Wednesday, November 30, 2005

The Hindu Milk Miracle

Ganesh.jpg

With video! I especially like the people tipping the spoonful of milk and then shouting that it's a miracle.
It all began on September 21st when an otherwise ordinary man in New Delhi dreamt that Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of Wisdom, craved a little milk. Upon awakening, he rushed in the dark before dawn to the nearest temple, where a skeptical priest allowed him to proffer a spoonful of milk to the small stone image. Both watched in astonishment as it disappeared, magically consumed by the God.

What followed is unprecedented in modern Hindu history. Within hours news had spread like a brush fire across India that Ganesha was accepting milk offerings. Tens of millions of people of all ages flocked to the nation's temples. The unworldly happening brought worldly New Delhi to a standstill, and its vast stocks of milk - more than a million liters - sold out within hours. Just as suddenly as it started in India, it stopped in just 24 hours.
Posted by Chris at 3:22 PM | Comments (12)

The Hindu Milk Miracle

Ganesh.jpg

With video! I especially like the people tipping the spoonful of milk and then shouting that it's a miracle.
It all began on September 21st when an otherwise ordinary man in New Delhi dreamt that Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of Wisdom, craved a little milk. Upon awakening, he rushed in the dark before dawn to the nearest temple, where a skeptical priest allowed him to proffer a spoonful of milk to the small stone image. Both watched in astonishment as it disappeared, magically consumed by the God.

What followed is unprecedented in modern Hindu history. Within hours news had spread like a brush fire across India that Ganesha was accepting milk offerings. Tens of millions of people of all ages flocked to the nation's temples. The unworldly happening brought worldly New Delhi to a standstill, and its vast stocks of milk - more than a million liters - sold out within hours. Just as suddenly as it started in India, it stopped in just 24 hours.
Posted by Chris at 3:22 PM | Comments (12)

Cthulego

Lovecraftian legos!(embedded .mov) Since the Cthulu mythos seems to run rampant around the internet, can we put a vote to the proper way to pronounce the damn name. They pronounce it as Kulu in this vid but I always thought it was pronounced Tulu.
(via Robot Wisdom)
Posted by Chris at 1:25 PM | Comments (3)

Cthulego

Lovecraftian legos!(embedded .mov) Since the Cthulu mythos seems to run rampant around the internet, can we put a vote to the proper way to pronounce the damn name. They pronounce it as Kulu in this vid but I always thought it was pronounced Tulu.
(via Robot Wisdom)
Posted by Chris at 1:25 PM | Comments (3)

Colditz Castle

Damn Interesting (which is a pretty damn interesting blog) has a good article on Colditz Castle and various escapes attempted by Allied forces being held as prisoners of war.
The structure looked extremely formidable. It was situated on a rocky outcropping. The outer courtyard housed the 200 or so Germans it took to maintain the place and the inner courtyard was used by the prisoners. The outer courtyard had two exits. One led over the moat into the town, the other into the forest. The prisoner side was lined with a 100 foot cliff into a river. Although this seemed terribly impregnable, one German officer mentioned, “…apart from putting bars on the windows, it had never really been built for he purpose of keeping people in. A more unsuitable place to hold prisoners will probably never again be chosen.” As with similar structures, the place was a labyrinth of tunnels and passageways, perfect for escaping “bad boys”. Still it wasn’t all tea and crumpets. Before the influx of Red Cross packages, they were literally starving.
Posted by Chris at 11:45 AM | Comments (2)

Colditz Castle

Damn Interesting (which is a pretty damn interesting blog) has a good article on Colditz Castle and various escapes attempted by Allied forces being held as prisoners of war.
The structure looked extremely formidable. It was situated on a rocky outcropping. The outer courtyard housed the 200 or so Germans it took to maintain the place and the inner courtyard was used by the prisoners. The outer courtyard had two exits. One led over the moat into the town, the other into the forest. The prisoner side was lined with a 100 foot cliff into a river. Although this seemed terribly impregnable, one German officer mentioned, “…apart from putting bars on the windows, it had never really been built for he purpose of keeping people in. A more unsuitable place to hold prisoners will probably never again be chosen.” As with similar structures, the place was a labyrinth of tunnels and passageways, perfect for escaping “bad boys”. Still it wasn’t all tea and crumpets. Before the influx of Red Cross packages, they were literally starving.
Posted by Chris at 11:45 AM | Comments (2)

Bad Sex in Fiction Award

Like Zorro?
But, excruciating as his entry is, Updike is up against some stiff competition. Among the 11 contenders for the prize this year are some of the biggest names in literature, including Salman Rushdie, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Paul Theroux. Of the three, Theroux's offering, from Blinding Light, is arguably the most deserving of the prize, with its description of a character's orgasm as

"...not juice at all but a demon eel thrashing in his loins and swimming swiftly up his cock, one whole creature of live slime fighting the stiffness as it rose and bulged at the tip and darted into her mouth."

Theroux does, at least, manage to insert some punctuation into his description. Giles Coren, however, is in the running for an extract which comprises a 138-word long sentence followed by a two-word followup ("Like Zorro", in case you were wondering) and which contains the alarming image of an excited male member "leaping around like a shower dropped in an empty bath".
Posted by Chris at 9:51 AM | Comments (4)

Bad Sex in Fiction Award

Like Zorro?
But, excruciating as his entry is, Updike is up against some stiff competition. Among the 11 contenders for the prize this year are some of the biggest names in literature, including Salman Rushdie, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Paul Theroux. Of the three, Theroux's offering, from Blinding Light, is arguably the most deserving of the prize, with its description of a character's orgasm as

"...not juice at all but a demon eel thrashing in his loins and swimming swiftly up his cock, one whole creature of live slime fighting the stiffness as it rose and bulged at the tip and darted into her mouth."

Theroux does, at least, manage to insert some punctuation into his description. Giles Coren, however, is in the running for an extract which comprises a 138-word long sentence followed by a two-word followup ("Like Zorro", in case you were wondering) and which contains the alarming image of an excited male member "leaping around like a shower dropped in an empty bath".
Posted by Chris at 9:51 AM | Comments (4)

Russian Climbing

I can do this, I just choose not to.
(via Robot Wisdom)
Posted by Chris at 9:34 AM | Comments (7)

Russian Climbing

I can do this, I just choose not to.
(via Robot Wisdom)
Posted by Chris at 9:34 AM | Comments (7)

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Time Travel Conspiracy Theory

With pictures!
I have enclosed below a series of pictures to show how the US government starting around 1994 went back in time with remote sensing and holographic radiation longitudinal emf and sound wave holographic energy beams as shown in the movie time tunnel to place different computer generated holographic archetypes of different Nordic, Celtic, and Aryan faces and other attributes around my body as if I were a microcosm of the center of the universe, Adam, and God, to change the genetic attributes, facial form, eye color, hair color, voice sound, and many other body attributes throughout my life year by year from my birth (1962, Jan 23 Midnight) to the present representing correlation's between the years in my life and the ages of evolution and history from the beginning of time to the present.
(via Waxy)
Posted by Chris at 10:44 PM | Comments (4)

Time Travel Conspiracy Theory

With pictures!
I have enclosed below a series of pictures to show how the US government starting around 1994 went back in time with remote sensing and holographic radiation longitudinal emf and sound wave holographic energy beams as shown in the movie time tunnel to place different computer generated holographic archetypes of different Nordic, Celtic, and Aryan faces and other attributes around my body as if I were a microcosm of the center of the universe, Adam, and God, to change the genetic attributes, facial form, eye color, hair color, voice sound, and many other body attributes throughout my life year by year from my birth (1962, Jan 23 Midnight) to the present representing correlation's between the years in my life and the ages of evolution and history from the beginning of time to the present.
(via Waxy)
Posted by Chris at 10:44 PM | Comments (4)

Music Video Made Using The Sims

sims2gmail.jpg

Brilliant!
(via Wonderland)
Posted by Chris at 3:18 PM | Comments (3)

Music Video Made Using The Sims

sims2gmail.jpg

Brilliant!
(via Wonderland)
Posted by Chris at 3:18 PM | Comments (3)

Iowa's Abstinence Mission Promotes Prostitution

wait_for_the_bling.jpg

Or so it seems!
Posted by Chris at 3:06 PM

Iowa's Abstinence Mission Promotes Prostitution

wait_for_the_bling.jpg

Or so it seems!
Posted by Chris at 3:06 PM

Persecuting Christians?

pray15.jpg

This is a weird site.
Several people have written to me asking about this website's name, the Christian Underground, wanting to know why I would choose such a name.

