April 30, 2011
Her name is Rachel
She works at Advanced Armament Corporation. She doesn't sit behind the front desk, clean the shop, do the books or answer phones. She's what you'd call the "real deal".
Herman Dune: Tell Me Something I Don’t Know
It turns out Jon Hamm rules.
April 29, 2011
A pillar of smoke by day
The Tuscaloosa Tornado. Those are horizontal twisters emerging from the main funnel, at points a mile wide.
More videos from the April 27 storms. Also, the mid Alabama region Red Cross.
Update: The aftermath.
Nate Hughett and Ryne Chandler chasing the F5 tornado in Tuscaloosa AL.
April 28, 2011
J-15 Flying Shark
China reveals of its more or less indigenous J-15 Flying Shark, a "heavy fighter" purpose built for the Chongqing, formerly the Russian aircraft carrier Varyag.
How lucky was that, missing all those rocks?
Michael Podniestrzanski had a falling out with his cousin.
As will happen during shows “based on medieval times,” Podniestrzanski and his cousin “got into a verbal altercation” over which of the cable program’s characters was going to win ... After scuffling for a bit, Podniestrzanski’s cousin “ended up getting thrown in to the front window during the altercation.”
Sadly, the police report sheds no light on which cousin was with House Lannister.
Beastie Boys: Make Some Noise
The correct use of the expression "Tally ho!"
Also, Chloë Sevigny forever.
April 27, 2011
In the game of food, you win or you do the dishes
In At The Crossroads presents medieval and modern interpretations of the cuisine of Westeros and the lands across the Narrow Sea.
April 26, 2011
The Burns Archive
Newsweek offer a selection of images - many of them disturbing - from the collection of ophthalmologist Stanley B. Burns.
It’s a wonderful world
Marcus Hirn hosts spectacular photographs taken from the International Space Station.
Altered Images: Insects
So it turns out if I want to meet the perfect woman I have to build a time machine again.
April 25, 2011
Talking Funny
Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Ricky Gervais, and Louis CK talk about comedy. Brilliant stuff. It is so rare to see master craftsmen of this particular art talking on the square about anything (and I was fascinated to see the reverence they hold for Seinfeld). Perhaps their usual reticence about their craft is something like that of stage magicians wanting to keep their secrets. Or perhaps these are real magicians not wanting to risk jinxing what works for them.
"No one is more judged in civilized society than a stand up comedian," says Seinfeld. In Canada, these days, we mean that literally.
Chris Rock explains his show had a rule: You make fun of the things people do, you don't make fun of the things they are. And that right there sums up the difference between the outlook of people I agree with and the outlook of people I don't agree with; the people who think we should be judged by what we do and the people who think we should only be judged by who we (supposedly) are.
Update: Mark Steyn on the big joke, Canada's justice system.
April 24, 2011
April 23, 2011
The Crossing
An Abbey Road webcam suggests what must be a constant source of irritation for the locals. You would think the council could set something up on a side street.
Panorama 1956 - Behind the scenes view of BBC Television
Showing the studios at Alexandra Palace where colour television experiments were being conducted, along with the latest advances in camera design.
April 22, 2011
Donny and Marie Star Wars
Seeing as Kathy is hating on the '70s, the following rebuttal (via Boing Boing).
Luke Skywalker Ceremonial Jacket (with Medal Of Yavin)
"I bought this jacket
"It's a really nice jacket, even though it kills all your romantic feelings for the nice, responsible and even kind of attractive guy you give it to, so be careful with it."
(hat tip to Taylor Empire Airways)
Euthanasia coaster
You're killing me. I'm dying here.
Euthanasia Coaster: "a hypothetic euthanasia machine in the form of a roller coaster, engineered to humanely -- with elegance and euphoria -- take the life of a human being. Riding the coaster's track, the rider is subjected to a series of intensive motion elements that induce various unique experiences: from euphoria to thrill, and from tunnel vision to loss of consciousness, and, eventually, death."
