DVLBNY

BP's Alaskan Spill on the Hush-hush...

2010-06-22T17:13:00.001-06:00

The 'other' spill BP will be keeping quiet

Monday 31 May 2010

by Greg Palast

With the Gulf Coast dying of oil poisoning, there's no space in the press for British Petroleum's most recent spill.

Just last week over 100,000 gallons were lost at its Alaska pipeline operation. A hundred thousand used to be a lot. It still is.

Last Tuesday, Pump Station 9, at Delta Junction on the 800-mile pipeline, busted. Thousands of barrels began spewing an explosive cocktail of hydrocarbons after "procedures weren't properly implemented" by BP operators, say state inspectors.

"Procedures weren't properly implemented" is, it seems, BP's company motto.

Few in the US know that BP owns the controlling stake in the transalaska pipeline. Unlike with the Deepwater Horizon rig, BP keeps its name off the big pipe.

There's another reason for the company to keep its name off the pipe - its management of it stinks. The pipe is corroded, undermanned and "basic maintenance" is a term BP has never heard of.

How does BP get away with it?

Find rebates for going Green!!

2010-06-21T14:51:00.001-06:00

Me thought you would like to see this page from the ENERGY STAR Web site.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=rebate.rebate_locator

ENERGY STAR
www.energystar.gov
1-888-STAR-YES

Wow! Guatamala isn't kidding about a sink holes...

2010-06-01T13:34:00.001-06:00

Hundimiento Zona 2
Originally uploaded by Gobierno de Guatemala

Similar to the 2007 Sink-hole that ate 3 people (RIP)

After a large storm, this one was posted on the Guatamalan Government's flickr feed.

Obamanos Guns

2010-04-29T10:18:00.000-06:00

Regardless of the arguments you'll hear so often that gun rights are being increasingly infringed upon, at least on this issue, it appears that gun-rights advocates have made significant progress at affecting the legislative process at the state level.

<IMG SRC="http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/8427/2010w.gif" ALT="Right to Carry Maap: 2010">
 
See the other maps here and here.

Via my dear friend.

--
Kiss² Bang²

Colors of Religion: Buddhism

2010-04-02T11:26:00.001-06:00

By ruecian // 20 August, 2007

The most prominent colour concept in Buddhism is that of the rainbow body, which is the highest level of meditative achievement wherein the body is transformed into pure light. The rainbow body is the highest achievement other than Nirvana, which is the essential end-goal for Buddhists. Since the "pure light" on the spectrum contains all colors, and is white, to possess a rainbow body means to possess all colors, and to do some means meditating on colors that embody specific teachings.

original article here

Image from: http://www.rainbowbody.net/images/padmasamrainbow.jpg

2010-03-10T11:51:00.001-07:00

Long Live ☥ Alexander McQueen

2010-02-11T16:08:00.004-07:00

You'll loose the need of certainty
and make believe eternity
to find the true reality
in beautiful infinity

Our Dear Departed, so sorry to see you go Lee.

Link love:

LATimes ~Official Statement

NY Times ~Retrospective

ButchDiva ~Admiration

RIP Lux Interior

2010-02-04T17:23:00.001-07:00

Image ©D*Face

Link Lo<3:
Crampy
HB

The Daily What

2010-02-03T09:34:00.000-07:00

The Daily What
Justin Van Genderen: “Star Wars Galaxy”

Are you trying to say something?

2010-01-26T08:53:00.002-07:00

nyer7 - Rejected New Yorker Cartoons
Originally uploaded by boxbrown
Please check out box brown's other webcomics (a) http://boxbrown.com. I started with the archive and I'm loving it. The sentiment is really sweet and funny.

High Fashion for Reasonable prices!

2010-01-20T13:49:00.000-07:00

“ Diane von Furstenberg Shoes & Alexander McQueen on GILT.com

TODAY ONLY!!! KORS and Stella McCartney OMG you’d better hurry for the great deals!!!!!”

—	To see the specials Sign up HERE

Succinct or Concise?

2010-01-11T19:03:00.001-07:00

Definitions for both:

succinct

Main Entry: suc·cinct

Pronunciation: \(ˌ)sək-ˈsiŋ(k)t, sə-ˈsiŋ(k)t\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin succinctus having one's clothes gathered up by a belt, tightly wrapped, concise, from sub- + cinctus, past participle of cingere to gird — more at cincture

Date: 15th century

1 archaic a : being girded b : close-fitting
2 : marked by compact precise expression without wasted words

synonyms see concise

— suc·cinct·ly \-ˈsiŋ(k)t-lē, -ˈsiŋ-klē\ adverb

— suc·cinct·ness \-ˈsiŋt-nəs, -ˈsiŋk-nəs\ noun

concise

Main Entry: con·cise

Pronunciation: \kən-ˈsīs\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin concisus, from past participle of concidere to cut up, from com- + caedere to cut, strike

Date: circa 1590

: marked by brevity of expression or statement : free from all elaboration and superfluous detail

— con·cise·ly adverb

— con·cise·ness noun

synonyms concise, terse, succinct, laconic, summary, pithy, compendious mean very brief in statement or expression. concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative concise description>. terse implies pointed conciseness terse reply>. succinct implies the greatest possible compression succinct letter of resignation>. laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious laconic stranger>. summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation summary listing of the year's main events>. pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance pithy one-liners>. compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment compendious dictionary>.

fun with english...

2010-01-06T18:27:00.002-07:00

I pickup archaic and interesting sayings and pronunciations of words... though it's sometimes odd when they slip into my everyday conversations.

proverb: phrase expressing a basic truth which may be applied to common situations.
    Better the Devil you know than the Devil you don't.

colloquialism: a local or regional dialect expression. Slang or informal everyday speech that is often inappropriate in formal writing
    Obviously, you weren't spanked enough as a child.
    y'all, ain't, etc...

idioms: an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up
     Dark Horse: One who was previously unknown and is now prominent.

dialect: the regional variety of a language, with unique features of vocabulary, grammar, or pronunciations.
   Pronouncing New Orleans, "Naulins"

IDEA, International Dialects of English Archive [Founded 1997]

Funny Generator="Dialectize a Web page"

A Very PBR Christmas

2009-12-25T00:24:00.000-07:00

A Very PBR Christmas
Originally uploaded by cwhitfield

Happy Birthday Jebus!

Art by Terakado Yukari

2009-12-22T17:30:00.003-07:00

girl-16
Originally uploaded by terakado yukari （寺門縁）
Trekado Yukari. I just love these sketches....

Amateras is emerging...welcoming a new year

2009-12-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Amaterasu emerging from a Cave,"ORIGIN OF IWATO KAGURA DANCE"- Utagawa Toyokuni III,Kunisada 1857

Don't let the winter malaise get to you, today is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Which means the sun is returning!

Depression, ennui...whatever you call it there is a perfectly good explanation for getting the winter time blues. Insufficient sunlight increases the melatonin hormone secreted form the pineal gland.

Melatonin has a sleep-inducing quality, which makes us all want to sleep in a little later. Less well known, are it's strong antioxidant effects, helping us to battle the effects of free-radicals and thereby slowing cellular aging (hence the term, beauty sleep). It is also a powerful regulator of sex hormone production, this effect is most notable in animals seasonal breeding patterns.

Drink something warm and snuggle with your favorite person...get sloshed with friends or listen to a few radio shows with your yule goat.

wæs þu hæl, "be thou hale" — i.e., "be in good health"

Description: A picture of a Julbock 

taken from ''Nordisk familjebok"

Wassail for the pirate (Rum Spice) hehe

1 gal apple cider
8 cinnamon sticks
1 washed, sliced lemon
1 washed, sliced orange
1 tbsp cloves
1 tbsp allspice
1 gal white wine
2 cups rum

Simmer the nonalcoholic ingredients together for 1-2 hours, then add the wine and rum about 10 minutes before serving (hot).
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Sherry Spice Wassail

4 cups apple cider
2/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
4 cinnamon sticks
8 whole cloves
6 whole allspice
3/4 cup nutmeg
1 fifth dry sherry

Combine all ingredients but sherry on the stove in a large pot. Cover, bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain out spices, letting the mixture cool for a few minutes. Add the sherry and serve warm.

Calling all Shop/Gallery Owners - Coilhouse Issue 03

2009-12-07T13:47:00.001-07:00

Now Available in Wholesale lots (min 10ea)

Never before available to vendors!!!
Coilhouse has teamed up with zine distributer RCS...

"...Think of it as a “pilot program” for figuring out whether we want to do this in the future. This experimental program is limited to the US & Canada only, and the only issue available is Issue 03. We are not going to be doing wholesale orders of Issue 04, but if this experiment goes well, we might consider offering the magazine wholesale to stores as soon as Issue 05 and figuring out a way to do this internationally."

