Sunday, July 31, 2005

How Much Water Can A Condom Hold

magnum.jpg

The Magnum XL can hold 7 gallons?
Whether you're on the giving or receiving end of things, you've probably asked yourself, how much water can a condom hold? So did we. So we put the scientific method Mrs. Renfroe taught us in 7th grade science class to work, with some surprising results.
(via Geisha asobi)
Posted by Chris at 10:32 PM | Comments (2)

How Much Water Can A Condom Hold

magnum.jpg

The Magnum XL can hold 7 gallons?
Whether you're on the giving or receiving end of things, you've probably asked yourself, how much water can a condom hold? So did we. So we put the scientific method Mrs. Renfroe taught us in 7th grade science class to work, with some surprising results.
(via Geisha asobi)
Posted by Chris at 10:32 PM | Comments (2)

Gargantuan Marionettes

royal41_grand.jpg

Now this is a puppet show. Pictures and movies can be found on this page but the explanation was found here.
Residents of Nantes, France woke to a space capsule crashed into a smoking pile of rubble in the central square of the city. Later that day, a giant animatronic elephant and entourage of the Sultan paraded into town to visit the mayor.

Then, on saturday, the capsule opened to reveal a giant animatronic girl who walked through the streets, mischievously sewed a row of parked cars to the street with a shipping Hauser rope, rode a scooter, and even asked that the crowd give her some privacy while she used the toilet.

This play went on all day -- the Giant and elephant slept curled together in a park -- for an entire weekend. People were completely involved in this fantasy, and you can only imagine the effect it has on the imaginations and passions of children.
(via Metafilter)
Posted by Chris at 4:34 PM | Comments (2)

Gargantuan Marionettes

royal41_grand.jpg

Now this is a puppet show. Pictures and movies can be found on this page but the explanation was found here.
Residents of Nantes, France woke to a space capsule crashed into a smoking pile of rubble in the central square of the city. Later that day, a giant animatronic elephant and entourage of the Sultan paraded into town to visit the mayor.

Then, on saturday, the capsule opened to reveal a giant animatronic girl who walked through the streets, mischievously sewed a row of parked cars to the street with a shipping Hauser rope, rode a scooter, and even asked that the crowd give her some privacy while she used the toilet.

This play went on all day -- the Giant and elephant slept curled together in a park -- for an entire weekend. People were completely involved in this fantasy, and you can only imagine the effect it has on the imaginations and passions of children.
(via Metafilter)
Posted by Chris at 4:34 PM | Comments (2)

The Great Ball Contraption

GBCpreviews.jpg

You really need to check out some of the videos at the bottom of the page to appreciate the distilled geekery of this project.
Develop a Mindstorms/Technic creation (not competition) in which people of all building levels can participate. Each person can build one (or more) module(s). All modules will be assembled to form a large "Rube Goldberg "-ish bucket-brigade type contraption.
Posted by Chris at 1:16 AM | Comments (1)

The Great Ball Contraption

GBCpreviews.jpg

You really need to check out some of the videos at the bottom of the page to appreciate the distilled geekery of this project.
Develop a Mindstorms/Technic creation (not competition) in which people of all building levels can participate. Each person can build one (or more) module(s). All modules will be assembled to form a large "Rube Goldberg "-ish bucket-brigade type contraption.
Posted by Chris at 1:16 AM | Comments (1)

Pictures from The Illustrated London News

72854_118750.jpg
1879, Fanciful depiction of the Prince Imperial's last moments as he is attacked by Zulus, a reflection of the sentimental way his death was treated by the press at the time.

Saturday 14 May 1842 was an important day for journalism, with the publication of the world’s first ever illustrated weekly newspaper – The Illustrated London News. Sixteen pages of world news and events, interspersed with images of, amongst other things, a fire in Hamburg, Queen Victoria’s fancy dress ball, the war in Afghanistan and the latest fashions from Paris
(via del.icio.us/timothyjpmason)
Posted by Chris at 12:53 AM

Pictures from The Illustrated London News

72854_118750.jpg
1879, Fanciful depiction of the Prince Imperial's last moments as he is attacked by Zulus, a reflection of the sentimental way his death was treated by the press at the time.

Saturday 14 May 1842 was an important day for journalism, with the publication of the world’s first ever illustrated weekly newspaper – The Illustrated London News. Sixteen pages of world news and events, interspersed with images of, amongst other things, a fire in Hamburg, Queen Victoria’s fancy dress ball, the war in Afghanistan and the latest fashions from Paris
(via del.icio.us/timothyjpmason)
Posted by Chris at 12:53 AM

Vegas Sign Graveyard

horseshoe2.jpg

Only in Vegas could you have a museum dedicated to old hotel and casino signs.
The Neon Museum, currently an outdoor walking tour, is located downtown at the Fremont Street Experience. It was created by the city of Las Vegas to preserve that piece of Vegas history.

Not only are the signs historical, with their spectacular colors, intricate animation and sheer size, they are also considered by many to be true works of art.
Posted by Chris at 12:36 AM

Vegas Sign Graveyard

horseshoe2.jpg

Only in Vegas could you have a museum dedicated to old hotel and casino signs.
The Neon Museum, currently an outdoor walking tour, is located downtown at the Fremont Street Experience. It was created by the city of Las Vegas to preserve that piece of Vegas history.

Not only are the signs historical, with their spectacular colors, intricate animation and sheer size, they are also considered by many to be true works of art.
Posted by Chris at 12:36 AM

The Original V8 Snowblower

mdssnowblower4.jpg

This snowblower is more powerful than my car.
A 454 cubic inch big block Chevrolet...O.K., but in a walk behind snowblower? This unit blows the snow back to where it came from!
Posted by Chris at 12:28 AM | Comments (5)

The Original V8 Snowblower

mdssnowblower4.jpg

This snowblower is more powerful than my car.
A 454 cubic inch big block Chevrolet...O.K., but in a walk behind snowblower? This unit blows the snow back to where it came from!
Posted by Chris at 12:28 AM | Comments (5)

The Indiana Pi Bill, 1897

Words fail me...
This is Indiana House Bill No. 246, 1897, known as the Indiana pi bill. Towards the end of section 2 it says plainly that "The ratio of the diameter and circumference is as five-fourths to four," which means pi is 3.2. The section goes on the criticize (ungenerously, I'd say) past values of pi as "wholly wanting and misleading."
Posted by Chris at 12:12 AM | Comments (1)

The Indiana Pi Bill, 1897

Words fail me...
This is Indiana House Bill No. 246, 1897, known as the Indiana pi bill. Towards the end of section 2 it says plainly that "The ratio of the diameter and circumference is as five-fourths to four," which means pi is 3.2. The section goes on the criticize (ungenerously, I'd say) past values of pi as "wholly wanting and misleading."
Posted by Chris at 12:12 AM | Comments (1)

My Twinn Dolls

MT_dollpage_threepics.jpg

Ummm..
Create a treasured resemblance of your child by choosing your doll's individual qualities. Each 23" fully poseable doll is carefully crafted with the highest quality materials and is made to stand up to a lifetime of play. The My Twinn doll has 18 points of poseability for versatile, lifelike movement.
(via del.icio.us/xerode)
Posted by Chris at 12:02 AM | Comments (4)

My Twinn Dolls

MT_dollpage_threepics.jpg

Ummm..
Create a treasured resemblance of your child by choosing your doll's individual qualities. Each 23" fully poseable doll is carefully crafted with the highest quality materials and is made to stand up to a lifetime of play. The My Twinn doll has 18 points of poseability for versatile, lifelike movement.
(via del.icio.us/xerode)
Posted by Chris at 12:02 AM | Comments (4)

Saturday, July 30, 2005

Swastika in a German Forest

treess.jpg

This photo was taken on November 14, 2000. The 60 x 60 meter swastika consisted of Larch trees in a Pine forest near the village of Zernikow (110 km Northeast of Berlin). It was only visible from the air a few weeks in the Spring and a few weeks in the Fall when Larch trees stood out in contract to the surrounding Pine trees.

These trees were planted in the 1930's by a local resident during Nazi times. They were largely forgotten until after the German reunification in 1992 when planes once again flew over the area.
(via the comments in this Metafilter post)
Posted by Chris at 9:24 PM | Comments (3)

Swastika in a German Forest

treess.jpg

This photo was taken on November 14, 2000. The 60 x 60 meter swastika consisted of Larch trees in a Pine forest near the village of Zernikow (110 km Northeast of Berlin). It was only visible from the air a few weeks in the Spring and a few weeks in the Fall when Larch trees stood out in contract to the surrounding Pine trees.

These trees were planted in the 1930's by a local resident during Nazi times. They were largely forgotten until after the German reunification in 1992 when planes once again flew over the area.
(via the comments in this Metafilter post)

Visual Recipes

153_image1.jpg

A community of cooking enthusiasts who share recipes with step by step pictures.

(via Radmila's My2SecondShelfLife who posted this recipe for Crab and Callaloo)
Posted by Chris at 3:28 PM

Visual Recipes

153_image1.jpg

A community of cooking enthusiasts who share recipes with step by step pictures.

(via Radmila's My2SecondShelfLife who posted this recipe for Crab and Callaloo)
Posted by Chris at 3:28 PM

How To Remove an Ink Tag

107_0760.jpg

Just takes patience and a drill.
At some point every consumer discovers that a security device has mistakenly been left on his clothes or other new purchases by an inattentive checkout clerk. This happened to me recently at the local Mervyn's so I took the opportunity to dismantle the device and publish this page; while I could simply have returned to the store to have the device removed (always a hassle), I admit I was curious to find out once and for all if the devices really work. And to do it without ruining my brand new Levi's!
(via Google when I found that a pair of pants I bought six months ago but haven't worn yet still has the ink tag attached. Grrrr!)
Posted by Chris at 1:38 PM | Comments (2)

How To Remove an Ink Tag

107_0760.jpg

Just takes patience and a drill.
At some point every consumer discovers that a security device has mistakenly been left on his clothes or other new purchases by an inattentive checkout clerk. This happened to me recently at the local Mervyn's so I took the opportunity to dismantle the device and publish this page; while I could simply have returned to the store to have the device removed (always a hassle), I admit I was curious to find out once and for all if the devices really work. And to do it without ruining my brand new Levi's!
(via Google when I found that a pair of pants I bought six months ago but haven't worn yet still has the ink tag attached. Grrrr!)
Posted by Chris at 1:38 PM | Comments (2)

The Idiots Guide to the NHL Lockout

Where is Bill Simmons' Pulitzer? I am serious about this!
Q: What was the biggest mistake the players' union made?

You mean, other than canceling an entire season, then caving? The players' biggest mistake was trying to protect a salary structure that made no sense in the first place. Look, we all knew hockey players in high school and college -- they're good guys and hard workers, they stink like sweaty hockey equipment, they can drink until the cows come home, they have no problem walking around naked in front of other guys, and they would absolutely be happy playing professionally for $20 an hour. This is a blue-collar sport for blue-collar fans, people who should never have to pay more than $35 to $40 for a ticket. And the players fit right into that. So why pretend that hockey players should be getting $10 million to $12 million per year?

For instance, let's say you have a favorite diner near your house. What do we love about diners? They're inexpensive. The food comes out fast. The coffee is always good. The chef in the kitchen has an "I hope these customers didn't see me on 'America's Most Wanted' look on his face. The gum-snapping waitress is in her 50's, but there's still something sexy about her, despite the smoking wrinkles and the missing left index finger. And you can kick back, read your newspaper, enjoy a decent omelet, home fries and some buttered toast, and flirt with a 53-year-old woman who was probably Patient X for Hepatitis B back in 1971. What's better than that?

Well, imagine if they quadrupled the price at the diner, the food took three times as long, you couldn't see the chef, all the waitresses looked like Kathy Bates, and they added so many breakfast items to the menu that you almost needed a translator to read the menu? Would you ever go there again? Of course not. And that's what the NHL never realized until it was too late. It was the breakfast diner of professional sports leagues, nothing more. Unfortunately, it took a 301-day lockout -- as well as every cable channel basically saying, "Thanks, but no thanks" -- for everyone to realize this.
Posted by Chris at 11:20 AM | Comments (2)

The Idiots Guide to the NHL Lockout

Where is Bill Simmons' Pulitzer? I am serious about this!
Q: What was the biggest mistake the players' union made?

You mean, other than canceling an entire season, then caving? The players' biggest mistake was trying to protect a salary structure that made no sense in the first place. Look, we all knew hockey players in high school and college -- they're good guys and hard workers, they stink like sweaty hockey equipment, they can drink until the cows come home, they have no problem walking around naked in front of other guys, and they would absolutely be happy playing professionally for $20 an hour. This is a blue-collar sport for blue-collar fans, people who should never have to pay more than $35 to $40 for a ticket. And the players fit right into that. So why pretend that hockey players should be getting $10 million to $12 million per year?

For instance, let's say you have a favorite diner near your house. What do we love about diners? They're inexpensive. The food comes out fast. The coffee is always good. The chef in the kitchen has an "I hope these customers didn't see me on 'America's Most Wanted' look on his face. The gum-snapping waitress is in her 50's, but there's still something sexy about her, despite the smoking wrinkles and the missing left index finger. And you can kick back, read your newspaper, enjoy a decent omelet, home fries and some buttered toast, and flirt with a 53-year-old woman who was probably Patient X for Hepatitis B back in 1971. What's better than that?

Well, imagine if they quadrupled the price at the diner, the food took three times as long, you couldn't see the chef, all the waitresses looked like Kathy Bates, and they added so many breakfast items to the menu that you almost needed a translator to read the menu? Would you ever go there again? Of course not. And that's what the NHL never realized until it was too late. It was the breakfast diner of professional sports leagues, nothing more. Unfortunately, it took a 301-day lockout -- as well as every cable channel basically saying, "Thanks, but no thanks" -- for everyone to realize this.
Posted by Chris at 11:20 AM | Comments (2)

The Fenian Invasion of Canada

I am shocked that this plan didn't succeed. Wikipedia, of course, has more about the Fenian Brotherhood.
After the war ended in 1865 the Fenians decided to strike the hated British in Canada, or British North America as it was then known. The open border between the United States and Canada made clandestine transport to Ireland unnecessary. The U.S. territory would provide a base for invasion. And the U.S. government didn't seem to care that the Fenians wanted to invade Canada, any more than the British seemed to care that Confederates were launching raids from Canada into the U.S. during the Civil War. The Fenians intended to take over Canada and rename it "New Ireland." New Ireland, it was assumed, would then be used as a base to liberate old Ireland or as a bargaining chip for Eire.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 10:44 AM | Comments (2)

The Fenian Invasion of Canada

I am shocked that this plan didn't succeed. Wikipedia, of course, has more about the Fenian Brotherhood.
After the war ended in 1865 the Fenians decided to strike the hated British in Canada, or British North America as it was then known. The open border between the United States and Canada made clandestine transport to Ireland unnecessary. The U.S. territory would provide a base for invasion. And the U.S. government didn't seem to care that the Fenians wanted to invade Canada, any more than the British seemed to care that Confederates were launching raids from Canada into the U.S. during the Civil War. The Fenians intended to take over Canada and rename it "New Ireland." New Ireland, it was assumed, would then be used as a base to liberate old Ireland or as a bargaining chip for Eire.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 10:44 AM | Comments (2)

Friday, July 29, 2005

The Definitive Guide To Speeding Tickets

Most of this seems like common sense but the section on how to contest a speeding ticket could be a help to some.
(via del.icio.us/mdramige)
Posted by Chris at 10:35 PM

The Definitive Guide To Speeding Tickets

Most of this seems like common sense but the section on how to contest a speeding ticket could be a help to some.
(via del.icio.us/mdramige)
Posted by Chris at 10:35 PM

Blacktown

logo_blacktown_masthead_blackframe.jpg

The only black organization that exposes and opposes lesbian feminism witchcraft.
During the 1960s, black women and black men were in TOTAL HARMONY and were showing the world that black is beautiful.

Then, in the 1990s a musical group called Destinie's Child made a song called: Independent Woman, and this song summarized the mood and the "attitude" of the "modern" black Feminist women and how the felt about everything: SELFISH!!!

Blacktown.net is devoted to exposing and mocking this selfish attitude that black women learned from listening to white lesbian, male bashing Feminists.

We declare that there is Nothing Feminine About Feminism. And the very term is an oxymoron and is indicative of how sneaky and treacherous lebian Feminism is. IT IS WITCHCRAFT!!!
(via del.icio.us/cap10)
Posted by Chris at 10:24 PM

Blacktown

logo_blacktown_masthead_blackframe.jpg

The only black organization that exposes and opposes lesbian feminism witchcraft.
During the 1960s, black women and black men were in TOTAL HARMONY and were showing the world that black is beautiful.

Then, in the 1990s a musical group called Destinie's Child made a song called: Independent Woman, and this song summarized the mood and the "attitude" of the "modern" black Feminist women and how the felt about everything: SELFISH!!!

Blacktown.net is devoted to exposing and mocking this selfish attitude that black women learned from listening to white lesbian, male bashing Feminists.

We declare that there is Nothing Feminine About Feminism. And the very term is an oxymoron and is indicative of how sneaky and treacherous lebian Feminism is. IT IS WITCHCRAFT!!!
(via del.icio.us/cap10)
Posted by Chris at 10:24 PM

How To Build A Working Paper Pipe Organ

orgel1.jpg

Music Thing has a wonderful entry up with links on making a working paper pipe organ including this link about pneumatic drives and paper machines.
Posted by Chris at 9:46 PM | Comments (2)

How To Build A Working Paper Pipe Organ

orgel1.jpg

Music Thing has a wonderful entry up with links on making a working paper pipe organ including this link about pneumatic drives and paper machines.
Posted by Chris at 9:46 PM | Comments (2)

Hans Island

300px-Hans_Island_001.jpg

And as the rest of the world focuses on the war in the Middle East, Canada and Denmark resume their quiescent struggle for control of Hans Island.
The ownership of the island is disputed as it is claimed by both Canada and Denmark. They failed to settle the issue when borders were drawn between Canada and Greenland in 1973. The border is established in the delimitation treaty about the Continental Shelf between Greenland and Canada, ratified by the United Nations on December 17, 1973, and in force since March 13, 1974. At that time, it was the longest shelf boundary treaty ever negotiated and may have been the first ever continental shelf boundary developed by a computer program.
And the latest news from the front.
A new development came to light after Canadian Defence Minster Bill Graham visited the island on July 20, 2005. Peter Taksoe-Jensen, the head of the International Law department at Denmark's foreign ministry, said the following in an interview with Reuters on July 25 in response to the event:

We consider Hans Island to be part of Danish territory and will therefore hand over a complaint about the Canadian minister's unannounced visit.[4]

This is the first time a Danish government official has claimed the island is solely Danish territory and is not in dispute. A reaction from the Canadian government is to be expected.
Posted by Chris at 3:12 PM | Comments (6)

Hans Island

300px-Hans_Island_001.jpg

And as the rest of the world focuses on the war in the Middle East, Canada and Denmark resume their quiescent struggle for control of Hans Island.
The ownership of the island is disputed as it is claimed by both Canada and Denmark. They failed to settle the issue when borders were drawn between Canada and Greenland in 1973. The border is established in the delimitation treaty about the Continental Shelf between Greenland and Canada, ratified by the United Nations on December 17, 1973, and in force since March 13, 1974. At that time, it was the longest shelf boundary treaty ever negotiated and may have been the first ever continental shelf boundary developed by a computer program.
And the latest news from the front.
A new development came to light after Canadian Defence Minster Bill Graham visited the island on July 20, 2005. Peter Taksoe-Jensen, the head of the International Law department at Denmark's foreign ministry, said the following in an interview with Reuters on July 25 in response to the event:

We consider Hans Island to be part of Danish territory and will therefore hand over a complaint about the Canadian minister's unannounced visit.[4]

This is the first time a Danish government official has claimed the island is solely Danish territory and is not in dispute. A reaction from the Canadian government is to be expected.