April 21, 2011
INS Vikramaditya
The Russians are somewhat belatedly set to deliver the Admiral Gorshkov to India next year.
With the INS Viraat, formerly HMS Hermes, and the indigenous Vikrant class Air Defense Ship under construction, India will have three aircraft carriers in service by 2014.
Related: India puts another three satellites into orbit.
Space Engine
"Space is freaking huge. Yeah, like this big. That's how space rolls."
April 20, 2011
The basic flaw in Protestantism
Graphically illustrated. This is what happens when you encourage people to do their theology freelance.
Japanese Belly Dancers in Kamakura
I had the exact same track playing the last time I went belly dancing (hat tip to Ben).
Funny how that happens.
But wait, there's more!
April 19, 2011
Linguists
Long on optimism, short on irony.
The Sound Design of Mass Effect 3
An interview with Bioware's audio lead Rob Blake.
April 18, 2011
When you mention Christ, they will bring up Darwin
"When you say you believe in Darwin’s theory of the survival of the fittest, they say you should be more Christ-like."
Make what you will of the argument, as rhetoric it's genius.
April 16, 2011
It is said that your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. That is true, it's called Life.
ABC Australia's TheBookShow interviews Terry Pratchett on writing and living with Alzheimer's disease (hat tip to Pocket War Comics).
I Dream of Jeannie: My Sister, The HomeWrecker
Jeannies' sister's name? Also Jeannie.
April 15, 2011
Winter has come
This Sunday April 17, Game of Thrones premieres on HBO. At 45 million dollars for ten episodes, this is the most expensive television ever produced, qualifying this as an event even for viewers who have not read George R.R. Martin's novel or who might normally have little interest in fantasy genre productions.
The book was written to be "unfilmable". Having worked on The Twilight Zone and Beauty and the Beast, Martin was frustrated by the limits imposed on storytelling by the reality of film and television production budgets.
More of Martin's reactions to the HBO television adaptation at the link.
Related: George R.R. Martin talks Game of Thrones, the novel and the projected seven volume Ice and Fire series ("Seven kingdoms, seven gods, seven books.").
Related: George R.R. Martin's favourite fantasy films.
Butterbeer cupcakes
No need to wait for the Hogwarts Express food trolley, you can make your own butterbeer cupcakes at home.
April 14, 2011
Henry Rollins - Man Test
Clinical psychologist Oliver James considers the psyche of Henry Rollins.
Combat Coffee 101.dv
How Canadians make coffee in Afghanistan. Strong language is involved.
April 13, 2011
The Kraken: The Bottle, The Legend, The Rum
I love everything about Kraken Black Spiced Rum. The bottle, the marketing and, strangely enough, the taste. It is almost a liqueur. Right up my street; think, if Lovecraft drank Jagermeister.
I also love the Kraken store. Take Eau de Kraken Perfume, for example.
I am after a Kraken shower curtain and possibly a T-shirt to go with. One important reservation, however.
Cephalopod related: You can now buy your own blasphemous waxen cylinder from H.P. Lovecraft's "The Whisperer in the Darkness" (hat tip to the Armored Facilities Manager).
April 12, 2011
I am disappoint
I do not think there is an aesthetic imperative for an English language film adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Even having accepted the box office temptations of the project, there is the thorny problem of who to play Lisbeth Salander. Noomi Rapace' portrayal was edgy, off kilter, sexy as hell and, once suspects, potentially emasculating to the sensitivities of North American film goers.
Then for a brief shining moment I had the answer.
First I was all. Then I was all.
She turned it down.
What we have.
What we will not have.
The Crimson Petal and the White
This is extraordinary. And it means I have another novel to read.
It has got Shirley Henderson in it; my favourite voice alive.
April 11, 2011
Chappism has spread to France
Related: Convention dictates the bottom button of one's waistcoat must be left undone.
But I yearn for the day when my vest buttons can all be done up. The day when I can stop aping some fat monarch.
My thoughts exactly at the link.