I chose this name as a practical reality as well as in a small way a political statement. Being a Christian in modern America is becoming more and more a dangerous thing. Christians in the workplace, children in our schools, leaders in our community, are penalized (Some times prosecuted) for standing up for their Christian held beliefs. This trend is growing faster and faster.

We know dark days are ahead for Christians, the bible tells us this. That does not mean we cannot be active. It is not hard to envision, near in the future, when publicly discussing issues of deeply held biblical belief, that Christians will be arrested for "Hate Crimes".
My favorite part of the website is an email sent in by "Mike" which they have linked to prominently at the top under the heading "Everyone, please click here and Pray For Mike, and others like him, who do not like us praying." What did Mike's email say?
Hey,

Pray to your gods wherever you want. Just don't make me do it, or tell me about it. I don't find it as interesting as you do.

Also, try not to pray in the middle of the street or in major throughways. A recent report has stated that traffic jams cost the Ontario public 4 billion per year in lost income, gas, etc. Delaying everyone isn't very productive.

Please don't pray in libraries, unless you do so silently. People are trying to read.

Prayer in subways or on major transit is not reccomended, neither is falling asleep. You should keep an eye on your belongings.

Depending on your job, prayer may not always be welcome there, either. For example, if you are a telemarketer or working in a phonce centre, asking your client if you can take 5 minutes to pray while they're on the phone is not considerate. As well, if you're an airline pilot or a bus driver, taking a timeout to pray may shake your passengers' faith in your ability to drive.

Rules for praying in movie theatres follow the rules for praying in libraries.

Please to not stop to pray while filling your gas tank. People are waiting behind you.

Prayer in prison may make you a target for rape. Just saying.

Praying in the middle of class could get you kicked out, and rightly so. The prof needs your full attention.

If someone asks you if you could pray somewhere else, keep in mind what it looks like you're doing. It appears that you're talking to yourself, which can put a normal person at unease. At all possible, try holding a cellphone while praying. That will definitely help with the creepiness factor.

Also, if asks you if you could pray somewhere else, or not to pray, or says that prayer is stupid because you're only talking to yourself, they are not persecuting you. Feeding you to a lion is persecuting you. Asking you to pray in your church or home is not. I, personally, enjoy singing showtunes. If I did it in the middle of a church, I wouldn't feel persecuted if someone asked me to stop.

Please don't tell non-religious people thay your praying for them or their souls. It's silly. Plus, we all know it's actually a veiled insult.

Your corpse nailed to a board is disturbing, and I don't necessarily think kids should see it. Again, just saying. Worshipping it is all well and good, but don't be surprised if other people feel the same way as I do.

Have fun with your website,
Mike
You can't spell fundamentalist without the word fun!
(via Pharyngula)
Posted by Chris at 10:21 AM | Comments (13)

Persecuting Christians?

pray15.jpg

This is a weird site.
Several people have written to me asking about this website's name, the Christian Underground, wanting to know why I would choose such a name.

I chose this name as a practical reality as well as in a small way a political statement. Being a Christian in modern America is becoming more and more a dangerous thing. Christians in the workplace, children in our schools, leaders in our community, are penalized (Some times prosecuted) for standing up for their Christian held beliefs. This trend is growing faster and faster.

We know dark days are ahead for Christians, the bible tells us this. That does not mean we cannot be active. It is not hard to envision, near in the future, when publicly discussing issues of deeply held biblical belief, that Christians will be arrested for "Hate Crimes".
My favorite part of the website is an email sent in by "Mike" which they have linked to prominently at the top under the heading "Everyone, please click here and Pray For Mike, and others like him, who do not like us praying." What did Mike's email say?
Hey,

Pray to your gods wherever you want. Just don't make me do it, or tell me about it. I don't find it as interesting as you do.

Also, try not to pray in the middle of the street or in major throughways. A recent report has stated that traffic jams cost the Ontario public 4 billion per year in lost income, gas, etc. Delaying everyone isn't very productive.

Please don't pray in libraries, unless you do so silently. People are trying to read.

Prayer in subways or on major transit is not reccomended, neither is falling asleep. You should keep an eye on your belongings.

Depending on your job, prayer may not always be welcome there, either. For example, if you are a telemarketer or working in a phonce centre, asking your client if you can take 5 minutes to pray while they're on the phone is not considerate. As well, if you're an airline pilot or a bus driver, taking a timeout to pray may shake your passengers' faith in your ability to drive.

Rules for praying in movie theatres follow the rules for praying in libraries.

Please to not stop to pray while filling your gas tank. People are waiting behind you.

Prayer in prison may make you a target for rape. Just saying.

Praying in the middle of class could get you kicked out, and rightly so. The prof needs your full attention.

If someone asks you if you could pray somewhere else, keep in mind what it looks like you're doing. It appears that you're talking to yourself, which can put a normal person at unease. At all possible, try holding a cellphone while praying. That will definitely help with the creepiness factor.

Also, if asks you if you could pray somewhere else, or not to pray, or says that prayer is stupid because you're only talking to yourself, they are not persecuting you. Feeding you to a lion is persecuting you. Asking you to pray in your church or home is not. I, personally, enjoy singing showtunes. If I did it in the middle of a church, I wouldn't feel persecuted if someone asked me to stop.

Please don't tell non-religious people thay your praying for them or their souls. It's silly. Plus, we all know it's actually a veiled insult.

Your corpse nailed to a board is disturbing, and I don't necessarily think kids should see it. Again, just saying. Worshipping it is all well and good, but don't be surprised if other people feel the same way as I do.

Have fun with your website,
Mike
You can't spell fundamentalist without the word fun!
(via Pharyngula)
Posted by Chris at 10:21 AM | Comments (13)

People Bid for Xbox Box on eBay

Well, the seller didn't lie in the description.
XBOX 360 Premium Game System BOX ONLY

Be among the first to own this season's #1 Holiday gift box!

This is the PREMIUM BUNDLE BOX only. It would include bonus accessories, if it were the actual PREMIUM XBOX 360! DOES NOT Come with 20GB Hard Drive, Console, HD Cables, Wireless Controller, Headset! In other words for those of you who do not understand, YES YOU ARE GETTING AN EMPTY BOX SO DO NOT ASK! Great for gags! DO NOT bid if you don't intend to buy! No excuses, I will not retract bids for you! You will be reported to eBay if you backout after winning the auction. I Cannot be more clear!
(via Bifurcated Rivets)
Posted by Chris at 7:39 AM | Comments (8)

People Bid for Xbox Box on eBay

Well, the seller didn't lie in the description.
XBOX 360 Premium Game System BOX ONLY

Be among the first to own this season's #1 Holiday gift box!

