Tales of Interest

[SurfaceUnits]

Superman, an illegal alien from space, who never was an American citizen, somehow renounces his citizenship in 900th Issue‎

Superman is no longer an American.

In Action Comics new record-breaking 900th issue, the fictional iconic superhero renounces his U.S citizenship following a clash with the federal government.

The Man of Steel, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938, has always been recognized as a devoted American warrior who constantly fought evil, but as of Thursday, he is no longer the countrys own to claim.

No word yet if Superman will change his red and blue suit, or his longtime motto truth, justice and the American way - but the landmark issue is certainly sparking controversy.

[Gnam]

:shakehead

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3892/redsonsuperman.jpg

In Soviet Russia, Superman fights AGAINST Truth, Justice and the Amerikan Vay!


Luke Skywalker is still an American, right?

[cameraman]

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3892/redsonsuperman.jpg


This is the kind of thing that happens when you don't check their birth certificates...

[EDwardo]

What about Clark Kent?:eek:

[SurfaceUnits]

I think he is moving to Switzerland,,,, or Canada

[SurfaceUnits]

Sony Hacked Again; 25 Million Entertainment Users’ Info at Risk

It’s bad news piled on top of bad news for Sony.

Hackers may have stolen the personal information of 24.6 million Sony Online Entertainment users, the company said on Monday. More than 20,000 credit card and bank account numbers were also put at risk. This is in addition to the recent leak of over 70 million accounts from Sony’s PlayStation Network and Qriocity services.

“We are today advising you that the personal information you provided us in connection with your SOE account may have been stolen in a cyberattack,” Sony wrote in a statement on its website on Monday.

[Napoleon]

Luke Skywalker is still an American, right?

You tell me.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDxeJ76IvKo/TcI05J_eTFI/AAAAAAABDk0/VE9UrvCJTA4/s400/star_wars_behind_the_scenes_08.jpg

[EDwardo]

I learned today that May 21, 2011 is Judgment Day.

Harold Camping of Family Radio, based in Oakland, CA is the original source of the May 21 Doomsday prediction. Harold Camping originally predicted that the world would come to an end in 1994, but after re-calculating God’s word in the Bible, he came to the conclusion that Jesus will return to Earth for the Rapture on May 21 2011.

On May 21 2011, Jesus will return to Earth, and save his true followers in the Rapture. After the true followers of Christ are saved and brought to Heaven in the Rapture, Jesus will rule over the Earth for 5 months according to the Book of Revelations. During this time of Armageddon, the remaining people on Earth will be tortured and tormented. Jesus will battle the Devil, and come out victorious in at the End of Days, before returning to Heaven.
Jesus will return to Heaven after ruling as King of the Earth for 5 months on October 21, 2011. Once Jesus has returned, God will destroy the Earth in an instant, proving his almighty power has not waned. The Book of Revelation gives us detail of the End Times, but they will not compare to the actual experience those left behind will have.
http://judgementday2011.com/

This doesn't bode well for this years' Mindy 500. (or anything else for that matter.........)

:shakehead

[devilmaster]

Thats gonna suck for all the Canadians on their long Victoria day weekend...

:irked:;)

[SurfaceUnits]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/04/28/article-1381238-0BC799B200000578-795_964x634.jpg

[TravelGal]

Philippines Turns Nuclear Power Plant Into Tourist Site
Philippine tourism officials are turning an unused nuclear power plant into a tourist attraction. The $2.3 billion Bataan Nuclear Power plant was completed in 1984 but was never put into use. The plant was built during the presidency of erdinand Marcos, but when Corazon Aquino became president in 1986, she refused to open it, saying its location near earthquake faults and an active volcano made it unsafe. Tourists will now get a look inside the plant and its intact reactor. The plant will be a stop on a tour that includes historical sites and beach resorts.

--now that's a combo you don't get to see every day.

[Elmo T]

Fermi Spots 'Superflares' in the Crab Nebula

qDhdwgK218E

[Napoleon]

Wow. We haven't been there since they opened the new hanger by the main building. I wasn't aware that they have moved the XB-70 over to the R&D hanger. Kind of a pity since it looks very boxed in there.

Definitely need to plan a trip over there for this summer. Check this out:

http://www.nmusafvirtualtour.com/full/tour-std.html

On of my faovrite books as a kid was the book I got at the mueseum that had something on every plane that was in the place at the time. I still have it in a box somewhere.

[Napoleon]

Did NPR’s ‘This American Life’ discover Coke’s secret formula?

NPR, or more specifically public radio stations that most people loosely think of as NPR (yes I know about the difference between American Public Media, NPR and the fact that many public radio shows are individual products of specific stations, and each station is its own stand alone organization) have 2 shows that are just so different then anything else around, and in a very good way in that they completely blow away their competition. This American Life is one and the other is Radiolab. I couldn’t recommend either enough. In the case of Radiolab you would think that after around 100 years that everything had already been done in radio yet that show is like nothing else I have ever heard.

