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Monday, October 31, 2005Spot the DifferencesSee if you can find the differences in these two photos. It took me a few minutes to find all three.(via Reality Carnival) Spot the DifferencesSee if you can find the differences in these two photos. It took me a few minutes to find all three.(via Reality Carnival) The Trials and Tribulations of the Minutemen in VTI feel safe knowing these guys are protecting our borders.
Nevertheless, the Minutemen have come to Vermont.
They began scouting out potential sites several weeks ago, poking around this hamlet with a downtown almost directly on the border. It was in Derby Line that they had their first problem with the elusive border. On one scouting expedition, member Bob Casimiro said they became, for a moment, illegal visitors in Canada. Then came their first official patrol two weekends ago, which was dogged by protesters who assembled downtown and shouted slogans such as "Take your hate out of our state." The Minutemen had to patrol a bike path away from town, and then -- as the Boston Globe reported -- got lost and had to ask a local for directions. The Trials and Tribulations of the Minutemen in VTI feel safe knowing these guys are protecting our borders.
Nevertheless, the Minutemen have come to Vermont.
They began scouting out potential sites several weeks ago, poking around this hamlet with a downtown almost directly on the border. It was in Derby Line that they had their first problem with the elusive border. On one scouting expedition, member Bob Casimiro said they became, for a moment, illegal visitors in Canada. Then came their first official patrol two weekends ago, which was dogged by protesters who assembled downtown and shouted slogans such as "Take your hate out of our state." The Minutemen had to patrol a bike path away from town, and then -- as the Boston Globe reported -- got lost and had to ask a local for directions. Sunday, October 30, 2005Disturbing Deaths in the Literary WorldNice little list.
Honore De Balzac [1799-1850] French Author - Believed to have choked on too much coffee.
Ambrose Bierce [1842-1914?] American Author - Disappeared in Mexico while reporting on the Pancho Villa’s rebellion. May have been murdered by bandits. Tennessee Williams [1911-1983] American Playwright - Choked on a bottle cap while trying to get hands on some barbiturates. Disturbing Deaths in the Literary WorldNice little list.
Honore De Balzac [1799-1850] French Author - Believed to have choked on too much coffee.
Ambrose Bierce [1842-1914?] American Author - Disappeared in Mexico while reporting on the Pancho Villa’s rebellion. May have been murdered by bandits. Tennessee Williams [1911-1983] American Playwright - Choked on a bottle cap while trying to get hands on some barbiturates. Friday, October 28, 2005Fractal Breakdown Image of Every Outcome in Tic-Tac-Toe
The first player in tic-tac-toe, conventionally labelled X, has a choice of one of nine squares in which to place his marker. The opposing player O then has a choice of one of the remaining eight squares. On X's next turn again he has a choice of seven squares, and so forth. There are thus a total of 9! possible series of moves (9 factorial: 9 x 8 x 7 x ... x 1), giving us 9! possible tic-tac-toe games. Some of these are wins for X, some for O, and some draws (wins for neither player). The fractal image shown in Figure 1, sections of which are progressively enlarged in Figure 2, offers an analytic presentation of all possible tic-tac-toe games.
(via Linkfilter)Fractal Breakdown Image of Every Outcome in Tic-Tac-Toe
The first player in tic-tac-toe, conventionally labelled X, has a choice of one of nine squares in which to place his marker. The opposing player O then has a choice of one of the remaining eight squares. On X's next turn again he has a choice of seven squares, and so forth. There are thus a total of 9! possible series of moves (9 factorial: 9 x 8 x 7 x ... x 1), giving us 9! possible tic-tac-toe games. Some of these are wins for X, some for O, and some draws (wins for neither player). The fractal image shown in Figure 1, sections of which are progressively enlarged in Figure 2, offers an analytic presentation of all possible tic-tac-toe games.
(via Linkfilter)Worth1000's Jack-O'Lantern Challenge Another round of wonderful photoshop pictures from Worth1000. (via Boing Boing) Worth1000's Jack-O'Lantern ChallengeAnother round of wonderful photoshop pictures from Worth1000. (via Boing Boing) Thursday, October 27, 2005Hanging Mistaken for Halloween DecorationWhoa.
The apparent suicide of a woman found hanging from a tree went unreported for hours because passers-by thought the body was a Halloween decoration, authorities said.
(via Monkeyfilter)The 42-year-old woman used rope to hang herself across the street from some homes on a moderately busy road late Tuesday or early Wednesday, state police said. The body, suspended about 15 feet above the ground, could be easily seen from passing vehicles. State police spokesman Cpl. Jeff Oldham and neighbors said people noticed the body at breakfast time Wednesday but dismissed it as a holiday prank. Authorities were called to the scene more than three hours later. Hanging Mistaken for Halloween DecorationWhoa.
The apparent suicide of a woman found hanging from a tree went unreported for hours because passers-by thought the body was a Halloween decoration, authorities said.
