Dumage

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• Who Can Afford This
• Extreme Planking
• Interesting Sleeveface Photos
• Rockefeller Center in New York
• What’s In The Universe?
• Are You For Genetically Modified Food?
• Geisha Tattoo
• Celebrate July 4th With These Games
• The Best iPhone Games
• Cities For The Douchebags
• The Greatest Wine Regions
• Largest Armed Conflicts
• Mushroom Shaped Nature Creativity
• Groups That Scare the World
• These Used to Be Legal
• Do You Have A Coulrophobia
• Bad Art For Bad People
• Extreme Ironing
• Ice Skating Accidents
• Geneva Maison de Haute Horlogerie
• Invasion of Hot Aliens
• Most Famous Conspiracy Theories
• Beauty From the Depth
• Funny, Cool and Weird Coca-Cola
• In the Blink of an Eye
• Great Examples of Eerie Taxidermy
• Sweet And Soluble
• Amazing Little Faces
• Awesome Facebook Profiles
• Super Mario Bros.
• Elegant Women’s Underwear
• Dangerous Cars
• Beautiful Dust Art
• Ladies Maneaters
• New and Funny Photobombs
• Dizzy Heights
• The Hottest Cowgirls
• Cars With Attitude
• Royal Look-Alikes
• Creative Perspective
• Best Movies’ Special Effects
• Tricks for Eyes: Illusions
• Beautiful Red Wedding Dresses

Who Can Afford This Posted: 18 Jun 2011 11:36 AM PDT I guess we all have stuff that we like, but i guess you don`t have to pay this much for it. Check out our gallery of the most expensive auction items. 10.  Most Expensive Painting Everyone knows the art is expensive… but how much? World has seen some great painters their great paintings and great worth of such paintings. The admirers of painting masterpieces are many who can spend hefty sum to acquire them. The painting that won on the list of most expensive paintings sold in auction ever is Pablo Picasso’s ’Boy with the pipe’ or ‘Garcon a la pipe’. Painted in 1905 by Pablo Picasso, Garcon a la Pipe (Boy with a Pipe) became the most expensive painting ever sold at auction when it was sold in Sotheby's in New York in May 2004 for a price of just over $104 million. One thousand people showed up to the auction on that day to whiteness someone spend a king's ransom on the piece. The anonymous buyer made no comment as to where he planned on hanging the piece. 9. Most Expensive Piece of Clothing At Kennedy's birthday celebration on May 19th 1962, the gorgeous actress sang him a seductive sounding birthday song wearing a dress so tight and curve-hugging that rumor has it she wore nothing underneath. Manhattan collectible company Gotta Have It purchased this dress at auction $1,267,500 in 1999. When asked by reporters why he would spend a fortune on a piece of fabric that originally cost $12,000, company president Robert Schargen proclaimed that he would have paid twice that: “We stole it” he boasted. 8. Most Expensive Manuscript The Codex Leicester (also briefly known as Codex Hammer) is a collection of largely scientific writings by Leonardo da Vinci. The codex is named after Thomas Coke, later created Earl of Leicester, who purchased it in 1717. Of Leonardo’s 30 scientific journals, the Codex may be the most famous of all.The Codex provides a rare insight into the inquiring mind of the definitive Renasissance artist, scientist and thinker as well as an exceptional illustration of the link between art and science and the creativity of the scientific process. As the ultimate Renaissance man, Leonardo da Vinci meticulously recorded his thoughts, musings and sketches in journals throughout his life. Three years after Bill Gates bought the historic diary, for  $30,802,500 in 1994, he released a digitally scanned version for all the world to enjoy. 7. Most Expensive Musical Instrument The violin is probably the most popular bowed and stringed musical instrument. The instrument comes from Italy during the 16th century and the oldest surviving violin dates to 1564. Even if you don’t play the violin, you’ve probably heard of Antonio Stradivari, the famous Italian craftsman of stringed instruments (or luthier, as such a person is known). But it was Bartolomeo Giuseppe Antonio Guarnieri, the grandson of one of Stradivari’s apprentices, whose instrument broke the world record for the highest-priced auction item. The violin in question, a 250-year-old piece once owned by Tsar Alexander II's court violinist, was sold to Viktorov at a Sotheby's auction in New York for nearly $4 million USD. Viktorov only played it a little before purchasing it. After that, he refused to play it until Israeli virtuoso Pinchas Zukerman had performed with it. The violin had not been played for 70 years at the time of the sale, until the buyer hired Israeli maestro Pinchas Zukerman to play it for him at a private concert. To hear the first few notes play off such a classic instrument must have made the investment worth every penny. 6.Most Expensive Lock of Hair Apart from his soulful voice and swinging hips, Elvis Presley was known for his hair. The record holder in this category is the King himself. Sold by Homer Gilleland, his longtime personal barber, the jet-black cuttings of Elvis Presley brought in a record $115,120 at an online auction in 2002 — or more than $140,000 if the locks were purchased today. Some other hair locks sold for a great amount of money are – hair from John Lennon ($48,000), John F. Kennedy ($3,000) and Beethoven ($7,300)… 5.  Most Expensive Antiquity The sculpture is over 2,000 years old and hails back to the Roman empire. In the 1920′s, a team of construction workers stumbled upon it while digging in Rome, and they must be kicking themselves for not holding onto it now. On June 7, 2007, a Roman era bronze sculpture of "Artemis and the Stag" was sold at Sotheby's auction house in New York state by the Albright-Knox Art Gallery for $25.5 million. ”She deserved it!” – said Richard M. Keresey, Worldwide Director of Sotheby’s Antiquities 4.  Most Expensive Car There are only 21 other cars like it, but none of them are quite so expensive.The 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa is unarguably one of the most beautiful and successfully designed race cars ever. It was sold for $12.15 million at an auction and became the most expensive car ever sold in the world. It was declared that the price of the car includes a 10 percent buyer's premium on top. 22 Scaglietti-designed Testa Rossas's fenders were built by Ferrari Company between 1957 and 1958. It has  a 300 horsepower V12. Testa Rossas won 10 of the 19 races they entered between 1958 and 1961. 3. Most Expensive Furniture You won’t find this in Ikea…or anywhere else…When the 18th century Florentine ebony chest inlaid with amethyst quartz, agate, lapis lazuli and other stones sold for $36 million at a 2004 Christie’s auction, it broke its own record as the most expensive piece of furniture sold at auction. The chest received its name because it resided in Badminton England for more than two centuries. A true piece of art, the item has been owned by Barbara Johnson of the Johnson & Johnson corporation and Prince Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein. 2. Most Expensive Diamond A rare blue diamond handed down through generations of German royalty sold for a record-breaking $24.3 million at auction Wednesday in London. The 35.56-carat blue diamond dates back to the 17th century, when King Philip IV of Spain selected the jewel to be part of his daughter's dowry. The diamond passed among Austrian and Bavarian royalty for centuries, but after World War I Bavaria became a republic and the jewel was repossessed by the state. If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, the Wittelsbach would make one heck of a BFF. 1. Most Expensive Sports Memorabilia Mark McGwire 70th Home Run Ball (1998) – $3,005,000. It only takes two to make an auction, which is why the bid for this ball went through the roof to what some say was a grossly inflated price, even without the steroid allegations that have come to dog McGwire. The winning bid, from comic book maker Todd MacFarlane, was reportedly well above all other offers. The ball is now estimated to be worth about a third of what MacFarlane paid for it. Sources

Extreme Planking Posted: 16 Jun 2011 01:13 PM PDT This craziness is the latest phenomena to grip the online world. The concept is quite simple, lie facedown with your arms to the side of your body – but, oh – it has to be somewhere, unusual, public and somewhat dangerous. Your "plank" must then be followed by a series of photographs of the actual "plank" posted on a social media site for other "Plankers" to see. The concept is also referred to as "the lying down game" in Europe and Japan, and "playing dead" in Korea, or "a plat ventre" (On one's belly) in France. Social networks, especially Facebook, have been the main channel of the planking craze. The most popular planking platform is Planking Australia with more than 154 000 fans. source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source

Interesting Sleeveface Photos Posted: 15 Jun 2011 02:30 PM PDT Sleeveface is a cultural photographic phenomenon that is sweeping the world where one or more persons obscure or augment any part of their body or bodies with record sleeve(s) causing an illusion.

Rockefeller Center in New York Posted: 14 Jun 2011 01:35 PM PDT Rockefeller Center is built by the Rockefeller  family. Building complex consisting 19 commercial buildings between 48th and 51st streets in New York City, located in the center of Midtown Manhattan, spanning the area between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue. The <Center is a combination of two building complexes: the older and original 14 Art Deco office buildings from the 1930s, and a set of four International-style towers built along the west side of Avenue of the Americas during the 1960s and 1970s. On the street is 200 masts with the same sometimes, and sometimes different flags. During the U.S. holidays on each mast are flying the Flag of the United States. Sometimes they set flags of United Nations member countries or decorative and seasonal flags. Radio City Music Hall at 50th Street and Avenue of the Americas was completed in 1932. Each holiday season features the annual musical stage show, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, more than 70 years. The centerpiece of Rockefeller Center is the 70-floor GE Building (RCA Building) at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Several great artists worked on the revival buildings. Sculptor Lee Lawrie has done even twelve sculptures for this center. Prometheus by Paul Manship and Statue of Atlas, which has worked Lee Lawrie, are the most famous statues. A series of underground pedestrian passages stretches from 47th Street to 51st Street, and from Fifth Avenue to Seventh Avenue where numerous businesses operate in the Concourse offering shoppers a range of products and services. Everyone who comes will certainly struck by the size of buildings and the expanse of the entire area occupied by the Rockefeller Plaza. source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source

What’s In The Universe? Posted: 13 Jun 2011 02:17 PM PDT The Universe is the ultimate mystery of this whole story. And of course that I don’t have answer to this question – if it’s not “42″ :) The beginning are not clear and is hard to guess where it might have come from. The term universe may be used in slightly different contextual senses, denoting such concepts as the cosmos, the world, or nature. Cosmos and the Universe are just small parts of the Macrocosmos and  gravitational energy is equal and opposite to the matter energy in a closed space. What is the Big Bang? The Big Bang is cosmological theory of the early development of the universe. source The universe existed around 13.7 billion years ago. About 300 thousand years after the Big Bang, the Universe had cooled enough for electrons to be captured by protons and alpha particles to form atoms. Over a long period of time gravitationally attracted nearby matter  formed gas clouds, stars, galaxies, and the other astronomical structures. Careful studies of the distribution of these galaxies and their spectral lines have led to much of modern cosmology. The details of this process depend on the amount and type of matter in the Universe. A galaxy is an island of billions of stars. There are billions of other galaxies probably very similar to ours. Galaxies are either spiral (about 70% of galaxies – similar to the Milky Way) or elliptical (about 30%). source A few are other shapes. Stars are formed continuously in spirals and in the spiral galaxy we live. A galaxy is a massive, gravitationally bound system that consists of stars and stellar remnants, an interstellar medium of gas dust, and an important but poorly understood component tentatively dubbed dark matter. Independent lines of evidence from Type Ia supernovae and the CMB imply that the Universe today is dominated by a mysterious form of energy known as dark energy, which apparently permeates all of space. source The nearest star to us is the Sun. The next nearest star is Proxima Centauri in the constellation Centaurus. Proxima Centauri is very close to the nearest visible star, Alpha Centauri. Proxima and Alpha are thought to be associated by gravity because they have a similar motion in space. There's a new telescope the VLT Survey Telescope (VST), a wide-field survey telescope with a field of view twice as broad as the full Moon, enabling new, spectacular views of the cosmos. It is the largest telescope in the world designed to exclusively survey the sky in visible light. Over the next few years the VST and its camera OmegaCAM will make several very detailed surveys of the southern sky. The Solar System consists of the Sun and the astronomical objects. Of the many objects that orbit the Sun, most of the mass is contained within eight relatively solitary planets whose orbits are almost circular and lie within a nearly flat disc called the ecliptic plane. source Further improvements in astronomy led to the realization that the Solar System is composed of billions of stars, the Milky Way, and that other galaxies exist outside it, as far as astronomical instruments can reach. A star (such as the Sun) is a ball of gas which has, a nuclear fusion reactor. Stars are the places where large atoms are built. Past generations of stars formed the gas and dust from which the planets and life were made. Two large planets, Jupiter and Saturn, were the first to form. They are mostly gas. These massive planets probably had a great influence on how the rest of the solar system evolved. They were in almost perfect circular orbits. Most of the giant planets are in elliptical orbits. Later four small rocky planets formed near the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. Life later evolved on Earth. These planets too had almost circular orbits. If they had oval orbits, life could not have evolved. Another planet started to form but broke up into pieces because of the gravity of Jupiter. It formed a ring of small rocks where the planet should have been. We call them the asteroids. Beyond Saturn there are two gassy planets, Uranus and Neptune and a little icy planet Pluto. source Far out beyond Pluto there are many icy objects like the snowballs which formed the planets. They are the comets, and sometimes some of them wanders in near the Sun. Plants first appeared on Earth in the form of blue-green bacteria about 3.5 billion years ago. The algae appeared around 1.5 billion, and colonies of them around 1 billion years ago. Land plants appeared around 500 million years ago and had evolved into tree ferns about 350 million. Seeds appeared about 300 million years ago and fruits about 200 million. Grasses appeared about 50 million years ago. Bacteria have only one cell each and the first cells appeared on Earth about 3.5 billion years ago. source The third major type of animal was not closely related to the molluscs or arthropods. It is not clear which of the invertebrates was their ancestor, perhaps early flatworms. Although not so successful in terms of numbers they were far more successful in other ways. They first appeared around 500 million years ago, and are called the vertebrates, meaning “with backbone”. Bone was a key factor in the success of the vertebrates. All animals which do not have backbones (everything except the vertebrates) are called invertebrates. Modern people (Homo Sapiens) seem to have evolved in Africa about 100 thousand years ago and lived there while the Neanderthals were spreading around the world. An interglacial (warm period) began 35 thousand years ago. Then modern people came out of Africa and spread. Within a few thousand years they replaced the Neanderthals in Europe and Asia. Then about 25 thousand years ago the weather turned cold again and a glacial began, known as the Ice Age. source source source source source source source source source source source source source

