Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Celebrity Punch Out

celebpunchout.jpg

Fight your most hated celeb.
Posted by Chris at 10:05 PM | Comments (1)

Celebrity Punch Out

celebpunchout.jpg

Fight your most hated celeb.
Posted by Chris at 10:05 PM | Comments (1)

Sleaze Science Fiction Covers

cb702.jpg

I promised myself I wouldn't post anymore covers but come on now. Sleaze Sci-Fi Covers! That's a post.
(via del.icio.us/jennyjetts)
Posted by Chris at 8:58 PM | Comments (2)

Sleaze Science Fiction Covers

cb702.jpg

I promised myself I wouldn't post anymore covers but come on now. Sleaze Sci-Fi Covers! That's a post.
(via del.icio.us/jennyjetts)
Posted by Chris at 8:58 PM | Comments (2)

List of Murderers with the Middle Name 'Wayne'

It only occurred to me in the early 1990s that "Wayne" was a popular middle name among a few of the most heinous murderers of our time, e.g., the clown John Wayne Gacy (who killed almost three dozen boys and young men in the late 1970s and buried most of them beneath the floorboards of his Des Plaines, Ill., home) and Elmer Wayne Henley (sentenced to six consecutive life terms in 1974 in Houston for his role, with ringleader Dean Allen Corll, in the murders of 27 young men). I began to publish periodic lists in 1996, and soon readers made sure I never missed a one that made the news.
(via del.icio.us/blijack)
Posted by Chris at 8:53 PM | Comments (4)

List of Murderers with the Middle Name 'Wayne'

It only occurred to me in the early 1990s that "Wayne" was a popular middle name among a few of the most heinous murderers of our time, e.g., the clown John Wayne Gacy (who killed almost three dozen boys and young men in the late 1970s and buried most of them beneath the floorboards of his Des Plaines, Ill., home) and Elmer Wayne Henley (sentenced to six consecutive life terms in 1974 in Houston for his role, with ringleader Dean Allen Corll, in the murders of 27 young men). I began to publish periodic lists in 1996, and soon readers made sure I never missed a one that made the news.
(via del.icio.us/blijack)
Posted by Chris at 8:53 PM | Comments (4)

Jenga Tower Projects

jengastatebuldg.jpg

Recreating famous buildings using Jenga.
(via del.icio.us/cacophony)
Posted by Chris at 8:38 PM | Comments (2)

Jenga Tower Projects

jengastatebuldg.jpg

Recreating famous buildings using Jenga.
(via del.icio.us/cacophony)
Posted by Chris at 8:38 PM | Comments (2)

The $39 Experiment

Asking random companies for free stuff.
The way I looked at it, if I took $39 and went to buy groceries, I wouldn't be able to get all that much. On the flipside, if I took $39 to a casino and lost it all, I wouldn't be all that upset. With that said, I decided I was going to try something — I was going to take my roll of stamps and send 100 letters to 100 different companies, asking for free stuff. I figured that I couldn't do any worse than blowing the $39 at a casino, and who knows... maybe a few of these places would actually send me something good.
(via del.icio.us/rjjm)
Posted by Chris at 8:31 PM

The $39 Experiment

Asking random companies for free stuff.
The way I looked at it, if I took $39 and went to buy groceries, I wouldn't be able to get all that much. On the flipside, if I took $39 to a casino and lost it all, I wouldn't be all that upset. With that said, I decided I was going to try something — I was going to take my roll of stamps and send 100 letters to 100 different companies, asking for free stuff. I figured that I couldn't do any worse than blowing the $39 at a casino, and who knows... maybe a few of these places would actually send me something good.
(via del.icio.us/rjjm)
Posted by Chris at 8:31 PM

Penn and Teller's Smoke and Mirrors

pandtsandm.jpg

Waxy has a great post about a never before released P&T video game for Sega CD and 3DO.
Years ago, I'd heard about a mythical unreleased videogame developed by Penn & Teller for the Sega CD and 3DO. The game was supposed to be an oddball adventure game, with some cruel magic tricks and minigames thrown in for good measure. This Absolute Entertainment press release from March 1995 sums it up nicely.

The most infamous part was "Desert Bus," a "VeriSimulator" in which you drive a bus across the straight Nevada desert for eight hours in real-time. Then you drive it home. Also, I'd read the bus veers to the right, so you can't just leave the joypad propped up. The rumor was that if you won the game, you got one point.
(via Kottke)
Posted by Chris at 8:11 PM

Penn and Teller's Smoke and Mirrors

pandtsandm.jpg

Waxy has a great post about a never before released P&T video game for Sega CD and 3DO.
Years ago, I'd heard about a mythical unreleased videogame developed by Penn & Teller for the Sega CD and 3DO. The game was supposed to be an oddball adventure game, with some cruel magic tricks and minigames thrown in for good measure. This Absolute Entertainment press release from March 1995 sums it up nicely.

The most infamous part was "Desert Bus," a "VeriSimulator" in which you drive a bus across the straight Nevada desert for eight hours in real-time. Then you drive it home. Also, I'd read the bus veers to the right, so you can't just leave the joypad propped up. The rumor was that if you won the game, you got one point.
(via Kottke)
Posted by Chris at 8:11 PM

Insane Juggling Video Clips

balls_1.jpg

The following clips are videos of Jason Garfield executing juggling moves that are some of the hardest of their kind.
Posted by Chris at 4:19 PM

Insane Juggling Video Clips

balls_1.jpg

The following clips are videos of Jason Garfield executing juggling moves that are some of the hardest of their kind.
Posted by Chris at 4:19 PM

5,000 Hits Today and 3 Comments

Not that I'm counting.
Posted by Chris at 3:03 PM | Comments (18)

5,000 Hits Today and 3 Comments

Not that I'm counting.
Posted by Chris at 3:03 PM | Comments (18)

Shock Absorber

This is hypnotic but not worksafe. It's a computer simulation (or bounceometer)where you pick a bra cup size and level of athletic activity and then see the difference the shock absorber sports bra will make. Possibly hours of fun here.
(via Monkeyfilter)
Posted by Chris at 11:26 AM | Comments (8)

Shock Absorber

This is hypnotic but not worksafe. It's a computer simulation (or bounceometer)where you pick a bra cup size and level of athletic activity and then see the difference the shock absorber sports bra will make. Possibly hours of fun here.
(via Monkeyfilter)
Posted by Chris at 11:26 AM | Comments (8)

Ambiguous PSP Advertising on the London Tube

photo_022606_002.jpg

Wonderland and Kotaku are both flummoxed by the meaning of a new PSP ad in London. Anybody have an idea what this advertising means?
Posted by Chris at 11:22 AM | Comments (4)

Ambiguous PSP Advertising on the London Tube

photo_022606_002.jpg

Wonderland and Kotaku are both flummoxed by the meaning of a new PSP ad in London. Anybody have an idea what this advertising means?
Posted by Chris at 11:22 AM | Comments (4)

Wikipedia on Your iPod

This might make me break down and finally by an iPod:
What is Encyclopodia? Encyclopodia is a free software project that brings the Wikipedia, which is one of the largest encyclopedias on the world, on the Apple iPod MP3-Player. It has been successfully tested on a third-generation iPod and on an iPod mini, but it should also work on other iPod generations.
(via Digg)
Posted by Chris at 11:08 AM | Comments (1)