(via Monkeyfilter)The 42-year-old woman used rope to hang herself across the street from some homes on a moderately busy road late Tuesday or early Wednesday, state police said. The body, suspended about 15 feet above the ground, could be easily seen from passing vehicles. State police spokesman Cpl. Jeff Oldham and neighbors said people noticed the body at breakfast time Wednesday but dismissed it as a holiday prank. Authorities were called to the scene more than three hours later. How To Build a Flying Saucer And Other Proposals in Speculative Engineering (via del.icio.us/xiombarg) How To Build a Flying SaucerAnd Other Proposals in Speculative Engineering (via del.icio.us/xiombarg) The Case of the 500 Mile Email
Here's a problem that *sounded* impossible... I almost regret posting the
story to a wide audience, because it makes a great tale over drinks at a
conference. :-) The story is slightly altered in order to protect the
guilty, elide over irrelevant and boring details, and generally make the
whole thing more entertaining.
(via del.icio.us/ThreeDayMonk)I was working in a job running the campus email system some years ago when I got a call from the chairman of the statistics department. "We're having a problem sending email out of the department." "What's the problem?" I asked. "We can't send mail more than 500 miles," the chairman explained. I choked on my latte. "Come again?" "We can't send mail farther than 500 miles from here," he repeated. "A little bit more, actually. Call it 520 miles. But no farther." "Um... Email really doesn't work that way, generally," I said, trying to keep panic out of my voice. One doesn't display panic when speaking to a department chairman, even of a relatively impoverished department like statistics. "What makes you think you can't send mail more than 500 miles?" "It's not what I *think*," the chairman replied testily. "You see, when we first noticed this happening, a few days ago--" The Case of the 500 Mile Email
Here's a problem that *sounded* impossible... I almost regret posting the
story to a wide audience, because it makes a great tale over drinks at a
conference. :-) The story is slightly altered in order to protect the
guilty, elide over irrelevant and boring details, and generally make the
whole thing more entertaining.
(via del.icio.us/ThreeDayMonk)I was working in a job running the campus email system some years ago when I got a call from the chairman of the statistics department. "We're having a problem sending email out of the department." "What's the problem?" I asked. "We can't send mail more than 500 miles," the chairman explained. I choked on my latte. "Come again?" "We can't send mail farther than 500 miles from here," he repeated. "A little bit more, actually. Call it 520 miles. But no farther." "Um... Email really doesn't work that way, generally," I said, trying to keep panic out of my voice. One doesn't display panic when speaking to a department chairman, even of a relatively impoverished department like statistics. "What makes you think you can't send mail more than 500 miles?" "It's not what I *think*," the chairman replied testily. "You see, when we first noticed this happening, a few days ago--" Aluminum Bottles You will never find this in my fridge. (I hate beer but the bottles look kinid of interesting)
Consumers across the country are clamoring to get their hands on Anheuser-Busch’s cold aluminum bottle this summer. Demand has been so high that bars, restaurants, clubs and supermarkets are selling out, leading Anheuser-Busch to double its capacity for the package by fall 2005. In addition, America’s leading brewer will debut its hottest new beer – Budweiser Select – in the innovative package next month.
(Thanks MJA)“We knew people would love the aluminum bottle because it is cool and different,” said Mike Owens, vice president of sales and marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. “We are excited by the magnitude of interest in this new package. Young adults, particularly in bars and clubs, tell us they really like the way it makes drinking cold beer a tactile experience. In fact, this package is so popular that it’s selling out, and it’s doing its job to help enhance the beer drinking experience.” Aluminum BottlesYou will never find this in my fridge. (I hate beer but the bottles look kinid of interesting)
Consumers across the country are clamoring to get their hands on Anheuser-Busch’s cold aluminum bottle this summer. Demand has been so high that bars, restaurants, clubs and supermarkets are selling out, leading Anheuser-Busch to double its capacity for the package by fall 2005. In addition, America’s leading brewer will debut its hottest new beer – Budweiser Select – in the innovative package next month.
(Thanks MJA)“We knew people would love the aluminum bottle because it is cool and different,” said Mike Owens, vice president of sales and marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. “We are excited by the magnitude of interest in this new package. Young adults, particularly in bars and clubs, tell us they really like the way it makes drinking cold beer a tactile experience. In fact, this package is so popular that it’s selling out, and it’s doing its job to help enhance the beer drinking experience.” World's Tallest Dog His father must have been a horse. BTW, whoever took the pictures for that story is the worst photographer ever.
A 3-year-old Great Dane in Sacramento, Calif., has been named the world's tallest dog by Guinness Book of World Records.
(via del.icio.us/tauquil)The award-winning dog, named Gibson, stands 7 feet tall when upright, according to the report. World's Tallest DogHis father must have been a horse. BTW, whoever took the pictures for that story is the worst photographer ever.
A 3-year-old Great Dane in Sacramento, Calif., has been named the world's tallest dog by Guinness Book of World Records.
(via del.icio.us/tauquil)The award-winning dog, named Gibson, stands 7 feet tall when upright, according to the report. AT-AT Halloween Costume Only a tripwire can stop him now.
About a month back, while not thinking about Halloween or Star Wars, the random thought "AT-AT costume" popped into my head. I laughed, but then checked Google to see if anyone had ever made the attempt. I found a smattering of talk about the costumes of the AT-AT pilots, but nothing anywhere about someone trying to be the AT-AT itself, and now I know why. It's really difficult for the average non-carny to fit into the shape of these "All-Terrain Armored Transports," but I felt I had to break new ground and try it. Here's a step-by-step prototype-1 guide of how to turn yourself into an at-least-recognizable, though certainly disproportionate AT-AT,
(via Boing Boing)AT-AT Halloween CostumeOnly a tripwire can stop him now.