Are You For Genetically Modified Food? Posted: 12 Jun 2011 02:16 PM PDT Genetically Modified Organism is the most common usage. The acronyms GEO (Genetically Engineered Organism) or simply GM or GE are also used.  What does this mean? It means that we are living like in a movies about the distant future. This means that we now have a blue strawberries, oranges in apples, potato in corn(…). All the food looks like it’s painted and it stays fresh for a long time. All this we used to watch at the movies while today we eating that food! source Soybeans are one of the world’s most genetically modified crops. Like it or not, genetically engineered seeds are sneaking into a lot of foods, often via corn, which can be turned in to a huge variety of foods and food-like substances. What worries me more is the fact that people are silent. Governments of all countries are poisoning the land and the seed while the people remain quiet. Whether in the food we eat has some sedative? Whether through the food they affect our brains? This seed is not healthy! There is a Facebook group against genetically modified food, but people do not realize that they will not stop until the entire world go out on the streets! source These chemicals kill our bees the most important creatures on the planet and warp our babies. However, a recent report by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, says that the EU farming community has benefited from genetically engineered crops through higher yields and cost savings. The EU-27 consumes about 33 million tonnes of soybean meal a year in animal feed, with most of it imported from North and South America. Of this between 80 and 95 per cent is genetically modified – 26 million to 31 million tonnes. source The U.S. company “Monsanto” produces genetically modified seeds. In the 1990s, the Monsanto corporation was feared and reviled as one of the world’s largest chemical companies, and by far the most aggressive promoter of genetic engineering in agriculture. The company spent millions of dollars trying to convince people that the fate of the world’s starving masses depended on the acceptance of its new, genetically engineered crop varieties. Originally, Monsanto was one of four chemical companies seeking to bring a synthetic Bovine Growth Hormone, produced in E. coli bacteria genetically engineered to manufacture the bovine protein, to market. Today, Monsanto is the agricultural subsidiary of Pharmacia, a transnational pharmaceutical company with dual origins in the United States and Switzerland. They operates in: Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, United States, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Albania, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Algeria, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Zimbabwe. Several other countries will sell their healthy seeds for the modified while some don’t want to do this. Do not allow contamination of land and seed. Sign a petition to pass a law against it. Do something for yourself and your future. source The latest survey conducted by Canadian scientists showed that the poisons, which contain genetically modified food, kept in the bloodstream and is transmitted from mother to child. It is the toxins that are artificially injected into genetically modified crops, and that should kill only the harmful insects. However, the study of Canadian experts has shown that as many as 93 percent of cases, if pregnant women consume genetically modified food, these toxins are not only retained in her body, but also for their baby. The survey also showed that in 69 percent of cases, women who are pregnant, toxins remain in the bloodstream. Such data are astonished Canadian scientists, as there are serious conditions that these toxins can cause various abnormalities, allergies and even cancer. “This study surprised us as it is shown that toxins, which are used to destroy insects survive in the human body the digestion of food and reach directly into the bloodstream,” said the Canadian researchers, as quoted by the Daily Mail. ” According to them, those who advocate the cultivation of genetically modified foods are assured that such a thing is impossible, but the latest scientific studies are now denied. source On the other hand, proponents of GM foods argue that “the study is not reliable.” So the British Council for Agricultural Biotechnology, argues that the toxins that are injected into genetically modified organisms to destroy the insects “are not dangerous to human health”. The British ad campaign proclaiming Monsanto’s mission to feed the world became such an object of derision that it had to be withdrawn. The experts, however, requires governments across Europe to ban cultivation of genetically modified organisms and calls for further research, which should determine what effect these toxins cause when you get into the bloodstream. source The experience of U.S. cotton growers with Monsanto’s genetically engineered seeds is even more striking. Monsanto released two varieties of genetically engineered cotton, beginning in 1996. One is a Roundup-resistant variety and the other, named “Bollgard,” secretes a bacterial toxin intended to control damage from three leading cotton pests. The toxin, derived from Bacillus thuringiensis, has been used by organic growers in the form of a natural bacterial spray since the early 1970s. But while Bt bacteria are relatively short-lived, and secrete their toxin in a form that only becomes activated in the alkaline digestive systems of particular worms and caterpillars, genetically engineered Bt crops secrete an active form of the toxin throughout the plant’s life cycle. Much of the genetically engineered maize currently on the market, for example, is a Bt secreting variety, designed to repel the corn rootworm and other common pests. The first widely anticipated problem with these pesticide-secreting crops is that the presence of the toxin throughout the plant’s life cycle is likely to encourage the development of resistant strains of common crop pests. The U.S. EPA has determined that widespread resistance to Bt may render natural applications of Bt bacteria ineffective in just three to five years and requires growers to plant refuges of up to 40 percent non-Bt cotton in an attempt to forestall this effect. Second, the active toxin secreted by these plants may harm beneficial insects, moths and butterflies, in addition to those species that growers wish to eliminate. All these insects are needed because of the food chain that is so important. We can not kill nature and the natural cycle of life. Nature tends to be balanced. Nature might deal with a company like Monsanto, but humans will not. Everything we eat will affect on us and our children. source source source source sources: http://www.panacea-bocaf.org/geneticallymodifiedfood.htm http://www.monsanto.com/whoweare/Pages/our-locations.aspx http://www.monsanto.com/Pages/default.aspx http://www.nextgenerationfood.com/article/genetically-modified-food-around-the-world/ http://www.wikipedia.org

Geisha Tattoo Posted: 11 Jun 2011 02:16 PM PDT Geisha are learned and free women still represents the traditional culture of Japan. They were able to play, sing, dance, and make ornaments of paper, and to lead discussions on each topic. Sometimes there were many, but the presence of Western culture almost suppressed. To the satisfaction of many Japanese tourists they are still the cultural heritage of this country.

Celebrate July 4th With These Games Posted: 10 Jun 2011 02:50 PM PDT I don’t know what makes you happy – racing in a Chevy, throwing the pigskin, rocking out to classic anthems, or saving lives from government conspiracies – there are numerous video games to help you celebrate the 4th of July. Whatever your patriotic pick, enjoy it in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Sure, there will always be baseball and apple pie, but there are other symbols of good ol’ Uncle Sam that video games can conjure up. While there are decades of games that make us think about Old Glory, these games are current and still available on present gaming consoles. So, grab your bottle rockets and salute our choice for top all-American video games. Forza Motorsport What makes this game all-American: Command RPMs behind the wheel of a Chevy Stingray or a Dodge Charger – need we say more? Fast cars, exotic automobiles and good old-fashioned muscle machines can all be found in Microsoft Game Studios' simulation racing game. Forza boasts some of the best graphics available and allows gamers the chance to race stock cars, SUVs and high-end foreign and domestic vehicles. Sure, exploding fireworks and enemy tanks can bring out the patriot in all of us, but try a little heart-pumping, blood-rushing pedal-to-the-metal and you'll be able to smell the gasoline and burning rubber. source Halo 3: ODST What makes this game all-American: The camaraderie and the war setting are throwbacks to the old days of WWII and Audrey Murphy movies. Instead of being a cyborg fighting machine, you're a regular guy trying to do the right thing and protect freedom in the process. While the previous installments in the award-winning Halo series puts you in the armor of the super-soldier Master Chief, Halo 3: ODST puts you in the boots of a regular Joe. Playing as the rookie, you team up, look for and fight alongside your teammates against the invading Covenant. source NHL 10 What makes this game all-American: The chance to be your team's best player and kick ass on the ice (or be the general manager). While most people think hockey and Canada belong in the same sentence, we can't forget that the ice rink sport is loved in the U.S. as well. Suit up, hit the ice and try to keep cool during the hot 4th of July weekend with this EA Sports crowd-pleaser. NHL 10 features intense gameplay, major teams through the United States (go Redwings!), intimidation tactics, and even FPS fighting. source Rock Band 2 What makes this game all-American: A great blend of classic and current rock bridges the gaps between new gamers and old-school music lovers. Sing or play "American Woman" or "Carry On Wayward Son," and try to not see fireworks and red, white and blue. Gather up your guitar and go to town in Harmonix's entry in the long-running series. A great 4th of July weekend could easily feature some outdoor grilling, cold beer-drinking and straight-up rocking out. With a long list of bands that include Kansas, Metallica, Nirvana, and Bob Dylan, Rock Band 2 covers the epitome of American music. source UFC Undisputed 2010 What makes this game all-American: MMA offers something for every sports fan out there regardless of nationality. Drop some jujitsu on your opponent and see the rocket’s red glare. Given the chance, one can't help but feel that our founding fathers would have kicked back, grabbed a cold one and watched some UFC. UFC Undisputed 2010 lets fans not only watch great takedowns, but participate. THQ's MMA video game includes fighters such as Mauricio Rua, Quinton Jackson, Tim Sylvia, and Kimbo Slice. source Madden NFL 10 What makes this game all-American: Picking your favorite pigskin crushing team and going against the AI or a fellow gamer. Not every game that reminds us of being all-American is full of explosions and warfare. What’s more American than great sports, and when you talk sports you’ll need to talk about Madden NFL 10. The game gives players the chance to play as teams from the NFL with a 2009 lineup. Experience fumble pileups, multiplayer tackles and management of the franchise. source Metal Gear Solid 4 What makes this game all-American: Metal Gear has been discussing corrupt government, personal freedom and the true definition of liberty since it first debuted on the NES decades ago. Pick any discussion between Snake and his team or his enemies and you’ll wonder what being free truly is. Metal Gear is known for many things – mainly complex story lines, great graphics and intense political themes. Konami's stealth action game continues the saga of Solid Snake, now suffering from his own genetics, and his pursuit against terrorists out to hijack a worldwide computer network. source MLB 2K10 What makes this game all-American: It's baseball, what more could you ask for? Take a base, try to steal home and take off your hat for the national anthem. What would an American summer be without baseball? MLB lets players assume the control of some of Major League Baseball's hottest players. You can even track your own career as you progress from the minors to the majors. With a great soundtrack and real-life ballplayers available, MLB feels like a day at the ballpark. You may even sing "Take Me Out" at the seventh inning stretch. source Splinter Cell: Conviction What makes this game all-American: When Fisher has to storm the streets of Washington D.C. in order to save democracy, the video game is raised from vengeance to vigilance. Sam Fisher is one of the greatest spies in the world. Now, he's hunted by his former government and hunting its corrupt elements in return. Go around the world, fight terrorists both foreign and domestic and even storm the White House to save the president. EIDOS' Splinter Cell: Conviction lets gamers single-handedly save the United States from the shadows of covert operations. source Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 What makes this game all-American: When you jump into the boots of a United States Ranger defending Washington D.C. from invading forces. Join up and enlist, CoD: MW2 is a crowd-pleasing, award-winning hop around the globe where players can be all that they can be. CoD: MW2 is easily one of the best-selling games on current consoles and maybe of all time. Like its predecessor, the FPS puts the players and plot into different scenarios throughout the globe with an intricate plot of terrorism, space stations and questionable alliances. Add to that one of the best multiplayer platforms and CoD:MW2 is a great add-on to a holiday weekend. source

The Best iPhone Games Posted: 09 Jun 2011 01:18 PM PDT I know that iPhone is still overlooked in favor of the Nintendo DS and Sony’s PSP when it comes to portable gaming, and I don’t like Apple’s products (no hard feelings,Apple users), iPhone has been building up a lot of momentum in the gaming industry as the mobile platform amasses an impressive growing library of titles. You know, from bite-size puzzle games  to old-school arcade remakes (even epically long RPGs) we’ve watched the iPhone morph into a legitimate portable gaming system. With most prices ranging between $9.99 all the way down to a single dollar for a game, there can be a tremendous amount of gaming value to be found on the iPhone. So, we point out 10 essential picks that absolutely have to be on every guy's iPhone. Star Defense It’s almost impossible to open up the App Store and not stumble across about two dozen tower defense games in the span of a few seconds. Sure, this strategy genre has been milked to death, but the truth is, the tower defense gameplay does lend itself quite well to the iPhone, and no developer has taken more advantage of this natural fit like ngmocco. Star Defense puts a science fiction spin on the mundane tower defense game, thanks to its use of a 3-D plane of action. The controls are sublime, the tower and enemy balance is perfect and the classy presentation is the cherry on top of what is an effort that is head and shoulders above all other tower defense games. Star Defense is a great title to pop in and pop out of, but don't be surprised when you find yourself playing this for long feverish stretches on your iPhone. source N.O.V.A. When you think of the type of games that would play well on a 3.5-inch touch screen phone, FPS are probably the last genre to come to mind. For the times when you are away from your Xbox 360 or PS 3, and are just craving some Halo-like FPS action, the iPhone has you covered with N.O.V.A. If you compare Gameloft's N.O.V.A. to other shooters offered on the iPhone today, there really is no contest. Excellent pacing, epic set pieces, and most importantly the quality controls, N.O.V.A. is a graphically impressive, fully competent mobile FPS title. source Beneath A Steel Sky – Remastered One of the best gaming trends on the iPhone has been the conversion of classic p&c adventure games. While we have seen more famous titles such as The Secret Of Monkey Island and Myst make the transition over to iPhone games, the best of the bunch so far has been a long-lost cult favorite from the early '90s. Beneath A Steel Sky takes the term retro remix to a whole new level, offering up a load of impressive new polished features, none of which are as obvious or appreciated as the updated cut scenes that were animated by Dave Gibbons of Watchmen fame. For just $4.99 you can score a slick adventure title that manages to not only conjure up nostalgic bliss, but also make perfect use of the iPhone's cutting-edge control schemes. source Peggle Be forewarned before you purchase Peggle for your iPhone – this puzzle game is highly addictive and has been known to make gamers fiend for a fix at all times of the day. PopCap's sensation may have previously been a huge hit on the PC, but Peggle feels like it was always meant to be an iPhone game, and this is probably the best version. The touch-screen controls of the iPhone are a perfect match for the slide-and-shoot action of Peggle, and the quick game nature makes it ideal for mini play sessions on the go. In addition to online multiplayer mode, there are 100 unique levels to play through in Peggle, and each one presents a multitude of challenges and high scores to shoot for. If you have never experienced Peggle, get ready to say goodbye to all office productivity, and even if you have played it to death on another console, this is still a must-own App for your phone. Download it now, and book a stay at Peggle rehab later. source Zenonia A massive original role-playing game on the iPhone would have seemed like both an impractical and impossible achievement, that is until you play Zenonia. Gamevil has crafted a world that is easy to get lost in, and with a sequel already on the way, Zenonia is looking to become the first name in iPhone RPGs. After just a few moments playing Zenonia, you will feel yourself being transported back to that genre's 16-bit golden age on the Genesis and SNES as the game will remind many of a classic Final Fantasy or Dragon Warrior title. Don't be fooled into thinking this game is watered down on any level just because it lives on the iPhone. Zenonia features solid graphics, a detailed skill tree for customizing your hero and even a day-to-night system. With potentially 40 hours worth of gameplay, there is a lot to keep you busy here. source Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor Spider is a very easy game to fall in love with. From the stunning hand-drawn art to the iTunes-worthy musical score and even the surprisingly emotional story, this is a little game that would be a crime to overlook. On the surface, Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor appears to be a standard puzzle game, albeit a creative one where you control a tiny arachnid as it weaves its web to catch flies and bugs. However, playing out in the backdrop of Spider is an impressive mystery that is easy to miss, but turns out to be the highlight of the game. The Secret of Bryce Manor conjures up more sensations of sadness, dread and uplifting spirit than that of games 50 times its size on much more powerful platforms. With 28 rooms to explore and re-explore as you try to unwind this brilliant story, Spider offers a lot of lasting appeal and a mega value. source Dragon’s Lair Any gamer who grew up in the 1980s probably has at least one fond memory of the arcade and laser disc classic Dragon's Lair. While ported many times over throughout the years, and sometimes to less than stellar results, the beautifully animated Don Bluth game really soars on the iPhone. Including both the arcade and home version, Dragon's Lair should be a fixture on everyone's iPhone. The visuals are about as crisp and bold as ever, and in a game that solely relies on split-second controls, Dragon's Lair is extremely responsive. While the game ultimately boils down to trial and error memorization, the $5 price tag alone is worth it for the stunning animations that harken back to the Disney heydays. source Rolando Every great console has an iconic figure, whether it's Mario on Nintendo, Sonic on the Genesis or now Rolando on the iPhone. From the moment you first dive into this puzzle-based adventure game, it will be next to impossible to keep a smile from forming on your face. Everything about Rolando is finely tuned to equal gaming bliss. The animations ooze charm and the gameplay has that timeless hook of starting off simple, and then building into a challenge that actually feels difficult as opposed to being cheap. There is just so much to gush about when it comes to Rolando, as there is not a single weak moment in the entire package. The sequel, Rolando 2: The Quest For The Golden Orchid is available now, so it would be advisable to grab both titles in the series and start rolling and tilting your way through Rolandoland. source Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars If there was some preconceived notion that the iPhone was only good for playing mini games and crossword puzzles, think again. Originally a critical smash on the Nintendo DS, Rockstar has brought over Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars almost completely intact. The virtual controls and on-screen buttons may take some time to get the hang of, but the reward once you get past that learning curve is well worth the early struggle. This is a total Grand Theft Auto game, from the creative missions to the original narrative to the outstanding production value, and of course the shooting of pedestrians in the face. For $9.99, you get the same game that is retailing on other portable platforms for nearly three times as much, and with close to 20 hours' worth of replayable action, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will make you a believer in serious gaming on the iPhone. source Zen Bound Zen Bound is a funny game to try and pin down. It’s more relaxing than a yoga session, yet it also inspires hardcore, old-school arcade game-style determination as you try and topple your best scores. Labeling Zen Bound as a casual game would be doing this wholly unique and magical experience a major disservice. The concept is simple: You manipulate your iPhone to wind a rope around a carved wooden object. Yet the execution reaffirms every hope you ever had for playing top quality games on a mobile phone. The graphically amazing Zen Bound is a meditative experience that displays more creativity, art style and sound than most major budget titles. This is a game that needs to be on your iPhone, and for $4.99 there is no reason to not own this. Go buy it now, and tap into Zen Bound whenever you feel the need to escape from a crazy day. source Angry Birds And, finally, the game that made me think of making this article. I actually haven’t try it, but reviews around the net are, I don’t know…  something like ” funny little puzzler about flightless birds that attack egg-stealing pigs via a slingshot” – but, everybody just love the game! source