If you’re a shop owner interested in carrying Issue 03, please drop us a note for full details! Please put “Wholesale” in the title of your email. Shops that participate in this program will definitely be featured on the blog, so that readers can find you.

New Green Technology...Cat powered Generator

2009-12-03T15:31:00.002-07:00

A blogger friend of mine got me thinking...

geez, dork out!!!

xoxo

Get your goat

2009-11-17T15:00:00.001-07:00

To annoy or anger.

The story goes, people used to keep a goat in the same pen as their race horse to keep the horse calm. Well as you can imagine, the horse and the goat are buddies. Betting men would steal a horse's goat-friend right before a race to throw the horse off, thereby causing the horse to loose the race.

"prendre la chèvre"
french

Which means approximately "to take away the goat". The phrase suggests taking one's only source of milk would be very vexing.

Dynamic Impression

2009-11-17T13:53:00.001-07:00

Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying
something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent. ~Dalai Lama

i.e. vs. e.g.

2009-11-16T17:36:00.000-07:00

When and How to Use "e.g."

The abbreviation e.g. stands for the Latin exempli gratia, (meaning "for example"). It is followed by one or more examples. Perhaps a better way to remember this one is to think of these letters standing for "example given". Keep in mind that using "e.g." does not indicate that the list given is a complete one.

Examples of proper usage:

"We'll be happy to have you join us for a Thanksgiving feast, e.g., turkey, cranberry sauce, wilted spinach salad."
"The family has lots of activities planned for after the meal,
e.g., touch football, television viewing, and power napping. These are
always popular activities for a Thanksgiving night at the Smith
residence."

When and How to Use "i.e."

The abbreviation i.e. stands for the Latin id est, which means "that is." It is followed by an explanation. If you're not sure if you should use "i.e.", replace it with in other words and see
if your sentence retains the original meaning. If it does, "i.e." is the correct abbreviation in that case.

Examples of proper usage:

"That great American holiday, i.e., Thanksgiving, is almost upon us.
Enjoy your roast turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and homemade gravy on November 23rd, i.e., Thanksgiving."

666 is just a number

2009-10-09T11:09:00.000-06:00

Some interesting things about "the number" people automatically associate with the devil and evil. I find this number offends and even frightens most Christians, though it sometimes starts interesting conversations.

It is not uncommon to see the symbolic role of the integer 666 transferred to the digit sequence 6-6-6. Some people take the satanic associations of 666 so seriously that they actively avoid things related to 666 or the digits 6-6-6. This is known as hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.

In the Hebrew alphabet - ``W'' ( pronounced ``vov'') is the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet and, in the Hebraic number system, has traditionally stood for the number 6, so WWW = 666

The Roman numeral representation of the number 666 (DCLXVI) uses once each the Roman numeral symbols with values under 1,000, occurring in descending order of their respective values (D = 500, C = 100, L = 50, X = 10, V = 5, I = 1).

The sum of all the numbers on a roulette wheel is 666.

More opinions
Make up your own mind-do the research.

666
Cardinal: Six hundred and sixty-six
Ordinal: 666th
Factorization:   2 * 3² * 37
Greek numeral:   χξϛʹ
Roman numeral:   DCLXVI
Chinese numeral: 六百六十六
Binary : 1010011010

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

2009-10-02T14:40:00.001-06:00

Google had a cute icon today:

Which reminded me that today is his birthday...if he were still alive. So...

Happy Birthday Gandhi!

Gandhi was the pre-eminent political and spiritual leader of India during the Indian independence movement. He was the pioneer of satyagraha—resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, firmly founded upon ahimsa or total non-violence—which led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Gandhi is commonly known around the world as Mahatma Gandhi (Sanskrit: महात्मा mahātmā or "Great Soul", an honorific first applied to him by Rabindranath Tagore),[1] and in India also as Bapu (Gujarati: Gujarati: બાપુ, bāpu or "Father"). He is officially honoured in India as the Father of the Nation; his birthday, 2 October, is commemorated there as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, and worldwide as the International Day of Non-Violence. ~From Wikipedia

NPR Science Friday ~ Wood Turtles

2009-09-25T15:04:00.001-06:00

This is very cute, I'm glad someone is thinking of the turtles. The passion of individuals such as this man make me hope that all is not lost. Mankind is not completely shit.

RIP Leanne Esquivel

2009-09-09T16:02:00.000-06:00

I dear friend, we will all miss you dearly.

ESQUIVEL -- LeAnne Esquivel, beloved daughter and sister passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2009. LeAnne is survived by her father, Mike Esquivel; mother, Rebecca Pirkey and husband, Gary; brother, Milo Esquivel; grandmother, Dorothy Esquivel; paternal aunts and uncles, Chris Ayala, Richard and Kathy Esquivel, Larry Chavez and Bev Esquivel-Chavez; maternal aunts and uncles, Patricia Maestas, Cindy Harris, Priscilla Caruthers, Ray and Jennie Montano, and Rick and Pat Montano; and special friends, Sarah Koster and Sean Ondes. LeAnne nurtured a lifelong love of reading, and was an excellent student, having graduated from UNM with a BS in Sociology, and graduated from the CNM School of Nursing with an RN. She was an avid traveler, who loved and supported her family dearly. LeAnne enjoyed a particularly close and enduring relationship with her brother Milo. She was cherished by her family and her memory will remain strong in the hearts of those who loved her. A memorial rosary will be recited Tuesday, September 8, 2009, 7:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, University Blvd. NE. A memorial mass will be held Wednesday, September 9, 2009, 10:00 a.m., at San Jose Parish, 2401 Broadway SE. Inurnment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menual Blvd. NE.

Please visit our online guestbook for LeAnne at RememberTheirStory.com. French 1111 University Blvd. NE. (505) 843-6333 Published on: Sun September 06, 2009 via ABQJournal.com

Art by Blaine Fontana

2009-08-31T08:56:00.001-06:00

via

Although "tatoo" inspired art is as common as Ryden impersonators in pop art, I really like how Fontana displays his works in the gallery, he really creates a sceen. Very pretty.

RIP John Corbin

2009-08-27T13:28:00.001-06:00

I am very sad today after finding out that a dear man passed to a new life on 8/13/09.

Formal funeral with family members:

Services will be at the Reed Hatch Memorial Cemetery in Taylor, AZ, Saturday, August 22 at 1:00PM.

This is about 3 to 3 1/2 hours from Phoenix. Anyone who would like to attend is welcome, whether they knew Dad or not - as he welcomed all with open arms, so shall we. I can't find an actual address for the cemetery, but the information I found online is:

Reed S. Hatch Memorial Cemetery is located W of Hwy 77, S of Paper Mill Rd on W. Center St. GPS: Lat: 34.4644, Long: 110.0972

There is a NM gathering at Ardentaine Sept 3rd.

Lou Barlow - Skull Song cover

2009-07-29T10:22:00.001-06:00

LOU BARLOW of Dinosaur Jr covers SKULL Song by Sebadoh

Donate your old cell phone to Sprout

2009-07-28T10:40:00.001-06:00

If you're like me you have a collection of old cell phones. All the cell phone carriers out there either make you buy a new phone when you renew your contract or they give you a newer phone every few years.Do some good this year and donate your old phone to the needy. Visit Sprout's website for more information.

Smile list 7/6-10/09

2009-07-10T10:49:00.000-06:00

~Things that made me smile this week:

Inhabitat makes everyone into a would be Dumpster Diver.

See life in 3D for the first time. (3d, 2d, 3d, 2d, 3d, 2d....lol) ~Fashionably Geek
-See some anaglyphs on Flikr

Galaxies collide!!! ~Wired Science

Double speak. It's not just for 1984 anymore... Listen Now [5 min 38 sec] ~ Morning Edition

Elle a chaud au cul. ~Marcel Duchamp

Givenchy Fall09

SOOO Excited about Paul Reuben's day!!!

and coffee art!!!!!

Supernumerary Rainbows

2009-07-09T11:22:00.000-06:00

characteristics in rainbow (atmospheric phenomenon)
Occasionally, faintly coloured rings are seen just inside of the primary bow. These are called supernumerary rainbows; they owe their origin to interference effects on the light rays emerging from the water droplet after one internal reflection. ~via

Supernumeraries are created by small, almost same sized raindrops. ~via

Primary & secondary bows.
The secondary is nearly always fainter than the primary. It's colours are reversed and more widely separated Light can be reflected more than once inside a raindrop. Rays escaping after two reflections make a secondary bow. ~via

Tonsil Guillotine (1860s)

2009-07-08T11:37:00.000-06:00

This method of removing tonsils worked much like a traditional guillotine, slicing off the infected tonsils. This "double guillotine" design meant that both tonsils could be removed at the same time. Tonsil guillotines were replaced by forceps and scalpels in the early 20th century due to the high rate of hemorrhaging and the imprecise nature of the device, which often left tonsil remnants in the mouth. via~surgicaltechnologists.net/Link

Enough about MJ already!

