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July 5, 2006
Andrey Kuznetsov makes delightful lubki (sing. lubok), a form of Russian folk art, out of some well-known modern movies. Some information (in English) about the medium and its origins with many examples can be seen
here (warning: Java).
Shamelessly ganked from AskMe. Thanks jonson!
posted by Gator at 7:02 PM PST - 15 comments
Revenge of the Third World Virgins! If you were worth $600 million by age 40, how would you spend the rest of your life? For Larry Hillblom, the "H" in
DHL, the plan wassimple: move to the
tax haven of Saipan, fly restored WWII seaplanes,
restore colonial-era resorts in Vietnam, and -- of course -- bed as many teenaged virgins as possible. When the apparently unmarried and childless Hillblom died in 1995, after the seaplane he was piloting crashed into the South Pacific, his will left nearly his entire fortune to establish a
foundation for medical research at UCLA (in gratitude for their treatment of him after an earlier plane crash). But
claims on his estate were almost immediately made by several of Larry's virgins, who claimed to have borne children by him. Thus began a bitter court battle for Larry's millions, which resulted in four
previously penniless children winning $90 million each after
DNA testing proved his paternity. The money may be a
mixed blessing for his
kids, but considering that Larry almost certainly knew that he could have disinherited them with a
few words, he probably wanted it that way.
posted by banishedimmortal at 5:04 PM PST - 33 comments
"NetVocates then recruits activists and consumers who share the client’s views in order to reinforce those key messages on targeted blogs – and rebut misinformation when appropriate."
The
offending company, and
some other blogs making noise about it.
via sonofsamiam
posted by signal at 2:58 PM PST - 14 comments
Attention Darren Sherman: When you go on a date with someone, and they offer to split the tab, once you've declined their offer it can be perceived as bad ettiquette to threaten to get a court summons for the money if they refuse a second date with you.
Voicemails & emails of a JDate gone awry.
posted by jonson at 2:57 PM PST - 73 comments
CIA Gives Up on Bin Laden Search says a post full of links on Sploid, it was revealed yesterday (when no one was paying attention) that the CIA disbanded its Bin Laden unit one year ago. The post also links to news that the FBI has "no hard evidence" connecting Bin Laden to the 9/11 attacks.
posted by cell divide at 11:25 AM PST - 54 comments
"We need to go to Tennessee to pick up some fireworks, and someone owes me money in Kentucky."
Tom Waits goes on
tour
for the first time in years.
posted by timory at 9:38 AM PST - 27 comments
"
This statue proves that Jesus Christ is Lord over America, he is Lord over Tennessee, he is Lord over Memphis."
posted by naomi at 7:32 AM PST - 145 comments
[T]his pattern, grade for the sake of a grade, work for the sake of work, can be found everywhere. Ladies and gentlemen, the spirit of intellectual thought is lost. I speak today not to rant, complain or cause trouble, and certainly not to draw attention to myself. I have accomplished nothing and I am nothing. I know that. Rather, I was moved by the countless hours wasted in those halls. Today, you should focus on your child or loved one. This is meant to be a day of celebration, and if I’ve taken away from that, I’m sorry. But I know how highly this community values learning, and I urge you all to re-evaluate what it means to be educated.
- from a
graduation speech by the valedictorian of Mainland Regional High School, Kareem Elnahal, critiquing his school's education process.
The principal's reaction?
“My hope was they did not hear or understand what he was saying. ... He was belittling the diplomas of every one of those kids.”.
posted by divabat at 7:15 AM PST - 156 comments
The biggest concern in striking North Korean nuclear facilities is the threat of North Korean counter-attacks. When considering the text of the
"strong statement" promised by President Bush in response to
yesterday's missile tests by North Korea, military planners face a grim tactical situation. Seoul,
the South Korean capitol and home to 10 million, lies within easy range of North Korean long-range artillery. Five hundred self-propelled
170mm Koksan guns and thousands of mobile
multiple-launch rocket systems could hit Seoul with artillery shells and chemical weapons, causing panic and massive civilian casualties. North Korea has between five and six hundred
Scud missiles that could strike targets throughout South Korea with conventional warheads or chemical weapons. North Korea could hit Japan with its 100
No-dong missiles. Seventy percent of North Korean army ground units (approximately 700,000 troops, over 8,000 artillery systems, and 2,000 tanks) is postured within 90 miles of the demilitarized zone positioned to undertake offensive ground operations. These units could fire up to 500,000 artillery rounds per hour against South Korean defenses for several hours.
So forget about forcibly dismantling North Korea's nuclear-production facilities.
posted by three blind mice at 2:30 AM PST - 46 comments