About a month back, while not thinking about Halloween or Star Wars, the random thought "AT-AT costume" popped into my head. I laughed, but then checked Google to see if anyone had ever made the attempt. I found a smattering of talk about the costumes of the AT-AT pilots, but nothing anywhere about someone trying to be the AT-AT itself, and now I know why. It's really difficult for the average non-carny to fit into the shape of these "All-Terrain Armored Transports," but I felt I had to break new ground and try it. Here's a step-by-step prototype-1 guide of how to turn yourself into an at-least-recognizable, though certainly disproportionate AT-AT,
(via Boing Boing)Wednesday, October 26, 2005If Fox News Were Around During Other Historical Events This is an old Fark thread that is making the rounds again. If Fox News Were Around During Other Historical EventsThis is an old Fark thread that is making the rounds again. The Orange Man ProjectOne man's plan to turn orange by eating carrots.
So yeah, carrots. He tells me that if someone eats a whole lot of carrots, they will turn orange for a while. I find it hard to believe, but he is always right about such things. It's also important to note that he doesn't actually specify how many carrots or for how long one would turn orange. For all I know at this point, it could be following the, "you are what you eat" principle and turning you into an actual carrot.
Time passes... I'm driving down the road thinking about absolutely nothing. All of a sudden, BAM!! An idea hits me like a pound a bricks. Passing motorists mistake this as a cursory head banging. I need to find out if this whole, "turn yourself orange" thing works. Ideas start forming in my head, necessitating more head rocking. I know what I need to do, I need to consume enough carrots to turn myself orange! The Orange Man ProjectOne man's plan to turn orange by eating carrots.
So yeah, carrots. He tells me that if someone eats a whole lot of carrots, they will turn orange for a while. I find it hard to believe, but he is always right about such things. It's also important to note that he doesn't actually specify how many carrots or for how long one would turn orange. For all I know at this point, it could be following the, "you are what you eat" principle and turning you into an actual carrot.
Time passes... I'm driving down the road thinking about absolutely nothing. All of a sudden, BAM!! An idea hits me like a pound a bricks. Passing motorists mistake this as a cursory head banging. I need to find out if this whole, "turn yourself orange" thing works. Ideas start forming in my head, necessitating more head rocking. I know what I need to do, I need to consume enough carrots to turn myself orange! TiVo
We had nothing better to do last weekend so we went out and bought a TiVo unit. Two things immediately went through my head as I was setting it up. 1. My television viewing has finally entered the twenty-first century. Hooray. 2. WTF? I need a phone line to set this junk up? TiVo needs a way to update its software and download the data it needs for you to record your programs. It can use an internet connection which is how I planned to use it or a phone line. I happened to have a wireless network adapter which worked with the system and can connect to my network at home which would have worked out fine except for some reason TiVo needs a phone line for its initial setup. This is a bit of a problem if you are like me and don't have a phone line. Ms. Cynical travels often for work so a cell is essential and I just find a cellphone much more convenient so we have never had the need for a landline. I went to TiVo's website quite sure that there was a workaround for this setback and found out that if you don't have a phone line, TiVo suggests that you take the box to a place that does for the initial setup. Sigh. Off I went to my uncle's house with my TiVo unit underneath one arm. "The wave of the future!", I boasted to him as I unveiled the TiVo. "Still dependent on 19th century technology," he observed as I plugged the unit into his phonejack. Ouch. TiVo
We had nothing better to do last weekend so we went out and bought a TiVo unit. Two things immediately went through my head as I was setting it up. 1. My television viewing has finally entered the twenty-first century. Hooray. 2. WTF? I need a phone line to set this junk up? TiVo needs a way to update its software and download the data it needs for you to record your programs. It can use an internet connection which is how I planned to use it or a phone line. I happened to have a wireless network adapter which worked with the system and can connect to my network at home which would have worked out fine except for some reason TiVo needs a phone line for its initial setup. This is a bit of a problem if you are like me and don't have a phone line. Ms. Cynical travels often for work so a cell is essential and I just find a cellphone much more convenient so we have never had the need for a landline. I went to TiVo's website quite sure that there was a workaround for this setback and found out that if you don't have a phone line, TiVo suggests that you take the box to a place that does for the initial setup. Sigh. Off I went to my uncle's house with my TiVo unit underneath one arm. "The wave of the future!", I boasted to him as I unveiled the TiVo. "Still dependent on 19th century technology," he observed as I plugged the unit into his phonejack. Ouch. The Night Before FitzmasExcellent. I'll give you the first few verses and you can read the rest at the author's site. And if you don't know what Fitzmas is, Wikipedia has the answer.
Twas the night before Fitzmas, and in the White House
Every one was scared shitless, and Bush was quite soused
The indictments were hanging like Damoceles’ sword
As verminous oxen prepared to be gored
(via One Good Move)The perps were all sleepless, curled fetal in bed While visions of prison cells loomed in each head And Dick in his jammies, and George in his lap Were sweating and swearing and looking like crap When out on the web there arose such a clatter The blogs and the forums were buzzing with chatter Away to the PC Rove ran like a flash He booted his browser and cleared out his cache The rumors that flew through the cold autumn air Made Dubya shiver with angry despair When what to his horror-filled eyes did he spy? A bespectacled man with a brown suit and tie! The Night Before FitzmasExcellent. I'll give you the first few verses and you can read the rest at the author's site. And if you don't know what Fitzmas is, Wikipedia has the answer.