This is the PREMIUM BUNDLE BOX only. It would include bonus accessories, if it were the actual PREMIUM XBOX 360! DOES NOT Come with 20GB Hard Drive, Console, HD Cables, Wireless Controller, Headset! In other words for those of you who do not understand, YES YOU ARE GETTING AN EMPTY BOX SO DO NOT ASK! Great for gags! DO NOT bid if you don't intend to buy! No excuses, I will not retract bids for you! You will be reported to eBay if you backout after winning the auction. I Cannot be more clear!
(via Bifurcated Rivets)
Posted by Chris at 7:39 AM | Comments (8)

Monday, November 28, 2005

198 Methods of Nonviolent Action

These methods were compiled by Dr. Gene Sharp and first published in his 1973 book, The Politics of Nonviolent Action, Vol. 2: The Methods of Nonviolent Action. (Boston: Porter Sargent Publishers, 1973). The book outlines each method and gives information about its historical use.
(via del.icio.us/bdwc)
Posted by Chris at 3:01 PM | Comments (1)

198 Methods of Nonviolent Action

These methods were compiled by Dr. Gene Sharp and first published in his 1973 book, The Politics of Nonviolent Action, Vol. 2: The Methods of Nonviolent Action. (Boston: Porter Sargent Publishers, 1973). The book outlines each method and gives information about its historical use.
(via del.icio.us/bdwc)
Posted by Chris at 3:01 PM | Comments (1)

Family Guy Vomit Video

famguypuke.jpg

Ugh, Mondays after a four day weekend make me retch so this clip is somewhat apropos.
Posted by Chris at 2:22 PM | Comments (3)

Family Guy Vomit Video

famguypuke.jpg

Ugh, Mondays after a four day weekend make me retch so this clip is somewhat apropos.
Posted by Chris at 2:22 PM | Comments (3)

The Great Ketchup Mystery

Interesting but it doesn't answer why if you tap the "57" on a bottle of Heinz, the ketchup comes out with relative ease.
Everyone has fallen prey to the ketchup bottle at one time or another.

After struggling to dislodge a meager few drops of the red liquid, an avalanche suddenly gushes out and buries your perfectly cooked burger. With suspiciously perfect timing, the ketchup changes from a thick paste to a runny liquid.

If you find yourself splattered and wondering "why?", you're in good company. Theoretical physicists are puzzled, too.
(via digg)
Posted by Chris at 9:49 AM | Comments (1)

The Great Ketchup Mystery

Interesting but it doesn't answer why if you tap the "57" on a bottle of Heinz, the ketchup comes out with relative ease.
Everyone has fallen prey to the ketchup bottle at one time or another.

After struggling to dislodge a meager few drops of the red liquid, an avalanche suddenly gushes out and buries your perfectly cooked burger. With suspiciously perfect timing, the ketchup changes from a thick paste to a runny liquid.

If you find yourself splattered and wondering "why?", you're in good company. Theoretical physicists are puzzled, too.
(via digg)
Posted by Chris at 9:49 AM | Comments (1)

'Trophy' video exposes private security contractors shooting up Iraqi drivers

Winning their hearts and minds:
A "trophy" video appearing to show security guards in Baghdad randomly shooting Iraqi civilians has sparked two investigations after it was posted on the internet, the Sunday Telegraph can reveal.

The video has sparked concern that private security companies, which are not subject to any form of regulation either in Britain or in Iraq, could be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent Iraqis.

The video, which first appeared on a website that has been linked unofficially to Aegis Defence Services, contained four separate clips, in which security guards open fire with automatic rifles at civilian cars. All of the shooting incidents apparently took place on "route Irish", a road that links the airport to Baghdad.
Crooks and Liars has a clip.
Posted by Chris at 9:02 AM | Comments (4)

'Trophy' video exposes private security contractors shooting up Iraqi drivers

Winning their hearts and minds:
A "trophy" video appearing to show security guards in Baghdad randomly shooting Iraqi civilians has sparked two investigations after it was posted on the internet, the Sunday Telegraph can reveal.

The video has sparked concern that private security companies, which are not subject to any form of regulation either in Britain or in Iraq, could be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent Iraqis.

The video, which first appeared on a website that has been linked unofficially to Aegis Defence Services, contained four separate clips, in which security guards open fire with automatic rifles at civilian cars. All of the shooting incidents apparently took place on "route Irish", a road that links the airport to Baghdad.
Crooks and Liars has a clip.
Posted by Chris at 9:02 AM | Comments (4)

Sunday, November 27, 2005

Modern Art is Crap

Express your thoughts and feelings about the various pieces of art listed below. View them and let them infect your soul and insult your intelligence. Then write your your own critiques and let the art world know that our art galleries should be filled with some good shit and not rejected wallpaper patterns.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 11:48 AM | Comments (7)

Modern Art is Crap

Express your thoughts and feelings about the various pieces of art listed below. View them and let them infect your soul and insult your intelligence. Then write your your own critiques and let the art world know that our art galleries should be filled with some good shit and not rejected wallpaper patterns.
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 11:48 AM | Comments (7)

Friday, November 25, 2005

Shooting Off a Lock

5-8.jpg

This guy tests out how difficult it is to shoot off a lock.
My friend DVDTracker, sent me an IM on AR15.com and asked, "OP, I wonder how difficult it is to shoot a lock off? I've seen it done on TV and in movies, but wonder if it is as easy as they show it to be. How about if I send you some funds to buy some locks. Will you shoot them and report back?"

The only answer was, "Sure! Why not?"
(via digg)
Posted by Chris at 11:19 AM | Comments (3)

Shooting Off a Lock

5-8.jpg

This guy tests out how difficult it is to shoot off a lock.
My friend DVDTracker, sent me an IM on AR15.com and asked, "OP, I wonder how difficult it is to shoot a lock off? I've seen it done on TV and in movies, but wonder if it is as easy as they show it to be. How about if I send you some funds to buy some locks. Will you shoot them and report back?"

The only answer was, "Sure! Why not?"
(via digg)
Posted by Chris at 11:19 AM | Comments (3)

How To Hypnotize a Chicken

From Damn Interesting:
Start by holding the chicken's head against the ground, and place the tip of your finger on the ground right in front of the chicken's beak. Then, while holding the chicken's head, use your finger to draw a straight line directly away from it. It will quickly enter a trance-like state with significantly reduced heart and respiration rates, and will remain this way for anywhere from fifteen seconds to several hours.
Posted by Chris at 10:58 AM | Comments (3)

How To Hypnotize a Chicken

From Damn Interesting:
Start by holding the chicken's head against the ground, and place the tip of your finger on the ground right in front of the chicken's beak. Then, while holding the chicken's head, use your finger to draw a straight line directly away from it. It will quickly enter a trance-like state with significantly reduced heart and respiration rates, and will remain this way for anywhere from fifteen seconds to several hours.
Posted by Chris at 10:58 AM | Comments (3)

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

My Thanksgiving

hitchpresents.jpg

Just got myself a copy of Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Season One. I believe that 39 episodes on 3 dvds should be enough to get me through most of Thanksgiving.
Posted by Chris at 1:38 PM | Comments (5)

My Thanksgiving

hitchpresents.jpg

Just got myself a copy of Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Season One. I believe that 39 episodes on 3 dvds should be enough to get me through most of Thanksgiving.
Posted by Chris at 1:38 PM | Comments (5)

