Quote of the day:
“There is always room for coincidence.†-Carsten Nicolai
Fact of the Day:
The term “goose bumps” was originally slang for the red bumps caused by venereal diseases. –Source
Today’s Holiday:
Be Late For Something Day -woohoo, I do this every day!
Link of the Day:
Passive aggressive notes are annoying, yet strangely amusing.
A guest blogger at BoingBoing posted her short story today, Ruby Was Angry, and I love it. Please drop by and read it, here’s a little sample -the first two paragraphs:
Ruby was angry. She didn’t really understand why—but as she stared at the man sprawled out on the floor of the airport, next to the sign for Gate 82 United Flight 899 to Tokyo’s Narita Airport, she began to realize just how angry she really was.
It quickly became clear to her that this anger was not a temporary function of seeing the sleeping man, but the delayed manifestation of a much more profound and long-existing anger that she had kept buried deep in her soul for a very long time. It was hard to say how long exactly. Her eyes narrowed and she bore her teeth like a rabid pit bull about to take a plunge. The fearsome expression on her face looked oddly out of place paired with her pink braided necklace and silver heart-shaped pendant with “RUBY KEILANA†printed daintily on its curve. Her reddish-brown hair stood on its ends like a cat sprayed with water.
Now there are some goals I can get behind. Austin has created a new program where students can read out loud to cats. It helps children learn and feel comfortable reading aloud and it helps socialize cats. One adorable little boy read to the cats and summarized the experience by saying, “They started fighting each other. Big tails and hissing. They don’t appear to be doing it right now. I think they like this book better: ‘Monkey for Sale.’ “
Quote of the Day:
“Football combines the two worst things about America: it is violence punctuated by committee meetings.” -George Will
Fact of the Day:
The first football helmet was constructed by an Annapolis shoemaker at the request of cadet Joseph Mason Reeves, who’d been told that one more blow to the head would end his naval career. –Source
Today’s Holiday:
Newspaper Carrier Day -not so fun unless you’re a carrier.
Link of the Day:
Beautiful images of Meteora, Greece.
Quote of the Day:
“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.” -Benjamin Franklin
Fact of the Day:
The creator of the Backstreet Boys and NSync screwed them over so badly that he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. –Source
Today’s Holiday:
Anniversary of the First Pro Football Game in 1895
Link of the Day:
9 really amazing bridges you probably haven’t seen.
Yesbutnobutyes has an ineresting piece about an elephant that is hung for killing a man. It’s rather depressing, but it is interesting and the video of an elephant painting at the end will certainly help lift your spirits again.
I’m going to start blogging over at InventorSpot (don’t worry, I won’t abandon you here). I’m really excited about this and I’m a huge fan of their site, so it’s my pleasure to see my first official blog posted over there.
It’s all about the EcoJohn incinerating toilet. Go check it out and leave me a little comment. I’ll be happy to hear from you!
A South Carolina sheriff’s department has purchased a tank with a .50 caliber machine gun. To put this gun into perspective, the amunition is strong enough to peirce through a car and even the millitary is hesistant to use it in most situations. The sheriff, Leon Lott, has actually convinced himself (and is working on convincing the general public) that the armmored personel carrier will “save lives.”
This is ridiculous. Seriously, and I’m even in favor of the right to bear arms, but no one, government official or private civillian should need something that even the military rarely needs. Find out more here.
Quote of the Day:
“If you want your writing to be taken seriously, don’t marry and have kids, and above all, don’t die. But if you have to die, commit suicide. They approve of that.†-Ursula K. Le Guin
Fact of the Day:
The term “moron†comes from the eugenic movement. Coined by Henry Goddard, an early eugenic founder, it comes from the Greek word moros, meaning “stupid and foolish.†We use the term lightly these days as a kind of vague, almost teasing insult. For Goddard and the eugenic community, a “moron†was anyone deemed unfit for life and indeed a target to be eliminated. –Source
Today’s Holiday:
Bison-Ten-Yell Day -I have no idea what this means.
Link of the Day:
Ever want to race in heels? I would eat crap in about a minute. Still, it’s fun to watch.
Quote of the Day:
“A pile of rocks ceases to be a rock when somebody contemplates it with the idea of a cathedral in mind.†-Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Fact of the Day:
Between 1912 and 1948, art competitions, such as painting, sculpting and music, were included in the Olympics. –Source
Today’s Holiday:
Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day -yawn
Link of the Day:
There are lots of huge things in the United Arab Emirates.