Cities For The Douchebags Posted: 08 Jun 2011 11:49 AM PDT Usually just a steady flow of alcohol, a plenty of morally loose women and a never-ending drone of loud and obnoxious music can make a douchebag happy. And, while you can certainly find alcohol, loose women and loud music all over the world, there are some spots in particular that are heavy on the hedonism. Luckily for you, we’ve done the dirty job for you, and find some real douchebag destinations. Unfortunately, they tend to be infested with men who practice the fine art of douching. Though we're not exactly telling you to stay away from these pleasure domes, we do suggest proceeding with caution or at least packing the douchebag equivalent of garlic and a cross: a book. Here are our top douchebag destinations. Reno, Nevada, USA Reno is a decrepit getaway for thrifty douchebags in search of something, well, less expensive than Las Vegas. Think this is Vegas Lite? Think again. Can't afford to stay at one of Vegas' many luxe hotels? Why, Reno's Econo Lodge would be happy to have you! Does the thought of spending a small fortune on lap dances at one of Vegas’ upscale gentleman clubs make you nauseous? Fear not! The Spice House will gladly take you and your bros in (if you don't mind toothless strippers, of course). Basically, if you don't have the cash flow to be a douchebag in Las Vegas, go to Reno, where all you need to be a douchebag is ten bucks, a toothbrush and, of course, a sunburn. source Cancun, Mexico We now present some of Cancun's most popular clubs: Dady’O, Coco Bongo, Dady Rock, Bulldog, Bling, and Señor Frog’s. These are the aptly named meat markets that attract over 25,000 spring-breaking Americans each year. They come for the wet T-shirt contests, foam parties, one-million-watt sound systems, and exotic jacuzzis. Or in other words, they come to be douchebags. source Monaco, France Believe it or not, not all douchebags are beer-slugging, seashell necklace-wearing meatheads who can't spell the word "salad." In fact, some of the richest men on earth are douchebags, and with its world-famous Casinos de Monte-Carlo, mansion-heavy landscape and devotion to yacht culture, Monaco is where they go to unwind. You've been warned, penny pinchers. source Ibiza, Spain Despite boasting 50 pristine white sand beaches that border azure waters, this Mediterranean island is far from Paradise. Maybe that's because the last time we checked, Paradise wasn't overrun by strung-out pill poppers looking for the next after-hours. This undisputed capital of partying attracts the kind of douchebag that makes the Jersey Shore kids look like Rhodes Scholars. Only difference is that most of them are European. source Prague, Chech Republic It really is a shame that one of Europe's most charming and beautiful cities – with its picturesque Romanesque architecture and spire-filled sky – is also destination for the sex-crazed douchebags. Having been labeled "the sex capital of Eastern Europe," the Czech Republic's largest city is the perfect destination for an unfulfilled pencil pusher looking to get his rocks off at the expense of a naive teenager trying to make next month's rent. Home of the depraved fairy tale if ever there was one. source Mykonos, Greece If you just started lifting weights and wearing sleeveless Ed Hardy tees, Mykonos might be for you. If you get drunk off three beers instead of 12, Mykonos might be for you. If you haven't punched someone in the face but have stepped on many a toe, Mykonos might be for you. What we're trying to say is, if you just started being a douchebag, then this Greek island – which is often considered Ibiza-lite – might be the perfect training ground until you're ready for the big leagues, douchebag. source Macau, People’s Republic of China To the educated traveler, Macau is a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China that lies on the western side of the Pearl River Delta, borders Guangdong province to the north and faces the South China Sea to the east and south. Its odd mix of Chinese and Portuguese make it one of the most culturally unique places on earth, filled with churches, temples and fortresses that underlie its unique historical duplicity. For douchebags, it's Vegas with way more Asian chicks. source Goa, India India's most popular seaside destination – with its 63 miles of Arabian Sea coastline, hidden ancient temples and lasting Portuguese influence – is the idyllic place for travelers in search of a little slice of paradise right here on earth. Unfortunately, Goa is also synonymous with the all-night, semi-illegal raves that consume its beaches and the drug-addled hippies and fist-pumping expats that attend them. Though the hippies are for the most part well-behaved, its the anything-goes mindset of the packs of drunken European douchebags that are of great concern. It's a shame, too, because from what we hear, Goa's take on vindaloo is on point! source Panama City, Florida, USA Every March, this sleepy Florida city is awoken by thousands upon thousands of drunken, horny, spring-breaking teenagers looking to satisfy their most primal urges. Two things that tipped us off to Panama City's inherent douchiness: A recent headline in a local newspaper that read “Burger King bikini brawler pleads ‘no contest’ – banned from chain” and a Facebook group called “I'm from Panama City Beach and I'm not a douchebag” that only has 15 members. ‘Nuff said. source Mallorca, Spain There's nothing to hate on during Mallorca’s off-season. It’s a breathtaking mountainous island, peppered with winding olive trees, quaint medieval villages and some of the must mouthwatering culinary experiences Spain has to offer. But come summer, the Spanish island is invaded by oblivious European millionaires, pompous vacationing movie stars and drunken Ibiza castaways looking for fresh meat. source

The Greatest Wine Regions Posted: 07 Jun 2011 01:48 AM PDT We’ve created this list with regions that have set the bar for styles of wine and created niches for oenophile experiences and wine-making techniques. One of the determining factors were regions that are paving the way for a new era in wine and forging new ideas, rituals and flavor profiles. They are stepping up their game to challenge traditional thinking and explore new horizons. So, whether or not you agree with our picks, grab a glass and enjoy. Cheers! Piedmont, Italy Nestled at the foot of the Alps, the trapped fog and cooler climate combine with seven DOCGs and seven DOCs to create world-class wines. The leading grape in Piedmont is Nebbiolo, which produces the superb Barolo and Barbaresco wines. To complement the depth of the Nebbiolo wines, sweeter wines Moscato d'Asti and Asti Spumante are made from Moscato Bianco. The mineral-rich wines from Azienda Cerreto feature the citrus and pear flavors of the Arneis grape.Wine in Piedmont is as much a part life as breathing! source Napa Valley, California The first of the wine regions in the United States to garner international praise and attention, is home to some of the world's greatest wineries. With a tradition that spans from early settlers to finding a "legal" way around prohibition, the American “cowboy" mentality comes through in the determination to make a world-class wine when they were told they never would. The outstanding Mediterranean microclimate and a mixture of decomposed oceanic fossils and lava ash give the rich grapes of Robert Mondavi, Chateau Montelena and Harlan Estate their bold and elegant flavors. source Mosel, Germany Saar and Ruwer, two rivers that cut through the dramatic German landscape and converge into the Mosel River, creating a gorgeous backdrop for some of the most complex wines in the world. The steep south-facing slopes gather as much sun as possible as the delicate Riesling grapes gain a deep minerality from the rich slate soils. Riesling, the soft wine grape, is king here. Before Bordeaux took the world by storm, it was the Rieslings produced here that basked in the world's attention. source Bordeaux, France No region has had as much influence over the past century as Bordeaux. Creating everything from a wine culture to mythical vintages that garner more attention than some celebrities, these wines have set standards and tasting profiles worldwide. The two rivers that separate Bordeaux into "left bank" and "right bank" are the Garonne and the Dordogne. Merlot is the granddaddy here and lends its texture to historic wines like Pétrus and Château Ausone. Due to over production, many of the Châteaus are failing to make the same landmark wines they were able to in the early 2000s. source Tuscany, Italy The home of some of the most recognizable and consistent wines in the world, Tuscany produces such wines as Chianti Classico, Brunello, Carmignano, and the red blends known as Super Tuscans. Tuscany embodies hard work, dedication and passion. The terroir and texture imbue Tuscan wines with a richness that stands out. source Ribera del Duero, Spain Placed on the northern plateaus of Spain, along the Duero River, the rocky terrain of Ribera del Duero is home to the vines that give birth to the most expensive wine in the world, Vega Sicilia. The Tempranillo grape and the ability to grow world-class Cabernet Sauvignon give this region the leg up on its Rioja brother. Wine has been in this region for thousands of years with little fanfare to speak of. With wines from vineyards like Pesquera and Pago de Carraovejas, the Tempranillo grape speaks for itself. source Barossa Valley, Australia Wines from Australia still continue to push the envelope in terms of the amount of flavor you can pack into a bottle. An anonymous Australian winemaker once said, "We make wines that punch you in the face and then kick your teeth down the road." Even though they're jam-packed with intense fruitiness, the wines are well balanced. For wine drinkers who are looking for a fruit-forward wine that cuts through a meaty steak or a rosemary lamb roast, try a Grenache or a Shiraz from our friends down under. source California's Central Coast Dubbed by aficionados as "the next frontier," California's Central Coast is filled with bar-setting vineyards like Longoria, Foxen and Sanford. Heavy producers of fresh, strawberry-scented Pinot Noirs and clean, woody Chardonnays abound, and producers often experiment with biodynamic farming. source South of France The South of France sets the tone for most of the "green" farming in wine. Coupled with huge flavors and floral bouquets, these wines span palate ranges and have set the groundwork for a new breed of wine making. Regions like Côtes du Rhône and Gigondas produce some of the most complex and dynamic wines in the world. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape style of red-blended wines inspired some of California's Central Coast's best Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre wines. source Champagne, France Champagne is a region known not only for its quality but also its consistency. Big-name producers make both consistent house styles as well as single vintage products, and the quality is unrivaled. With a combination of steady prices and a surge of smaller producers who are meticulous about their quality – like Pierre Gimonnet et Fils – the region offers new products as the big names of Perrier Jouët, Dom Perignon and Moet & Chandon continue to provide classic styles that define elegance, sophistication and celebration. Life would be a little less special without Champagne. source Burgundy, France The ancient ocean beds that have receded to give life and fertile soil to the Beaune give Burgundy its depth and complexity. Like an ever-evolving maze, each sip of luscious Pinot Noir or clean, crisp Chardonnay lends itself to a bevy of adjectives and thoughts. The gem among the subclassifications of Burgundy is the Côte d’Or, or the "Golden Slope." The hillsides in Burgundy gather up the sun's rays, and paired with the nutrient-rich dried seafloor, give character to famous vineyards like Domaine Romanée-Conti, Vosne-Romanée and Chassagne-Montrachet. Not only do these wines age perfectly if kept in a climate-controlled storage system, but the subtle nuances of the Pinot Noir evolve and mature into silky, smooth perfection. source

Largest Armed Conflicts Posted: 04 Jun 2011 12:46 PM PDT War. War never changes. A lot of politics, warfare, famine and deaths. We welcome you to our list of top 5 largest conflicts in history of man. 1. WWII The modern world is still living with the consequences of World War 2, the most titanic conflict in history. 70 years ago on September 1st 1939, Germany invaded Poland without warning sparking the start of World War Two. By the evening of September 3rd, Britain and France were at war with Germany and within a week, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa had also joined the war. The world had been plunged into its second world war in 25 years. Six long and bloody years of total war, fought over many thousand of square kilometres followed. From the Hedgerows of Normandy to the streets of Stalingrad, the icy mountains of Norway to the sweltering deserts of Libya, the insect infested jungles of Burma to the coral reefed islands of the pacific. On land, sea and in the air, Poles fought Germans, Italians fought Americans and Japanese fought Australians in a conflict which was finally settled with the use of nuclear weapons. World War 2 involved every major world power in a war for global domination and at its end, more than 60 million people had lost their lives and most of Europe and large parts of Asia lay in ruins. Estimated death toll: 40.000.000 – 72.000.000. 2. An Lushan Rebellion Rebellion beginning in 755 in China led by An Lushan (703 – 757), a general of non-Chinese origin. An Lushan rose through the ranks of the Tang-dynasty army in the 740s, becoming a military governor and a favourite of the emperor, Xuanzong. In 755 he turned his troops on the eastern capital city, Luoyang, and after taking it he proclaimed himself emperor. Six months later his forces took Chang’an, the western capital. He was murdered in 757, and the rebellion was put down in 763. The Tang government was much weakened, however, and the second half of the Tang dynasty and the subsequent Five Dynasties period were troubled by chronic warlordism. Estimated death toll: 33.000.000-36.000.000 3. Mongol Conquests Genghis Khan. In the late 1100′s, Temujin, a Mongol chieftain who later became known as Genghis Khan, rose to power as khan. He began to unify and organize the scattered Mongol and other nomadic tribes into a superior fighting force. Genghis Khan was shrewd, ruthless, ambitious, and a strict disciplinarian. After he became the undisputed master of Mongolia, and “lord of all the peoples dwelling in felt tents,” he set out on a spectacular career of conquest. In many parts of the world, in particular, the Arab Middle East, Europe, and the Americas, the Mongols have become synonymous with murder, massacre, and marauding mayhem. Their advent is portrayed as a bloody “bolt from the blue” that left little but destruction, death, and horrified grief in its wake. A medieval Russian chronicle from Novgorod vividly describes their impact on the region: “No one exactly knows who they are, nor whence they came out, nor what their language is, nor of what race they are, nor what their faith is . . . God alone knows”. Estimated death toll: 30.000.000-60.000.000 4. Taiping Rebellion The Taiping Rebellion was a widespread civil war in southern China from 1850 to 1864, led by heterodox Christian convert Hong Xiuquan, who having received visions, maintained that he was the younger brother of Jesus Christ against the ruling Manchu-led Qing Dynasty. About 20 million people died, mainly civilians, in one of the deadliest military conflicts in history. Estimated death toll: 20.000.000-30.000.000 5.WWI The spark that set off WWI was assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914. Assassin was Gavrilo Princip, associated with the movement “Mlada Bosna” (Young Bosnia). Austria-Hungary’s reaction to the death of their heir was to issueOn 28 July, the conflict opened with the Austro-Hungarian invasion of Serbia, followed by the German invasion of Belgium, Luxembourg and France; and a Russian attack against Germany. After the German march on Paris was brought to a halt, the Western Front settled into a static battle of attrition with a trench line that changed little until 1917. In the East, the Russian army successfully fought against the Austro-Hungarian forces but was forced back by the German army. Additional fronts opened after the Ottoman Empire joined the war in 1914, Italy and Bulgaria in 1915 and Romania in 1916. The Russian Empire collapsed in 1917, and Russia left the war after the October Revolution later that year. After a 1918 German offensive along the western front, United States forces entered the trenches and the Allies drove back the German armies in a series of successful offensives. Germany agreed to a cease-fire on 11 November 1918, later known as Armistice Day. an ultimatum to Serbia which, in the extent of its demand that the assassins be brought to justice effectively nullified Serbia’s sovereignty. Estimated death toll: 15.000.000-65.000.000 (high estimates include Spanish flu). Sources

