admin August 31st, 2007
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If you plan on going to the city that never sleeps in the future and you don’t really have the energy not to sleep or the adventurous spirit to try couchsurfing, today’s sponsor may just have the solution you need. New York Bed and Breakfast is a comprehensive directory focusing comprehensive lodging solution available in New York, from “intimate B&Bs to out-of-the-way romantic rustic inns”. Enjoy yourself while journeying the land of yank, and if you feel like doing so, why not send over some pictures?
Popularity: 1% [?]
boliu August 31st, 2007
Provided that getting a patent is not really a simple - or cheap - process, how is it possible that certain individuals will nonetheless waste their time and resources in registering inventions that clearly will never get anywhere? Just take this one for example (U.S. patent issued in 2004):
Sometimes, people will go out of their way to come with with something that’s genuinely useful and innovative; and many many times, they will failed miserably - hence the terms “mad scientist” and “loony inventor”. I just came across an hilarious archive of real, yet unbelievable U.S. patents that provides a nice example of what I’m talking about. Within this website, you’ll find hundreds of actual patents that shine for their uniqueness as well as their looming sense of awkwardness. Granted, there are some great inventions in history that may have looked ridicule when they were introduced, but I dare you to find a single example within America’s Goofiest Patents that you honestly regard as a sleeper hit.
Popularity: 2% [?]
admin August 31st, 2007
I was never much a fan of boy-only clubs in and of themselves - much less the initiation rituals which are usually required to make part of such clubs. Moreover, I’ve always felt impressed how some guys are willing to subject themselves to pranks that are not only demeaning but potentially death-menacing, just for the sake of “belonging”. Me, I’d rather belong to myself, and I generally try avoiding moronic rituals of every nature (although I must confess not always do I succeed).
Anyway, this slice of life is can definitely be regarded as a negative reminder of why we like it here. And I really mean that, because when you take a look at this catalogue of novelty items for adult clubs, you’re likely to be either happy you were *not* a part of such clubs, or ecstatic because you’re over that stage in your life!
This is called the Fraternal Supply Catalog (#439) and it was published in 1939 by DeMoulin Bro. & Co. The catalog is titled the “Burlesque and Side Degree Specialties, Paraphernalia and Costumes.” and it’s basically an assortage of electric and spiked rugs, trap shoes and items, as well as several tricks and stunts devised for initiation ceremonies. To read this despicable reminder (of why most adults are really just kids in disguise) in all its glorious 100 pages+ entirety, click here!
Popularity: 3% [?]
admin August 31st, 2007
There’s something quite funny about people who get obsessed with their beards and moustaches, and yet I can’t really put my finger on it, but I think it’s somehow related to over-doing it. I mean, I’m the sort of person who will occasionally grow a full beard out of sheer laziness, and also because I really don’t appreciate rubbing a razor blade against my face. However, I simply can’t understand what beard competitions are about, really. I mean, what are the criteria? Are there some elusive beard properties that most common people fail to acknowledge? I mean, from my layman standpoint, there’s only two types of beards: plain beards and funny beards. Surprisingly enough, not all of the world champions fall into the latter category, even tough most of them facial hairs definitely *do*. Check out the full list, maybe you’ll get inspired to grow your own state-of-the-art hairy facials such as Mr. Chevalier here (who is apparently the current undisputed world champion)!
Willi Chevalier; Germany; 2001 World Champion,
Full Beard Freestyle
Popularity: 1% [?]
admin August 31st, 2007
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that best prices always come at the end of the season, when everyone is trying to clear the old season’s stocks and start fresh for the new season. So, if you’re into buying some decorative Flags, mailbox garments, and everything else related to decorating your gardens, word is this is the place to go. And while you’re there, why not look around for some Autumn gear as well?
(sponsored post)
Popularity: 2% [?]
admin August 31st, 2007
I just realized today is blog day, so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to participate. In case you don’t know the last day of August has been progressively recognized as “3lo8″day (that’s Internet slang for blog - just so you know in case you aren’t “l33t”). This is the day when all bloggers are encouraged to provide their visitors with a top 5 blogs they would like them to visit. The point here is not promoting your own virtual buddies, but rather encouraging people to learn about different perspectives and cultures. With that in mind, I’ll do my best to provide a properly non-biased list that hopefully will focus smaller, less renowned blogs.
Emilia’s Blog - illustrated blog, authored by a charming malaysian mom.
Drawn! another great blog on illustration an cartooning; this one is multi-authored tough.