Wikipedia on Your iPod

This might make me break down and finally by an iPod:
What is Encyclopodia? Encyclopodia is a free software project that brings the Wikipedia, which is one of the largest encyclopedias on the world, on the Apple iPod MP3-Player. It has been successfully tested on a third-generation iPod and on an iPod mini, but it should also work on other iPod generations.
(via Digg)
Posted by Chris at 11:08 AM | Comments (1)

The Gimli Glider

Giml2i.jpg

Entertaining article about a Boeing 767 which ran out of fuel and had to glide to a landing.
At 1:21 GMT, the forty million dollar, state-of-the-art Boeing 767 had become a glider. The APU, designed to supply electrical and pneumatic power under emergency conditions, was no help because it drank from the same fuel tanks as the main engines. Approaching 28,000 feet the 767's glass cockpit went dark. Pilot Bob Pearson was left with a radio and standby instruments, noticeably lacking a vertical speed indicator - the glider pilot's instrument of choice. Hydraulic pressure was falling fast and the plane's controls were quickly becoming inoperative. But the engineers at Boeing had foreseen even this most unlikely of scenarios and provided one last failsafe&emdash;the RAT.

The RAT is the Ram Air Turbine, a propeller driven hydraulic pump tucked under the belly of the 767. The RAT can supply just enough hydraulic pressure to move the control surfaces and enable a dead-stick landing. The loss of both engines caused the RAT to automatically drop into the airstream and begin supplying hydraulic pressure.

As Pearson began gliding the big bird, Quintal "got busy" in the manuals looking for procedures for dealing with the loss of both engines. There were none.. Neither he nor Pearson nor any other 767 pilot had ever been trained on this contingency. Pearson reports he was thinking "I wonder how it's all going to turn out."
Posted by Chris at 10:59 AM | Comments (1)

The Gimli Glider

Giml2i.jpg

Entertaining article about a Boeing 767 which ran out of fuel and had to glide to a landing.
At 1:21 GMT, the forty million dollar, state-of-the-art Boeing 767 had become a glider. The APU, designed to supply electrical and pneumatic power under emergency conditions, was no help because it drank from the same fuel tanks as the main engines. Approaching 28,000 feet the 767's glass cockpit went dark. Pilot Bob Pearson was left with a radio and standby instruments, noticeably lacking a vertical speed indicator - the glider pilot's instrument of choice. Hydraulic pressure was falling fast and the plane's controls were quickly becoming inoperative. But the engineers at Boeing had foreseen even this most unlikely of scenarios and provided one last failsafe&emdash;the RAT.

The RAT is the Ram Air Turbine, a propeller driven hydraulic pump tucked under the belly of the 767. The RAT can supply just enough hydraulic pressure to move the control surfaces and enable a dead-stick landing. The loss of both engines caused the RAT to automatically drop into the airstream and begin supplying hydraulic pressure.

As Pearson began gliding the big bird, Quintal "got busy" in the manuals looking for procedures for dealing with the loss of both engines. There were none.. Neither he nor Pearson nor any other 767 pilot had ever been trained on this contingency. Pearson reports he was thinking "I wonder how it's all going to turn out."
Posted by Chris at 10:59 AM | Comments (1)

Photos of Vegas when the Mob ran Vegas

stardustold.jpg

A great slide show with old pictures of Vegas when the Strip was nothing more than a practically deserted highway with a few casinos.
I got this from Bibi who did an entire post with cool Vegas links.
Posted by Chris at 9:32 AM | Comments (1)

Photos of Vegas when the Mob ran Vegas

stardustold.jpg

A great slide show with old pictures of Vegas when the Strip was nothing more than a practically deserted highway with a few casinos.
I got this from Bibi who did an entire post with cool Vegas links.
Posted by Chris at 9:32 AM | Comments (1)

The Wonderlic Personnel Test

The Wonderlic Personnel Test (often referred to as Wunderlich) is an intelligence test primarily known for being administered to prospective players in the National Football League since the 1970s. The Wonderlic is a twelve minute, fifty question exam to assess aptitude for learning a job and adapting to solve problems for employees in a wide range of occupations.
ESPN.com has a sample Wonderlic test that you can take.
Posted by Chris at 8:56 AM | Comments (1)

The Wonderlic Personnel Test

The Wonderlic Personnel Test (often referred to as Wunderlich) is an intelligence test primarily known for being administered to prospective players in the National Football League since the 1970s. The Wonderlic is a twelve minute, fifty question exam to assess aptitude for learning a job and adapting to solve problems for employees in a wide range of occupations.
ESPN.com has a sample Wonderlic test that you can take.
Posted by Chris at 8:56 AM | Comments (1)

Monday, February 27, 2006

Toppings for the Communion Wafer

cholula.jpg

So the purpose of this experiment is to find out just what it takes to turn the communion experience from "ow!" to "wow!" We* went to the supermarket and we selected a range of toppings and condiments to serve eucharists with.

I can hear some of you now. "Blasphemous!" "Scandalous!" But hold on there, bucko! What if we discover some new way to serve communion wafers that brings people stampeding back to the church as if it were some chic new restaurant on the lower east side? Uh huh, you didn't think of that, did you? We thought not.
In a related story, when I was getting ready for my first communion, our teacher, Sister Mary, told us that if we bit the Eucharist that blood would come squirting out into our mouth. Needless to say that when the time came to take the communion, just about all of us bit into it to see if we could get the wafer to hemorrhage. The lesson we learned? Even a nun could be a lying bitch.
(via Slashfood)
Posted by Chris at 11:24 PM | Comments (2)

Toppings for the Communion Wafer

cholula.jpg

So the purpose of this experiment is to find out just what it takes to turn the communion experience from "ow!" to "wow!" We* went to the supermarket and we selected a range of toppings and condiments to serve eucharists with.

I can hear some of you now. "Blasphemous!" "Scandalous!" But hold on there, bucko! What if we discover some new way to serve communion wafers that brings people stampeding back to the church as if it were some chic new restaurant on the lower east side? Uh huh, you didn't think of that, did you? We thought not.
In a related story, when I was getting ready for my first communion, our teacher, Sister Mary, told us that if we bit the Eucharist that blood would come squirting out into our mouth. Needless to say that when the time came to take the communion, just about all of us bit into it to see if we could get the wafer to hemorrhage. The lesson we learned? Even a nun could be a lying bitch.
(via Slashfood)
Posted by Chris at 11:24 PM | Comments (2)

Distributed computing cracks Enigma code

From News.com:
More than 60 years after the end of World War II, a distributed computing project has managed to crack a previously uncracked message that was encrypted using the Enigma machine.

The M4 Project began in early January, as an attempt to break three original Enigma messages that were intercepted in 1942 and are thought never to have been broken by the Allied forces.

These messages were encrypted using a four-rotor Enigma. That version was considered by Germany to be completely unbreakable, as it could be set up in any one of a vast number of ways (2 times 10 to the 145th power), each of which would encrypt a plain text message differently.
For more on the M4 project and to participate in it you can visit the site here.
(via Metafilter)
Posted by Chris at 9:09 PM

Distributed computing cracks Enigma code

From News.com:
More than 60 years after the end of World War II, a distributed computing project has managed to crack a previously uncracked message that was encrypted using the Enigma machine.