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/

http://www.radiolab.org/

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/10/magazine/mag-10Radiolab-t.html?scp=1&sq=radiolab&st=cse

[datachicane]

Radiolab :thumbup: :thumbup:

[Elmo T]

Radiolab :thumbup: :thumbup:

:thumbup::thumbup:

[SurfaceUnits]

The 50 Best Infrared Photos created by High Skilled Photographers

http://www.pxleyes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/infrared/46.jpg


http://www.pxleyes.com/blog/2011/05/the-50-best-infrared-photos-created-by-high-skilled-photographers/

[Gnam]

FBI can't drive 55

An FBI agent assigned to move a rare Ferrari wrecked it during a short drive in Kentucky, and its owner is now suing the U.S. Justice Department, which has refused to pay $750,000 for the car.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/05/20/national/a124211D32.DTL&tsp=1

[EDwardo]

Anniversary of Bikini Atoll atomic bombing


Friday marks the 55th anniversary of the United States dropping the first airborne hydrogen bomb on the Bikini atoll in the Pacific Ocean. The test was a success and symbolized a huge leap in the nuclear arms race.
According to the History Channel, people who witnessed the test remarked the resulting fireball "measured at least four miles in diameter and was brighter than the light from 500 suns."
In honor of the anniversary, LIFE.com has published a series of bomb-test photos that are both frightening and beautiful

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20110520/tc_yblog_upshot/anniversary-of-bikini-atoll-in-photographs
http://www.life.com/gallery/33842#index/0

[SurfaceUnits]

Looks like the Scots might be set to throw off the shackles of imperialist domination - in a non-offending kind of way

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/may/08/scotland-independence-vote-financial-autonomy

[extramundane]

Letter to Time-Warner Cable (http://eugenemirman.com/2011/05/my-letter-to-time-warner-cable/)


Did Stalin ever call people before he arrested them and sent them to die in Siberian work camps? No! Why should Time Warner Cable have a policy that is any different from Stalin’s?

[EDwardo]

Dutch government to ban tourists from cannabis shops


The Dutch government on Friday said it would start banning tourists from buying cannabis from "coffee shops" and impose restrictions on Dutch customers by the end of the year.

The Netherlands is well known for having one of Europe's most liberal soft drug policies that has made its cannabis shops a popular tourist attraction, particularly in Amsterdam.

Backed by the far-right party of anti-immigrant politician Geert Wilders, the coalition government that came into power last year announced plans to curb drug tourism as part of a nationwide program to promote health and fight crime.

"In order to tackle the nuisance and criminality associated with coffee shops and drug trafficking, the open-door policy of coffee shops will end," the Dutch health and justice ministers wrote in a letter to the country's parliament on Friday.

Under the new rules, only Dutch residents will be able to sign up as members of cannabis shops.

Dutch customers will have to sign up for at least a year's membership and each shop would be expected to have only up to 1,500 members, a justice ministry spokesman said.

The policy will roll out in the southern provinces of Limburg, Noord Brabant and Zeeland by the end of the year and the rest of the country next year, the spokesman said.

Amsterdam, home to about 220 coffee shops, is already in the process of closing some in its red light district. Some officials have resisted the measures, saying they will push the soft drug trade underground.

Some Dutch border towns including Maastricht and Terneuzen have already restricted the sale of marijuana to foreigners.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110527/wl_nm/us_dutch_cannabis

[Indy]

California > Amsterdam :gomer:

[datachicane]

Oregon > California :gomer::gomer:

[cameraman]

Utah > ummm not so much... :gomer::gomer::gomer:

[SurfaceUnits]

Jetman completes Grand Canyon flight

http://www.thelocal.ch/upload/image/article_main/3cdf109b-1cc9-df2d-9956-77388083ff99.jpg



A Swiss adventurer has finally made a "historic" jetpack-powered flight above the Grand Canyon, organizers claimed on Tuesday, days after he canceled a bid saying he had not trained enough.


Yves Rossy, dubbed "JetMan," completed the eight-minute flight at the weekend, his support team said in a press release four days after Friday's failed attempt, which journalists had been invited to watch.


He flew at speeds of up to 190 mph (304 kilometers an hour), skimming the rockscape just 200 feet (65 meters) above the rim of the canyon, the statement said.

http://www.thelocal.ch/186/20110511/

[Elmo T]

He flew at speeds of up to 190 mph (304 kilometers an hour), skimming the rockscape just 200 feet (65 meters) above the rim of the canyon, the statement said.


:saywhat:



Remember one thing, the Pk (Probability of kill) of the ground is always 100%.

— origin unknown, but a much used philosophy by the instructors at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) in Fallon, NV.

[Gnam]

The depressing thing about tennis is that no matter how much you play, you'll never be as good as a wall. I played a wall once, they're relentless.