2009-07-01T11:16:00.000-06:00

I am so sick of hearing about Michael Jackson!

I know it's wrong to speak ill of the dead but for &*$% sake, does anyone remember all those out of court settlements? It's not like he lived the cleanest lifestyle...can anyone say "Prescription Addiction"???

Argument:
A: "Michael Jackson's family lawyer says the performer's reliance on painkillers had become "life threatening". Reports of a drug cocktail that was used to help control Jackson's pain emerged within hours of his death and many thought his death may have been an overdose. The attorney, Brian Oxman, has now said that he fears the medication may have contributed to the 50-year-old's death from a suspected heart attack." ~via

B: "Michael was in such a fatigued, unhealthy state not only because of anorexia—insiders say he was limiting himself to just one meal a day to stay thin..." ~via
______________________________________________________________________________

I know, I'm going to get hate mail so...save it.
Mike was a legend...who fell, hard.
Here is my favorite video.

Down the Rabbit Hole...

2009-06-23T12:01:00.001-06:00

Sneak peaks of Tim Burton's version of Alice in Wonderland are finally out!!!
Due in theaters March 5, 2010.

I can't wait...

Of Corpse I love you...

2009-06-12T16:50:00.000-06:00

@ The Huntongton Library and Garden in San Marino has a rare corpse-flower that's about to bloom in all its smell glory. It's the offspring of one that bloomed seven years ago, and it has the overpowering smell of rotting flesh. See live updates here.

Waiting For A Superstinky Flower To Bloom

NPR-Talk of the Nation, June 12, 2009
Listen Now [7 min 14 sec]

UMSL - Home of the fighting Titan Arum...

2009-06-08T17:09:00.000-06:00

The Associated Press |

Posted on Mon, Jun. 08, 2009 12:11 PM

ST. LOUIS | A rare, smelly "corpse flower" at the University of Missouri in St. Louis drew hundreds of visitors and thousands of Web cam spectators.
Greenhouse manager Kathy Upton said Monday that the nearly 5-foot tall plant bloomed from Saturday afternoon until midday Sunday. She described the smell as similar to that of a dead animal on the side of the road. The smelly plant gives off a distinctive odor to attract insects that pollinate.

(Photo by Slabcity Gang via Flickr)
Upton said a different "corpse flower" bloomed at the greenhouse in 2001. The plant that bloomed this weekend hadn't done so in 14 years. She said there's no way to predict when it will bloom again.

David Carradine 1936–2009

2009-06-04T13:44:00.000-06:00

Excerpts from Obituary... on BBC News.

David Carradine came from a well-known Hollywood acting family that included his father John and brother Keith.

He appeared in more than 100 films, but was best known early in his career for his role as Kwai Chang Caine in the TV series Kung Fu, which aired from 1972-75.
He reprised the role for a TV film in the mid-1980s, and played Caine's grandson the following decade in Kung Fu: The Legend Continues. ~aaahhh memories...
For Kill Bill Carradine said Tarantino would take clothes and artwork from his house because "just wanted the character [he was creating] to be as much like me as possible".
Carradine is survived by his wife, Annie Bierman, and four children.
-------------------------------------------------------

Wikipedia:

David Carradine, 72, American actor (Kung Fu, Kill Bill Vol. 2), suicide. __________________________________

~They say it looks like a suicide but, could it have been an accident??? 

The Independant
David Carradine found hanging from hotel wardrobe
By Guy Adams in Los Angeles

Police reports said that Carradine's body was discovered by a maid cleaning his suite at the 5-star Park Nai Lert Hotel at around 10am yesterday. He'd arrived in the Thai capital on Tuesday to begin work on a new movie called Stretch.
A local newspaper, The Nation, said that Carradine was half naked, and had a curtain cord wrapped around his neck and genitals. He had been due to join his film crew for dinner on Wednesday night, but never showed up for the meal.

~Every other article I've read seems to be dancing around the suicide comment and not giving any details on how he was found...

My guess is a terrible error during auto erotic asphyxiation. Really, it happens.
______________________________________________

~Edit: Looks like I was right...

"'Carradine had a history of engaging in autoerotic asphyxiation, a sexual practice that often involves tying a rope around the neck,' friends said." ~via

Koko Taylor 1928 - 2009

2009-06-04T11:07:00.000-06:00

“QUEEN OF THE BLUES”
posted: 06/03/2009
View full article here.

Grammy Award-winning blues legend Koko Taylor, 80, died on June 3, 2009 in her hometown of Chicago, IL, as a result of complications following her May 19 surgery to correct a gastrointestinal bleed. ...*

Born Cora Walton ...* on September 28, 1928, Koko, nicknamed for her love of chocolate, fell in love with music at an early age. Inspired by gospel music and WDIA blues disc jockeys B.B. King and Rufus Thomas, Taylor began belting the blues with her five brothers and sisters, accompanying themselves on their homemade instruments. In 1952, Taylor and her soon-to-be-husband, the late Robert “Pops” Taylor, traveled to Chicago with nothing but, in Koko’s words, “thirty-five cents and a box of Ritz Crackers.” ~

Over the course of her 40-plus-year career, Taylor received every award the blues world has to offer. ~

Koko Taylor was one of very few women who found success in the male-dominated blues world. She took her music from the tiny clubs of Chicago’s South Side to concert halls and major festivals all over the world. She shared stages with every major blues star, including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, B.B. King, Junior Wells and Buddy Guy as well as rock icons Robert Plant and Jimmy Page.

Taylor’s final performance was on May 7, 2009 in Memphis at the Blues Music Awards, where she sang “Wang Dang Doodle” after receiving her award for Traditional Blues Female Artist Of The Year. ~

Survivors include Taylor’s husband Hays Harris, daughter Joyce Threatt, son-in-law Lee Threatt, grandchildren Lee, Jr. and Wendy, and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements will be announced.

[~portion of article edited out]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wikipedia : Koko Taylor, 80, American blues musician, complications from gastrointestinal surgery.

NPR: Listen to Morning Edition's remembrance of Taylor.

Koko and Stevie Ray were to appear at the Orpheum theater
in Memphis on August 28, 1990. Stevie was killed in
a tragic helicopter accident a day before the show.

Iggy Pop Sings 'Autumn Leaves'

2009-06-03T09:33:00.000-06:00

In French.

Lust for The Lush Life: Iggy Pop Sings Standards

Fresh Air from WHYY, June 1, 2009

Listen Now

New Album: Preliminaires by Iggy Pop

Iggy,

I wanna be your dog!

Happy Birthday Vincent Price!

2009-05-27T14:55:00.000-06:00

Do you have to go?

2009-05-21T13:56:00.000-06:00

Why miss the best part of the movie just to evacuate that 84oz. soda you gulped down during the previews?

Now, you don't have to. RunPee.com even tells you what you're going to miss, just unscramble the spoiler and go!

The poetry of a genius....

2009-05-19T13:44:00.001-06:00

Stick Boy and Match Girl in love

Stick Boy liked Match Girl,
He liked her a lot.
He liked her cute figure,
he thought she was hot.
But could a flame ever burn
for a match and a stick?
It did quite literally;
he burned up quick.
~Tim Burton

More poems...
"Voodoo Girl."

A creative genius with an amazing vision, his poetry is reminiscent of Shel Silverstein and Edward Gorey. Dark and clever.

Artist... Alex Prager

2009-05-12T08:51:00.000-06:00

from her Polyester 2007 set...

diana

crystal

More on her website!

May as BPD Awareness Month

2009-05-11T09:41:00.000-06:00

~Something I have personally overcome with limited counseling and without the use of prescription drugs. I simply learned to cope.

U.S. House of Representatives Supports May as Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month

An Important Step in Raising Awareness

NEW YORK, NY – April 16, 2008 – The National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder (NEA-BPD) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) commended the U.S. House of Representatives for its recent Resolution supporting May as Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month.

On April 1, 2008, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the bipartisan House Resolution (H. Res. 1005) sponsored by Representatives Thomas Davis (R-VA) and Chris Van Hollen(D-MD) to support the goals and ideals of a Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month.

Representative Davis stated that “Raising awareness of this disease is an important first step toward getting the recognition and research dollars that, hopefully, can help future victims and their families avoid the enormous suffering this disease causes.”