Twas the night before Fitzmas, and in the White House
Every one was scared shitless, and Bush was quite soused
The indictments were hanging like Damoceles’ sword
As verminous oxen prepared to be gored
(via One Good Move)The perps were all sleepless, curled fetal in bed While visions of prison cells loomed in each head And Dick in his jammies, and George in his lap Were sweating and swearing and looking like crap When out on the web there arose such a clatter The blogs and the forums were buzzing with chatter Away to the PC Rove ran like a flash He booted his browser and cleared out his cache The rumors that flew through the cold autumn air Made Dubya shiver with angry despair When what to his horror-filled eyes did he spy? A bespectacled man with a brown suit and tie! Start a Chain Reaction Mildly addictive. Update: Let me amend my previous statement. This game is so addictive it should have a surgeon general's warning on it. 1500 has become my 2 minute mile. Start a Chain ReactionMildly addictive. Update: Let me amend my previous statement. This game is so addictive it should have a surgeon general's warning on it. 1500 has become my 2 minute mile. MealMe
MealMe is a place for you to share your dining experiences. A place for anyone who lives to eat and loves to talk about it.
(via Linkfilter)And we're not just talking haute cuisine; any meal can be a MealMe meal. Five-star dining, your local food court or the hotdog stand at the corner; if it's worth your time, it's worth a picture, and we want to know about it. MealMe
MealMe is a place for you to share your dining experiences. A place for anyone who lives to eat and loves to talk about it.
(via Linkfilter)And we're not just talking haute cuisine; any meal can be a MealMe meal. Five-star dining, your local food court or the hotdog stand at the corner; if it's worth your time, it's worth a picture, and we want to know about it. Tuesday, October 25, 2005Angry or CalmOne of the most impressive optical illusions I have seen.
If you are near to this picture, Mr Angry is on the left and Mrs Calm is on the right. If you view it from a distance, they switch places!
(via Linkfilter)Angry or CalmOne of the most impressive optical illusions I have seen.
If you are near to this picture, Mr Angry is on the left and Mrs Calm is on the right. If you view it from a distance, they switch places!
(via Linkfilter)Trap StreetI finally have a scapegoat for everytime I get lost following a map.
A trap street is a fictitious street included on a map, often outside the area the map covers, for the purpose of "trapping" potential copyright violators of the map, who will be unable to justify the inclusion of the "trap street" on their map.
(via del.icio.us/TomC)Trap StreetI finally have a scapegoat for everytime I get lost following a map.
A trap street is a fictitious street included on a map, often outside the area the map covers, for the purpose of "trapping" potential copyright violators of the map, who will be unable to justify the inclusion of the "trap street" on their map.
(via del.icio.us/TomC)List of Unseen CharactersWikipedia's list of unseen characters in movies, tv shows and every other media you can think of. My favorite from the list is Kramer's friend Bob Sacamano, although I can't really say why.(via del.icio.us/katiesays17) List of Unseen CharactersWikipedia's list of unseen characters in movies, tv shows and every other media you can think of. My favorite from the list is Kramer's friend Bob Sacamano, although I can't really say why.(via del.icio.us/katiesays17) Monday, October 24, 2005Senator Wins Lottery, Votes Against Bill to Help the PoorNo, it's not from The Onion.
Gregg didn't let that good fortune keep him from putting in a full day's work yesterday. For instance, he found time to vote against a bill that would have helped poor families pay their home heating costs this winter. (Gregg was the only New England senator to vote against the proposal.)
(via Linkfilter)A day earlier, Gregg voted against raising the minimum wage by $1.10, to $6.25 an hour. That wage hasn't increased since 1997. Gregg wasted no time claiming his share of the Powerball prize, picking up his oversized check from the lottery commission and depositing it in his bank account. Senator Wins Lottery, Votes Against Bill to Help the PoorNo, it's not from The Onion.
Gregg didn't let that good fortune keep him from putting in a full day's work yesterday. For instance, he found time to vote against a bill that would have helped poor families pay their home heating costs this winter. (Gregg was the only New England senator to vote against the proposal.)
(via Linkfilter)A day earlier, Gregg voted against raising the minimum wage by $1.10, to $6.25 an hour. That wage hasn't increased since 1997. Gregg wasted no time claiming his share of the Powerball prize, picking up his oversized check from the lottery commission and depositing it in his bank account. Rape victim: 'Morning after' pill deniedSigh.
Although it is safe, effective and legal, emergency contraception - the "morning after" pill - can be hard to find in Tucson.
After a sexual assault one recent weekend, a young Tucson woman spent three frantic days trying to obtain the drug to prevent a pregnancy, knowing that each passing day lowered the chance the drug would work. While calling dozens of Tucson pharmacies trying to fill a prescription for emergency contraception, she found that most did not stock the drug. When she finally did find a pharmacy with it, she said she was told the pharmacist on duty would not dispense it because of religious and moral objections. Rape victim: 'Morning after' pill deniedSigh.
Although it is safe, effective and legal, emergency contraception - the "morning after" pill - can be hard to find in Tucson.