Mushroom Shaped Nature Creativity Posted: 03 Jun 2011 02:32 PM PDT It`s amazing how nature can be majestic in creation. Creativity of the nature really knows no bounds. 10. The Brain mushroom (Gyromitra esculenta) Gyromitra esculenta, one of several species of fungi known as false morels, is an ascomycete fungus from the genus Gyromitra, widely distributed across Europe and North America. It normally sprouts in sandy soils under coniferous trees in spring and early summer. The fruiting body, or mushroom, is an irregular brain-shaped cap dark brown in colour which can reach 10 cm high and 15 cm wide, perched on a stout white stipe up to 6 cm (2.4 in) high. Although potentially fatal if eaten raw, Gyromitra esculenta is a popular delicacy in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and the upper Great Lakes region of North America. 9.The Bleeding Tooth fungus (Hydnellum pecki) Allow me to introduce to you one of the more unusual members of Kingdom Fungi, the Bleeding Tooth Fungus, or Hydnellum peckii which goes by various names often referring to juice or blood. This fungus can be found in North America where it is more common in the Pacific Northwest and resides mostly in coniferous forests. The Bleeding Tooth also makes appearances in Europe and has recently been discovered in both Iran and Korea. Upon a first glimpse of the bleeding tooth fungus, one may dismiss the ruby-red liquid as the blood of some poor forest creature splattered across the white mushroom cap. When inspected more closely, it becomes obvious that the fungus is oozing liquid through its own small pores. 8. The Giant puffball (Calvatia Gigantea) The giant puffball, Calvatia gigantea, is easily recognized by its size and shape. Typical specimens are about the size of a soccer ball, and more or less round. However, it can be much larger (a 5-foot, 50-pound specimen is on record!), and its shape can be more “blob-ish” than round, especially when it attains enormous sizes. But it is never shaped like an inverted pear, since it lacks the sterile base portion common to many other puffballs. 7. The Devil’s Cigar (Chorioactis) – world’s rarest fungi A star-shaped mushroom, called the Devil’s Cigar (Chorioactis geaster) is one of the world’s rarest fungi. It’s also known as the Texas star. These fungi had been detected only in central Texas, two remote locations in Japan, and most recently in the mountains of Nara. The Devil’s Cigar is a dark brown cigar-shaped capsule that transforms into a tan-coloured star when it splits open to release its spores. It is also one of only a few known fungi that produce a distinct whistle sound when releasing its spores. 6. Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) Turkey tails are possibly the most common mushroom you will find. They are saprobic growing everywhere on dead or rotting stumps and branches. As ”versicolor” may suggest, they are very variable in color. Their uses are mainly medicinal and decorative. They can have great beauty. They dry easily to become leathery tough. I have seen them used by artists in various assemblages and even as jewelry. They also can be used to make blue and green dyes for wool and other fabrics. 5. Sky Blue mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri) Entoloma hochstetteri is a species of mushroom found in New Zealand and India. The small mushroom is a distinctive all-blue colour, while the gills have a slight reddish tint from the spores. The blue colouring of the fruit body is due to three azulene pigments. Entoloma hochstetteri is not edible, but whether or not it is poisonous is unknown. This species was one of six native fungi featured in a set of fungal stamps issued in New Zealand in 2002.  It's an 'Alice in Wonderland' dreams coming true :D. 4.Bearded Tooth mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) This mushroom that looks like noodles or pom-pom are known to a variety of name like Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Bearded Tooth Mushroom, Hedgehog Mushroom, Bearded Hedgehog Mushroom, or Bearded Tooth Fungus. It is an edible mushroom in the tooth fungus group. In the wild, these mushrooms are common during late summer and fall on dead hardwoods, particularly American Beech. 3. Dog Stinkhorn (Mutinus caninus) the Dog Stinkhorn arises from a white or pale yellow "egg" and is covered by a fetid slime. Mmmmm. Not surprisingly the edibility is listed as "of no interest". Elsewhere I read that the slime attracts flies which pick up the mushroom's spores and deposit them elsewhere helping to spread this one around. I found two in my side bed, one next to a small rhubarb and one near the highbush cranberry. These are about the size of your pinky in length and diameter but some text says they can get several times that size. Strange critter indeed. 2.Bioluminescent fungi (Mycena chlorophos) No, you’re not hallucinating; you really are seeing bright green mushrooms, but if you are partial to the odd magic mushie, these images won’t faze you in the slightest. 1. Fly Amanita (Amanita muscaria) – world’s most famous mushroom Fly Agaric’s are one of the most recognizable and widely encountered in popular culture. They have been featured in children’s books, films, garden ornaments, greeting cards, and computer games. This toadstool is associated with the famous book turned movie, Alice in Wonderland; the mushroom in Super Mario Bros., and more. It is also known as the mushroom of flies from due to Albertus Magnus’ work in De vegetabilibus where he stated, "It is called the mushroom of flies, because crushed in milk it kills flies". Sources

Groups That Scare the World Posted: 02 Jun 2011 12:03 PM PDT The biggest threat to any citizen of any country in the world today is a terrorism. It`s defined as “The use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims”. Terrorist attacks are usually carried out in such a way as to maximize the severity and length of the psychological impact. Terror attacks like 9/11 will be remembered in history as major turning point in the 21 century. After 9/11 terrorism became number one enemy for most of the worlds population. Here is a list that mention some of the most dangerous terrorist groups: 11. Egyptian Islamic Jihad The Egyptian Islamic Jihad originally referred to as "al-Jihad," and then "the Jihad Group", or "the Jihad Organization", is an Egyptian Islamist group active since the late 1970s. It is under worldwide embargo by the United Nations as an affiliate of al-Qaeda. It is also banned by several individual governments including that of the Russian Federation. Since 1991 it has been led by Ayman al-Zawahiri. The organization's original primary goal was to overthrow the Egyptian Government and replace it with an Islamic state. Later it broadened its aims to include attacking the United States and Israel interests in Egypt and abroad. 10. Aden-Abyan Islamic Army The Aden-Abyan Islamic Army is an Islamist militant organization based in southern Yemen. The group was responsible for kidnapping of 16 foreign tourists in the December 1998 in Abyan. Yemeni government forces attacked place where the hostages were being held resulting in four of the hostages being killed while the remainder were freed. The Aden-Abyan Islamic Army was also believed to have been involved in the 2000 USS Cole bombing in Aden. 9. Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine known in the West as simply Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), is a small Palestinian militant organization. The group has been designated as a terrorist group by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Australia and Israel. Their goal is the destruction of the state of Israel and its replacement with a Palestinian Islamic state. 8. IRA The Irish Republican Army (IRA)  was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916.[2] In 1919, the Irish Republic that had been proclaimed during the Easter Rising was formally established by an elected assembly, and the Irish Volunteers were recognised as its legitimate army. Thereafter, the IRA waged a guerrilla campaign against British rule in Ireland in the 1919–21 Irish War of Independence.Following the signing in 1921 of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which ended the War of Independence, a split occurred within the IRA. Members who supported the treaty formed the nucleus of the Irish National Army founded by IRA leader Michael Collins. However, much of the IRA was opposed to the treaty. The anti-treaty IRA fought a civil war with their former comrades in 1922–23, with the intention of creating a fully independent all-Ireland republic. Having lost the civil war, this group remained in existence, with the intention of overthrowing both the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland and achieving the Irish Republic proclaimed in 1916. 7. ETA For four decades, the armed organisation Eta has waged a bloody campaign for independence for the seven regions in northern Spain and south-west France that Basque separatists claim as their own.On 5 September 2010, it announced a decision not to carry out further attacks. The group had declared ceasefires twice before, but abandoned them both.Euskadi Ta Azkatasuna, Eta, whose name stands for Basque Homeland and Freedom, first emerged in the 1960s as a student resistance movement bitterly opposed to General Franco’s repressive military dictatorship.Under Franco the Basque language was banned, their distinctive culture suppressed, and intellectuals imprisoned and tortured for their political and cultural beliefs.The Basque country saw some of the fiercest resistance to Franco. His death in 1975 changed all that, and the transition to democracy brought the region of two million people home rule.But despite the fact that Spain’s Basque country today enjoys more autonomy than any other – it has its own parliament, police force, controls education and collects its own taxes – Eta and its hardline supporters have remained determined to push for full independence.Its violent campaign has led to more than 820 deaths over the last 40 years, many of them members of the Guardia Civil, Spain’s national police force, and both local and national politicians who are opposed to Eta’s separatist demands. 6. Kurdistan Workers' Party The Kurdistan Workers' Party is a Kurdish separatist organization which fights an armed struggle against the Turkish state for the creation of an independent Kurdistan. The group was founded on 27 November 1978 and led by Abdullah Öcalan. The PKK's goal has been to create an independent, Kurdish state. Kurdistan is a geographical region that comprises southeastern Turkey, northeastern Iraq, northeastern Syria and northwestern Iran, where the Kurdish population is the majority. This goal has now been moderated to claiming cultural and political rights for the ethnic Kurdish population in Turkey. In 2010, however, after the PKK stepped up its military activities, Murat Karayilan threatened the PKK would declare independence if their demands were not met by the Turkish state. The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization internationally by a number of states and organizations, including the United States, United Nations, NATO and the European Union. 5. Hamas Hamas is Palestinian Islamist socio-political organization, with an affiliating military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. Canada, Israel, the European Union, Japan, and the United States classify Hamas as a terrorist organization. Based largely upon the principles of Islamic fundamentalism that were gaining momentum throughout the Arab world in the 1980s, Hamas was founded as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood in 1987, during the First Intifada.Sheik Ahmed Yassin declared in 1987 that Hamas was founded for the purpose of Jihad, to liberate Palestine and to establish an Islamic state "from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River." The Hamas affiliated military wing is responsible for the majority of violence and killings attributed to Hamas and conducted numerous attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers. Tactics have included rocket attacks and from April 1993, until they ceased in January 2005, suicide bombings. Hamas violence has been directed at Israel, Egypt, and rivaling Palestinian movements in the West Bank and Gaza. 4.  Islamic Movement of Uzbekista The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan  is a militant Islamist group formed in 1991 by the Islamic ideologue Tahir Yuldashev. Operating out of bases in Tajikistan and Taliban-controlled areas of northern Afghanistan, the IMU launched a series of raids into southern Kyrgyzstan in 1999 and 2000. However, in 2001 the IMU was largely destroyed while fighting alongside the Taliban against United States-led coalition forces in Afghanistan. Despite occasional proclamations from Yuldeshev, and rumours of a re-emergence under the name the Islamic Movement of Turkestan (IMT), there is no reliable evidence indicating that the IMU/IMT remains an operational force in Central Asia outside of the Afghanistan/Pakistan border region. 3. Hezbollah Hezbollah is a Shi'a Islamist political and paramilitary organisation based in Lebanon. It is regarded as a resistance movement throughout much of the Arab and Muslim world. Multiple countries, including Sunni Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, have condemned actions by Hezbollah, while Syria and Iran have generally been supportive of the organisation.  Most Europeans countries do not classify Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, but the United States, Egypt, Israel, Australia, and Canada regard it in whole or in part as such. Hezbollah first emerged in 1982 as a militia in response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, also known as Operation Peace for Galilee, set on resisting the Israeli occupation of Lebanon during the Lebanese civil war. Its leaders were inspired by Ayatollah Khomeini, and its forces were trained and organized by a contingent of Iranian Revolutionary Guards.  Hezbollah leaders have made numerous statements calling for the destruction of Israel, which they refer to as a "Zionist entity built on lands wrested from their owners." Hezbollah, which started with only a small militia, has grown to an organization with seats in the Lebanese government, a radio and a satellite television-station, and programs for social development. 2. Taliban The Taliban, alternative spelling Taleban, is a hanafi Islamist political group that governed Afghanistan from 1996 until it was overthrown in late 2001. It has regrouped since 2004 and revived as a strong insurgency movement governing mainly local Pashtun areas, and fighting a guerrilla war against the governments of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). The Taliban movement is a tribal confederacy of Ghilzai and their allied tribes who are staunch Afghan/Pashtoon Nationalists, and is primarily made up of members belonging to ethnic Pashtun tribes, along with volunteers from nearby Islamic countries such as Uzbeks, Tajiks, Punjabis, Arabs, Chechens, and others. It operates in Afghanistan and Pakistan, mostly in provinces around the Durand Line border. U.S. officials say their headquarters is in or near Quetta, Pakistan, and that Pakistan and Iran provide support, though both nations deny this. The main leader of the Taliban movement is Mullah Mohammed Omar, as to whom there is a $25 million reward for information leading to his capture, who is believed to be hiding in Afghanistan. 1. Al-Qaeda Al-Qaeda  is a militant Islamist group founded sometime between August 1988 and late 1989. It operates as a network comprising both a multinational, stateless army and a radical Sunni Muslim movement calling for global Jihad. Most of the world considers it a terrorist organization. Al-Qaeda has attacked civilian and military targets in various countries, most notably the September 11 attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. in 2001. The U.S. government responded by launching the War on Terror. Characteristic techniques include suicide attacks and simultaneous bombings of different targets. Activities ascribed to it may involve members of the movement, who have taken a pledge of loyalty to Osama bin Laden, or the much more numerous "al-Qaeda-linked" individuals who have undergone training in one of its camps in Afghanistan, Iraq or Sudan, but not taken any pledge. Al-Qaeda ideologues envision a complete break from the foreign influences in Muslim countries, and the creation of a new Islamic caliphate. Reported beliefs include that a Christian-Jewish alliance is conspiring to destroy Islam, which is largely embodied in the U.S.-Israel alliance, and that the killing of bystanders and civilians is religiously justified in jihad. Lately, after the assassination of Osama Bin-Laden, this group threatened Europe and USA, marking London as one of their primary targets. Will they realize their threats remains to be seen. Source

These Used to Be Legal Posted: 01 Jun 2011 01:49 PM PDT Depending on the drug and area, this punishment can involve anything from a warning to a lengthy jail sentence. But things weren't always that way. Many drugs that are severely restricted today were once commonplace and completely legal. In fact, not only were these drugs available, they were actually recommended and promoted by healthcare professionals, often with unfortunate results. Here are ten of them: 10. Opium Opium is the crudest form and also the least potent of the Opiates. Opium is the milky latex fluid contained in the un-ripened seed pod of the opium poppy. As the fluid is exposed to air, it hardens and turns black in color. This dried form is typically smoked, but can also be eaten. Opium is grown mainly in Myanmar (formerly Burma) and Afghanistan. Today opium is sold on the street as a powder or dark brown solid and is smoked, eaten, or injected. Opium is highly addictive. Tolerance (the need for higher and higher doses to maintain the same effect) and physical and psychological dependence develop quickly. Withdrawal from opium causes nausea, tearing, yawning, chills, and sweating. San Francisco first banned opium dens in 1875, and California restricted opium possession in 1907.  The 1914 Harrison Narcotics Tax Act effectively outlawed the drug throughout America. Today, drugs derived from the opium poppy, such as morphine and codeine, are legal but heavily restricted. 9. Marijuana Marijuana is a mixture of the dried and shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the cannabis sativa plant. The mixture can be green, brown, or gray. A bunch of leaves seem harmless, right? But think again. Marijuana has a chemical in it called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC. A lot of other chemicals are found in marijuana, too—about 400 of them, many of which could affect your health. But THC is the main psychoactive (i.e., mind altering) ingredient. In fact, marijuana's strength or potency is related to the amount of THC it contains. The THC content of marijuana has been increasing since the 1970s. For the year 2007, estimates from confiscated marijuana indicated that it contains almost 10 percent THC on average. The earliest state to ban the plant was California in 1913. Federal laws passed in 1937 restricted marijuana usage to the medicinal, and later laws in the 1950s introduced mandatory sentencing for possession, with the justification that marijuana was a 'gateway drug' into heavier narcotics. Medical marijuana is now legal in over a dozen states, although still prohibited by federal law. 8. Methamphetamine The chemical n-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine is called methamphetamine, methylamphetamine, or desoxyephedrine. The shortened name is simply ‘meth’. Methamphetamine was first created by a Japanese chemist in 1893. When it is in its crystalline form, the drug is called crystal meth, ice, Tina, or glass. Usually crystal meth is smoked in glass pipes, similar to how crack cocaine is used. It may be injected (either dry or dissolved in water), snorted, swallowed, or inserted into the anus or urethra. Some people take meth because of the long-lasting high that it gives. Methamphetamine causes numerous neurotransmitters to be released in the brain, producing a sense of euphoria that may last as long as 12 hours, depending on how the drug was taken.Passed in 1970, the Controlled Substances Act severely restricted its usage, although meth is still available under the name of Desoxyn for very limited and controlled medical uses. 7. Peyote Peyote is a small, spineless cactus in which the principal active ingredient is mescaline. This plant has been used by natives in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States as a part of religious ceremonies. Mescaline can also be produced through chemical synthesis. The top of the peyote cactus, also referred to as the crown, consists of disc-shaped buttons that are cut from the roots and dried. These buttons are generally chewed or soaked in water to produce an intoxicating liquid. The hallucinogenic dose of mescaline is about 0.3 to 0.5 grams, and its effects last about 12 hours. Because the extract is so bitter, some individuals prefer to prepare a tea by boiling the cacti for several hours. It  has been used by Native American religious ceremonies for thousands of years. Peyote use was outlawed in several US states in the 1920s and 30s, but remained legal in most of the US throughout the 1960s and was often shipped interstate to interested parties. Mescaline was restricted by Congress under the 1970 Controlled Substances Act. Currently, members of the federally-recognized Native American Church are exempt from criminal penalties for peyote use, as long as further state restrictions do not apply. 6. Cocaine Cocaine is a drug extracted from the leaves of the South American coca plant. It is a strong stimulate that effects the body’s central nervous system. Many famous people of the early 20th century, including Sigmund Freud and the Pope, were cocaine users. Although cocaine is derived from the coca plant, which has been in use for at least 3000 years, its modern incarnation only appeared around the 1860s. Available in many forms, including dissolved into wine, it was prescribed by doctors to treat depression and morphine addiction. In America, it was popular as a treatment for coughs and pain, and was famously included in early versions of Coca-Cola. Although technically restricted by the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act in 1914, prosecution for cocaine usage was rare, and only became common after it was listed a controlled substance in 1970. 5. LSD The psychedelic effects of LSD, or 'acid', were discovered by accident in 1943, after the Swiss scientist who invented the chemical accidentally absorbed some through his skin. LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a synthetic (man-made) drug that has been abused for its hallucinogenic properties since the 1960s. If consumed in a sufficiently large dose, LSD produces delusions and visual hallucinations that distort the user’s sense of time and identity.The effects associated with LSD use are unpredictable and depend upon the amount taken, the surroundings in which the drug is used, and the user’s personality, mood, and expectations. Some LSD users experience a feeling of despair, while others report terrifying fears–of losing control, going insane, or dying. In 1966, after widespread abuse and ill-effects caused in part by people making the drug incorrectly, LSD was outlawed in California. In 1970, it was listed by Congress as a Schedule I substance, meaning it has no recognized medicinal or therapeutic uses. 4. GHB GHB is gamma-hydroxybutyrate. Famous these days as a 'date rape' drug, GHB is a naturally-occurring neurochemical that produces a depressant, pain-relieving effect.  It was originally developed as anesthetic, but was withdrawn due to unwanted side effects.After GHB became associated with abuse and accidental deaths, the FDA cracked down on its sale in 1990. It was not listed federally as a controlled substance (illegal to possess as well as to sell) until 2000 when, like LSD, it became a Schedule 1 drug. However, GHB has recently been approved as a heavily-controlled treatment for narcolepsy. 3. Magic Mushrooms There are more than 180 species of mushrooms which contain the psychedelics psilocybin or psilocin. They have a long history of use in Mexico and are currently one of the most popular and commonly available natural psychedelics.Use among Westerners was popularized in the 1950s after an article on the subject appeared in Life Magazine. In the 1960s, psychologist Timothy Leary and many others promoted these mushrooms for psychological use. Possession of psilocybin-containing mushrooms was outlawed in 1968. However, since the mushroom spores do not contain psilocybin, spores are still legal in most states. 2. Ecstasy MDMA (Ecstasy) is an illegal synthetic drug, which acts as a hallucinogen and stimulant. Its chemical structure (3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is similar to two other synthetic drugs, MDA and methamphetamine, which are known to cause brain damage. It was originally developed as a diet aid, but was also used experimentally during counseling because of its ability to remove individual’s inhibitions.Ecstasy also became popular in non-therapeutic settings, particularly nightclubs, and in 1985 was put under an 'emergency ban' and became a Schedule I controlled drug. 1. Heroin Heroin is a highly addictive and rapidly acting opiate (a drug that is derived from opium). Specifically, heroin is produced from morphine, which is a principal component of opium. Opium is a naturally occurring substance that is extracted from the seedpod of the opium poppy.First synthesized in 1874, heroin was first created as a non-addictive alternative to morphine. The word 'heroin' is actually a brand name created by the pharmaceutical company that invented it, Bayer. It`s intended purpose was to treat cough, but atfter hundreds of thousands Americans replaced their sore throats with crippling addiction by using heroin, heroin usage was severely restricted in the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act of 1914, and outlawed altogether in 1924. Sources

