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Thursday, March 31, 2005Tom DeLay
Meet Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX), the man Republicans have chosen as their Majority Leader in the House of Representatives.
Tom DeLay is at the center of a bewildering array of investigations into corruption, abuse of power, and ethics violations. As the courts and committees investigate DeLay's misdeeds and hand down indictments, keeping track of all the scandals can be a full-time job. So we thought it would helpful to offer folks this quick and easy guide Tom DeLay
Meet Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX), the man Republicans have chosen as their Majority Leader in the House of Representatives.
Tom DeLay is at the center of a bewildering array of investigations into corruption, abuse of power, and ethics violations. As the courts and committees investigate DeLay's misdeeds and hand down indictments, keeping track of all the scandals can be a full-time job. So we thought it would helpful to offer folks this quick and easy guide Morning Glory SpillwayTake a look at this picture.It is part of the Monticello Hydroelectric Power Plant called the Morning Glory Spillway (Glory Hole, it was named that in 1957 people. Mind out of the gutters please) that allows water to bypass the dam when it reaches capacity. Neat! (Thanks spigoo) Morning Glory SpillwayTake a look at this picture.It is part of the Monticello Hydroelectric Power Plant called the Morning Glory Spillway (Glory Hole, it was named that in 1957 people. Mind out of the gutters please) that allows water to bypass the dam when it reaches capacity. Neat! (Thanks spigoo) The Man Who Saved the WorldAn amazing story. It doesn't say if WOPR was involved.
Stanislav Petrov was a Soviet army officer monitoring the satellite system for signs of a U.S. attack, the year was 1983, and his instructions, if he detected missiles targeting the Soviet Union, were to push the button and launch a counter-offensive.
(via Kottke.org)He didn’t. Minutes later, no missiles came; months later, the frightening data across his monitor was determined to have been a system glitch. Today, the Association of World Citizens is calling him “the forgotten hero of our time,” a title befitting the man whose responsibility had been to start World War III. The Man Who Saved the WorldAn amazing story. It doesn't say if WOPR was involved.
Stanislav Petrov was a Soviet army officer monitoring the satellite system for signs of a U.S. attack, the year was 1983, and his instructions, if he detected missiles targeting the Soviet Union, were to push the button and launch a counter-offensive.
(via Kottke.org)He didn’t. Minutes later, no missiles came; months later, the frightening data across his monitor was determined to have been a system glitch. Today, the Association of World Citizens is calling him “the forgotten hero of our time,” a title befitting the man whose responsibility had been to start World War III. Puzzle Alarm Clock
If you're a lover of puzzles, the Puzzle Alarm Clock may be just what you need to solve the ever perplexing issue of getting out of bed.
This "eye opener" of a gadget is an alarm clock come 4-piece jigsaw puzzle in one. When it's time to leave your incredibly cosy bed each morning, not only will your ears be treated to a fantastic ringing melody, a 4-piece jigsaw puzzle randomly shoots out. So what you ask? Well, in order to turn off a ringing alarm, you must solve the jigsaw puzzle, assembling it back on to the clock. Puzzle Alarm Clock
If you're a lover of puzzles, the Puzzle Alarm Clock may be just what you need to solve the ever perplexing issue of getting out of bed.
This "eye opener" of a gadget is an alarm clock come 4-piece jigsaw puzzle in one. When it's time to leave your incredibly cosy bed each morning, not only will your ears be treated to a fantastic ringing melody, a 4-piece jigsaw puzzle randomly shoots out. So what you ask? Well, in order to turn off a ringing alarm, you must solve the jigsaw puzzle, assembling it back on to the clock. The Minuteman ProjectThis is very scary.
TOMBSTONE, Ariz. (AP) -- Hundreds of volunteers, some of them armed, are expected to take up positions along the Mexican border Friday and begin patrolling for illegal immigrants -- an exercise some fear could attract racist crackpots and lead to vigilante violence.
Here is their website.
Organizers of the Minuteman Project said the civilian volunteers, many of whom were recruited over the Internet, will meet first for a rally in this one-time silver mining town, then fan out across 23 miles of the San Pedro Valley to watch the border for a month and report sightings of illegal activity to Border Patrol agents.
The Minuteman Project is a grassroots effort to bring Americans to the defense of their homeland, similar to the way the original Minutemen from Massachusetts (and other U. S. colonies) did in the late 1700s. Like them, we want to bring to this effort only what few personal possessions we can carry...plus our heart, mind and spirit.
This call for volunteers is not a call to arms, but a call to voices seeking a peaceful and respectable resolve to the chaotic neglect by members of our local, state and federal governments charged with applying U.S. immigration law.
It is a call to peacefully assemble at the Arizona-Mexico border to bring national awareness to the decades-long careless disregard of effective U.S. immigration law enforcement. It is a reminder to Americans that our nation was founded as a nation governed by the "rule of law", not by the whims of mobs of ILLEGAL aliens who endlessly stream across U.S. borders.
Accordingly, the men and women volunteering for this mission are those who are willing to sacrifice their time, and the comforts of a cozy home, to muster for something much more important than acquiring more "toys" to play with while their nation is devoured and plundered by the menace of tens of millions of invading illegal aliens.
Future generations will inherit a tangle of rancorous, unassimilated, squabbling cultures with no common bond to hold them together, and a certain guarantee of the death of this nation as a harmonious "melting pot."
Why do I keep thinking of Richard Connell's short story, "The Most Dangerous Game" while reading about this? I don't know about you but I feel much safer knowing their are roving gangs of armed thugs patrolling the border. I guess we can only pray for the day when the Minuteman Project will guard our northern border from those damn canucks who frequently try to skate across!The Minuteman ProjectThis is very scary.
TOMBSTONE, Ariz. (AP) -- Hundreds of volunteers, some of them armed, are expected to take up positions along the Mexican border Friday and begin patrolling for illegal immigrants -- an exercise some fear could attract racist crackpots and lead to vigilante violence.
Here is their website.
