There's not a lot one can say about this!

[url]https://scontent-a-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/q74/s720x720/733870_10151715363796446_825584675_n.jpg[/url]

[url]http://www.businessinsider.com/malala-yousafzai-left-jon-stewart-speechless-2013-10[/url]

At 14 I was concerned with beating Gannon with the wooden sword and whether I should tight-roll my jeans.

[QUOTE=chappy;355862]At 14 I was concerned with beating Gannon with the wooden sword and whether I should tight-roll my jeans.[/QUOTE]

Indeed! The Force is strong with this one.

I do think she's being used a bit as a propaganda instrument -- she appears being well advised as to the "hot words", for example.

However, there is no way anyone can take away from her her sincerity, her brilliance nor her bravery!!!

[QUOTE=BudgieJane;355858]There's not a lot one can say about this!

[URL]https://scontent-a-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/q74/s720x720/733870_10151715363796446_825584675_n.jpg[/URL][/QUOTE]

Nice of them to get the color scheme right! Only a small bit of work required to remove the "DO". :smile:

A good friend of mine sent me this. Quite touching.

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ie3SrjLlcUY&sns=em"]American Spitfire Pilot in WWII [/URL].

[QUOTE=chalsall;355978]A good friend of mine sent me this. Quite touching.

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ie3SrjLlcUY&sns=em"]American Spitfire Pilot in WWII [/URL].[/QUOTE]

That is truly amazing. My father was a ground crew chief for a recon squadron in North Africa, Italy, and France.

[QUOTE=chalsall;355978]A good friend of mine sent me this. Quite touching.

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ie3SrjLlcUY&sns=em"]American Spitfire Pilot in WWII [/URL].[/QUOTE]

The "Spitfire" shown at 5:19 looks like an Hawker Hurricane: there is no droplike cockpit, a three-blade propeller (Spitfires had 4) and the wing profile less rounded.

Luigi

[QUOTE=chalsall;355865]Indeed! The Force is strong with this one.

I do think she's being used a bit as a propaganda instrument -- she appears being well advised as to the "hot words", for example.

However, there is no way anyone can take away from her her sincerity, her brilliance nor her bravery!!![/QUOTE]

[url]http://news.sky.com/story/1153544/malala-tells-obama-end-the-drone-strikes[/url]

[URL="http://www.twcc.com/articles/2013/10/17/d/dna-links-mysterious-yeti-to-ancient-polar-bear"]Yeti is really a bear?[/URL]

or it that Yeti the Bear?

This movie... I'm loving it... it is not funny, it does not make me go "hmmm" but "WoW"....
just shy of 10 minutes long, to be watched in HD, with some sound if possible.
[url]http://vimeo.com/72943796[/url]

traceroute 216.81.59.173[QUOTE]14 Episode.IV (206.214.251.1) 93.066 ms 93.398 ms 93.099 ms
15 A.NEW.HOPE (206.214.251.6) 93.202 ms 93.260 ms 94.430 ms
16 It.is.a.period.of.civil.war (206.214.251.9) 92.862 ms 93.076 ms 93.039 ms
17 Rebel.spaceships (206.214.251.14) 93.541 ms 92.998 ms 92.671 ms
18 striking.from.a.hidden.base (206.214.251.17) 92.766 ms 93.772 ms 127.598 ms
19 have.won.their.first.victory (206.214.251.22) 92.658 ms 93.433 ms 93.671 ms
20 against.the.evil.Galactic.Empire (206.214.251.25) 93.091 ms 93.422 ms 94.106 ms
21 During.the.battle (206.214.251.30) 93.541 ms 93.521 ms 93.332 ms
22 Rebel.spies.managed (206.214.251.33) 93.660 ms 94.599 ms 93.484 ms
23 to.steal.secret.plans (206.214.251.38) 94.159 ms 94.441 ms 93.647 ms
24 to.the.Empires.ultimate.weapon (206.214.251.41) 93.717 ms 94.077 ms 93.308 ms
25 the.DEATH.STAR (206.214.251.46) 95.037 ms 93.236 ms 93.691 ms
26 an.armored.space.station (206.214.251.49) 93.550 ms 93.941 ms 93.340 ms
27 with.enough.power.to (206.214.251.54) 94.038 ms 93.383 ms 94.380 ms
28 destroy.an.entire.planet (206.214.251.57) 94.859 ms 94.688 ms 94.402 ms
29 Pursued.by.the.Empires (206.214.251.62) 94.594 ms 94.400 ms 94.577 ms
30 sinister.agents (206.214.251.65) 94.754 ms 94.485 ms 94.501 ms[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=only_human;357980]traceroute 216.81.59.173[/QUOTE]

You should increase the maximum allowed hops (default is 30) and rerun -- for the whole story.