Ted the Caver

newpass.jpg

This is the first time I have come across the Ted the Caver website and even though it is long winded, it still makes a damn good ghost story.
I was kneeling down and working the drill slowly into the wall at the time. I had my ear plugs in, my safety glasses on, and was lost in my own thoughts. Suddenly, over the squeal of the drill wearing down the rock, I heard a strange noise. It was loud. I could hear it over the noise of the drill, even though I had the ear plugs in. At first I thought it was just the drill bit doing its job on the cave. It would frequently complain by screeching and whining as we forced it into the wall. But this was different. It took me several full seconds to comprehend that this was coming from inside the hole, and not the bit. I stopped drilling and yanked my earplugs out just in time to hear the most terrible scream I have ever heard trail off and echo into the darkness of the cavern. I stared wide-eyed at the hole. For several moments I didn't move, nor did I breathe. I turned to look at B. Moments earlier he had been lying on the rope bag catching a nap. Now, he was standing upright, mouth open, with a look of concern on his face! I turned and looked into the hole again, half expecting to see a demon face staring back at me.
Posted by Chris at 11:30 AM | Comments (14)

Ted the Caver

newpass.jpg

This is the first time I have come across the Ted the Caver website and even though it is long winded, it still makes a damn good ghost story.
I was kneeling down and working the drill slowly into the wall at the time. I had my ear plugs in, my safety glasses on, and was lost in my own thoughts. Suddenly, over the squeal of the drill wearing down the rock, I heard a strange noise. It was loud. I could hear it over the noise of the drill, even though I had the ear plugs in. At first I thought it was just the drill bit doing its job on the cave. It would frequently complain by screeching and whining as we forced it into the wall. But this was different. It took me several full seconds to comprehend that this was coming from inside the hole, and not the bit. I stopped drilling and yanked my earplugs out just in time to hear the most terrible scream I have ever heard trail off and echo into the darkness of the cavern. I stared wide-eyed at the hole. For several moments I didn't move, nor did I breathe. I turned to look at B. Moments earlier he had been lying on the rope bag catching a nap. Now, he was standing upright, mouth open, with a look of concern on his face! I turned and looked into the hole again, half expecting to see a demon face staring back at me.
Posted by Chris at 11:30 AM | Comments (14)

Ernest Hemingway on D-Day

I knew Hemingway was a war correspondent but I didn't know that he came in on the 7th wave at Omaha Beach.
"Those of our troops who were not wax-gray with seasickness," Hemingway wrote, "were watching the Texas with looks of surprise and happiness. Under the steel helmets they looked like pikemen of the Middle Ages to whose aid in battle had suddenly come some strange and unbelievable monster." To Hemingway, the big guns "sounded as though they were throwing whole railway trains across the sky."
Posted by Chris at 11:04 AM

Ernest Hemingway on D-Day

I knew Hemingway was a war correspondent but I didn't know that he came in on the 7th wave at Omaha Beach.
"Those of our troops who were not wax-gray with seasickness," Hemingway wrote, "were watching the Texas with looks of surprise and happiness. Under the steel helmets they looked like pikemen of the Middle Ages to whose aid in battle had suddenly come some strange and unbelievable monster." To Hemingway, the big guns "sounded as though they were throwing whole railway trains across the sky."
Posted by Chris at 11:04 AM

Blaxploitation Radio Ads

foxybrown.jpg

Classic!
(via We Make Money Not Art)
Posted by Chris at 10:38 AM | Comments (1)

Blaxploitation Radio Ads

foxybrown.jpg

Classic!
(via We Make Money Not Art)
Posted by Chris at 10:38 AM | Comments (1)

Best Movie Speech of All Time

No contest:
"The details of my life are quite inconsequential.... very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with a low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a fifteen year old French prostitute named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds- pretty standard really. At the age of twelve I received my first scribe. At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I suggest you try it."
Posted by Chris at 10:23 AM | Comments (3)

Best Movie Speech of All Time

No contest:
"The details of my life are quite inconsequential.... very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with a low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a fifteen year old French prostitute named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds- pretty standard really. At the age of twelve I received my first scribe. At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I suggest you try it."
Posted by Chris at 10:23 AM | Comments (3)

The Aristocrats

Varieties of a dirty joke. I'm a big Penn Jillette fan so I am kind of curious how you can make a movie that revolves around one joke.
This site features what has been described by the New York Times as "The Greatest Dirty Joke Ever Told" - The Aristocrats. Inspired by the forthcoming film from Paul Provenza and Penn Jillette which features 100 comics talking about and telling their versions of the joke, this site is a home for filth virtuosos everywhere. Submit your version of the Aristocrats joke to the database and enjoy others.
Posted by Chris at 10:08 AM | Comments (3)

The Aristocrats

Varieties of a dirty joke. I'm a big Penn Jillette fan so I am kind of curious how you can make a movie that revolves around one joke.
This site features what has been described by the New York Times as "The Greatest Dirty Joke Ever Told" - The Aristocrats. Inspired by the forthcoming film from Paul Provenza and Penn Jillette which features 100 comics talking about and telling their versions of the joke, this site is a home for filth virtuosos everywhere. Submit your version of the Aristocrats joke to the database and enjoy others.
Posted by Chris at 10:08 AM | Comments (3)

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Alan W. Pollack's Notes on Series

An in-depth look at every Beatle song.
In 1989 the American musicologist Alan W. Pollack started to analyze the songs of the Beatles. He published his first results on internet. In 1991 — after he had finished the work on 28 songs — he bravely decided to do the whole lot of them. About ten years later, in 2000 he completed the analysis of the official Beatles' canon, consisting of 187 songs and 25 covers. Here we have ordered this massive work in five categories. And, for your convenience, we've added an alphabetical, a canonical and a chronological index as well as a short introduction.
(via del.icio.us/shopiere)
Posted by Chris at 9:39 PM

Alan W. Pollack's Notes on Series

An in-depth look at every Beatle song.
In 1989 the American musicologist Alan W. Pollack started to analyze the songs of the Beatles. He published his first results on internet. In 1991 — after he had finished the work on 28 songs — he bravely decided to do the whole lot of them. About ten years later, in 2000 he completed the analysis of the official Beatles' canon, consisting of 187 songs and 25 covers. Here we have ordered this massive work in five categories. And, for your convenience, we've added an alphabetical, a canonical and a chronological index as well as a short introduction.
(via del.icio.us/shopiere)
Posted by Chris at 9:39 PM | TrackBack

A Hot-Air Engined Gramophone

maestro1a.jpg

This remarkable gramophone is powered by a hot-air engine instead of the usual clockwork. It was found at the National Gin Museum in Hasselt, Belgium. The link there is that the engine is heated by alcohol. It was called "The Maestrofoon", and according to the label on the case, was made by Paillard in Switzerland, around 1915.
(via del.icio.us/guthrie)
Posted by Chris at 9:33 PM | Comments (2)

A Hot-Air Engined Gramophone

maestro1a.jpg

This remarkable gramophone is powered by a hot-air engine instead of the usual clockwork. It was found at the National Gin Museum in Hasselt, Belgium. The link there is that the engine is heated by alcohol. It was called "The Maestrofoon", and according to the label on the case, was made by Paillard in Switzerland, around 1915.
(via del.icio.us/guthrie)
Posted by Chris at 9:33 PM | Comments (2)

Motorized Couch

motor-access.jpg

I would have been more impressed if it was a sectional.
(via del.icio.us/hardika)
Posted by Chris at 9:06 PM | Comments (2)

Motorized Couch

motor-access.jpg

I would have been more impressed if it was a sectional.
(via del.icio.us/hardika)
Posted by Chris at 9:06 PM | Comments (2)

What's That Bug?

house_centipede_tom.jpg

Have you ever found a bug in the house or garden but didn't know what kind it was? Take a picture of it and send it to this site. Plenty of creepy crawly pics for you to browse.
(via Exclamation Mark)
Posted by Chris at 8:19 PM | Comments (7)

What's That Bug?

house_centipede_tom.jpg

Have you ever found a bug in the house or garden but didn't know what kind it was? Take a picture of it and send it to this site. Plenty of creepy crawly pics for you to browse.
(via Exclamation Mark)
Posted by Chris at 8:19 PM | Comments (7)

Burger King sexual captions an 'honest mistake'

cock0705.jpg

Righhhhhhhht.
Sexual double entendres were removed overnight from Burger King's new website, CoqRoq.com, but the company claims it has received no complaints from consumers or other outside groups, AdAge reports. The deleted content included captions, under photos of young girls, that read: "Groupies love the Coq" and "groupies love Coq."

The captions were there when the site went live yesterday, but according to Edna Johnson, SVP for global communications for Burger King, malfunctions in the Flash and XML programming were responsible for putting the captions up. A misspelling of "Burger King" had also been fixed, she said.
Posted by Chris at 11:24 AM | Comments (3)

Burger King sexual captions an 'honest mistake'

cock0705.jpg

Righhhhhhhht.
Sexual double entendres were removed overnight from Burger King's new website, CoqRoq.com, but the company claims it has received no complaints from consumers or other outside groups, AdAge reports. The deleted content included captions, under photos of young girls, that read: "Groupies love the Coq" and "groupies love Coq."

The captions were there when the site went live yesterday, but according to Edna Johnson, SVP for global communications for Burger King, malfunctions in the Flash and XML programming were responsible for putting the captions up. A misspelling of "Burger King" had also been fixed, she said.
Posted by Chris at 11:24 AM | Comments (3)

The Newark and Detroit "Riots" of 1967

Riots.jpg

The Detroit Riot of 1967 began when police vice squad officers executed a raid on an after hours drinking club or “blind pig” in a predominantly black neighborhoods located at Twelfth Street and Clairmount Avenue. They were expecting to round up a few patrons, but instead found 82 people inside holding a party for two returning Vietnam veterans. Yet, the officers attempted to arrest everyone who was on the scene. While the police awaited a “clean-up crew” to transport the arrestees, a crowd gathered around the establishment in protest. After the last police car left, a small group of men who were “confused and upset because they were kicked out of the only place they had to go” lifted up the bars of an adjacent clothing store and broke the windows. From this point of origin, further reports of vandalism diffused.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 11:18 AM | Comments (1)

The Newark and Detroit "Riots" of 1967

Riots.jpg

The Detroit Riot of 1967 began when police vice squad officers executed a raid on an after hours drinking club or “blind pig” in a predominantly black neighborhoods located at Twelfth Street and Clairmount Avenue. They were expecting to round up a few patrons, but instead found 82 people inside holding a party for two returning Vietnam veterans. Yet, the officers attempted to arrest everyone who was on the scene. While the police awaited a “clean-up crew” to transport the arrestees, a crowd gathered around the establishment in protest. After the last police car left, a small group of men who were “confused and upset because they were kicked out of the only place they had to go” lifted up the bars of an adjacent clothing store and broke the windows. From this point of origin, further reports of vandalism diffused.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 11:18 AM | Comments (1)

How To Crush A Railroad Tank Car

Tankerview1.jpg
I was told the interior of the tank car was washed out & cleaned with steam. Then all the outlet valves were shut and the tank car was sealed. All the workers went home for the evening and when they returned, this is what they found. Apparently as the tank car cooled, it collapsed. The shell on these tank cars is 7/16th's thick steel. It is hard to imagine the forces it took to do this much damage, to such a large steel object.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 11:06 AM | Comments (2)

How To Crush A Railroad Tank Car

Tankerview1.jpg
I was told the interior of the tank car was washed out & cleaned with steam. Then all the outlet valves were shut and the tank car was sealed. All the workers went home for the evening and when they returned, this is what they found. Apparently as the tank car cooled, it collapsed. The shell on these tank cars is 7/16th's thick steel. It is hard to imagine the forces it took to do this much damage, to such a large steel object.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 11:06 AM | Comments (2)

Photos of the London Bombings

abc_lontrain1_050727_ssv.jpg

From ABC News. A mix of photos from the July 7 bombings and of the failed bombings a week later.
(via Robot Wisdom)
Posted by Chris at 10:28 AM

Photos of the London Bombings

abc_lontrain1_050727_ssv.jpg

From ABC News. A mix of photos from the July 7 bombings and of the failed bombings a week later.
(via Robot Wisdom)
Posted by Chris at 10:28 AM

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Playing Hooky

I'm going to take a day or two off from blogging so feel free to go through the blogroll for entertaining links. I try to keep only the blogs I visit daily on my blogroll so the majority of the links I post come from them. If I had to pick three of my favorite blogs as of this moment from it I would go with:

Bibi's Box: One of the best link bloggers on the net right now and getting better everyday.

Backwards City Never fails to link to something interesting and unique.

The Guabancex Blog: Dorna! is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma cut up into small cryptic pieces and added to a sphinx-flavored stew of puzzlement. She'll keep you guessing.
Posted by Chris at 10:55 AM | Comments (8)

Playing Hooky

I'm going to take a day or two off from blogging so feel free to go through the blogroll for entertaining links. I try to keep only the blogs I visit daily on my blogroll so the majority of the links I post come from them. If I had to pick three of my favorite blogs as of this moment from it I would go with:

Bibi's Box: One of the best link bloggers on the net right now and getting better everyday.

Backwards City Never fails to link to something interesting and unique.

The Guabancex Blog: Dorna! is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma cut up into small cryptic pieces and added to a sphinx-flavored stew of puzzlement. She'll keep you guessing.
Posted by Chris at 10:55 AM | Comments (8)

Newspeak for "The War on Terror"

I think this is doubleplusgood.
The Bush administration is abandoning the phrase "war on terror" to better express the fight against al-Qaeda and other groups as an ideological struggle as much as a military mission.

While the slogan - first used by President George W Bush in the wake of the 9/11 attacks - may still be heard from time to time, the White House says it will increasingly be couched in other language.

In recent days, senior administration figures have been speaking publicly of "a global struggle against the enemies of freedom", and of the need to use all "tools of statecraft" to defeat them.
Posted by Chris at 9:51 AM

Newspeak for "The War on Terror"

I think this is doubleplusgood.
The Bush administration is abandoning the phrase "war on terror" to better express the fight against al-Qaeda and other groups as an ideological struggle as much as a military mission.

While the slogan - first used by President George W Bush in the wake of the 9/11 attacks - may still be heard from time to time, the White House says it will increasingly be couched in other language.

In recent days, senior administration figures have been speaking publicly of "a global struggle against the enemies of freedom", and of the need to use all "tools of statecraft" to defeat them.
Posted by Chris at 9:51 AM

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Blog Depression

blogdepressionpg1_thumb.jpg

Blog Depression can affect anyone at any time.
Veterans - "HEY!! I posted that two years ago!Now it's on boing boing and suddenly it's all popular? Fuck this man!Time for a redesign."

Meta-bloggers - "Christ! another pulp book covers post! That's it i'm sucking a tailpipe!"
(via Bibi's Box)
Posted by Chris at 8:19 PM | Comments (1)

Blog Depression

blogdepressionpg1_thumb.jpg

Blog Depression can affect anyone at any time.
Veterans - "HEY!! I posted that two years ago!Now it's on boing boing and suddenly it's all popular? Fuck this man!Time for a redesign."

Meta-bloggers - "Christ! another pulp book covers post! That's it i'm sucking a tailpipe!"
(via Bibi's Box)

1001 Things to do With

Liquid Nitrogen.
LN2 also works great for sweeping and cleaning hard floors such as concrete or wood. Get a couple liters in a container, and dump it on the floor in the direction you want the debris to travel. It picks up everything in it's wave and if it hits a wall, the wave will boil off and deposit the junk there. Now all you have to do is go around the perimeter and sweep up the clutter.
Posted by Chris at 7:29 PM

1001 Things to do With

Liquid Nitrogen.
LN2 also works great for sweeping and cleaning hard floors such as concrete or wood. Get a couple liters in a container, and dump it on the floor in the direction you want the debris to travel. It picks up everything in it's wave and if it hits a wall, the wave will boil off and deposit the junk there. Now all you have to do is go around the perimeter and sweep up the clutter.
Posted by Chris at 7:29 PM

Missing Pregnant 25 YO Mother Alert

latoyia.jpg

Hmmm, for some reason I am guessing we won't be hearing about this case on CNN.
(via Atrios)

Update:
It is now up on CNN's front page. More updates about this can be found on The All Spin Zone.
Posted by Chris at 7:21 PM | Comments (7)

Missing Pregnant 25 YO Mother Alert

latoyia.jpg

Hmmm, for some reason I am guessing we won't be hearing about this case on CNN.
(via Atrios)

Update:
It is now up on CNN's front page. More updates about this can be found on The All Spin Zone.
Posted by Chris at 7:21 PM | Comments (7)

I quit

I have found the last page of the internet. Goodbye.
Posted by Chris at 10:50 AM | Comments (4)

I quit

I have found the last page of the internet. Goodbye.

A Moment of 80's Zen

aha.jpg

Waxy has a video clip of Family Guy's spoof of A-Ha's classic "Take On Me".

In case you need your memory refreshed a bit or are too (gulp!) young to remember, Yahoo has A-Ha's original video.
Posted by Chris at 10:08 AM | Comments (6)

A Moment of 80's Zen

aha.jpg

Waxy has a video clip of Family Guy's spoof of A-Ha's classic "Take On Me".

In case you need your memory refreshed a bit or are too (gulp!) young to remember, Yahoo has A-Ha's original video.
Posted by Chris at 10:08 AM | Comments (6)

Depictions of Slavery in Confederate Money

notes00008.jpg
Many Southern notes did not feature images of slavery; this exhibit focuses on the ones that did. This collection features notes issued and circulated in the South during the Antebellum, Civil War, and Reconstruction Eras. Notes were issued by various entities, including the Confederate government, state governments, merchants, and railroad companies.
(via Jaf Project)
Posted by Chris at 7:48 AM | Comments (5)

Depictions of Slavery in Confederate Money

notes00008.jpg
Many Southern notes did not feature images of slavery; this exhibit focuses on the ones that did. This collection features notes issued and circulated in the South during the Antebellum, Civil War, and Reconstruction Eras. Notes were issued by various entities, including the Confederate government, state governments, merchants, and railroad companies.
(via Jaf Project)
Posted by Chris at 7:48 AM | Comments (5)

The Unheard Beethoven

While several hundred of these works have been recorded on one medium or another, there still remain literally hundreds of other works which have never been recorded at all, or which have never been published in widely available editions or in some cases, never published at all! There are thus hundreds of Beethoven works which, until now, have been available only to scholars and specialists.

This website endeavors to make all of Beethoven's unrecorded music readily accessible to the public. Now YOU may judge for yourself as to whether these pieces deserve a wider hearing and the ability to join the repertoire.
(via del.icio.us/taylorcc)
Posted by Chris at 7:42 AM

The Unheard Beethoven

While several hundred of these works have been recorded on one medium or another, there still remain literally hundreds of other works which have never been recorded at all, or which have never been published in widely available editions or in some cases, never published at all! There are thus hundreds of Beethoven works which, until now, have been available only to scholars and specialists.

This website endeavors to make all of Beethoven's unrecorded music readily accessible to the public. Now YOU may judge for yourself as to whether these pieces deserve a wider hearing and the ability to join the repertoire.
(via del.icio.us/taylorcc)
Posted by Chris at 7:42 AM

How Do Spammers Harvest E-mail Addresses

In a nutshell, if you use email, you will get spammed.
Posted by Chris at 7:39 AM | Comments (1)

How Do Spammers Harvest E-mail Addresses

In a nutshell, if you use email, you will get spammed.
Posted by Chris at 7:39 AM | Comments (1)

Monday, July 25, 2005

Panoramic Photographs (1851 - 1991)

6a05843r.jpg
Click to see uncropped photo of Baltimore's "Big Fire," 1904.

Wow!
The Panoramic Photograph Collection contains approximately four thousand images featuring American cityscapes, landscapes, and group portraits. These panoramas offer an overview of the nation, its enterprises and its interests, with a focus on the start of the twentieth century when the panoramic format was at the height of its popularity.
The vastness of this is overwhelming. You can search by subject, place, or creator.
(via We Make Money Not Art)
Posted by Chris at 10:04 AM | Comments (2)

Panoramic Photographs (1851 - 1991)

6a05843r.jpg
Click to see uncropped photo of Baltimore's "Big Fire," 1904.

Wow!
The Panoramic Photograph Collection contains approximately four thousand images featuring American cityscapes, landscapes, and group portraits. These panoramas offer an overview of the nation, its enterprises and its interests, with a focus on the start of the twentieth century when the panoramic format was at the height of its popularity.
The vastness of this is overwhelming. You can search by subject, place, or creator.
(via We Make Money Not Art)

The War on Terror

As viewed from the Bourne shell.
$ ls
bin
$ cd bin
$ ls
laden
$ cd ..
$ rm -r bin/laden
bin/laden: No such file or directory
(via Metafilter)
Posted by Chris at 1:00 AM | Comments (1)

The War on Terror

As viewed from the Bourne shell.
$ ls
bin
$ cd bin
$ ls
laden
$ cd ..
$ rm -r bin/laden
bin/laden: No such file or directory
(via Metafilter)

Picking Up Girls Made Easy

picking_up_s.jpg

Ahhhh so that's how it's done. (mp3 is NSFW)
This 40 minute album has eight actual recorded pick-up scenes to learn from. You'll hear exactly how to pick up a busty college girl in a library, a tall pretty blond on the street, a dark-haired sexy swinger in a single's bar.
Here is an excerpt from the album:
"Mike has completely disarmed her natural street defenses by complimenting her and then backing off pretending he's not so interested. Now that they are having a drink, let's see how he handles telling this luscious chick he's really an insurance salesman."
(via Alkaline Earth)
Posted by Chris at 12:48 AM | Comments (4)

Picking Up Girls Made Easy

picking_up_s.jpg

Ahhhh so that's how it's done. (mp3 is NSFW)
This 40 minute album has eight actual recorded pick-up scenes to learn from. You'll hear exactly how to pick up a busty college girl in a library, a tall pretty blond on the street, a dark-haired sexy swinger in a single's bar.
Here is an excerpt from the album:
"Mike has completely disarmed her natural street defenses by complimenting her and then backing off pretending he's not so interested. Now that they are having a drink, let's see how he handles telling this luscious chick he's really an insurance salesman."
(via Alkaline Earth)
Posted by Chris at 12:48 AM | Comments (4)

What's a Reporter to Do?