Organizers of the Minuteman Project said the civilian volunteers, many of whom were recruited over the Internet, will meet first for a rally in this one-time silver mining town, then fan out across 23 miles of the San Pedro Valley to watch the border for a month and report sightings of illegal activity to Border Patrol agents.
The Minuteman Project is a grassroots effort to bring Americans to the defense of their homeland, similar to the way the original Minutemen from Massachusetts (and other U. S. colonies) did in the late 1700s. Like them, we want to bring to this effort only what few personal possessions we can carry...plus our heart, mind and spirit.
This call for volunteers is not a call to arms, but a call to voices seeking a peaceful and respectable resolve to the chaotic neglect by members of our local, state and federal governments charged with applying U.S. immigration law.
It is a call to peacefully assemble at the Arizona-Mexico border to bring national awareness to the decades-long careless disregard of effective U.S. immigration law enforcement. It is a reminder to Americans that our nation was founded as a nation governed by the "rule of law", not by the whims of mobs of ILLEGAL aliens who endlessly stream across U.S. borders.
Accordingly, the men and women volunteering for this mission are those who are willing to sacrifice their time, and the comforts of a cozy home, to muster for something much more important than acquiring more "toys" to play with while their nation is devoured and plundered by the menace of tens of millions of invading illegal aliens.
Future generations will inherit a tangle of rancorous, unassimilated, squabbling cultures with no common bond to hold them together, and a certain guarantee of the death of this nation as a harmonious "melting pot."
Why do I keep thinking of Richard Connell's short story, "The Most Dangerous Game" while reading about this? I don't know about you but I feel much safer knowing their are roving gangs of armed thugs patrolling the border. I guess we can only pray for the day when the Minuteman Project will guard our northern border from those damn canucks who frequently try to skate across!Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide When will the government finally ban this dangerous chemical?
What are some of the dangers associated with DHMO?
Snopes has some good info about DHMO including the story about the City Council that came very close to passing a law against it.
Each year, Dihydrogen Monoxide is a known causative component in many thousands of deaths and is a major contributor to millions upon millions of dollars in damage to property and the environment. Some of the known perils of Dihydrogen Monoxide are: * Death due to accidental inhalation of DHMO, even in small quantities. * Prolonged exposure to solid DHMO causes severe tissue damage. * Excessive ingestion produces a number of unpleasant though not typically life-threatening side-effects. * DHMO is a major component of acid rain. * Gaseous DHMO can cause severe burns. * Contributes to soil erosion. * Leads to corrosion and oxidation of many metals. * Contamination of electrical systems often causes short-circuits. * Exposure decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes. * Found in biopsies of pre-cancerous tumors and lesions. * Often associated with killer cyclones in the U.S. Midwest and elsewhere. * Thermal variations in DHMO are a suspected contributor to the El Nino weather effect.
In March 2004 the California municipality of Aliso Viejo (a suburb in Orange County) came within a cat's whisker of falling for this hoax after a paralegal there convinced city officials of the danger posed by this chemical. The leg-pull got so far as a vote having been scheduled for the City Council on a proposed law that would have banned the use of foam containers at city-sponsored events because (among other things) they were made with DHMO, a substance that could "threaten human health and safety."
Ban Dihydrogen MonoxideWhen will the government finally ban this dangerous chemical?
What are some of the dangers associated with DHMO?
Snopes has some good info about DHMO including the story about the City Council that came very close to passing a law against it.
Each year, Dihydrogen Monoxide is a known causative component in many thousands of deaths and is a major contributor to millions upon millions of dollars in damage to property and the environment. Some of the known perils of Dihydrogen Monoxide are: * Death due to accidental inhalation of DHMO, even in small quantities. * Prolonged exposure to solid DHMO causes severe tissue damage. * Excessive ingestion produces a number of unpleasant though not typically life-threatening side-effects. * DHMO is a major component of acid rain. * Gaseous DHMO can cause severe burns. * Contributes to soil erosion. * Leads to corrosion and oxidation of many metals. * Contamination of electrical systems often causes short-circuits. * Exposure decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes. * Found in biopsies of pre-cancerous tumors and lesions. * Often associated with killer cyclones in the U.S. Midwest and elsewhere. * Thermal variations in DHMO are a suspected contributor to the El Nino weather effect.
In March 2004 the California municipality of Aliso Viejo (a suburb in Orange County) came within a cat's whisker of falling for this hoax after a paralegal there convinced city officials of the danger posed by this chemical. The leg-pull got so far as a vote having been scheduled for the City Council on a proposed law that would have banned the use of foam containers at city-sponsored events because (among other things) they were made with DHMO, a substance that could "threaten human health and safety."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005Squirrel Supermodel
Sugar Bush Squirrel is a real, live Eastern Gray Squirrel who is owned and photographed by Ms. Kelly Foxton. Rescued from a tree, she is now living the 'good life' with Kelly in Boca Raton, Florida.
Rescued from a tree? Where the hell else would a squirrel be? I wonder if Ms. Kelly rescued it by using the proven squirrel fishing method.(via J-Walk) Squirrel Supermodel
Sugar Bush Squirrel is a real, live Eastern Gray Squirrel who is owned and photographed by Ms. Kelly Foxton. Rescued from a tree, she is now living the 'good life' with Kelly in Boca Raton, Florida.
Rescued from a tree? Where the hell else would a squirrel be? I wonder if Ms. Kelly rescued it by using the proven squirrel fishing method.(via J-Walk) Solar Notebook Charger
This Expedition Grade solar charger delivers at its peak 22 watts of power and runs the most power hungry portable computers. This is the ultimate solar notebook charger and it also runs and recharges power coolers, charging systems for RVs. The Expedition is a multipurpose charger that allows you to stay mobile while connected using the sun's free energy.
(via Information Junk)Solar Notebook Charger
This Expedition Grade solar charger delivers at its peak 22 watts of power and runs the most power hungry portable computers. This is the ultimate solar notebook charger and it also runs and recharges power coolers, charging systems for RVs. The Expedition is a multipurpose charger that allows you to stay mobile while connected using the sun's free energy.
