The dog was quite cute though...

... here.

An interesting name

Here.

New York 1928

Interesting just for the street views... here.

Scrabble - Why not to play it.

This is a wonderful and, justifiably, award winning piece of animation... here.

Doggy-style

Here.

The Internet - Home to Everything

Like the Sourtoe Cocktail Club... here.

Only in America...

... would this sort of lunacy happen.

Scenario 1: A responsible student is caught on campus with birth control pills. The school prohibits prescription drugs being brought on campus.

Punishment? Two weeks off campus and recommended for expulsion.

Scenario 2: A student is caught with heroin.

Punishment? Five day suspension.

Here.

Email synchronicity

A recent BBC news story was something I meant to blog about some time ago (here). I hesitated as it had been covered by many other blogs. I hesitated up until the point that a friend sent me the picture below (and in no way related to the news item) stating "If you laugh then you are sick"...

Obama Watch

Here.

Hidden Horror

I found an interesting list of horror movies that you (and myself) have not really heard about. Closer inspections reveals some scary nights ahead if I watch just a couple of them... here.

Joe Satriani v Coldplay = Enanitos Verdes

I think that Mr. Satriani should tread rather carefully in any action against Coldplay. A simple search through my extensive music collection found a song, "Frances Limon" by Enanitos Verdes, that is extremely similar (more so than the Coldplay song)... and further checking ... it also reminds me of an even more similar Cat Steven's song - Love / Heaven from the 1970's (1972 I think). Horses for courses... A search through YT found this video... check at 3:20 seconds and see what you think and then listen to this.

Imagine an imaginary line that defines...

... what an rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr is. Or, to use the 'technical' term "buttock". In addition, this excludes the exposure of said imaginary structure in "mud, oil, or Jello".

Here.

Now where did I put that body part?

The NY Times has an interesting graphic of how to assess the value of a lost body part as a New York resident. Here.

Ice Surfing

Get ready for summer...

The ice flows down the river, gets trapped, and causes a backflow. This creates the waves. These people are crazy. The loose ice is between 15cm to 1m thick. Stand on board, catch wave, dodge ice. Easy-peasy... skip to 1:30 min or so. here. With English sub-titles here.

Mexican Gas Chamber

This YouTube video of two guys eating the naga jolokia is a telling tale. It reminded me of the time I made "Mexican Gas Chambers" for my friend TF and myself. The recipe is simple and is designed to confuse your brain by sending it mixed taste and sense messages. If you get it right then the effect is wonderful. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. I also recommend that you DO NOT DO THIS and the recipe is provided for information only. If you do this, you are on your own.

Recipe

Ingredients:

Enough (one for each person) jalapeno or similar medium to large hot chili peppers to fill a wide water glass when standing upright (about 6 or so)
Tequila or schnapps or Jaegermeister or similar clear spirit.
Double thick cream (the real thing is best rather than from a can) or greek yoghurt
Lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
Crackers/saltines

1. Trim off top and remove seeds from each chili.
2. Stand all chilis upright in the empty water glass.
3. Pour a small amount of tequila/schnapps... into each chili (about one third).
4. Pour similar amount of lemon juice so each chili is about two thirds full.
5. Allow to chill in fridge/ Alternate is to place in freezer for about 30-45 mins - the chilis should be cold but not frozen.
6. Remove from fridge.
7. Place a small broken piece of cracker in each chili so that it sits above (not touching) the liquid. To act as a platform for the cream.
8. Fill the top of each chili with cream or yoghurt so that each chili looks a bit like a green ice cream cone.
9. Keep in fridge until ready to eat.

Serving suggestion: Make sure each person eats the chili 'in one' (i.e., into the mouth whole). Place the chili cone in mouth, close lips, and chew.

Enjoy. The effect is interesting... and you will see why it is called what it is within a very short time.

Red Storm on the horizon

""We have lent huge amounts of money to the United States. Of course we are concerned about the safety of our assets," Mr Wen added. "To be honest, I am a little bit worried and I would like to... call on the United States to honour its word and remain a credible nation and ensure the safety of Chinese assets"

Don't blame China...