-Mitch Hedberg

[Steve99]

Jetman completes Grand Canyon flight

A Swiss adventurer has finally made a "historic" jetpack-powered flight above the Grand Canyon, organizers claimed on Tuesday, days after he canceled a bid saying he had not trained enough.


If this was supposed to be important, Mattel would have been involved.

:D

[datachicane]

Photo offered without comment.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JsrRfmAQohE/TexFBKhDVWI/AAAAAAABlE0/860zmHZZS7A/s1600/tumblr_llsvfvpT751qahzo3o1_500.jpg

[SurfaceUnits]

Celestia is a free space simulation that lets you explore our universe in three dimensions.

Unlike most planetarium software, Celestia doesn't confine you to the surface of the Earth. You can travel throughout the solar system, to any of over 100,000 stars, or even beyond the galaxy.

All movement in Celestia is seamless; the exponential zoom feature lets you explore space across a huge range of scales, from galaxy clusters down to spacecraft only a few meters across. A 'point-and-goto' interface makes it simple to navigate through the universe to the object you want to visit.

Celestia comes with a large catalog of stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and spacecraft. If that's not enough, you can download dozens of easy to install add-ons with more objects.

http://majorgeeks.com/Celestia_d5030.html


OpenRocket is an free, fully featured model rocket simulator that allows you to design and simulate your rockets before actually building and flying them.

OpenRocket features a full six-degree-of-freedom simulation, realistic wind modeling, a multitude of different components including free-form fins and canted fins, clustering and staging.

http://majorgeeks.com/OpenRocket_d6908.html

[SurfaceUnits]

Panthers' cheerleaders badder than the players

http://www.wtsp.com/slideshows/2010/Mug-Shot-Roundup/2005.11.06%20Angela%20Keathley,%20Carolina%20Panth ers%20Cheerleader,%20Disorderly%20conduct%20and%20 Obstructing%20and%20officer.jpg

Angela Keathley, Carolina Panthers Cheerleader, Disorderly conduct and Obstructing and officer

http://www.wtsp.com/slideshows/2010/Mug-Shot-Roundup/2005.11.06%20Victoria%20Thomas,%20Carolina%20Panth ers%20Cheerleader,%20Battery.jpg
Victoria Thomas, Carolina Panthers Cheerleader, Battery

[devilmaster]

were these the two caught making it in the club bathroom a few years back?

btw, why the hell does a legitimate news station website have a 'mugshot' gallery?

[cameraman]

Clicks = money

[emjaya]

Photo offered without comment.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JsrRfmAQohE/TexFBKhDVWI/AAAAAAABlE0/860zmHZZS7A/s1600/tumblr_llsvfvpT751qahzo3o1_500.jpg

I wonder if that is the racetrack that he is standing on?

It might explain the slightly manical look.

[Al Czervik]

Photo offered without comment.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JsrRfmAQohE/TexFBKhDVWI/AAAAAAABlE0/860zmHZZS7A/s1600/tumblr_llsvfvpT751qahzo3o1_500.jpg

Is that a puddle of oil under the engine?

[trish]

I was reading a different article when I noticed this one in the margin. It's actually a bit depressing. There's a movie out about these people's experiences called Sunshine and Oranges.

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=795672

[Indy]

:mad::mad::mad::mad:

Death to the ignorance and the superstition of the church.

[Gnam]

Semper Fly

Relying on mostly modest donations from individuals, seven times a year Warriors and Quiet Waters (WQW) fly out a group of a half dozen wounded soldiers, sailors, or Marines from their hospital wards and rehabilitation programs for a weeklong stay... [and] carry out a mission that is simply stated: “to employ the therapeutic and rehabilitative qualities of fly fishing for trout on Montana’s rivers and streams to help heal traumatically wounded U.S. servicemen and women.”

http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/semper-fly_574087.html?page=1

[racer2c]

:mad::mad::mad::mad:

Death to the ignorance and the superstition of the church.

The commies in China hate religion too. I hear the air quality is almost breathable in Datong this time of year.

[nrc]

Ok, no more on that.

[trish]

Guy pees in reservoir. lol At least he felt guilty about it. (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mostviewed/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110620/ap_on_re_us/us_urine_in_reservoir)

[Elmo T]

Oh no... iPods are exploding! :saywhat:

iPod Battery Explodes, N.H. Students Hospitalized (http://www.firehouse.com/topic/firefighter-safety/ipod-battery-explodes-nh-students-hospitalized)

Reading further:


School officials said a 16-year-old boy said he was repeatedly bending the iPod until its plastic casing broke and then continued flexing it. The lithium ion battery inside eventually began sparking and smoking.

:rolleyes:

Even better:


He then dropped it on the tile floor of the classroom and tried to pour water on it, which emergency workers said was a bad idea.

Yea - don't try that at home.

[G.]

pics of olde car crashes (http://ibytes.es/blog_Accidentes_coches_antiguos.html)

This is the thread of mild interest, right?

Cool old photos, nothing graphic.