RIP Terry Crummitt (aka Snackboy)

terry2.jpg

I remember way back in the 90s watching this this podcast (although the word podcast was yet to be invented) called Snackboy which was hosted by Terry Crummitt. He would give a 5 minute humorous anecdote every day around 3pm, which is of course, the perfect time for a snack. I hadn't thought about Snackboy for years until today when it popped in my head. A quick google search brought this up:
In Loving Memory of Our Friend Terry Crummitt aka SnackBoy 1972 - 2004

May 13, 2004 - Last night, Terry died tragically in a car accident. We all remember his fun, zany, magnetic and vibrant personality. He will always be alive in our hearts.
Posted by Chris at 9:44 AM

RIP Terry Crummitt (aka Snackboy)

terry2.jpg

I remember way back in the 90s watching this this podcast (although the word podcast was yet to be invented) called Snackboy which was hosted by Terry Crummitt. He would give a 5 minute humorous anecdote every day around 3pm, which is of course, the perfect time for a snack. I hadn't thought about Snackboy for years until today when it popped in my head. A quick google search brought this up:
In Loving Memory of Our Friend Terry Crummitt aka SnackBoy 1972 - 2004

May 13, 2004 - Last night, Terry died tragically in a car accident. We all remember his fun, zany, magnetic and vibrant personality. He will always be alive in our hearts.
Posted by Chris at 9:44 AM

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

List of Insane Websites

Portal of Evil has an incredible list of some insane interesting websites.
(via del.icio.us/splodinvark)
Posted by Chris at 8:24 PM | Comments (1)

List of Insane Websites

Portal of Evil has an incredible list of some insane interesting websites.
(via del.icio.us/splodinvark)
Posted by Chris at 8:24 PM | Comments (1)

World's Ugliest Dog Dies

mn_ugly_dog_cabar501.jpg

RIP Sam.

Update:
Sam's owner has a blog.
Posted by Chris at 8:15 PM | Comments (5)

World's Ugliest Dog Dies

mn_ugly_dog_cabar501.jpg

RIP Sam.

Update:
Sam's owner has a blog.
Posted by Chris at 8:15 PM | Comments (5)

2005 World Yoyo Contest

yoyo.jpg

This google video of the 1st place winner of the 2005 World YoYo contest is impressive.
(via Alkaline Earth)
Posted by Chris at 8:04 PM | Comments (2)

2005 World Yoyo Contest

yoyo.jpg

This google video of the 1st place winner of the 2005 World YoYo contest is impressive.
(via Alkaline Earth)
Posted by Chris at 8:04 PM | Comments (2)

Thanksgiving Guest Liability and Indemnification Agreement

thksgvg.jpg

In these litigious times it is important to make sure to take proper precautions, even during Thanksgiving. (pdf)
(via J-Walk)
Posted by Chris at 7:18 PM

Thanksgiving Guest Liability and Indemnification Agreement

thksgvg.jpg

In these litigious times it is important to make sure to take proper precautions, even during Thanksgiving. (pdf)
(via J-Walk)
Posted by Chris at 7:18 PM

Penthouse Interview With L. Ron Hubbard Jr.

An interview with L. Ron Hubbard's son about Scientology. Also, South Park had a hilarious episode about scientology last week.
Penthouse: What exactly is Scientology?

Hubbard: Scientology is a power-and-money-and-intelligence-gathering game. To use common, everyday English, Scientology says that you and I and everybody else willed ourselves into being hundreds of trillions of years ago --just by deciding to be. We willed ourselves into being ourselves. Through wild space games, interaction, fights, and wars in the grand science-fiction tradition, we created this universe --all the matter, energy, space, and time of this universe. And so through these trillions of years, we have become the effect of our own cause and we now find ourselves trapped in bodies. So the idea of Scientology "auditing" or "counseling" or "processing" is to free yourself from your body and to return you to the original godlike state or, in Scientology jargon, an operating Thetan --O.T. We are all fallen gods, according to Scientology, and the goal is to be returned to that state.

Penthouse: And what is the Church of Scientology?

Hubbard: It's one of my father's many organizations. It was formed in 1953, basically to avoid the harassment of my father by the medical profession and the IRS. The idea of Scientology didn't really exist before that point as a religion, but my father hit upon turning it into a church after he started feeling pressured.
Posted by Chris at 3:19 PM | Comments (2)

Penthouse Interview With L. Ron Hubbard Jr.

An interview with L. Ron Hubbard's son about Scientology. Also, South Park had a hilarious episode about scientology last week.
Penthouse: What exactly is Scientology?

Hubbard: Scientology is a power-and-money-and-intelligence-gathering game. To use common, everyday English, Scientology says that you and I and everybody else willed ourselves into being hundreds of trillions of years ago --just by deciding to be. We willed ourselves into being ourselves. Through wild space games, interaction, fights, and wars in the grand science-fiction tradition, we created this universe --all the matter, energy, space, and time of this universe. And so through these trillions of years, we have become the effect of our own cause and we now find ourselves trapped in bodies. So the idea of Scientology "auditing" or "counseling" or "processing" is to free yourself from your body and to return you to the original godlike state or, in Scientology jargon, an operating Thetan --O.T. We are all fallen gods, according to Scientology, and the goal is to be returned to that state.

Penthouse: And what is the Church of Scientology?

Hubbard: It's one of my father's many organizations. It was formed in 1953, basically to avoid the harassment of my father by the medical profession and the IRS. The idea of Scientology didn't really exist before that point as a religion, but my father hit upon turning it into a church after he started feeling pressured.
Posted by Chris at 3:19 PM | Comments (2)

The Largest Known Primes

I won't ruin it for you. Click to find out.
(via del.icio.us/arhemed)
Posted by Chris at 1:36 PM | Comments (2)

The Largest Known Primes

I won't ruin it for you. Click to find out.
(via del.icio.us/arhemed)
Posted by Chris at 1:36 PM | Comments (2)

The John Madden Football Curse

The Sports Illustrated Cover Curse is much more dangerous but the Madden curse is still a force to be reckoned with.
After hearing much about the John Madden Football Curse, where the player (and his team) that grace the front cover of John Madden Football end up having a sub par season the following year. Here are stats for each of the players:
(via del.icio.us/wizardishungry)
Posted by Chris at 1:22 PM

The John Madden Football Curse

The Sports Illustrated Cover Curse is much more dangerous but the Madden curse is still a force to be reckoned with.
After hearing much about the John Madden Football Curse, where the player (and his team) that grace the front cover of John Madden Football end up having a sub par season the following year. Here are stats for each of the players:
(via del.icio.us/wizardishungry)
Posted by Chris at 1:22 PM

Havenco and the Principality of Sealand

sealand_sm.jpg

HavenCo Limited is exploiting a unique opportunity to set up the world's first real data haven. The initial showcase datacenter is the Principality of Sealand, the world's smallest sovereign territory. It was founded over thirty years ago and has obtained a unique legal status as the only sovereign man-made island. Its claim to sovereignty has been tested and supported in several legal challenges. Please go to the Government of Sealand site for more information on the Principality.

HavenCo is building a secure managed colocation business with the added advantage that the customers' data will also be physically secure against any legal action. The company does not depend upon the continued legal status of Sealand as a de-facto sovereign nation, but it is in a position to provide a completely new niche in the secure colocation industry from that status in conjunction with a first-world location.
Posted by Chris at 1:17 PM

Havenco and the Principality of Sealand

sealand_sm.jpg

HavenCo Limited is exploiting a unique opportunity to set up the world's first real data haven. The initial showcase datacenter is the Principality of Sealand, the world's smallest sovereign territory. It was founded over thirty years ago and has obtained a unique legal status as the only sovereign man-made island. Its claim to sovereignty has been tested and supported in several legal challenges. Please go to the Government of Sealand site for more information on the Principality.