Can we just give this reporter the Pulitzer now?
NEW YORK How do you report a story about a man who dies while having sex with a horse? With a snigger? Or straight?

Last Friday, the Seattle Times got wind of an Associated Press item about a local man who died after having sex with a horse. "The sheriff's department didn't expect us to report it because it was too gruesome," said Jennifer Sullivan, the Seattle Times staff reporter who would eventually author two stories on the ordeal.

The AP story gave basic facts about the case. It mentioned that the man -- who died of internal bleeding from anal sex with the animal -- died after visiting a farm in nearby Enumclaw that attracted "a significant number of people" looking to engage in bestiality.
Posted by Chris at 12:45 AM | Comments (1)

What's a Reporter to Do?

Can we just give this reporter the Pulitzer now?
NEW YORK How do you report a story about a man who dies while having sex with a horse? With a snigger? Or straight?

Last Friday, the Seattle Times got wind of an Associated Press item about a local man who died after having sex with a horse. "The sheriff's department didn't expect us to report it because it was too gruesome," said Jennifer Sullivan, the Seattle Times staff reporter who would eventually author two stories on the ordeal.

The AP story gave basic facts about the case. It mentioned that the man -- who died of internal bleeding from anal sex with the animal -- died after visiting a farm in nearby Enumclaw that attracted "a significant number of people" looking to engage in bestiality.
Posted by Chris at 12:45 AM | Comments (1)

The Unabomber's Manifesto

Unabomber-sketch.jpg
The Unabomber's manifesto, a 35,000-word treatise that strongly criticized modern technological advances and science, shed light on the terrorist's motives and sparked a heated debate over ethics in journalism.

First word: Mention of the manuscript came in a letter from the bomber to The New York Times in April 1995 promising to stop mailing bombs if the manifesto would be published in the newspaper, TIME or Newsweek. The writer also demanded publication of several later installments.
Posted by Chris at 12:35 AM

The Unabomber's Manifesto

Unabomber-sketch.jpg
The Unabomber's manifesto, a 35,000-word treatise that strongly criticized modern technological advances and science, shed light on the terrorist's motives and sparked a heated debate over ethics in journalism.

First word: Mention of the manuscript came in a letter from the bomber to The New York Times in April 1995 promising to stop mailing bombs if the manifesto would be published in the newspaper, TIME or Newsweek. The writer also demanded publication of several later installments.
Posted by Chris at 12:35 AM

Daily Dancer

you_spin_me_round.jpg

Dispelling the myth that white guys can't dance.
I am Daily Dancer, a computer geek who loves to dance! Every weekday morning, you can watch me dance to a different song.
(Thanks Radmila)
Posted by Chris at 12:32 AM | Comments (1)

Daily Dancer

you_spin_me_round.jpg

Dispelling the myth that white guys can't dance.
I am Daily Dancer, a computer geek who loves to dance! Every weekday morning, you can watch me dance to a different song.
(Thanks Radmila)
Posted by Chris at 12:32 AM | Comments (1)

Age Maps

age_4.jpg
Two photographs of the same person, from different periods of time (child and adult) are spliced together. In this fusion a jump-of-time is established at the tear.
Posted by Chris at 12:30 AM

Age Maps

age_4.jpg
Two photographs of the same person, from different periods of time (child and adult) are spliced together. In this fusion a jump-of-time is established at the tear.
Posted by Chris at 12:30 AM | TrackBack

Vanity Plates

I have gathered the following list of vanity plates from personal observations :), people's submissions, and also from postings in the usenet newsgroup. With minor exceptions, all of these plates are real, i.e., it's on a car being driven by someone in the world. If you are interested in contributing your favorites to this list, please drop me a line!
Some examples:
DE SADE On a 77 Mercury Marquis

MEANMY ...Shadow, Dodge Shadow that is (in St. Louis)

ROTFL :-D (only possible because : and - count as 1/2 space each.) It's a NC plate -- just got it this year! (oh, and it stands for the Internet acronym Rolling on the Floor Laughing -- followed by a laughing smiley!)
Posted by Chris at 12:19 AM

Vanity Plates

I have gathered the following list of vanity plates from personal observations :), people's submissions, and also from postings in the usenet newsgroup. With minor exceptions, all of these plates are real, i.e., it's on a car being driven by someone in the world. If you are interested in contributing your favorites to this list, please drop me a line!
Some examples:
DE SADE On a 77 Mercury Marquis

MEANMY ...Shadow, Dodge Shadow that is (in St. Louis)

ROTFL :-D (only possible because : and - count as 1/2 space each.) It's a NC plate -- just got it this year! (oh, and it stands for the Internet acronym Rolling on the Floor Laughing -- followed by a laughing smiley!)
Posted by Chris at 12:19 AM

Supercar

p01.jpg
The craziest brochure you've ever seen is ahead. It's for the 1968 Mazda 110S, otherwise known as a Cosmo. It was picked up at the Toyo Kogyo factory by my father after a thorough tour of the Hiroshima plant.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 12:15 AM

Supercar

p01.jpg
The craziest brochure you've ever seen is ahead. It's for the 1968 Mazda 110S, otherwise known as a Cosmo. It was picked up at the Toyo Kogyo factory by my father after a thorough tour of the Hiroshima plant.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 12:15 AM

How to Make a Board Game

boardgame.jpg

But if you want pieces for the game I guess you are on your own.
Posted by Chris at 12:11 AM

How to Make a Board Game

boardgame.jpg

But if you want pieces for the game I guess you are on your own.
Posted by Chris at 12:11 AM

The Men Commandments

Old but still rings true.
32.) If a buddy is out-numbered, out-Manned, or too drunk to fight, you must jump into the fight.

Exception: If within the last 24 hours his actions have caused you to think, "What this guy needs is a good ass-whoopin.", then you may sit back and enjoy.
Posted by Chris at 12:10 AM

The Men Commandments

Old but still rings true.
32.) If a buddy is out-numbered, out-Manned, or too drunk to fight, you must jump into the fight.

Exception: If within the last 24 hours his actions have caused you to think, "What this guy needs is a good ass-whoopin.", then you may sit back and enjoy.
Posted by Chris at 12:10 AM

Airplanes from Sticky Notes

P1010002.JPG

Another way to use your employer's time constructively!
(via Make:Blog)
Posted by Chris at 12:05 AM

Airplanes from Sticky Notes

P1010002.JPG

Another way to use your employer's time constructively!
(via Make:Blog)
Posted by Chris at 12:05 AM

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Prom Tux Made Out of Coke Cans

promcoke.jpg

With lots of pics.
(via Make:Blog)
Posted by Chris at 10:16 AM | Comments (5)

Prom Tux Made Out of Coke Cans

promcoke.jpg

With lots of pics.
(via Make:Blog)

Friday, July 22, 2005

Best Mugshot Ever?

0721051gold1.jpg

From the Smoking Gun:
JULY 21--Meet Patrick Tribett. The Ohio man was nabbed yesterday morning for "abusing harmful intoxicants" as he attempted to make a purchase at Bellaire's Dollar General Store. The 41-year-old Tribett, it seems, had been huffing spray paint and needed a refill.
Posted by Chris at 1:24 PM | Comments (9)

Best Mugshot Ever?

0721051gold1.jpg

From the Smoking Gun:
JULY 21--Meet Patrick Tribett. The Ohio man was nabbed yesterday morning for "abusing harmful intoxicants" as he attempted to make a purchase at Bellaire's Dollar General Store. The 41-year-old Tribett, it seems, had been huffing spray paint and needed a refill.
Posted by Chris at 1:24 PM | Comments (9)

Windows Longhorn Screenshots

lh1.jpg

Or are we suppose to call it Vista now?
Some new screenshots of what may possible the beta build of Windows Longhorn was leaked today on the web. Internet Explorer 7 is included in this Longhorn build.
Posted by Chris at 11:28 AM | Comments (2)

Windows Longhorn Screenshots

lh1.jpg

Or are we suppose to call it Vista now?
Some new screenshots of what may possible the beta build of Windows Longhorn was leaked today on the web. Internet Explorer 7 is included in this Longhorn build.
Posted by Chris at 11:28 AM | Comments (2)

WikiTravel

wikitravel.jpg
Wikitravel is a project to create a free, complete, up-to-date and reliable world-wide travel guide. So far we have 4883 destination guides and other articles written and edited by Wikitravellers from around the globe.
Posted by Chris at 11:14 AM

WikiTravel

wikitravel.jpg
Wikitravel is a project to create a free, complete, up-to-date and reliable world-wide travel guide. So far we have 4883 destination guides and other articles written and edited by Wikitravellers from around the globe.
Posted by Chris at 11:14 AM

Bruce Schneier on Searching Bags in the Subway

Talk about a waste of time, money and resources.
If the choice is between random searching and profiling, then random searching is a more effective security countermeasure. But Dunn is correct above when he says that there are some enormous trade-offs in liberty. And I don't think we're getting very much security in return.

Especially considering this:
[Police Commissioner Raymond] Kelly stressed that officers posted at subway entrances would not engage in racial profiling, and that passengers are free to "turn around and leave."
"Okay guys; here are your explosives. If one of you gets singled out for a search, just turn around and leave. And then go back in via another entrance, or take a taxi to the next subway stop."
Posted by Chris at 10:47 AM | Comments (1)

Bruce Schneier on Searching Bags in the Subway

Talk about a waste of time, money and resources.
If the choice is between random searching and profiling, then random searching is a more effective security countermeasure. But Dunn is correct above when he says that there are some enormous trade-offs in liberty. And I don't think we're getting very much security in return.

Especially considering this:
[Police Commissioner Raymond] Kelly stressed that officers posted at subway entrances would not engage in racial profiling, and that passengers are free to "turn around and leave."
"Okay guys; here are your explosives. If one of you gets singled out for a search, just turn around and leave. And then go back in via another entrance, or take a taxi to the next subway stop."
Posted by Chris at 10:47 AM | Comments (1)

2600 Circumnavigating the Globe Without Leaving The Ground

Emmanuel Goldstein's blog online travel diary:
The idea is to travel from New York to New York by circumnavigating the globe without making use of air travel. Hence the QM2. Along the way, I'll be working on the latest 2600 Films project, which I'll get into in a little more depth onced I'm actually on the boat and have confirmed that I haven't forgotten the camera.
Posted by Chris at 10:22 AM

2600 Circumnavigating the Globe Without Leaving The Ground

Emmanuel Goldstein's blog online travel diary:
The idea is to travel from New York to New York by circumnavigating the globe without making use of air travel. Hence the QM2. Along the way, I'll be working on the latest 2600 Films project, which I'll get into in a little more depth onced I'm actually on the boat and have confirmed that I haven't forgotten the camera.
Posted by Chris at 10:22 AM

Meat Rugs

mortadella.jpg

Das Büro für Gestaltung Flachbild betritt neues Terrain und produziert einen wirklichen Leckerbissen. Im Rahmen der 'Passagen - interior design 2005' zeigten wir erstmals der Öffentlichkeit unsere Interpretation von deutscher Gemütlichkeit: den Wurstteppich, eine reizvolle Fusion aus Wurst und Teppich. Wir sagen: "Her mit der Wurst. Lasst uns ein Stück Wohlstand in die Stuben tragen. Denn, Wurst ist zu schön, um nur gegessen zu werden."
(via Robot Filter)
Posted by Chris at 10:14 AM | Comments (2)

Meat Rugs

mortadella.jpg

Das Büro für Gestaltung Flachbild betritt neues Terrain und produziert einen wirklichen Leckerbissen. Im Rahmen der 'Passagen - interior design 2005' zeigten wir erstmals der Öffentlichkeit unsere Interpretation von deutscher Gemütlichkeit: den Wurstteppich, eine reizvolle Fusion aus Wurst und Teppich. Wir sagen: "Her mit der Wurst. Lasst uns ein Stück Wohlstand in die Stuben tragen. Denn, Wurst ist zu schön, um nur gegessen zu werden."
(via Robot Filter)
Posted by Chris at 10:14 AM | Comments (2)

Some Light Reading For the Day

poop01-vi.jpg

For those of you who are just finishing the Harry Potter book and are looking for some other children's books to delve into I direct your attention to Everyone Poops.
Posted by Chris at 9:25 AM | Comments (8)

Some Light Reading For the Day

poop01-vi.jpg

For those of you who are just finishing the Harry Potter book and are looking for some other children's books to delve into I direct your attention to Everyone Poops.
Posted by Chris at 9:25 AM | Comments (8)

Thursday, July 21, 2005

List of School Pranks

Wikipedia's list of school pranks.
Lesser Known Forms of Wedgie

Atomic Wedgie — As explained above - is perhaps almost mythical. The victim will experience his or her underwear being pulled up over his or her head and secured on his or her forehead.

Hanging Wedgie — Performed by executing some form of basic type of wedgie, and then lifting the victim off the ground, and hanging either the tip of the underwear onto some form of elevated hook device, or jamming a elevated stationary pole of some sort through the underwear leg holes. For this particular wedgie to be authentic, the victim's legs must not be able to reach the ground.

Thwedgie — Supposedly a regular form of wedgie, apart from the victim must be wearing thong underwear.
Posted by Chris at 9:52 PM | Comments (2)

List of School Pranks

Wikipedia's list of school pranks.
Lesser Known Forms of Wedgie

Atomic Wedgie — As explained above - is perhaps almost mythical. The victim will experience his or her underwear being pulled up over his or her head and secured on his or her forehead.

Hanging Wedgie — Performed by executing some form of basic type of wedgie, and then lifting the victim off the ground, and hanging either the tip of the underwear onto some form of elevated hook device, or jamming a elevated stationary pole of some sort through the underwear leg holes. For this particular wedgie to be authentic, the victim's legs must not be able to reach the ground.

Thwedgie — Supposedly a regular form of wedgie, apart from the victim must be wearing thong underwear.
Posted by Chris at 9:52 PM | Comments (2)

The United States Postal Service: How to Pack a Hippo

You never know when this will come in handy.
(via del.icio.us/WCityMike)
Posted by Chris at 8:45 PM

The United States Postal Service: How to Pack a Hippo

You never know when this will come in handy.
(via del.icio.us/WCityMike)
Posted by Chris at 8:45 PM

Alicia Silverstone Discusses Basic ISDN

Alicia_pale_yellow_top.jpg

Erwin
Oh? Why do you like ISDN so much?

Alicia
Because it's basically a phone call, except it's digital instead of you know, analog. ISDN BRI is way cool, it has these 2 channels called B channels, they actually carry the data. And there is this other baby channel, it's the D channel, it carries signaling for call setup and teardown, that's why ISDN calls connect so quickly.
(via Information Junk)
Posted by Chris at 3:52 PM | Comments (5)

Alicia Silverstone Discusses Basic ISDN

Alicia_pale_yellow_top.jpg

Erwin
Oh? Why do you like ISDN so much?

Alicia
Because it's basically a phone call, except it's digital instead of you know, analog. ISDN BRI is way cool, it has these 2 channels called B channels, they actually carry the data. And there is this other baby channel, it's the D channel, it carries signaling for call setup and teardown, that's why ISDN calls connect so quickly.
(via Information Junk)
Posted by Chris at 3:52 PM | Comments (5)

Potato-Powered Web Server

spud.jpg

This is an actual potato-powered Web server, currently online here. After the great SpudServer joke, I thought it would be interesting to see what an actual server capable of running on potatoes would look like. This server is very, very slow (around 0.2 hits/second), so you may have trouble connecting.
At least it was a potato-powered web server.
(via del.icio.us/kers)
Posted by Chris at 3:25 PM | Comments (1)

Potato-Powered Web Server

spud.jpg

This is an actual potato-powered Web server, currently online here. After the great SpudServer joke, I thought it would be interesting to see what an actual server capable of running on potatoes would look like. This server is very, very slow (around 0.2 hits/second), so you may have trouble connecting.
At least it was a potato-powered web server.
(via del.icio.us/kers)
Posted by Chris at 3:25 PM | Comments (1)

Sigh

Sigh.
Posted by Chris at 12:34 PM | Comments (3)

Sigh

Sigh.
Posted by Chris at 12:34 PM | Comments (3)

Hugo Award Winners

Wikipedia's list of Hugo Award winners and nominees.
Don't forget to check out the entry for Nebula Award winners while we are at it.
Posted by Chris at 11:19 AM

Hugo Award Winners

Wikipedia's list of Hugo Award winners and nominees.
Don't forget to check out the entry for Nebula Award winners while we are at it.
Posted by Chris at 11:19 AM

Top Ten Apollo Hoax Theories

Space.com has a list of the ten most frequent arguments from the tin foil hat brigade and answers their concerns.
#1 Space is littered with little points of lights (stars). Why then are they missing from the photographs?

The Science: If you've ever taken a photograph outside at night, you'll notice that faint distant objects don't show up. That's not because the air blocks them -- it's because the brightness of the nearby objects washes out the film. In fact if you were standing on the day side of the Moon, you'd have to somehow block the landscape out in order for your eyes to adapt enough to pick out the stars.
If this isn't enough for you, Phil Plait's Bad Astronomy has been covering this for years.
Posted by Chris at 9:58 AM

Top Ten Apollo Hoax Theories

Space.com has a list of the ten most frequent arguments from the tin foil hat brigade and answers their concerns.
#1 Space is littered with little points of lights (stars). Why then are they missing from the photographs?

The Science: If you've ever taken a photograph outside at night, you'll notice that faint distant objects don't show up. That's not because the air blocks them -- it's because the brightness of the nearby objects washes out the film. In fact if you were standing on the day side of the Moon, you'd have to somehow block the landscape out in order for your eyes to adapt enough to pick out the stars.
If this isn't enough for you, Phil Plait's Bad Astronomy has been covering this for years.
Posted by Chris at 9:58 AM

Retailer Organizations to Pull GTA: San Andreas

So let me get this straight. Nobody really cared that kids may have been playing the game when it was only about killing, chainsawing, carjacking, etc. but if you add sex to it then everyone freaks out? Our priorities are in the wrong order.
If you want a sexy copy of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas you better hit a store now and cross your fingers. The Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association says all of their members will immediately stop stelling the now AO-rated game.
(via Robot Wisdom)
Posted by Chris at 9:46 AM | Comments (1)

Retailer Organizations to Pull GTA: San Andreas

So let me get this straight. Nobody really cared that kids may have been playing the game when it was only about killing, chainsawing, carjacking, etc. but if you add sex to it then everyone freaks out? Our priorities are in the wrong order.
If you want a sexy copy of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas you better hit a store now and cross your fingers. The Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association says all of their members will immediately stop stelling the now AO-rated game.
(via Robot Wisdom)
Posted by Chris at 9:46 AM | Comments (1)

Snopes on the "Real" Family Guy

griffin1.jpg

I had a feeling this was unfreakin believable.
Justin Blair Spaeth is a real person (who bears a physical similarity to the Peter Griffin character but does not share his name)
Posted by Chris at 9:40 AM | Comments (2)

Snopes on the "Real" Family Guy

griffin1.jpg

I had a feeling this was unfreakin believable.
Justin Blair Spaeth is a real person (who bears a physical similarity to the Peter Griffin character but does not share his name)
Posted by Chris at 9:40 AM | Comments (2)

Unpublished Photos From the Scopes 'Monkey Trial'

7091Davis18.jpg

Marcel C. LaFollette, an independent scholar, historian and Smithsonian volunteer uncovered rare, unpublished photographs of the 1925 Tennessee vs. John Scopes “Monkey Trial” in the Smithsonian Institution Archives. The nitrate negatives, including portraits of trial participants, and images from the trial itself and significant places in Dayton, were discovered in archival material donated to the Smithsonian by Science Service in 1971.
For more information regarding the Scopes 'Monkey Trial', visit your local library. Or you could just go here. (via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 9:21 AM | Comments (1)

Unpublished Photos From the Scopes 'Monkey Trial'

7091Davis18.jpg

Marcel C. LaFollette, an independent scholar, historian and Smithsonian volunteer uncovered rare, unpublished photographs of the 1925 Tennessee vs. John Scopes “Monkey Trial” in the Smithsonian Institution Archives. The nitrate negatives, including portraits of trial participants, and images from the trial itself and significant places in Dayton, were discovered in archival material donated to the Smithsonian by Science Service in 1971.
For more information regarding the Scopes 'Monkey Trial', visit your local library. Or you could just go here. (via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 9:21 AM | Comments (1)

Fairly Freaky Animals

ratkingr.jpg

I had never heard of a rat king before.
The rat king above was found in the winter of 1963 by a Dutch farmer in Rucphen, North Brabant, who heard loud squeals coming from a pile of bean sticks in a barn. Upon further investigation, he discovered a rat king consisting of seven adult black rats, five females and two males, all of similar age. An x-ray of the knot showed some fractures with signs of callus formations and there were fractures in some vertebrae. This suggests that the tails had been knotted together for some time, perhaps originally becoming entangled when they had crowded together in a nest and that they had tried desperately to free themselves.
(via J-Walk)
Posted by Chris at 9:01 AM | Comments (4)

Fairly Freaky Animals

ratkingr.jpg

I had never heard of a rat king before.
The rat king above was found in the winter of 1963 by a Dutch farmer in Rucphen, North Brabant, who heard loud squeals coming from a pile of bean sticks in a barn. Upon further investigation, he discovered a rat king consisting of seven adult black rats, five females and two males, all of similar age. An x-ray of the knot showed some fractures with signs of callus formations and there were fractures in some vertebrae. This suggests that the tails had been knotted together for some time, perhaps originally becoming entangled when they had crowded together in a nest and that they had tried desperately to free themselves.
(via J-Walk)
Posted by Chris at 9:01 AM | Comments (4)

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Vintage Vegas Postcards

pc_fmont60s.jpg

Has there ever been a city that looked better on a postcard than Las Vegas?