[Elmo T]

Over $20B found in hidden temple (http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/07/05/billions-in-treasure-discovered-in-centuries-old-hindu-temple/)


Sacks of diamonds? Check. Tens of billions worth of buried treasure? Check. Secret vaults beneath temple floors? Check. An amazing story to rival the movies? You bet ... and it's absolutely real.

An initial estimate, when the inventory began, put the trove value at $22 billion. But given that the work is ongoing and so many items are centuries-old antiques, that estimate is likely very low.


:eek:

[Gnam]

excellent tales of interest.
:thumbup:

[devilmaster]

pics of olde car crashes (http://ibytes.es/blog_Accidentes_coches_antiguos.html)

This is the thread of mild interest, right?

Cool old photos, nothing graphic.

Oh my god, the humanity!

(what, too soon?)

[Andrew Longman]

pics of olde car crashes (http://ibytes.es/blog_Accidentes_coches_antiguos.html)It looks as if the only deformable objects, the driver and passengers, have been (thankfully) removed.

Goes to show how much safer cars are today.

[Elmo T]

Train buffs?

This will keep you busy for a while:

Penn Central RR Site (http://www.unlikelypcrr.com/index.html)

Includes links to the copies of employee newsletters, the Metrolines magazine, financial reports, and accident reports.

[SurfaceUnits]

Unbelievable

Free Fall From Space - Captain Joe Kittinger

MQ7N6V-YKJ8

if you can make it thru the first part, the Kittinger story is amazing
http://growingboldertv.com/episodes/quiet-confidence/916/

[SteveH]

Amazing :thumbup:

[Gnam]

Monaco pile up. How in the world? :saywhat:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2019340/Hapless-blonde-crashes-250k-Bentley-FOUR-supercars.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/5431/article20193400d314eaa0.jpg

[Al Czervik]

Monaco pile up. How in the world? :saywhat:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2019340/Hapless-blonde-crashes-250k-Bentley-FOUR-supercars.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/5431/article20193400d314eaa0.jpg

I believe the answer (blond) is sitting in the driver's seat (female) of the Bentley.

<runs>

[dando]

Monaco pile up. How in the world? :saywhat:


Meh. They were simply recreating the Toronto Indy race. :gomer: :saywhat:

-Kevin

[Elmo T]

Posted with FF5.0... ;):D

Are Internet Explorer users dumb? (http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/07/29/internet.explorer.dumb/index.html?hpt=hp_t2)


(CNN) -- Are users of other Web browsers smarter than the people who use Microsoft's Internet Explorer?

A new survey doesn't quite say so. But it sure as heck suggests it.

[SurfaceUnits]

if you don't use Konsole on a daily basis you are a looser no matter what browser you use

posted with FF5.0.1 on Mandriva <-- Mageia 1

[Insomniac]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/07/31/a_lottery_game_with_a_windfall_for_a_knowing_few/?page=full

There's an awesome quote in there. :)

[cameraman]

Posted with FF5.0... ;):D

Are Internet Explorer users dumb? (http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/07/29/internet.explorer.dumb/index.html?hpt=hp_t2)

Poser.

Posted with Camino 2.07 :cool:

[Cam]

379

[Andrew Longman]

An interesting tale stays interesting http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/08/01/fbi.db.cooper/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn

I didn't know the chutes supplied to Cooper were "for training purposes" and the reserve chutes were "sewn shut". What sort of training does that? hmmm

[Insomniac]

An interesting tale stays interesting http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/08/01/fbi.db.cooper/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn

I didn't know the chutes supplied to Cooper were "for training purposes" and the reserve chutes were "sewn shut". What sort of training does that? hmmm

That seems like really crazy training. Also, what else was he going to do? Stay on the plane? Couldn't all those facts indicate he was an expert and was confident in his ability?

[datachicane]

Back in high school, my best friend's father was the UPI reporter responsible for the Dan/D.B. Cooper mixup.

[Andrew Longman]

Couldn't all those facts indicate he was an expert and was confident in his ability?Or that he was not an expert and overly confident in his ability and chances. Looks easy on TV.

But the jump seems to be the least of his problems. Having seen the vastness of the Pacific NW and the deserts of the SW, even if he hit the ground safely with $200K, that would not help him much to find a way out of that wilderness. The odds of walking to the nearest road and hitch a ride seems really doubtful. Start with even knowing which direction the nearest road was.

[KLang]

Posted with FF5.0... ;):D

Are Internet Explorer users dumb? (http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/07/29/internet.explorer.dumb/index.html?hpt=hp_t2)

And the whole story is a hoax. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14370878) :laugh:

[chop456]

Wisconsin’s “St. Croix Cougar” killed in Connecticut

News Release Published: July 26, 2011

http://dnr.wi.gov/news/BreakingNews_Lookup.asp?id=2158

Contact(s): Adrian Wydeven, DNR ecologist, Park Falls, 715-762-1363 or Ed Culhane, DNR communications, Eau Claire, 715-781-1683

EAU CLAIRE – One of four different cougars confirmed to have visited Wisconsin – this one dubbed the “Twin Cities Cougar” or the “St. Croix Cougar” – was killed by a vehicle six weeks ago on a busy highway in Connecticut, wildlife officials said today.

