock.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

Telephone Book Photo Gallery

Pictures of all sorts of phone books from different countries and years. Pictured above is one from Mexico in 1961
(Thanks Jabberwocky)

Telephone Book Photo Gallery

Pictures of all sorts of phone books from different countries and years. Pictured above is one from Mexico in 1961
(Thanks Jabberwocky)

Pleasure Boat Captains for Truth

Exposed at last.
(via New Yorkish)

Pleasure Boat Captains for Truth

Exposed at last.
(via New Yorkish)

Tricks of the Trade

There are some gems here.

For every occupation, there is a catalog of secrets only its employees are aware of—such as how waiters with heavy platters know to look straight ahead, and never down. Armed with a bag of reader mail, Matthew Baldwin unfurls a whole lot more true insider knowledge.

Here are a few examples:

Technical Support

When helping someone fix their computer over the phone, and you want them to see if all the cables are plugged in correctly, don’t ask, “Have you checked to see if the cable is plugged in?” because the customer will always say, “Of course I did, do you think I’m a moron?” Instead say, “Remove the cable, blow the dust out of the connector, and plug it back in.” The customer will most likely reply, “Hey, it’s working now—I guess that dust really builds up in there!”

Software Tester

Because developers don’t expect testers to read through their code, doing so is a quick and easy way to find possible bugs. Look for comments like “// HACK” or “// fix this crap later.”

(via Waxy)

Tricks of the Trade

There are some gems here.

For every occupation, there is a catalog of secrets only its employees are aware of—such as how waiters with heavy platters know to look straight ahead, and never down. Armed with a bag of reader mail, Matthew Baldwin unfurls a whole lot more true insider knowledge.

Here are a few examples:

Technical Support

When helping someone fix their computer over the phone, and you want them to see if all the cables are plugged in correctly, don’t ask, “Have you checked to see if the cable is plugged in?” because the customer will always say, “Of course I did, do you think I’m a moron?” Instead say, “Remove the cable, blow the dust out of the connector, and plug it back in.” The customer will most likely reply, “Hey, it’s working now—I guess that dust really builds up in there!”

Software Tester

Because developers don’t expect testers to read through their code, doing so is a quick and easy way to find possible bugs. Look for comments like “// HACK” or “// fix this crap later.”

(via Waxy)

An Interview With A Chernobyl Engineer

Not very long and well worth the read.

The first thing I heard wasn't an explosion, it was a thud, a shaking. Then two or three seconds later came the explosion. The doors of my office were blown out. It was like when an old building is demolished, with clouds of dust, but combined with lots of steam. It was a very damp, dusty, powerful movement of air. There was a lot of shaking, a lot of things were falling. The lights went off. Our first thought was to find somewhere we could safely hide. We headed towards the transport corridor, where there was a small passage with a low ceiling. We were standing there and everything was falling around us.

(via Slashdot)

An Interview With A Chernobyl Engineer

Not very long and well worth the read.

The first thing I heard wasn't an explosion, it was a thud, a shaking. Then two or three seconds later came the explosion. The doors of my office were blown out. It was like when an old building is demolished, with clouds of dust, but combined with lots of steam. It was a very damp, dusty, powerful movement of air. There was a lot of shaking, a lot of things were falling. The lights went off. Our first thought was to find somewhere we could safely hide. We headed towards the transport corridor, where there was a small passage with a low ceiling. We were standing there and everything was falling around us.

(via Slashdot)

On Tour With The Minnesota Orchestra

This is a great read for anybody who is interested in what it is like to be on tour with an Orchestra.

Road Trip chronicled the European tour of the Minnesota Orchestra (Feb 9-16, 2004) through the eyes of one of the orchestra's violists - Sam Bergman. The blog generated lots of interest, and was written about in The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. Sam was also invited on the BBC to talk about the tour and also wrote a piece about the orchestra's performance in London for the London Evening Standard.

(via GirlHacker's Random Log)

On Tour With The Minnesota Orchestra

This is a great read for anybody who is interested in what it is like to be on tour with an Orchestra.

Road Trip chronicled the European tour of the Minnesota Orchestra (Feb 9-16, 2004) through the eyes of one of the orchestra's violists - Sam Bergman. The blog generated lots of interest, and was written about in The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. Sam was also invited on the BBC to talk about the tour and also wrote a piece about the orchestra's performance in London for the London Evening Standard.