The buildings, the signs, the neon lights... visual excitement captured on a simple little card.

Hotels gave them away, souvenir shops sold them for a few cents. Yet they're priceless for the memories they bring.
Posted by Chris at 2:56 PM | Comments (9)

Vintage Vegas Postcards

pc_fmont60s.jpg

Has there ever been a city that looked better on a postcard than Las Vegas?

The buildings, the signs, the neon lights... visual excitement captured on a simple little card.

Hotels gave them away, souvenir shops sold them for a few cents. Yet they're priceless for the memories they bring.
Posted by Chris at 2:56 PM | Comments (9)

The Wisdom of Ann Coulter

She's a sassy fascist, ain't she?
"God gave us the earth. We have dominion over the plants, the animals, the trees. God said, 'Earth is yours. Take it. Rape it. It's yours.'"---Hannity & Colmes, 6/20/01

To a disabled Vietnam vet: "People like you caused us to lose that war."---MSNBC

"My libertarian friends are probably getting a little upset now but I think that's because they never appreciate the benefits of local fascism."---MSNBC 2/8/97
Posted by Chris at 11:14 AM | Comments (3)

The Wisdom of Ann Coulter

She's a sassy fascist, ain't she?
"God gave us the earth. We have dominion over the plants, the animals, the trees. God said, 'Earth is yours. Take it. Rape it. It's yours.'"---Hannity & Colmes, 6/20/01

To a disabled Vietnam vet: "People like you caused us to lose that war."---MSNBC

"My libertarian friends are probably getting a little upset now but I think that's because they never appreciate the benefits of local fascism."---MSNBC 2/8/97
Posted by Chris at 11:14 AM | Comments (3)

Hacking the Roomba

2insidelab.jpg

A look inside the Roomba.
Posted by Chris at 11:07 AM | Comments (2)

Hacking the Roomba

2insidelab.jpg

A look inside the Roomba.
Posted by Chris at 11:07 AM | Comments (2)

The Soviet Exploration of Venus

V_VegaModel2.jpg
The Soviet exploration of Venus, from 1961 to 1985, is the largest effort ever undertaken to study another planet. The fundamentals of interplanetary spacecraft design and remote sensing were first realized in these missions. Successes included 3 atmospheric probes, 10 landings, 4 orbiters, 11 flybys or impacts, and 2 balloon probes in the clouds. Much of what is known today about our neighboring planet was discovered by these missions.
Posted by Chris at 10:46 AM | Comments (2)

The Soviet Exploration of Venus

V_VegaModel2.jpg
The Soviet exploration of Venus, from 1961 to 1985, is the largest effort ever undertaken to study another planet. The fundamentals of interplanetary spacecraft design and remote sensing were first realized in these missions. Successes included 3 atmospheric probes, 10 landings, 4 orbiters, 11 flybys or impacts, and 2 balloon probes in the clouds. Much of what is known today about our neighboring planet was discovered by these missions.
Posted by Chris at 10:46 AM | Comments (2)

If The South Had Won The War

rebels.jpg

Fun with Farking Photoshop.
Posted by Chris at 10:22 AM | Comments (10)

If The South Had Won The War

rebels.jpg

Fun with Farking Photoshop.
Posted by Chris at 10:22 AM | Comments (10)

Monday, July 18, 2005

The Third Wave

Fascinating article about an experiment using fascism in a classroom. This story was made into a book and a movie called The Wave.
The Third Wave. Well at last it can be talked about. Here I’ve met a student and we've talked for hours about this nightmare. The secret must finally be waning. It's taken three years. I can tell you and anyone else about the Third Wave. It's now just a dream, something to remember, no it's something we tried to forget. That's how it all started. By strange coincidence I think it was Steve who started the Third Ways with a question.

We were studying Nazi Germany and in the middle of a lecture I was interrupted by the question. How could the German populace claim ignorance of the slaughter of the Jewish people. How could the townspeople, railroad conductors, teachers, doctors, claim they knew nothing about concentration camps and human carnage. How can people who were neighbors and maybe even friends of the Jewish citizen say they weren't there when it happened. it was a good question. I didn't know the answer.

In as such as there were several months still to go in the school year and I was already at World War II, I decided to take a week and explore the question.
Here is a different article debunking The Third Wave story.
Posted by Chris at 9:29 PM | Comments (4)

The Third Wave

Fascinating article about an experiment using fascism in a classroom. This story was made into a book and a movie called The Wave.
The Third Wave. Well at last it can be talked about. Here I’ve met a student and we've talked for hours about this nightmare. The secret must finally be waning. It's taken three years. I can tell you and anyone else about the Third Wave. It's now just a dream, something to remember, no it's something we tried to forget. That's how it all started. By strange coincidence I think it was Steve who started the Third Ways with a question.

We were studying Nazi Germany and in the middle of a lecture I was interrupted by the question. How could the German populace claim ignorance of the slaughter of the Jewish people. How could the townspeople, railroad conductors, teachers, doctors, claim they knew nothing about concentration camps and human carnage. How can people who were neighbors and maybe even friends of the Jewish citizen say they weren't there when it happened. it was a good question. I didn't know the answer.

In as such as there were several months still to go in the school year and I was already at World War II, I decided to take a week and explore the question.
Here is a different article debunking The Third Wave story.
Posted by Chris at 9:29 PM | Comments (4)

The Most Beautiful Machine

ONOFF_1.JPG
"The Most Beautiful Machine" is an idea of Claude E. Shannon, who died in 2001. His "Mathematical Theory of Communication" is the fundament of the digital machine. It's a communication based on the functions ON and OFF. In this special case the observers are supposed to push the ON button. After a while the lid of the trunk opens, a hand comes out and turns off the machine. The trunk closes - that's it!.
(via del.icio.us/spiceee )
Posted by Chris at 9:17 PM

The Most Beautiful Machine

ONOFF_1.JPG
"The Most Beautiful Machine" is an idea of Claude E. Shannon, who died in 2001. His "Mathematical Theory of Communication" is the fundament of the digital machine. It's a communication based on the functions ON and OFF. In this special case the observers are supposed to push the ON button. After a while the lid of the trunk opens, a hand comes out and turns off the machine. The trunk closes - that's it!.
(via del.icio.us/spiceee )
Posted by Chris at 9:17 PM

G.I. Joe Erotic Fan Fiction Archive

I usually don't post anything this risque but when you find G.I. Joe Erotic Fan Fiction you really don't have any choice in the matter. (NSFW)
Posted by Chris at 9:13 PM | Comments (1)

G.I. Joe Erotic Fan Fiction Archive

I usually don't post anything this risque but when you find G.I. Joe Erotic Fan Fiction you really don't have any choice in the matter. (NSFW)
Posted by Chris at 9:13 PM | Comments (1)

House Cars

20_ford_rvconversion.jpg

A gallery of Woodie Motorhomes, House Cars & Campers. (via Jaf Project)
Posted by Chris at 3:36 PM | Comments (2)

House Cars

20_ford_rvconversion.jpg

A gallery of Woodie Motorhomes, House Cars & Campers. (via Jaf Project)
Posted by Chris at 3:36 PM | Comments (2)

List of films ordered by uses of the word fuck

Another educational lesson from our good friends at Wikipedia.
1 Nil by Mouth (470) (128 minutes: 3.67 fucks/min)
2 Casino (422)
3 Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat (347)
4 Another Day in Paradise (327)
5 Summer of Sam (326)
(via Kottke.org)
Posted by Chris at 10:59 AM | Comments (2)

List of films ordered by uses of the word fuck

Another educational lesson from our good friends at Wikipedia.
1 Nil by Mouth (470) (128 minutes: 3.67 fucks/min)
2 Casino (422)
3 Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat (347)
4 Another Day in Paradise (327)
5 Summer of Sam (326)
(via Kottke.org)
Posted by Chris at 10:59 AM | Comments (2)

War of the Worlds Book Covers

0024.jpg

The War of the Worlds, by H. G. Wells, has been continuously in print for over 100 years. Collected here are the covers of many of those editions, submitted by generous fans from around the world. My purpose is primarily educational: the span of covers represents a huge swath of graphic design, from 1898 to the present, across languages and through the effects of radio, movie, musical, and television re-interpretations. Enjoy!
(via Rashomon)
Posted by Chris at 10:47 AM | Comments (2)

War of the Worlds Book Covers

0024.jpg

The War of the Worlds, by H. G. Wells, has been continuously in print for over 100 years. Collected here are the covers of many of those editions, submitted by generous fans from around the world. My purpose is primarily educational: the span of covers represents a huge swath of graphic design, from 1898 to the present, across languages and through the effects of radio, movie, musical, and television re-interpretations. Enjoy!
(via Rashomon)
Posted by Chris at 10:47 AM | Comments (2)

How To Make Moonshine

barleycorn_int_photo_stilldrawing_sm.gif

Everything you wanted to know about moonshine including a diagram and recipe.
Moonshiners set up near creeks and rivers to assure a ready supply of water. All whiskey came from sour mash, but recipes varied. Commonly, the moonshiner mixed corn meal and hot water in separate "mash barrels," later adding large scoops of sugar as well as yeast. After two days, the fermenting mixture began to bubble furiously and continued to do so for several days. When the mash quit "working," it had the "kick of a mule colt" and was ready to be transferred to the still.
(via MAKE:Blog)
Posted by Chris at 10:43 AM | Comments (3)

How To Make Moonshine

barleycorn_int_photo_stilldrawing_sm.gif

Everything you wanted to know about moonshine including a diagram and recipe.
Moonshiners set up near creeks and rivers to assure a ready supply of water. All whiskey came from sour mash, but recipes varied. Commonly, the moonshiner mixed corn meal and hot water in separate "mash barrels," later adding large scoops of sugar as well as yeast. After two days, the fermenting mixture began to bubble furiously and continued to do so for several days. When the mash quit "working," it had the "kick of a mule colt" and was ready to be transferred to the still.
(via MAKE:Blog)
Posted by Chris at 10:43 AM | Comments (3)

Day of the Dead Photographs

skelwflowers.jpg
Since 1987, Mary J. Andrade has traveled to Mexico in October and November of each year to photograph and document Day of the Dead celebrations throughout the country.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 10:22 AM

Day of the Dead Photographs

skelwflowers.jpg
Since 1987, Mary J. Andrade has traveled to Mexico in October and November of each year to photograph and document Day of the Dead celebrations throughout the country.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 10:22 AM

What To Do If The Internet Goes Down

If you lose your internet connection, go to this website!
1. Panic!
An excited, agitated state will give you that heightened sense of awareness and will increase your thought processes allowing you to come up with rational solutions. Panic is just nature's way of putting your body into over-drive. It's a defense mechanism that gives you an edge when dealing with potentially harmful situations, such as a severed arm or the loss of your Internet.
(via Guabancex)
Posted by Chris at 10:12 AM | Comments (2)

What To Do If The Internet Goes Down

If you lose your internet connection, go to this website!
1. Panic!
An excited, agitated state will give you that heightened sense of awareness and will increase your thought processes allowing you to come up with rational solutions. Panic is just nature's way of putting your body into over-drive. It's a defense mechanism that gives you an edge when dealing with potentially harmful situations, such as a severed arm or the loss of your Internet.
(via Guabancex)
Posted by Chris at 10:12 AM | Comments (2)

Sunday, July 17, 2005

Carny Lingo

A wonderful collection of Carny Lingo.
SHILL - One who pretends to play a game, or to buy a ticket to an attraction, in order to entice others to join or follow him. Without a good shill, and entire 'tip' may stay perfectly still after an opening. All with the cash in their hands, and not one of them will "break" for the ticket boxes, unless some brave soul leads the way. Shills fill the need for brave souls. Also, someone paid to play your game and make it look easy to win big prizes or someone paid or unpaid who just walks around with a very nice prize and tells you where they got it.
(via Incoming Signals)
Posted by Chris at 1:59 PM | Comments (1)

Carny Lingo

A wonderful collection of Carny Lingo.
SHILL - One who pretends to play a game, or to buy a ticket to an attraction, in order to entice others to join or follow him. Without a good shill, and entire 'tip' may stay perfectly still after an opening. All with the cash in their hands, and not one of them will "break" for the ticket boxes, unless some brave soul leads the way. Shills fill the need for brave souls. Also, someone paid to play your game and make it look easy to win big prizes or someone paid or unpaid who just walks around with a very nice prize and tells you where they got it.
(via Incoming Signals)
Posted by Chris at 1:59 PM | Comments (1)

Time Cube

rotate_frame_003.jpg

CREATION IS CUBIC, but you are educated singularity stupid by academic bastards. Greenwich 1 day time is evil. I know that you possess the mind to think that there are 4 simultaneous 24 hour days within a single Earth rotation, I think that you are just evil. Can you explain the 4 days rather than the 1 day taught? If not, you are truely stupid. To ignore the 4 days, is evil.
It even has its own Wikipedia entry:
Time Cube's website [1] has become widely imitated and parodied due to its long portions of large-font text in a variety of colors, much of it of limited coherence. The website purports to explain everything by means of "4 simultaneous 24 hour days within a single rotation of Earth", and explains that ordinary humans cannot understand this because they "are educated singularity stupid by academic bastards".

Some of the website's statements and claims bear a resemblance to conspiracy theories, and most people view Dr. Ray's writings as sufficiently indecipherable to the point that it is unclear whether they are a hoax.
(Thanks roufamatic)
Posted by Chris at 11:19 AM | Comments (3)

Time Cube

rotate_frame_003.jpg

CREATION IS CUBIC, but you are educated singularity stupid by academic bastards. Greenwich 1 day time is evil. I know that you possess the mind to think that there are 4 simultaneous 24 hour days within a single Earth rotation, I think that you are just evil. Can you explain the 4 days rather than the 1 day taught? If not, you are truely stupid. To ignore the 4 days, is evil.
It even has its own Wikipedia entry:
Time Cube's website [1] has become widely imitated and parodied due to its long portions of large-font text in a variety of colors, much of it of limited coherence. The website purports to explain everything by means of "4 simultaneous 24 hour days within a single rotation of Earth", and explains that ordinary humans cannot understand this because they "are educated singularity stupid by academic bastards".

Some of the website's statements and claims bear a resemblance to conspiracy theories, and most people view Dr. Ray's writings as sufficiently indecipherable to the point that it is unclear whether they are a hoax.
(Thanks roufamatic)
Posted by Chris at 11:19 AM | Comments (3)

Small Ads From the UK

image0033.jpg

Hehe.
(Thanks Theanderblast)
Posted by Chris at 11:04 AM | Comments (1)

Small Ads From the UK

image0033.jpg

Hehe.
(Thanks Theanderblast)
Posted by Chris at 11:04 AM | Comments (1)

Roald Dahl

A very interesting article on Roald Dahl from The New Yorker. The excerpt below is about his "writing hut".
The adults who looked into the hut were less impressed. The walls, lined with Styrofoam, were stained sepia from all the cigarettes Dahl smoked; there was a grotty wing chair; and wires for a jury-rigged heating system dangled from the ceiling. “You’d expect it to be grander,” one woman said. But the kids saw more possibilities in a musty old hut of one’s own. They liked the fact that Dahl, unsatisfied with desks, had designed a baize-covered writing board, to balance on his lap just so. And they loved that he kept, on a side table, a jar containing gristly bits of his own spine, which had been removed during an operation on his lower back. Next to the jar was a waxy-looking knob that turned out to be Dahl’s hip bone, along with a titanium replacement.
Posted by Chris at 10:32 AM

Roald Dahl

A very interesting article on Roald Dahl from The New Yorker. The excerpt below is about his "writing hut".
The adults who looked into the hut were less impressed. The walls, lined with Styrofoam, were stained sepia from all the cigarettes Dahl smoked; there was a grotty wing chair; and wires for a jury-rigged heating system dangled from the ceiling. “You’d expect it to be grander,” one woman said. But the kids saw more possibilities in a musty old hut of one’s own. They liked the fact that Dahl, unsatisfied with desks, had designed a baize-covered writing board, to balance on his lap just so. And they loved that he kept, on a side table, a jar containing gristly bits of his own spine, which had been removed during an operation on his lower back. Next to the jar was a waxy-looking knob that turned out to be Dahl’s hip bone, along with a titanium replacement.
Posted by Chris at 10:32 AM

Friday, July 15, 2005

Family Guy Petarded Chart Generator

petarded1.jpg

In the "Petarded" episode of Family Guy, Peter does well at Trivial Pursuit and claims he's a genius. Brian challenges him to take an IQ test. The result indicates Peter is mentally challenged. The test administrator shows the chart on the right to explain where Peter's test result places him.
Posted by Chris at 1:51 PM | Comments (1)

Family Guy Petarded Chart Generator

petarded1.jpg

In the "Petarded" episode of Family Guy, Peter does well at Trivial Pursuit and claims he's a genius. Brian challenges him to take an IQ test. The result indicates Peter is mentally challenged. The test administrator shows the chart on the right to explain where Peter's test result places him.
Posted by Chris at 1:51 PM | Comments (1)

Why Jon Stewart is All the Rage

From City Journal:
You simply can’t understand American politics in the new millennium without The Daily Show.” “Mr. Stewart has turned his parodistic TV news show into a cultural force significantly larger than any mere satire of media idiocies,” chimed in the New York Times’s Frank Rich in a column entitled jon stewart’s perfect pitch, one of—count ‘em— 16 he’s written lauding the comedian. Along with such over-the-top encomia, The Daily Show has won multiple Emmys and even several prestigious journalism prizes, including a Peabody Award and the Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in News and Information (beating out real news shows).
Posted by Chris at 1:22 PM | Comments (4)

Why Jon Stewart is All the Rage

From City Journal:
You simply can’t understand American politics in the new millennium without The Daily Show.” “Mr. Stewart has turned his parodistic TV news show into a cultural force significantly larger than any mere satire of media idiocies,” chimed in the New York Times’s Frank Rich in a column entitled jon stewart’s perfect pitch, one of—count ‘em— 16 he’s written lauding the comedian. Along with such over-the-top encomia, The Daily Show has won multiple Emmys and even several prestigious journalism prizes, including a Peabody Award and the Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in News and Information (beating out real news shows).

Is Harry Potter Evil?

The latest Harry Potter book is being released tonight so let's see what people are saying.

The new Pope opposes the Harry Potter novels. Yawn.
In a letter dated March 7, 2003 Cardinal Ratzinger thanked Kuby for her "instructive" book Harry Potter - gut oder böse (Harry Potter- good or evil?), in which Kuby says the Potter books corrupt the hearts of the young, preventing them from developing a properly ordered sense of good and evil, thus harming their relationship with God while that relationship is still in its infancy.
Judy Blume wrote an Op-Ed for the NY Times back in 1999 about the movement to ban Harry Potter books.
I'm not exactly unfamiliar with this line of thinking, having had various books of mine banned from schools over the last 20 years. In my books, it's reality that's seen as corrupting. With Harry Potter, the perceived danger is fantasy. After all, Harry and his classmates attend the celebrated Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. According to certain adults, these stories teach witchcraft, sorcery and satanism. But hey, if it's not one "ism," it's another. I mean Madeleine L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time" has been targeted by censors for promoting New Ageism, and Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" for promoting racism. Gee, where does that leave the kids?

The real danger is not in the books, but in laughing off those who would ban them. The protests against Harry Potter follow a tradition that has been growing since the early 1980's and often leaves school principals trembling with fear that is then passed down to teachers and librarians.

What began with the religious right has spread to the politically correct. (Remember the uproar in Brooklyn last year when a teacher was criticized for reading a book entitled "Nappy Hair" to her class?) And now the gate is open so wide that some parents believe they have the right to demand immediate removal of any book for any reason from school or classroom libraries. The list of gifted teachers and librarians who find their jobs in jeopardy for defending their students' right to read, to imagine, to question, grows every year.
And finally, Harry Potter as a historical allegory:
Let's start with Voldemort, who makes for a fair Hitler: He is an aspiring dictator who wants to cleanse the world of "mud-bloods"--wizards who have normal, or "muggle," parentage. Dumbledore is clearly Ms. Rowling's Churchill. Like the British lion, Dumbledore is a part of the establishment, but when he tries to awaken people to the threat that Voldemort poses, he becomes unpopular. Ms. Rowling's wizards, like the British of the 1930s, are exhausted from their last war and unwilling to believe that it's time to take up arms again.
Posted by Chris at 1:02 PM | Comments (8)

Is Harry Potter Evil?