(via Information Junk)Tales of the Gold Monkey Does anybody remember this show? I barely remember anything about it except it was an Indiana Jones ripoff with a dog with an eyepatch. I googled it and found that it has a pretty big fan page with scripts, tons of pictures from episodes and video clips. I love the internets! Tales of the Gold MonkeyDoes anybody remember this show? I barely remember anything about it except it was an Indiana Jones ripoff with a dog with an eyepatch. I googled it and found that it has a pretty big fan page with scripts, tons of pictures from episodes and video clips. I love the internets! Face AnalyzerSubmit a photograph and this site will analyze it for you and tell you what race, gender, and attributes (intelligence, ambition, gayfactor?) you have. I submitted Harvey Fierstein to see what gay factor it would give. It was actully a low gay factor but then they gender they assigned to his picture was female so go figure.(Thanks Elias) Face AnalyzerSubmit a photograph and this site will analyze it for you and tell you what race, gender, and attributes (intelligence, ambition, gayfactor?) you have. I submitted Harvey Fierstein to see what gay factor it would give. It was actully a low gay factor but then they gender they assigned to his picture was female so go figure.(Thanks Elias) South Park Manga
 South Park just doesn't feel write as Manga. But it is still worth a look. This site is in Japanese so you are on your own when figuring out how to navigate it. (via Bibi's Box) South Park Manga
South Park just doesn't feel write as Manga. But it is still worth a look. This site is in Japanese so you are on your own when figuring out how to navigate it. (via Bibi's Box) The Top 10 Worst April Fool's Day Hoaxes EverHere is #2:
Imagine reading that your husband or brother who has been held in a squalid Romanian prison for years is finally going to be released. You make the long journey to the prison and stand outside the prison gates, waiting desperately for the moment you'll be reunited with your loved one, only to hear... 'April Fools! No one's being released!' This experience happened to sixty people in April 2000 who read in the Opinia newspaper that their loved ones were going to be released from the Baia Mare prison in Romania. They made the long journey to the prison, only to learn that the paper had played an April Fool's joke on them. The Opinia later published an apology.
The Top 10 Worst April Fool's Day Hoaxes EverHere is #2:
Imagine reading that your husband or brother who has been held in a squalid Romanian prison for years is finally going to be released. You make the long journey to the prison and stand outside the prison gates, waiting desperately for the moment you'll be reunited with your loved one, only to hear... 'April Fools! No one's being released!' This experience happened to sixty people in April 2000 who read in the Opinia newspaper that their loved ones were going to be released from the Baia Mare prison in Romania. They made the long journey to the prison, only to learn that the paper had played an April Fool's joke on them. The Opinia later published an apology.
Buffo, The World's Strongest Clown
Buffo is not an ordinary clown. This gentle giant weighs in at over 200 pounds and has biceps that are bigger than most men's thighs. He juggles bowling balls as well as hatchets, meat cleavers, fire and chain saws - as long as they're not turned on! He rips telephone books in half and balances extension ladders and children sitting in chairs on his face.
(via Mookie)Buffo, The World's Strongest Clown
Buffo is not an ordinary clown. This gentle giant weighs in at over 200 pounds and has biceps that are bigger than most men's thighs. He juggles bowling balls as well as hatchets, meat cleavers, fire and chain saws - as long as they're not turned on! He rips telephone books in half and balances extension ladders and children sitting in chairs on his face.
(via Mookie)Draw Your Boss
You can post drawings of your boss to this site. I am not sure why you would want to. (via The Presurfer) Draw Your Boss
You can post drawings of your boss to this site. I am not sure why you would want to. (via The Presurfer) Tuesday, March 29, 2005Catfish Eats Basketball (Attempts to at least) This you gotta see.
This was a pretty interesting story from The Sunday Wichita Eagle Newspaper a couple of weeks ago. A resident in the area saw a ball bouncing around strangely in a nearby pond and went to investigate. It turned out to be a flathead catfish who had obviously tried to swallow a child's basketball which became stuck in its mouth!! The fish was totally exhausted from trying to dive, but unable to because the ball would always bring him back up to the surface. The resident tried numerous times to get the ball out, but was unsuccessful. He finally had his wife cut the ball in order to deflate it and release the hungry catfish. You wouldn't believe it if you didn't see the attached photos.
(via boing boing)Catfish Eats Basketball (Attempts to at least)This you gotta see.
This was a pretty interesting story from The Sunday Wichita Eagle Newspaper a couple of weeks ago. A resident in the area saw a ball bouncing around strangely in a nearby pond and went to investigate. It turned out to be a flathead catfish who had obviously tried to swallow a child's basketball which became stuck in its mouth!! The fish was totally exhausted from trying to dive, but unable to because the ball would always bring him back up to the surface. The resident tried numerous times to get the ball out, but was unsuccessful. He finally had his wife cut the ball in order to deflate it and release the hungry catfish. You wouldn't believe it if you didn't see the attached photos.
(via boing boing)Laura Pahl is a PlagiaristThis link is making the rounds quickly.
What follows is the epic saga of a random instant message that came to me from a stranger this weekend, asking whether I wanted to be paid to write a college paper for her. Bitch didn’t know she was fucking with a comedy writer….
Metafilter breaks out in debate to figure out who is in the wrong here. Personally, I couldn't care less.
(via Everywhere)I had been convinced by my parents the other day to come home to Pennsylvania for Easter. After letting Mom feed me, and playing with her dogs, and all that stuff I have to do when I'm home, I go to check my email. When I'm home, I connect to the Internet using the AOL account my parents have kept open for me since high school. And since I don't use it except when I'm home, I just haven't bothered to change the profile, where apparently, about 8 or 9 years ago, I had listed one of my hobbies as "Eating Hindu Sculpture." That should be enough information for you to appreciate the instant message exchange that follows. Her instant message name has been changed to her real name, as has mine.: Laura Pahl is a PlagiaristThis link is making the rounds quickly.
What follows is the epic saga of a random instant message that came to me from a stranger this weekend, asking whether I wanted to be paid to write a college paper for her. Bitch didn’t know she was fucking with a comedy writer….