Ashrita Furman’s blog - The blogger with most Guiness Records? Very nice motivational stories.
Visualized.Feel.Abundance - nice blog-related articles on the law of attraction.
Oddee - a like-minded blog to Slices of Life, featuring mostly strange lists.
Popularity: 7% [?]
admin August 30th, 2007
No, I’m not talking about snuggling (not *necessarily*, anyway). This time around, I’m here to let you know about one of those rare initiatives which sprout on the web, yet manifest fully into the physical realms. Couch-surfing is - in a way - a recent extreme sport, and while it’s for everyone, it does require a bit of an open mind, I suppose. Just so you have a good idea of what we’re talking about, please consider the website’s official mission statement: “to internationally network people and places, create educational exchanges, raise collective consciousness, spread tolerance and facilitate cultural understanding”.
The Couchsurfing.com Project is best catalogued as a “free, Internet-based hospitality service”. It’s basically an enhanced bulletin board for travelers looking for an overnight place to crash - not only in their hometown, but within the 126 participating countries. The concept is quite simple; you can both offer your couch for other people, or you can look for other people with spare couches who will provide you with their best hospitality while you visit their home town.
Naturally - as a brilliant display of community service - there’s a host of options aimed at providing everyone with a pleasant experience, as well as sorting out all the people with less … honorable intents. Users feature extensive profiles, you get to live chat with people, there’s an optional credit card verification system and personal reference system, as well as several community tools, such as discussion boards and interest groups. This is a highly recommended resource, for people who enjoy travelling to meet other people and cultures, rather than merely photographing tourist attractions and skimming through all the landmark touristic spots.
If you want to know more about this brilliant initiative, I advise checking out the wiki article, the full-fledged Couchsurfing wiki and - of course - the Couchsurfing.com official website.
Popularity: 2% [?]
admin August 30th, 2007
With over 65 valid records from a total of 150 entries to the Guiness World Records (the publication has recently changed its guidelines and many records were deemed as unhealthy and rendered obsolete), Ashrita Furman is the the most record-able person in this prestiged publication. Furman must be a fascinating person indeed, and I was so impressed with the explanation he provides within his official website to support his personal drive for breaking records that I decided to reprint his words here. Truly, an example of self-transcendence and determination (or resilience and insanity, depends how you look at it, I guess)!
“As a kid I had a huge fascination with the exotic places and people listed in the Guinness Book of Records, but being a non-athlete, I never imagined ever actually getting a world record myself. Years later, as a teenager, I became interested in Eastern spirituality and began studying meditation with Sri Chinmoy. Suddenly, I was filled with an inner joy and a seemingly inexhaustible energy. Sri Chinmoy also taught me about his philosophy of self-transcendence, that when you have access to the divine power we all have within us, nothing is impossible. Under my teacher’s guidance, I eventually learned how to incorporate my newfound energy into my spiritual life while pursuing athletic goals, and I realized that it was time to fulfill my childhood dream of becoming a Guinness recordholder. In 1979 I set my first record by doing 27,000 jumping jacks, and it was such a thrill that I immediately began training for the next record and I haven’t stopped since! I have also been fortunate enough to travel with the group that often accompanies Sri Chinmoy on his international concert tours of music dedicated to world harmony, and I’ve had the opportunity to set records at some of the most magnificent wonders of the world.”
Popularity: 2% [?]
admin August 29th, 2007
If you’re into archeology and you tend to be drawn to a dreamy state whenver you hear about the so-called “lost cities” of the world, this is a page definitely worth checking out. Within photos of lost cities, you’ll find a lot of photos (as well as a little information) concerning several of the most famous ruins in the world, as well as a few others that remain quite obscure. For an example, I’ll leave you with a few photos from the ruins of the lost village in Lothal, in Gurajat, India.
Popularity: 1% [?]
admin August 29th, 2007
So you think you’re afraid of snakes? Actually, I’ll wager you’re merely afraid of overgrown silly worms, unless you’re able to honestly claim you have been confronted with one of these huge creatures (an anaconda, maybe? also, looks like it has recently fed on some kind of a large animal).
According to my sources, these snapshots were taken within the borders of an Exxon / Mobile compound in Luanda, Angola. In case someone might be wondering why the premises to this kind of facilities are usually bordered with electric fences, this pictures might shed some light on the issue - turns out it’s not just about keeping human burglars on the outside. The most scary thing is that this happy camper might just have made it through the barrier, were it not for the inflated stomach.
Popularity: 40% [?]