From Champlin, Minn., where it was first detected by police on Dec. 5, 2009, to the June 11 accident site near Milford, Conn., is 1,055 miles as the crow flies. This represents a new record for straight-line movement of a known cougar, said wildlife biologist Adrian Wydeven of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

“It’s one of those amazing animal stories,” Wydeven said today. “It shows the potential some of these animals have for moving across the landscape.”

Given that this young male cougar almost certainly originated from the Black Hills of South Dakota, and the fact that it had to circumvent the Great Lakes, the actual distance traveled is closer to 1,600 miles, Wydeven said.

“This probably represents one of the longest movements ever recorded for a terrestrial mammal,” Wydeven said.

This is the best documented of the four separate cougars known to have visited Wisconsin.

Wisconsin DNR wildlife biologists Harvey Halvorsen and Jess Carstens tracked this cougar through St. Croix and Dunn counties after it crossed the St. Croix River into Wisconsin in mid December 2009. They were able to collect biological samples and DNA tests confirmed this to be the “Twin Cities Cougar.”

Based on tracks and other evidence, biologists believe the same cougar passed by the City of Eau Claire, entered Clark County to the east and then turned north. On Feb. 15, 2010, Wydeven followed cougar tracks in Bayfield County, south of Cable, and obtained a scat sample for DNA analysis, eventually learning that this was the same cougar tracked in St. Croix and Dunn counties.

This was the last DNA evidence, but it was tracked in that area again on Feb. 27, 2010. Then on May 20, 2010, a trail camera photographed a young cougar in Oconto County, and six days later a trail camera in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula photographed what biologists believe to be the same animal.

In Connecticut, the mere presence of a cougar created a sensation. The nearest known breeding populations of cougar are in Florida and the Black Hills of South Dakota, each more than 1,000 miles away. Since the longest recorded movement of a dispersing male cougar was previously 663 miles, from the Black Hills to Oklahoma, biologists concluded that the cougar killed by a motorist in a highly developed part of the state was most likely a captive cougar that had been released.

This was the first confirmed incidence of a cougar in Connecticut in modern times, although some scat collected six days before the crash has now been confirmed as cougar, and both the location and DNA tests suggest it’s from the same cougar.

“It’s a topic of high public interest,” said wildlife biologist Paul Rego of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. “This was the first time we have confirmed the presence of a cougar.”

In Connecticut, as in many states across the country where there is no evidence of cougars, there have nevertheless been a steady stream of cougar sightings that date back decades. Those reporting the sightings have been frustrated by the state’s refusal to confirm the presence of cougars, Rego said, but as in Wisconsin, the science-based agency is limited to reporting what it can prove.

Since the June 11 accident, the number of sightings has increased dramatically, Rego said. One of those sightings proved to be a dead deer. Another was a dead house cat. Purported video of a cougar turned out to be video of a dog.

Rego pointed out that this cougar was sighted, photographed and tracked on numerous occasions in Wisconsin in just a three month period. He believes the cougar only recently entered Connecticut, possibly from the Adirondack region of northern New York State. Connecticut is a highly developed state and it seems unlikely a cougar could remain undetected for long, he said.

Rego and Wydeven believe the most likely route followed by the cougar took it through the Upper Peninsula and into Ontario, Canada, where it circled the Great Lakes to the north, eventually crossing into New York and then Connecticut.

A necropsy revealed that the cougar was in near perfect condition before it was struck by the car. This was confusing before it was revealed to be a wild cougar.

“It was in good shape, almost athletic,” Rego said.

Wydeven said when he first heard about the crash in Connecticut, he called a biologist colleague there and asked that biological samples be sent to the same lab in Missoula. He was looking for connections, but he did not suspect this was one of the Wisconsin visitors.

“”I was totally surprised by that,” Wydeven said. “It shows the potential some of these animals have for moving across the landscape.”

More information about cougars in Wisconsin can be found on the DNR website.

[TravelGal]

In perhaps less gripping but more immediate interest,

In Search Of A Royal Flush
The 10th annual contest to find the best washroom in the US is now underway.
The America's Best Restroom Contest is sponsored by Cintas Corp. who came up with the idea 10 years ago as a publicity getter for the company who provides restroom supplies to businesses. People nominate their choices and a winner is selected by an online vote. This year's voting ends September 19. The company says it is looking for a restroom that can be elegant, eclectic or downright quirky, as long as it is immaculate, inviting, and most of all, memorable. To see past winners and this year's pictures of the chosen 10 go to http://www.bestrestroom.com/us/ to vote on your favourite.