Metafilter breaks out in debate to figure out who is in the wrong here. Personally, I couldn't care less.
(via Everywhere)I had been convinced by my parents the other day to come home to Pennsylvania for Easter. After letting Mom feed me, and playing with her dogs, and all that stuff I have to do when I'm home, I go to check my email. When I'm home, I connect to the Internet using the AOL account my parents have kept open for me since high school. And since I don't use it except when I'm home, I just haven't bothered to change the profile, where apparently, about 8 or 9 years ago, I had listed one of my hobbies as "Eating Hindu Sculpture." That should be enough information for you to appreciate the instant message exchange that follows. Her instant message name has been changed to her real name, as has mine.: ID Sniper Rifle What is it?
It is used to implant a GPS-microchip in the body of a human being, using a high powered sniper rifle as the long distance injector. The microchip will enter the body and stay there, causing no internal damage, and only a very small amount of physical pain to the target. It will feel like a mosquito-bite lasting a fraction of a second. At the same time a digital camcorder with a zoom-lense fitted within the scope will take a high-resolution picture of the target. This picture will be stored on a memory card for later image-analysis.
(via Reality Carnival)Update: Elias was nice enough in the comments to point out that the ID sniper rifle was created by artist Jakob Boeskov and is not real. This site talks about the work but it is in German. Thanks Elias! ID Sniper RifleWhat is it?
It is used to implant a GPS-microchip in the body of a human being, using a high powered sniper rifle as the long distance injector. The microchip will enter the body and stay there, causing no internal damage, and only a very small amount of physical pain to the target. It will feel like a mosquito-bite lasting a fraction of a second. At the same time a digital camcorder with a zoom-lense fitted within the scope will take a high-resolution picture of the target. This picture will be stored on a memory card for later image-analysis.
(via Reality Carnival)Update: Elias was nice enough in the comments to point out that the ID sniper rifle was created by artist Jakob Boeskov and is not real. This site talks about the work but it is in German. Thanks Elias! Las Vegas: Utopia of ClownsThis guy hates Las Vegas for the same reasons why I love it. But I still liked this article.
The trouble with Las Vegas is not just that it is ridiculous and dysfunctional, but that anybody might take it seriously as a model for human ecology on anything but the most extreme provisional terms. That they do might in itself be proof that American civic culture has reached a terminal stage. Even the casual observer can see that Las Vegas is approaching its tipping point as a viable urban system, particularly in the matter of scale. In evolutionary biology, at the threshold of extinction organisms often attain gigantic size and a narrow specialty of operation that leaves them very little room to adapt when their environment changes even slightly. This is the predicament of Las Vegas. Its components have attained a physical enormity that will leave them vulnurable to political, economic, and social changes that are bearing down upon us with all the inexorable force of history.
Las Vegas: Utopia of ClownsThis guy hates Las Vegas for the same reasons why I love it. But I still liked this article.
The trouble with Las Vegas is not just that it is ridiculous and dysfunctional, but that anybody might take it seriously as a model for human ecology on anything but the most extreme provisional terms. That they do might in itself be proof that American civic culture has reached a terminal stage. Even the casual observer can see that Las Vegas is approaching its tipping point as a viable urban system, particularly in the matter of scale. In evolutionary biology, at the threshold of extinction organisms often attain gigantic size and a narrow specialty of operation that leaves them very little room to adapt when their environment changes even slightly. This is the predicament of Las Vegas. Its components have attained a physical enormity that will leave them vulnurable to political, economic, and social changes that are bearing down upon us with all the inexorable force of history.
The Japanese Gallery of Psychiatric Art
Images from Japanese psychiatric medication advertisements : 1956-2003
The Japanese Gallery of Psychiatric Art
Images from Japanese psychiatric medication advertisements : 1956-2003
24th Century DesignIf you are interested in making your apartment look like a set from Star Trek: The Next Generation, you can go here. (A painful site to navigate though)(via Mookie) 24th Century DesignIf you are interested in making your apartment look like a set from Star Trek: The Next Generation, you can go here. (A painful site to navigate though)(via Mookie) Since Schiavo's Feeding Tube Was Removed...the cable news networks have had wall to wall coverage of this fight to save this woman who hasn't had a life in 15 years. During that same time period, 10 U.S. soldier's, most of whom were in primary school when Schiavo first entered her vegetative state, were killed in Iraq. And still the media remains silent. Where are our priorities?Since Schiavo's Feeding Tube Was Removed...the cable news networks have had wall to wall coverage of this fight to save this woman who hasn't had a life in 15 years. During that same time period, 10 U.S. soldier's, most of whom were in primary school when Schiavo first entered her vegetative state, were killed in Iraq. And still the media remains silent. Where are our priorities?Monday, March 28, 2005Cellphone Theater
They're small (and short) because they were originally developed for display on web-enabled cell phones. But this kind of action and drama should not be restricted to the "gadgeterati." Now everyone can enjoy stick figure head removal!
Cellphone Theater
They're small (and short) because they were originally developed for display on web-enabled cell phones. But this kind of action and drama should not be restricted to the "gadgeterati." Now everyone can enjoy stick figure head removal!
Recent World Earthquake Activity Site The USGS has a website with a map of current earthquakes from around the world. It looks like Indonesia is having another huge quake (8.7). It seems as if they are at least preparing for a tsunami this time. Let's hope for the best. Recent World Earthquake Activity SiteThe USGS has a website with a map of current earthquakes from around the world. It looks like Indonesia is having another huge quake (8.7). It seems as if they are at least preparing for a tsunami this time. Let's hope for the best. Royal College Surgical Videos Lots of video clips of surgeries are here. I think for my lunchtime entertainment today I will watch the Laparoscopic Repair of a Complex recurrent Paraumbilical Hernia (pictured above) Royal College Surgical VideosLots of video clips of surgeries are here. I think for my lunchtime entertainment today I will watch the Laparoscopic Repair of a Complex recurrent Paraumbilical Hernia (pictured above) Japanese Hotel Brochures From the 1930s Unfortunately the gallery only contains the covers of the brochures. Japanese Hotel Brochures From the 1930sUnfortunately the gallery only contains the covers of the brochures. Japanesque Trade Cards
With the opening of Japan to trade in 1854, the American market was flooded with goods from the Far East. Later on, exhibits of Japanese goods at the Centennial Exhibition in 1876 in Philadelphia and the success of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta The Mikado as well as New York’s exhibit The Japanese Village, both in 1885, exposed more Americans to Japanese wares and design...