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) afflicts 4 million adults and adolescents. BPD is a leading cause of suicide, with a suicide rate 400 times the rate of the general public. BPD has a combination of symptoms, including intense fears of abandonment, episodes of rage, self-injury, substance abuse and impulsive behavior. Many with BPD are unable to work. Others may be high functioning in certain settings, though their private lives and relationships are often in turmoil.

Relatively new as an official diagnosis, BPD is decades behind in research, treatment, awareness and family education. Although BPD is as common as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, it is far less known.

According to Perry D. Hoffman, Ph.D., President of NEA-BPD, “BPD is the most misunderstood mental illness, and consequently is often under-recognized and misdiagnosed. Despite the many myths, research shows that there is much HOPE for recovery.”

Michael Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of NAMI, praised Congress, stating that “The designation of May as Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month is an important opportunity to highlight the seriousness and magnitude of this debilitating condition, as well as to draw public, professional and media attention to this mental illness.”

For more information, contact NAMI’s help line, (800) 950-NAMI, or website at www.nami.org, or visit the NEA-BPD website at www.neabpd.org (includes a tool kit for raising community awareness).

via
more information

Happy Birthday guys!

2009-04-21T15:02:00.000-06:00

TAURUS

April 21, 1947, Iggy Pop

April 21, 1959, Robert Smith (The Cure)

April 21, 1959, Michael Timmins (Cowboy Junkies)

Square Pants - Hip or Hype?

2009-04-17T17:38:00.000-06:00

I was looking over some photos from the recent shows in Barcelona, and pictures from Txell Miras kept catching my eye.

and then this morning as I was drinking my uber strong black coffee with SPLENDA® I heard a news article on NPR about Sponge Bob Square Pants....story below

NPR
Pop Culture

SpongeBob: Still Soaking Up Ratings After 10 Years

by Elizabeth Blair

Listen Now [5 min 2 sec] add to playlist

What do the actors who play SpongeBob, Sandy and Squidward look like without the animation? Tom Kenney and fellow voice actors take us behind the scenes.

watch now|add

Now you can do Karaoke with SIR MIX-A-LOT! See Below...

Lovecraftian School Board Member...

2009-03-02T15:07:00.000-07:00

...Wants Madness Added To Curriculum

The Onion ~ March 2, 2009 | Issue 45•10

West says the school inadequately prepares students for the black seas of infinity.

ARKHAM, MA—Arguing that students should return to the fundamentals taught in the Pnakotic Manuscripts and the Necronomicon in order to develop the skills they need to be driven to the very edge of sanity, Arkham school board member Charles West continued to advance his pro-madness agenda at the district's monthly meeting Tuesday.
"Fools!" said West, his clenched fist striking the lectern before him. "We must prepare today's youth for a world whose terrors are etched upon ancient clay tablets recounting the fever-dreams of the other gods—not fill their heads with such trivia as math and English. Our graduates need to know about those who lie beneath the earth, waiting until the stars align so they can return to their rightful place as our masters and wage war against the Elder Things and the shoggoths!"
The controversial school board member reportedly interrupted a heated discussion about adding fresh fruit to school lunches in order to bring his motion to the table. With the aid of a flip chart, West laid out his six-point plan for increased madness, which included field trips to the medieval metaphysics department at Miskatonic University, instruction in the incantations of Yog-Sothoth, and a walkathon sponsored by local businesses to raise money for the freshman basketball program.

Enlarge Image
Artist's rendering of the Cthulhu, a hideous demon borne of pure malice that fewer than 3 percent of high school sophomores can identify.

"Our schools are orderly, sanitary places where students dwell in blissful ignorance of the chaos that awaits," West said. "Should our facilities be repaired? No, they must be razed to the ground and rebuilt in the image of the Cyclopean dwellings of the Elder Gods, the very geometry of which will drive them to be possessed by visions of the realms beyond."
West has served on the school board since 1997, when he defeated 89-year-old incumbent Doris Pesce by promising to enforce dress codes and refer repeat disciplinary cases to the three-lobed burning eye. He has run unopposed ever since.
"Charles sure likes to bang on that madness drum," fellow school board member Danielle Kolker said. "I'm not totally sold on his plan to let gibbering, half-formed creatures dripping with ichor feed off the flesh and fear of our students. But he is always on time to help set up for our spaghetti suppers, and his bake sale goods are among the most popular."
"I must admit, he's very convincing," Kolker added.
West's previous failed proposals include requiring the high school band to perform the tuneless flute songs of the blind idiot god Azathoth and offering art students instruction in the carving of morbid and obscene fetishes from otherworldly media.
Several parents attending the meeting were not impressed by West's outburst.
"Last month, he wanted us to change the high school's motto from 'Many Kinds of Excellence' to 'Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn,'" PTA member Cathy Perry said. "I asked if it was Latin, and he said that it was the eldritch tongue of Shub- Niggurath, the Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young. I don't know from eldritch tongues, but I'm not sure that's such a good idea."
"We already changed the name of the school from Abraham Lincoln High to Nyalrothotep Academy," Perry added. "What more does he want?"
Immediately before the vote on his motion, which was defeated eight to one, West gave his final remarks, arguing that the children are our future and that it's the school board's obligation to make sure they are fully versed in the unspeakable horrors still to come.
"In the information age, it is easier than ever to gather knowledge about things that should not be but nonetheless are, and such wisdom could prepare our students to be better citizens amid the ruins of sunken cities infested with swarms of ravenous, bloated rats," West said. "Also, I believe that birth control should not be distributed by the guidance counselor."
All of West's remaining proposals were tabled so the board could debate repairing the hole in the locker-room wall, as five students have disappeared in the adjacent skull-filled catacombs since the opening was discovered last week.
original article here

Neko Case - People got a lotta nerve "Blog For Charity"

2009-02-04T13:30:00.000-07:00

Today, I am especially happy to bring you “People Got A Lotta Nerve,” the first single from Neko Case’s forthcoming album Middle Cyclone (out March 3), because for every blog that reposts the song and/or iLike user who adds it to their profile, Neko Case and ANTI- will make a cash donation to Best Friends Animal Society. [read more]

Skeletons

2009-01-29T14:22:00.000-07:00

Editorial: Evoluzione della specie
Magazine: Elle Italia
Issue: November 2008
Model: Kemp Muhl
Photographer: Ruven Afanador

BBC News: Atheist ads 'not breaking code'

2009-01-23T11:39:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, 21 January 2009
By: Richard Dawkins

An atheist UK bus campaign which uses the slogan "There's probably no God" does not breach the advertising code, a watchdog has ruled. The Advertising Standards Authority said it had assessed 326 complaints. Some claimed the wording was offensive to people who followed a religion.

But the body concluded the adverts were unlikely to mislead or cause widespread offence and closed the case.

The £140,000 ad campaign was launched by the British Humanist Association.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it would not be further investigating any complaints about the campaign, which was launched on British buses and the London Underground on the 6 January.

While some of the complaints claimed the adverts were offensive and denigrated people of faith, others challenged whether they were misleading because the advertiser would not be able to substantiate its claim that God "probably" did not exist.

Driver refusal

However, the ASA ruled the adverts were an expression of the advertiser's opinion and that the claims in it were not capable of objective substantiation.

Although the watchdog acknowledged the content of the campaign would be at odds with the beliefs of many, it concluded that it was unlikely to mislead or to cause "serious or widespread offense".

The adverts, with the slogan "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life", were launched earlier this month following fund-raising by the British Humanist Association.

Featuring on 200 bendy buses in London and 600 other vehicles in England, Scotland and Wales, they were backed by high profile atheists, including Professor Richard Dawkins.

Last week, Christian bus driver Ron Heather, from Southampton, Hampshire, refused to drive one of the buses carrying the atheist slogan and walked out of his shift in protest.

Original Article
British Humanist Association

nin: the slip download link

2009-01-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

Your friend DB has invited you to download nine inch nails new album "the slip". To download your file, click on the link below and follow the instructions on the download page carefully. If the link below is not clickable, copy it and paste it into your web browser's address bar.

http://dl.nin.com/theslip/confirmation?token=gJr3hDAx
When you click the link, you will be prompted for a token.
Your download token is: gJr3hDAx
Enjoy,

The Staff
www.nin.com

Creepy Facts

2009-01-02T12:25:00.000-07:00

In ancient Japan, it was thought that somewhere on the tail of a cat there was a single hair that would restore life to a dying person.

Actor Bela Lagosi was buried in his favorite Dracula cape.

When Anne Boleyn was beheaded, so was her dog, Urian.

Elephants have been known to die of broken hearts if a mate dies. They refuse to eat and will lay down, shedding tears until they starve to death. They refuse all human help.

The Paris catacombs contain at least three million corpses.

The bodies of dead women were used to test the effectiveness of the prototype guillotine.