HavenCo is building a secure managed colocation business with the added advantage that the customers' data will also be physically secure against any legal action. The company does not depend upon the continued legal status of Sealand as a de-facto sovereign nation, but it is in a position to provide a completely new niche in the secure colocation industry from that status in conjunction with a first-world location.
Posted by Chris at 1:17 PM

The Number Spiral

numberspiral.jpg

Mathematical patterns emerging from the number spiral. (via digg)
Posted by Chris at 11:57 AM

The Number Spiral

numberspiral.jpg

Mathematical patterns emerging from the number spiral. (via digg)
Posted by Chris at 11:57 AM

Ted Nasmith's Tolkien Art Gallery

TN-One_Morning_Long_Ago-Web.jpg

Very nice.
It’s difficult to describe exactly what informs my interest in Tolkien, but suffice it to say quite simply that I have a powerful affinity with his writing, so full of vast, lost, misty expanses and its unique mixture of the familiar and strange. His emphasis on light and shadow in particular, whether metaphorical or literal, justifies any artist’s interest. I instinctively relate to the whole phenomenon that is Tolkien’s Middle-earth, for surely his work bears comparison with the most intricately plotted, most imaginative literature ever written.
(via Ursi's Blog)
Posted by Chris at 11:34 AM | Comments (2)

Ted Nasmith's Tolkien Art Gallery

TN-One_Morning_Long_Ago-Web.jpg

Very nice.
It’s difficult to describe exactly what informs my interest in Tolkien, but suffice it to say quite simply that I have a powerful affinity with his writing, so full of vast, lost, misty expanses and its unique mixture of the familiar and strange. His emphasis on light and shadow in particular, whether metaphorical or literal, justifies any artist’s interest. I instinctively relate to the whole phenomenon that is Tolkien’s Middle-earth, for surely his work bears comparison with the most intricately plotted, most imaginative literature ever written.
(via Ursi's Blog)
Posted by Chris at 11:34 AM | Comments (2)

Einstein's Brain

Damn Interesting (one of the better blogs out there) has an excellent post on The Whereabouts of Dr. Einstein's Brain:
Dr. Albert Einstein died on April 18, 1955 at Princeton Hospital in Trenton, New Jersey. In accordance with his wishes, he was cremated without ceremony on the same day, and his ashes scattered at an undisclosed location. But the body that arrived at the cremation oven was not quite complete… it was lacking its brain.

That’s because Einstein’s brain was sitting in a jar of formaldehyde in Dr. Thomas Harvey’s office. Dr. Harvey was the pathologist who performed Einstein’s autopsy, and while doing so, he removed and kept the brain for his own study. Some say that Einstein volunteered his brain for research, but the executor of his estate denies this, saying that Einstein’s son Hans who made the decision to have it preserved. But the press soon learned that Einstein’s brain had been set aside for study, and antagonized Einstein’s family with unwanted attention.

Dr. Harvey became very protective of the brain, and divided it into 240 sections, which he kept in jars at his house. Despite being in possession of the organ for years, he never published any findings, saying that he was unable to find anything unusual about it. But over the years he gave away samples of the brain to various researchers, and one such recipient, Dr. Marian Diamond from UC Berkeley, studied the brain and discovered some interesting features.
Posted by Chris at 11:15 AM

Einstein's Brain

Damn Interesting (one of the better blogs out there) has an excellent post on The Whereabouts of Dr. Einstein's Brain:
Dr. Albert Einstein died on April 18, 1955 at Princeton Hospital in Trenton, New Jersey. In accordance with his wishes, he was cremated without ceremony on the same day, and his ashes scattered at an undisclosed location. But the body that arrived at the cremation oven was not quite complete… it was lacking its brain.

That’s because Einstein’s brain was sitting in a jar of formaldehyde in Dr. Thomas Harvey’s office. Dr. Harvey was the pathologist who performed Einstein’s autopsy, and while doing so, he removed and kept the brain for his own study. Some say that Einstein volunteered his brain for research, but the executor of his estate denies this, saying that Einstein’s son Hans who made the decision to have it preserved. But the press soon learned that Einstein’s brain had been set aside for study, and antagonized Einstein’s family with unwanted attention.

Dr. Harvey became very protective of the brain, and divided it into 240 sections, which he kept in jars at his house. Despite being in possession of the organ for years, he never published any findings, saying that he was unable to find anything unusual about it. But over the years he gave away samples of the brain to various researchers, and one such recipient, Dr. Marian Diamond from UC Berkeley, studied the brain and discovered some interesting features.
Posted by Chris at 11:15 AM

WSJ on The Million Dollar Homepage

I thought the idea was dumb when I linked to The Million Dollar Homepage back in September and I still think it is a dumb, silly, idiotic idea. Maybe that's what makes it so ingenious. From The Wall Street Journal:
Within two weeks of the site's Aug. 26 launch Mr. Tew says he sold $40,000 in ads. More important, the traffic numbers started gaining attention among the U.S. Internet community.

Since its launch, the site has received a total of about 1.5 million unique visitors. In mid-September, it landed on the "Movers & Shakers" feature of Alexa.com, which ranks the world's Web sites by the number of people who visit them. Marketing executives often troll Alexa.com, which is owned by Amazon.com, to check out what's hot and what's not, and at one point Mr. Tew's site reached Alexa's No. 2 spot.

Currently, the site gets 600,000 to 700,000 unique visitors a month. As of yesterday evening, Mr. Tew said he was $623,800 toward his goal, more than enough to pay for college and earmark some cash for his next entrepreneurial venture, he says. (He keeps a running tally of his sales on the Web site, and though the figure can't be ind
Posted by Chris at 10:55 AM | Comments (3)

WSJ on The Million Dollar Homepage

I thought the idea was dumb when I linked to The Million Dollar Homepage back in September and I still think it is a dumb, silly, idiotic idea. Maybe that's what makes it so ingenious. From The Wall Street Journal:
Within two weeks of the site's Aug. 26 launch Mr. Tew says he sold $40,000 in ads. More important, the traffic numbers started gaining attention among the U.S. Internet community.

Since its launch, the site has received a total of about 1.5 million unique visitors. In mid-September, it landed on the "Movers & Shakers" feature of Alexa.com, which ranks the world's Web sites by the number of people who visit them. Marketing executives often troll Alexa.com, which is owned by Amazon.com, to check out what's hot and what's not, and at one point Mr. Tew's site reached Alexa's No. 2 spot.

Currently, the site gets 600,000 to 700,000 unique visitors a month. As of yesterday evening, Mr. Tew said he was $623,800 toward his goal, more than enough to pay for college and earmark some cash for his next entrepreneurial venture, he says. (He keeps a running tally of his sales on the Web site, and though the figure can't be ind
Posted by Chris at 10:55 AM | Comments (3)

Sea Monkeys Pink Friendship Locket

discoverthis_1871_11015720.jpg

Wear your Sea Monkeys around your neck like the cherished friends that they are! Grow your Sea Monkeys in this "totally pink" Sea Monkeys tank and them take them along on your adventures in the beautifully designed Friendship Locket. The aquarium is equipped with a ventilated lid and molded seascape bottom plus has built-in magnifiers for close-up viewing.

Aqua-Leash is included for hassle-free transfer of the Sea Monkeys to the portable locket aquarium.