This selection of trade cards shows a wide variety of products being advertised, using Japanesque illustration and characters. Japanesque Trade Cards
With the opening of Japan to trade in 1854, the American market was flooded with goods from the Far East. Later on, exhibits of Japanese goods at the Centennial Exhibition in 1876 in Philadelphia and the success of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta The Mikado as well as New York’s exhibit The Japanese Village, both in 1885, exposed more Americans to Japanese wares and design...
This selection of trade cards shows a wide variety of products being advertised, using Japanesque illustration and characters. Sunday, March 27, 2005The Real Face of Jesus Happy Easter to my Christian visitors. This article is from a few years ago but is very good.
From the first time Christian children settle into Sunday school classrooms, an image of Jesus Christ is etched into their minds. In North America he is most often depicted as being taller than his disciples, lean, with long, flowing, light brown hair, fair skin and light-colored eyes. Familiar though this image may be, it is inherently flawed. A person with these features and physical bearing would have looked very different from everyone else in the region where Jesus lived and ministered. Surely the authors of the Bible would have mentioned so stark a contrast. On the contrary, according to the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane before the Crucifixion, Judas Iscariot had to indicate to the soldiers whom Jesus was because they could not tell him apart from his disciples. Further clouding the question of what Jesus looked like is the simple fact that nowhere in the New Testament is Jesus described, nor have any drawings of him ever been uncovered.
The Real Face of JesusHappy Easter to my Christian visitors. This article is from a few years ago but is very good.
From the first time Christian children settle into Sunday school classrooms, an image of Jesus Christ is etched into their minds. In North America he is most often depicted as being taller than his disciples, lean, with long, flowing, light brown hair, fair skin and light-colored eyes. Familiar though this image may be, it is inherently flawed. A person with these features and physical bearing would have looked very different from everyone else in the region where Jesus lived and ministered. Surely the authors of the Bible would have mentioned so stark a contrast. On the contrary, according to the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane before the Crucifixion, Judas Iscariot had to indicate to the soldiers whom Jesus was because they could not tell him apart from his disciples. Further clouding the question of what Jesus looked like is the simple fact that nowhere in the New Testament is Jesus described, nor have any drawings of him ever been uncovered.
Conan O'Brien Hates My HomelandI don't ever watch Conan O'Brien so I am not really too sure if these are his jokes or not but they are pretty funny. It is supposedly the complete archive of jokes about different countries but it only goes up to H. Hmm.
Barbados
There simply isn't a more beautiful island... to sail by on your way to Jamaica. Belgium The only European country to never successfully invade Belgium. El Salvador Where no resumé is complete without the phrase "Supervised six-person death squad." Conan O'Brien Hates My HomelandI don't ever watch Conan O'Brien so I am not really too sure if these are his jokes or not but they are pretty funny. It is supposedly the complete archive of jokes about different countries but it only goes up to H. Hmm.
Barbados
There simply isn't a more beautiful island... to sail by on your way to Jamaica. Belgium The only European country to never successfully invade Belgium. El Salvador Where no resumé is complete without the phrase "Supervised six-person death squad." 50 Peeps. 60 Minutes.
After reading my article on microwaving Peeps, one of my beloved regular readers managed to turn the table of torture straight on me. "Seriously, those peeps are almost as bad as black licorice. But it's funn seeing some try to eat a bunch at once. There's your next article. I'll bet you that you can't eat 50 all in an hour."
(via Screenhead)50 Peeps. 60 Minutes.
After reading my article on microwaving Peeps, one of my beloved regular readers managed to turn the table of torture straight on me. "Seriously, those peeps are almost as bad as black licorice. But it's funn seeing some try to eat a bunch at once. There's your next article. I'll bet you that you can't eat 50 all in an hour."
(via Screenhead)Tom DeLay, HypocriteWhy am I not surprised by this.
And DeLay is among the strongest advocates of keeping the woman, who doctors say has been in a persistent vegetative state for 15 years, connected to her feeding tube. DeLay has denounced Schiavo's husband, as well as judges, for committing what he calls "an act of barbarism" in removing the tube.
(Thanks Wine-aholic)In 1988, however, there was no such fiery rhetoric as the congressman quietly joined the sad family consensus to let his father die. "There was no point to even really talking about it," Maxine DeLay, the congressman's 81-year-old widowed mother, recalled in an interview last week. "There was no way [Charles] wanted to live like that. Tom knew — we all knew — his father wouldn't have wanted to live that way." Doctors advised that he would "basically be a vegetable," said the congressman's aunt, JoAnne DeLay. When his father's kidneys failed, the DeLay family decided against connecting him to a dialysis machine. "Extraordinary measures to prolong life were not initiated," said his medical report, citing "agreement with the family's wishes." His bedside chart carried the instruction: "Do not resuscitate." On Dec. 14, 1988, the DeLay patriarch "expired with his family in attendance." "The situation faced by the congressman's family was entirely different than Terri Schiavo's," said a spokesman for the majority leader, who declined requests for an interview. "The only thing keeping her alive is the food and water we all need to survive. His father was on a ventilator and other machines to sustain him," said Dan Allen, DeLay's press aide. There were also these similarities: Both stricken patients were severely brain-damaged. Both were incapable of surviving without medical assistance. Both were said to have expressed a desire to be spared from being kept alive by artificial means. And neither of them had a living will. Tom DeLay, HypocriteWhy am I not surprised by this.