(via GirlHacker's Random Log)

Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses

I am pretty sure this link won't blaze its way through the blogosphere but I actually find this stuff interesting.

Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses

I am pretty sure this link won't blaze its way through the blogosphere but I actually find this stuff interesting.

Salamander Brandy

Yummy

Salamander Brandy

Yummy

Typewriter That Sends Email

This project is inspired by my mother's frustration with e-mail and using a computer. She simply cannot relate to scroll bars, the mouse, control keys and so on. To explain to her that emailing can be as easy as writing a letter, I decided to make for her a typewriter that sends email. It is a regular portable typewriter, which has concealed electronics that automatically sends the typed letter as an email to the intended person when the letter is finished and pulled out of the machine's carriage.

(via Eyebeam reBlog)

Typewriter That Sends Email

This project is inspired by my mother's frustration with e-mail and using a computer. She simply cannot relate to scroll bars, the mouse, control keys and so on. To explain to her that emailing can be as easy as writing a letter, I decided to make for her a typewriter that sends email. It is a regular portable typewriter, which has concealed electronics that automatically sends the typed letter as an email to the intended person when the letter is finished and pulled out of the machine's carriage.

(via Eyebeam reBlog)

An Open Letter

Dear Nail Clipping Woman on the 7:30am Train to South Station

I am sure you have been to the finest finishing schools that money could buy but you may have been absent the day they taught public grooming etiquette so let me fill you in.

The commuter train may not be the best place for you to be clipping your nails. I know that we all run a little short on time in our rush to get out the door in the morning but that doesn't mean you can make that time up on the train doing things that should be done in the privacy of your own bathroom.(ie shaving, clipping nails, etc) I think I speak for the whole train, including the woman who was sitting in front of you being bombarded by the dead keratin shrapnel you were creating with fury.

I appreciate your efforts at ceasing this disgusting habit and am sure the man next to you who was looking at his coffee wondering if it had been contaminated with your disgusting flying nail debris appreciates the effort also.

Yours Truly,
Cynical-C

An Open Letter

Dear Nail Clipping Woman on the 7:30am Train to South Station

I am sure you have been to the finest finishing schools that money could buy but you may have been absent the day they taught public grooming etiquette so let me fill you in.

The commuter train may not be the best place for you to be clipping your nails. I know that we all run a little short on time in our rush to get out the door in the morning but that doesn't mean you can make that time up on the train doing things that should be done in the privacy of your own bathroom.(ie shaving, clipping nails, etc) I think I speak for the whole train, including the woman who was sitting in front of you being bombarded by the dead keratin shrapnel you were creating with fury.

I appreciate your efforts at ceasing this disgusting habit and am sure the man next to you who was looking at his coffee wondering if it had been contaminated with your disgusting flying nail debris appreciates the effort also.

Yours Truly,
Cynical-C

Counting Jar Bank

The Amazing Money Jar Bank. I won't go so far to say it is amazing but it is pretty cool. It has a display that says how much change you have put into the jar.
(via Boing Boing)

Counting Jar Bank

The Amazing Money Jar Bank. I won't go so far to say it is amazing but it is pretty cool. It has a display that says how much change you have put into the jar.
(via Boing Boing)

Opening Hooks

What a great idea for a website.

The idea behind this site is simple, to compile as large a collection of great opening hooks from as many titles, authors, and genres as possible. Of course, what makes a great opening sentence or paragraph is subjective, but we know it when we read it. This database will allow readers to share their favorites with each other and provide writers a chance to see what a readers look for in an opening sentence.

I will give you an example:

“"The worst thing about knowing Gary was dead was seeing him every day at work."”
from The Silicon Mage by Barbara Hambly

How can you not want to read that book now?
(via Boing Boing)

Opening Hooks

What a great idea for a website.

The idea behind this site is simple, to compile as large a collection of great opening hooks from as many titles, authors, and genres as possible. Of course, what makes a great opening sentence or paragraph is subjective, but we know it when we read it. This database will allow readers to share their favorites with each other and provide writers a chance to see what a readers look for in an opening sentence.

I will give you an example:

“"The worst thing about knowing Gary was dead was seeing him every day at work."”
from The Silicon Mage by Barbara Hambly

How can you not want to read that book now?
(via Boing Boing)

Neal Stephenson's Short Stories

I am a huge fan of Neal Stephenson so was extremely happy to find this site that had a few of his short stories online.