In addition: The Chap's guide to the royal wedding.
Do your inconsequential bit for the environment
My other bottle is 50,000 Styrofoam cups.
(hat tip to Mr. Liddle)
April 09, 2011
Smashing
Using data from the Tevatron particle accelerator, physicists with the US Department of Energy's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory have detected evidence of a new elementary particle.
By an astounding coincidence, the Tevatron particle accelerator is scheduled to be shut down in September 2011.
Moon Base Alfa
Russia unveils its plans to build a moon base in the next twenty years, a stepping stone on the way to Mars.
The biggest game (so far)
Shamus Young uses the Xbox driving game Fuel to discuss procedural generation.
April 08, 2011
Deeply horrifying
Gabe Zichermann describes gamification as "the process of using game thinking and game mechanics to engage users and solve problems".
Can't imagine why.
Unreal Engine 3: Under The Hood
Epic unveils its updated physics engine.
April 07, 2011
Professor of Gor
iO9 makes itself useful and interviews philosophy professor John Frederick Lange, Jr., better known as John Norman.
Aneyoshi remembers
“High dwellings are the peace and harmony of our descendants,” the stone slab reads. “Remember the calamity of the great tsunamis. Do not build any homes below this point.”
That's not crescent fresh!
Sadly, I am not crescent fresh.
Related: What does crescent fresh mean?
April 06, 2011
ElfQuest: A Fan Imagining
Boing Boing is outraged - outraged - by the hot, bisexual elves in the above teaser trailer for a fan produced Elfquest feature.
Deskford Carnyx
The sound of kicking Roman ass (hat tip to the Armored Facilities Manager).
April 05, 2011
How to sharpen your disposable razor
Like a Bossou chimpanzee teaching another how to use a stick to catch ants, I pass on this handy meme for your attention.
April 04, 2011
Use your head; cut off theirs
A film adaptation of Max Brooks' World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
Remember these words:
2. They feel no fear, why should you?
3. Use your head: cut off theirs.
4. Blades don't need reloading.
5. Ideal protection = tight clothes, short hair.
6. Get up the staircase, then destroy it.
7. Get out of the car, get onto the bike.
8. Keep moving, keep low, keep quiet, keep alert!
9. No place is safe, only safer.
10. The zombie may be gone, but the threat lives on.
Walker related: Robert Kirkman wants Charlie Sheen for season two of The Walking Dead.
...
"He can direct an episode," says Kirkman. "Actually (Sheen) could play a car for all I care," he adds. "He's awesome."
What planet is this, mmmh?
The Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) mission has sent back its first image of Mercury since entering orbit on March 17.
An excellent idea
"In a move sure to irk at least two or three people who work for The New York Times, The Huffington Post ... has put up a paywall that applies only to NYT employees."
Shame about the date.
Simple life Manhattan: a 90-square-foot microstudio
My Dad gave me a copy of Walden years ago; just the thing for keeping your priorities in order. Though like Felice Cohen, I have always looked for the experience in an urban jungle.
Gerry & the Pacemakers: Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying
Those aren't tears. That's weakness leaving your body.
April 02, 2011
Buzz apothecary
HBO's marketing for Games of Thrones has been impressive, a long step up from the Team Atia shirt they sent me for supporting their Rome promotion. Unfortunately, I was not on the list for a Maester's box of scents. Best send one to someone who doesn't know anything about the show and hasn't read the books (in fairness, he owns equity in the company that put them together).
It's a lovely thing.
Nicholas Breeze Wood: A Chanter M'er
April 01, 2011
Robbing hood
Retired author and lecturer David Baldwin believes he has identified a 13th-century yeoman farmer as the man behind the Robin Hood legend.
He poached deer in Sherwood Forest, was captured by the Sheriff of Nottingham, was imprisoned in Nottingham Castle and had the assistance of a friendly knight who helped him stay one step ahead of the law. He certainly robbed churchmen, just as the legendary Robin Hood did.