The unique locket is a water-filled bubble that holds two Sea Monkeys for up to 12 hours.
(via Strange New Products)
Posted by Chris at 10:38 AM | Comments (2)

Sea Monkeys Pink Friendship Locket

discoverthis_1871_11015720.jpg

Wear your Sea Monkeys around your neck like the cherished friends that they are! Grow your Sea Monkeys in this "totally pink" Sea Monkeys tank and them take them along on your adventures in the beautifully designed Friendship Locket. The aquarium is equipped with a ventilated lid and molded seascape bottom plus has built-in magnifiers for close-up viewing.

Aqua-Leash is included for hassle-free transfer of the Sea Monkeys to the portable locket aquarium.

The unique locket is a water-filled bubble that holds two Sea Monkeys for up to 12 hours.
(via Strange New Products)
Posted by Chris at 10:38 AM | Comments (2)

Mannequin Rape

Wasn't this an 80s movie?
A teenager has been charged with indecent exposure after he was caught trying to have sex with a female mannequin on display at an arts centre.

Security guards found Michael Plentyhorse, 18, sprawled with the dummy on the floor with his trousers and pants down.

Police spokesman Loren McManus said: "There was inappropriate activity between him and the mannequin.

"That's the only way I know how to put it."

Guards said they had noticed several times before that the dummy's clothes had been removed at the centre in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, US.

If convicted, Plentyhorse may be registered as a sex offender.
Posted by Chris at 10:14 AM | Comments (2)

Mannequin Rape

Wasn't this an 80s movie?
A teenager has been charged with indecent exposure after he was caught trying to have sex with a female mannequin on display at an arts centre.

Security guards found Michael Plentyhorse, 18, sprawled with the dummy on the floor with his trousers and pants down.

Police spokesman Loren McManus said: "There was inappropriate activity between him and the mannequin.

"That's the only way I know how to put it."

Guards said they had noticed several times before that the dummy's clothes had been removed at the centre in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, US.

If convicted, Plentyhorse may be registered as a sex offender.
Posted by Chris at 10:14 AM | Comments (2)

And the Lord said, "TOUCHDOWN!!"

17statue650.1.jpg

Worst $250,000 Jesus statue ever.
Drive another quarter-mile up Interstate 75, past the billboards for Bristol's Strip Club and Trader's World Flea Market, and suddenly the image appears in all its full dimensions. Jesus, depicted from the waist up, is six stories tall and seems to burst from the ground, as if he might gather a tractor-trailer in his Honda-size hands and lift it to heaven.

After dark, the figure is illuminated by spotlights from below. "It sort of looms out at you, especially at night," said Aaron Andrews, a trucker from Milwaukee.

The statue, erected in 2003, was the inspiration of Lawrence and Darlene Bishop, evangelical Christian pastors of the 3,400-member Solid Rock Church here, which spent $250,000 on a project that did not go smoothly.

The image's steel frame was built in nearby Lebanon, Ohio, and the body, made of Styrofoam and fiberglass, on the beach in Jacksonville, Fla. The body was then trucked north. But when workers started installing the statue on an island in a man-made reflecting pool behind the church, they found that the head and arms were too small for the chest.

The builder, James Lynch, then spent three months ripping the fiberglass apart and recasting the outstretched arms and upturned face. The completed figure weighs 16,000 pounds and, at 62 feet, stands 20 feet taller than originally planned, though its skin is so thin that it bends to the touch of a finger.
Posted by Chris at 10:02 AM | Comments (2)

And the Lord said, "TOUCHDOWN!!"

17statue650.1.jpg

Worst $250,000 Jesus statue ever.
Drive another quarter-mile up Interstate 75, past the billboards for Bristol's Strip Club and Trader's World Flea Market, and suddenly the image appears in all its full dimensions. Jesus, depicted from the waist up, is six stories tall and seems to burst from the ground, as if he might gather a tractor-trailer in his Honda-size hands and lift it to heaven.

After dark, the figure is illuminated by spotlights from below. "It sort of looms out at you, especially at night," said Aaron Andrews, a trucker from Milwaukee.

The statue, erected in 2003, was the inspiration of Lawrence and Darlene Bishop, evangelical Christian pastors of the 3,400-member Solid Rock Church here, which spent $250,000 on a project that did not go smoothly.

The image's steel frame was built in nearby Lebanon, Ohio, and the body, made of Styrofoam and fiberglass, on the beach in Jacksonville, Fla. The body was then trucked north. But when workers started installing the statue on an island in a man-made reflecting pool behind the church, they found that the head and arms were too small for the chest.

The builder, James Lynch, then spent three months ripping the fiberglass apart and recasting the outstretched arms and upturned face. The completed figure weighs 16,000 pounds and, at 62 feet, stands 20 feet taller than originally planned, though its skin is so thin that it bends to the touch of a finger.
Posted by Chris at 10:02 AM | Comments (2)

Soviet Topographic Maps

LondonCentral.jpg

For the 50 years prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, the Soviet military sought to map every corner of the globe. The result was an extensive collection of standardized maps at various scales.
(Thanks PVC)
Posted by Chris at 9:06 AM | Comments (1)

Soviet Topographic Maps

LondonCentral.jpg

For the 50 years prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, the Soviet military sought to map every corner of the globe. The result was an extensive collection of standardized maps at various scales.
(Thanks PVC)
Posted by Chris at 9:06 AM | Comments (1)

Monday, November 21, 2005

The Gmail Bug

Oops.
This bug has already been corrected, that's why it's been published.

In this manual you will see step by step how to exploit Gmail's vulnerability, that gave you access to any account, reported by Anelkaos, colaborator of elhacker.net's forum and patched by Google by October 18. Due to the bug's gravity (that allowed in a few simple steps to login in any Gmail account), it was decided not to publish this document while the bug was still active. Motives are more than obvious because ALL Gmail accounts were vulnerable to the bug.
(via del.icio.us/ethanb)
Posted by Chris at 8:21 PM | Comments (1)

The Gmail Bug

Oops.
This bug has already been corrected, that's why it's been published.

In this manual you will see step by step how to exploit Gmail's vulnerability, that gave you access to any account, reported by Anelkaos, colaborator of elhacker.net's forum and patched by Google by October 18. Due to the bug's gravity (that allowed in a few simple steps to login in any Gmail account), it was decided not to publish this document while the bug was still active. Motives are more than obvious because ALL Gmail accounts were vulnerable to the bug.
(via del.icio.us/ethanb)
Posted by Chris at 8:21 PM | Comments (1)

The Dr. Who Scarf

scarfphoto15.jpg

A site dedicated to Dr. Who's Scarf.
(via del.icio.us/alex.shultz)
Posted by Chris at 8:10 PM | Comments (1)

The Dr. Who Scarf

scarfphoto15.jpg

A site dedicated to Dr. Who's Scarf.
(via del.icio.us/alex.shultz)
Posted by Chris at 8:10 PM | Comments (1)

Tiki Bar TV

TikiBarTV_05.jpg

The latest episode of Tiki Bar TV is up and they seemed to have moved from blogspot to Tikibartv.com and have added a forum.
Posted by Chris at 2:24 PM

Tiki Bar TV

TikiBarTV_05.jpg

The latest episode of Tiki Bar TV is up and they seemed to have moved from blogspot to Tikibartv.com and have added a forum.
Posted by Chris at 2:24 PM