Rezolutions...for the old school freak

2009-01-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

ROFLMAO

I Love you Haute Macabre....

"For the old school freak in all of us, a little older, a little better.

†

I will admit that baggy raver pants went out ten years ago, and I will never, ever wear mine ever again.

†

I will find a foundation that matches my skin tone.

You will be a happier person once your face and your neck are the same color. Trust us on this one.

†

I will only wear my crushed velvet Ren Faire dress to Ren Faire.

†

I will not wear yarn in my hair and call it “extensions”.

Yarn is for crafting, not for your head.

†

...more here

~Holy hell you are a funny girl, when I think of all the shit I got in school from the "cool" kids, self titled freaks and cliche cliques...this makes me laugh. I have always refused to label myself but have had the opportunity to spend time with a wide range of people. I never understood why people cared so much what they look like, especially going out of their way to look "weird". 

Happiness Is...

2008-12-25T12:11:00.000-07:00

Happiness Is...
Originally uploaded by schnitzerphoto
Went fishing - had a lovely time

Photos taken by me in the Rio Chama Valley, NM

2008-12-03T09:48:00.000-07:00

How many are there of you??

2008-12-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
31
people with my name in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

Ancient artifacts don't match up to scientific theory...

2008-12-02T10:29:00.000-07:00

"Science informs us that... man is a few million years old, and that civilization just tens of thousands of years old." But..."There is a great deal of archeological evidence that the history of life on earth might be far different than what current geological and anthropological texts tell us."

The Ica Stones (via)

"Beginning in the 1930s, the father of Dr. Javier Cabrera, Cultural Anthropologist for Ica, Peru, discovered many hundreds of ceremonial burial stones in the tombs of the ancient Incas. Dr. Cabrera, carrying on his father's work, has collected more than 1,100 of these andesite stones, which are estimated to be between 500 and 1,500 years old and have become known collectively as the Ica Stones. The stones bear etchings, many of which are sexually graphic (which was common to the culture), some picture idols and others depict such practices as open-heart surgery and brain transplants. The most astonishing etchings, however, clearly represent dinosaurs - brontosaurs, triceratops (see photo), stegosaurus and pterosaurs. While skeptics consider the Ica Stones a hoax, their authenticity has neither been proved or disproved."

See more amazing artifacts that make you question evolution of human civilization and historical theories... HERE

Photo of the Week...

2008-11-26T17:00:00.000-07:00

I Google image searched the term "christmas jesus funny" getting in the mood for the unstoppable approach of the evil "Holiday Season" and found what I deem...

"Photo of the Week"
drum roll please...

Looks to me to be circa 1980's, a beautiful girl draped ceremoniously over a tombstone or grave marker... (original, I know...)

Seems hunting down the original artist has hit a dead end...emailing and contacting his acquaintances on MySpace...

So...I will post this great pic by Daniel de Leon because I cannot contact him directly.

Lion Mutilates 42 Midgets...

2008-11-26T15:20:00.000-07:00

...in Cambodian Ring-Fight
BBC News 5/2/2005 Original Article Here
Spectators cheered as entire Cambodian Midget Fighting League squared

An African Lion much like this is responsible for the death of 28 Cambodian Midget

off against African Lion

     Tickets had been sold-out three weeks before the much anticipated fight, which took place in the city of Kâmpóng Chhnãng.

     The fight was slated when an angry fan contested Yang Sihamoni, President of the CMFL, claiming that one lion could defeat his entire league of 42 fighters.

    Sihamoni takes great pride in the league he helped create, as was conveyed in his recent advertising campaign for the CMFL that stated his midgets will "... take on anything; man, beast, or machine."

     This campaign is believed to be what sparked the undisclosed fan to challenge the entire league to fight a lion; a challenge that Sihamoni readily accepted.

     An African Lion (Panthera Leo) was shipped to centrally located Kâmpóng Chhnãng especially for the event, which took place last Saturday, April 30, 2005 in the city’s coliseum.

     The Cambodian Government allowed the fight to take place, under the condition that they receive a 50% commission on each ticket sold, and that no cameras would be allowed in the arena.

     The fight was called in only 12 minutes, after which 28 fighters were declared dead, while the other 14 suffered severe injuries including broken bones and lost limbs, rendering them unable to fight back.

     Sihamoni was quoted before the fight stating that he felt since his fighters out-numbered the lion 42 to 1, that they “… could out-wit and out-muscle [it].”

     Unfortunately, he was wrong.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm going to have to quote the bible now...
American King James Version Proverbs 30:30

"A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turns not away for any; "

Weirest shoe ...so far

2008-11-26T14:12:00.000-07:00

"The is conceptually inspired by a Charles
and Ray Eames chair, a furniture design classic. This floating
silhouette is a beautifully innovative design maximizing on a
comfortable metal horizontal heel support. All genuine leather. The
boot is 3” high with a soft rubber sole and side zipper." ~excerpted from a real eBay auction...NOW CLOSED

The designer that brought you...

~Weird...I never looked at these chairs and though..."That would make a great ladies shoe."

Bingo at the local bar...

2008-11-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

Print this out for you and some friends and sit at your local downtown dive. Organize silly prizes and be creative...Make your own bingo sheet next time!

Via

Separation by W.S. Merwin

2008-11-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

"Your absence has gone through me Like thread through a needle. Everything I do is stitched with its color."

William S. Merwin was born in New York City in 1927, the son of a Presbyterian minister. He has written more than 20 books of poetry, won numerous prestigious awards, and served as Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. He currently resides in Hawaii. via

Reminded me of an old friend, Mathiu Casatta...

Dos camisetas artísticas

2008-11-20T10:04:00.000-07:00

Hörnchen

At: A Better Tomorrow
For: 16,00 €

Via

DAVID CHOE-HAIRDO

From: Upper Playground
For: US$28

Via

Who are the Zapatistas?

2008-11-17T15:37:00.000-07:00

Zapatista Army Founded (1983)

The Zapatista Army of National Liberation is a revolutionary group founded in the southern state of Chiapas, Mexico. It views itself as the philosophical heir to the movement started by Emiliano Zapata in the early 20th century under the slogan "land and liberty." It represents indigenous people and is committed to opposing policies that hurt the working poor, especially farmers. The Zapatistas broke onto the international scene the same day that what agreement became operational? More...

This Day in History
provided by The Free Dictionary

Araneus gemmoides - Cat-faced Spider

2008-11-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

Found spiders just lie this by the smoking area at the office. I wanted to keep him....such a pretty orange spider...

2 Must-See Artists...

2008-11-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

Joshua Roman Art - MySpace Page

Icy aka Ice-punk - on Flicker

-icy-'s photostream

20's style cloche

2008-11-12T10:56:00.000-07:00

Made by me! No pattern, flared in the front, flat in the back. Love it.

My Best Meatballs

2008-11-10T14:25:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

Meatballs-
1 lb. mild Italian sausage (you can use hot if you like)
1 lb. regular ground beef (you can use lean if you like)
2/3 c. Italian breadcrumbs
2 lg eggs
1/2 c. chopped parsley
1 clove minced garlic (more if you like)
1/4 c. Parmesan grated

Sauce-
1 medium onion, diced (I used a white onion, yellow is fine too)
3 cloves minced garlic
2 - 30oz jars spaghetti sauce (your favorite)
1/4 c. fresh basil, chopped
salt and pepper to taste

And:
spaghetti noodles cooked al dente

mix all ingredients for meat balls well (I use my hands).
roll meatballs into 1 1/2 inch balls and space out on a cookie rack (you may need two).
cook at 350ºF for 10-15 min or until they look cooked almost all the way through.
check them halfway through cooking time and roll them over for even cooking.

While meatballs are baking:
In a Large pot, saute onion and garlic in 1 tsp olive oil on low heat until tender.
add spaghetti sauce and basil
when they are ready add meatballs
cook for 1-4 hours

Serve over al dente spagetti noodles or on toasted french roll with provolone for a wonderful meal.

You can refrigerate or freeze in small portions for easy meals.
Serves 6-8
Makes about 25-30 meat balls

Transparent Oceanic on Nat Geo

2008-11-10T10:20:00.000-07:00

Photos via National Geographic more great pics there!
All Photographs shown here by Chris Newbert/Minden Pictures

A pelagic, or open-ocean, octopus gives off a neon glow in Hawaii. Most species of octopus have no internal skeleton, unlike other cephalopods.

A photographer's strobe gives a violet sheen to this translucent juvenile roundbelly cowfish off the coast of Kona, Hawaii. Also known as the transparent boxfish, the roundbelly cowfish has two short horns in front of its eyes.

A nearly translucent squid glows in reds and purples. There are nearly 300 different species of squid, found in oceans worldwide.