Do You Have A Coulrophobia Posted: 31 May 2011 01:50 PM PDT Why are people so afraid of clowns? We all know that these are masked adults with big noses and wigs on their heads. So, what is it? Why we can’t look at them? Why do we hide from them? If anyone knows the answer to the questions please explain to me. source source source source source source source source source source source source source source

Bad Art For Bad People Posted: 30 May 2011 10:50 AM PDT What you need to be an artist? Buff Diss, young man from Melbourne, using masking tape to create his pieces. Sometimes it takes so little to invest in your act, in your work. Many of us have never even tried to make something because we are convinced that we need more investment. This man was inspired by hooliganism and streets of the city. And you can find something that will inspire you and start creating. source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source

Extreme Ironing Posted: 28 May 2011 01:34 PM PDT Extreme ironing is an extreme sport and a performance art in which people take an ironing board to a remote location and iron items of clothing. Some locations where such performances have taken place include a mountainside of a difficult climb; a forest; in a canoe; while skiing or snowboarding; on top of large bronze statues; in the middle of a street; underwater; in the middle of the M1 Motorway; whilst parachuting and under the ice cover of a lake. The performances have been conducted solo or by groups. Would you like to try? source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source

Ice Skating Accidents Posted: 27 May 2011 10:18 AM PDT I like to watch skating, but when these accidents happens it hurts me. As if I was broken. When you look at the pictures, it’s funny – yes, it’s always funny when someone falls. But, some injuries are very severe and serious, so look carefully at the videos. And, there is a few edited videos and photos, just for some more laugh :) source source source source source source Totmianina and Marinin source source source source Funny Compilation of Ice Skaters Falls source source Olga Prokuronova and Karel Stefl source source source source source Sasha Coen ( edited video – funny )

Geneva Maison de Haute Horlogerie Posted: 26 May 2011 12:04 PM PDT A trend that brought last year’s Geneva Salon haute horlogerie with simpler and more classical watches definitely was continued this year, when they were overcome with such models. The Swiss watch industry crisis has been overcome, as demonstrated by numerous models with high complications and sports models. To thin and ultrathin watches are not only Piaget specialty, shows the other brands like A. Lange & Sohne, Cartier, Audemars Pikuet (…) And the Asian market, which has largely allowed overcoming the crisis, sparked a new trend, so this year in Geneva after a long time we were able to see the clocks with less body, apparently intended for slightly smaller hands and wrists. Geneva was in full bloom this year, and we’ve selected for you some beautiful models. Audemars Piguet Millenary Minute Repeater Audemars Piguet introduced a new Millenary Repeater, a major complication made of titanium, due to the required acoustic performance of the Repeater. And when speaking of the Repeater, it is noted that it is precisely this brand specializes in making them, because the first  Minute Repeater A. Piguet made in 1892. This latest run with AP’s manually wind caliber 2910, and has a power reserve of up to 165 hours, thanks to two large barrel that can be seen through the transparent background of the case. Huge housing of 47 mm is made of light brushed titanium. The clock has features of hours, minutes, seconds and a minute repeater, and go with the hand sewed belt of crocodile skin, and is not waterproof. For those who are already inquiring about this model only note that Millenary will be made in only eight copies. source Cartier De Calibre Cartier introduced a new in-house automatic movement known as 1904-PS MC. It powers the new men's Calibre de Cartier line. The movement features twin barrels to provide a steady flow of power to the escapement, and the regulation system allows for fine adjustment to increase timekeeping accuracy. A stop-seconds system facilitates synchronization to a reference signal. Cartier also paid close attention to the winding system. Ceramic ball bearings at the center of the rotor ensure excellent shock resistance and durability. Cartier abandoned reversers in favor of a pawl system to speed winding, and a bi-directional full-size rotor assures maximum winding efficiency. The movement measures 25.6mm in diameter and 4mm thick and it beats at 28.800 vph. The power reserve is 48 hours. The rotor and upper bridges are finished with traditional Côtes de Genève, and the main plate, which is hidden from view, is circular-grained. source IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days The Portofino stands for elegance and class, but above, for simplicity. Therefore, the Portofino has been seen as IWC’s entry-level watch for a long time. This is no longer the case with its Hand-Wound Eight Days that features an in-house manufactured caliber 59210 movement. We predict that this ref. 5101 of the Portofino collection will be quite sought after as soon as it’s available. IWC takes a lot of pride in what it does, hence the beautiful catalogs it publishes every year. Not too long ago, IWC started moving away from using third-party mechanical movements, and this new caliber 59210 movement is a perfect example of the watchmaker’s fine in-house craftsmanship. source Piaget Emperador Coussin Tourbillon Automatic This model is a powerful expression of the Piaget genetic heritage: unique competence in the field of ultra-thin watchmaking, combined with a determination to develop consistently innovative and creative complicated calibres. Drawing upon the qualities of both Piaget Calibre 600P – the world's thinnest hand-wound tourbillon movement – and Piaget Calibre 1208P – the world's thinnest self-winding movement equipped with a micro-rotor – Calibre 1270P, Piaget's first ultra-thin self-winding tourbillon movement measuring just 5.55 mm thick, offers a combination of technical and aesthetic innovations. The new Piaget Emperador Coussin Tourbillon Automatic Ultra-Thin watch features the slimmest profile on the market, with a case measuring just 10.4 mm thick. It is thus completely in tune with Piaget's major breakthroughs and innovations that have had a lasting influence on the world of Haute Horlogerie. source Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Tribute to 1931 It was only a matter of time before Jaeger-LeCoultre did a “heritage” version of their already “in the past” Reverso watch. A timeless classic, the Reverso has come in dozens of versions, becoming one of the brand’s most signature timepieces. As the name of this new “Tribute” watch suggests, the original Reverso watch was released in 1931. The idea behind it was to be a timepiece that could be worn while playing polo – but that would also be less susceptible to damage given that watch crystals were made of glass back then. In 2011 Jaeger-LeCoultre will release two versions of this Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 watch. They will be in larger “Grande” Reverso cases being 46mm tall and 27.5mm wide. Thickness is just 7.2mm, which goes with the svelte “Ultra Thin” moniker. The case will be available in steel or 18k pink gold. One version will be a limited edition (the other not). The limited edition model will have just baton style hour markers done in gold, while the standard model will have baton hour markers mixed with Arabic numeral at “12″ and “6″ o’clock. source Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph For 2011 Montblanc will release a few versions of this Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph Anniversary Edition watch. The dial has numerous subtle changes to it, and the result is something beautifully refined and extremely high-class in appearance. The dial itself is guilloche machine engraved. The case is about 43mm wide and available in either 18k rose gold, white gold, or platinum (the platinum version has an 18k white gold crown). Inside the watch Montblanc uses their MB R110 manually wound movement. This is sort of skeletonized version of the R100. It has the time, a date disc, and a 60 minute monopusher chronograph that has a column wheel and vertical clutch. It also has a power reserve of 72 hours. The chronograph discs appear wonderfully simple and straight forward, with the skeletonization located between them – revealing parts of the movement workings. Montblanc redid the time dial to enhance legibility. This process sort of inset the date, making it a disc rather than a hand. A small arrow under the “Anniversary Edition” label indicates the precise date. The original model suffered from a bit of a legibility issue in this area – but this design offers a distinct improvement. The dial still features blued steel hands, and exposed palette synthetic sapphires to add color to the look. The rose gold version will be available as a set of 190 pieces, 90 pieces in white gold, and the platinum model will have only 20 pieces available. Montblanc really ups the value of the entire Nicolas Rieussec range by having this beautiful version available in the collection Expect prices in the $30,000 – $40,000 range for the gold models, over $50,000 for the platinum model. source Vacheron Constantin Quai de L’Ille Retrograde Vacheron Constantin's Quai de l'Ile collection offers contemporary design and a unique opportunity for owners to create their own distinctive example via a series of personalization options. For 2011, a new Retrograde Annual Calendar joins the collection, powered by the new Vacheron Constantin Calibre 2460 QRA automatic movement. Available in pink or white gold, or both if the customer desires, the 43mm case houses a new movement designed, developed and crafted by Vacheron Constantin, and bearing the Hallmark of Geneva. The 326-part Calibre 2460 QRA drives the hours, minutes and small seconds at 9 o'clock, as well as the annual calendar with retrograde date display, months and a high-precision moon-phase indication requiring correction once every 122 years. Equipped with a stop-seconds device ("hacking seconds") to ensure precise time-setting, the movement runs at 4 Hz (28,800 vph) with a 40-hour power reserve. The ruthenium-plated 22K gold rotor is mounted on ceramic ball bearings. The cushion-shaped case is offered in a new 43mm size with a screw-down back with sapphire crystal. The latest addition to the collection also offers new dial versions with satin-brushed/vertical finishing in the central zone and opaline finishing in the outer zone, as well as for the month and date indications. The dial incorporates the latest "security printing" technology: the sun motif, inspired by the clock tower of the Tour de l'Ile (next to the historic headquarters of Vacheron Constantin), is placed inside a disc printed in invisible ink and appears between 4 and 5 o'clock only under ultraviolet light. source Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3Days Bronzo The new Panerai Luminor Submersible watches are crafted of CuSn8 bronze, tough material, which is resistant to corrosion. It's important to know that the bronze reacts to the external agents (air, humidity, heat and wear) and forms the patina. This means that, after the years of wearing, your watch will get the unique sign of aging. If you appreciate the authentic vintage watch design, you'll definitely be amazed with its new appearance. After all, the patina doesn't affect the quality of material and you can always polish the watch case in order to bring back the previous shine of your Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo. Case is made of brushed bronze and it is pretty large, with diameter of 47mm. It has famous shape from 1950's and incorporates anti-clockwise unidirectional rotating bezel, also crafted in bronze. Bezel features graduated scale for calculating the immersion time and ratchet click at minute intervals. Finally, bronze is used for the special bridge, which protects the winding crown and contributes to the superb water-resistance up to 300 meters. The watch is powered by in-house automatic Panerai P.9000 calibre, which has two barrels that provide power reserve of 72 hours. This movement oscillates at frequency of 28,800 alternations per hour and features 195 different components and 28 jewels. Thanks to Incabloc anti-shock device, it successfully withstands mechanical shocks. source Girard-Perregaux 1966 Small Second A modern yet timeless spirit infuses the creations of Girard-Perregaux. The new Girard-Perregaux 1966 Small Second, with a 40 mm round case, embraces this philosophy perfectly. The design is largely inspired by Girard-Perregaux's 19th century pocket watches. For a contemporary homage to this secular tradition, it quickly became clear that enamel was the only choice for the dial. The properties of enamel and its special component make the dial it adorns resistant, lending it depth and a unique character. This traditional technique, now only mastered by a very few experts, consists of fixing the enamel powder and ensuring its harmonious balance through heat during delicate firing stages. Complementing this inspiration are elegant painted Arabic numerals which punctuate the movement of the blued steel leaf-shaped hour and minute hands, while the small second hand marks its path around a counter at 6 o'clock. This model beats in time to a new automatic movement, developed from the Girard-Perregaux calibre 3300. In line with the Brand's ongoing quest for excellence, this masterpiece of watch creation offers a modified small second display, just slightly offset to balance the design perfectly. The diversity and richness of the decorations and finishes adorning the multiple components can be seen through a transparent sapphire case-back. source Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 2 Just so you know, the cheaper version of this watch costs over $700,000. Well over $700,000…. and there is the platinum version… I might just nickname this watch the “PhD degree times six.” That sounds about right. After skipping over the Invention Piece number 2 the first time around and going straight to the Invention Piece 3, Greubel Forsey revisits your lust for four tourbillons again with the Invention Piece 2 in gold or platinum. One of the most common types of decoration is something called "anglage." This is literally the process of applying "angles" to the bridges and other components in a movement – and the 594 piece movement in this Greubel Forsey Invention Piece Number 2 watch has a ton of it. The sheer majesty of decorated parts in the Invention Piece 2's movement is where a lot of the value is derived when trying to understand the timepiece's high cost. You also get the privilege of knowing that you have one of the world's most difficult to master complications, times four. While this isn't the first time Greubel Forsey has offered a watch with four tourbillons, it is the grandest. In fact, the Swiss brand went from the Invention Piece Number 1 to the Number 3, skipping over this one because the 2 just needed more work. For 2011 the Invention Piece 2 makes its long await debut, offering the holy trinity of elements that makes the ultra-high-end watch maker so desirable. Those three elements are incredible complexity, incredible decoration and finishing, and in this instance specially, beautiful aesthetics. source A. Lange & Sohne Tourbillon Pour Le Merite Available both in limited edition platinum or unlimited rose gold case, the watch will be equipped with Lange's signature fusee-and-chain transmission. The transmission allows for more uniform transfer of energy from the mainspring barrel to the going train, but, consisting of whole 636 parts, is difficult to build and is therefore reserved only for the high-end pieces of the brand. Another interesting feature of the upcoming model is a one-minute tourbillon with stop-seconds function. Simply put, the tourbillon stops and the second hand switches to a "0? position every time you want to adjust the watch, thus allowing for more accurate setting of the timekeeper. As you can see on the pictures, there is a cutaway at the subsidiary seconds subdial, which is located between 7 and 8 o'clock and overlaps the hours display standing between 4 and 5 o'clock. When the hour hand comes past 6 o'clock, there instantly appears a pivoting segment of the subdial with VIII, IX and X numerals printed on it. The segment stays on its place until the hour hand reaches the 12 o'clock position and then again disappears in a blink of an eye. A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour le Merite hand-wound watch in platinum (Ref. 760.025). Of course, such a complication requires a great deal of energy to accomplish four times a day, but the manufacture-made Calibre L072.1 manual-wind movement still features a pretty decent power reserve of 36 hours. Built of 351 parts (not including the fusee-and-chain mechanism,) the movement features three screwed gold chatons, Glucydur screw balance and an in-house balance spring. This relatively slow movement beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour. As usual for the German brand, the watch is supplied in a very elegant and refined case that measures 41.90 mm in diameter and only 12.20 mm high. source Baume & Mercier Classima Red Gold Dual Time and Power Reserve GMT pieces are always cool, especially for the jet-set executives that are likely to rock this piece from Baume's soon to be released 2011 Classima collection. It's a smallish piece, just 39mm but has some really cool design accents. Dig the way this maker has creatively dropped in the small Roman numeral at 3 o'clock. The black dial features a straight-line guilloché pattern and gilt hour-markers, complemented by an alligator leather strap. This rose-gold case is done quite nicely by Baume et Mercier. The dual time-zone and power-reserve functions, along with the case-back providing a view of the personalized oscillating weight bearing the brand's PHI symbol, will delight devotees of fine watches. source