Neal Stephenson's Short Stories

I am a huge fan of Neal Stephenson so was extremely happy to find this site that had a few of his short stories online.

New Overtime Rules

I have looked this over a little and it basically looks like office workers are the ones getting shafted. Oh and of course IT workers. And people wonder why I would never vote for Bush.

Rule 1: Almost all employees who make less than $455 a week ($23,660 a year) are eligible for overtime. The old rule set overtime for anyone who made less than $250 a week. The new rule applies whether the employee is blue collar or white collar, or whether they supervise people of not. The exception for this rule is teachers, doctors and lawyers. They do not get overtime, no matter what they are paid.

Now the bad news:

Rule 2: Any employee who earns more than $100,000 a year is ineligible for mandated overtime, period.

Rule 3: Any employee who earns between $23,660 and $100,000 a year, and who is in most executive, professional, or administrative positions, is not eligible for overtime. This does not, however, apply to salespeople. They are still eligible.

Rule 4: Managers are not entitled to overtime if they oversee two or more people and have the authority to hire, fire, or recommend that someone be hired or fired.

Rule 5: Administrative employees who have decision-making power and run some sort of operation are not eligible.

Rule 6: Employees whose job requires imagination, invention, originality, or artistic or creative endeavors are not eligible for overtime.

Rule 7: Employees whose main duties are computer-related and involve the implementation, analysis, development, or application of computer systems or designs are also not eligible for overtime.

Rule 8: Sales staff that regularly work outside of the employer's place of business are, you guessed it, not eligible either.

Rule #7 should have in parentheses (for the computer related jobs we haven't outsourced yet). And yes, I am bitter.

New Overtime Rules

I have looked this over a little and it basically looks like office workers are the ones getting shafted. Oh and of course IT workers. And people wonder why I would never vote for Bush.

Rule 1: Almost all employees who make less than $455 a week ($23,660 a year) are eligible for overtime. The old rule set overtime for anyone who made less than $250 a week. The new rule applies whether the employee is blue collar or white collar, or whether they supervise people of not. The exception for this rule is teachers, doctors and lawyers. They do not get overtime, no matter what they are paid.

Now the bad news:

Rule 2: Any employee who earns more than $100,000 a year is ineligible for mandated overtime, period.

Rule 3: Any employee who earns between $23,660 and $100,000 a year, and who is in most executive, professional, or administrative positions, is not eligible for overtime. This does not, however, apply to salespeople. They are still eligible.

Rule 4: Managers are not entitled to overtime if they oversee two or more people and have the authority to hire, fire, or recommend that someone be hired or fired.

Rule 5: Administrative employees who have decision-making power and run some sort of operation are not eligible.

Rule 6: Employees whose job requires imagination, invention, originality, or artistic or creative endeavors are not eligible for overtime.

Rule 7: Employees whose main duties are computer-related and involve the implementation, analysis, development, or application of computer systems or designs are also not eligible for overtime.

Rule 8: Sales staff that regularly work outside of the employer's place of business are, you guessed it, not eligible either.

Rule #7 should have in parentheses (for the computer related jobs we haven't outsourced yet). And yes, I am bitter.

Enough with the swift boats already

While the media is stumbling around trying to figure out the silly Swift Boat smears, people are forgetting about things that really matter such as this.

Enough with the swift boats already

While the media is stumbling around trying to figure out the silly Swift Boat smears, people are forgetting about things that really matter such as this.

Hats of Meat

I think these would really piss off PETA.
(Thanks Jabberwocky)

Hats of Meat

I think these would really piss off PETA.
(Thanks Jabberwocky)

Classic 80s Games in Your Browser

I can't believe I once spent hours playing these games.

Classic 80s Games in Your Browser

I can't believe I once spent hours playing these games.

Micro Flying Robot

This is too cool. From Space.com:

TOKYO (AP) -- Seiko Epson Corp. is developing a flying robot that looks like a miniature helicopter and is about the size of a giant bug. The company hopes it'll prove handy for security, disaster rescue and space exploration.

The robot, 3.35 inches tall and 0.4 ounces, follows a flight-route program sent by Bluetooth wireless from a computer.

I wish they had some video of it flying.

Micro Flying Robot

This is too cool. From Space.com:

TOKYO (AP) -- Seiko Epson Corp. is developing a flying robot that looks like a miniature helicopter and is about the size of a giant bug. The company hopes it'll prove handy for security, disaster rescue and space exploration.