And DeLay is among the strongest advocates of keeping the woman, who doctors say has been in a persistent vegetative state for 15 years, connected to her feeding tube. DeLay has denounced Schiavo's husband, as well as judges, for committing what he calls "an act of barbarism" in removing the tube.
(Thanks Wine-aholic)In 1988, however, there was no such fiery rhetoric as the congressman quietly joined the sad family consensus to let his father die. "There was no point to even really talking about it," Maxine DeLay, the congressman's 81-year-old widowed mother, recalled in an interview last week. "There was no way [Charles] wanted to live like that. Tom knew — we all knew — his father wouldn't have wanted to live that way." Doctors advised that he would "basically be a vegetable," said the congressman's aunt, JoAnne DeLay. When his father's kidneys failed, the DeLay family decided against connecting him to a dialysis machine. "Extraordinary measures to prolong life were not initiated," said his medical report, citing "agreement with the family's wishes." His bedside chart carried the instruction: "Do not resuscitate." On Dec. 14, 1988, the DeLay patriarch "expired with his family in attendance." "The situation faced by the congressman's family was entirely different than Terri Schiavo's," said a spokesman for the majority leader, who declined requests for an interview. "The only thing keeping her alive is the food and water we all need to survive. His father was on a ventilator and other machines to sustain him," said Dan Allen, DeLay's press aide. There were also these similarities: Both stricken patients were severely brain-damaged. Both were incapable of surviving without medical assistance. Both were said to have expressed a desire to be spared from being kept alive by artificial means. And neither of them had a living will. Friday, March 25, 2005Umberto Eco Homepage For those who have read The DaVinci Code but haven't read Focault's Pendulum, Eco is like Dan Brown, but with talent. Umberto Eco HomepageFor those who have read The DaVinci Code but haven't read Focault's Pendulum, Eco is like Dan Brown, but with talent. A Coder in CourierlandHe made the smart move. Much better job security.
Even before Office Space, white collar workers peered out the window (if they were so lucky) and imagined a more romantic life doing real work out under the sun.
(via Kottke.org)Well, having no children, no great career ambition and no financial obligations more pressing than a crippling student loan, a year and a half ago, I decided to live this dream. I became a bicycle messenger and now I'm here to report back. A Coder in CourierlandHe made the smart move. Much better job security.
Even before Office Space, white collar workers peered out the window (if they were so lucky) and imagined a more romantic life doing real work out under the sun.
(via Kottke.org)Well, having no children, no great career ambition and no financial obligations more pressing than a crippling student loan, a year and a half ago, I decided to live this dream. I became a bicycle messenger and now I'm here to report back. 100 Favorite Fictional CharactersA good article from The Independent titled The 100 favourite fictional characters... as chosen by 100 literary luminaries. I am not sure how they skipped over Bokonon or Holden Caufield but I agree with Gerry from Backward's City who picked Yossarian from Catch-22 as his favorite character. In fact, I picked up my well worn copy that I haven't read in about 10 years for another go through. It really is one of the funniest books ever.100 Favorite Fictional CharactersA good article from The Independent titled The 100 favourite fictional characters... as chosen by 100 literary luminaries. I am not sure how they skipped over Bokonon or Holden Caufield but I agree with Gerry from Backward's City who picked Yossarian from Catch-22 as his favorite character. In fact, I picked up my well worn copy that I haven't read in about 10 years for another go through. It really is one of the funniest books ever.Daily Show Schiavo Clip
What does it mean when a comedy news show does a better job than the "real" news? (via Backwards City) Daily Show Schiavo Clip
What does it mean when a comedy news show does a better job than the "real" news? (via Backwards City) State of the Blog The Good: With a little less than a week left in March, it already has been another record breaking month here. (I didn't add sitemeter until September which is why there are no numbers before then). It is always surprises me that this hobby has been able to get so much attention and I am always happy that people find the links I find to be interesting enough to keep coming back. The Bad: Increased popularity also means you end up with some freaky people sending you email or trolling your comment section. It amuses me how many people think that they are owed something whether it be more links (I once had someone comment that I didn't have anything that interested him that day. I immediately sent him a refund of the $0.00 he paid for admission) or to use my comment section for their political agenda. I don't have a tip jar and have removed my google ads from this blog so after paying my hosting company I am running this at a loss. I banned someone yesterday for being a dick and he immediately starting emailing me complaining. Um, you are always free to leave buddy. It will save some bandwidth for my non-psychotic readers. The Ugly: Spammers. Actually, my comment spam has been decreasing thanks to MT-Blacklist and MT-Close which closes my comments after two weeks.(Old comments were favorite targets of spam). The most interesting thing that is happening with spammers is that they are attempting to spam my suggest a link button on the left. I added the suggest a link form months ago which has been a nice addition. It is something I whipped up in a few minutes and really need to redo but for the time being it is functional. It just surprises me that spammers are using it. I am guessing they are doing it manually since it is a custom form. Do they really think I am going to post it? Just odd, but since spammers are the lowest form of life it really isn't surprising. State of the BlogThe Good: With a little less than a week left in March, it already has been another record breaking month here. (I didn't add sitemeter until September which is why there are no numbers before then). It is always surprises me that this hobby has been able to get so much attention and I am always happy that people find the links I find to be interesting enough to keep coming back. The Bad: Increased popularity also means you end up with some freaky people sending you email or trolling your comment section. It amuses me how many people think that they are owed something whether it be more links (I once had someone comment that I didn't have anything that interested him that day. I immediately sent him a refund of the $0.00 he paid for admission) or to use my comment section for their political agenda. I don't have a tip jar and have removed my google ads from this blog so after paying my hosting company I am running this at a loss. I banned someone yesterday for being a dick and he immediately starting emailing me complaining. Um, you are always free to leave buddy. It will save some bandwidth for my non-psychotic readers. The Ugly: Spammers. Actually, my comment spam has been decreasing thanks to MT-Blacklist and MT-Close which closes my comments after two weeks.(Old comments were favorite targets of spam). The most interesting thing that is happening with spammers is that they are attempting to spam my suggest a link button on the left. I added the suggest a link form months ago which has been a nice addition. It is something I whipped up in a few minutes and really need to redo but for the time being it is functional. It just surprises me that spammers are using it. I am guessing they are doing it manually since it is a custom form. Do they really think I am going to post it? Just odd, but since spammers are the lowest form of life it really isn't surprising. Thursday, March 24, 2005The Science of PranayamaI am going to pass on the Pranayama.