Invasion of Hot Aliens Posted: 25 May 2011 12:21 PM PDT I really love SF movies, since I was a kid. Maybe it’s kinda silly child’s dream – to be a pilot, and explore universe, discovering new worlds and alien species. Yes, species; they had to have females, yes? How lucky I am that the writers, directors and producers of these movies seem to had same dreams about alien babes. It might be an odd attraction, but attraction it is. These are my favorite ladies from other planets. Have a close encounter of any kind with these lovely, extraterrestrial fems. Gaila – Star Trek 2009 Home Planet: Orion J.J. Abrams admits he wasn’t big on the original Star Trek series as a youngster, but he delivered exactly the kind of fan service Trekkies, Trekkers and casual Trek followers love in the form of Gaila: gorgeous, busty and green. source Serleena – Men in Black 2 Home Planet: Kylothia Serleena rides around the universe in a spaceship no bigger than J’s Noisy Cricket – but since when does size count? It’s all about packing a punch, and the part-plant, part-Victoria Secret model can vine whip any measly human out of her path in a matter of seconds. Must be the fertilizer. source Kara Zor-El – Supergirl Home Planet: Krypton (in the pocket of trans-dimensional space known as Argo City) Kara Zor-El took on the identity of Supergirl and arrived on Earth in hopes of finding the magical Omegahedron, but little did she realize she also gave hopes to an entire world. With both a male and female Kryptonian on the planet, the chances of getting laid by someone with superpowers doubled! source Princess Aura – Flash Gordon Home Planet: Mongo Aura doesn’t wear massive amounts of eye shadow to up her weight class. No, it’s to get with everyone on Mongo and its outlying satellites. She juggles Flash, Prince Barin, probably Zarkov off-screen at some point. Wouldn’t be surprising. Oh, don’t think of this as judgment – I’m just jealous. source Princess Neytiri – Avatar Home Planet: Pandora We thought fanciful braids were just for chicks until we realized the Na’vi use them to “connect” to one another. Then again, they also use them to “connect” to horses…whatever, kinky’s fine. source Jenny – Doctor Who Home Planet: Messaline Jenny is the closest the Doctor has come to procreating, having been rapidly grown by the soldiers of Messaline using the time travelers DNA. Whether this makes her a true Time Lord is up for debate, but the girl houses the race’s trademark two hearts, which means she’ll at least have a whole lot of lovin’ to give. source Kitty – Cocoon Home Planet: Antarea Skinny dipping is ten times more fun when you’re doing it with a former resident of Atlantis in a pool of energized lifeforce. Don’t be afraid of the glow, it’s natural! source Diva Plavalaguna – The Fifth Element Home Planet: Unknown The operatic alien serves multiple purposes aboard the luxury space cruise hovering above Fhloston Paradise, but it wasn’t her rendition of “Oh, giusto cielo!…Il dolce suono” that put a bullet through her head. Unfortunately, Diva was also entrusted with the four existing elements, making her blue blood a target of the Mangalores. The old saying is true: it’s all over when the blue, tentacled woman sings. source Trance Gemini – Andromeda Home Planet: Vedran Sun Trance is the George Washington Carver of the Andromeda Ascendant, acting as the chief’s evironmental officer and chief biologist. Unlike George Washington Carver, Trance was born from a sun and can turn herself into pure energy and unleash her own personal supernova. At least, I don’t recall hearing George Washington Carver having that particular ability. source T’Pol – Star Trek: Enterprise Home Planet: Vulcan She’s sworn to protect the human race, including creating the first human/Vulcan hybrid. You already know she’s down for some human love. source Teela – Masters of the Universe Home Planet: Eternia It was hard to carve out space in a movie packed with He-Man’s excessively bulked-up muscles and Courtney Cox’s giant hair-do, but Teela stands out as a go-to warrior and friend. She’s no Battle Cat, but the smile more than makes up for it. source Dejah Thoris – John Carter of Mars Home Planet: Mars The love interest of the title character in Edgar Rice Burroughs's John Carter of Mars, Dejah Thoris is a Martian princess who would seem equally at home as a Conan damsel in distress. Oh, and her people wear no clothes. Hello, early twentieth century literary gratuity! source Xev/Zev Bellringer – Lexx Home Planet: Lexx Zev Bellringer (later to become "Xev" after a death and resurrection) begins her journey on Lexx by being imprisoned and sentenced to becoming a love slave. The transition process gets as far as modifying her body, but a roaming lizard creature breaks the machine before Zev's mind can be rewritten. As a bonus, her DNA fuses with the lizard's, turning her into a highly libidinous and extremely conflicted space girl with disturbing reptilian superpowers. Originally played by Eva Habermann and later – after the "Xev" transition – Xenia Seeberg. source Galaxina – Galaxina Home Planet: Unknown (possibly Australia) Knowing how the world works, expect the first major advancement in the technology of public-use robotics to be related to porn. They’ve got the money. While we wait, indulge in Galaxina, a robot/alien played by Playboy playmate Dorothy Stratten. source Dame Vaako – Chronicles of Riddick Home Planet: Helion Prime Dame Vaako is the Hilary Clinton of Necromongers. While her husband takes the power position, she stands in the background and plays puppetmaster – and she looks pretty sexy doing it. Moreso than say, Hilary Clinton. source Padme Amidala – Star Wars Prequel Trilogy Home Planet: Naboo She’s an angel……or just a kick-ass queen who doesn’t take sh*t from the Trade Federation or her pissy Jedi husband. She’s a take-charge lady, ready to rock the mid-riff and blaster combo when necessary. You don’t find many of those in galaxies far, far, away. source Jadzia Dax – Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Home Planet: Trill Any woman adept at Ferengi tongo is good in our book. Jadzia is the eigth host of the Dax symbiote, meaning she carries seven lifetimes worth of memories in her noggin. As long as the Dax symbiote isn’t some weird STD we can pick up, I’m big fan of this Trill hottie. source Sil – Species Home Planet: Earth, but her DNA is otherworldly Scientists, they never learn. Ben Kingsley and team splice DNA found in a SETI transmission to disasterous results: they create a beautiful, sex-driven woman. Why are all the good women in this world genetically mutated aliens look to breed?! GEEZ. source Inara Serra – Serenity Home Planet: Sihnon One day, all female aliens will be played by Morena Baccarin. In Firefly/Serenity, Baccarin played Inara, a companion (like an even classier Geisha) who helped Captain Mal out of some of his stickier situations. Since they were romantically connected, Inara probably helped Mal get in to some of his stickiest situations (ew, gross). source Alice – Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Home Planet: Cybertron In Transformers 2, Michael Bay finally found a way to fuse the two things he loves most: destructive technology and gorgeous, tan women. The two passions fuse into the Terminatrix-esque Decepticon Alice, who will quickly French Kiss any guy to the grave. source Anna – V If aliens are meant to be so intelligent, then why do they seem to consistently send leaders to Earth who have massive bulging foreheads, spindly fingers and flabby green bellies? Send a leader that looks like V's Anna, and you'll have the world's leaders in the palm of your extraterrestrial hand. There's no way Obama and the boys could resist succumbing to her naughty short haired sexiness! source Leeloo – The Fifth Element Underrated sci-fi epic The Fifth Element featured a ditzy, tough as hell, red-headed alien babe as its protagonist. Played by Mila Jovovich, Leeloo spent a satisfyingly large amount of time showing just enough skin to get us all warmed up, and not so much that we couldn't watch it when we were 12. source Caprica Six – Battlestar Galactica Who would have ever thought there could be a redeeming feature to the world's most, er, earnest sci-fi franchise? Sure, Battlestar Galactica had its moments back in the day. But there was only so much of the same shot of plastic models fighting in space one could take before throwing an implement at the TV due to perilous levels of boredom. Then the new series appeared with improved scripts and Tricia Helfer's barely clad space globes, and all of a sudden we were addicted again. She might technically be a robot, but she's certainly not made from metal, and she's definitely not from Earth. What's more, there are thousands of identical copies of her. source

Most Famous Conspiracy Theories Posted: 24 May 2011 12:50 PM PDT Everyone enjoys hearing about a good conspiracy theory and many people enjoy coming up with new ones. You can spend an incredible amount of time reading about theories and wondering if there is any truth to them. 1. 9/11 was Planned by the US Government Many conspiracy theories have been presented concerning the September 11, 2001 attacks, many of them claiming that President George W. Bush and/or individuals in his administration knew about the attacks beforehand and purposefully allowed them to occur because the attacks would generate public support for militarization, expansion of the police state, and other intrusive foreign and domestic policies by which they would benefit. Proponents point to the Project for the New American Century, a conservative think tank that argues for increased American global leadership, whose former members include ex-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney and several other key Bush administration figures. An 1990 report from the group stated that "some catastrophic and catalyzing event — like a new Pearl Harbor" would be needed to budge public opinion in their favor. 2. UFO Recovered at Roswell The Roswell UFO Incident involved the recovery of materials near Roswell, New Mexico, USA, in July 1947, which have since become the subject of intense speculation, rumor, questioning and research. There are widely divergent views on what actually happened, and passionate debate about what evidence can be believed. The United States military maintains that what was recovered was a top-secret research balloon that had crashed. By the early 1990s, UFO researchers such as Friedman, William Moore, Karl Pflock, and the team of Kevin Randle and Don Schmitt had interviewed several hundred people [11] who had, or claimed to have had, a connection with the events at Roswell in 1947. Additionally, hundreds of documents were obtained via Freedom of Information Act requests, as were some apparently leaked by insiders, such as the disputed "Majestic 12″ documents. Their conclusions were that at least one alien craft had crashed in the Roswell vicinity, that aliens, some possibly still alive, were recovered, and that a massive cover-up of any knowledge of the incident was put in place. 3. Global Warming is a Fraud The suggestion of a conspiracy to promote the theory of global warming was put forward in a 1990 documentary The Greenhouse Conspiracy broadcast by Channel Four in the United Kingdom on 12 August 1990, as part of the Equinox series, which asserted that scientists critical of global warming theory were denied funding. William Gray, phD (a pioneer in the science of hurricane forecasting) has made a list of 15 reasons for the global warming hysteria. The list includes the need to come up with an enemy after the end of the Cold War, and the desire among scientists, government leaders and environmentalists to find a political cause that would enable them to 'organize, propagandize, force conformity and exercise political influence. Big world government could best lead (and control) us to a better world!' In this article, Gray also cites the ascendancy of Al Gore to the vice presidency as the start of his problems with federal funding. According to him, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stopped giving him research grants, and so did NASA. 4. Princess Diana was Murdered by the Royal Family In 1997, Princess Diana (Princess of Wales) and Dodi Fayed (son of Mohamed Fayed, owner of the Ritz Hotel and Harrods) were killed in a car accident while trying to get away from press photographers in Paris. The scandal surrounding their relationship (Dodi was Muslim whilst Diana was the mother of the future head of the Church of England) has led many people to speculate that they were actually killed in order to prevent further scandal to the throne of England. Polls suggest that around a quarter of the UK public, and a majority of people in some Arab countries, believe that there was a plot to murder Diana, Princess of Wales. Motivations which have been advanced for such a conspiracy include suggestions that Diana intended to marry Dodi Fayed, that she intended to convert to Islam, that she was pregnant, and that she was to visit the holy land. Organizations which conspiracy theorists suggest are responsible for her death have included French Intelligence, the British Royal Family, the press, the British Intelligence services MI5 or MI6, the CIA, Mossad, the Freemasons, or the IRA. 5. Jewish World Domination This theory, in recent history, extends mainly from the booklet The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, which are widely considered to be the beginning of contemporary conspiracy theory literature. The Protocols are considered by some to be an anti-Jewish literary forgery that purports to describe a Jewish plot to achieve world domination. Numerous independent investigations have repeatedly proven it to be a plagiarism and a hoax, yet numerous independent investigations have shown it to be a factual document. The text was popularized by those opposed to Russian revolutionary movement, and was disseminated further after the revolution of 1905, becoming known worldwide after the 1917 October Revolution. It was widely circulated in the West in 1920 and thereafter. The Great Depression and the rise of Nazism were important developments in the history of the Protocols. 6. Apollo Moon Landing Hoax Apollo Moon Landing hoax accusations are claims that some or all elements of the Apollo Moon landings were faked by NASA and possibly members of other involved organizations. Some groups and individuals have advanced alternate historical narratives which tend, to varying degrees, to state that the Apollo Astronauts did not land on the moon, and that NASA created and continues to perpetuate this hoax. Moon hoax proponents devote a substantial portion of their efforts to examining NASA photos. They point to various issues with photographs and films purportedly taken on the Moon. Experts in photography (even those unrelated to NASA) respond that the anomalies, while sometimes counterintuitive, are in fact precisely what one would expect from a real Moon landing, and contrary to what would occur with manipulated or studio imagery. Hoax proponents also state that whistleblowers may have deliberately manipulated the NASA photos in hope of exposing NASA. 7. Pearl Harbor Was Allowed to Happen This theory states that President Roosevelt (FDR) provoked the attack, knew about it in advance and covered up his failure to warn the Hawaiian commanders. FDR needed the attack to sucker Hitler to declare war, since the public and Congress were overwhelmingly against entering the war in Europe. It was his backdoor to war. Theorists believe that the US was warned by, at least, the governments of Britain, Netherlands, Australia, Peru, Korea and the Soviet Union that a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was coming. All important Japanese codes were broken. FDR and Marshall and others knew the attack was coming, allowed it and covered up their knowledge. 8. The Third Secret of Fatima The Three Secrets of Fatima are said to be three prophecies that were given by an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three young Portuguese shepherds, Lucia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto. From May to October, 1917, the three children claimed to have witnessed this Marian apparition, which is today popularly described as Our Lady of Fatima. On July 13 the Virgin Mary is said to have entrusted the three secrets – in the form of prophecies – to the young visionaries. Two of the secrets were revealed in 1941 in a document written by Lucia to assist with the canonization of her cousins, while the third was to remain secret, although the bishop of Leiria commanded Lucia to put it in writing and to present it to the Pope. A Catholic priest who has apparently seen the original text of the "third secret" of Fatima disputes the official interpretation of the secret released by the Vatican. Furthermore, he has asked key people in the Vatican about the text and has gotten no response. While the Priest's comments are somewhat radical, they are not without merit, as he has seen the secret with his own eyes. Moreover, while the first 2 secrets are fairly obvious and clear, leading some to wonder why the third one is required to be examined by a team of experts because of its complexity. 9. The Philadelphia Experiment The Philadelphia Experiment was an alleged naval military experiment at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sometime around the date of October 28, 1943, in which the U.S. destroyer escort USS Eldridge was to be rendered invisible to human observers for a brief period of time. It is also referred to as Project Rainbow. The story is widely regarded as a hoax. The U.S. Navy has stated that the experiment never occurred, and furthermore, details of the story contradict stated facts about the Eldridge. It has nonetheless caused a significant ripple effect in many conspiracy theory circles, and elements of the Philadelphia Experiment are featured in many other government conspiracy theories. According to some accounts, the experiment was conducted by a Dr. Franklin Reno (or Rinehart) as a military application of a Unified Field Theory. The theory, briefly, postulates the interrelated nature of the forces that comprise electromagnetic radiation and gravity. Through a special application of the theory, it was thought possible, with specialized equipment and sufficient energy, to bend light around an object in such a way as to render it essentially invisible to observers. The Navy considered this application of the theory to be of obvious military value (especially as the United States was engaged in World War II at the time) and both approved and sponsored the experiment. A navy destroyer escort, the USS Eldridge, was fitted with the required equipment at the naval yards in Philadelphia.