The latest Harry Potter book is being released tonight so let's see what people are saying.

The new Pope opposes the Harry Potter novels. Yawn.
In a letter dated March 7, 2003 Cardinal Ratzinger thanked Kuby for her "instructive" book Harry Potter - gut oder böse (Harry Potter- good or evil?), in which Kuby says the Potter books corrupt the hearts of the young, preventing them from developing a properly ordered sense of good and evil, thus harming their relationship with God while that relationship is still in its infancy.
Judy Blume wrote an Op-Ed for the NY Times back in 1999 about the movement to ban Harry Potter books.
I'm not exactly unfamiliar with this line of thinking, having had various books of mine banned from schools over the last 20 years. In my books, it's reality that's seen as corrupting. With Harry Potter, the perceived danger is fantasy. After all, Harry and his classmates attend the celebrated Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. According to certain adults, these stories teach witchcraft, sorcery and satanism. But hey, if it's not one "ism," it's another. I mean Madeleine L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time" has been targeted by censors for promoting New Ageism, and Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" for promoting racism. Gee, where does that leave the kids?

The real danger is not in the books, but in laughing off those who would ban them. The protests against Harry Potter follow a tradition that has been growing since the early 1980's and often leaves school principals trembling with fear that is then passed down to teachers and librarians.

What began with the religious right has spread to the politically correct. (Remember the uproar in Brooklyn last year when a teacher was criticized for reading a book entitled "Nappy Hair" to her class?) And now the gate is open so wide that some parents believe they have the right to demand immediate removal of any book for any reason from school or classroom libraries. The list of gifted teachers and librarians who find their jobs in jeopardy for defending their students' right to read, to imagine, to question, grows every year.
And finally, Harry Potter as a historical allegory:
Let's start with Voldemort, who makes for a fair Hitler: He is an aspiring dictator who wants to cleanse the world of "mud-bloods"--wizards who have normal, or "muggle," parentage. Dumbledore is clearly Ms. Rowling's Churchill. Like the British lion, Dumbledore is a part of the establishment, but when he tries to awaken people to the threat that Voldemort poses, he becomes unpopular. Ms. Rowling's wizards, like the British of the 1930s, are exhausted from their last war and unwilling to believe that it's time to take up arms again.
Posted by Chris at 1:02 PM | Comments (8)

Then and Now

pierce-brosnan.jpg

Forgotten pictures of popular people
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 11:49 AM | Comments (7)

Then and Now

pierce-brosnan.jpg

Forgotten pictures of popular people
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 11:49 AM | Comments (7)

Weblog Name Generator

Not sure how to name your weblog? Or perhaps, you're considering different titles just for fun? Try out this fun random name generator! Choose from Funky or Formal names.
(via Eyebeam reBlog)
Posted by Chris at 11:25 AM | Comments (1)

Weblog Name Generator

Not sure how to name your weblog? Or perhaps, you're considering different titles just for fun? Try out this fun random name generator! Choose from Funky or Formal names.
(via Eyebeam reBlog)
Posted by Chris at 11:25 AM | Comments (1)

Optimus Keyboard

qua.jpg

Wow.
Every key of the Optimus keyboard is a stand-alone display showing exactly what it is controlling at this very moment.
Posted by Chris at 11:17 AM | Comments (5)

Optimus Keyboard

qua.jpg

Wow.
Every key of the Optimus keyboard is a stand-alone display showing exactly what it is controlling at this very moment.
Posted by Chris at 11:17 AM | Comments (5)

Marg's Good Morning America Experience

Yesterday I posted about how Marg who is a regular reader and commenter on Cynical-C, was on Good Morning America and World News Tonight after sending in a picture to the Werenotafraid.com website. I asked if she would be kind enough to write up about her experience and she has obliged. I'll let her take it from here.

We found out at about 9:30pm Thursday night that a camera crew for Good Morning America would be here at 5am for a live broadcast. EEGADS! A flurry of cleaning ensued, outfits picked out for the kiddies, trying to remember how to set the damn vcr up to tape, calls and emails to family and friends, and the ever present worry that there was a very good chance that i would say something completely asinine!

A night of very little sleep followed. The camera crew showed up from Rhode Island, a 3hr drive for them, at about 5:20. They loved the flag and the log home and decided, upon pulling into the driveway, that they would shoot outside. (relief! so much for the picked up house!) The kids were very excited and were happy to go out to be 'wired for sound' at about 6:50 am. There were soundchecks from the guys and later from NY, the cameraman positioned us here and there, the puppy was in the house barking to let us hear his unhappiness about being excluded, the mister was off to the side wishing one of the kids would hold up a sign to advertise the company we work for, www.mortgageguy.biz. As he was not in the submitted photo, GMA had him wired and off to the side in case Charlie Gibson decided to throw him in at the last minute. Through our ear thingies we could hear the show & now and then Andrea, the segment producer from GMA, would break in and say hello. Then we were up and running! We were supposed to be ENTHUSIASTIC! It was completely nerve racking to be live and have to answer questions when i had no idea what would be asked and also to hope beyond hope that the kids would behave and not be too silly.

Anyways, Chris and I had joked that I had to plug Cynical-C and I couldn't believe my luck when charlie asked the question 'how did you find the website?'. Cue the evil music, mwahahahahaha!

After that there were a couple of interviews with the local papers, the phone rang off the hook from family and friends who had seen the show, Alfie Dennen, creator of the www.werenotafraid.com site called from London to say thanks, World News Tonight called to set up an additional interview and we were able to get some work done on new and ongoing files.

The camera crew for World News Tonight came at about 3:30 just as a huge thunder and lightning storm rolled in. They set up in our home office for a taped interview which was much easier. The satellite truck guy from the GMA shoot had just gotten home when he was called to come back up for transmission of the latest tape to NY. They only used a very small bit for that show.

The kids said it was the best day of their life. I say it was the craziest 24hr period in mine! Finally, all my time "wasted" on blogs paid off!!!!

Anyways, it's back to reality today.
Marg
Posted by Chris at 10:44 AM | Comments (9)

Marg's Good Morning America Experience

Yesterday I posted about how Marg who is a regular reader and commenter on Cynical-C, was on Good Morning America and World News Tonight after sending in a picture to the Werenotafraid.com website. I asked if she would be kind enough to write up about her experience and she has obliged. I'll let her take it from here.

We found out at about 9:30pm Thursday night that a camera crew for Good Morning America would be here at 5am for a live broadcast. EEGADS! A flurry of cleaning ensued, outfits picked out for the kiddies, trying to remember how to set the damn vcr up to tape, calls and emails to family and friends, and the ever present worry that there was a very good chance that i would say something completely asinine!

A night of very little sleep followed. The camera crew showed up from Rhode Island, a 3hr drive for them, at about 5:20. They loved the flag and the log home and decided, upon pulling into the driveway, that they would shoot outside. (relief! so much for the picked up house!) The kids were very excited and were happy to go out to be 'wired for sound' at about 6:50 am. There were soundchecks from the guys and later from NY, the cameraman positioned us here and there, the puppy was in the house barking to let us hear his unhappiness about being excluded, the mister was off to the side wishing one of the kids would hold up a sign to advertise the company we work for, www.mortgageguy.biz. As he was not in the submitted photo, GMA had him wired and off to the side in case Charlie Gibson decided to throw him in at the last minute. Through our ear thingies we could hear the show & now and then Andrea, the segment producer from GMA, would break in and say hello. Then we were up and running! We were supposed to be ENTHUSIASTIC! It was completely nerve racking to be live and have to answer questions when i had no idea what would be asked and also to hope beyond hope that the kids would behave and not be too silly.

Anyways, Chris and I had joked that I had to plug Cynical-C and I couldn't believe my luck when charlie asked the question 'how did you find the website?'. Cue the evil music, mwahahahahaha!

After that there were a couple of interviews with the local papers, the phone rang off the hook from family and friends who had seen the show, Alfie Dennen, creator of the www.werenotafraid.com site called from London to say thanks, World News Tonight called to set up an additional interview and we were able to get some work done on new and ongoing files.

The camera crew for World News Tonight came at about 3:30 just as a huge thunder and lightning storm rolled in. They set up in our home office for a taped interview which was much easier. The satellite truck guy from the GMA shoot had just gotten home when he was called to come back up for transmission of the latest tape to NY. They only used a very small bit for that show.

The kids said it was the best day of their life. I say it was the craziest 24hr period in mine! Finally, all my time "wasted" on blogs paid off!!!!

Anyways, it's back to reality today.
Marg
Posted by Chris at 10:44 AM | Comments (9)

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Cracking WEP in 10 Minutes

A flash tutorial. Sheesh.
Posted by Chris at 9:27 PM | Comments (7)

Cracking WEP in 10 Minutes

A flash tutorial. Sheesh.
Posted by Chris at 9:27 PM | Comments (7)

How To Eat Spaghetti

wpebf19b2d.jpg

Complete with a video to show you the proper way to eat spaghetti.
Posted by Chris at 9:09 PM | Comments (2)

How To Eat Spaghetti

wpebf19b2d.jpg

Complete with a video to show you the proper way to eat spaghetti.
Posted by Chris at 9:09 PM | Comments (2)

Gov. Schwarzenegger's Wacky Japanese Commercial

bwain.jpg

Be sure to check out the video of this commercial at the bottom of the site. How he has never won an Oscar I'll never know...
That's right folks, Ahhhnold himself holds the proud title of "GREATEST COMMERCIAL EVER". But, since so many of you are naysayers by nature (as you should be), allow me to take you on a tour of this insane, yet brilliant commercial.
(via del.icio.us/Talleyrand)
Posted by Chris at 8:58 PM | Comments (2)

Gov. Schwarzenegger's Wacky Japanese Commercial

bwain.jpg

Be sure to check out the video of this commercial at the bottom of the site. How he has never won an Oscar I'll never know...
That's right folks, Ahhhnold himself holds the proud title of "GREATEST COMMERCIAL EVER". But, since so many of you are naysayers by nature (as you should be), allow me to take you on a tour of this insane, yet brilliant commercial.
(via del.icio.us/Talleyrand)
Posted by Chris at 8:58 PM | Comments (2)

Waiter Rant's Guide To Paying The Bill

Waiter Rant is one of the better blogs on the net. In this post, he tells you all you need to know when it comes time for the check.
10. Credit card declined? Nothing warms the cockles of my heart than to tell some Sex in the City wannabe, "I'm sorry but this card is experiencing some difficulty." (Translation? – YOUR CARD'S NO GOOD YOU LIVING BEYOND YOUR MEANS DICKWAD!) Don't argue with me either because I've run the card several times. That's why there's a bunch of declined slips in your checkbook! And don't get on your cell phone and fight with your credit card company. It makes you look like an asshole. Just give me a card you haven't maxed out at the Sharper Image.
Posted by Chris at 8:26 PM

Waiter Rant's Guide To Paying The Bill

Waiter Rant is one of the better blogs on the net. In this post, he tells you all you need to know when it comes time for the check.
10. Credit card declined? Nothing warms the cockles of my heart than to tell some Sex in the City wannabe, "I'm sorry but this card is experiencing some difficulty." (Translation? – YOUR CARD'S NO GOOD YOU LIVING BEYOND YOUR MEANS DICKWAD!) Don't argue with me either because I've run the card several times. That's why there's a bunch of declined slips in your checkbook! And don't get on your cell phone and fight with your credit card company. It makes you look like an asshole. Just give me a card you haven't maxed out at the Sharper Image.
Posted by Chris at 8:26 PM

Plan 9 From Outer Space Bloopers

As you can imagine, the list is fairly long.
Posted by Chris at 7:51 PM

Plan 9 From Outer Space Bloopers

As you can imagine, the list is fairly long.
Posted by Chris at 7:51 PM

Can Anybody Tell Me What This Is?

This is the first time I have gotten comment spam advertising google.
A new comment has been posted on your blog Cynical-C Blog, on entry #3335 (History of the Shuar).
http://www.cynical-c.com/archives/2005_06.html#003335
IP Address: 205.236.34.1
Name: search engine
Email Address: google@yahoo.nl
URL: http://www.google.com

Comments:

i come from best search engine http://www.google.com
I find it difficult to believe that google would comment spam a blog so what is the reasoning behind this? Anybody have a theory?
Posted by Chris at 2:08 PM | Comments (14)

Can Anybody Tell Me What This Is?

This is the first time I have gotten comment spam advertising google.
A new comment has been posted on your blog Cynical-C Blog, on entry #3335 (History of the Shuar).
http://www.cynical-c.com/archives/2005_06.html#003335
IP Address: 205.236.34.1
Name: search engine
Email Address: google@yahoo.nl
URL: http://www.google.com

Comments:

i come from best search engine http://www.google.com
I find it difficult to believe that google would comment spam a blog so what is the reasoning behind this? Anybody have a theory?
Posted by Chris at 2:08 PM | Comments (14)

The Catcher in the Rye Book Covers

sal29.jpg

Many of the things I said at the welcome screen of the 'Siddhartha' thumbnails are equally true for 'The Catcher in the Rye' by Jerome D. Salinger: the book is internationally famous, and known by many of you.

Unlike 'Siddhartha', the contents of 'The Catcher' is very realistic indeed. Possibly for that reason, most of the covers I have collected so far, are either of the cowardly type, mentioning the title and author only, or show some kind of blurred realism.
(via J-Walk)
Posted by Chris at 1:47 PM | Comments (6)

The Catcher in the Rye Book Covers

sal29.jpg

Many of the things I said at the welcome screen of the 'Siddhartha' thumbnails are equally true for 'The Catcher in the Rye' by Jerome D. Salinger: the book is internationally famous, and known by many of you.

Unlike 'Siddhartha', the contents of 'The Catcher' is very realistic indeed. Possibly for that reason, most of the covers I have collected so far, are either of the cowardly type, mentioning the title and author only, or show some kind of blurred realism.
(via J-Walk)
Posted by Chris at 1:47 PM | Comments (6)

Fireworks War

normal_WaroftheWorks039.jpg

I can already picture the newscast as the anchor looks at the camera using the somber face and says, "What started out as a game ended tragically this evening as several people were blown apart by a roman candle."
Fireworks War is a tradition that was started a number of years ago by a group of guys that had some bottle rockets and firecrackers and thought it would be funny to shoot them at each other.

Needless to say, it's grown up a bit.

Every year two teams come head to head on a battlefield complete with bunkers and boundary lines and face off in a full-scale pyrotechnics battle that has lasted up to 4 hours or more.

Each year, months before the battle, the participants design and construct weaponry and armor to improve the quality and quantity of "ammunition" they can fire at the opposing team. Any size/type of fireworks you can afford is fair game, with a few guidelines set in place so we don't literally blow each other to bits... completely.
Did I mention that they have videos you can download?
(via del.icio.us/emmfan)
Posted by Chris at 1:40 PM | Comments (2)

Fireworks War

normal_WaroftheWorks039.jpg

I can already picture the newscast as the anchor looks at the camera using the somber face and says, "What started out as a game ended tragically this evening as several people were blown apart by a roman candle."
Fireworks War is a tradition that was started a number of years ago by a group of guys that had some bottle rockets and firecrackers and thought it would be funny to shoot them at each other.

Needless to say, it's grown up a bit.

Every year two teams come head to head on a battlefield complete with bunkers and boundary lines and face off in a full-scale pyrotechnics battle that has lasted up to 4 hours or more.

Each year, months before the battle, the participants design and construct weaponry and armor to improve the quality and quantity of "ammunition" they can fire at the opposing team. Any size/type of fireworks you can afford is fair game, with a few guidelines set in place so we don't literally blow each other to bits... completely.
Did I mention that they have videos you can download?
(via del.icio.us/emmfan)
Posted by Chris at 1:40 PM | Comments (2)

Interesting Google Map Search

googmap.jpg

If you search for "White Trash", Ottawa in Google Maps it will point you to the US Embassy.
(Thanks Jalbert)
Posted by Chris at 1:16 PM | Comments (5)

Interesting Google Map Search

googmap.jpg

If you search for "White Trash", Ottawa in Google Maps it will point you to the US Embassy.
(Thanks Jalbert)
Posted by Chris at 1:16 PM | Comments (5)

If WW2 Had Been a RTS Game

It would have been something like this:
Stalin: hey hitler you dont fight me i dont fight u, cool?
Hitler[AoE]; sure whatever
Stalin: cool
deGaulle: **** Hitler rushed some1 help
Hitler[AoE]: lol byebye frenchy
Roosevelt: i dont got **** to help, sry
Churchill: wtf the luftwaffle is attacking me
Roosevelt: get antiair guns
Churchill: i cant afford them
benny-tow: u n00bs know what team talk is?
(via Backwards City)
Posted by Chris at 1:07 PM

If WW2 Had Been a RTS Game

It would have been something like this:
Stalin: hey hitler you dont fight me i dont fight u, cool?
Hitler[AoE]; sure whatever
Stalin: cool
deGaulle: **** Hitler rushed some1 help
Hitler[AoE]: lol byebye frenchy
Roosevelt: i dont got **** to help, sry
Churchill: wtf the luftwaffle is attacking me
Roosevelt: get antiair guns
Churchill: i cant afford them
benny-tow: u n00bs know what team talk is?
(via Backwards City)
Posted by Chris at 1:07 PM

The "Hello World" Collection

"Hello World" is the first program one usually writes when learning a new programming language. This collection includes 196 Hello World programs in many more-or-less well known programming languages, plus some human languages.
(via Robot Wisdom)
Posted by Chris at 10:42 AM

The "Hello World" Collection

"Hello World" is the first program one usually writes when learning a new programming language. This collection includes 196 Hello World programs in many more-or-less well known programming languages, plus some human languages.
(via Robot Wisdom)
Posted by Chris at 10:42 AM

How Reading Cynical-C Gets You on National TV

MargNHUS.jpg

Marg, aka Roklobsta, who is a regular commenter on this blog, submitted a picture to the We're Not Afraid website that I linked to last week. Today, Good Morning America broadcast a segment from her home in New Hampshire about the picture and the We're Not Afraid site. Marg just emailed me and said everything went fine and she even got a plug in for Cynical-C. I have asked her to write about her experience and will post it when she gets a chance to send it to me.

Congratulations Marg and thank you very much for the plug!
Posted by Chris at 10:05 AM | Comments (7)

How Reading Cynical-C Gets You on National TV

MargNHUS.jpg

Marg, aka Roklobsta, who is a regular commenter on this blog, submitted a picture to the We're Not Afraid website that I linked to last week. Today, Good Morning America broadcast a segment from her home in New Hampshire about the picture and the We're Not Afraid site. Marg just emailed me and said everything went fine and she even got a plug in for Cynical-C. I have asked her to write about her experience and will post it when she gets a chance to send it to me.

Congratulations Marg and thank you very much for the plug!
Posted by Chris at 10:05 AM | Comments (7)

Unphotographable

In October 2004, I travelled to Ethiopia for a two-week solo sightseeing trip. I'd been advised against bringing my camera, but as an amateur street photographer, leaving it behind didn't seem like an option.

In predominantly Muslim communities, photography is shunned, particularly photographing women, which is completely understandable. Consequently, at many times during my trip, there was so much to see, and no way to capture it, except through words. Hence this site - a place for all the moments I was unable to photograph.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 9:54 AM | Comments (1)

Unphotographable

In October 2004, I travelled to Ethiopia for a two-week solo sightseeing trip. I'd been advised against bringing my camera, but as an amateur street photographer, leaving it behind didn't seem like an option.