... totally. There are many who are having to cut back. They are even saving huge amounts of money by not buying "Feiyue shoes for £50 a pair in Paris but you can buy them here for £2". Here.

This article says many things. It was inspired by this one. See how he got on in the side article.

Warmth is returning

The past few days have seen the weather and temperature here slowly returning to normal. This winter has been long cold and damp.

One of our neighbours, a long term resident in an electrical junction box, has decided that the time is right to emerge.

Plant food...

... this morning I went to our local garden shop to pick up some soil for planting out some chili plants. While there I noticed the plant food shown in the picture below. Subtle? Indicative of the growing preferences of many around here? Or simply a good marketing manager... You be the judge.

Dumbest idea for a long time

Here.

G20 Disgrace

While I understand how difficult a job the police had, this is a total disgrace. Regardless of the outcome, the officer concerned pushed the man to the ground. There is no excuse for this. Britain has become a police state.

Amber Alert

What is your risk from terrorism?

This article deals nicely with reality and the perceived and actual risks involved.

Here is a calculated and quantified view. (NB: PDF file)

Somewhere else I have seen an actuaries table that lists the 'terror threat' way down below the first place threat ... namely being shot by a policeman. The summary states something along the lines of 'The likelihood of being in the same neighborhood as a terrorist in the mainland US is so improbable as to be statistically insignificant'. They do go on to state that the likelihood of a large scale attack is higher although the wording is decidedly conservative and vague. Unfortunately I am unable to find the link again. If anyone else knows of this please let me know.

Quizno's Gay Food Porn

This has to be the gayest advert ever... here.

An Odd review for an Odd Film

Here.

More bang for your buck

Here.

Can someone please explain...

... this?

"Applying for a passport in the UK

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) deals with all passport applications for UK residents living in Britain. However, if you are resident overseas, but are visiting the UK, you can also renew your passport during your trip. To renew your passport while you are in the UK, you need to make an appointment to do this in person with the Identity and Passport Services (IPS). You also need to provide the IPS with a residential address in the UK so they can post your passport to you. You will have to be available to that address to sign for the passport when it is sent to you."

If you do not live in the UK (i.e., resident overseas) the likelihood of your having a residential address in the UK is pretty low...

Berlusconi

Physician, health thyself... here. Berlusconi is his own worst enemy and harms Italy's reputation by his acts, not by the press reporting them.

UPDATE: And, once again... here.

Cognitive surplus

This should make you think... here.

Roomba news!

Now that IS progress... here.

If it's not there in 20 minutes...

... then what? Here.

Excellent

These posters are part of an anti-Aids campaign in France...

Nice Knockers and Knobs

Here.

Exceedingly bizarre movie trailer

Not sure about this one. Disturbing and disturbed is what comes to mind. (NB: there is a rather loud bit in this)... City of Lost Children.

When you are already sinking...

... it is good to know that the US Government is looking after you by moving to approve 'payday loans'. These loans have an APR of 361%!!!

Here.

A none black day for France

Here.

At the same time I received this email totally independent of the article.
* SURVEY *

Question : Are there too many foreigners in France ?

Réponse :

20% : YES

10%: NO

70% : معهد الأمن العالمي بواشنطن .

The economy is certainly bad

The Watchers are watching...

Another blow for freedom and an intrusion into privacy is here.

You can fight back with things like TOR

Forget the Wii, get her a Shii

Here.

Thanks to DJ for this truly wonderful gift idea for the lady in your life.

And, as summer approaches, here is something for the gardener... here.

Little Nemo In Slumberland

If you have not seen the Little Nemo book, the above is a sample. The book is bigger than a horses leg. Note that there are a couple of versions published. If you choose to buy it, make sure you buy the really big version. Spread it open on the floor and read. Here.

Death by Numbers

I find this poster both clever and revealing... look at it closer and also step back and squint...

Scary

I find this simple GIF rather scary in an odd sort of way... here.