Bring Me Chocolate Milk

Wow. Let it play for about a minute when the kid goes into a fit because his mom won't bring him chocolate milk. (From Google Video)
There's lots of ways to describe this video, Strange, Scary, "WTF?!!" This video is about some 9-year-old arguing with his mother about Chocolate Milk while playing Xbox Live, and forgetting to turn his Headset off.
Note to my unborn children: If you are ever curious as to what the insides of an XBox Live system looks like by way of being smashed open with a sledge hammer, please act like the devil's spawn in the video above.
Posted by Chris at 11:47 AM | Comments (10)

Bring Me Chocolate Milk

Wow. Let it play for about a minute when the kid goes into a fit because his mom won't bring him chocolate milk. (From Google Video)
There's lots of ways to describe this video, Strange, Scary, "WTF?!!" This video is about some 9-year-old arguing with his mother about Chocolate Milk while playing Xbox Live, and forgetting to turn his Headset off.
Note to my unborn children: If you are ever curious as to what the insides of an XBox Live system looks like by way of being smashed open with a sledge hammer, please act like the devil's spawn in the video above.
Posted by Chris at 11:47 AM | Comments (10)

There is No God

jillette200.jpg

Penn Jillette's essay on NPR's This I Believe:
But, this "This I Believe" thing seems to demand something more personal, some leap of faith that helps one see life's big picture, some rules to live by. So, I'm saying, "This I believe: I believe there is no God."

Having taken that step, it informs every moment of my life. I'm not greedy. I have love, blue skies, rainbows and Hallmark cards, and that has to be enough. It has to be enough, but it's everything in the world and everything in the world is plenty for me. It seems just rude to beg the invisible for more. Just the love of my family that raised me and the family I'm raising now is enough that I don't need heaven. I won the huge genetic lottery and I get joy every day.

Believing there's no God means I can't really be forgiven except by kindness and faulty memories. That's good; it makes me want to be more thoughtful. I have to try to treat people right the first time around.
(via Metafilter)
Posted by Chris at 10:52 AM

There is No God

jillette200.jpg

Penn Jillette's essay on NPR's This I Believe:
But, this "This I Believe" thing seems to demand something more personal, some leap of faith that helps one see life's big picture, some rules to live by. So, I'm saying, "This I believe: I believe there is no God."

Having taken that step, it informs every moment of my life. I'm not greedy. I have love, blue skies, rainbows and Hallmark cards, and that has to be enough. It has to be enough, but it's everything in the world and everything in the world is plenty for me. It seems just rude to beg the invisible for more. Just the love of my family that raised me and the family I'm raising now is enough that I don't need heaven. I won the huge genetic lottery and I get joy every day.

Believing there's no God means I can't really be forgiven except by kindness and faulty memories. That's good; it makes me want to be more thoughtful. I have to try to treat people right the first time around.
(via Metafilter)
Posted by Chris at 10:52 AM

Sunday, November 20, 2005

Locked doors thwart Bush's bid to duck question

ra2048513037.jpg

Runaway!!
The final reporter he called on critiqued Bush's performance earlier in the day when he stood next to Hu in the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square to deliver a statement.

"Respectfully, sir -- you know we're always respectful -- in your statement this morning with President Hu, you seemed a little off your game, you seemed to hurry through your statement. There was a lack of enthusiasm. Was something bothering you?" he asked.

"Have you ever heard of jet lag?" Bush responded. "Well, good. That answers your question."

The president then recited a list of things of that he viewed as positive developments from his Beijing meetings, including co-operation on North Korean nuclear disarmament and the ability to have "frank discussions" with his Chinese counterpart.

When the reporter asked for "a very quick follow-up", Bush cut him off by thanking the press corps and telling the reporter "No you may not," as he strode towards a set of double doors leading out of the room.

The only problem was that they were locked.
Update:
Atrios has the sequence of photos of Bush's "escape".
Posted by Chris at 7:19 PM | Comments (5)

Locked doors thwart Bush's bid to duck question

ra2048513037.jpg

Runaway!!
The final reporter he called on critiqued Bush's performance earlier in the day when he stood next to Hu in the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square to deliver a statement.

"Respectfully, sir -- you know we're always respectful -- in your statement this morning with President Hu, you seemed a little off your game, you seemed to hurry through your statement. There was a lack of enthusiasm. Was something bothering you?" he asked.

"Have you ever heard of jet lag?" Bush responded. "Well, good. That answers your question."

The president then recited a list of things of that he viewed as positive developments from his Beijing meetings, including co-operation on North Korean nuclear disarmament and the ability to have "frank discussions" with his Chinese counterpart.

When the reporter asked for "a very quick follow-up", Bush cut him off by thanking the press corps and telling the reporter "No you may not," as he strode towards a set of double doors leading out of the room.

The only problem was that they were locked.
Update:
Atrios has the sequence of photos of Bush's "escape".
Posted by Chris at 7:19 PM | Comments (5)

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Bush's Last Day

For those who can't wait.
(Thanks Elliott)
Posted by Chris at 9:48 AM | Comments (7)

Bush's Last Day

For those who can't wait.
(Thanks Elliott)
Posted by Chris at 9:48 AM | Comments (7)

Bad to the Bone in Klingon

Umm.
jIboghDI' SIbI'
Datvo' ghompu' ghojmoq.
'ej yay'taHvIS mInDu'
DunwI' Doj lughoq.
pay' jatlh ghojmoqpIn:
«ghuvam vID yIHaj!»
DotlhwIj tlhojchu'mo':
jInaSchu' vaj.
(Thanks Joey B.)
Posted by Chris at 9:45 AM | Comments (1)

Bad to the Bone in Klingon

Umm.
jIboghDI' SIbI'
Datvo' ghompu' ghojmoq.
'ej yay'taHvIS mInDu'
DunwI' Doj lughoq.
pay' jatlh ghojmoqpIn:
«ghuvam vID yIHaj!»
DotlhwIj tlhojchu'mo':
jInaSchu' vaj.
(Thanks Joey B.)
Posted by Chris at 9:45 AM | Comments (1)

Friday, November 18, 2005

Scouting for Camel Toads

Oh jeez.
Posted by Chris at 8:22 PM | Comments (5)

Scouting for Camel Toads

Oh jeez.
Posted by Chris at 8:22 PM | Comments (5)

Google Maps Web Cam Locator

They don't seem to have too many locations in their databases at the moment but this could be interesting in a month or so.
(via digg)
Posted by Chris at 10:00 AM

Google Maps Web Cam Locator

They don't seem to have too many locations in their databases at the moment but this could be interesting in a month or so.
(via digg)
Posted by Chris at 10:00 AM

World Heritage Tour

This is a neat idea.
Making of a documentary image bank with panoramic pictures and interactive virtual reality movies for all sites registered as World Heritage by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
(Thanks PVC)
Posted by Chris at 9:54 AM | Comments (1)

World Heritage Tour

This is a neat idea.
Making of a documentary image bank with panoramic pictures and interactive virtual reality movies for all sites registered as World Heritage by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
(Thanks PVC)
Posted by Chris at 9:54 AM | Comments (1)

Thursday, November 17, 2005

The Best Video Games in the History of Humanity

Lists from just about every Game magazine and website available.
I'm not the only guy who likes making lists. Over the years, many gaming magazines and websites have made lengthy lists of their own in an attempt to compile comprehensive guides chronicling the best video games of all time. Here is a summary of some of the leading Top 10s, as excerpted from various Top 100 lists.
(via digg)
Posted by Chris at 11:15 PM

The Best Video Games in the History of Humanity

Lists from just about every Game magazine and website available.
I'm not the only guy who likes making lists. Over the years, many gaming magazines and websites have made lengthy lists of their own in an attempt to compile comprehensive guides chronicling the best video games of all time. Here is a summary of some of the leading Top 10s, as excerpted from various Top 100 lists.
(via digg)
Posted by Chris at 11:15 PM