:rolleyes:

[datachicane]

Coava Roastery and Coffee Bar
1300 Se Grand Ave
Portland, Or 97214

Besides winning both the NW Regional Barista Championship and Brewer's Cup in their very first year of competition, besides pouring some of the very best espresso on the planet, besides inventing the Kone metal Chemex filter, and besides having an unbelievably cool space with repurposed industrial drill presses, table saws, etc., as tables, Coava has about the coolest bathroom I've seen anywhere.

That's not even me taking the picture...
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IC2gDiGxWP8/TjoFSoqlkKI/AAAAAAAAD68/P4DE_8tL38Y/s800/230382_200324376669856_145716392130655_452657_8018 393_n%25255B1%25255D.jpg

[SurfaceUnits]

Rust will restrict Canadian submarine’s diving range

One of the Canadian navy’s four Victoria-class submarines will be restricted in its ability to dive deep beneath the seas because of rust, according to a document obtained by The Canadian Press.

Another method labelled as “repair all” was rejected, too, as concerns were flagged about the availability of welders, the note said. It would also take one year to do and cost $1 million.

HMCS Windsor is the newest of the four Victoria-class submarines Canada purchased from the British. Duffley said the Windsor had the least use prior to being mothballed by the British navy.

The Halifax-based submarine was brought to Nova Scotia on Oct. 19, 2001. Since then, it has operated at sea for just 332 days partly due to overhauls and repairs.

The British Royal Navy launched the submarines in the late 1980s and early 1990s before taking them out of service in 1994.

Canada purchased four of them for about $890 million in 1998.

HMCS Chicoutimi caught fire in 2004 that killed one sailor during the submarine’s maiden voyage in the North Atlantic. It is still in dry dock undergoing an overhaul.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1032988--rust-will-restrict-canadian-submarine-s-diving-range?bn=1

[devilmaster]

Unfortunately, they have been one big headache after another. Wasn't a good deal. They were the last Brit diesels as they decided to concentrate on nuke boats.

The price tag included some barter as they get to come over and use training bases for free. But I'm quite sure the actual in service days/overhaul days would be quite shocking if it ever got out. Chicoutimi has never sailed again since the fire. And i've heard through sources that she may never sail again - and be used as a parts boat.

Add to the fact that they've contracted away light repair and general upkeep of the boats away from the actual sailors, and you've created a situation where an entire generation of sailors will lose the skills to make emergency repairs and training.




Rust will restrict Canadian submarine’s diving range

One of the Canadian navy’s four Victoria-class submarines will be restricted in its ability to dive deep beneath the seas because of rust, according to a document obtained by The Canadian Press.

Another method labelled as “repair all” was rejected, too, as concerns were flagged about the availability of welders, the note said. It would also take one year to do and cost $1 million.

HMCS Windsor is the newest of the four Victoria-class submarines Canada purchased from the British. Duffley said the Windsor had the least use prior to being mothballed by the British navy.

The Halifax-based submarine was brought to Nova Scotia on Oct. 19, 2001. Since then, it has operated at sea for just 332 days partly due to overhauls and repairs.

The British Royal Navy launched the submarines in the late 1980s and early 1990s before taking them out of service in 1994.

Canada purchased four of them for about $890 million in 1998.

HMCS Chicoutimi caught fire in 2004 that killed one sailor during the submarine’s maiden voyage in the North Atlantic. It is still in dry dock undergoing an overhaul.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1032988--rust-will-restrict-canadian-submarine-s-diving-range?bn=1

[Elmo T]

Gettysburg battle bullets found embedded in tree 148 years later (http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/gettysburg-battle-bullets-found-embedded-in-tree/2011/08/09/gIQA251a5I_story.html)


The discovery was made Aug. 4 as employees cut into the fallen oak tree, and their chain saw struck the bullets. The park said the tree fell about three or four years ago. The bullets were about 13 feet up from the roots, and the part of the tree where the projectiles were found was about 27 inches in diameter.

[Elmo T]

For the Ohio contingent aviation geeks:

C-130E 'SPARE 617' to make final landing at National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123268312)


This aircraft, C-130E, 62-1787, is representative of all C-130 transport aircraft and also performed courageous work during the Southeast Asia War. Two members of its crew - Capt. William Caldwell, pilot, and Tech. Sgt. Charlie Shaub, loadmaster - were awarded Air Force Crosses, the U.S. Air Force's second highest award for valor, for their heroic actions during the siege of An Loc in 1972.

A fly-over of the museum prior to landing. I did a little google search to learn some more:


Captain Caldwell flew a tactical emergency airdrop of critically needed ammunition to a besieged concentration of allied forces located in a heavily defended area. Enroute to the target, his aircraft was severely damaged by hostile anti-aircraft fire, fatally injuring the Flight Engineer and wounding other crew members. Realizing bailout of the injured crew members would be extremely difficult, Captain Caldwell, without regard for his personal safety, remained at his station and flew the aircraft to a successful two-engine landing, thereby saving the lives of his crew.