An opalescent squid uses its giant eyes to navigate the nighttime waters around Papua New Guinea.

Big Eyes

2008-11-06T17:03:00.000-07:00

I had a good friend of the family growing up that collected thrift store Keane's. If you don't know who Margaret Keane is you will recognize the painting style.

Known for sad little portraits, of children and animals. Now, you can find copy cat artists in most pop art. It's cute, its cliche, its kitsch. It's no wonder I have found the Pullip / Blythe dolls so intriguing. The trend is to buy them and customize them, with wigs, makeup, and cloths. The big eye paintings always gave me the creeps, those eyes literally follow you as you walk past them. The dolls are scary too... I want one so bad.

Cliffs @ the Rio Chama

2008-11-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

This was taken by me on our last comping trip of the summer. Our beautiful friends met us up there with their 13 month old little cutie. She loved it the most!

The New Face of the Presidency

2008-11-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

illustration by Patrick Moberg via LaughingSquid

Electoral College Map...

2008-11-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

You can print this bad boy out and play the game by coloring in the red and blue states to count Electoral College votes for both campaigns.

Flickr Photo Download: Color-Your-Own Electoral College Map
Via

Crafty bloggers & Communities

2008-11-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

These are some great blogs you really should check out!

Community pages

Happy Halloween 2008!

2008-10-31T10:39:00.000-06:00

Some Great Obama Posters found online

2008-10-31T09:24:00.000-06:00

Oct 08 Plain White - Template

2008-10-31T09:18:00.000-06:00

This template altered by me for this blog.
View HTML here. :D

Homemade Tofu - tutorial

2008-10-28T08:35:00.001-06:00

For one block of tofu you will need:

(For 2 blocks double the recipe, for three blocks triple, etc.)

* a blender
* a whisk
* 2 large mixing bowls/large pots
* large saucepan
* a brick or heavy weight for pressing the tofu inside the mold
* a tofu mold
* cheese cloth or muslin for straining out solids and lining the mold

* 1/2 pound of soy beans soaked in cold water overnight
* 1 heaping tbsp 100% gypsum powder
* 1/2 heaping tsp cornflour
* cold water

If you have questions about how to find any of the ingredients above check your local health food stores or Asian market.

You can buy soy beans prepackaged or in bulk.

1. Wash beans - Rinse the soaked soy beans in fresh water and drain well. Place beans into a big bowl.

2. Blend the beans and water - Beans should be blended at a 1:2 ratio. 1 cup of beans to 2 cups of water. But the last cup of beans should be blended with only 1.5 cups of water saving the last half cup to mix with your gypsum and cornstarch. Mix the beans for about 3 minutes per batch.
Mix the remaining half cup of water with your cornstarch and gypsum in a large pot or bowl and put it to the side.

3. Straining the soy milk - Place a large pot in the sink with a colander on top lined with some of your cheesecloth. strain your soybean-water mixture through the cheesecloth lined colander. Some of the water (now raw soy milk) will strain out into your pot easily. Using the cheesecloth squeeze as much water out as you can. Put the residue to one side. The bean pulp residue is known as Okara and it's stuffed full of nutrients. More on Okara and recipes here.

4. Heat up the strained soy milk - take your large saucepan and slowly bring the milk to just below boiling about 180º F keep at this heat for about 7 minutes stirring regularly.

Don't leave your soy milk! An unwatched pan of milk will quickly boil over or burn on the bottom. After the 7 minutes turn off the heat and skim the foam off the top of the milk.

---
Option: Soy Milk - Cool and serve as regular plain soy milk or add 1tsp vanilla extract and sugar (to taste) and make your very own vanilla soy milk.
---

5. Combine liquid ingredients - Get your gypsum/cornflour/water mixture stir it well and place it in the sink. Carfully (so as not to burn yourself) pour the hot skimmed soymilk into the bowl with your gypsum mixture. Do this speedily and from a hieght above the bowl. This height will help to initially mix the ingredients all together.

Do not stir this mixture!! If you stir the soy milk, gypsum and cornflour ingredients will not coagulate and you will not have tofu.

Gently skim the top of the poured soy milk. Cover the bowl of gypsum and soy milk and set aside in a warm place or wrapwrap the bowl in a tea towelfor 15 minutes.

---
Option: Tau Foo Fa - If you let mixture sit a total of 30 min, wrapped in a tea towel to retain some of the heat... You now have Tau Foo Fa or Soybean Custard which is traditionally served hot or cold, sweet or savory. In Malaysia it’s served with white sugar/palm sugar syrup; some places in China, it’s served with spicy bean sauce (found at your local Asian market.)

Scoop and serve with caramelized simple syrup, or fresh berries and honey... nom, nom.
---

6. Prepare the tofu mold - while you're waiting for the soy milk to coagulate, prepare the tofu mold in the sink. You can put a cookie cooling rack under the mold if you like. Wet the mold and the cheesecloth mold liners with cold water. Line the molds with clean, moistened cheesecloth with 6 inches or so of excess around the top lip of the mold.

7. Molding - Carefully pour out some of the whey and spoon the coagulated soy milk into the tofu molds. You'll see that the soy milk now has a soft curdled texture and some of the water has begun to separate. Spoon the soy milk mixture into the tofu mold. There should be enough mixture to fill the mold to the top. Fold in the excess cheesecloth to cover the tofu curd. This will keep it seperate from the top of the mold during compression.

8. Wait for the tofu to set - place the lid on the mold and put a your brick or nice heavy weight on the lid. The weight should be the same size or smaller than the lid. Place the weight so that it may fit inside the mold as it compresses the tofu. I you want more weight you can balance a pot on the brick and add water to the pot. A gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds.

Wait for the tofu to set. The firmness of the tofu is dependent on how long you leave it to set:

* soft and wobbly jelly = approx 3.5 hours
* medium firm = approx 4.5 hours
* firm = 5 or more depending on how firm you want it.

9. Turn out the tofu from the mold - Carefully take the tofu out of the mold and free it from it's cheesecloth. The tofu is ready to cook with or you can store it in a container of cold water in the fridge for several days, periodically change the water. If you intend to eat it the same day do not store it in water. Tofu can be frozen.

DIY - Drip irrigation for potted plants

2008-10-24T10:24:00.000-06:00

You Grow Girl | Make Your Own Po p Bottle Irrigation System

A murder of crows...

2008-10-24T10:22:00.000-06:00

A group of crows is called a murder. Here are a few other odd ones...

Ant: An army of ants
Ape: A shrewdness of apes
Baboons: A troop of baboons
Bacteria: A culture of bacteria
Badger: A cete of badgers
Bass: A shoal of bass
Bear: A sleuth of bears
Beaver: A colony of beavers
Bee: A swarm, grist or hive of bees
Boar: A sounder of boars
Caterpillar: An army of caterpillars
Cat: A clowder or clutter of cats
Cobra: A quiver of cobras
Cow: A kine of cows (twelve cows are A flink)
Crow: A murder of crows
Cur: A cowardice of curs
Dove: A dule of doves
Emus: A mob of emus
Ferret: A business or fesnyng of ferrets
Finches: A charm of finches
Fox: A skulk or leash of foxes
Frog: An army or colony of frogs
Goat: A herd, tribe or trip goats
Hare: A down or husk of hares
Hawk: A cast or kettle of hawks
Jellyfish: A smack of jellyfish
Magpie: A tiding of magpies
Mallard: A sord of mallards
Mole: A labour of moles
Owls: A parliament of owls
Peacock: A muster or ostentation of peacocks
Peep: A litter of peeps
Penguin: A colony of penguins
Pheasant: A nest, nide (nye) or bouquet of pheasants
Pigeon: A flock or flight of pigeons
Pig: A litter of pigs
Plover: A wing or congregation of plovers
Pony: A string of ponies
Porpoise: A pod of porpoises
Quail: A covey or bevy of quail
Rabbit: A nest of rabbits
Rat: A pack or swarm of rats
Rattlesnake: A rhumba of rattlesnakes
Raven: An unkindness of ravens
Rhino: A crash or herd of rhinos
Roebuck: A bevy of roebucks
Rook: A building or clamour of rooks
Seal: A herd or pod of seals
Sheep: A drove or flock of sheep
Snake: A nest of snakes
Snipe: A walk or wisp of snipe
Sparrow: A host of sparrows
Squirrel: A dray of squirrels
Starling: A murmuration of starlings
Stork: A mustering of storks
Swallow: A flight of swallows
Swan: A bevy, herd, lamentation or wedge of swans
Swift: A flock of swifts
Swine: A sounder or drift of swine
Teal: A spring of teal
Toad: A knot of toads
Trout: A hover of trout
Turkey: A rafter of turkeys
Turtledove: A pitying or dule of turtledoves
Turtle: A bale of turtles
Walrus: A pod of walrus
Whale: A school, gam or pod of whales
Viper: A nest of vipers
Wolf: A pack or route of wolves
Woodcock: A fall of woodcocks
Woodpecker: A descent of woodpeckers

INTERNATIONAL HIGH IQ SOCIETY | IQ Tests

2008-10-20T16:22:00.000-06:00

I have always wondered what my IQ is, it's not like they tell you in high school, or in college for that matter. SAT scores are one thing, IQ is another. Learn something new about yourself! Shoot, take the test over and over until you improve your score.