The M4 Project began in early January, as an attempt to break three original Enigma messages that were intercepted in 1942 and are thought never to have been broken by the Allied forces.

These messages were encrypted using a four-rotor Enigma. That version was considered by Germany to be completely unbreakable, as it could be set up in any one of a vast number of ways (2 times 10 to the 145th power), each of which would encrypt a plain text message differently.
For more on the M4 project and to participate in it you can visit the site here.
(via Metafilter)
Posted by Chris at 9:09 PM

You Think You Have Problems With Squirrels?

bear4.jpg

Squirrels seem to be the least of this person's problem.
(via del.icio.us/dgroo)
Posted by Chris at 9:00 PM

You Think You Have Problems With Squirrels?

bear4.jpg

Squirrels seem to be the least of this person's problem.
(via del.icio.us/dgroo)
Posted by Chris at 9:00 PM

The Murder Castle of H. H. Holmes

holmes2.jpg

This is a horrific yet fascinating read about one of America's first serial killers, H. H. Holmes, who constructed secret torture chambers in his hotel.
Detectives devoted several weeks to searching and making a floor plan of the Castle. The bottom floor had been used by Holmes himself as a drug store, a candy store, a restaurant and a jewelry store. The third floor of the building had been divided into small apartments and guest rooms and apparently, had never been used.

The second floor however proved to be a labyrinth of narrow, winding passages with doors that opened to brick walls, hidden stairways, cleverly concealed doors, blind hallways, secret panels, hidden passages and a clandestine vault that was only a big enough for a person to stand in. The room was alleged to be a homemade "gas chamber", equipped with a chute that would carry a body directly into the basement. The investigators suddenly realized the implications of the iron-plated chamber when they found the single, scuffed mark of a footprint on the inside of the door. It was a small print that had been made by a woman who had attempted to escape the grim fate of the tiny room.

In addition to all of the bizarre additions to the floor, the second level also held 35 guest rooms. Half of them were fitted as ordinary sleeping chambers, and there were indications that they had been occupied by the various women who worked for Holmes, by tenants during the Fair or by the luckless females Holmes had seduced while waiting for an opportunity to kill them. Several of the other rooms were without windows or could be made air tight by closing the doors. Others were lined with sheet iron and asbestos with scorch marks on the walls, fitted with trap doors that led to smaller rooms beneath, or were equipped with lethal gas jets that could be used to suffocate or burn the unsuspecting occupants.
Wikipedia has a shorter summary of Holmes. This is the first I have heard of him.
Posted by Chris at 8:37 PM | Comments (6)

The Murder Castle of H. H. Holmes

holmes2.jpg

This is a horrific yet fascinating read about one of America's first serial killers, H. H. Holmes, who constructed secret torture chambers in his hotel.
Detectives devoted several weeks to searching and making a floor plan of the Castle. The bottom floor had been used by Holmes himself as a drug store, a candy store, a restaurant and a jewelry store. The third floor of the building had been divided into small apartments and guest rooms and apparently, had never been used.

The second floor however proved to be a labyrinth of narrow, winding passages with doors that opened to brick walls, hidden stairways, cleverly concealed doors, blind hallways, secret panels, hidden passages and a clandestine vault that was only a big enough for a person to stand in. The room was alleged to be a homemade "gas chamber", equipped with a chute that would carry a body directly into the basement. The investigators suddenly realized the implications of the iron-plated chamber when they found the single, scuffed mark of a footprint on the inside of the door. It was a small print that had been made by a woman who had attempted to escape the grim fate of the tiny room.

In addition to all of the bizarre additions to the floor, the second level also held 35 guest rooms. Half of them were fitted as ordinary sleeping chambers, and there were indications that they had been occupied by the various women who worked for Holmes, by tenants during the Fair or by the luckless females Holmes had seduced while waiting for an opportunity to kill them. Several of the other rooms were without windows or could be made air tight by closing the doors. Others were lined with sheet iron and asbestos with scorch marks on the walls, fitted with trap doors that led to smaller rooms beneath, or were equipped with lethal gas jets that could be used to suffocate or burn the unsuspecting occupants.
Wikipedia has a shorter summary of Holmes. This is the first I have heard of him.
Posted by Chris at 8:37 PM | Comments (6)

Babies With Beards

baby_e_and_daddy.jpg

We wish to open this history with the disclaimer that the phenomena of bearded babies is not to be confused with the condition of hypertrichosis or hursutism. Bearded babies do not pose a medical mystery at all- some babies are simply born with beards. We accept this as natural, but the history of the bearded baby has not been so forgiving.

Bearded babies have been part of human life since the moment we evolved from monkeys. During the dawn of humanity, most people had an excess of body hair, so babies with beards were accepted and nurtured. As humans lost their primordial hair, and only adults bore magnificent facial plumage, a vast majority of babies were born nearly hairless. We speculate that in these early years of human development, the birth of a baby with a beard would likely have been a celebrated, mystical event.
(via del.icio.us/knifegirl)
Posted by Chris at 8:05 PM

Babies With Beards

baby_e_and_daddy.jpg

We wish to open this history with the disclaimer that the phenomena of bearded babies is not to be confused with the condition of hypertrichosis or hursutism. Bearded babies do not pose a medical mystery at all- some babies are simply born with beards. We accept this as natural, but the history of the bearded baby has not been so forgiving.

Bearded babies have been part of human life since the moment we evolved from monkeys. During the dawn of humanity, most people had an excess of body hair, so babies with beards were accepted and nurtured. As humans lost their primordial hair, and only adults bore magnificent facial plumage, a vast majority of babies were born nearly hairless. We speculate that in these early years of human development, the birth of a baby with a beard would likely have been a celebrated, mystical event.
(via del.icio.us/knifegirl)
Posted by Chris at 8:05 PM

How To Make a Secret Book Hollow

book8.jpg

Fairly straight forward.
Posted by Chris at 7:48 PM

How To Make a Secret Book Hollow

book8.jpg

Fairly straight forward.
Posted by Chris at 7:48 PM

Unseen. Unforgotten.

006aa.jpg

Never before published images of the civil rights movement in Birmingham.
(via Backwards City)
Posted by Chris at 6:49 PM

Unseen. Unforgotten.

006aa.jpg

Never before published images of the civil rights movement in Birmingham.
(via Backwards City)
Posted by Chris at 6:49 PM

Chickasaw, Alabama

Looks like there is a precedent for the Bill of Rights being upheld even in privately owned towns.
As a general rule, the owner of private property is free to restrict expressive activitites of others on the property. You are under no First Amendment obligation to admit people into your living room and then listen to them blow off about any topic of their choice. Similarly, an owner of a restaurant has no duty to allow persons who dislike the food she serves into the restaurant so the person can annoy customers or discourage others from eating there.

Yet, almost every rule as its exceptions, and this rule is no exception to that rule. In 1946, the Court considered the issue of the First Amendment's applicability in Chickasaw, Alabama--a company town owned lock, stock, and barrel by Gulf Shipbuilding. A Jehovah's Witness came to Chicasaw and began distributing religious literature on a street corner. She was told to stop her activity. She refused, and was tried and convicted of trespass. The Court reversed her conviction, concluding that Chicasaw was the functional equivalent of a municipality, the residents of Chicasaw citizens of Alabama, and that the First Amendment fully applied to expressive activities on the company-owned sidewalks and streets of the town.
Posted by Chris at 4:17 PM | Comments (2)

Chickasaw, Alabama

Looks like there is a precedent for the Bill of Rights being upheld even in privately owned towns.
As a general rule, the owner of private property is free to restrict expressive activitites of others on the property. You are under no First Amendment obligation to admit people into your living room and then listen to them blow off about any topic of their choice. Similarly, an owner of a restaurant has no duty to allow persons who dislike the food she serves into the restaurant so the person can annoy customers or discourage others from eating there.