The robot, 3.35 inches tall and 0.4 ounces, follows a flight-route program sent by Bluetooth wireless from a computer.

I wish they had some video of it flying.

Chess Boxing

It sounds silly until you remember that Curling is an Olympic sport. Why not Chess Boxing?

The basic idea in chessboxing is to combine the no.1 thinking sport and the no.1 fighting sport into a hybrid that demands the most of its competitors – both mentally and physically.

In a chessboxing fight two opponents play alternating rounds of chess and boxing. The contest starts with a round of chess, followed by a boxing round, followed by another round of chess and so on.

Chess Boxing

It sounds silly until you remember that Curling is an Olympic sport. Why not Chess Boxing?

The basic idea in chessboxing is to combine the no.1 thinking sport and the no.1 fighting sport into a hybrid that demands the most of its competitors – both mentally and physically.

In a chessboxing fight two opponents play alternating rounds of chess and boxing. The contest starts with a round of chess, followed by a boxing round, followed by another round of chess and so on.

Interface Hall of Shame

I may have posted a link to this before but it is worth posting again for those who haven't seen it.

The Interface Hall of Shame is an irreverent collection of common interface design mistakes. Our hope is that by highlighting these problems, we can help developers avoid making similar mistakes.

Interface Hall of Shame

I may have posted a link to this before but it is worth posting again for those who haven't seen it.

The Interface Hall of Shame is an irreverent collection of common interface design mistakes. Our hope is that by highlighting these problems, we can help developers avoid making similar mistakes.

Lookalikes

Some of these people have a striking resemblance to some celebrities. Most of them, like Mr. Alec Baldwin lookalike pictured above do not.

Lookalikes

Some of these people have a striking resemblance to some celebrities. Most of them, like Mr. Alec Baldwin lookalike pictured above do not.

Historical Fencing Manuals and Texts

I love the illustrations.
(via Life In The Present)

Historical Fencing Manuals and Texts

I love the illustrations.
(via Life In The Present)

Shrine of the Miracle Tortilla

After seeing this the only question I have is how much longer can I remain agnostic?

Shrine of the Miracle Tortilla

After seeing this the only question I have is how much longer can I remain agnostic?

Portraits From the Golden Age of Jazz

Fantastic.

Portraits from the Golden Age of Jazz features a collection of black and white photographs of jazz musicians by William P. Gottlieb. During the 1930s and 1940s, Gottlieb photographed the contemporary jazz scene for The Washington Post and Down Beat magazine. His incisive portraits evoke the essence of the era and capture unforgettable images of jazz greats such as Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker, and many others.

(via Life In The Present)

Portraits From the Golden Age of Jazz

Fantastic.

Portraits from the Golden Age of Jazz features a collection of black and white photographs of jazz musicians by William P. Gottlieb. During the 1930s and 1940s, Gottlieb photographed the contemporary jazz scene for The Washington Post and Down Beat magazine. His incisive portraits evoke the essence of the era and capture unforgettable images of jazz greats such as Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker, and many others.

(via Life In The Present)

Signs of the Apocalypse

Child Pimp & Ho Costumes.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

Signs of the Apocalypse

Child Pimp & Ho Costumes.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

Steven Wright Quotes

I love these.

• All those who believe in psychokinesis raise my hand.
• I went down the street to the 24-hour grocery. When I got there, the guy was locking the front door. I said, "Hey, the sign says you're open 24 hours." He said, "Yes, but not in a row."
• For my birthday I got a humidifier and a de-humidifier...I put them in the same room and let them fight it out.

Steven Wright Quotes

I love these.

• All those who believe in psychokinesis raise my hand.
• I went down the street to the 24-hour grocery. When I got there, the guy was locking the front door. I said, "Hey, the sign says you're open 24 hours." He said, "Yes, but not in a row."
• For my birthday I got a humidifier and a de-humidifier...I put them in the same room and let them fight it out.

The Books of Bokonon

Foma!

The Books of Bokonon

Foma!

RateMyProfessor.com

I had forgotten all about this site. I wish they had this back when I was in college. (via Eyebeam reBlog)

RateMyProfessor.com

I had forgotten all about this site. I wish they had this back when I was in college. (via Eyebeam reBlog)

The Making of Lauren

Want to see a step by step process of how a mannequin is made? Pretty interesting.