Top 20 Geek Novels

From The Guardian. I'll give you the top 10.
1. The HitchHiker's Guide to the Galaxy -- Douglas Adams 85% (102)
2. Nineteen Eighty-Four -- George Orwell 79% (92)
3. Brave New World -- Aldous Huxley 69% (77)
4. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? -- Philip Dick 64% (67)
5. Neuromancer -- William Gibson 59% (66)
6. Dune -- Frank Herbert 53% (54)
7. I, Robot -- Isaac Asimov 52% (54)
8. Foundation -- Isaac Asimov 47% (47)
9. The Colour of Magic -- Terry Pratchett 46% (46)
10. Microserfs -- Douglas Coupland 43% (44)
I've read 8 out of those 10. I haven't read The Colour of Magic or Microserfs.
(via digg)
Posted by Chris at 11:09 PM | Comments (7)

Top 20 Geek Novels

From The Guardian. I'll give you the top 10.
1. The HitchHiker's Guide to the Galaxy -- Douglas Adams 85% (102)
2. Nineteen Eighty-Four -- George Orwell 79% (92)
3. Brave New World -- Aldous Huxley 69% (77)
4. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? -- Philip Dick 64% (67)
5. Neuromancer -- William Gibson 59% (66)
6. Dune -- Frank Herbert 53% (54)
7. I, Robot -- Isaac Asimov 52% (54)
8. Foundation -- Isaac Asimov 47% (47)
9. The Colour of Magic -- Terry Pratchett 46% (46)
10. Microserfs -- Douglas Coupland 43% (44)
I've read 8 out of those 10. I haven't read The Colour of Magic or Microserfs.
(via digg)
Posted by Chris at 11:09 PM | Comments (7)

Alton Brown's Slashdot Q & A

This is from 2002 but I hadn't seen it before.
Posted by Chris at 4:04 PM

Alton Brown's Slashdot Q & A

This is from 2002 but I hadn't seen it before.
Posted by Chris at 4:04 PM

The Inventor of the Computer Mouse

compmouseinv.jpg

Dr. Douglas Engelbart.
Dr. Douglas Engelbart, 80, the inventor of the computer mouse, loathes Steve Jobs. "I'm just so angry with the single button," he says about Apple's early commercialization of the device back in the '80s. "Why would they make it with just one button? More buttons give you more control." While Mac fans will surely disagree, it's hard to defy the logic of a man whose vision single-handedly transformed the way humans interact with machines.
(via del.icio.us/geekbruin)
Posted by Chris at 3:58 PM | Comments (4)

The Inventor of the Computer Mouse

compmouseinv.jpg

Dr. Douglas Engelbart.
Dr. Douglas Engelbart, 80, the inventor of the computer mouse, loathes Steve Jobs. "I'm just so angry with the single button," he says about Apple's early commercialization of the device back in the '80s. "Why would they make it with just one button? More buttons give you more control." While Mac fans will surely disagree, it's hard to defy the logic of a man whose vision single-handedly transformed the way humans interact with machines.
(via del.icio.us/geekbruin)
Posted by Chris at 3:58 PM | Comments (4)

Leeroy Jenkins

Apparently Leroy Jenkins is a celebrity in the World of Warcraft worlds because of this video.

About.com has the synopsis:
Leeroy Jenkins is well on his way to fame in the World of Warcraft community as a result of this entertaining game footage of an attempt at the rookery in Upper Black Rock Spires. The team plans their strategy in detail over voice chat, but, as we all know, even the best laid plans can go bad with a psycho in your group. You don't have to play WoW to appreciate the humor in this.
And of course, there is a website dedicated to him.
Posted by Chris at 3:02 PM | Comments (7)

Leeroy Jenkins

Apparently Leroy Jenkins is a celebrity in the World of Warcraft worlds because of this video.

About.com has the synopsis:
Leeroy Jenkins is well on his way to fame in the World of Warcraft community as a result of this entertaining game footage of an attempt at the rookery in Upper Black Rock Spires. The team plans their strategy in detail over voice chat, but, as we all know, even the best laid plans can go bad with a psycho in your group. You don't have to play WoW to appreciate the humor in this.
And of course, there is a website dedicated to him.
Posted by Chris at 3:02 PM | Comments (7)

The Skeleton of Jebal-Barez

iranfar.jpg

Weird.
What I found was clearly organic, not to mention extremely large. I believe the skeleton was partially unveiled following the earthquake, otherwise it would have been discovered previously. You can see in the photograph the immense size of the creature's ribs and vertebrae in comparison with my small figure, and this is just a small section of the fossil, which stretches a great distance in either direction (possibly hundreds of feet long total). I am standing close to what I believe to be the head of the creature, with the rib cage extending dozens of feet beyond the photograph and into the bare rock. I cannot even begin to speculate on the size of this creature. I will need to return with more equipment and certainly others better versed with this type of find. At this point, these are but simple deductions until further tests can be done.
(via del.icio.us/chikbert)
Posted by Chris at 2:51 PM | Comments (7)

The Skeleton of Jebal-Barez

iranfar.jpg

Weird.
What I found was clearly organic, not to mention extremely large. I believe the skeleton was partially unveiled following the earthquake, otherwise it would have been discovered previously. You can see in the photograph the immense size of the creature's ribs and vertebrae in comparison with my small figure, and this is just a small section of the fossil, which stretches a great distance in either direction (possibly hundreds of feet long total). I am standing close to what I believe to be the head of the creature, with the rib cage extending dozens of feet beyond the photograph and into the bare rock. I cannot even begin to speculate on the size of this creature. I will need to return with more equipment and certainly others better versed with this type of find. At this point, these are but simple deductions until further tests can be done.
(via del.icio.us/chikbert)
Posted by Chris at 2:51 PM | Comments (7)

Forum opened to all after discrimination complaints

From the Northeastern University's Student Newspaper:
After originally advertising for "women of color only," the Women's Studies and Graduate Consortium's first "Breaking Bread: Women of Color Dialogue" was forced to open the doors of the Raytheon Amphitheater to all races last Saturday.

The event was meant to include only women of color during its first session from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the second session from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. open to the public. However, after protest from the Student Government Association (SGA), orders came from Provost Ahmed Abdelal that the event must remain open to all who wished to attend.
I've always been of the opinion that excluding people from anything because of their race/religion/whatever is a bad idea because you are isolating yourself. Besides that, the "women of color only" is worded a bit ambiguously. Are asians considered colored? Hispanics? What about Indians?
Dr. Robin Chandler, director of women's studies and one of the organizers of the event, said she was disappointed she received orders to open the event to all, even though only one white woman actually attended the first session.

Chandler said the point of the first session was to convene as a group of women of color to address issues before bringing those issues to the second session, which was meant for all to attend.

"I think it's a shame that one or two white students based on white privilege, a lack of awareness of racial issues and a lack of generosity of spirit complained to the office of the provost and were able, because they were white, to gain admission to the morning session that I was forced to open up," Chandler said. "Only one white female student showed up and I welcomed her anyway, in addition to telling the audience to conduct themselves with integrity even though the presence of a white woman was unwelcome."
I like to play a game where we take the same quote and just switch colors around a bit. Let's see how it looks.
"Only one black female student showed up and I welcomed her anyway, in addition to telling the audience to conduct themselves with integrity even though the presence of a black woman was unwelcome."
It's amazing sometimes that we think that humanity has come so far when really we are just jogging in place.
Posted by Chris at 1:08 PM<