In predominantly Muslim communities, photography is shunned, particularly photographing women, which is completely understandable. Consequently, at many times during my trip, there was so much to see, and no way to capture it, except through words. Hence this site - a place for all the moments I was unable to photograph.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 9:54 AM | Comments (1)

Plan 9 From Outerspace

Download the entire movie for free here. I saw it a few years back and it is the details about the movie that I love. Such as the cop who scratches his face using his gun. Classic.
Often billed as the worst movie ever made, and not entirely undeserving of the title, this is a masterpiece of Ed Wood's making. Bela Lugosi was cast in the role of "Ghoul Man" but passed away before filming really started. So what happens? The producer's wife's chiropractor (Mr. Reynold's was the executive producer) takes over as "Ghoul Man" and holds his cape in front of his face THE ENTIRE MOVIE.
Posted by Chris at 9:41 AM | Comments (4)

Plan 9 From Outerspace

Download the entire movie for free here. I saw it a few years back and it is the details about the movie that I love. Such as the cop who scratches his face using his gun. Classic.
Often billed as the worst movie ever made, and not entirely undeserving of the title, this is a masterpiece of Ed Wood's making. Bela Lugosi was cast in the role of "Ghoul Man" but passed away before filming really started. So what happens? The producer's wife's chiropractor (Mr. Reynold's was the executive producer) takes over as "Ghoul Man" and holds his cape in front of his face THE ENTIRE MOVIE.
Posted by Chris at 9:41 AM | Comments (4)

Paper Clock

SURRON1.jpg
This Thomas Wall Clock is made out of paper, popsicle sticks and pencils. The only tools used in building this clock were tweezers, fingernail clippers and a razor blade! It took inmate Roger Sutton four months to build it! He says it keeps great time!
Posted by Chris at 9:23 AM

Paper Clock

SURRON1.jpg
This Thomas Wall Clock is made out of paper, popsicle sticks and pencils. The only tools used in building this clock were tweezers, fingernail clippers and a razor blade! It took inmate Roger Sutton four months to build it! He says it keeps great time!
Posted by Chris at 9:23 AM

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Treasures of the Library

libr0191.jpg

Finding a site like this is why I keep blogging.
The "Treasures of the Library" album and collection has been developed to share images from rare and unusual books that reside within the NOAA Central Library. These books and images have been waiting like a buried treasure to be discovered and put on display for the world to see.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 9:19 PM

Treasures of the Library

libr0191.jpg

Finding a site like this is why I keep blogging.
The "Treasures of the Library" album and collection has been developed to share images from rare and unusual books that reside within the NOAA Central Library. These books and images have been waiting like a buried treasure to be discovered and put on display for the world to see.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 9:19 PM | TrackBack

The Soviet Invasion of Czechoslovakia

cz02m.jpg
In the morning hours of August 21, 1968, the Soviet army invaded Czechoslovakia along with troops from four other Warsaw Pact countries. The occupation was the beginning of the end for the Czechoslovak reform movement known as the Prague Spring.

This web site contains material from the days immediately following the invasion, and they reflect the atmosphere in Czechoslovakia at the time: tense, chaotic, uncertain, full of pathos, fear, and expectation...
(via Bibi's Box)
Posted by Chris at 8:45 PM | Comments (1)

The Soviet Invasion of Czechoslovakia

cz02m.jpg
In the morning hours of August 21, 1968, the Soviet army invaded Czechoslovakia along with troops from four other Warsaw Pact countries. The occupation was the beginning of the end for the Czechoslovak reform movement known as the Prague Spring.

This web site contains material from the days immediately following the invasion, and they reflect the atmosphere in Czechoslovakia at the time: tense, chaotic, uncertain, full of pathos, fear, and expectation...
(via Bibi's Box)
Posted by Chris at 8:45 PM | Comments (1)

40 Things That Only Happen in Movies

Such as:
If you are heavily outnumbered in a fight involving martial arts, your opponents will wait patiently to attack you one by one by dancing around you in a threatening manner until you have defeated their predecessor.
Posted by Chris at 8:40 PM | Comments (4)

40 Things That Only Happen in Movies

Such as:
If you are heavily outnumbered in a fight involving martial arts, your opponents will wait patiently to attack you one by one by dancing around you in a threatening manner until you have defeated their predecessor.
Posted by Chris at 8:40 PM | Comments (4)

Who Has Died So Far in 2005

Wikipedia is keeping track of who has left the building. If you look at the bottom you will notice that the lists go back to 1995.
Posted by Chris at 3:58 PM | Comments (2)

Who Has Died So Far in 2005

Wikipedia is keeping track of who has left the building. If you look at the bottom you will notice that the lists go back to 1995.

Eating Disorder Expert Collapses after taking 'Whippits'

From Boston.com
Police interviewed witnesses and collected evidence, then determined that Berzins apparently inhaled from three cans of whipped cream containing nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas, the affidavit says.

Berzins was charged with possession of a restricted substance, criminal mischief and creating a public disturbance. She was released on $500 bail and is to appear in Hartford Superior Court on July 21.
I don't understand why she is being charged with possession of a restricted substance. It's whip cream isn't it? How is that restricted?
Posted by Chris at 3:18 PM | Comments (4)

Eating Disorder Expert Collapses after taking 'Whippits'

From Boston.com
Police interviewed witnesses and collected evidence, then determined that Berzins apparently inhaled from three cans of whipped cream containing nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas, the affidavit says.

Berzins was charged with possession of a restricted substance, criminal mischief and creating a public disturbance. She was released on $500 bail and is to appear in Hartford Superior Court on July 21.
I don't understand why she is being charged with possession of a restricted substance. It's whip cream isn't it? How is that restricted?
Posted by Chris at 3:18 PM | Comments (4)

Why 'Imaginary Voices' are Male

From BBC News:
"The reason these voices are usually male could be explained by the fact that the female voice is so much more complex that the brain would find it much harder to create a false female voice accurately than a false male voice," he says.
Posted by Chris at 3:11 PM | Comments (3)

Why 'Imaginary Voices' are Male

From BBC News:
"The reason these voices are usually male could be explained by the fact that the female voice is so much more complex that the brain would find it much harder to create a false female voice accurately than a false male voice," he says.
Posted by Chris at 3:11 PM | Comments (3)

What is Your Sexy Brazilian Name

Mine is Thiago de Roraima. I wonder what would happen if Bibi tries this out.
Posted by Chris at 2:50 PM | Comments (7)

What is Your Sexy Brazilian Name

Mine is Thiago de Roraima. I wonder what would happen if Bibi tries this out.
Posted by Chris at 2:50 PM | Comments (7)

Photos from the Golden Age of Jazz

wgella.jpg

I love the commentary for each photo but I wish it wasn't in RealAudio.
The William P. Gottlieb Collection, comprising over sixteen hundred photographs of celebrated jazz artists, documents the jazz scene from 1938 to 1948, primarily in New York City and Washington, D.C. In 1938 Gottlieb began working for the Washington Post, where he wrote and illustrated a weekly jazz column--perhaps the first in a major newspaper.
Posted by Chris at 2:25 PM

Photos from the Golden Age of Jazz

wgella.jpg

I love the commentary for each photo but I wish it wasn't in RealAudio.
The William P. Gottlieb Collection, comprising over sixteen hundred photographs of celebrated jazz artists, documents the jazz scene from 1938 to 1948, primarily in New York City and Washington, D.C. In 1938 Gottlieb began working for the Washington Post, where he wrote and illustrated a weekly jazz column--perhaps the first in a major newspaper.
Posted by Chris at 2:25 PM

Santorum on Boston

From the Boston Globe:
WASHINGTON -- Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, the third-ranking Republican in the Senate, refused yesterday to back off on his earlier statements connecting Boston's ''liberalism" with the Roman Catholic Church pedophile scandal, saying that the city's ''sexual license" and ''sexual freedom" nurtured an environment where sexual abuse would occur.

''The basic liberal attitude in that area . . . has an impact on people's behavior," Santorum said in an interview yesterday at the Capitol.

''If you have a world view that I'm describing [about Boston] . . . that affirms alternative views of sexuality, that can lead to a lot of people taking it the wrong way," Santorum said.
He's right you know. I work in Harvard Square where huge chunks of liberalism are mined from underground tunnels, ground into a fine powder we call "Chomsky Dust", and quickly added to the water supply along with fluoride and some raw sewerage to mask that left oriented smell. Luckily, most people in Boston stick to bottled H2O so only take in small doses of the so called "blue water", but it does end up in the church's holy water from time to time leading to an orgy of pedophilia. Sometimes, bars will go a bit too heavy on the ice in some patrons' cosmopolitans leading to a frenzy of sodomy and dancing to The Village People's YMCA. Me, well I don't drink a drop of it. I stick to coffee. I'm sure boiling the water makes it "right". Now if you excuse me, I'm off to get an abortion.
Posted by Chris at 10:55 AM | Comments (8)

Santorum on Boston

From the Boston Globe:
WASHINGTON -- Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, the third-ranking Republican in the Senate, refused yesterday to back off on his earlier statements connecting Boston's ''liberalism" with the Roman Catholic Church pedophile scandal, saying that the city's ''sexual license" and ''sexual freedom" nurtured an environment where sexual abuse would occur.

''The basic liberal attitude in that area . . . has an impact on people's behavior," Santorum said in an interview yesterday at the Capitol.

''If you have a world view that I'm describing [about Boston] . . . that affirms alternative views of sexuality, that can lead to a lot of people taking it the wrong way," Santorum said.
He's right you know. I work in Harvard Square where huge chunks of liberalism are mined from underground tunnels, ground into a fine powder we call "Chomsky Dust", and quickly added to the water supply along with fluoride and some raw sewerage to mask that left oriented smell. Luckily, most people in Boston stick to bottled H2O so only take in small doses of the so called "blue water", but it does end up in the church's holy water from time to time leading to an orgy of pedophilia. Sometimes, bars will go a bit too heavy on the ice in some patrons' cosmopolitans leading to a frenzy of sodomy and dancing to The Village People's YMCA. Me, well I don't drink a drop of it. I stick to coffee. I'm sure boiling the water makes it "right". Now if you excuse me, I'm off to get an abortion.
Posted by Chris at 10:55 AM | Comments (8)

How To Trim Squirrel Teeth

teeth5.jpg

Because possibly rabid rodents need dental care too!
If you have a wild squirrel that comes in with overgrown teeth, here is one way to trim them without anesthesia with simple at home tools. Squirrel's teeth do not have nerves just like human hair or nails so they do not feel pain when you trim their teeth properly. This procedure is still best left to a trained wildlife rehabilitator, vet or vet tech.
(via Monkeyfilter)
Posted by Chris at 10:41 AM | Comments (4)

How To Trim Squirrel Teeth

teeth5.jpg

Because possibly rabid rodents need dental care too!
If you have a wild squirrel that comes in with overgrown teeth, here is one way to trim them without anesthesia with simple at home tools. Squirrel's teeth do not have nerves just like human hair or nails so they do not feel pain when you trim their teeth properly. This procedure is still best left to a trained wildlife rehabilitator, vet or vet tech.
(via Monkeyfilter)
Posted by Chris at 10:41 AM | Comments (4)

Wanted Poster Generator

wanted.jpg

Upload a picture and create your own "Wanted" poster. Rove looks more like Ed Mcmahon when rendered in charcoal.
(via The Presurfer)
Posted by Chris at 10:26 AM

Wanted Poster Generator

wanted.jpg

Upload a picture and create your own "Wanted" poster. Rove looks more like Ed Mcmahon when rendered in charcoal.
(via The Presurfer)
Posted by Chris at 10:26 AM | TrackBack

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

The Principality of Sealand

Wikipedia's entry about Sealand.
The Principality of Sealand is a micronation that claims as its territory Roughs Tower, a derelict man-made structure located in the English Channel six miles (10 km) off the coast of Suffolk, England, at 51° 53′ 40″ N 1° 28′ 57″ E. It is occupied by the family and associates of Paddy Roy Bates. The population of the facility rarely exceeds five, and its inhabitable area is 550 m².
Posted by Chris at 9:14 PM

The Principality of Sealand

Wikipedia's entry about Sealand.
The Principality of Sealand is a micronation that claims as its territory Roughs Tower, a derelict man-made structure located in the English Channel six miles (10 km) off the coast of Suffolk, England, at 51° 53′ 40″ N 1° 28′ 57″ E. It is occupied by the family and associates of Paddy Roy Bates. The population of the facility rarely exceeds five, and its inhabitable area is 550 m².
Posted by Chris at 9:14 PM

History Repeats Itself

Wha Wha What?
Rove fired from Bush Sr's '92 campaign over leak to Novak. Karl Rove was fired from the 1992 re-election campaign of Bush Sr. for allegedly leaking a negative story about Bush loyalist/fundraiser Robert Mosbacher to Novak. Novak's piece described a meeting organized by then-Senator Phil Gramm at which Mosbacher was relieved of his duties as state campaign manager because "the president's re-election effort in Texas has been a bust." Rove was fired after Mosbacher fingered him as Novak's source.
Posted by Chris at 8:59 PM

History Repeats Itself

Wha Wha What?
Rove fired from Bush Sr's '92 campaign over leak to Novak. Karl Rove was fired from the 1992 re-election campaign of Bush Sr. for allegedly leaking a negative story about Bush loyalist/fundraiser Robert Mosbacher to Novak. Novak's piece described a meeting organized by then-Senator Phil Gramm at which Mosbacher was relieved of his duties as state campaign manager because "the president's re-election effort in Texas has been a bust." Rove was fired after Mosbacher fingered him as Novak's source.
Posted by Chris at 8:59 PM

Blind Spots

Keep clicking to try the next situation. It gets better.
Most people (even many who work on the brain) assume that what you see is pretty much what your eye sees and reports to your brain. In fact, your brain adds very substantially to the report it gets from your eye, so that a lot of what you see is actually "made up" by the brain.
Posted by Chris at 8:50 PM | Comments (2)

Blind Spots

Keep clicking to try the next situation. It gets better.
Most people (even many who work on the brain) assume that what you see is pretty much what your eye sees and reports to your brain. In fact, your brain adds very substantially to the report it gets from your eye, so that a lot of what you see is actually "made up" by the brain.
Posted by Chris at 8:50 PM | Comments (2)

CornCam

lastshot.jpg

When you have nothing better to do you can watch corn grow.
More exciting webcam links in this Ask Metafilter thread.
Posted by Chris at 7:23 PM | Comments (3)

CornCam

lastshot.jpg

When you have nothing better to do you can watch corn grow.
More exciting webcam links in this Ask Metafilter thread.
Posted by Chris at 7:23 PM | Comments (3)

How To Make Your Own Washable Menstrual Pads

menstrualpad.jpg

Speechless.
There are lots of reasons to make your own menstrual pads: environmental benefits, save money, you can make pads to suit your own needs, they are very comfortable to use, and above all they look beautiful and it’s great to make and then use them.
Posted by Chris at 1:11 PM | Comments (17)

How To Make Your Own Washable Menstrual Pads

menstrualpad.jpg

Speechless.
There are lots of reasons to make your own menstrual pads: environmental benefits, save money, you can make pads to suit your own needs, they are very comfortable to use, and above all they look beautiful and it’s great to make and then use them.
Posted by Chris at 1:11 PM | Comments (17)

LA Bars and Restaurants of the 40s 50s 60s

Z140.jpg

Also has links to old San Diego and Vegas landmarks.
Los Angeles restaurants and bars from the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s (movie palaces, motel signs, and remants of Rt. 66 as well) - places like the Musso and Frank Grill, the Formosa Cafe, Miceli's and Canter's - this website concentrates on those bastions of a bigone era. Get ready to take a trip back in time.
(via del.icio.us/maka10)
Posted by Chris at 11:32 AM

LA Bars and Restaurants of the 40s 50s 60s

Z140.jpg

Also has links to old San Diego and Vegas landmarks.
Los Angeles restaurants and bars from the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s (movie palaces, motel signs, and remants of Rt. 66 as well) - places like the Musso and Frank Grill, the Formosa Cafe, Miceli's and Canter's - this website concentrates on those bastions of a bigone era. Get ready to take a trip back in time.
(via del.icio.us/maka10)
Posted by Chris at 11:32 AM

Ever have..

Ever have one of these days?
(via del.icio.us/zenonbr)
Posted by Chris at 11:01 AM

Ever have..

Ever have one of these days?
(via del.icio.us/zenonbr)
Posted by Chris at 11:01 AM

Harry Potter Book Sold By Accident

This is actually pretty funny:
COQUITLAM, British Columbia - A handful of people in Canada got a sneak peak of the latest Harry Potter book, but a British Columbia Supreme Court judge ordered them to keep it a secret.

The book was sold to 14 people who snagged a copy of J.K. Rowlings' much anticipated "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," when it landed on shelves last Thursday at a local grocery store.
Yes, a gag order will keep a 12 year old from talking.
Posted by Chris at 10:25 AM | Comments (2)

Harry Potter Book Sold By Accident

This is actually pretty funny:
COQUITLAM, British Columbia - A handful of people in Canada got a sneak peak of the latest Harry Potter book, but a British Columbia Supreme Court judge ordered them to keep it a secret.

The book was sold to 14 people who snagged a copy of J.K. Rowlings' much anticipated "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," when it landed on shelves last Thursday at a local grocery store.
Yes, a gag order will keep a 12 year old from talking.
Posted by Chris at 10:25 AM | Comments (2)

Hunter's Planet of the Apes Archive

potatv04-1.jpg

Wonderful site with all things Planet of the Apes including trading cards and comics (in pdf)
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 9:58 AM | Comments (2)

Hunter's Planet of the Apes Archive

potatv04-1.jpg

Wonderful site with all things Planet of the Apes including trading cards and comics (in pdf)
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 9:58 AM | Comments (2)

Y5B - The Year 5 Billion Bug

And now we have this to worry about.
The Sun has been active for approximately 4.6 billion years. However, it only has enough fuel to go on for another five billion years (Y5B). At the end of its life, the Sun will start to fuse helium into heavier elements and begin to swell up, ultimately growing so large that it will engulf the Earth. Life on earth will change as we know it. First we will have mildly warmer temperatures, then a heat wave will be with us, and finally it will get cold....real cold. Thus, the Year Five Billion will be here. Will we be prepared for the billionennium(tm) bug ?
(via The Presurfer. Let's see if I linked this correctly this time)
Posted by Chris at 9:43 AM | Comments (2)

Y5B - The Year 5 Billion Bug

And now we have this to worry about.
The Sun has been active for approximately 4.6 billion years. However, it only has enough fuel to go on for another five billion years (Y5B). At the end of its life, the Sun will start to fuse helium into heavier elements and begin to swell up, ultimately growing so large that it will engulf the Earth. Life on earth will change as we know it. First we will have mildly warmer temperatures, then a heat wave will be with us, and finally it will get cold....real cold. Thus, the Year Five Billion will be here. Will we be prepared for the billionennium(tm) bug ?
(via The Presurfer. Let's see if I linked this correctly this time)
Posted by Chris at 9:43 AM | Comments (2)

Monday, July 11, 2005

The Construction of the Empire State Building, 1930-1931

hanging.jpg

Wonderful photos here.
Posted by Chris at 11:42 PM | Comments (1)

The Construction of the Empire State Building, 1930-1931

hanging.jpg

Wonderful photos here.
Posted by Chris at 11:42 PM | Comments (1)

Grand Unification Theory

thGUT_StarWars.jpg

Above is every second of Star Wars.
Each of these prints contains one frame per second of an entire film arranged in a dense grid. This grid is ordered not by the narrative, but by the overall luminosity as the films are rearranged and represented in their entirety as abstractions.
Posted by Chris at 11:39 PM

Grand Unification Theory

thGUT_StarWars.jpg

Above is every second of Star Wars.
Each of these prints contains one frame per second of an entire film arranged in a dense grid. This grid is ordered not by the narrative, but by the overall luminosity as the films are rearranged and represented in their entirety as abstractions.
Posted by Chris at 11:39 PM

How To Play Go

go.jpg

I've never played it but always wanted to learn at some point. This website looks like it will come in handy when I get some time.
Go is perhaps the oldest board game in the world. The rules are very simple, and you can learn them in a few minutes - but they lead to a countless number of intriguing patterns and clever maneuvers. The following pages describe how the game is played and scored. Learning to play is easy, but learning to play well requires much study and practice.
Posted by Chris at 11:33 PM | Comments (4)

How To Play Go

go.jpg

I've never played it but always wanted to learn at some point. This website looks like it will come in handy when I get some time.
Go is perhaps the oldest board game in the world. The rules are very simple, and you can learn them in a few minutes - but they lead to a countless number of intriguing patterns and clever maneuvers. The following pages describe how the game is played and scored. Learning to play is easy, but learning to play well requires much study and practice.
Posted by Chris at 11:33 PM | Comments (4)

Lego Turing Machine

turing.jpg

Impressive.
I chose to implement in Lego a slightly different version of the original Turing machine. Instead of having a bi directional tape, it uses a stack. When the symbol beneath the stack is read (and removed), the machine changes "states" and can add zero, one or two symbols on top of the stack.

This variation is maybe very different yet it is possible to show that this simple machine has the same capabilities than a Turing machine. Among other things, it can emulate a Turing machine placed on the stack.
Posted by Chris at 11:26 PM

Lego Turing Machine

turing.jpg

Impressive.
I chose to implement in Lego a slightly different version of the original Turing machine. Instead of having a bi directional tape, it uses a stack. When the symbol beneath the stack is read (and removed), the machine changes "states" and can add zero, one or two symbols on top of the stack.