[code]

Tracing route to read.more.at.beaglenetworks.net [216.81.59.173]
over a maximum of 100 hops:

1 1 ms 1 ms <1 ms dslrouter.netgear.com [192.168.254.254]
2 9 ms 9 ms 9 ms drr01.csby.or.frontiernet.net [74.42.148.22]
3 * * * Request timed out.
4 16 ms 15 ms 15 ms ae5---0.car01.bvtn.or.frontiernet.net [74.42.150.129]
5 53 ms 21 ms 21 ms ae2---0.cor01.bvtn.or.frontiernet.net [74.40.1.217]
6 21 ms 21 ms 21 ms ae4---0.cor01.sttl.wa.frontiernet.net [74.40.1.221]
7 67 ms 56 ms 21 ms ae0---0.cbr01.sttl.wa.frontiernet.net [74.40.5.122]
8 31 ms 25 ms 24 ms 10gigabitethernet1-3.core1.sea1.he.net [206.81.80.40]
9 66 ms 75 ms 87 ms 100gigabitethernet13-2.core1.msp1.he.net [184.105.223.194]
10 63 ms 102 ms 65 ms 100gigabitethernet7-1.core1.chi1.he.net [184.105.223.177]
11 91 ms 92 ms 95 ms 10gigabitethernet3-2.core1.atl1.he.net [184.105.223.226]
12 90 ms 90 ms 90 ms 216.66.0.26
13 * * * Request timed out.
14 131 ms 132 ms 132 ms Episode.IV [206.214.251.1]
15 132 ms 132 ms 133 ms A.NEW.HOPE [206.214.251.6]
16 130 ms 130 ms 130 ms It.is.a.period.of.civil.war [206.214.251.9]
17 133 ms 132 ms 132 ms Rebel.spaceships [206.214.251.14]
18 132 ms 132 ms 132 ms striking.from.a.hidden.base [206.214.251.17]
19 131 ms 130 ms 131 ms have.won.their.first.victory [206.214.251.22]
20 132 ms 131 ms 132 ms against.the.evil.Galactic.Empire [206.214.251.25]
21 131 ms 130 ms 133 ms During.the.battle [206.214.251.30]
22 132 ms 132 ms 132 ms Rebel.spies.managed [206.214.251.33]
23 131 ms 130 ms 130 ms to.steal.secret.plans [206.214.251.38]
24 131 ms 131 ms 131 ms to.the.Empires.ultimate.weapon [206.214.251.41]
25 132 ms 131 ms 131 ms the.DEATH.STAR [206.214.251.46]
26 133 ms 133 ms 133 ms an.armored.space.station [206.214.251.49]
27 133 ms 132 ms 133 ms with.enough.power.to [206.214.251.54]
28 134 ms 133 ms 133 ms destroy.an.entire.planet [206.214.251.57]
29 133 ms 133 ms 134 ms Pursued.by.the.Empires [206.214.251.62]
30 134 ms 133 ms 133 ms sinister.agents [206.214.251.65]
31 132 ms 132 ms 134 ms Princess.Leia.races.home [206.214.251.70]
32 134 ms 134 ms 133 ms aboard.her.starship [206.214.251.73]
33 134 ms 132 ms 132 ms custodian.of.the.stolen.plans [206.214.251.78]
34 133 ms 133 ms 133 ms that.can.save.her [206.214.251.81]
35 132 ms 132 ms 133 ms people.and.restore [206.214.251.86]
36 135 ms 133 ms 136 ms freedom.to.the.galaxy [206.214.251.89]
37 133 ms 134 ms 133 ms 0-----I-------I-----0 [206.214.251.94]
38 136 ms 158 ms 135 ms 0------------------0 [206.214.251.97]
39 135 ms 134 ms 134 ms 0-----------------0 [206.214.251.102]
40 134 ms 133 ms 134 ms 0----------------0 [206.214.251.105]
41 134 ms 134 ms 135 ms 0---------------0 [206.214.251.110]
42 133 ms 134 ms 131 ms 0--------------0 [206.214.251.113]
43 135 ms 135 ms 134 ms 0-------------0 [206.214.251.118]
44 133 ms 132 ms 132 ms 0------------0 [206.214.251.121]
45 136 ms 137 ms 134 ms 0-----------0 [206.214.251.126]
46 135 ms 135 ms 134 ms 0----------0 [206.214.251.129]
47 134 ms 134 ms 134 ms 0---------0 [206.214.251.134]
48 133 ms 134 ms 134 ms 0--------0 [206.214.251.137]
49 136 ms 135 ms 134 ms 0-------0 [206.214.251.142]
50 136 ms 134 ms 134 ms 0------0 [206.214.251.145]
51 132 ms 133 ms 133 ms 0-----0 [206.214.251.150]
52 135 ms 134 ms 135 ms 0----0 [206.214.251.153]
53 135 ms 134 ms 135 ms 0---0 [206.214.251.158]
54 135 ms 135 ms 135 ms 0--0 [206.214.251.161]
55 135 ms 135 ms 135 ms 0-0 [206.214.251.166]
56 135 ms 136 ms 135 ms 00 [206.214.251.169]
57 134 ms 134 ms 133 ms I [206.214.251.174]
58 135 ms 134 ms 134 ms By.Ryan.Werber [206.214.251.177]
59 133 ms 133 ms 133 ms Blizzards.Breed.CCIE.Creativity [206.214.251.182]
60 136 ms 134 ms 136 ms Please.Try.Again.Tracerote.to.obiwan.scrye.net [206.214.251.185]
61 136 ms 136 ms 135 ms read.more.at.beaglenetworks.net [216.81.59.173]