Try your hand at the IQ test here!

Cat thoughts...

2008-10-20T16:20:00.000-06:00

I want to be close
to you. Can I fit my head
inside your armpit?

cat haiku

Brian O'Connor @ Klaudia Marr Gallery in Santa Fe, NM

2008-10-20T14:16:00.000-06:00

This is a must see painting in person. 66" by 109" or 5.5 by 9 feet!

Detail below

These images do not do this piece justice. You can see this painting now at
Klaudia Marr Gallery
668 Canyon Road
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Tel: (505)988-2100

Link to gallery online

So you've decided to be evil...

2008-09-25T13:57:00.000-06:00

Evil Plan (tm)!

Your objective is simple: Soul Accumulation.
Your motive is a little bit more complex: Sadistic pleasure

Stage One

To begin your plan, you must first seduce the chosen one. This will cause the world to whisper among themselves, amazed by your arrival. Who is this sadistic fiend? Where did they come from? And why do they look so good in classic black?

Stage Two

Next, you must seize control of the internet. This will all be done from an abandoned church, a mysterious place of unrivaled dark glory. Upon seeing this, the world will gibber like madmen, as countless hordes of animal minions (cats) hasten to do your every bidding.

Stage Three

Finally, you must prepare your arcane ritual, bringing about the end of all things. Your name shall become synonymous with fuzzy bunnies, and no man will ever again dare cross you. Everyone will bow before your amazing toughness, and the world will have no choice but to restore your credit rating.

DARKSITES.COM EVIL GUIDE PLAN

The NY Times - Politics

2008-09-25T13:49:00.000-06:00

September 4, 2008

The Words They Use

The words that speakers used at the two political conventions show the themes that the parties have highlighted. Republican speakers have talked about reform and character far more frequently than the Democrats. And Republicans were more likely to talk about businesses and taxes, while Democrats were more likely to mention jobs or the economy.

View the chart Here!

If you haven't already, you really should read...

2008-09-22T15:46:00.000-06:00

...the Complete works of H. P. Lovecraft.
I think everyone should read the works of Lovecraft.

Fall in love with the Cthulhu Mythos

"...he bore the subject of his visit, a grotesque, repulsive, and apparently very ancient stone statuette whose origin he was at a loss to determine....It represented a monster of vaguely anthropoid outline, but with an octopus-like head whose face was a mass of feelers, a scaly, rubbery-looking body, prodigious claws on hind and fore feet, and long, narrow wings behind. This thing, which seemed instinct with a fearsome and unnatural malignancy, was of a somewhat bloated corpulence, and squatted evilly on a rectangular block or pedestal covered with undecipherable characters...."

an excerpt from The Call of Cthulhu, H.P. Lovecraft

read it online for free: here
buy from amazon: here

Halloween is coming - Get ready!

2008-09-17T14:10:00.000-06:00

A great treat from your childhood that is really easy to make!

make popcorn
Now put...

1 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup corn syrup
1 tsp salt
and
1/4 cup butter
...in
a sauce pan. If you have a candy thermometer put it in the pan, if not have a small bowl full of ice water next to the stove. Cook the delicious butter and sugar mixture until it hits 250 degrees. This is hard ball stage and the syrup will form a hard ball (duh) when you drop it into the ice water. If your using the ice water method, just kept checking throughout. It will color a little when it’s done and the ball shouldn’t be rock hard, but should give a little under pressure.

When it’s done, take it off the heat right away and add

1 tsp vanilla and

a couple drops of food color (if you feel like it)
Now pour the syrup all over the popcorn stirring quickly. It’s nice to have another person help at this point, but you can manage by yourself just fine. Let it cool a minute or two and make balls. If it’s sticky you can butter your hands a bit and then shape them.

Voila! popcorn balls.

FreeRice the game has new Subjects!

2008-09-17T13:33:00.000-06:00

Now, you can play fun games and help feed the hungry!
My favorite is the German Language Learning game.

Every time you get an answer correct FreeRice.com donates rice to poor and hungry people.

Play all the games here.

Be a better man...

2008-09-12T10:14:00.000-06:00

Just Keep the Change is a great resource for any man...who want to improve himself and his ideas about relationships and dating. I'm sure there are a lot of clueless men that need some friendly encouragement. Although I don't agree with all the opinions on this website, it may plant the seed for someone to make some positive changes in their personal life. Encouraging confidence and self-improvement.

The Kaibo Zonshinzu anatomy scrolls (1819)

2008-09-11T15:17:00.001-06:00

The Kaibo Zonshinzu anatomy scrolls, painted in 1819 by Kyoto-area physician Yasukazu Minagaki (1784-1825), consist of beautifully realistic, if not gruesome, depictions of scientific human dissection.

Unlike European anatomical drawings of the time, which tended to depict the corpse as a living thing devoid of pain (and often in some sort of Greek pose), these realistic illustrations show blood and other fluids leaking from subjects with ghastly facial expressions.

The fact that the bodies used in scientific autopsies in Edo-period Japan generally belonged to heinous criminals executed by decapitation adds to the grisly nature of the illustrations.

According to the Keio University Library (where these documents are currently stored), the two scrolls contain 83 illustrations based on Minagaki’s observations of over 40 bodies. They are regarded as the best collection of early 19th-century anatomical drawings by a Japanese hand.

The first scroll includes a handwritten compliment by Philip von Siebold, the German physician credited with being the first European to teach Western medicine in Japan, who was reportedly impressed by the quality of the drawings when he observed them in 1826.

Siebold’s note, in Dutch, reads: “This anatomical research has been carried out with great diligence and should therefore achieve great recognition.”

In 2003, Japan’s Ministry of Culture designated Kaibo Zonshinzu an important cultural property, saying that the scrolls, which were produced as a result of actual observation and based on Dutch scholarship, demonstrate the level of knowledge that medical science reached in the Edo period.

[Link: Kaibo Zonshinzu via Ectoplasmosis >> Morbid Anatomy >> Bibliodyssey]
via <a href="http://www.pinktentacle.com/2008/04/kaibo-zonshinzu-anatomy-scrolls-1819/">www.pinktentacle.com</a>

Are you an intellctual?

2008-09-09T14:08:00.000-06:00

“ An intellectual is a person who has discovered something more interesting than sex. ”

Aldous Huxley

Anti-Intellectualism?

2008-09-09T14:06:00.000-06:00

Say it loud: I'm elite and proud!
by Bill Maher

"April 13, 2007 | Say it loud: I'm elite and proud! The right-wing crusade to demonize elites has paid off. Now the country's run byincompetents who make mediocrity a job requirement and recruit from Pat Robertson's law school. New rule: Now that liberals have taken back the word liberal, they also have to take back the word "elite." By now you've heard the constant right-wing attacks on the "elite," or as it's otherwise known, "hating." Say it loud: I’m elite and proud! The right-wing crusade to demonize elites has paid off. Now the country’s run by incompetents who make mediocrity a job requirement and recruit from Pat Robertson’s law school. New rule: Now that liberals have taken back the word liberal, they also have to take back the word “elite.” By now you’ve heard the constant right-wing attacks on the “elite,” or as it’s otherwise known, "hating.” They’ve had it up to their red necks with the “elite media.” The “liberal elite.” Who may or may not be part of the “Washington elite.” A subset of the “East Coast elite.” Which is influenced by “the Hollywood elite.” So basically, unless you’re a shitkicker from Kansas, you’re with the terrorists.

I don’t get it: In other fields — outside of government — elite is a good thing, like an elite fighting force. Tiger Woods is an elite golfer. If I need brain surgery, I’d like an elite doctor. But in politics, elite is bad "

MORE HERE
via Salon.com

Sarah Palin vs. Hillary Clinton

2008-09-03T11:13:00.000-06:00

VS

"Recently John McCain selected Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate. Beyond their gender, Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton have almost nothing in common between them.

On the issues that matter most to women in the 2008 election cycle, these two public figures couldn’t be farther apart. From abortion to health care, Palin and Clinton stand on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Too often our politics are clouded by distraction and fluff, allowing candidate’s positions to be conflated - leaving the voter to believe they’re simply choosing the lesser of two evils.