Basti
(Thanks Jabberwocky)This can be practiced with or without a bamboo tube. But it is better to have a bamboo-tube. Sit in a tub of water covering your navel. Assume the posture Utkatasana by resting your body on the forepart of your feet, the heels pressing against the posteriors. Take a small bamboo-tube 6 fingers long and insert 4 fingers of its length into the anus after lubricating the tube with vaseline or soap or castor oil. Then contract the anus. Draw the water into the bowels slowly. Shake well the water within the bowels and then expel the water outside. It is known as Jala-Basti. The Science of PranayamaI am going to pass on the Pranayama.
Basti
(Thanks Jabberwocky)This can be practiced with or without a bamboo tube. But it is better to have a bamboo-tube. Sit in a tub of water covering your navel. Assume the posture Utkatasana by resting your body on the forepart of your feet, the heels pressing against the posteriors. Take a small bamboo-tube 6 fingers long and insert 4 fingers of its length into the anus after lubricating the tube with vaseline or soap or castor oil. Then contract the anus. Draw the water into the bowels slowly. Shake well the water within the bowels and then expel the water outside. It is known as Jala-Basti. How To Defy Gravity In Ten Easy Steps This is by far the coolest thing I have ever seen on livejournal.
The way this all got started was that my friend and i were sitting around at dinner chatting about what to do for the upcoming room-to-room party. We went through a whole bunch of ideas for room themes. And then — you know how, sometimes when you're bored, you look up and imagine what it would be like if gravity turned upside down and you got to walk around on the ceiling? (Does everyone have this daydream?) Anyway, we both mentioned it at the same time, and then it dawned on us that we could make it happen. Or a variant, anyway. I think sideways actually works better than upside-down, because then you can integrate real people into the scene in strange ways.
(via Boing Boing)How To Defy Gravity In Ten Easy StepsThis is by far the coolest thing I have ever seen on livejournal.
The way this all got started was that my friend and i were sitting around at dinner chatting about what to do for the upcoming room-to-room party. We went through a whole bunch of ideas for room themes. And then — you know how, sometimes when you're bored, you look up and imagine what it would be like if gravity turned upside down and you got to walk around on the ceiling? (Does everyone have this daydream?) Anyway, we both mentioned it at the same time, and then it dawned on us that we could make it happen. Or a variant, anyway. I think sideways actually works better than upside-down, because then you can integrate real people into the scene in strange ways.
(via Boing Boing)24 Puppies(and only 6 nipples) An amusing photo gallery of a dog who had 24 puppies. (via Monkeyfilter) 24 Puppies(and only 6 nipples)An amusing photo gallery of a dog who had 24 puppies. (via Monkeyfilter) Snakebot.jpg)
A virtually unstoppable "snakebot" developed by a University of Michigan team that resembles a high-tech slinky as it climbs pipes and stairs, rolls over rough terrain and spans wide gaps to reach the other side.
The 26-pound robot developed at the University of Michigan U-M College of Engineering is, called OmniTread. It moves by rolling, log-style, or by lifting its head or tail, inchworm-like, and muscling itself forward.
Snakebot
A virtually unstoppable "snakebot" developed by a University of Michigan team that resembles a high-tech slinky as it climbs pipes and stairs, rolls over rough terrain and spans wide gaps to reach the other side.
The 26-pound robot developed at the University of Michigan U-M College of Engineering is, called OmniTread. It moves by rolling, log-style, or by lifting its head or tail, inchworm-like, and muscling itself forward.
Early Japanese Typewriters A very interesting article about how Sugimoto Kyota invented a typewriter for kanji. This video of the typewriter in use is a must see.
Determined to make their offices as efficient as those of the West, the Japanese invented a typewriter for their own complex writing system early in the 20th century. The typist was touted as the belle of the workplace. But the Japanese typewriter was a challenging tool that could only be mastered after rigorous training. The development of a truly efficient writing machine -- the word processor -- necessitated a reassessment of the Japanese language itself.
(via We Make Money Not Art)Early Japanese TypewritersA very interesting article about how Sugimoto Kyota invented a typewriter for kanji. This video of the typewriter in use is a must see.
Determined to make their offices as efficient as those of the West, the Japanese invented a typewriter for their own complex writing system early in the 20th century. The typist was touted as the belle of the workplace. But the Japanese typewriter was a challenging tool that could only be mastered after rigorous training. The development of a truly efficient writing machine -- the word processor -- necessitated a reassessment of the Japanese language itself.
(via We Make Money Not Art)Send in the National Guard to Save TerriSome people have come up with a new way to save Terri. You know, if the courts decide against you then send in the troops.
As citizens and people of faith-we implore, beg, nay... insist, that you brothers, so distinguished by their singular accomplishments and political leadership-use the Constitutional powers of their respective offices to interpose yourselves and deploy the police services at your disposal and take Terri Schiavo into your protective custody, direct that her food and water be restored to her, and save her alive while the lawyers debate arcane matters of jurisdiction and jurisprudence.
(via Oliver Willis)Send in the National Guard to Save TerriSome people have come up with a new way to save Terri. You know, if the courts decide against you then send in the troops.
As citizens and people of faith-we implore, beg, nay... insist, that you brothers, so distinguished by their singular accomplishments and political leadership-use the Constitutional powers of their respective offices to interpose yourselves and deploy the police services at your disposal and take Terri Schiavo into your protective custody, direct that her food and water be restored to her, and save her alive while the lawyers debate arcane matters of jurisdiction and jurisprudence.
(via Oliver Willis)Wednesday, March 23, 2005Republicans Drunk With PowerAnd it is going to cost them.