Yet, almost every rule as its exceptions, and this rule is no exception to that rule. In 1946, the Court considered the issue of the First Amendment's applicability in Chickasaw, Alabama--a company town owned lock, stock, and barrel by Gulf Shipbuilding. A Jehovah's Witness came to Chicasaw and began distributing religious literature on a street corner. She was told to stop her activity. She refused, and was tried and convicted of trespass. The Court reversed her conviction, concluding that Chicasaw was the functional equivalent of a municipality, the residents of Chicasaw citizens of Alabama, and that the First Amendment fully applied to expressive activities on the company-owned sidewalks and streets of the town.
Posted by Chris at 4:17 PM | Comments (2)

Domino's Pizza Founder to Build Catholic Town

More fundamentalist fun.
A FORMER marine who was raised by nuns and made a fortune selling pizza has embarked on a £230m plan to build the first town in America to be run according to strict Catholic principles.

Abortions, pornography and contraceptives will be banned in the new Florida town of Ave Maria, which has begun to take shape on former vegetable farms 90 miles northwest of Miami.

Tom Monaghan, the founder of the Domino’s Pizza chain, has stirred protests from civil rights activists by declaring that Ave Maria’s pharmacies will not be allowed to sell condoms or birth control pills. The town’s cable television network will carry no X-rated channels.

The town will be centred around a 100ft tall oratory and the first Catholic university to be built in America for 40 years. The university’s president, Nicholas J Healy, has said future students should “help rebuild the city of God” in a country suffering from “catastrophic cultural collapse”.
Here's the official website for Monaghan's theocratic utopia.
Posted by Chris at 2:04 PM | Comments (7)

Domino's Pizza Founder to Build Catholic Town

More fundamentalist fun.
A FORMER marine who was raised by nuns and made a fortune selling pizza has embarked on a £230m plan to build the first town in America to be run according to strict Catholic principles.

Abortions, pornography and contraceptives will be banned in the new Florida town of Ave Maria, which has begun to take shape on former vegetable farms 90 miles northwest of Miami.

Tom Monaghan, the founder of the Domino’s Pizza chain, has stirred protests from civil rights activists by declaring that Ave Maria’s pharmacies will not be allowed to sell condoms or birth control pills. The town’s cable television network will carry no X-rated channels.

The town will be centred around a 100ft tall oratory and the first Catholic university to be built in America for 40 years. The university’s president, Nicholas J Healy, has said future students should “help rebuild the city of God” in a country suffering from “catastrophic cultural collapse”.
Here's the official website for Monaghan's theocratic utopia.
Posted by Chris at 2:04 PM | Comments (7)

What if Microsoft Designed the iPod Package



Bwahaha. Bonus points for using the Danny Elfman song from Pee-wee's Big Adventure that I don't know the name of but I'm sure someone will mention in the comments.
Posted by Chris at 12:27 PM | Comments (4)

What if Microsoft Designed the iPod Package



Bwahaha. Bonus points for using the Danny Elfman song from Pee-wee's Big Adventure that I don't know the name of but I'm sure someone will mention in the comments.
Posted by Chris at 12:27 PM | Comments (4)

The Top 100 Seventies Singles

3_78.jpg

With a substantial description of each song. Great list!
Here's the inside story on the Top 100 singles of the Seventies. Songs we listened to on AM radios at home... in cars... at the beach. From unforgettable masterpieces by major superstars (Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On") to definitive singles by forgotten greats (Jim Croce's "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown") to fun, quirky novelties by one-hit wonders (Terry Jacks' "Seasons In The Sun"), these 100 most popular songs of the Seventies are a fascinating combination of the sublime and the ridiculous.
(via del.icio.us/mcmikedermott)
Posted by Chris at 12:14 PM

The Top 100 Seventies Singles

3_78.jpg

With a substantial description of each song. Great list!
Here's the inside story on the Top 100 singles of the Seventies. Songs we listened to on AM radios at home... in cars... at the beach. From unforgettable masterpieces by major superstars (Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On") to definitive singles by forgotten greats (Jim Croce's "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown") to fun, quirky novelties by one-hit wonders (Terry Jacks' "Seasons In The Sun"), these 100 most popular songs of the Seventies are a fascinating combination of the sublime and the ridiculous.
(via del.icio.us/mcmikedermott)
Posted by Chris at 12:14 PM

World Oil Market and Oil Price Chronologies: 1970 - 2004

chron8-05.jpg

This chronology was orginally published by the Department of Energy's Office of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Analysis Division. Updates for 1995-2005 are from the Energy Information Administration.
(via del.icio.us/jvetrau)
Posted by Chris at 12:09 PM | Comments (1)

World Oil Market and Oil Price Chronologies: 1970 - 2004

chron8-05.jpg

This chronology was orginally published by the Department of Energy's Office of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Analysis Division. Updates for 1995-2005 are from the Energy Information Administration.
(via del.icio.us/jvetrau)
Posted by Chris at 12:09 PM | Comments (1)

LEGO Pinball Machine

lego11.jpg

But don't think Lego is just coloured plastic blocks because it's developed into far more that that, with motors, sensors, controller boards and its own programming language. All this along with over 20,000 Lego blocks went into making a fully functional pinball game with true coin operation, three flippers, ramps, specials and extra balls.
Posted by Chris at 11:03 AM

LEGO Pinball Machine

lego11.jpg

But don't think Lego is just coloured plastic blocks because it's developed into far more that that, with motors, sensors, controller boards and its own programming language. All this along with over 20,000 Lego blocks went into making a fully functional pinball game with true coin operation, three flippers, ramps, specials and extra balls.
Posted by Chris at 11:03 AM

Dolls With Guns

taikuu31.jpg taikuu22.jpg

A Japanese site with dolls posed to mimic a military manual. I think.
(via del.icio.us/Bialosky)
Posted by Chris at 10:52 AM | Comments (1)

Dolls With Guns

taikuu31.jpg taikuu22.jpg

A Japanese site with dolls posed to mimic a military manual. I think.
(via del.icio.us/Bialosky)
Posted by Chris at 10:52 AM | Comments (1)

Palm Tree Patio Heater

palm-tree-heater-mister-1.jpg

Best patio heater ever! (Not that it has much competition)
Posted by Chris at 10:46 AM

Palm Tree Patio Heater

palm-tree-heater-mister-1.jpg

Best patio heater ever! (Not that it has much competition)
Posted by Chris at 10:46 AM

Iraqi Blogs

The bottom of this article has some good links to blogs written by Iraqis.
(via Robot Wisdom)
Posted by Chris at 9:42 AM

Iraqi Blogs

The bottom of this article has some good links to blogs written by Iraqis.
(via Robot Wisdom)
Posted by Chris at 9:42 AM

Sunday, February 26, 2006

For the women of South Dakota: an abortion manual

Molly posts an article on how to perform an abortion which may come in handy once Roe v. Wade is overturned and some states seize control of all uteruses. (Let's hope it doesn't come to this)
In the 1960s and early 1970s, when abortions were illegal in many places and expensive to get, an organization called Jane stepped up to the plate in the Chicago area. Jane initially hired an abortion doctor, but later they did the abortions themselves. They lost only one patient in 13,000 -- a lower death rate than that of giving live birth. The biggest obstacle they had, though, was the fact that until years into the operation, they thought of abortion as something only a doctor could do, something only the most trained specialist could perform without endangering the life of the woman.