This variation is maybe very different yet it is possible to show that this simple machine has the same capabilities than a Turing machine. Among other things, it can emulate a Turing machine placed on the stack.
Posted by Chris at 11:26 PM

Insultmonger

How to swear, cuss, and curse in 165 languages. This may be one of the most important sites I have ever posted.
Posted by Chris at 11:21 PM | Comments (4)

Insultmonger

How to swear, cuss, and curse in 165 languages. This may be one of the most important sites I have ever posted.
Posted by Chris at 11:21 PM | Comments (4)

Harrowing Goddamn Airports

vegas1j_1.JPG

WFMU's Beware of the Blog has a funny post about some of the more harrowing airports. Here is the entry for Las Vegas' McCarren airport.
Sure, it's dry, hot, has long runways and plenty of space. But the idea of a guy putting up Celine Dion's marquee letters having to hold on for dear life to avoid jet blast is a scary concept. It's the desert, does the airport have to be a block from downtown?
Posted by Chris at 3:11 PM | Comments (5)

Harrowing Goddamn Airports

vegas1j_1.JPG

WFMU's Beware of the Blog has a funny post about some of the more harrowing airports. Here is the entry for Las Vegas' McCarren airport.
Sure, it's dry, hot, has long runways and plenty of space. But the idea of a guy putting up Celine Dion's marquee letters having to hold on for dear life to avoid jet blast is a scary concept. It's the desert, does the airport have to be a block from downtown?
Posted by Chris at 3:11 PM | Comments (5)

Unskilled and Unaware

An article from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (my apologies to Mr. Cruise for posting this).
In 1995, McArthur Wheeler walked into two Pittsburgh banks and robbed them in broad daylight, with no visible attempt at disguise. He was arrested later that night, less than an hour after videotapes of him taken from surveillance cameras were broadcast on the 11 o'clock news. When police later showed him the surveillance tapes, Mr. Wheeler stared in incredulity. "But I wore the juice," he mumbled. Apparently, Mr. Wheeler was under the impression that rubbing one's face with lemon juice rendered it invisible to videotape cameras
In the same article is a great quote by Charles Darwin:
"ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge"
(via Bifurcated Rivets)
Posted by Chris at 11:00 AM | Comments (1)

Unskilled and Unaware

An article from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (my apologies to Mr. Cruise for posting this).
In 1995, McArthur Wheeler walked into two Pittsburgh banks and robbed them in broad daylight, with no visible attempt at disguise. He was arrested later that night, less than an hour after videotapes of him taken from surveillance cameras were broadcast on the 11 o'clock news. When police later showed him the surveillance tapes, Mr. Wheeler stared in incredulity. "But I wore the juice," he mumbled. Apparently, Mr. Wheeler was under the impression that rubbing one's face with lemon juice rendered it invisible to videotape cameras
In the same article is a great quote by Charles Darwin:
"ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge"
(via Bifurcated Rivets)
Posted by Chris at 11:00 AM | Comments (1)

The Price is Right Pricing Games

Wikipedia's entry on the pricing games that have been played on The Price is Right.
Posted by Chris at 10:20 AM

The Price is Right Pricing Games

Wikipedia's entry on the pricing games that have been played on The Price is Right.
Posted by Chris at 10:20 AM

Angels with Attitude

411.jpg

A photo contest. I like this part:
Limit 2 pictures per entry. Will be judged on facial beauty, expression & fashion, and overall appeal of photo. These should be professional pictures, but should not be extremely or overly retouched.
(via The Presurfer)
Posted by Chris at 9:18 AM | Comments (9)

Angels with Attitude

411.jpg

A photo contest. I like this part:
Limit 2 pictures per entry. Will be judged on facial beauty, expression & fashion, and overall appeal of photo. These should be professional pictures, but should not be extremely or overly retouched.
(via The Presurfer)
Posted by Chris at 9:18 AM | Comments (9)

Sunday, July 10, 2005

How To Make Incense

Incense making is a meditative and enjoyable way to exercise our creativity. It's simple, inexpensive and awakens us to the pleasures of earth's aromatic treasures and our interconnection with nature. Create recipes that greet the rising sun with a clean and invigorating aroma, entertain guests with exotic fragrances, purify indoor spaces, enhance dream activity, relax with a soft, smooth, calming mixture that eases the troubles of the day, or blend a warm, sweet and seductive mixture to stimulate your sensuality for an evening of mystery and intimacy.
Posted by Chris at 9:12 PM | Comments (2)

How To Make Incense

Incense making is a meditative and enjoyable way to exercise our creativity. It's simple, inexpensive and awakens us to the pleasures of earth's aromatic treasures and our interconnection with nature. Create recipes that greet the rising sun with a clean and invigorating aroma, entertain guests with exotic fragrances, purify indoor spaces, enhance dream activity, relax with a soft, smooth, calming mixture that eases the troubles of the day, or blend a warm, sweet and seductive mixture to stimulate your sensuality for an evening of mystery and intimacy.
Posted by Chris at 9:12 PM | Comments (2)

History of . . .

In case you were wondering about the history of dental floss.
We like to read about history. But not always histories of kings and queens, of battles and conquests, of people seeking fame and fortune. We like to read the history of ordinary events and things.

Now there are an amazing number of web sites with amazingly interesting (at least for dull men) information about ordinary things.
(via del.icio.us/epicmanifesto)
Posted by Chris at 8:36 PM

History of . . .

In case you were wondering about the history of dental floss.
We like to read about history. But not always histories of kings and queens, of battles and conquests, of people seeking fame and fortune. We like to read the history of ordinary events and things.

Now there are an amazing number of web sites with amazingly interesting (at least for dull men) information about ordinary things.
(via del.icio.us/epicmanifesto)
Posted by Chris at 8:36 PM

Jumping Cats

jumping_cats39.jpg

A gallery of, well.....
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 3:27 PM | Comments (2)

Jumping Cats

jumping_cats39.jpg

A gallery of, well.....
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 3:27 PM | Comments (2)

Brigham Young's Deseret Alphabet

deseretalphabetbook_cover.jpg
One of the curious items of early Utah history was Brigham Young’s effort to introduce a new alphabet, known as the Deseret Alphabet, into Mormon use.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 3:22 PM | Comments (1)

Brigham Young's Deseret Alphabet

deseretalphabetbook_cover.jpg
One of the curious items of early Utah history was Brigham Young’s effort to introduce a new alphabet, known as the Deseret Alphabet, into Mormon use.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 3:22 PM | Comments (1)

Saturday, July 9, 2005

Gallery of the Absurd

reneesourslo.jpg

Classic.
(via Backwards City)
Posted by Chris at 1:49 PM | Comments (2)

Gallery of the Absurd

reneesourslo.jpg

Classic.
(via Backwards City)
Posted by Chris at 1:49 PM | Comments (2)

Photoshopped Woman Reactions

I had a lot of comments about the photoshopped woman link I posted the other day.

"Behold, Plastic Girl!"
Dorna! exclaimed.

"See? This is the shit that makes 5 year olds talk about dieting."
Radmila vociferated.

"See, and its stuff like this that makes men too picky about the way women look."
Krysta said.

"Exactly, radmila! how can us real women compete with fake ones?"
Roklobsta replied.

And then Wrenchy said this:
"All I hear is washed up old hags who need to hit the gym 3-4 days a week. My girlfriend is hot, she works-out, and she eats heathy. Oh yeah, she is 5'7" 128 lbs. Brown hair, green eyes. If you wanna see a pic of us, email me."

Radmila immediately asked for proof and Wrenchy was nice enough to send in a picture of his girlfriend. Thanks Wrenchy. She is cute!

Posted by Chris at 10:45 AM | Comments (11)

Photoshopped Woman Reactions

I had a lot of comments about the photoshopped woman link I posted the other day.

"Behold, Plastic Girl!"
Dorna! exclaimed.

"See? This is the shit that makes 5 year olds talk about dieting."
Radmila vociferated.

"See, and its stuff like this that makes men too picky about the way women look."
Krysta said.

"Exactly, radmila! how can us real women compete with fake ones?"
Roklobsta replied.

And then Wrenchy said this:
"All I hear is washed up old hags who need to hit the gym 3-4 days a week. My girlfriend is hot, she works-out, and she eats heathy. Oh yeah, she is 5'7" 128 lbs. Brown hair, green eyes. If you wanna see a pic of us, email me."

Radmila immediately asked for proof and Wrenchy was nice enough to send in a picture of his girlfriend. Thanks Wrenchy. She is cute!

Posted by Chris at 10:45 AM | Comments (11)

Friday, July 8, 2005

Sniper Scope Views

Through_the_lens.jpg

A collection of pics from militaryphotos.net of views through a sniper scope.

(via del.icio.us/nullbit)
Posted by Chris at 12:55 PM | Comments (6)

Sniper Scope Views

Through_the_lens.jpg

A collection of pics from militaryphotos.net of views through a sniper scope.

(via del.icio.us/nullbit)
Posted by Chris at 12:55 PM | Comments (6)

Homemade Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker

small_double_bag_it.jpg
Here is a way to make fresh homemade ice cream by hand in much less time than it normally takes with a home ice cream maker.

The freezing time for the ice cream is much faster because we freeze each serving in its own batch of ice and salt. Another factor in freezing it so quickly is that our serving is in a thin, flat, container, so the ice and salt can contact more of the ice cream at once.
(via del.icio.us/easternblot)
Posted by Chris at 12:26 PM | Comments (3)

Homemade Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker

small_double_bag_it.jpg
Here is a way to make fresh homemade ice cream by hand in much less time than it normally takes with a home ice cream maker.

The freezing time for the ice cream is much faster because we freeze each serving in its own batch of ice and salt. Another factor in freezing it so quickly is that our serving is in a thin, flat, container, so the ice and salt can contact more of the ice cream at once.
(via del.icio.us/easternblot)
Posted by Chris at 12:26 PM | Comments (3)

Surviving a Terrorist Attack

I boarded the train at King's Cross after a series of line closures forced me onto a Circle Line train; little did I know at the time that this was probably the worst thing I could have done.

Travelling just past Edgware Road Station the train entered a tunnel. We shook like any usual tube train as it rattled down the tracks. It was then I heard a loud bang.

The train left the tracks and started to rumble down the tunnel. It was incapable of stopping and just rolled on. A series of explosions followed as if tube electric motor after motor was exploding. Each explosion shook the train in the air and seems to make it land at a lower point.

I fell to the ground like most people, scrunched up in a ball in minimize injury. At this point I wondered if the train would ever stop, I thought "please make it stop", but it kept going. In the end I just wished that it didn't hit something and crush. It didn't.
(via del.icio.us/jandevries)
Posted by Chris at 11:57 AM

Surviving a Terrorist Attack

I boarded the train at King's Cross after a series of line closures forced me onto a Circle Line train; little did I know at the time that this was probably the worst thing I could have done.

Travelling just past Edgware Road Station the train entered a tunnel. We shook like any usual tube train as it rattled down the tracks. It was then I heard a loud bang.

The train left the tracks and started to rumble down the tunnel. It was incapable of stopping and just rolled on. A series of explosions followed as if tube electric motor after motor was exploding. Each explosion shook the train in the air and seems to make it land at a lower point.

I fell to the ground like most people, scrunched up in a ball in minimize injury. At this point I wondered if the train would ever stop, I thought "please make it stop", but it kept going. In the end I just wished that it didn't hit something and crush. It didn't.
(via del.icio.us/jandevries)
Posted by Chris at 11:57 AM

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

Almost complete. No links to his poetry.
(via del.icio.us/ladystrathconn)
Posted by Chris at 11:18 AM

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

Almost complete. No links to his poetry.
(via del.icio.us/ladystrathconn)
Posted by Chris at 11:18 AM

We're Not Afraid

alanvaughan.jpg

Show the world that we're not afraid of what happened to London today, that the world is a better place without fear!
(via Google Blogoscoped)
Posted by Chris at 9:38 AM | Comments (6)

We're Not Afraid

alanvaughan.jpg

Show the world that we're not afraid of what happened to London today, that the world is a better place without fear!
(via Google Blogoscoped)
Posted by Chris at 9:38 AM | Comments (6)

Drawing of Aliens by the Children the Aliens Abduct

hybrid1.jpg

The creepiest site I have seen in a long time.
This website features a series of drawings made by children who were abducted by aliens for the alien purpose of creating a new race of alien/human hybrids.

The pictures were drawn by children who successfully resisted the aliens by using a "thought screen helmet" which blocks the telepathic control aliens have over humans.
(via del.icio.us/srsnoid)
Posted by Chris at 6:50 AM | Comments (6)

Drawing of Aliens by the Children the Aliens Abduct

hybrid1.jpg

The creepiest site I have seen in a long time.
This website features a series of drawings made by children who were abducted by aliens for the alien purpose of creating a new race of alien/human hybrids.

The pictures were drawn by children who successfully resisted the aliens by using a "thought screen helmet" which blocks the telepathic control aliens have over humans.
(via del.icio.us/srsnoid)
Posted by Chris at 6:50 AM | Comments (6)

George Bush vs. W

A side by side comparison.
Posted by Chris at 6:30 AM | Comments (1)

George Bush vs. W

A side by side comparison.
Posted by Chris at 6:30 AM | Comments (1)

Photoshopped Woman

Hmmm.
It doesn't seem natural to me to take out every curve, to airbrush out every blemish, but what the Art Director wants, the Art Director will get. This shows an extreme example of how far an image can be taken.
Posted by Chris at 6:18 AM | Comments (12)

Photoshopped Woman

Hmmm.
It doesn't seem natural to me to take out every curve, to airbrush out every blemish, but what the Art Director wants, the Art Director will get. This shows an extreme example of how far an image can be taken.
Posted by Chris at 6:18 AM | Comments (12)

The World According to Livejournal

A graphical representation of the mood for LJers.
(via del.icio.us/selfevident)
Posted by Chris at 6:10 AM | Comments (1)

The World According to Livejournal

A graphical representation of the mood for LJers.
(via del.icio.us/selfevident)
Posted by Chris at 6:10 AM | Comments (1)

World War 2 Fatalities

By country.
Posted by Chris at 6:00 AM

World War 2 Fatalities

By country.
Posted by Chris at 6:00 AM

Thursday, July 7, 2005

A Letter To The Terrorists, From London

I'm going to wrap up my day's blogging of the tragic and despicable terrorist bombings in London today with this letter from the London News Review. I'll resume posting the usual collection of scatterbrained links tomorrow.
What the fuck do you think you're doing?

This is London. We've dealt with your sort before. You don't try and pull this on us.

Do you have any idea how many times our city has been attacked? Whatever you're trying to do, it's not going to work.

All you've done is end some of our lives, and ruin some more. How is that going to help you? You don't get rewarded for this kind of crap.

And if, as your MO indicates, you're an al-Qaeda group, then you're out of your tiny minds.

Because if this is a message to Tony Blair, we've got news for you. We don't much like our government ourselves, or what they do in our name. But, listen very clearly. We'll deal with that ourselves. We're London, and we've got our own way of doing things, and it doesn't involve tossing bombs around where innocent people are going about their lives.

And that's because we're better than you. Everyone is better than you. Our city works. We rather like it. And we're going to go about our lives. We're going to take care of the lives you ruined. And then we're going to work. And we're going down the pub.

So you can pack up your bombs, put them in your arseholes, and get the fuck out of our city.
Posted by Chris at 9:03 PM | Comments (3)

A Letter To The Terrorists, From London

I'm going to wrap up my day's blogging of the tragic and despicable terrorist bombings in London today with this letter from the London News Review. I'll resume posting the usual collection of scatterbrained links tomorrow.
What the fuck do you think you're doing?

This is London. We've dealt with your sort before. You don't try and pull this on us.

Do you have any idea how many times our city has been attacked? Whatever you're trying to do, it's not going to work.

All you've done is end some of our lives, and ruin some more. How is that going to help you? You don't get rewarded for this kind of crap.

And if, as your MO indicates, you're an al-Qaeda group, then you're out of your tiny minds.

Because if this is a message to Tony Blair, we've got news for you. We don't much like our government ourselves, or what they do in our name. But, listen very clearly. We'll deal with that ourselves. We're London, and we've got our own way of doing things, and it doesn't involve tossing bombs around where innocent people are going about their lives.

And that's because we're better than you. Everyone is better than you. Our city works. We rather like it. And we're going to go about our lives. We're going to take care of the lives you ruined. And then we're going to work. And we're going down the pub.

So you can pack up your bombs, put them in your arseholes, and get the fuck out of our city.
Posted by Chris at 9:03 PM | Comments (3)

Another UK Blogger Roundup

In case you are interested in knowing some other British bloggers' opinions, Iddybud has an excellent roundup.
Posted by Chris at 4:05 PM | Comments (3)

Another UK Blogger Roundup

In case you are interested in knowing some other British bloggers' opinions, Iddybud has an excellent roundup.
Posted by Chris at 4:05 PM | Comments (3)

The Sun Online's Emails from Londoners

THE Sun Online has set up a special e-mail service to enable you to tell your friends and family you are safe.
Posted by Chris at 2:33 PM | Comments (1)

The Sun Online's Emails from Londoners

THE Sun Online has set up a special e-mail service to enable you to tell your friends and family you are safe.
Posted by Chris at 2:33 PM | Comments (1)

BBC News: Map of London Attacks

nav_629.jpg

With times and details of each blast.
Posted by Chris at 2:01 PM

BBC News: Map of London Attacks

nav_629.jpg

With times and details of each blast.
Posted by Chris at 2:01 PM

CIA chief has 'excellent idea' where bin Laden is

This ran a few weeks ago but it seems like a good time to bring it up. Hey Porter, mind picking this guy up now?
Posted by Chris at 1:37 PM | Comments (2)

CIA chief has 'excellent idea' where bin Laden is

This ran a few weeks ago but it seems like a good time to bring it up. Hey Porter, mind picking this guy up now?
Posted by Chris at 1:37 PM | Comments (2)

First Hand Accounts of the Blast

London bloggers on the bombing.

Greenfairy.com:
The police arrive with tape and dogs and noise at the same time as the message. All traffic is halted and we're scooped from the bus and shooed down the road, waved on by a thick line of yellow-jacketed men. Nobody looks at anybody else. Nobody cries out. Nobody shows fear. I try to call my friends but the networks are jammed. I recieve odd, broken texts of concern but have no way to respond. Through the streets and past immediate danger, people stand for a second, look about them, and disperse. I join a group of shoppers listening to a radio that a sandwich bar has rigged up to outside speakers. Two blasts. Four.
Life at Mike's Place:
the first I knew of the problems was at around 10 to 9 this morning when I heard the sirens going past my flat to get to aldgate station, which is just around the corner from me. When I checked the news, my first reaction was one of "oh well, guess I'm walking to work" ... you get so used to problems with the underground that you just assume that's the cause. Since then, the day's got progressively worse, but fortunately friends, family etc only appear to have been affected through inconvenience than anything else. Here's hoping that remains the case.

tomorrow, I still expect to be celebrating - if you're reading this to check, the plan remains the same, I'm not going to let a couple of wankers with a fucked up belief system ruin a perfectly good night out. See you there!
Seldo.com:
All three of my routes to work were bombed this morning. Not just "I take buses, and buses were bombed": my bus route, my train stations, and my tube lines were directly hit. I'm a very nervous bunny right now.
Pictures and commentary from Fink:
Walking around there are police and fire brigade everywhere, as I was taking these shots a police officer said "You really don't want to be anywhere near that station, fella"...(he didn't have to tell me twice)...
Posted by Chris at 12:48 PM | Comments (1)

First Hand Accounts of the Blast

London bloggers on the bombing.

Greenfairy.com:
The police arrive with tape and dogs and noise at the same time as the message. All traffic is halted and we're scooped from the bus and shooed down the road, waved on by a thick line of yellow-jacketed men. Nobody looks at anybody else. Nobody cries out. Nobody shows fear. I try to call my friends but the networks are jammed. I recieve odd, broken texts of concern but have no way to respond. Through the streets and past immediate danger, people stand for a second, look about them, and disperse. I join a group of shoppers listening to a radio that a sandwich bar has rigged up to outside speakers. Two blasts. Four.
Life at Mike's Place:
the first I knew of the problems was at around 10 to 9 this morning when I heard the sirens going past my flat to get to aldgate station, which is just around the corner from me. When I checked the news, my first reaction was one of "oh well, guess I'm walking to work" ... you get so used to problems with the underground that you just assume that's the cause. Since then, the day's got progressively worse, but fortunately friends, family etc only appear to have been affected through inconvenience than anything else. Here's hoping that remains the case.

tomorrow, I still expect to be celebrating - if you're reading this to check, the plan remains the same, I'm not going to let a couple of wankers with a fucked up belief system ruin a perfectly good night out. See you there!
Seldo.com:
All three of my routes to work were bombed this morning. Not just "I take buses, and buses were bombed": my bus route, my train stations, and my tube lines were directly hit. I'm a very nervous bunny right now.
Pictures and commentary from Fink:
Walking around there are police and fire brigade everywhere, as I was taking these shots a police officer said "You really don't want to be anywhere near that station, fella"...(he didn't have to tell me twice)...