An overwhelming 82 percent of the public believes the Congress and President should stay out of the matter. There is widespread cynicism about Congress' motives for getting involved: 7 percent say Congress intervened to advance a political agenda, not because they cared what happened to Terri Schiavo. Public approval of Congress has suffered as a result; at 34 percent, it is the lowest it has been since 1997, dropping from 41 percent last month. Now at 43 percent, President Bush’s approval rating is also lower than it was a month ago.
Republicans Drunk With PowerAnd it is going to cost them.
An overwhelming 82 percent of the public believes the Congress and President should stay out of the matter. There is widespread cynicism about Congress' motives for getting involved: 7 percent say Congress intervened to advance a political agenda, not because they cared what happened to Terri Schiavo. Public approval of Congress has suffered as a result; at 34 percent, it is the lowest it has been since 1997, dropping from 41 percent last month. Now at 43 percent, President Bush’s approval rating is also lower than it was a month ago.
Cryo-Pet
Cryo-Pet is a revolutionary product that is truly unique to the pet industry. Our team of Scientists and Veternarians have spent over 10 years in development and testing.
For years Cryogenics has been a privledge available only to the wealthy. But now Cryo-Pet brings this miracle of science home to you! For the first time in history you will be able to save your favourite four legged companion for all of time. Cryo-Pet
Cryo-Pet is a revolutionary product that is truly unique to the pet industry. Our team of Scientists and Veternarians have spent over 10 years in development and testing.
For years Cryogenics has been a privledge available only to the wealthy. But now Cryo-Pet brings this miracle of science home to you! For the first time in history you will be able to save your favourite four legged companion for all of time. Taxi Driver Then and Now
Often maniacally obsessed with Martin Scorsese's 1976 film "Taxi Driver" (a film that I watch regularly and find weirdly therapeutic), it was during one of these therapy sessions that I shouted at the TV screen "Listen you screw heads... you shit heels..." ...oops, I mean... I looked at the screen and said to myself "Hey that Variety theater is still there!" ...and you know what? It is! So in February of 2004 I rode on my bike along 13th street (between 2nd and 3rd avenue), and the surrounding area, and took some photos of the specific locations that were used in those parts of the film.
(via Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables)Taxi Driver Then and Now
Often maniacally obsessed with Martin Scorsese's 1976 film "Taxi Driver" (a film that I watch regularly and find weirdly therapeutic), it was during one of these therapy sessions that I shouted at the TV screen "Listen you screw heads... you shit heels..." ...oops, I mean... I looked at the screen and said to myself "Hey that Variety theater is still there!" ...and you know what? It is! So in February of 2004 I rode on my bike along 13th street (between 2nd and 3rd avenue), and the surrounding area, and took some photos of the specific locations that were used in those parts of the film.
(via Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables)Boycott Fever Pitch PetitionSomeone isn't happy with Jimmy Fallon and the new movie Fever Pitch. I am soooo signing this.
Look at this guy. Does he look like a Red Sox fan? Well he must be, because he got to celebrate the first World Series win since 1918. About 20 seconds after euphoria, we all had to watch this clown prance around the field and act all silly. He took something away from our moment. Now we should take something away from him. Boycott Fever Pitch. The movie will be out soon and there is no need from anyone in Boston to see it. Curse Jimmy Fallon, Drew Barrymore and all associated with this demonic film.
(via Universal Hub)Boycott Fever Pitch PetitionSomeone isn't happy with Jimmy Fallon and the new movie Fever Pitch. I am soooo signing this.
Look at this guy. Does he look like a Red Sox fan? Well he must be, because he got to celebrate the first World Series win since 1918. About 20 seconds after euphoria, we all had to watch this clown prance around the field and act all silly. He took something away from our moment. Now we should take something away from him. Boycott Fever Pitch. The movie will be out soon and there is no need from anyone in Boston to see it. Curse Jimmy Fallon, Drew Barrymore and all associated with this demonic film.
(via Universal Hub)WTFI am so sick of the "What about the children?" morons. Parents are supposed to do the parenting not the government. That's why they are called PARENTS!!
Utah's governor signed a bill on Monday that would require Internet providers to block Web sites deemed pornographic and could also target e-mail providers and search engines.
The controversial legislation will create an official list of Web sites with publicly available material deemed "harmful to minors." Internet providers in Utah must provide their customers with a way to disable access to sites on the list or face felony charges. Technology companies had urged Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman not to sign the bill (click for PDF), saying it was constitutionally suspect and worded so vaguely its full impact is still unclear. The measure, SB 260, says: "Upon request by a consumer, a service provider may not transmit material from a content provider site listed on the adult content registry." A service provider is defined as any person or company who "provides an Internet access service to a consumer," which could include everything from cable companies to universities, coffeeshops, and homes with open 802.11 wireless connections. WTFI am so sick of the "What about the children?" morons. Parents are supposed to do the parenting not the government. That's why they are called PARENTS!!
Utah's governor signed a bill on Monday that would require Internet providers to block Web sites deemed pornographic and could also target e-mail providers and search engines.
The controversial legislation will create an official list of Web sites with publicly available material deemed "harmful to minors." Internet providers in Utah must provide their customers with a way to disable access to sites on the list or face felony charges. Technology companies had urged Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman not to sign the bill (click for PDF), saying it was constitutionally suspect and worded so vaguely its full impact is still unclear. The measure, SB 260, says: "Upon request by a consumer, a service provider may not transmit material from a content provider site listed on the adult content registry." A service provider is defined as any person or company who "provides an Internet access service to a consumer," which could include everything from cable companies to universities, coffeeshops, and homes with open 802.11 wireless connections. Mars Rover Catches Deimos Solar Transit Too cool!
Turning their respective camera systems up into the martian sky, the robots have caught sight of the moons of Mars – Phobos and Deimos – scooting across the face of the Sun.
“We got four of the possible six Phobos and Deimos transits during this year’s “eclipse season” from the rover sites,” said Jim Bell of the Mars Exploration Rover Project at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. A recent photo shoot involved a transit of Deimos from the Spirit rover’s vantage point at Gusev Crater. Earlier se |