After a sexual assault one recent weekend, a young Tucson woman spent three frantic days trying to obtain the drug to prevent a pregnancy, knowing that each passing day lowered the chance the drug would work. While calling dozens of Tucson pharmacies trying to fill a prescription for emergency contraception, she found that most did not stock the drug. When she finally did find a pharmacy with it, she said she was told the pharmacist on duty would not dispense it because of religious and moral objections. Bush vs. The OnionBush's lawyer sends a cease and desist letter to The Onion and their use of the prez's seal.
The newspaper regularly produces a parody of President Bush's weekly radio address on its Web site (www.theonion.com/content/node/40121), where it has a picture of President Bush and the official insignia.
(via Waxy)"It has come to my attention that The Onion is using the presidential seal on its Web site," Grant M. Dixton, associate counsel to the president, wrote to The Onion on Sept. 28. (At the time, Mr. Dixton's office was also helping Mr. Bush find a Supreme Court nominee; days later his boss, Harriet E. Miers, was nominated.) Citing the United States Code, Mr. Dixton wrote that the seal "is not to be used in connection with commercial ventures or products in any way that suggests presidential support or endorsement." Exceptions may be made, he noted, but The Onion had never applied for such an exception. Bush vs. The OnionBush's lawyer sends a cease and desist letter to The Onion and their use of the prez's seal.
The newspaper regularly produces a parody of President Bush's weekly radio address on its Web site (www.theonion.com/content/node/40121), where it has a picture of President Bush and the official insignia.
(via Waxy)"It has come to my attention that The Onion is using the presidential seal on its Web site," Grant M. Dixton, associate counsel to the president, wrote to The Onion on Sept. 28. (At the time, Mr. Dixton's office was also helping Mr. Bush find a Supreme Court nominee; days later his boss, Harriet E. Miers, was nominated.) Citing the United States Code, Mr. Dixton wrote that the seal "is not to be used in connection with commercial ventures or products in any way that suggests presidential support or endorsement." Exceptions may be made, he noted, but The Onion had never applied for such an exception. Quentin Tarantino Festival's Sexploitation NightAt the movies with Quentin.
Tarantino tells us that there were 5 or 6 movies that he really wanted to show tonight, but he was able to weed out the ones he wants to steal from at some point in the future. "I could show this one, but I want to rip something off from it and nobody knows about that movie yet. If I show it in Austin, they know I'm stealing from it alright!" Lots of audience laughter about that.
(via Robot Wisdom)Quentin Tarantino Festival's Sexploitation NightAt the movies with Quentin.
Tarantino tells us that there were 5 or 6 movies that he really wanted to show tonight, but he was able to weed out the ones he wants to steal from at some point in the future. "I could show this one, but I want to rip something off from it and nobody knows about that movie yet. If I show it in Austin, they know I'm stealing from it alright!" Lots of audience laughter about that.
(via Robot Wisdom)How Much is Your Blog WorthEnter in your url and this will tell you how much your blog is worth (using the same link to dollar ratio as the AOL-Weblogs inc. deal). Cynical-C is worth $150,167.64 but if you buy now I'll give it to you for $150,000.00.(via Backwards City) How Much is Your Blog WorthEnter in your url and this will tell you how much your blog is worth (using the same link to dollar ratio as the AOL-Weblogs inc. deal). Cynical-C is worth $150,167.64 but if you buy now I'll give it to you for $150,000.00.(via Backwards City) Sunday, October 23, 2005Romancing the JediAnother remixed trailer. Mildly amusing but the remixed trailer for The Shining has set the bar too high.(via Backwards City) Romancing the JediAnother remixed trailer. Mildly amusing but the remixed trailer for The Shining has set the bar too high.(via Backwards City) Saturday, October 22, 2005Friday, October 21, 2005The Skeptic's Annotated BibleExcellent.
Millions of such Bibles are published and distributed each year by believers in their tireless and tiresome effort to propagate their beliefs. Consequently, nearly everyone, whether believer or skeptic, has at least one copy in his or her possession. Among these Bibles will be found many different versions, but all have one thing in common: all are believer- friendly editions that support, promote, and defend the Bible.
The Skeptic's Annotated Bible attempts to remedy this imbalance. It includes the entire text of the King James Version of the Bible, but without the pro-Bible propaganda. Instead, passages are highlighted that are an embarrassment to the Bible-believer, and the parts of the Bible that are never read in any Church, Bible study group, or Sunday School class are emphasized. For it is these passages that test the claims of the Bible-believer. The contradictions and false prophecies show that the Bible is not inerrant; the cruelties, injustices, and insults to women, that it is neither good nor just. The Skeptic's Annotated BibleExcellent.
Millions of such Bibles are published and distributed each year by believers in their tireless and tiresome effort to propagate their beliefs. Consequently, nearly everyone, whether believer or skeptic, has at least one copy in his or her possession. Among these Bibles will be found many different versions, but all have one thing in common: all are believer- friendly editions that support, promote, and defend the Bible.