To show that mannequins do not 'Just appear' in window displays I have produced this guide to demonstrate the skills and processes used in the making of a Rootstein mannequin. With top fashion model Lauren I will show you the work from concept to finished product.

The Making of Lauren

Want to see a step by step process of how a mannequin is made? Pretty interesting.

To show that mannequins do not 'Just appear' in window displays I have produced this guide to demonstrate the skills and processes used in the making of a Rootstein mannequin. With top fashion model Lauren I will show you the work from concept to finished product.

Grisly Gnome Deaths

I think I have posted this before but somebody submitted this to me and it is worth another look. All I can really say about this site is someone out there really hates garden gnomes.

Grisly Gnome Deaths

I think I have posted this before but somebody submitted this to me and it is worth another look. All I can really say about this site is someone out there really hates garden gnomes.

Physics Simulation Movies

These are pretty cool. Be sure to scroll down for the water simulations.
(via DrikoLand)

Physics Simulation Movies

These are pretty cool. Be sure to scroll down for the water simulations.
(via DrikoLand)

Local Sheriff Suspects Al-Qaeda or Teens

Ok its from the Onion.

BARABOO, WI—Sauk County Sheriff Virgil "Butch" Steinhorst announced Tuesday that he believes a recent rash of Baraboo-area crimes was perpetrated by the al-Qaeda terrorist network or teenagers.

"In this day and age, it's important for law-enforcement officials to consider global threats as well as local ones," Steinhorst said. "We could be dealing with an al-Qaeda sleeper cell attempting to collect information that they could use to plan a terrorist strike or some of those goth kids who knocked over that mailbox. Neither group has any respect for the law."

Local Sheriff Suspects Al-Qaeda or Teens

Ok its from the Onion.

BARABOO, WI—Sauk County Sheriff Virgil "Butch" Steinhorst announced Tuesday that he believes a recent rash of Baraboo-area crimes was perpetrated by the al-Qaeda terrorist network or teenagers.

"In this day and age, it's important for law-enforcement officials to consider global threats as well as local ones," Steinhorst said. "We could be dealing with an al-Qaeda sleeper cell attempting to collect information that they could use to plan a terrorist strike or some of those goth kids who knocked over that mailbox. Neither group has any respect for the law."

Another dumb linking policy

This is just so silly. Here are the linking policies for the Olympics' website.

For your protection and ours we have established a procedure for parties wishing to introduce a link to the ATHENS 2004 website on their site. By introducing a link to the ATHENS 2004 official Website on your site you are agreeing to comply with the ATHENS 2004 Website General Terms and Conditions. In order to place a link embedded in copy interested parties should:

a) Use the term ATHENS 2004 only, and no other term as the text referent

b) Not associate the link with any image, esp. the ATHENS 2004 Emblem (see paragraph below)

c) Send a request letter to the Internet Department stating:
Short description of site
Reason for linking
Unique URL containing the link (if no unique URL than just the main URL)
Publishing period
Contact point (e-mail address)

For your protection? Protection from what? You have to use the term Athens 2004? So if I link to them calling them dumbasses, does that mean I am in violation of their policies and not under their protection anymore?

Another dumb linking policy

This is just so silly. Here are the linking policies for the Olympics' website.

For your protection and ours we have established a procedure for parties wishing to introduce a link to the ATHENS 2004 website on their site. By introducing a link to the ATHENS 2004 official Website on your site you are agreeing to comply with the ATHENS 2004 Website General Terms and Conditions. In order to place a link embedded in copy interested parties should:

a) Use the term ATHENS 2004 only, and no other term as the text referent

b) Not associate the link with any image, esp. the ATHENS 2004 Emblem (see paragraph below)

c) Send a request letter to the Internet Department stating:
Short description of site
Reason for linking
Unique URL containing the link (if no unique URL than just the main URL)
Publishing period
Contact point (e-mail address)

For your protection? Protection from what? You have to use the term Athens 2004? So if I link to them calling them dumbasses, does that mean I am in violation of their policies and not under their protection anymore?

Scary Bridge

Anybody up for a ride through the clouds?

Scary Bridge

Anybody up for a ride through the clouds?

Stinky Meat Project

I have a feeling it didn't this project didn't add much to science.

Here's what happened when I took 3 kinds of meat, 19 days, and 1,000,000 maggots, and stuck them in the yard of my unwitting neighbor.

Of course, the neighbor eventually found the meat in his yard. Fortunately, I wasn't arrested - so I am free to do it all over again.