They were deceived -- much like you have probably been deceived. An abortion, especially for an early pregnancy, is a relatively easy procedure to perform. And while I know, women of South Dakota, that you never asked for this, now is the time to learn how it is done.
Posted by Chris at 9:10 PM

For the women of South Dakota: an abortion manual

Molly posts an article on how to perform an abortion which may come in handy once Roe v. Wade is overturned and some states seize control of all uteruses. (Let's hope it doesn't come to this)
In the 1960s and early 1970s, when abortions were illegal in many places and expensive to get, an organization called Jane stepped up to the plate in the Chicago area. Jane initially hired an abortion doctor, but later they did the abortions themselves. They lost only one patient in 13,000 -- a lower death rate than that of giving live birth. The biggest obstacle they had, though, was the fact that until years into the operation, they thought of abortion as something only a doctor could do, something only the most trained specialist could perform without endangering the life of the woman.

They were deceived -- much like you have probably been deceived. An abortion, especially for an early pregnancy, is a relatively easy procedure to perform. And while I know, women of South Dakota, that you never asked for this, now is the time to learn how it is done.
Posted by Chris at 9:10 PM

The Things I Will Not Do When I Direct a Shakespeare Production , On Stage or Film

Best list ever!
13. Richard II's minions will not be made to wear pink.

68. I will not aim for realism in my fight choreography when both armies together only number about ten people. Especially if I have a big stage.

256. The Montague clan are not aliens. No, really, they're not.

233. I shall not give Thisbe cleavage by blowing up multi-coloured latex balloons and taping them under her dress; furthermore, during Thisbe's death scene, I shall not tape a safety pin to the end of Pyramus' sword and allow Thisbe to pop said balloons for comic relief as she tragically stabs herself.
(via Metafilter)
Posted by Chris at 7:32 PM

The Things I Will Not Do When I Direct a Shakespeare Production , On Stage or Film

Best list ever!
13. Richard II's minions will not be made to wear pink.

68. I will not aim for realism in my fight choreography when both armies together only number about ten people. Especially if I have a big stage.

256. The Montague clan are not aliens. No, really, they're not.

233. I shall not give Thisbe cleavage by blowing up multi-coloured latex balloons and taping them under her dress; furthermore, during Thisbe's death scene, I shall not tape a safety pin to the end of Pyramus' sword and allow Thisbe to pop said balloons for comic relief as she tragically stabs herself.
(via Metafilter)
Posted by Chris at 7:32 PM

The Waiter Interviewed

The Waiter from Waiter Rant, one of the most entertaining blogs on the net, was interviewed in the NY Metro recently.
Posted by Chris at 12:41 PM

The Waiter Interviewed

The Waiter from Waiter Rant, one of the most entertaining blogs on the net, was interviewed in the NY Metro recently.
Posted by Chris at 12:41 PM

Oceania: The Atlantis Project

oce02.jpg

The Atlantis Project, which proposed the creation of a floating sea city named Oceania, began in February '93, receiving nationwide publicity from The Art Bell Show, Details Magazine, The Miami Herald, Boating Magazine, and worldwide publicity in Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, England, and Belgium. The project ended due to lack of interest in April of 1994.
There is more info about The Atlantis Project in this FAQ.
(Thanks Jason)
Posted by Chris at 11:52 AM | Comments (1)

Oceania: The Atlantis Project

oce02.jpg

The Atlantis Project, which proposed the creation of a floating sea city named Oceania, began in February '93, receiving nationwide publicity from The Art Bell Show, Details Magazine, The Miami Herald, Boating Magazine, and worldwide publicity in Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, England, and Belgium. The project ended due to lack of interest in April of 1994.
There is more info about The Atlantis Project in this FAQ.
(Thanks Jason)
Posted by Chris at 11:52 AM | Comments (1)

Flat Earth Maps

map_beatus.jpg

According to Charles K. Johnson, president of the International Flat Earth Research Society, "One thing we know for sure about this world...the known inhabited world is Flat, Level, a Plain World. … The Fact the Earth is Flat is not my opinion, it is a Proved Fact. Also demonstrated Sun and Moon are about 3,000 miles away are both 32 miles across. The Planets are 'tiny.' Sun and Moon do Move, earth does NOT move, whirl, spin or gyrate." Johnson continues, "You can't orbit a flat earth. The Space Shuttle is a joke--and a very ludicrous joke."
(Thanks Ty)
Posted by Chris at 11:01 AM | Comments (1)

Flat Earth Maps

map_beatus.jpg

According to Charles K. Johnson, president of the International Flat Earth Research Society, "One thing we know for sure about this world...the known inhabited world is Flat, Level, a Plain World. … The Fact the Earth is Flat is not my opinion, it is a Proved Fact. Also demonstrated Sun and Moon are about 3,000 miles away are both 32 miles across. The Planets are 'tiny.' Sun and Moon do Move, earth does NOT move, whirl, spin or gyrate." Johnson continues, "You can't orbit a flat earth. The Space Shuttle is a joke--and a very ludicrous joke."
(Thanks Ty)
Posted by Chris at 11:01 AM | Comments (1)

Saturday, February 25, 2006

RIP Mr. Furley

DonKnottts.jpg

(1924 - 2006)
Posted by Chris at 9:05 PM | Comments (4)

RIP Mr. Furley

DonKnottts.jpg

(1924 - 2006)
Posted by Chris at 9:05 PM | Comments (4)

This Is How They Grow Pot in Tennessee

103140860_de31df7361.jpg

This is how they grow it in Tennessee . This grow was underneath a house in a cave. The entrance was through a secret hydraulic door in the garage that led to a concrete ramp that went about 50 yards into the ground. Inside the cave was living quarters and a secret escape hatch that led you through a tunnel that exited via another hydraulic door that opened up a rock on the outside.
Posted by Chris at 4:19 PM | Comments (5)

This Is How They Grow Pot in Tennessee

103140860_de31df7361.jpg

This is how they grow it in Tennessee . This grow was underneath a house in a cave. The entrance was through a secret hydraulic door in the garage that led to a concrete ramp that went about 50 yards into the ground. Inside the cave was living quarters and a secret escape hatch that led you through a tunnel that exited via another hydraulic door that opened up a rock on the outside.
Posted by Chris at 4:19 PM | Comments (5)

20 Points in 4 Minutes

Feel good story of the year so far. Be sure to watch the video.
It was the stuff of Hollywood, but it was real.

Senior Jason McElwain had been the manager of the varsity basketball team of Greece Athena High School in Rochester, N.Y.

McElwain, who's autistic, was added to the roster by coach Jim Johnson so he could be given a jersey and get to sit on the bench in the team's last game of the year.

Johnson hoped the situation would even enable him to get McElwain onto the floor a little playing time.

He got the chance, with Greece Athena up by double-digits with four minutes go to.

And, in his first action of the year, McElwain missed his first two shots, but then sank six three-pointers and another shot for a total of 20 points in three minutes.
Posted by Chris at 3:45 PM | Comments (1)

20 Points in 4 Minutes

Feel good story of the year so far. Be sure to watch the video.
It was the stuff of Hollywood, but it was real.

Senior Jason McElwain had been the manager of the varsity basketball team of Greece Athena High School in Rochester, N.Y.

McElwain, who's autistic, was added to the roster by coach Jim Johnson so he could be given a jersey and get to sit on the bench in the team's last game of the year.

Johnson hoped the situation would even enable him to get McElwain onto the floor a little playing time.

He got the chance, with Greece Athena up by double-digits with four minutes go to.

And, in his first action of the year, McElwain missed his first two shots, but then sank six three-pointers and another shot for a total of 20 points in three minutes.
Posted by Chris at 3:45 PM | Comments (1)

Friday, February 24, 2006

Carnivorous Creations Plant Kit

ES30827-80_600.jpg

This deluxe Carnivorous Creations kit has seeds from over 10 varieties of carnivorous plants, including the Cobra Plant, Venus Fly Trap, Pitcher Plant, Trumpet Plant and more. You'll make your won authentic bog with the included peat planting mix, blue Swamp Rocks, three Bog Buddies and colorful decals!
(via Make:Blog)
Posted by Chris at 10:13 AM | Comments (2)

Carnivorous Creations Plant Kit

ES30827-80_600.jpg

This deluxe Carnivorous Creations kit has seeds from over 10 varieties of carnivorous plants, including the Cobra Plant, Venus Fly Trap, Pitcher Plant, Trumpet Plant and more. You'll make your won authentic bog with the included peat planting mix, blue Swamp Rocks, three Bog Buddies and colorful decals!
(via Make:Blog)
Posted by Chris at 10:13 AM | Comments (2)

Celebrities Who Have Experienced Homelessness

Interesting list.
Burl Ives . . . Oscar-winning actor; Grammy Award-winning folk singer; American author (freight trains/outdoor camping; hitchhiked in the 1930s while in his early 20s across America, Canada, and Mexico).
Burl Ives was a hobo at one point?
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 9:49 AM | Comments (2)

Celebrities Who Have Experienced Homelessness

Interesting list.
Burl Ives . . . Oscar-winning actor; Grammy Award-winning folk singer; American author (freight trains/outdoor camping; hitchhiked in the 1930s while in his early 20s across America, Canada, and Mexico).
Burl Ives was a hobo at one point?
(via Linkfilter)
Posted by Chris at 9:49 AM | Comments (2)

Black and White Twins

twinsGR210206_450x300.jpg

From The Daily Mail:
When Kylie Hodgson gave birth to twin daughters by caesarean section, she was just relieved that they had arrived safely.

It was only when the midwife handed them over for her to hold that she noticed the difference between them.

Remee, who weighed 5lb 15oz, was blonde and fair skinned. Her sister Kian, born a minute later weighing 6lb, was black.

"It was a shock when I realised that my twins were two different colours," said Kylie, 19. "But it doesn't matter to us - they are just our two gorgeous little girls."

The amazing conception happened after two eggs were fertilised at the same time in the womb.

Both Kylie and her partner Remi Horder, 17, are of mixed race. Their mothers are both white and their fathers are black.

According to the Multiple Births Foundation, baby Kian must have inherited the black genes from both sides of the family, whilst Remee inherited the white ones.
(Thanks Marlea)
Posted by Chris at 9:13 AM | Comments (46)

Black and White Twins

twinsGR210206_450x300.jpg

From The Daily Mail:
When Kylie Hodgson gave birth to twin daughters by caesarean section, she was just relieved that they had arrived safely.

It was only when the midwife handed them over for her to hold that she noticed the difference between them.

Remee, who weighed 5lb 15oz, was blonde and fair skinned. Her sister Kian, born a minute later weighing 6lb, was black.

"It was a shock when I realised that my twins were two different colours," said Kylie, 19. "But it doesn't matter to us - they are just our two gorgeous little girls."

The amazing conception happened after two eggs were fertilised at the same time in the womb.

Both Kylie and her partner Remi Horder, 17, are of mixed race. Their mothers are both white and their fathers are black.

According to the Multiple Births Foundation, baby Kian must have inherited the black genes from both sides of the family, whilst Remee inherited the white ones.
(Thanks Marlea)
Posted by Chris at 9:13 AM | Comments (46)

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Governor Didn't Know 'Daily Show' Was A Comedy

Doh! I hope he doesn't read The Onion.
Blagojevich's "The Daily Show" interview focused on his executive order requiring pharmacies to fill prescriptions for emergency birth control. At one point, Blagojevich turned to an aide to ask if the interviewer was teasing him or serious.
Posted by Chris at 9:45 PM | Comments (4)

Governor Didn't Know 'Daily Show' Was A Comedy

Doh! I hope he doesn't read The Onion.
Blagojevich's "The Daily Show" interview focused on his executive order requiring pharmacies to fill prescriptions for emergency birth control. At one point, Blagojevich turned to an aide to ask if the interviewer was teasing him or serious.
Posted by Chris at 9:45 PM | Comments (4)

I'm Your Biggest Fan

A blogger flunks a job interview when the interviewer finds his blog and his letters to Star Jones.
“Well, I did google you,” one interviewer said, “and I found your web site.” She had an injured foot, which was propped up on the chair next to mine and pointing at me in all its Ace-bandaged glory.

“Oh,” I answered.

“I have concerns about some of your writing,” she said.

“Oh.”

“Particularly, your letters to Star Jones raised some questions.”

“Oh,” I said. Realizing it was my third “Oh” in a row, I added, “Really?”
(via Waxy)
Posted by Chris at 8:51 PM

I'm Your Biggest Fan

A blogger flunks a job interview when the interviewer finds his blog and his letters to Star Jones.
“Well, I did google you,” one interviewer said, “and I found your web site.” She had an injured foot, which was propped up on the chair next to mine and pointing at me in all its Ace-bandaged glory.

“Oh,” I answered.

“I have concerns about some of your writing,” she said.

“Oh.”

“Particularly, your letters to Star Jones raised some questions.”

“Oh,” I said. Realizing it was my third “Oh” in a row, I added, “Really?”
(via Waxy)
Posted by Chris at 8:51 PM

The Solar System To Scale

This is one long webpage.
(via del.icio.us/nathangillett)

Update:
Martin sends in a story from Australia of another solar system to scale done on a beach.
Posted by Chris at 8:41 PM | Comments (4)

The Solar System To Scale

This is one long webpage.
(via del.icio.us/nathangillett)

Update:
Martin sends in a story from Australia of another solar system to scale done on a beach.
Posted by Chris at 8:41 PM | Comments (4)

8 Types of Meeting Attendees

This is pretty dead on. Be sure to check out the comments for some other good suggestions.
Posted by Chris at 8:10 PM | Comments (1)

8 Types of Meeting Attendees

This is pretty dead on. Be sure to check out the comments for some other good suggestions.
Posted by Chris at 8:10 PM | Comments (1)

Vegas Lists

Some of these are informative and some are just funny. Here is their list for Worst Stuff About The Venetian
Description: I have issues with the Venetian and here's why...

Shoddy Materials - This place is made out of balsa-wood and Duct tape.

Architecture - Nice try. The front area, instead of looking like beautiful Venice instead looks like a parking lot. Too much concrete!

Service - These guys go out of their way to be snooty - is that what supposed 5-star service means?

Focus - The focus here is on one thing: the bottom line. Great for investors, bad for guests. If they can save a buck, they will. I prefer places that put the guests first and understand that treating people right is always a good strategy.
(He's right by the way. The Venetian sucks)
Posted by Chris at 12:08 PM

Vegas Lists

Some of these are informative and some are just funny. Here is their list for Worst Stuff About The Venetian
Description: I have issues with the Venetian and here's why...

Shoddy Materials - This place is made out of balsa-wood and Duct tape.

Architecture - Nice try. The front area, instead of looking like beautiful Venice instead looks like a parking lot. Too much concrete!

Service - These guys go out of their way to be snooty - is that what supposed 5-star service means?

Focus - The focus here is on one thing: the bottom line. Great for investors, bad for guests. If they can save a buck, they will. I prefer places that put the guests first and understand that treating people right is always a good strategy.
(He's right by the way. The Venetian sucks)
Posted by Chris at 12:08 PM

"Black Like Me" in Second Life

erika_closeup.jpgerika_in_midnight_skin.jpg

She spent three months in the skin of a black woman. Some of her friends shied away, she believes. Then there were the "guys that thought I was an easy lay, for lack of a better term. It scared me honestly, some of the assumptions made. Especially here where everything [in avatar appearance] is changeable with a click. I lost a couple of what I thought were good friends [who] stopped IMing and chatting. They were polite to a fault when I showed up, but [it] was weird. You know how you interact and something changes and no one tells you. Some were subtle, some weren't." She laughs without mirth, recalling how some friends would ask her questions such as, "'[L]ike, when you going back to being you?'"
(via Robot Wisdom)
Posted by Chris at 11:06 AM | Comments (2)

"Black Like Me" in Second Life

erika_closeup.jpgerika_in_midnight_skin.jpg

She spent three months in the skin of a black woman. Some of her friends shied away, she believes. Then there were the "guys that thought I was an easy lay, for lack of a better term. It scared me honestly, some of the assumptions made. Especially here where everything [in avatar appearance] is changeable with a click. I lost a couple of what I thought were good friends [who] stopped IMing and chatting. They were polite to a fault when I showed up, but [it] was weird. You know how you interact and something changes and no one tells you. Some were subtle, some weren't." She laughs without mirth, recalling how some friends would ask her questions such as, "'[L]ike, when you going back to being you?'"
(via Robot Wisdom)
Posted by Chris at 11:06 AM | Comments (2)

South Dakota Senate Passes Abortion Ban Bill

They barely waited long enough for Alito's robe to be fitted.
PIERRE, South Dakota (AP) -- Legislation meant to prompt a national legal battle targeting Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, was approved Wednesday by the South Dakota Senate, moving the bill a step closer to final passage.

The measure, which would ban nearly all abortions in the state, now returns to the House, which passed a different version earlier. The House must decide whether to accept changes made by the Senate, which passed its version 23-12.

"It is the time for the South Dakota Legislature to deal with this issue and protect the lives and rights of unborn children," said Democratic Sen. Julie Bartling, the bill's main sponsor.
Posted by Chris at 10:19 AM

South Dakota Senate Passes Abortion Ban Bill

They barely waited long enough for Alito's robe to be fitted.
PIERRE, South Dakota (AP) -- Legislation meant to prompt a national legal battle targeting Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, was approved Wednesday by the South Dakota Senate, moving the bill a step closer to final passage.

The measure, which would ban nearly all abortions in the state, now returns to the House, which passed a different version earlier. The House must decide whether to accept changes made by the Senate, which passed its version 23-12.

"It is the time for the South Dakota Legislature to deal with this issue and protect the lives and rights of unborn children," said Democratic Sen. Julie Bartling, the bill's main sponsor.
Posted by Chris at 10:19 AM

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

The Best 419 Letter Ever

This seems to be old but in case you haven't seen it.
Subject: Nigerian Astronaut Wants To Come Home
Dr. Bakare Tunde
Astronautics Project Manager
National Space Research and Development Agency
(NASRDA)
Plot 555
Misau Street
PMB 437
Garki, Abuja, FCT NIGERIA

Dear Mr. Sir,

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE-STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

I am Dr. Bakare Tunde, the cousin of Nigerian Astronaut, Air Force Major Abacha Tunde. He was the first African in space when he made a secret flight to the Salyut 6 space station in 1979. He was on a later Soviet spaceflight, Soyuz T-16Z to the secret Soviet military space station Salyut 8T in 1989. He was stranded there in 1990 when the Soviet Union was dissolved. His other Soviet crew members returned to earth on the Soyuz T-16Z, but his place was taken up by return cargo. There have been occasional Progrez supply flights to keep him going since that time. He is in good humor, but wants to come home.

In the 14-years since he has been on the station, he has accumulated flight pay and interest amounting to almost $ 15,000,000 American Dollars. This is held in a trust at the Lagos National Savings and Trust Association. If we can obtain access to this money, we can place a down payment with the Russian Space Authorities for a Soyuz return flight to bring him back to Earth. I am told this will cost $ 3,000,000 American Dollars. In order to access the his trust fund we need your assistance.

Consequently, my colleagues and I are willing to transfer the total amount to your account or subsequent disbursement, since we as civil servants are prohibited by the Code of Conduct Bureau (Civil Service Laws) from opening and/ or operating foreign accounts in our names.

Needless to say, the trust reposed on you at this juncture is enormous. In return, we have agreed to offer you 20 percent of the transferred sum, while 10 percent shall be set aside for incidental expenses (internal and external) between the parties in the course of the transaction. You will be mandated to remit the balance 70 percent to other accounts in due course.

Kindly expedite action as we are behind schedule to enable us include downpayment in this financial quarter.

Please acknowledge the receipt of this message via my direct number 234 (0) 9-234-2220 only.

Yours Sincerely, Dr. Bakare Tunde
Astronautics Project Manager
tip@nasrda.gov.ng
The Museum of Hoaxes had a post about it in 2004. It's ancient in internet years but I hadn't seen it. I wonder if he is back on Earth yet.
(Thanks PVC)
Posted by Chris at 8:24 PM

The Best 419 Letter Ever

This seems to be old but in case you haven't seen it.
Subject: Nigerian Astronaut Wants To Come Home
Dr. Bakare Tunde
Astronautics Project Manager
National Space Research and Development Agency
(NASRDA)
Plot 555
Misau Street
PMB 437
Garki, Abuja, FCT NIGERIA

Dear Mr. Sir,

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE-STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

I am Dr. Bakare Tunde, the cousin of Nigerian Astronaut, Air Force Major Abacha Tunde. He was the first African in space when he made a secret flight to the Salyut 6 space station in 1979. He was on a later Soviet spaceflight, Soyuz T-16Z to the secret Soviet military space station Salyut 8T in 1989. He was stranded there in 1990 when the Soviet Union was dissolved. His other Soviet crew members returned to earth on the Soyuz T-16Z, but his place was taken up by return cargo. There have been occasional Progrez supply flights to keep him going since that time. He is in good humor, but wants to come home.

In the 14-years since he has been on the station, he has accumulated flight pay and interest amounting to almost $ 15,000,000 American Dollars. This is held in a trust at the Lagos National Savings and Trust Association. If we can obtain access to this money, we can place a down payment with the Russian Space Authorities for a Soyuz return flight to bring him back to Earth. I am told this will cost $ 3,000,000 American Dollars. In order to access the his trust fund we need your assistance.

Consequently, my colleagues and I are willing to transfer the total amount to your account or subsequent disbursement, since we as civil servants are prohibited by the Code of Conduct Bureau (Civil Service Laws) from opening and/ or operating foreign accounts in our names.

Needless to say, the trust reposed on you at this juncture is enormous. In return, we have agreed to offer you 20 percent of the transferred sum, while 10 percent shall be set aside for incidental expenses (internal and external) between the parties in the course of the transaction. You will be mandated to remit the balance 70 percent to other accounts in due course.

Kindly expedite action as we are behind schedule to enable us include downpayment in this financial quarter.

Please acknowledge the receipt of this message via my direct number 234 (0) 9-234-2220 only.

Yours Sincerely, Dr. Bakare Tunde
Astronautics Project Manager
tip@nasrda.gov.ng
The Museum of Hoaxes had a post about it in 2004. It's ancient in internet years but I hadn't seen it. I wonder if he is back on Earth yet.
(Thanks PVC)
Posted by Chris at 8:24 PM

Tangpagne

80457991_d4de7e8292.jpg

A step by step procedure with pictures on how to make alcoholic Tang.
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you tried to ferment Tang? Well now you can find out!
(via Slashfood)
Posted by Chris at 8:09 PM | Comments (2)

Tangpagne

80457991_d4de7e8292.jpg

A step by step procedure with pictures on how to make alcoholic Tang.
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you tried to ferment Tang? Well now you can find out!
(via Slashfood)
Posted by Chris at 8:09 PM | Comments (2)

DressKevin.com

One day, I had to face the facts: I had no idea how to dress myself. After going through old yearbooks and photographs, I came to the stunning realization that I needed serious help with my wardrobe. So, at first I did what most people would do. I went to others for advice. It was good, but limited.

So, I turned to the Internet. I put pictures of all my clothes up for everyone to see, and I'm asking for comments and suggestions for how to wear my clothes, and what to wear. This is where you come in: every day, I want you to vote on what I should wear for all my daily activities. I work a full-time job, and I have plenty of things to do afterwards, all of which require delicate clothes planning. First impressions are everything, right?
(via Metafilter)
Posted by Chris at 2:47 PM | Comments (1)

DressKevin.com

One day, I had to face the facts: I had no idea how to dress myself. After going through old yearbooks and photographs, I came to the stunning realization that I needed serious help with my wardrobe. So, at first I did what most people would do. I went to others for advice. It was good, but limited.

So, I turned to the Internet. I put pictures of all my clothes up for everyone to see, and I'm asking for comments and suggestions for how to wear my clothes, and what to wear. This is where you come in: every day, I want you to vote on what I should wear for all my daily activities. I work a full-time job, and I have plenty of things to do afterwards, all of which require delicate clothes planning. First impressions are everything, right?
(via Metafilter)
Posted by Chris at 2:47 PM | Comments (1)

How Many Folk Singers Does It Take To Change a Light Bulb

Apparently changing a lightbulb is worth singing about if you are a folk singer.
Posted by Chris at 9:39 AM | Comments (2)

How Many Folk Singers Does It Take To Change a Light Bulb

Apparently changing a lightbulb is worth singing about if you are a folk singer.
Posted by Chris at 9:39 AM | Comments (2)

Star Wars Cut Scenes

cantina_lostcut_03.jpg

Cool site with descriptions and pictures of scenes cut out of all six of the Star Wars movies.
Posted by Chris at 9:31 AM | Comments (2)

Star Wars Cut Scenes

cantina_lostcut_03.jpg

Cool site with descriptions and pictures of scenes cut out of all six of the Star Wars movies.
Posted by Chris at 9:31 AM | Comments (2)

The Dog Powered Scooter

dogscooter.jpg

Making dog mushing available to everyone.
(via Ursi's Blog)
Posted by Chris at 6:32 AM | Comments (2)

The Dog Powered Scooter

dogscooter.jpg

Making dog mushing available to everyone.
(via Ursi's Blog)
Posted by Chris at 6:32 AM | Comments (2)

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

George Holliday

The LA Times has an interesting piece on George Holliday, the man who taped the Rodney King beating.
After he gave the eight-minute video to KTLA, his name was trumpeted in the newspapers and plastered across television screens and repeated on the radio. (The episode has eerie echoes today with the recent police shooting of a San Bernardino man, caught on tape by a used-car salesman, Jose Luis Valdes.) George received a couple of death threats in the mail—"Be careful when you start your car in the morning," one said; the other was an envelope full of drawings of daggers—and often when people recognized him they'd say: "You're the guy who caused the riots."

His first wife left him. "There was a sea of reporters every day," he recalled, sitting at my kitchen table. "Maria didn't even want to leave the house." His second marriage didn't work out either.

When he adds it up, he doesn't see that he got much on the positive side: a few thousand dollars (he wouldn't be specific) from licensing the video to filmmakers, including Spike Lee for "Malcolm X"; plaques from the L.A. County Board of Supervisors and the LAPD; and his name on a Trivial Pursuit card—misspelled as "Halliday." When the LAPD honored him, he met the now-infamous then-chief of police. "Darryl Gates pulled me aside and told me, 'If you ever have any problems, here's my personal direct number.' " George never called.
Posted by Chris at 9:18 PM | Comments (1)

George Holliday

The LA Times has an interesting piece on George Holliday, the man who taped the Rodney King beating.
After he gave the eight-minute video to KTLA, his name was trumpeted in the newspapers and plastered across television screens and repeated on the radio. (The episode has eerie echoes today with the recent police shooting of a San Bernardino man, caught on tape by a used-car salesman, Jose Luis Valdes.) George received a couple of death threats in the mail—"Be careful when you start your car in the morning," one said; the other was an envelope full of drawings of daggers—and often when people recognized him they'd say: "You're the guy who caused the riots."

His first wife left him. "There was a sea of reporters every day," he recalled, sitting at my kitchen table. "Maria didn't even want to leave the house." His second marriage didn't work out either.

When he adds it up, he doesn't see that he got much on the positive side: a few thousand dollars (he wouldn't be specific) from licensing the video to filmmakers, including Spike Lee for "Malcolm X"; plaques from the L.A. County Board of Supervisors and the LAPD; and his name on a Trivial Pursuit card—misspelled as "Halliday." When the LAPD honored him, he met the now-infamous then-chief of police. "Darryl Gates pulled me aside and told me, 'If you ever have any problems, here's my personal direct number.' " George never called.
Posted by Chris at 9:18 PM | Comments (1)

The Long Hair Site

l_hair35.jpg

Pictures of women with extremely long hair.
(via Ursi's Blog)
Posted by Chris at 12:48 PM | Comments (5)

The Long Hair Site

l_hair35.jpg

Pictures of women with extremely long hair.
(via Ursi's Blog)
Posted by Chris at