Sergeant Shaub's aircraft was severely damaged by hostile anti-aircraft fire. Realizing the immediate danger to the aircraft and crew, Sergeant Shaub risked his own life to jettison the burning cargo seconds before it exploded and to extinguish a raging fuselage fire, sustaining severe burns on his face, neck and hands in the process.

A fitting end to the aircraft. :thumbup:

[Ankf00]

yesterday in Houston:

http://i.imgur.com/QS4Oh.jpg

1 guess as to gender. A lawyer no less.

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/08/lexus_meet_concrete_how_not_to.php

[KLang]

I'd bet a cell phone was in use. :laugh:

[dando]

I'd bet a cell phone was in use. :laugh:

Was that you or Turn7? :gomer: :p

-Kevin

[Gnam]

Reverse angle!

http://i.imgur.com/ZbGX4.jpg

[Ankf00]

THREE HUNDRED SIXTY DEGREE-O-VISION!!!

http://i.imgur.com/9tOQZ.png

[Elmo T]

I will dust this one off then - I took the photo myself. The Longmans may recognize the intersection...

http://www.offcamber.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=4&pictureid=98

[nrc]

The West Memphis 3 are free after 18 years and 73 days.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2011/0820/West-Memphis-Three-now-must-learn-how-to-live-as-free-men

Nobody can prove they're innocent but their guilt seems very improbable and it was certainly never proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

[Insomniac]

Nobody can prove they're innocent but their guilt seems very improbable and it was certainly never proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

I think the juries that convicted them disagree.

[Elmo T]

Actor Steven Seagal Sued for Driving Tank into Arizona Home, Killing Puppy (http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/08/31/actor-steven-seagal-sued-for-driving-tank-into-arizona-home-killing-puppy/)

[swift]

"Space Oddity" as a children's book :cool:

http://badassness.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/spaceoddity13-568x284.jpg

vimeo video:
http://vimeo.com/28460486

article with jpegs:
http://www.badassdigest.com/2011/08/28/david-bowies-space-oddity-as-a-childrens-book

Its unauthorized (for now...), the original pdf download, and youtube vid have been taken down. :cry: Here's hoping Mr. Bowie will overrule his lawyers and give his assent.

[SurfaceUnits]

the original Easy Bake Oven has been outlawed and can no longer be produced.

The president's 3 Canadian bus and 40 SUV caravan across the upper midwest consumed more energy than all easy bake ovens ever produced :shakehead

[SteveH]

It's the lightbulbs that will be outlawed.

[SurfaceUnits]

It's the lightbulbs that will be outlawed.

the lightbulb is the oven

[dando]

Replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs is the stupidest idea ever. :saywhat: I've had numerous CFL lights fail over the past couple of years (so much for them last ~7 years) and disposing them is a huge ordeal. :shakehead Plus, you can use them with dimmer switches. I may pull an Elaine from Seinfeld when the sponges were pulled from the market. :gomer:

-Kevin

[Napoleon]

Replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs is the stupidest idea ever.

Then get LED lights. BTW incandescent bulbs are not outlawed. All they need to do is meet an efficency standard.

[Ankf00]

The West Memphis 3 are free after 18 years and 73 days.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2011/0820/West-Memphis-Three-now-must-learn-how-to-live-as-free-men

Nobody can prove they're innocent but their guilt seems very improbable and it was certainly never proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

the prosecutor should get stabbed in the face.

[nrc]

Replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs is the stupidest idea ever. :saywhat: I've had numerous CFL lights fail over the past couple of years (so much for them last ~7 years) and disposing them is a huge ordeal. :shakehead Plus, you can use them with dimmer switches. I may pull an Elaine from Seinfeld when the sponges were pulled from the market. :gomer:

I had the same experience when I tried them a year or so ago. Recently I tried some newer ones. They seem improved. I'm hopeful that they'll actually last long enough to be worthwhile this time. Still, I can't stand the swirly look and I'll only use them where they're concealed.

I considered LED but anything with decent light output is very pricey and labelling for color temperature with LED is very spotty right now. I'm not going to spend $50 on an LED bulb that might be beyond daylight in color temperature.

[dando]

I had the same experience when I tried them a year or so ago. Recently I tried some newer ones. They seem improved. I'm hopeful that they'll actually last long enough to be worthwhile this time. Still, I can't stand the swirly look and I'll only use them where they're concealed.

I considered LED but anything with decent light output is very pricey and labelling for color temperature with LED is very spotty right now. I'm not going to spend $50 on an LED bulb that might be beyond daylight in color temperature.

Yup. LED is pricey and the blue tint is worse than the adjustment to CFLs. Di$ney switched to LEDs for their Xmas lighting last year, and it looked like a blue Xmas on Main Street USA. :saywhat: I have CFLs in non-dimmer can lights as well as lamps and the ones encased in a 'bulb' on our outside lights. I switched ours over ~2 years ago, and I've several bulbs fail, while others that are used more are still going strong. :confused: My biggest complaint is proper disposal of the lights. Created another problem while creating a new one. :shakehead The other issue is the slow warm up time, which is a PITA in areas like our walk-in closet.