I only made it to day 5. I was eating dinner and didn't want to risk going further. Good luck to those who do.
(thanks Jabberwocky)

UPDATE
Oh, I guess the link would be important to the story. Oops. Thanks PVC.

Stinky Meat Project

I have a feeling it didn't this project didn't add much to science.

Here's what happened when I took 3 kinds of meat, 19 days, and 1,000,000 maggots, and stuck them in the yard of my unwitting neighbor.

Of course, the neighbor eventually found the meat in his yard. Fortunately, I wasn't arrested - so I am free to do it all over again.

I only made it to day 5. I was eating dinner and didn't want to risk going further. Good luck to those who do.
(thanks Jabberwocky)

UPDATE
Oh, I guess the link would be important to the story. Oops. Thanks PVC.

The Indian Superman

Now they are outsourcing superheroes!! Oh wait. It is just a 1987 Indian movie of Superman. I guess I jumped the gun.
(via Metafilter)

The Indian Superman

Now they are outsourcing superheroes!! Oh wait. It is just a 1987 Indian movie of Superman. I guess I jumped the gun.
(via Metafilter)

How to Build a Stormtrooper Costume

Seems like a lot of work.

That's right , this website will show you how to build a stormtrooper costume from the ground-up. Everything from making a bodycast of yourself to sculpting out the parts correctly, and then pulling vacuumformed plastic for the final pieces. Its' all right here... right now. So sit back and start reading, and dont forget to print out these pages too. Hard copy is still the best reference material when your hard at work in the REAL world.

How to Build a Stormtrooper Costume

Seems like a lot of work.

That's right , this website will show you how to build a stormtrooper costume from the ground-up. Everything from making a bodycast of yourself to sculpting out the parts correctly, and then pulling vacuumformed plastic for the final pieces. Its' all right here... right now. So sit back and start reading, and dont forget to print out these pages too. Hard copy is still the best reference material when your hard at work in the REAL world.

Why You Shouldn't Drink Liquid Nitrogen

Do you have to actually die to get a Darwin Award?

I had done the latter several years earlier in a cryogenics lab, and remembered the physics behind how it worked. Naturally, people around me were skeptical. "You can't drink the stuff... it'll freeze your whole body... Remember 'Terminator 2?' " But I was sure of myself. I had done it before, and I believed in the physics behind it. So, naturally, I poured myself a glass and took a shot.

Simple. Swallow. Blow smoke out nose and mouth and impress everyone at the party. Within about two seconds, I had collapsed to the floor, unable to breathe or feel anything other than intense pain. Ambulance arrives. Police arrive. Trip to hospital. Admission. Try to explain to ER staff exactly how something like this happens. Then I pass out. Wake up next morning connected to many machines, some beeping, others performing more important functions like digesting my food and breathing for me.

Why You Shouldn't Drink Liquid Nitrogen

Do you have to actually die to get a Darwin Award?

I had done the latter several years earlier in a cryogenics lab, and remembered the physics behind how it worked. Naturally, people around me were skeptical. "You can't drink the stuff... it'll freeze your whole body... Remember 'Terminator 2?' " But I was sure of myself. I had done it before, and I believed in the physics behind it. So, naturally, I poured myself a glass and took a shot.

Simple. Swallow. Blow smoke out nose and mouth and impress everyone at the party. Within about two seconds, I had collapsed to the floor, unable to breathe or feel anything other than intense pain. Ambulance arrives. Police arrive. Trip to hospital. Admission. Try to explain to ER staff exactly how something like this happens. Then I pass out. Wake up next morning connected to many machines, some beeping, others performing more important functions like digesting my food and breathing for me.

How They See Themselves

This is pretty funny. It is how some of the world's leaders see themselves as.

How They See Themselves

This is pretty funny. It is how some of the world's leaders see themselves as.

Vertigo, Then and Now

One of my favorite movies of all time. They compare shots from the movie to present day San Francisco.
(via Eyebeam reBlog)

Vertigo, Then and Now

One of my favorite movies of all time. They compare shots from the movie to present day San Francisco.
(via Eyebeam reBlog)

How To Make a Scale Model of a City

Pretty cool.
(via Eyebeam reBlog)

How To Make a Scale Model of a City

Pretty cool.
(via Eyebeam reBlog)

Soviet War Photography

Images of the Second World War and its aftermath.

Soviet War Photography

Images of the Second World War and its aftermath.