Trace complete.
[/code]

If I may go a bit tangential...

I consider Mark Knopfler an amazing guitarist; his songs have influenced me greatly.

I didn't, however, realize just how much of a technical person he is (within his domain) until I happened to come across [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGlGBIzN2ls"]this today[/URL].

:edit:
[URL]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OOWZUK/[/URL]

[QUOTE=kracker;358411]:edit:
[URL]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OOWZUK/[/URL][/QUOTE]

One of my brothers, who had trouble waking up for weird shifts, built a highly obnoxious alarm. I don't remember now what he used for a noise-maker. It was something like a big electric fire alarm bell, or an electric klaxon. I think he also put the controls completely out of reach across the room so that he had to get up and walk to turn it off. This was in the 70s. I don't even remember what he used for a timing device, but he was quite inventive about such things.

[QUOTE=kladner;358416]One of my brothers, who had trouble waking up for weird shifts, built a highly obnoxious alarm. [/QUOTE]
In the nineties I was working in China for a while, far away from family (usually Mrs. LaurV is my alarm clock , and there is no way nor arguing that I could ignore it or turning off! :smile:), and I had nothing reliable to wake me up, the clocks were lousy and I often ignore them, etc, and sometime I arrived to the factory late and wet, and risking to go hungry. Late was not a problem, no one was asking, as long as you did your job properly, and I don't really cared about the breakfast (provided by the company!), but wet... that was a problem. In GuangDong area, during monsoon season it was heavily raining every morning after 7:30, no joke! It was something related to the winds, which blow from the sea during the morning/day and viceversa during the night, don't exactly remember, but every morning, with atomic precision, and for about half hour or more, it was a heavy wind and rained cats and dogs, as the Englishman would say. There was no way to use an umbrella without the risk of flying around, and we had to walk about 500-800 meters from the villa (provided by the company) where we were living, to the factory. So, either you wake up "properly" and arrive before the rain, either you wait till after the rain (no breakfast anymore!) or... like in the song, "walking in the rain" and arrive soaked... Foreigners at the company used to joke about, like "if you don't come in time, you get wet and hungry", and we either joked about changing the working schedule "like the Chinese" (who came one hour earlier, and left one or two hours later, but they like it that way, more work, more money :smile:, well, the subject is not the exploitation here).

