August 30, 2003
Storm? What storm?
According to the New York Times, there was apparently some kind of storm in Memphis last month. Who knew?
August 29, 2003
Alien, Andriod, or Mutant?
Today begins a regular Friday feature on the Memphilter: a weekly game of Alien, Android, or Mutant? I briefly outlined this long-standing TV game in the Jack van Impe thread a couple of weeks ago. Every week, I will post a new subject on Friday and the polls will open for folks to post their votes. You can walk us through your thought processes in your post, or just shout out your answer, but please, one weekly vote per customer. On the following Thursday, the votes will be tallied and the verdict announced in time to begin again. Feel free to email me suggestions for the next week's subject of analysis. Ready? Let's begin:
Ashton Kutcher: Alien, Andriod, or Mutant?
August 28, 2003
Mars Attacks!
Is it just me, or did the Earth's proximity to Mars last night seem to coincide with particularly bloody outbreaks of localized violence that have occurred over the past few days? Respected authorites apparently support this observation.
August 26, 2003
Slide Rules R Us
Thank God I was born in at a time when slide rules were already obsolete. However, the brilliant old nerds at The Oughtred Society pine for the good old days. Actually, it's interesting to see the different types of slide rules that were invented for specialized purposes since the 17th century. My rather grim occupation sometimes requires the use of a mortality calculator, for which I have a circular slide rule. My favorite, though, is the Nuclear Weapons Effects Computer that was a product of Manhattan Project physicists. I can hear it now-- "The nukes are on their way! Where is my Nuclear Weapons Effects Computer so I can figure out what percentage of my ass is about to be blown off?" (ripped off from a Discover magazine article)
August 25, 2003
I don't think we've ever been this close.
I am certainly not the foremost Mars lover here, but I like the Red Planet very much. I am sure that many of you are aware that this week Mars will be closer to the earth than it has been in, oh, 600 centuries. The fine folks at Kuro5hin have put together a little background info to get you ready for Wednesday's big event.
August 22, 2003
The others at taxidermy school always thought he was strange.
I am referring, of course, to Walter Potter, the nineteenth century Englishman who saw taxidermy as more than just a morbid bragaddocio. Instead, he produced creepy cute tableaus with his mounts. (via Coudal Partners)
Quote of the Day
"I'm in a mood to chop yr fucking hands off. R.S.V.P."
-Hunter S. Thompson, courtesy Incunabula.
August 21, 2003
A Short History of America
I just watched this movie. I really liked this series of images. I subsequently went to this website. Today was a good day.
Stupid Pet Inventions
Recently we spied this treasure in a catalog, and I thought I'd witnessed one of the most stupid inventions for your pet to date.
This morning, however, I think I've stumbled across the new chart topper. Be sure to catch the video demonstration while you eat your breakfast bagel. While the problem of pet waste in cities is no laughing matter, I think that few pet owners would prefer cleaning this bag after each use vs. just following your dog with a plastic grocery sack. Then again, if you're my neighbor you just let your dog loose in my front yard anyway.
Surely some of you have your own favorite stupid consumer pet goods?
August 20, 2003
The Halifax Explosion
On December 6, 1917, the French merchant ship Mont-Blanc and the Norwegian vessel Imo were involved in a small collision. A fire broke out on the Mont-Blanc, which was loaded to the gills with the unfortunate combination of picric acid, TNT, gun cotton, and benzol. The crew, realizing that they were afloat a highly combustible hulk that was on fire, abandoned ship. For twenty minutes the Mont-Blanc floated aimlessly, finally resting against Halifax's Pier 6. The resulting explosion may still very well be the largest non-nuclear detonation in the history of the world. Over 1,900 people were killed in the explosion, as many had run toward the docks when they heard that a ship was aflame, not realizing the cargo's explosive potential. More links: A survivor's account. A church's archives from the time. Postcards of the tragedy.
August 19, 2003
Accessories for breast implants
Holy sheep shit! I never cease to be amazed.
On Headline News this AM
Jerry Falwell has started a petition. Rev. Fred Phelps has got nothing on this guy.
August 18, 2003
The real Neil Armstrong
I always thought that "One small step for man.." line rolled off the astronaut's tongue just too easily. I knew it had to be an edit. Well, for the first time, someone has located the original, unedited version of Armstrong's first words on the moon. (They are Not Safe For Work).
August 16, 2003
Blackout Mania!
The Northeast blackout was big, but so was Hurricane Elvis.
August 15, 2003
Thirty pound Badass of the Day
Quentin walks out of the gas chamber alive, with tail wagging.