Beauty From the Depth Posted: 23 May 2011 03:24 AM PDT In biology, a medusa (plural: medusae) is a form of cnidarian in which the body is shortened on its principal axis and broadened, sometimes greatly, in contrast with polyps. Medusae vary from bell-shaped to the shape of a thin disk, scarcely convex above and only slightly concave below. There are lot of different types of medusae, and most of them induce panic among the swimmers; most of them aren’t poisonous and dangerous. Now, we choose the most beautiful of them, seen through the eyes of photographers.

Funny, Cool and Weird Coca-Cola Posted: 22 May 2011 01:29 PM PDT Yes, we must admit that Coca-Cola is world’s most famous drink, and also is among the world’s most recognizable brands. So, it’s inspiration for great commercials, and for mocking, too. People just love to laugh at famous brands being parodied! These are the pics that we love, and that makes us laugh everytime we look them! Enjoy! source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source

In the Blink of an Eye Posted: 21 May 2011 12:08 AM PDT A lot of wonderful things happen in the blink of an eye, but they are moving too quickly for us to see. High speed photography is the science of taking pictures of very fast phenomena and allow us to see images that we don't usually get to see. Enjoy!

Great Examples of Eerie Taxidermy Posted: 20 May 2011 01:30 AM PDT Taxidermy is the act of mounting or reproducing dead animals for display (e.g. as hunting trophies) or for other sources of study. Taxidermy can be done on all vertebrate species of animals including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. The methods that taxidermists practice have been improved over the last century, heightening taxidermic quality and lowering toxicity. These artist raised it to a next level. 1. Lisa Black By combining steampunk aesthetics with taxidermy, Lisa Black has made a name for herself. In fact, she just might be the best known modern taxidermist. Her trick is incorporating copper gears and computer components that make the animals appear to be cyborgs imitating our everyday animal species. The result is all at once terrifying and fascinating. (Link) 2. Ron Pippin This is unparalleled artwork. Its' comparatively easier to seek inspiration from nature, but its' very difficult to achieve excellence in art, that erases the gap between natural and artificial. For that, one needs a keen eye and a rapier sharp brain that perceives the relationship between science, art and nature in all forms natural and diligently strives to replicate the same. Artist Ron Pippin did just that. Using actual animal parts along with mechanical augmentations in many of his works, Pippin has sculpted this beautiful form, which he named "Solar Deer". 3.Gunther von Hagens If you define taxidermy strictly as the preservation of animal remains, then Gunther von Hagens might not qualify. Even so, the famed artist of Body Worlds has done amazing work when it comes to the preservation of human remains in artistic poses. (Link | Photo) 4.Scott Bibus While many taxidermy artworks could be accurately described as whimsical, Scott Bibus’ "Anti-Trophies" are anything but that. These gory works look like they were frozen in time during the filming of an utterly terrifying horror movie. (Link) 5. Top Hat Taxidermy Like Lisa Black, artists at Top Hat Taxidermy are eagerly exploring the connections between Victorian aesthetics seen in steampunk and the period art form of taxidermy. This piece, Chuffy and The Time Machine certainly transcends time periods, even if it doesn’t interrupt the time/space continuum. (Link) 6. Kasey McMahon Have you ever looked at your computer case and thought, "man, I wish this incorporated a dead animal?" I didn’t think so. But you might reconsider after seeing Kasey McMahon’s brilliant Compubeaver. She’s even provided instructions so you can make your own. (Link 1 | Link 2) 7. Jaun Cabana Combining multiple animal carcasses into one to create a mythical beast is a taxidermy trick that has been used for centuries. Jaun Cabana is a master of the art, creating such strange but classic works as monkey-boned mermaids and fish with human skulls. (Link) 8. Sarina Brewer While Jaun Cabana focuses on sea monsters, Sarina Brewer creates monsters that can travel by land, sea or air. Whether a winged, horned cat that looks like it escaped the fiery depths of hell or a winged goat mermaid, her beasts may be shocking, but they still always look realistic. (Link) 9. Géza Szöllősi An animal need not be mythological to create a strange sense of unease though. Artist Géza Szöllősi’s Inflated cow’s heads are entirely creepy even if they don’t look remotely scary.(Link) 10. Jeanie M. If you’ve seen Dinner For Schmucks, then you know just how cool mice can look when dressed in human clothes. Long before crew members started constructing their mousterpieces for the movie though, Jeanie M. was creating adorable mice artworks in the good city of San Francisco. Some people have accused the movie of directly copying her art, but I’ll leave that decision up to you. (Link | Photo)

Sweet And Soluble Posted: 18 May 2011 07:19 AM PDT Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, hazelnut, banana … these are my favorite ice creams! When at night I start to dream how that ice balls sophisticated fragrance melt in my mouth I start to yelling Yummy! And every time I jump out of bed to the fridge and started to yelling Why! Because there is no more ice cream. Summer is coming – prepare to resist to your impulses – enjoy, but responsible :) source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source

Amazing Little Faces Posted: 17 May 2011 01:30 AM PDT Sweetest and dearest thing in the world are babies. Whenever you are sad, take a child in your hands and play with him/her. Crawl along with him and laugh. Let the child in you to go out. Doing all that that a little child is doing. After half an hour you will be tired but you will feel relief that even a gym can not deliver. Most importantly you will realize that the little things are necessary to your happiness. source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source

Awesome Facebook Profiles Posted: 15 May 2011 02:43 PM PDT Facebook is popular social network that connects you bla bla bla bla…All of us have read it several times, but this is the first time that i`ve seen how creative can people be on facebook. Check it out!

Super Mario Bros. Posted: 14 May 2011 05:27 AM PDT Super Mario Bros. is a platform video game developed by Nintendo in late 1985 and published for the Nintendo Entertainment System as a sequel to the 1983 game Mario Bros. in Super Mario Bros. For over two decades, Super Mario Bros. was the best-selling video game of all time, before being outsold by Nintendo’s own Wii Sports in 2009. Super Mario All-Stars, known as Super Mario Collection in Japan. There was also an alternate version bundled with the SNES and available at retail in December 1994 that included Super Mario World.  A 25th Anniversary Edition of the compilation was released for the Wii in 2010. This is just a little part of my Mario collection, so enjoy it, Mario-fans! source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source

Elegant Women’s Underwear Posted: 12 May 2011 11:55 AM PDT Every woman loves to wear high-quality and stylish underwear, while men like to see the woman in a very nice underwear. If you can’t decide which one to choose bring your dear person in shopping and let it assist in the selection. Make sure that you feel comfortable in that what you wear and that looks nice. If  you catch amazed glance from your man, then you’ll know that you have choose right piece for yourself! source source source source source source source source source source source source

Dangerous Cars Posted: 11 May 2011 05:04 AM PDT Cars today are safer than ever before. Going beyond the standard intelligent seat belts and airbags for every part of the body, today's cars can park themselves, keep themselves within their lane and automatically hit the brakes should a panic-stop situation arise. While most vehicles have benefited from billions of dollars of safety research, there are still a few cars on the road that aren't so safe. Some of these vehicles present genuine dangers to occupants; others are just perceived as dangerous. While not all of these cars are guaranteed to kill you, they’re pretty much deathtraps. Ferrari 458 Italia The F458 Italia is undoubtedly one of Ferrari's most beautiful creations, but like Kristanna Loken in T3:Rise of the Machines, this beauty hides a deadly danger. No, this Italian exotic doesn't turn into a man-killing creation from future, but it does have a nasty tendency to spontaneously combust. It turns out that an adhesive in the rear wheel arches and heat shield would catch fire, deforming the assemblies themselves, which would then ignite upon contact with the exhaust manifold. source DeLorean DMC-12 If you see a DeLorean hit 88 mph, you will certainly have witnessed a rare event. Mainly because it's rare to see a DeLorean anywhere, let alone one breaking the speed limit. But just as people like to speed, people invariably find ways to roll cars – even those with low centers of gravity – and there are few vehicles deadlier when upside down than a DeLorean. Provided the stainless-steel structure survives the impact, escape from the vehicle is nigh impossible. While resting on its roof, the DeLorean's doors absolutely cannot be opened, and those cool side windows quickly turn dangerous, as their diminutive size prevents passengers from escaping through the window. Rollover victims are trapped until they are met by either the Jaws of Life or the sweet kiss of death. source Ford Explorer It's not so much a problem now, but Ford's popular Explorer gained a sudden spike in negative press when the SUVs seemed to start barrel-rolling down the freeway for no reason whatsoever. Turns out the OEM Firestone tires were to blame. While Ford and Firestone continue to blame each other over who really is to blame for this fault, the fact is that the tread on the Firestone tires would separate from the tire while driving at speed, resulting in a blowout, which, in turn, would result in an X-Games-worthy flip. source BMW Isetta BMW's Isetta city car is unique for its microscopic size, bubble canopy and front-mounted passenger door. As if driving a car the size of a cat wasn't treacherous enough on today's Expedition-filled roads, a collision with anything would result in a horrific yet embarrassing death. By having only a thin wafer of sheet metal in front of the occupants, the closest thing resembling a crumple zone on the Isetta would be its occupants' feet. Should an Isetta owner somehow make it through life without his car kneecapping him, there is still the problem of being able to escape the car should the door be blocked by another car, a wall or a slight gust of wind. source Jeep CJ The open tops of the original civilian Jeeps meant little in the way of occupant protection. Lacking safety devices like a roof, doors or a structurally supportive windscreen, passengers can be flung out of these Jeeps in an accident or even while just driving down the road. Having actually ridden in more than a few CJs, we can safely say that the only thing that kept us inside the vehicle and not splattered across the road was the power of positive thinking. Had we actually had an accident in one of these CJs… well, DOT workers would have been scraping us off the asphalt. source Ford Pinto The Pinto was Ford's response to the rising popularity of compact Japanese imports. Small in size, cheap in price and economical on gas, the Pinto was Ford's way of telling buyers that they could beat the gas crunch while still driving American. But to keep costs down, corners were cut, most famously where the fuel tank was concerned. A lack of reinforcement around the gas tank allowed it to be punctured in a rear-end collision, sometimes igniting the fuel vapors. source Suzuki Samurai Released years before the SUV boom, Suzuki's Samurai micro-SUV made headlines after Consumer Reports declared the vehicle dangerous due to its propensity to barrel roll through turns. So damaging were these claims that Samurai sales practically dried up overnight, and Suzuki still has yet to regain a solid foothold in the U.S. car market. If ever a vehicle exemplified the SUV's instability in corners, the Suzuki Samurai is it. source Chevrolet Corvair Ralph Nader was best known for highlighting the dangers of Chevrolet's Corvair (Before he was known for ruining elections). In his book Unsafe at Any Speed, Nader said that the Corvair, due to is rear-engine layout and rear-swing axle, had a tendency to swing out violently mid-corner and ruin its occupants with its steering column before continuing its killing spree by murdering the pets of small children. Like the Toyota issue of today, a frenzy of media attention, lawsuits and congressional hearings all sprung up in response to Nader's claims, and the resulting negative attention eventually killed the car in 1969. source Yugo GV The GV was a Serbian-built Fiat. We'll simply say that Yugo's combination of outdated Fiat technology, paper-thin metal and flimsy construction made this ex-Yugoslavia import a bigger threat to Americans than a MiG-25. Documented crash tests show that collisions at just 80 km/h (49 mph) will violently shove the front bumper, engine and spare tire directly into the front seats, passengers be damned. Yugo never got around to making its cars safer(believe me, it’s still the same s**t), and due to toughening U.S. regulations, the brand disappeared from the U.S. completely. Safety issues aside, deadly collisions involving Yugos were relatively rare as 1) no one bought them, and 2) it was tough finding an example that could move under its own power. source Brilliance BS6 After a video showing its abysmal failure in a European crash test spread throughout the web, Brilliance's BS6 sedan has become synonymous with Chinese automotive safety. Or, more accurately, the lack thereof. It's a car with the structural integrity of a wet tissue, and as the crash-test video shows, an accident in this car will result in certain death. China has its eyes set on becoming a major automotive manufacturing powerhouse, but until its cars can withstand a force greater than a kitten's sneeze, it will be a long time before Westerners look to China to fill their personal transportation needs. source

Beautiful Dust Art Posted: 10 May 2011 10:51 AM PDT Yes, this guy probably started with “wash me” and those smiley faces, but he has come a long way since then. Enjoy this amazing dust art. Source

Ladies Maneaters Posted: 09 May 2011 07:30 AM PDT When I was younger I was totally in SF and horror movies! And, there was always at least one sexy and hot girl as a negative character – that was just one more plus for a film : ) So I’ve tried to remember all girls that played in my favorite movies, but it would be really long list – so I’ve made a gallery of girls that have a healthy appetite for human flesh. Enjoy! Natasha Henstridge as Sil in “Species” (1995) While this alien succubus technically doesn’t eat a guy, I consider a make-out session that ends with her tongue coming out of the back of a guy’s head close enough. The attraction to Michael Madsen’s character, however, I cannot understand. source Julie Delpy as Serafine Pigot in “An American Werewolf in Paris” (1997) I’ve heard that French chicks don’t shave their pits and find it attractive, but this is ridiculous. Nonetheless, this werewolf with a heart of gold won me over with her willingness to hop in the sack with a dopey American tourist. Ah, if we should all be so lucky… source Megan Fox as Jennifer in “Jennifer’s Body” (2009) Megan Fox as a possessed, cannibalistic babe from Hell? I’ll take two, thank you…especially if it means twice as much of that girl-on-girl lip-locking, and no jive-talking robots. After watching her in action, I’ll never look at a high school flag team the same way. source Angie Everhart as Lilith in “Bordello of Blood” (1996) It’s tough to pick just one traditional vampire from all of the hotties who have portrayed them onscreen, but Angie wins out based on three things: she’s a redhead (always a plus for girl), she feels up Erika Eleniak, and she’s running a bordello full of top-heavy bloodsuckers. Triple win. source Melinda Clarke as Julie Walker in “Return of the Living Dead 3″ (1993) Years before her breakout role as Mischa Barton’s cougar mom on “The O.C.,” Melinda Clarke got her brain-eating on after she dies in a motorcycle crash and is reanimated by her grieving boyfriend. This entry is best known for entering “S&M zombie” into the lexicon, as Julie can only calm her flesh cravings with extreme pain. source Jess Weixler as Dawn O’Keefe in “Teeth” (2007) Before this indie black comedy came around, “vagina dentata” was probably thought of as some sort of play an artsy girlfriend would drag you to. Turns out it’s an old folk saying for “vagina with teeth” … and in this film, Dawn becomes cinema’s most unlikely “manhood eater.” source Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett in “Sweeney Todd” (2007) How to best dispose of the dead bodies of your serial killer accomplice’s victims? If “bake them into meat pies and serve them to customers” wasn’t your first guess, don’t feel bad. This flick is pretty messed up. But Helena B.C. makes for one hot man-server, nonetheless – I think that I would try that pie : ) source Anna Falchi as “She” in “Cemetary Man” (1994) Playing three separate roles – all of whom are unnamed characters – Falchi makes the cut based on her primary character’s sex addiction moreso than her zombified look in this cult-classic Italian flick. She may have wanted to eat Rupert Everett’s brains, but that only makes me like her more. source Alien Queen from “Aliens” (1986) This one’s for all of you out here who like big-boned females. Or those of who can appreciate a woman who’ll throw you around the room a bit. With apologies to Ripley and Vasquez, the Queen still managed to be the hottest chick in the movie…despite a disturbingly slimy egg-laying sequence. source Nastassja Kinski as Irena Gallier in “Cat People” (1982) Panther lovin’ at its finest! Natassja Kinski stars as a werecat who has to dodge her murderous, incestuous brother while fending off the advances of a zoologist; if she sleeps with a human, she turns into a panther, and can only regain human form if she kills a human. Got all that? Trust me…this kitten has claws. source Salma Hayek as Satanico Pandemonium in “From Dusk Till Dawn” (1995) With most insane characters’ name, she is one of my favorite sexpot vampire/reptile hybrid. (Hey, she does take a huge bite outta the guy, after all.) Never have Satan, Salma, skimpy clothes, snakes and an aversion to sunlight meshed so well. source Lisa Marie as Martian Girl in “Mars Attacks” (1996) Another “fine line” entry, the incognito Martian Girl may not have snacked on actual human flesh, but when Martin Short plants an unwanted kiss on her, she nearly devours his face. A typical reaction for most women, I imagine : ) source Sybil Danning as Stirba in “Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf” (1985) Known in other regions by the far more entertaining title “Howling II: Stirba – Werewolf Bitch,” this horror sequel starred frequently nude Sybil Danning as an immortal werewolf queen who has lots of werewolf sex in her castle. Christopher Lee and our main man Reb Brown co-star, failing to redirect their eyes from her cleavage for an hour and a half. source Amelia Kinkade as Angela Franklin from “Night of the Demons” (1988) One minute she’s a hot goth chick performing an alluring erotic dance, the next she’s a yellowed-eyed demon with jagged teeth and a deep, maniacal voice. Reminds me of some of ex-girlfriend, actually. Kinkade made her last “Demons” appearance in 1997, and these days makes a living as – no s**t – a pet psychic. source

New and Funny Photobombs Posted: 08 May 2011 02:18 AM PDT Photobombs, we all like them and we won`t miss a chance to share some more recently found pics with you. Enjoy!