The Skeptic's Annotated Bible attempts to remedy this imbalance. It includes the entire text of the King James Version of the Bible, but without the pro-Bible propaganda. Instead, passages are highlighted that are an embarrassment to the Bible-believer, and the parts of the Bible that are never read in any Church, Bible study group, or Sunday School class are emphasized. For it is these passages that test the claims of the Bible-believer. The contradictions and false prophecies show that the Bible is not inerrant; the cruelties, injustices, and insults to women, that it is neither good nor just. The Canadian True Crime Magazine of the 1940s and 1950s Was murdering people with a candlestick common in the 40s or is this where the game Clue got the idea from?(or vice versa) (via Linkfilter) The Canadian True Crime Magazine of the 1940s and 1950sWas murdering people with a candlestick common in the 40s or is this where the game Clue got the idea from?(or vice versa) (via Linkfilter) Top 100 Toys of the 70s and 80s I must have owned about 60% of these toys but nobody ever bought me the one that is pictured:
Quicksilver Maze
(via Boing Boing)Discontinued plastic labyrinth Of all the toys in our list, this is the one we can guarantee they'll never bring back. The kid's-plaything equivalent of the CFC-coolant fridge or leaded-petrol engine, the Quicksilver maze was so-called because it contained a measured blob of everyone's favourite poisonous liquid metal, mercury. As with pretty much every maze puzzle since the dawn of time, the object was to steer this blob along the correct path to the centre of the board whereupon it would fall through a hole and return to the start at the outside again. The USP of the Quicksilver game, of course, was the increased difficulty posed by the mercury's predisposition for splitting in two and heading off in different directions. Essentially, the game boiled down to man's age-old struggle to maintain a steady hand whilst compensating for the surface-tension and viscosity of a base element, although they didn't think to write that on the box. Top 100 Toys of the 70s and 80sI must have owned about 60% of these toys but nobody ever bought me the one that is pictured:
Quicksilver Maze
(via Boing Boing)Discontinued plastic labyrinth Of all the toys in our list, this is the one we can guarantee they'll never bring back. The kid's-plaything equivalent of the CFC-coolant fridge or leaded-petrol engine, the Quicksilver maze was so-called because it contained a measured blob of everyone's favourite poisonous liquid metal, mercury. As with pretty much every maze puzzle since the dawn of time, the object was to steer this blob along the correct path to the centre of the board whereupon it would fall through a hole and return to the start at the outside again. The USP of the Quicksilver game, of course, was the increased difficulty posed by the mercury's predisposition for splitting in two and heading off in different directions. Essentially, the game boiled down to man's age-old struggle to maintain a steady hand whilst compensating for the surface-tension and viscosity of a base element, although they didn't think to write that on the box. Thursday, October 20, 2005Zagat Survey's Hall of Fame OuttakesMeow.
“They put the salmon in salmonella.”
And if you want more, their latest outtakes are here.“Suffers from delusions of adequacy.” “A petri dish gone horribly, horribly wrong.” (via Slashfood) Zagat Survey's Hall of Fame OuttakesMeow.
“They put the salmon in salmonella.”
And if you want more, their latest outtakes are here.“Suffers from delusions of adequacy.” “A petri dish gone horribly, horribly wrong.” (via Slashfood) Top 10 Ways to Destory the EarthThese are much more inventive than I thought they would be when I first started reading the article. This is #2:
You will need: a single von Neumann machine
(Thanks Tim)Method: A von Neumann machine is any device that is capable of creating an exact copy of itself given nothing but the necessary raw materials. Create one of these that subsists almost entirely on iron, magnesium, aluminum and silicon, the major elements found in Earth's mantle and core. It doesn't matter how big it is as long as it can reproduce itself exactly in any period of time. Release it into the ground under the Earth's crust and allow it to fend for itself. Watch and wait as it creates a second von Neumann machine, then they create two more, then they create four more. As the population of machines doubles repeatedly, the planet Earth will, terrifyingly soon, be entirely eaten up and turned into a swarm of potentially sextillions of machines. Technically your objective would now be complete - no more Earth - but if you want to be thorough then you can command your VNMs to hurl themselves, along with any remaining trace elements, into the Sun. This hurling would have to be achieved using rocket propulsion of some sort, so be sure to include this in your design. So crazy it might just work. Top 10 Ways to Destory the EarthThese are much more inventive than I thought they would be when I first started reading the article. This is #2:
You will need: a single von Neumann machine
(Thanks Tim)Method: A von Neumann machine is any device that is capable of creating an exact copy of itself given nothing but the necessary raw materials. Create one of these that subsists almost entirely on iron, magnesium, aluminum and silicon, the major elements found in Earth's mantle and core. It doesn't matter how big it is as long as it can reproduce itself exactly in any period of time. Release it into the ground under the Earth's crust and allow it to fend for itself. Watch and wait as it creates a second von Neumann machine, then they create two more, then they create four more. As the population of machines doubles repeatedly, the planet Earth will, terrifyingly soon, be entirely eaten up and turned into a swarm of potentially sextillions of machines. Technically your objective would now be complete - no more Earth - but if you want to be thorough then you can command your VNMs to hurl themselves, along with any remaining trace elements, into the Sun. This hurling would have to be achieved using rocket propulsion of some sort, so be sure to include this in your design. So crazy it might just work. Halloween Pet Photo Contest A halloween pet photo contest on Petsmart's website. And before anybody even asks me, the answer is an emphatic NO! (via del.icio.us/ethanb) Halloween Pet Photo ContestA halloween pet photo contest on Petsmart's website. And before anybody even asks me, the answer is an emphatic NO! (via del.icio.us/ethanb) If You Like This, Then You'll Like ThatSci-fi literature divided into subgenres.(via del.icio.us/ritilan) If You Like This, Then You'll Like ThatSci-fi literature divided into subgenres.(via del.icio.us/ritilan) E-mails: Michael Brown needed his dinner before helping NOLAExcuse me while I search for my jaw that is somewhere on the floor.