Of course we'll all be using Google lights (http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/blogs/googles-bright-new-idea-android-controlled-light-bulbs) soon. :gomer: I hope they work better than my X-10 system when we moved into the new McMansion ~9 years ago. :irked:

@Nappy: sorry, but incandescent lights are being phased out by 2014 (http://money.usnews.com/money/business-economy/articles/2007/12/19/faq-the-end-of-the-light-bulb-as-we-know-it).

-Kevin

[Elmo T]

Glowing Kittens Help in Fight Against AIDS (http://www.npr.org/2011/09/17/140550044/glowing-kittens-fight-aids?sc=fb&cc=fp)

http://i55.tinypic.com/a0kjlu.jpg

[Insomniac]

Replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs is the stupidest idea ever. :saywhat: I've had numerous CFL lights fail over the past couple of years (so much for them last ~7 years) and disposing them is a huge ordeal. :shakehead Plus, you can use them with dimmer switches. I may pull an Elaine from Seinfeld when the sponges were pulled from the market. :gomer:

-Kevin

My Dad worked on CFLs from the early 80s into the early 2000s. We got a lot of production samples and a lot of real ones. I can honestly say that every bulb except one production sample has lasted longer than we lived in the house. Moved to WV in 1990 and KS in 2003. Haven't replaced a single bulb. I don't know if it's the proliferation of bulbs from China, but I've never seen a quality issue. And since we had so many (not so much now as the stock has dwindled and my Dad works on the long tubes now) that we gave away, people loved them. They have the warm up period (which sucks when you want light for a short period of time) that is my only complaint (I have incandescent bulbs in some places because of that.)d

[dando]

My Dad worked on CFLs from the early 80s into the early 2000s. We got a lot of production samples and a lot of real ones. I can honestly say that every bulb except one production sample has lasted longer than we lived in the house. Moved to WV in 1990 and KS in 2003. Haven't replaced a single bulb. I don't know if it's the proliferation of bulbs from China, but I've never seen a quality issue. And since we had so many (not so much now as the stock has dwindled and my Dad works on the long tubes now) that we gave away, people loved them. They have the warm up period (which sucks when you want light for a short period of time) that is my only complaint (I have incandescent bulbs in some places because of that.)d

It's more than likely a quality issue that affects the longevity, but who in their right mind who is going to save the packaging, receipts, etc. for an advertised ~7-year warranty replacement over a ~$3 bulb? Secondly you mentioned the warm up issues, and then there are disposal issues, and they aren't compatible with dimmer and many timed fixtures. Solve one problem, create another.

-Kevin

[emjaya]

I find that CFLs go dull very quickly, even the name brands.

[trish]

Scientists on trial for not predicting earthquake. http://www.npr.org/2011/09/20/140650913/trial-opens-against-scientists-for-2009-italy-quake?ft=1&f=1001

[Gnam]

The science is not on trial here, as they say, this is not the trial of Galileo Galilei...
That's exactly what it is.
morons. :shakehead

[Andrew Longman]

Scientists on trial for not predicting earthquake. http://www.npr.org/2011/09/20/140650913/trial-opens-against-scientists-for-2009-italy-quake?ft=1&f=1001Remind me to on my Ps and Qs the next time I'm Italy. They tried everyone they could find for murder when Senna died. A few other questionable cases have raised my hahreumf meter.

[Napoleon]

Radiolab :thumbup: :thumbup:




:thumbup::thumbup:

Then you may be interested in this. (http://transom.org/?p=20139)

[Elmo T]

Then you may be interested in this. (http://transom.org/?p=20139)

Great read - and now Jad is officially a genius (http://www.wnyc.org/blogs/wnyc-news-blog/2011/sep/20/macarthur-genius-grants-announced/).


Twenty-two people received great news from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation over the past week — they were named as recipients of the MacArthur Fellowship, otherwise known as the Genius Award.

It starts with a phone call out of the blue. That's how each recipient learns they will receive $500,000 in no-strings-attached support over the next five years. The award comes without stipulations or reporting requirements, offering Fellows unprecedented freedom and opportunity to reflect, create and explore.

This year's recipients include Radiolab host and producer Jad Abumrad.

:thumbup::thumbup:

[Napoleon]

[QUOTE=Elmo T;297269]Great read - and now Jad is officially a genius[/URL].




Holy cow. I saw a story that the awards were made for the year and I almost clicked on it then did not because I figured the likelihood of me recognizing a name was approximately zero.

[datachicane]

My 11-year old daughter is even a bigger radiolab geek than I am- I just caught her dumping my entire umpteen gb archive of podcasts to her mp3 player.

I'm so proud. :tony: