H/t JR at the Stellar Parthenon BBS.
Category: 40yrs
Gr8 Practical Joke
A few years back, some people in and around San Diego commissioned a sculpture of a surfer called the “Magic Carpet Ride”.
It’s been rather controversial amongst the surfers, who felt that the statue, “short of the macho image they thought their sport should project.”
As a result of this, it has been a target of of some pranks since it was unveiled in 2007.
This is, of course not particularly surprising, when you juxtapose a statue and a sub-culture that prides itself on being unconventional:
Ever since, the statue, known locally — and derisively — by local surfers as the “Cardiff Kook,” has routinely been dressed in different costumes by snarky locals. At various times, the statue of a young male surfer has been adorned with a ballerina’s tutu and luche libre wrestler’s mask, a woman’s bikini and other costumes, most recently a tennis outfit with racket.
That being said, about a month ago, some prankster has entered realm of the masters of the art.
He, and his minions, got jiggy late one night with some serious paper mâché. They encased the statue in the maw of a large Great White Shark,* creating the illusion of his being swallowed up by a gargantuan selachian.
This is up there in the “one for the ages” category, up there with Davidson HS senior Kyle Garchar, who got the fans from Darby high school to spell out “we suck” at the Darby-Davidson football game.
Brilliant, just brilliant.
*Actually, it might be big enough for C. Megalodon. That’s one big mofo.
I Love New York
Because only in New York would a former mayor respond this way: “
“You know you are attending a [80th birthday] party for a crook [Charles Rangel],” the man yelled.
At that, Mr. Dinkins, a paragon of statesmanship and dignity, raised his middle finger at the man, displaying it for all to see, witnesses said.
New York City is the greatest city on earth.
This is Not The Onion
E=mc2: Could it be ………… Satan?Andy Schlafley, daughter of noted wingnut Phyllis, has declared that Einstein’s theory of relativity is a liberal conspiracy:
The theory of relativity is a mathematical system that allows no exceptions. It is heavily promoted by liberals who like its encouragement of relativism and its tendency to mislead people in how they view the world.
……
See, e.g., historian Paul Johnson’s book about the 20th century, and the article written by liberal law professor Laurence Tribe as allegedly assisted by Barack Obama. Virtually no one who is taught and believes relativity continues to read the Bible, a book that outsells New York Times bestsellers by a hundred-fold
Seriously, you cannot make this sh$# up.
This is Just Unbelievably Cool
It’s called The Ghosts of World War II’s Past (20 photos), and all of the photos merge this well:
Wow.
How Not to Make Friends With Your Friends at the Department of Homeland Security
Put these handy dandy stickers on your suitcase, which are sure to get you a body cavity search:
OK, maybe this one will get you a date:
You Win a Brand New Car! Or a Spiff Horse Drawn Carriage!
They are having a blood drive in Ohio, where donating blood enters you into a competition for a brand new car, or, if you so choose, you can win a brand new custom made horse-drawn buggy:
During the traditionally slow summer months for blood donation, the Northern Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross offers an incentive: Donate a pint, get a chance to win a car.
It’s a tried and true promotion. From charity golfers to high school boosters to game show contestants, who wouldn’t want to drive home in a brand … new … car!
How about a culture that shuns such modern contrivances. Say, the Amish.
Turns out Amish people are faithful blood donors in this district, which encompasses Geauga, Holmes and Tuscarawas counties – all centers of Amish population.
The Red Cross doesn’t want to forget them, said spokeswoman Christy Chapman. So in addition to the car, donors can win a brand…new…buggy!
Seriously.
Obviously, this is a sensible and humane way to encourage blood donations by accommodating the needs of a supportive community, but I also find it a hoot.
What can I say, I’m not a good person.
Curry Will Save the World
Case in point, it reduced greenhouse emissions from the digestive tracts of ruminants, like cows and sheep:
Curry spices could hold the key to reducing the enormous greenhouse gas emissions given off by grazing animals such as sheep, cows and goats, scientists have claimed.
Research carried out at Newcastle University has found that coriander and turmeric – spices traditionally used to flavour curries – can reduce by up to 40 per cent the amount of methane that is produced by bacteria in a sheep’s stomach and then emitted into the atmosphere when the animal burps.
Working rather like an anti-biotic, the spices were found to kill the methane-producing “bad” bacteria in the animal’s gut while allowing the “good” bacteria to flourish. The findings are part of an ongoing study led by Dr Abdul Shakoor Chaudhry at Newcastle University.
It also means that when you have lamb or beef curry, it’s already marinated.
iPwn3d
Click for full size
Breaking: Pictures of the iPhone5 Released
I cannot claim credit for either the photograph or the title. I swiped them from the by invitation only Stellar Parthenon BBS, the picture from Dotcommie, and the title from Jollyreaper.
Funny, neh?
Quote of the Day
In response to an etiquette question:
Dear Miss Manners:
Is it proper for a young lady to brush her teeth in the presence of a young man?
Only if an improper act preceded it.
I nearly choked on the Drunken Noodles that I was eating.
Well Son of A Bitch
Looking for some tax documents, I came across a $252.45 escarow refund check from November 2008.
I just talked to a South Asian gentleman at the bank, and he informs me that the check is still good.
I don’t know whether to feel lucky or stupid.
If Jack Ain’t Happy…
Deep Thought
The Toy Story franchise is not exempt from rule 34.
I Wish I Knew the Back Story
No picture, but we were on I-695, just east of I-83, driving through an area of construction, and in the median strip, surrounded by Jersey barriers, was a guy firing up, or at least setting up, a gas barbecue grill.
So, he was setting out to grill Italian sausage, or maybe, they were workers heat treating something on site, I don’t know, but I will always wonder.
I was driving, so I could not take any pics, sorry.
Deep Thought
After my first full week at work, it appears that my skills still remain sharp.
However, there is one exception, my cubical navigation sense is off.
At least twice a day, while picking up something from the printer or returning the bathroom, I make a wrong turn, and end up at someone else’s cube.
My New Toy
Click for full size
My new laptop, the Gateway NV7915u.
It’s more of a desktop replacement that can be transported to stationary locations than a laptop per se. It’s rather boat-anchorish, but that is what I am looking for.
It booted up fine, and I’ve been purging the crapware, particularly the Norton demo. (Friends don’t let friends put Norton on their machines)
In any case, here are pictures.
Deep Thought
A stint of unemployment, can make you wonder about whether or not one’s technical skills have gotten dulled in the interim.
Fortunately, there is no problem here. I picked up ProE as if I had not been off it at all.
On the other hand, I seem to have lost the ability to navigate my way through cubical farms.
At least 3 times a day, I walk back to my cube, and take a wrong turn, and end up at someone else’s cube, and this is just a medium sized office.
Being a man, I don’t ask for directions, of course.
Karma, Neh?
So, a preacher in Ohio with a lot of money and wacked priorities decides to erect a six plus story statue of Jesus, because helping the poor is for punks.
I imagine that he thought that God is much bigger into graven images than he is into helping the downtrodden.
Well, the score is now God:1, religious and self-aggrandizing nut-job:0.
Lightning struck the statue and it burned to the ground. Doubtless the preacher won’t even feel a shred of doubt though.
Posted via mobile, which is why I am not composing a filk of Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” (“Smoke on the Jesus?”) for my blog.
I Found a Job
I mentioned the interview earlier.
I start next Tuesday, and you can be sure that I will post very little about my employer, even if I come across a story about them in the news.
I think that blogging about one’s employer is a good way to make an employer* a former employer.
Since they are near Dulles airport, about 80 miles away, I will be getting a room in area (already lined up), and it includes Internet (Wifi).
Unfortunately, I do not have a laptop at this time, so I am looking to get a wireless enabled one, which is why I’ve changed my donation button to read Matthew’s Saroff’s Beer (and Laptop) Fund and Tip Jar.
I will be using the laptop for blogging, and to Skype video calls to Sharon† and the kids.
It’s the 2nd item down in the right hand column.
Needless to say, my blogging time will be more restricted, though the fact that I will be without a TV may make the effect on my blogging a wash.
Still, having a job as an engineer after 11 months of not having one (the 1 month gig was as a tech writer) is a very good thing, and I am close enough to head home for just an evening occasionally.
*It’s a temporary contract, so technically, they are a client, but still…
†Love of my life, light of the cosmos, she who must be obeyed, my wife.
I Have a Job Interview in a Few Minutes.
It looks like interesting work, but, as is my custom, I don’t go into specifics about this sort of stuff, but it is safe to provide a link to their site.
Not generally for civilian use, but I can see how archeologists, and possibly utilities, might want to check out the tech in addition to military folks.
Wish me luck.
(I actually posted this yesterday to display now)