June 13, 2010

Don't stand so close to me

Zenyatta, a six-year-old mare, won her seventeenth consecutive race (out of seventeen starts) to take the record from Cigar, Citation and Mr. Frisky. [more inside]
posted by annathea at 10:10 PM PST - 19 comments

World's richest nation: would you believe Afghanistan?

U.S. Identifies Vast Riches of Minerals in Afghanistan.

The United States has discovered nearly $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan, far beyond any previously known reserves and enough to fundamentally alter the Afghan economy and perhaps the Afghan war itself, according to senior American government officials.

The previously unknown deposits — including huge veins of iron, copper, cobalt, gold and critical industrial metals like lithium — are so big and include so many minerals that are essential to modern industry that Afghanistan could eventually be transformed into one of the most important mining centers in the world, the United States officials believe.
posted by scalefree at 8:17 PM PST - 158 comments

Almost Dickensian

Can't pay your debts in 2010? You may be arrested and thrown into a debtors prison.
posted by Xurando at 7:37 PM PST - 64 comments

A Labor of Love

First came love, then came marriage, then came a ridiculously long and complicated endeavor to get pregnant after a diagnosis of oligoastenoteratozoospermia requiring in vitro fertilization to conceive. This birthed the blog that attacked infertility with humor and snark. And, when she finally got pregnant, then came four unbelievable days of labor and a spectacular failure of pretty much everyone who was supposed to help. Don't worry, it all worked out just fine.
posted by Leezie at 7:30 PM PST - 72 comments

Sxip! Pronounced Skip!

Sxip Shirey makes beautiful music out of marbles, toy whistles, music boxes held together with duct tape, antique kitchen utensils, industrial flutes and other people’s mouths. Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer made him an instrument called the Sxipenspiel. He does things to harmonicas that you might not expect to happen to harmonicas. He lives in New York City. Sometimes he stays up very, very late.
posted by jennyjenny at 7:15 PM PST - 14 comments

Skye Edwards

Originally the lead singer of Morcheeba, Skye Edwards has released two solo albums: Mind How You Go in 2006, and Keeping Secrets in 2009. [more inside]
posted by hopeless romantique at 4:18 PM PST - 15 comments

NASA vintage photos

1172 vintage NASA photos and illustrations.
posted by hippybear at 2:22 PM PST - 29 comments

Remember Me?

1973: Marlena Shaw.
1997:Blue Boy.
2009: Tame Impala.
posted by hermitosis at 12:31 PM PST - 35 comments

Oh Great Another Spiteful 50s Narrator

Of all the many heirs to Mystery Science Theatre 3000 crown (previously) , Josh Way's FUN WITH SHORTS is maybe the best at capturing the show's unique voice via short social hygiene films.. Learn all about Coffee! Being Popular! Food! Congress! And of course the complex, harrowing world of personal grooming.
posted by The Whelk at 12:15 PM PST - 30 comments

All you need is love

Mass wedding for former Tamil fighters Fifty-three couples of former Tamil Tiger rebels were married Sunday ... at a rehabilitation camp near the northern town of Vavuniya. [more inside]
posted by kliuless at 11:42 AM PST - 7 comments

THE SWEET TALK IS IMPORTANT TOO

Boemerang! Boemerang was a fictional TV Chat Show hosted by Erik Hartman. It comes from Flemish sketch show In De Gloria.
posted by Biru at 11:24 AM PST - 6 comments

Immigrants out! (That is, unless you're white)

The newly-formed American Third Position aspires to be the United States' premier white nationalist party. [more inside]
posted by edguardo at 9:58 AM PST - 140 comments

The Golden Rule on the Golden Gate

Last week, this postcard appeared on the popular PostSecret[1st][etc], a blog in which people anonymously share their secrets via postcard. [more inside]
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 8:29 AM PST - 94 comments

Heavy Metal Rythmn

Some people use farm tractors for work. Others use them for play. Olle Hemmingson uses his as a musical accompaniment. [via; Previously.]
posted by Smart Dalek at 8:18 AM PST - 6 comments

Surreal Grace

Behind the Surface: Underwater Ballet Photography by Nadia Moro.
posted by bwg at 6:39 AM PST - 8 comments

What does that word mean, NYT?

The New York Times has compiled a list of the 50 words which are most frequently queried in their stories. Mirabile dictu (no. 19) that it's redoutable (no. 17)!
posted by anothermug at 5:54 AM PST - 45 comments

You can't invent stuff like this

Jack Ryan was a rocket scientist who invented BarbieTM, Hot WheelsTM, and a thousand other things but is often remembered for having a a manic need for sexual gratification that included a pleasure mansion and a marriage to Zsa Zsa Gabor.
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:19 AM PST - 36 comments

The Sun Won't Come Out Tomorrow

"And This Is Where We Leave Our Annie: For Now" After 86 years, several artists and a major makeover, "Little Orphan Annie" the comic strip has ended... in mid-story. Leaving a hole in the comics page of less than 20 newspapers, the 'Princess of Pluck' already has a comeback planned with a revival of the "Annie" Broadway musical. So, once more, let's all sing that wonderful song... no, not THAT one... this one:
"Who's that little chatterbox
With the pretty auburn locks..."
[more inside]
posted by oneswellfoop at 2:18 AM PST - 28 comments

No Atlantis is too underwater or fictional!

Probably the best audition I've ever seen -- "Wheelchair-bound lady magnet Zach, discusses his many talents and idea for a TV show designed to inspire people who never thought they could travel." .
posted by spiderskull at 2:06 AM PST - 35 comments

Genius, Nuts, or... Each?

American Nut Job Capatalist, Visionary, Rense fancy, or Space Pioneer? Robert Bigelow
posted by wallstreet1929 at 1:18 AM PST - 7 comments

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