Photos From London

Getty Images has a large gallery of images of the aftermath of the blast.
Posted by Chris at 12:14 PM

Photos From London

Getty Images has a large gallery of images of the aftermath of the blast.
Posted by Chris at 12:14 PM

London Blasts Updates on Google Map

There seems to be confusion on how many explosions there were because some trains were between stations. But this map provides a pretty good visual nonetheless.
Posted by Chris at 11:59 AM | Comments (1)

London Blasts Updates on Google Map

There seems to be confusion on how many explosions there were because some trains were between stations. But this map provides a pretty good visual nonetheless.
Posted by Chris at 11:59 AM | Comments (1)

London Bloggers

tubemap.jpg

Find London bloggers based on what tube station they are associated with. This is kind of a shotgun approach since you really don't know what blogs have been updated recently. These are the locations where the blasts occurred and the bloggers associated with each station:

Aldgate East Station
Liverpool Street
Edgware Road
King's Cross
Russell Square
Posted by Chris at 11:34 AM

London Bloggers

tubemap.jpg

Find London bloggers based on what tube station they are associated with. This is kind of a shotgun approach since you really don't know what blogs have been updated recently. These are the locations where the blasts occurred and the bloggers associated with each station:

Aldgate East Station
Liverpool Street
Edgware Road
King's Cross
Russell Square
Posted by Chris at 11:34 AM

Project Nothing's Coverage of the Attacks

Project Nothing has a very good roundup of news and bloggers on the London Bombing.
Posted by Chris at 10:41 AM | Comments (10)

Project Nothing's Coverage of the Attacks

Project Nothing has a very good roundup of news and bloggers on the London Bombing.
Posted by Chris at 10:41 AM | Comments (10)

Eyewitness Accounts of the London Explosion

Sigh.
"All of sudden there was this massive huge bang. It was absolutely deafening and all the windows shattered. The train came to a grinding halt, everyone fell off their seats. There were just loads of people screaming and the carriages filled with smoke, you couldn't really breathe and you couldn't see what was happening. The driver came on the Tannoy and said 'We have got a problem, don't panic'.
Posted by Chris at 10:19 AM

Eyewitness Accounts of the London Explosion

Sigh.
"All of sudden there was this massive huge bang. It was absolutely deafening and all the windows shattered. The train came to a grinding halt, everyone fell off their seats. There were just loads of people screaming and the carriages filled with smoke, you couldn't really breathe and you couldn't see what was happening. The driver came on the Tannoy and said 'We have got a problem, don't panic'.
Posted by Chris at 10:19 AM

Picture Inside the Tube

moblog_c5e3bfbeddbfb.jpg

A picture taken after the bombing from inside the train on Flickr.
Posted by Chris at 10:15 AM

Picture Inside the Tube

moblog_c5e3bfbeddbfb.jpg

A picture taken after the bombing from inside the train on Flickr.
Posted by Chris at 10:15 AM

Wikipedia's Entry About the Blast

So far it is the most comprehensive coverage I have seen.
Posted by Chris at 10:04 AM | Comments (1)

Wikipedia's Entry About the Blast

So far it is the most comprehensive coverage I have seen.
Posted by Chris at 10:04 AM | Comments (1)

Flickr and the London Blast

24235048_44305b0b84.jpg

Flickr has some coverage of the blast. Most of the pictures I saw are screenshots from tv coverage. Here are the tags that cover the bombing so far:

London Bomb Blasts
bomb
blast
terrorism
terrorist

You may find more here.
Posted by Chris at 9:54 AM

Flickr and the London Blast

24235048_44305b0b84.jpg

Flickr has some coverage of the blast. Most of the pictures I saw are screenshots from tv coverage. Here are the tags that cover the bombing so far:

London Bomb Blasts
bomb
blast
terrorism
terrorist

You may find more here.
Posted by Chris at 9:54 AM

London

My thoughts and well wishes are with my friends in London today. I wouldn't feel right posting silly links on a day like this so I'll concentrate on just posting links relevant to today's attacks.

For those of you who want to find London blogs to read more about what is happening, the UKBlogs Aggregator is an excellent resource.
Posted by Chris at 9:36 AM | Comments (1)

London

My thoughts and well wishes are with my friends in London today. I wouldn't feel right posting silly links on a day like this so I'll concentrate on just posting links relevant to today's attacks.

For those of you who want to find London blogs to read more about what is happening, the UKBlogs Aggregator is an excellent resource.
Posted by Chris at 9:36 AM | Comments (1)

Wednesday, July 6, 2005

President Clouseau Falls Off Another Bike

bruise.jpg

Looks like Ol "Bring em On" fell off another bike. Even Gerald Ford laughs at him.
GLENEAGLES, Scotland -- President Bush collided with a local police officer and fell during a bike ride on the grounds of the Gleneagles golf resort while attending a meeting of world leaders Wednesday.

Bush suffered "mild to moderate" scrapes on his hands and arms that required bandages by the White House physician, said White House spokesman Scott McClellan. The accident occurred on asphalt, McClellan said. It was raining lightly at the time, and Bush was wearing a helmet.

Police said the officer suffered a "very minor" ankle injury.
The pic used above is from a different accident. There are plenty to choose from.
Posted by Chris at 7:12 PM | Comments (11)

President Clouseau Falls Off Another Bike

bruise.jpg

Looks like Ol "Bring em On" fell off another bike. Even Gerald Ford laughs at him.
GLENEAGLES, Scotland -- President Bush collided with a local police officer and fell during a bike ride on the grounds of the Gleneagles golf resort while attending a meeting of world leaders Wednesday.

Bush suffered "mild to moderate" scrapes on his hands and arms that required bandages by the White House physician, said White House spokesman Scott McClellan. The accident occurred on asphalt, McClellan said. It was raining lightly at the time, and Bush was wearing a helmet.

Police said the officer suffered a "very minor" ankle injury.
The pic used above is from a different accident. There are plenty to choose from.
Posted by Chris at 7:12 PM | Comments (11)

How To Levitate

lev1.jpg

By means of The Balducci Levitation trick.
(via del.icio.us/selfevident)
Posted by Chris at 3:02 PM

How To Levitate

lev1.jpg

By means of The Balducci Levitation trick.
(via del.icio.us/selfevident)
Posted by Chris at 3:02 PM

Bush Sings Imagine

Quite good. (Opens to mp3 and some profanity at the beginning)
(via del.icio.us/Aquarion)
Posted by Chris at 2:45 PM | Comments (1)

Bush Sings Imagine

Quite good. (Opens to mp3 and some profanity at the beginning)
(via del.icio.us/Aquarion)

Japan SAQ (Seldom Asked Questions)

nosebleed.jpg

If there are any Japanese people who would like to vouch for the veracity of this SAQ, the comments section belongs to you.
Q. Why is it in anime and manga, when a boy acts like a pervert they are pictured with blood gushing from their nose? Is this derived from a legend of some sort?--Question submitted by Octavian

A. In anime, a nosebleed means that a male character is sexually aroused. It's kind of funny if you think about it--he is so aroused that blood not only fills up his sex organs, it starts coming out his nose too.
Posted by Chris at 12:41 PM | Comments (4)

Japan SAQ (Seldom Asked Questions)

nosebleed.jpg

If there are any Japanese people who would like to vouch for the veracity of this SAQ, the comments section belongs to you.
Q. Why is it in anime and manga, when a boy acts like a pervert they are pictured with blood gushing from their nose? Is this derived from a legend of some sort?--Question submitted by Octavian

A. In anime, a nosebleed means that a male character is sexually aroused. It's kind of funny if you think about it--he is so aroused that blood not only fills up his sex organs, it starts coming out his nose too.
Posted by Chris at 12:41 PM | Comments (4)

The Online Diaries of Franz Kafka, 1910-1923

kafka.jpg

What a great idea for a blog. Paul Kerschen is posting entries from Kafka's diaries in blog format.
Diaries in the public domain seem natural candidates for the weblog format. While the Kafka Project has already made the critical edition of Kafka's diaries available online, this site aims to supplement that work by providing a public-domain translation in English and a space for discussion (in the event of a talkative readership).
This reminds me of a few years ago when I was looking for his diaries at a bookstore and had trouble finding them. I asked a clerk at the desk if they had The Diaries of Franz Kafka in and she asked "Who wrote it?"

An interesting part about his diaries is that Kafka had asked his best friend, Max Brod, to burn them after he died. Brod published them instead. Did he do the right thing?
Posted by Chris at 12:17 PM | Comments (2)

The Online Diaries of Franz Kafka, 1910-1923

kafka2.jpg

What a great idea for a blog. Paul Kerschen is posting entries from Kafka's diaries in blog format.
Diaries in the public domain seem natural candidates for the weblog format. While the Kafka Project has already made the critical edition of Kafka's diaries available online, this site aims to supplement that work by providing a public-domain translation in English and a space for discussion (in the event of a talkative readership).
This reminds me of a few years ago when I was looking for his diaries at a bookstore and had trouble finding them. I asked a clerk at the desk if they had The Diaries of Franz Kafka in and she asked "Who wrote it?"

An interesting part about his diaries is that Kafka had asked his best friend, Max Brod, to burn them after he died. Brod published them instead. Did he do the right thing?
Posted by Chris at 12:17 PM | Comments (2)

Greenlighting

greenlighters.jpg

What is Greenlighting?
Greenlighting is when a male or female (often bisexual) will wear a green shirt, either polo or otherwise, and "pop" or pull their collar up. This marks them as being ready for sex with anyone who chooses them, be it male or female, they are "collared" when someone approaches them and pulls their collar down. This leads to sexual intercourse in most cases or sodomy when both partners are male. The trend is thought to have started in the gay community but quickly spread throught out 2004, with more communities meeting up in real life, and sharing stories online. Many women who "collar" males see it as a chance for no strings attached sex whilst guys enjoy it for obvious reasons, in gay circles it is seen as a way of openly showing your true feelings. Green Lighting shows that you are open to anything and many worry that this may lead to horrific abuse, and whilst this has yet to occur it may only be a matter of time.
Before you parents start throwing out anything in your kid's wardrobe that is colored green you may wish to know that this is only a hoax. The confession is here.
Posted by Chris at 12:03 PM | Comments (1)

Greenlighting

greenlighters.jpg

What is Greenlighting?
Greenlighting is when a male or female (often bisexual) will wear a green shirt, either polo or otherwise, and "pop" or pull their collar up. This marks them as being ready for sex with anyone who chooses them, be it male or female, they are "collared" when someone approaches them and pulls their collar down. This leads to sexual intercourse in most cases or sodomy when both partners are male. The trend is thought to have started in the gay community but quickly spread throught out 2004, with more communities meeting up in real life, and sharing stories online. Many women who "collar" males see it as a chance for no strings attached sex whilst guys enjoy it for obvious reasons, in gay circles it is seen as a way of openly showing your true feelings. Green Lighting shows that you are open to anything and many worry that this may lead to horrific abuse, and whilst this has yet to occur it may only be a matter of time.
Before you parents start throwing out anything in your kid's wardrobe that is colored green you may wish to know that this is only a hoax. The confession is here.
Posted by Chris at 12:03 PM | Comments (1)

The Death of Che Guevara: Declassified

On October 9th, 1967, Ernesto "Che" Guevara was put to death by Bolivian soldiers, trained, equipped and guided by U.S. Green Beret and CIA operatives. His execution remains a historic and controversial event; and thirty years later, the circumstances of his guerrilla foray into Bolivia, his capture, killing, and burial are still the subject of intense public interest and discussion around the world.
(via Plep)
Posted by Chris at 11:30 AM | Comments (3)

The Death of Che Guevara: Declassified

On October 9th, 1967, Ernesto "Che" Guevara was put to death by Bolivian soldiers, trained, equipped and guided by U.S. Green Beret and CIA operatives. His execution remains a historic and controversial event; and thirty years later, the circumstances of his guerrilla foray into Bolivia, his capture, killing, and burial are still the subject of intense public interest and discussion around the world.
(via Plep)
Posted by Chris at 11:30 AM | Comments (3)

Roman Board Games

wjk00856.jpg

How about a nice game of Ludus Calculorum.
The Romans played a wide variety of board games, including Knucklebones (Astragalos, Tali & Tropa), Dice (Tesserae), Roman Chess (Latrunculi), Merels, Duodecim Scripta,, Tic-Tac-Toe (Terni Lapilli), Roman Backgammon (Tabula), and others. Romans also played other games like the Greek games Petteia, Pente Grammai, the Eqyptian game Senet, the African (Libyan) game of Mancala and probably others like 'Five-in-a-Row' (here called Ludus Calculorum for lack of a better term). The rules for these games are not all well understood, but are presented with proposed reconstructions of rules in the pages linked at the right.
Posted by Chris at 10:30 AM | Comments (1)

Roman Board Games

wjk00856.jpg

How about a nice game of Ludus Calculorum.
The Romans played a wide variety of board games, including Knucklebones (Astragalos, Tali & Tropa), Dice (Tesserae), Roman Chess (Latrunculi), Merels, Duodecim Scripta,, Tic-Tac-Toe (Terni Lapilli), Roman Backgammon (Tabula), and others. Romans also played other games like the Greek games Petteia, Pente Grammai, the Eqyptian game Senet, the African (Libyan) game of Mancala and probably others like 'Five-in-a-Row' (here called Ludus Calculorum for lack of a better term). The rules for these games are not all well understood, but are presented with proposed reconstructions of rules in the pages linked at the right.
Posted by Chris at 10:30 AM | Comments (1)

You Knit What?

ohmy.jpg

A blog dedicated to knitting atrocities.
(via del.icio.us/suzamaphone)
Posted by Chris at 9:52 AM | Comments (3)

You Knit What?

ohmy.jpg

A blog dedicated to knitting atrocities.
(via del.icio.us/suzamaphone)
Posted by Chris at 9:52 AM | Comments (3)

Tuesday, July 5, 2005

The Dog Disguise Kit

aaainsidez.jpg
Are you sick of people looking at your breed of dog in fear because politicians and the media are saying things like;

"We want to breed these dogs out of existence,"

"They are killing machines on a leash."

"These breeds don't belong in our community"

Well worry no longer, attachchi will be making disguises for all the so called 'dangerous breeds'. Now you can go to the park with your kids and your dog (like you have been doing for years), without the worry of people thinking you are a bad parent.
Posted by Chris at 7:19 PM | Comments (4)

The Dog Disguise Kit

aaainsidez.jpg
Are you sick of people looking at your breed of dog in fear because politicians and the media are saying things like;

"We want to breed these dogs out of existence,"

"They are killing machines on a leash."

"These breeds don't belong in our community"

Well worry no longer, attachchi will be making disguises for all the so called 'dangerous breeds'. Now you can go to the park with your kids and your dog (like you have been doing for years), without the worry of people thinking you are a bad parent.
Posted by Chris at 7:19 PM | Comments (4)

US Servicemen, women who have died in Iraq/Afghanistan

raq.jpg

Showing you casualties by hometown. Click on a point and more info will appear.
(via del.icio.us/ethanb)
Posted by Chris at 12:13 PM | Comments (8)

US Servicemen, women who have died in Iraq/Afghanistan

raq.jpg

Showing you casualties by hometown. Click on a point and more info will appear.
(via del.icio.us/ethanb)
Posted by Chris at 12:13 PM | Comments (8)

24 Ways To Lace Shoes

LatticeLacing6.gif

How many possible ways are there to lace an average shoe? This simple question, when answered with mathematics, results in some surprisingly big numbers - on an average shoe with six pairs of eyelets, there are 1,961,990,553,600 ways to feed a shoelace though those 12 eyelets.

However, many of these can't be considered "Lacing Methods" because they don't even fulfil the primary purpose of holding the shoe closed, whilst many are hopelessly tangled messes, and many are minor, irrelevant variations. Nonetheless, even with real-world constraints, there are countless possible lacing methods.
Posted by Chris at 11:06 AM

24 Ways To Lace Shoes

LatticeLacing6.gif

How many possible ways are there to lace an average shoe? This simple question, when answered with mathematics, results in some surprisingly big numbers - on an average shoe with six pairs of eyelets, there are 1,961,990,553,600 ways to feed a shoelace though those 12 eyelets.

However, many of these can't be considered "Lacing Methods" because they don't even fulfil the primary purpose of holding the shoe closed, whilst many are hopelessly tangled messes, and many are minor, irrelevant variations. Nonetheless, even with real-world constraints, there are countless possible lacing methods.
Posted by Chris at 11:06 AM

The Flying Carpet

watermark.jpg
Alavi’s latest project is indeed likely to inspire a myriad of ideas from creatives all over the world when they see how he had an aerial view of the Sacramento River woven into a carpet for the floor of a pedestrian bridge connecting the Sacramento International Airport terminal to the parking garage. It is indeed, a “flying carpet”
(via Engadget)
Posted by Chris at 9:58 AM | Comments (5)

The Flying Carpet

watermark.jpg
Alavi’s latest project is indeed likely to inspire a myriad of ideas from creatives all over the world when they see how he had an aerial view of the Sacramento River woven into a carpet for the floor of a pedestrian bridge connecting the Sacramento International Airport terminal to the parking garage. It is indeed, a “flying carpet”
(via Engadget)
Posted by Chris at 9:58 AM | Comments (5)

Diary of a Sicko

The blog of Joseph Duncan, the convicted rapist who was arrested for kidnapping two children from Idaho and apparently killing one of them. Some fascinating and scary stuff on this blog. I guess it would be the understatement of the year to say that the warning signs were there.
But just the same, these demons are stronger than even I gave them credit for, and now they are taking my best blows and not even staggering. I’m afraid, very afraid. If they win then a lot of people will be badly hurt, and they’ve had their way before, so I know what they can do. I’ve been praying a lot and asking God for help. I’ve asked him to step in and intercede directly, because I see no other way at this point that I can win. If you are reading this, and you believe in God, please pray for God to help me defeat my demons.
(via Kottke.org)
Posted by Chris at 9:40 AM | Comments (4)

Diary of a Sicko

The blog of Joseph Duncan, the convicted rapist who was arrested for kidnapping two children from Idaho and apparently killing one of them. Some fascinating and scary stuff on this blog. I guess it would be the understatement of the year to say that the warning signs were there.
But just the same, these demons are stronger than even I gave them credit for, and now they are taking my best blows and not even staggering. I’m afraid, very afraid. If they win then a lot of people will be badly hurt, and they’ve had their way before, so I know what they can do. I’ve been praying a lot and asking God for help. I’ve asked him to step in and intercede directly, because I see no other way at this point that I can win. If you are reading this, and you believe in God, please pray for God to help me defeat my demons.
(via Kottke.org)
Posted by Chris at 9:40 AM | Comments (4)

Monday, July 4, 2005

Photos of the Great War

imag0507.jpg

Almost 2,000 pictures from WWI.
(via del.icio.us/bananamoon)
Posted by Chris at 6:59 PM | Comments (1)

Photos of the Great War

imag0507.jpg

Almost 2,000 pictures from WWI.
(via del.icio.us/bananamoon)
Posted by Chris at 6:59 PM | Comments (1)

Buying a Burrito With a 2 Dollar Bill

This is supposedly a true story. I believe it.
At his point I open my billfold and hand him the $2 bill. He looks at it kind of funny and

IT: "Uh, hang on a sec, I'll be right back."

He goes to talk to his manager, who is still within earshot. The following conversation occurs between the two of them.

IT: "Hey, you ever see a $2 bill?"
MG: "No. A what?"
IT: "A $2 bill. This guy just gave it to me."
MG: "Ask for something else, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A $2 BILL." [my emp]
IT: "Yeah, thought so."
...
(via del.icio.us/szarka)
Posted by Chris at 6:31 PM | Comments (6)

Buying a Burrito With a 2 Dollar Bill

This is supposedly a true story. I believe it.
At his point I open my billfold and hand him the $2 bill. He looks at it kind of funny and

IT: "Uh, hang on a sec, I'll be right back."

He goes to talk to his manager, who is still within earshot. The following conversation occurs between the two of them.

IT: "Hey, you ever see a $2 bill?"
MG: "No. A what?"
IT: "A $2 bill. This guy just gave it to me."
MG: "Ask for something else, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A $2 BILL." [my emp]
IT: "Yeah, thought so."
...
(via del.icio.us/szarka)
Posted by Chris at 6:31 PM | Comments (6)

Crazy Uses for Coca Cola

Besides drinking it that is.
(via del.icio.us/j2n4me)
Posted by Chris at 4:37 PM | Comments (1)

Crazy Uses for Coca Cola

Besides drinking it that is.
(via del.icio.us/j2n4me)
Posted by Chris at 4:37 PM | Comments (1)

Terra Galleria

npsa3725.jpg

Incredible photo gallery.
Welcome ! View on-line galleries of travel, adventure, landscape, and nature photography by Quang-Tuan Luong. The browsable image bank contains more than 12,000 pictures from around the world
(via Monkeyfilter)
Posted by Chris at 3:07 PM | Comments (2)

Terra Galleria

npsa3725.jpg

Incredible photo gallery.
Welcome ! View on-line galleries of travel, adventure, landscape, and nature photography by Quang-Tuan Luong. The browsable image bank contains more than 12,000 pictures from around the world
(via Monkeyfilter)
Posted by Chris at 3:07 PM | Comments (2)

Friday, July 1, 2005

Happy 4th

Lighthouse.jpg

I am going down to the Cynical Compound on Cape Cod for a few days so there won't be any new posts until Tues or Wed. Everybody have a safe and happy holiday.
Posted by Chris at 9:59 AM | Comments (9)

Happy 4th

Lighthouse.jpg

I am going down to the Cynical Compound on Cape Cod for a few days so there won't be any new posts until Tues or Wed. Everybody have a safe and happy holiday.
Posted by Chris at 9:59 AM | Comments (9)




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