Dizzy Heights Posted: 06 May 2011 12:51 AM PDT Looking down from high places can be exciting experience, but can also cause a vertigo. Anyway, i`d love to visit some of these places, vertigo or no… An empty ski jump with no snow Burj Dubai Calgary Tower observation deck Colossus, the huge wooden double track coaster at Magic Mountain near Los Angeles Eiffel Tower Observation Deck Empire State building Golden Gate Bridge, Marin County, California Jinmao Tower, Shangai mast in Antarctica Mayan pyramid Chichen Itza tallest abandoned Russian structure The Skydeck of Chicago's Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower Tokyo Tower, Tokyo, Japan

The Hottest Cowgirls Posted: 05 May 2011 12:21 AM PDT Do you find cowboys attractive? Well, I don’t – dirty, swearing, spitting brutes who smells like horses – I don’t find that even a bit attractive! But, cowgirls… Whoa! I don’t know why, but those beautiful, tanned girls with denim cut and plaid shirts and so much skin revealed… That’s what I call sexy! And, I think that many men agree with this, according to internet blogs. So, enjoy our gallery! source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source

Cars With Attitude Posted: 03 May 2011 06:55 AM PDT You know they're fake, but you still want to get your hands on them. Better still, the thought of you and your girlfriend getting your hands on them would be a hell of a ride – but that's kind of the idea with badass movie cars. As long I've been going to the movies, I've seen lot of shots of these badass movie cars, and I know that I have desperately desired to try some of these monsters. So, what makes a badass movie car? In this article, you’re looking at ultra-modified rides that would be impractical or impossible to duplicate to the last detail in the real world. Dodge M4S – The Wraith The Wraith featured a badass movie car driven by a vengeful just-like-today Charlie Sheen. Scenes in the movie don't do the one-off Dodge M4S justice. Codeveloped between Dodge and PPG Industries, the $1.5 million car had a mid-engine layout with a humble but hyper 2.2-liter twin-turbo four that's said to have developed over 400 horsepower. Top speed was reportedly just shy of 200 mph. source Pontiac GTO – xXx In this case, it's a '67 Pontiac GTO. It's sort of like a James Bond car, complete with gadgets, but with a pronounced American accent. OK, sharp-eyed Pontiac guys should ignore that some shots feature a tarted-up Le Mans model. And purple color? Not exactly the hue that completes a badass movie car. However, it did get the job done, and still deserves mention. source DeLorean DMC-12 – Back to the Future Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd's characters may not have had a badass essence about them, but neither did the original DeLorean DMC-12. What a difference a flux capacitor and 1.21 “jigowatts” make. It's hard to decide what was more made-up: time travel or a DeLorean reaching 88 mph. Nevertheless, the contraption-heavy car was badass in its own right, even inspiring look-alike body kits for real-life cars back in the day. source Aston Martin V12 Vanquish – Die Another Day Most of Bond’s cars deserve “badass” reputation, but one we're particularly keen about is the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish. Known around Q Branch as the Vanish, it sported daylight stealth technology similar to that under development by the U.S. Air Force. Where the Aston continued to excel was in its ability to race flat-out on a frozen lake against the bad guy's rocket-leaden Jaguar. source The Car – The Car Watching the movie today, The Car's star comes off as little more than possessed road rage in a prehistoric Chrysler 300 look-alike (it was really a Mark III Lincoln Continental with the George Barris treatment). However, in 1977, it was freaky and it was a badass movie car – still is, if you take its premise at face value. An evil-looking, driver-less car just suddenly rolls into a desert town and indiscriminately picks off locals in all sorts of imaginary ways, and it's up to James Brolin to save the day. source Bumblebee – Transformers Had the original Transformers’ story car, a VW Beetle, remained in place, our No. 5 badass movie car would be something far different. And even the second-gen Camaro substitute was unremarkable on its own. That is, until its handy Autobot alter-ego literally took shape and made the '70s Camaro cooler faster than you could say "Optimus Prime." source The Interceptor – Mad Max Our No. 4 was driven by Mel Gibson in Mad Max. The Interceptor looks like a vaguely American car of the '70s, maybe a Torino. It is based on a Ford, only it was the Australian Ford XB Falcon Coupe from earlier in the decade. With the movie car benefiting from a sinister black paint job, nose job and various other bits, it was perfect for a rogue cop out to settle a score. source Frankenstein’s Monster – Death Race You have to love Death Race just for its unusual assortment of badass movie cars alone. Where else have you seen drivers in a BMW 7 Series, Buick Riviera, Dodge Ram, Jaguar XJS, and a Porsche 911 fight to the death? Best of all was a bald, badass Jason Statham in his 2006 Ford Mustang GT, complete with a few accessories Dearborn never intended. source The Tumbler – Batman Begins Batmobiles have always been badass movie cars relative to their times, but just as Batman Begins was radically different from the other installments, so was the car. The Tumbler wasn't based on a single vehicle; instead, it seems to have drawn inspiration partly from Frank Miller's graphic-novel depiction in The Dark Night Returns and possibly also the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter jet. Whatever the case, it was done well and made Bruce Wayne's Lamborghini pale in comparison. source Christine – Christine For our most badass movie car (but, not the last), it's ladies first. The film adaptation of Stephen King's novel left a little to be desired, but Christine still had it where it mattered. It began with the '58 Plymouth's unique red and white paint and continued through her undying loyalty and tendency to avenge; behaviors quickly evident to everyone on either side of her temper. Even stock '58s look evil since Christine, and some collectors have replicated the color scheme to complete the look. source The Green Goblin – Maximum Overdrive This truck scares the s**t out of me when I was a kid! Along with AC/DC’s Thunderstruck : ) Not a car, but most definitely badass, The Green Goblin was the ringleader of the semis terrorizing Emilio Estevez and company at the Dixie Boy truck stop in Maximum Overdrive. While the movie is so camp it's awesome, and the Goblin's "Happy Toyz" trailer logo brings thoughts of recreational implements, the truck's killing power and attitude are worthy of honorable mention. source sources: IMDB wikipedia AskMen

Royal Look-Alikes Posted: 01 May 2011 01:01 AM PDT If someone says that you look like your grand-grand-grandfather/mother, don’t be surprised (or disappointed) – nature is miracle. Royal British family is purest example of it – if you dig a little, you can find ancestor look-alike for every member of Royal family. You can take a peek at your family album, be sure that you have some ancestor that is your (actually, you are his/her) look-alike. Prince William Clearly he’s no pretender to the throne: Prince William’s regal bearing can be traced back to his 14th-century ancestor King Edward I, making the 28-year-old royal even more of a shoo-in as future King of England. Princess Beatrice You thought that Beatrice looked like her dad – think again! It turns out that 22-year-old daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson bears an uncanny resemblance to her great-great-great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria. Prince Charles Yes, Prince Charles is a dead ringer for Edward VII, who owned the title of Prince of Wales before ascending the throne in 1901. Lord Freddie Windsor He is 37th in line to the throne,so the chances that Freddie Windsor will get his crowning moment are about as bad as those of his ancestor Louis Frederick, Prince of Wales. His ancestor died at the young age of 44 with none of his political ambitions ever fulfilled. Prince Michael of Kent A cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and Freddie’s dad, Prince Michael of Kent has the bearing – along with the full beard! – of his granddad, King George V, who ruled the United Kingdom through the First World War until his death in 1936. Princess Eugenie Prince Andrew and Fergie’s younger daughter would make the late Queen Mum proud! The 21-year-old shares great-great-granny’s soulful eyes, full lips and even her face shape! Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II must have been a favorite of her granny, Queen Mary. The British monarch bears a remarkable likeness to the Queen consort, who saw both her beloved son King George VI and granddaughter Elizabeth ascend the throne before her death in 1953. Prince Harry Guess who else bears a striking likeness to Queen Mary? Everyones favorite eligible royal bachelor Prince Harry, whose red hair and blue eyes were clearly passed down from his great-great-grandmother. Prince Edward Long live the king (George VI) in Prince Edward! Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son is indeed a natty 21st-century version of his grandfather, with his thoughtful gaze and his deep-set eyes. Lady Louise Windsor Even at age 6 (in 2009), Prince Edward’s little girl is a mini-me of her very famous granny, Queen Elizabeth II, who was quite the cherubic 4-year-old in a photo taken in 1930. sources: wikipedia.org People magazine

Creative Perspective Posted: 30 Apr 2011 08:02 AM PDT Depth perception, among other things, allows us to perceive distance from objects. Using that “talent” and some creativity, some amazing pics are created.

Best Movies’ Special Effects Posted: 26 Apr 2011 02:32 PM PDT I am really fan of older SF films, good old-school horrors and action movies. So I’ve decide to made a list of greatest special effects in movies that I have seen. Damn, it was hard! Which one to put on a list, which one to drop out, is this effect better than other, was this effect spectacular and significant at the time… This was really hard work, but with some help from my friends, we made this list. It’s not some kind of “final-top-something-list-of-all-time”, just our choice of special effects that we love, those little things in movies that only fans notice. Hope you’ll enjoy it! Total Recall (1990) The revolutionary use of motion capture was accomplished for the skeletal CGI characters (moving behind an X-ray screen) in the subway shootout scene. The film won a “Special Achievement Award” for its Visual Effects by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. source Terminator 2:Judgement Day (1991) Terminator 2 was the first mainstream blockbuster movie with multiple morphing effects and simulated natural human motion and realistic movements for a major CG character. It was the first film to use ‘personal’ computers to create its special effects. The lethal, liquid-metal, chrome T-1000 cyborg terminator (Robert Patrick) was the first computer graphic-generated main character to be used in a film. This was the first major instance of a CG character in a film since Young Sherlock Holmes (1985). He was capable of ‘morphing’ into any person or object. The liquifying-solidifying robot’s humanoid texture was layered onto a CG model to create the effect. Over 300 special effects shots made up 16 minutes of the film’s running time. This film won the year’s Academy Award for Best Achievement in Visual Effects, defeating Backdraft and Hook. source Lawnmower Man (1992) We were amazed with the Virtual Reality scenes in this movie. This film contained ground-breaking special effects – introducing a computer-generated VR to films for first time. It was the first feature film in the 1990s to use computer animation to explore the subject of virtual reality. It was also one of the first films to record a human actor’s movements in a sensor-covered body suit – a technique called Body Motion Capture (that is now used for everything), to control the movements of a CG character. There was one imaginative and surreal CGI sequence of virtual reality sex (or cybersex), the first of its kind, in this science-fiction thriller loosely derived from Stephen King’s short story. source Jurassic Park (1993) They’re alive! The scenes of the living, eating, and breathing dinosaurs used mechanical animatronic robots and miniature models in stop-motion, frame-by-frame processing. The scene of the night-time attack of the T-Rex on a lawyer cowering in a toilet used live action and digitization – the first example of a computer-generated human stunt double, involving hyperrealistic rendering. This film from Steven Spielberg was the Academy Award winner for Best Achievement in Visual Effects defeating The Nightmare Before Christmas and Cliffhanger. source Independence Day (1996) A remake, unofficially, of the original The War of the Worlds from 1953, this world doomsday film displayed a monstrous-sized UFO that entered Earth’s atmosphere, and a spectacular, well-publicized scene of the destruction of the White House, filmed with 9 cameras. $75 million was spent on models and miniatures – the film had more miniature model work than any other film up to its time. CGI work included the depiction of F-18 Hornets, debris, alien attackers, missiles, and light balls. This blockbuster film was the winner in the Academy Award race for Best Achievement in Visual Effects defeating Twister and Dragonheart. source The Fifth Element (1997) There were an extra-ordinary amount of individual FXs in this film, including a futuristic New York City skyline, a regeneration sequence during the creation of Leeloo in which a sophisticated machine built her skeleton, and strapped muscle tissue onto the bones, and its most celebrated sequence that I really love – the cab chase with flying cars. The cars were created both as motion-control models and CGI versions. source <–!Ads–> The Matrix (1999) One of my favorite movies of all time! This imaginative, visually-stunning film made reference to prototypical elements of the 21st century high-tech culture, such as hacking and virtual reality, and included bullet-dodging. Digital effects dubbed “flow-mo” and “bullet time” – slowed-down, rotating action – were created with suspending actors on wires, using motion capture, and filming segments with multiple still cameras shooting from multiple angles, and then enhancing the pictures with CG interpolation. Other features included time-freezing, camera tracking around frozen action, shoot-outs, wall-scaling, virtual backgrounds, biomechanical monsters with tentacles known as Sentinels, and airborne kung fu between Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving). source The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) This was the three-time Oscar winner for Best Achievement in Visual Effects for three consecutive years!! In each of the years of the award, this film series defeated Artificial Intelligence: AI, Pearl Harbor, Spider-Man, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl. This is enough, and you all know what we talk about: wonderful world design, armies, Balrog, Ents, and of course, Gollum. source Superman Returns (2006) This sequel used realistic, dramatic CGI, such as in the federal bank robbery scene of a slow-motion bullet from a hand-gun crushing itself against Superman’s eyeball, after he blocked bullets with his chest being fired from a gigantic rooftop machine gun toward two security guards. It also used CG in the recreation of the role of Superman’s biological father Jor-El (Marlon Brando) in the Fortress of Solitude sequence in the film’s opening. The FX team used archival film footage from the first two films along with CGI interpolation, modeling and animation to create a three-dimensional image while he delivered new dialogue that existed previously only as vocal tracks. source 300 (2006) The film had a desaturated, sepia-toned, artistic look. Animatronics were used for various animals. Although filming took only 60 days, it took over a year in post-production to finish the film. Zack Snyder’s very original, highly-stylized telling of the Battle of Thermopylae (from Frank Miller’s comic book novel) was shot mostly with a super-imposition chroma key technique. The actors were filmed before blue-screens, upon which backgrounds were filled in with more than 1,500 CG shots. source Avatar (2009) Visionary director James Cameron’s monumental work was this futuristic, epic 3-D live-action film, with ground-breaking, Oscar-winning special effects. Much of the film’s reported budget of over $300 million was spent on CGI. source Star Wars episodes 4-6 Well, for the end, the best! Memories…We were kids when we first time see these classics, and it was kinda epic for us. Maybe someone will disagree with this, but I don’t care. Movies that left us speechless, and we were all amazed with this. I just don’t know what to say when all is said about these films. I think that I’ll watch it again  : ) source I know that we missed some movies, like Star Wars episodes 1-3, A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, Shrek, Spider-Man, Pirates of the Caribbean, few Pixar’s movies, but like we said, this isn’t final list; we just picked the movies that we can watch over and over again.

Tricks for Eyes: Illusions Posted: 25 Apr 2011 01:41 AM PDT If you have optical problems check your sight with these images : ) Have fun and solve the problems. Illusions can be fun for your friends, too. Just don’t get mad if someone sees the things you can’t. Can you resolved them quickly? source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source

Beautiful Red Wedding Dresses Posted: 24 Apr 2011 12:40 PM PDT Bride does not have to wear a white wedding dress, right? In recent years the brides at weddings wear wedding dresses in color. My favorite color is red. See, by my opinion, the top 20+2 most beautiful red wedding dresses. source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source source

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