Simply put, Sarah Palin isn’t Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton made clear in her speech at the Democratic National Convention that her candidacy wasn’t about her, but the issues and how they affect the voter’s daily lives."

Please check out this article.
Via http://www.sarahpalinisnthillaryclinton.com/

It shows a comparison of these two womens' resumes. It really sheds some light on their history and experience. Its very important to educate yourself in the shadow of this huge election. Please read!

The top 10 things you should know about Sarah Palin:

2008-09-03T11:04:00.000-06:00

1) She is presently under investigation in Alaska for abuse of power

2) She believes creationism should be taught in public schools

3) She is opposed to abortion even in cases of rape and incest

4) She strongly supports big oil (her husband works for oil company BP)

5) She has no federal or international experience. Prior to being governor (for less than two years) she was only the mayor of a small Alaskan town and a beauty queen!

6) She believes global warming is a farce and is opposed to listing the polar bear as an endangered species

7) She supports drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and anywhere else big oil wants

8) She supports Pebble Mine which will destroy the richest salmon run in the world

9) She supports aerial shooting of bears and wolves even though Alaskans voted twice to ban the practice.

10) She used $400,000 of state money to fund a media campaign in support of aerial shooting of wolves and bears

BONUS FACT: John McCain received his "higher" education from the National War College under the US Navy

via Grizzly Bay.org

Portal to mythical Mayan underworld found in Mexico

2008-09-03T10:37:00.000-06:00

MEXICO CITY - "Mexican archeologists have discovered a maze of stone temples in underground caves, some submerged in water and containing human bones, which ancient Mayans believed was a portal where dead souls entered the underworld." Called Xibalba "According to an ancient Mayan scripture, the Popol Vuh, the route was filled with obstacles, including rivers filled with scorpions, blood and pus and houses shrouded in darkness or swarming with shrieking bats" Via Reuters View Entire Article Here

In Argentina, a Museum Unveils a Long-Frozen Maiden - NY TImes

2008-09-03T10:31:00.000-06:00

SALTA, Argentina - "Unearthed in 1999 from the 22,000-foot summit of Mount Llullaillaco, a volcano 300 miles west of here near the Chilean border, (these) frozen bodies were among the best preserved mummies ever found, with internal organs intact, blood still present in the heart and lungs, and skin and facial features mostly unscathed. No special effort had been made to preserve them. The cold and the dry, thin air did all the work. They froze to death as they slept, and 500 years later still looked like sleeping children, not mummies." "The children were sacrificed as part of a religious ritual, known as capacocha." "The mountains around Salta are home to at least 40 other burial sites from ritual sacrifices, but Dr. Miremont said the native people who live in those regions do not want more bodies taken away." Via NY Times View entire article here.

CHILDREN TOLD TO SIT DOWN AND SHUT THE F*CK UP FOR 18 YEARS

2008-09-03T10:23:00.000-06:00

Via The Daily Mash:

CHILDREN should just shut it and do as they are told for once in their fucking lives, according to the results of a major academic study.
Researchers at Glasgow Clyde University found that instead of being treated like equals and asked for their opinion on a wide range of issues, children should button their f*cking lips and remember who pays the sodding bills round here.

Professor Henry Brubaker said: "There has been a move in recent years to include children in decision making and respect their opinions. Why? They're idiots."

"Even doctors are now being told to take children seriously. So when some moronic little turd comes in with a 50p piece rammed up his nose, the GP is supposed to chat to him about interest rates? Give me a f*cking break.

"We studied 50 children over a two-week period and concluded that rather than indulging these ghastly, violent, cheeky little shits, perhaps we should concentrate on feeding them three times a day and making sure they do outlandish things like their homework, brushing their teeth and going to bed at a reasonable hour. All the while telling them to sit down and shut the f*ck up on a regular basis."

He added: "Once you've established a pattern you can then carry on doing that right up to the point where they find a job and get the f*ck out of my house."

View Entire Article Here

McCainisms

2008-09-03T10:15:00.002-06:00

On Foreign Politics:

“In the 21st century nations don’t invade other nations.” —on Russia’s military action against Georgia, Birmingham, Mich., Aug. 13, 2008

“We have a lot of work to do. It’s a very hard struggle, particularly given the situation on the Iraq-Pakistan border.” —referring to a border that does not exist, ABC News interview, July 21, 2008 (Watch video clip)
“I was concerned about a couple of steps that the Russian government took in the last several days. One was educing the energy supplies to Czechoslovakia.” —referring to a country that no longer exists, Phoenix, Arizona, July 14, 2008

On Economics:

‘I’m going to be honest. I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated.”11/26/05
“The issue of economics is not something I’ve understood as well as I should. I’ve got Greenspan’s book.” -12/18/07

On technology:

“I am a illiterate that has to rely on my wife for all of the assistance I can get.” -after being asked whether us uses a Mac or a PC (Watch video clip)
“I am learning to get online myself, and I will have that down fairly soon, getting on myself. I don’t expect to be a great communicator, I don’t expect to set up my own blog, but I am becoming computer literate to the point where I can get the information that I need.” —New York Times interview, July 13, 2008
“Well, basically, it’s a Google.” —on how he’s conducting his VP search, Richmond, Virginia, June 9, 2008

On social issues:

“It’s not social issues I care about.” via:Washington Post
“We should be able to deliver bottled hot water to dehydrated babies.” —Kenner, Louisiana, June 3, 2008 (Watch video clip)
*Maybe we can do this after we
“…put food on your family.” —Presidential candidate George W. Bush, Nashua, N.H., Jan. 27, 2000

via: Stupid John McCain Quotes - McCainisms

Murphy's graphic design laws

2008-09-03T10:10:00.000-06:00

Your fonts will default.
If you have two versions of a photo, you will send the wrong one to the printer.
Promises made by the salesperson never make it to the pressroom.
The salesperson will promise anything.
If the text consists of two words, one will be misspelled.
Speed. Quality. Affordability. Pick two.
If the run is wrong, it's never the press operator's fault.
Spell checkers don't.
Grammar checkers don't, either.
Global search-and-replaces aren't.
The index entry you leave out will be the first one the client looks under.
Optical Character Recognition is good comedy.
If three designs are shown to a client, your least favorite will be chosen.
If two designs are shown, a third will be requested. If provided, then one of the first two will be chosen.
Blueline proofs reveal previously invisible errors.
The best designs never survive contact with the client.
You will misspell the name of the client's spouse.
Your best idea is already copyrighted.
Creative inspiration flows in inverse proportion to the distance from the studio.
Doctors, astronauts, and plumbers need training to do their jobs, but anyone with a copy of Publisher is a graphic designer
No matter how detailed the tech support FAQ is, nobody has ever heard of your problem
The number of colors in a client's design will equal the number of colors in the original bid specs, plus two
The client's disk won't run on your equipment
If you purchase new equipment to read your client's disk, it will be the last disk of that type you will ever receive
Your client won't "get it."
A single picture tells more than a thousand words. Any technical picture has more than a thousand bugs.
A single picture has more bugs than can be described with a thousand words.

via Murphys-Laws.com

Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes

2008-08-13T10:30:00.000-06:00

[If you can read this you're over-educated.]

A list of same handy Latin Phrases for you...

Non calor sed umor est qui nobis incommodat.
It's not the heat, it's the humidity.

Quo signo nata es?
What's your sign?

Di! Ecce hora! Uxor mea me necabit!
God, look at the time! My wife will kill me!

Mellita, domi adsum.
Honey, I'm home.

Re vera, potas bene.
Say, you sure are drinking a lot.

Prehende uxorem meam, sis!
Take my wife, please!

Utinam logica falsa tuam philosophiam totam
suffodiant!
May faulty logic undermine your entire philosophy!

Utinam barbari spatium proprium tuum invadant!
May barbarians invade your personal space!

Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo.
Don't call me, I'll call you.

Vacca foeda
Stupid cow

Via

Update: 11/14/2008

For your inner geek...

Ad eundum quo nemo ante iit.
To boldly go where no man has gone before.

Sit vis nobiscum.
May the force be with you.

If you forgot to write your Latin studies term paper...

Canis meus id comedit.
My dog ate it.

Suck up to your Latin Professor...

Sola lingua bona est lingua mortua.
The only good language is a dead language.

Vah! Denuone Latine loquebar? Me ineptum. Interdum modo elabitur
Oh! Was I speaking Latin again? Silly me. Sometimes it just sort of slips out.

Vidistine nuper imagines moventes bonas?
Seen any good movies lately?

If that doesn't work...

Estne volumen in toga, an solum tibi libet me videre?
Is that a scroll in your toga, or are you just happy to see me?

If he claims sexual harrasment, you're...

Raptus regaliter
Royally screwed.

Via