Brown's press secretary: "It is very important that time is allowed for Mr. Brown to eat dinner. Given that Baton Rouge is back to normal, restaurants are getting busy. He needs much more [than] 20 to 30 minutes."
E-mails: Michael Brown needed his dinner before helping NOLAExcuse me while I search for my jaw that is somewhere on the floor.
Brown's press secretary: "It is very important that time is allowed for Mr. Brown to eat dinner. Given that Baton Rouge is back to normal, restaurants are getting busy. He needs much more [than] 20 to 30 minutes."
Top 10 Best and Worst Shows as Ranked by Parents TV CouncilI am shocked that Family Guy doesn't rate well amongst this group.
2. The Family Guy
(via Robot Wisdom)Fox/ 9:00 Sunday - Returning show This unbelievably foul animated series made a strong come back after being off the air for two years, thanks to the success of DVD sales among young males. The raunchy series follows the Griffins, a blue-collar New England family which includes a martini-swilling, talking dog and a matricidal baby bent on world domination. The show bases its humor on scatological and sexual references (including masturbation, incest, bestiality, necrophilia), and spoofs on popular culture. Institutions such as the church and family are held up to ridicule on a near-weekly basis. One episode this season featured Meg being deflowered by Jimmy Fallon on Saturday Night Live. Parents of young children should be especially concerned because Family Guy's animated format is sure to attract young viewers. Shockingly, since its return in May, Family Guy is the highest ranked show among 12-17 year olds, and the fifth highest ranked show among children ages 2 to 11. Top 10 Best and Worst Shows as Ranked by Parents TV CouncilI am shocked that Family Guy doesn't rate well amongst this group.
2. The Family Guy
(via Robot Wisdom)Fox/ 9:00 Sunday - Returning show This unbelievably foul animated series made a strong come back after being off the air for two years, thanks to the success of DVD sales among young males. The raunchy series follows the Griffins, a blue-collar New England family which includes a martini-swilling, talking dog and a matricidal baby bent on world domination. The show bases its humor on scatological and sexual references (including masturbation, incest, bestiality, necrophilia), and spoofs on popular culture. Institutions such as the church and family are held up to ridicule on a near-weekly basis. One episode this season featured Meg being deflowered by Jimmy Fallon on Saturday Night Live. Parents of young children should be especially concerned because Family Guy's animated format is sure to attract young viewers. Shockingly, since its return in May, Family Guy is the highest ranked show among 12-17 year olds, and the fifth highest ranked show among children ages 2 to 11. 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42From the Indystar:
MERRILL, Wis. - 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42.
(via Begging to Differ)Anything bad happen yet? No? Good. Inspired by the hit TV show "Lost" - and ignoring the fate of the character who played those numbers for a huge lottery win - hundreds of people selected that set of six for the Wednesday night drawing for the $340 million Powerball jackpot. According to a Wisconsin Lottery spokeswoman, more than 840 people selected those numbers across five states during last week's Powerball drawing, including 266 in New Hampshire alone. "A lot of people are playing those numbers," said Eva Robelia, spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Lottery. "There could be thousands of people who play the 'Lost' numbers overall." 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42From the Indystar:
MERRILL, Wis. - 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42.
(via Begging to Differ)Anything bad happen yet? No? Good. Inspired by the hit TV show "Lost" - and ignoring the fate of the character who played those numbers for a huge lottery win - hundreds of people selected that set of six for the Wednesday night drawing for the $340 million Powerball jackpot. According to a Wisconsin Lottery spokeswoman, more than 840 people selected those numbers across five states during last week's Powerball drawing, including 266 in New Hampshire alone. "A lot of people are playing those numbers," said Eva Robelia, spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Lottery. "There could be thousands of people who play the 'Lost' numbers overall." No Spine Zone The picture of the day so far. Well, at least until DeLay's mugshot hits the web. (via The Huffington Post) No Spine ZoneThe picture of the day so far. Well, at least until DeLay's mugshot hits the web. (via The Huffington Post) Self-Portrait DayIt seems to be updated at random although they claim it is changed everyday.
The Goal
(via Linkfilter)We hope that Self-Portrait Day functions as a way for people to discover new faces. For those of us who find we're following the same circle of Web sites every day, we hope that this will act as a way to discover new places. Basically, it's a launching pad; almost every portrait is clickable and should lead you someplace new. There are 6 new faces featured every day, Monday through Friday, and there are only a few simple rules regarding submissions. Self-Portrait DayIt seems to be updated at random although they claim it is changed everyday.