August 14, 2003
Anatomy as art
Gunther von Hagen has patented a process called, "plastination", an alternative method of preserving cadavers that preserves their original texture, color and structure down to the microscopic level. It doesn't stop at preservation, however. The cadavers are posed and presented in an exhibition called Body Worlds. Check out some photos from the exhibition's webpage: Basketball Player, Hacker, and Horseman.
August 13, 2003
The Famous "Sushi Pants" Story
This speaks for itself.
Quote of the Day
"I am not sure whether he knows all of the prophecies and how deep of a student he has been in God's Word, but I was contacted a few weeks ago by the Office of Public Liaison for the White House and by the National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice to make an outline [of the events of the rapture].
Jack Van Impe, of Jack Van Impe Ministries International, answering the Question of the Week.
August 12, 2003
5,000-Year-Old Badass of the Day
Otzi the Iceman
Anyone for Some Crack?
If you're like me--and I know I am--here's what you'll be doing for the rest of the day.
August 11, 2003
WMDs found?
Robert Novak reports that WMDs have been found. He also reports that the public will have to wait until mid-September, when a formal announcement will be made. (More inside.)
August 10, 2003
Quote of the Day
"When you do have the space elevator, the chief expense of space travel will be for catering in-flight movies, as it does take quite a while to get to stationary orbit. "
Sir Arthur C. Clarke
August 08, 2003
Elite Force Aviator: Dubya
The George W. Bush 12" military action figure.
August 05, 2003
The Gimli Glider...
...or how Air Canada pilots Bob Pearson and Maurice Quintal landed a Boeing 767 on a raceway after losing both engines. My favorite quote from this interesting story: Starved of fuel, both Pratt & Whitney engines had flamed out. Pearson's response, recorded on the cockpit voice recorder was "Oh F___."
The Well-Dressed Revolutionary
These days, it's murder to get your bizzare, extra-governmental terrorist militia organization noticed by the media. Thus, the importance of eye-catching fashion to the would-be revolutionary cannot be overstated. In the 70's, the Black September group established the hooded look which became standard for groups like the IRA. In the 90's, home-grown American groups likeThe Militia of Montana were all the rage, but middle-aged men in camoflage staving off impotence by tromping around in the woods with AR-15's soon lost their luster. Japanese media darlings Aum Shinrikyo have recently found themselves upstaged by the white-clad minimalists of Pana Wave Laboratories, despite the fact the Aum were pioneers in the terrorist use of chemical weaons and the Pana Wave posuers have yet to actually kill anybody. Columbian narco-terror stalwarts, the FARC have relied on their funny name to grab column space, but when is the last time you heard anything about Plan Columbia? The current Most Watched Man in the World combines 90's field jacket camoflage with a tasteful white turban for a timeless, understated feel. But look out, Osama: There's a bold new look emerging in Liberia.
Programmer or Serial Killer
Can you tell the difference between an inventor of a prgoramming language and serial killer? Programming Language Inventor or Serial Killer? is a little quiz that asks you to do just that.
(via MeFi)
August 03, 2003
Happy Birthday, Mr. Bradbury
Ray Bradbury will turn 83 on August 22. The Planetary Society wants you to sign his birthday card.
August 01, 2003
The Lads from Lagos
Check out Scam o Rama for some entertaining examples of correspondence with Nigerian scam artists. The email between Bill Smith and Dr. Ulaoma Okoro is particularly hilarious, especially when Dr. Okoro actually sends in a picture of himself holding the IAMA DILDO letterhead. Check out the comments to see my own efforts to string one of these guys along.
Alternative Fuels
I saw this quote in my morning newsletter collection that I thought was pretty funny:
"New Scientist magazine reported that in the future, cars could be powered by hazelnuts. That's encouraging, considering an eight-ounce jar of hazelnuts costs about nine dollars. Yeah, I've got an idea for a car that runs on bald eagle heads and Faberge eggs."
-Jimmy Fallon
This is the ugliest shirt I've ever seen!!
I'm very open-minded about clothing. If I don't like something for myself I still know that it probably works for someone else. But, then I look at a shirt like this and become completely and utterly boggled bordering on mystification: who made this? who would wear this? I found this being sold as vintage clothing on the internet, who would assume that this could not only be sold but be re-sold?, what was the mindset of the person who made this? were they a prisoner somewhere in a dark cell like the count of Monte Christo and given needle and thread and created this manifestation in the dark out of a burlap sack? Maybe I've had too much coffee, I've been staring at this shirt for way too long, this is bizarre. I thought I'd share all this with everybody.
Posted by at 10:46 AM | 