The Goal
(via Linkfilter)We hope that Self-Portrait Day functions as a way for people to discover new faces. For those of us who find we're following the same circle of Web sites every day, we hope that this will act as a way to discover new places. Basically, it's a launching pad; almost every portrait is clickable and should lead you someplace new. There are 6 new faces featured every day, Monday through Friday, and there are only a few simple rules regarding submissions. Wednesday, October 19, 2005Air Raid Siren SoundsTurn up the volume on your speakers and become the most hated person in your office instantaneously with this site.Air Raid Siren SoundsTurn up the volume on your speakers and become the most hated person in your office instantaneously with this site.NASA Video of All 2005 Hurricanes Ophelia had the strangest track.(link opens to mpeg) (via Robot Wisdom) NASA Video of All 2005 HurricanesOphelia had the strangest track.(link opens to mpeg) (via Robot Wisdom) Lost I live under a rock so hadn't heard about Lost until sometime last month. I bought the season one dvd on an impulse and didn't really know what to expect. I sat down to watch an episode or two and found that I couldn't stop watching. I'm not saying I am addicted to it, but I now have a clue what Rush Limbaugh went through with Oxycontin. I just finished season one sometime last week and unfortunately season two has already started so needless to say I was a bit confused when I finally sat down to watch the new season last Wednesday. Here's my quick two second review of it. Best first season of a television show that I can remember. It reminded me of Jules Verne's The Mysterious Island mixed with the video game Myst. Here are some quick Lost links I have come across over the past few days. Greg from Begging to Differ seems to have found the show about the same time I have and is posting about it along with some links I hadn't seen about the show. A surreal Lost trailer from the UK. A map of the inside of "the hatch". LostI live under a rock so hadn't heard about Lost until sometime last month. I bought the season one dvd on an impulse and didn't really know what to expect. I sat down to watch an episode or two and found that I couldn't stop watching. I'm not saying I am addicted to it, but I now have a clue what Rush Limbaugh went through with Oxycontin. I just finished season one sometime last week and unfortunately season two has already started so needless to say I was a bit confused when I finally sat down to watch the new season last Wednesday. Here's my quick two second review of it. Best first season of a television show that I can remember. It reminded me of Jules Verne's The Mysterious Island mixed with the video game Myst. Here are some quick Lost links I have come across over the past few days. Greg from Begging to Differ seems to have found the show about the same time I have and is posting about it along with some links I hadn't seen about the show. A surreal Lost trailer from the UK. A map of the inside of "the hatch". Bestseller Lists 1900 - 1995Here is the top ten fiction books for 1940
1. How Green Was My Valley, Richard Llewellyn
2. Kitty Foyle, Christopher Morley 3. Mrs. Miniver, Jan Struther 4. For Whom the Bell Tolls, Ernest Hemingway 5. The Nazarene, Sholem Asch 6. Stars on the Sea, F. van Wyck Mason 7. Oliver Wiswell, Kenneth Roberts 8. The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck 9. Night in Bombay, Louis Bromfield 10. The Family, Nina Fedorova Bestseller Lists 1900 - 1995Here is the top ten fiction books for 1940
1. How Green Was My Valley, Richard Llewellyn
2. Kitty Foyle, Christopher Morley 3. Mrs. Miniver, Jan Struther 4. For Whom the Bell Tolls, Ernest Hemingway 5. The Nazarene, Sholem Asch 6. Stars on the Sea, F. van Wyck Mason 7. Oliver Wiswell, Kenneth Roberts 8. The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck 9. Night in Bombay, Louis Bromfield 10. The Family, Nina Fedorova Cluster Balloons
That's the idea behind cluster ballooning. The pilot wears a harness, to which a cluster of large, helium-filled balloons are attached. Control is achieved by releasing ballast to ascend, or by bursting balloons to descend.
The most famous cluster balloon flight took place in 1982. Larry Walters, with no prior ballooning experience, attached 42 helium weather balloons to a lawnchair, intending to go up a few hundred feet, but instead soaring to 16,000. Surprisingly, Walters survived his flight. However, both before and since Walters' adventure, experienced balloonists have experimented with helium balloon clusters, some rising to even greater heights. Cluster Balloons
That's the idea behind cluster ballooning. The pilot wears a harness, to which a cluster of large, helium-filled balloons are attached. Control is achieved by releasing ballast to ascend, or by bursting balloons to descend.
The most famous cluster balloon flight took place in 1982. Larry Walters, with no prior ballooning experience, attached 42 helium weather balloons to a lawnchair, intending to go up a few hundred feet, but instead soaring to 16,000. Surprisingly, Walters survived his flight. However, both before and since Walters' adventure, experienced balloonists have experimented with helium balloon clusters, some rising to even greater heights. Elephant Polo
Elephant polo was first played in India around the turn of the 20th century by members of the British aristocracy. The World Elephant Polo Association is the first and paramount organization in modern times to host the sport. The first games were played with a soccer ball, but after finding that the elephants like to smash the balls, the soccer ball was replaced with a standard polo ball...
(via del.icio.us/katiesays17)Elephant Polo
Elephant polo was first played in India around the turn of the 20th century by members of the British aristocracy. The World Elephant Polo Association is the first and paramount organization in modern times to host the sport. The first games were played with a soccer ball, but after finding that the elephants like to smash the balls, the soccer ball was replaced with a standard polo ball...
(via del.icio.us/katiesays17)Big Trouble in Little South Park Somebody is remaking scenes from Big Trouble in Little China using audio from the movie and animating it using South Park characters. Genius! (via All Things Christie) Big Trouble in Little South ParkSomebody is remaking scenes from Big Trouble in Little China using audio from the movie and animating it using South Park characters. Genius!< |