Big pain in the back! What to do? One day I found out I can use the aircond to wake me up. The room I was sleeping in had a HUGE aircond, which was not used during the season, except very seldom, to "dry" the air and avoid the humidity and kill the molds and fungi living happily in my drawers and books. I was using it also to heat :razz: the room in the winter (when the temperature outside was [U]plus[/U] 15C, hehe, don't laugh! I never liked the cold climate, in spite of the fact that sometimes I am missing the snow and beautiful Romanian winters, with [U]minus[/U] 20 or 30C!, and for sure, I HATE the aircond, I mean the [U]devilish[/U] thing that blows COLD air on your head, causing headache, sneezing, shortening your life with years :razz:), but in during the monsoon season (which is a pleonasm, as "monsoon" in fact means "season" :P, this I learned in China, as well as the fact the word "typhoon" come from the Chinese "tai feng" - same pronunciation, meaning "the lady wind", "old lady wind", I remember this because at that time I was reading some sequel of Frank Herbert's "Dune", which was in vogue in the nineties, and he was talking about "mother storms", etc), so during the monsoon, the devilish thing was mainly not used. This HUGE heating box, which people call "aircond", had a remote and timer. It took me a while to figure out, at that time such things were not so common, but the factory I was working for used to produce parts for them. Every evening I was directing its blow toward the bed, program it to start at the right time in the morning, and "cool to max", I used to put the remote in the most distant corner of the room, and go to sleep. In the morning the devilish thing was blowing freezing air directly to my face, which I could not stand at all, I had to jump out of bed ready to beat somebody... It was almost same effective as Mrs. LaurV... (wanted to write "better than", but I don't want to get in trouble in case she ever reads the forum... :blush:, which she does not, usually, but you never know... better safe than sorry...)

Now THAT is inventive! Very "cool"! :razz:

[QUOTE=kladner;358416]One of my brothers, who had trouble waking up for weird shifts, built a highly obnoxious alarm. I don't remember now what he used for a noise-maker. It was something like a big electric fire alarm bell, or an electric klaxon. I think he also put the controls completely out of reach across the room so that he had to get up and walk to turn it off. This was in the 70s. I don't even remember what he used for a timing device, but he was quite inventive about such things.[/QUOTE]Our front door "bell" is a smoke alarm with the push-button at the door wired across the testing switch in the alarm.

Very very loud which means that we can hear it anywhere in the house and if we're out in the garden.

[URL="http://www.businessinsider.com/european-maps-showing-origins-of-common-words-2013-11#ixzz2jn8YuohM"]Words and stuff[/URL]

[QUOTE=chappy;358518][URL="http://www.businessinsider.com/european-maps-showing-origins-of-common-words-2013-11#ixzz2jn8YuohM"]Words and stuff[/URL][/QUOTE]

Actress/humorist Janeane Garofalo, better known as "J-Rose" in her ancestral home.

[QUOTE=chappy;358518][URL="http://www.businessinsider.com/european-maps-showing-origins-of-common-words-2013-11#ixzz2jn8YuohM"]Words and stuff[/URL][/QUOTE]

Those are really interesting maps, with the corresponding word-versions.

[QUOTE=kladner;358527]Those are really interesting maps, with the corresponding word-versions.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. I wish that they had chosen more basic words, however, such as words for body parts (hand, finger) or common verbs or even numbers. Words for vegetables or fruits are often borrowed from the cultures which supplied the seeds, and offer less insight than the words that tend to persist for centuries. Still very interesting and thought-provoking.

[QUOTE=philmoore;358529]Agreed. I wish that they had chosen more basic words, however, such as words for body parts (hand, finger) or common verbs or even numbers. Words for vegetables or fruits are often borrowed from the cultures which supplied the seeds, and offer less insight than the words that tend to persist for centuries. Still very interesting and thought-provoking.[/QUOTE]

I see your point about really basic and universal words. The words for genitalia would be an interesting study.

On the other hand, words for [U]grains[/U] would almost certainly show recognizable patterns of dispersal. I suppose that this is only a matter of degree in the same class as fruits and vegetables, but grains are about as basic as it gets in both the agricultural, as well as the linguistic realms.

Something that might make you go "Yummmm..."
 

Going completely tangential...

One of the few things I can cook well is sushi (although only maki currently).

I like to experiment with different fillings, and I'd like to share something I've found is a real hit with my guests (those last night explicitly requested (lots of!) it), and some of you might as enjoy it as well...

I would probably be executed for blasphemy if I ever made this in Japan, but the maki's contents are:

1. Japanese omelette (Tomago).
2. Crispy bacon (two strips per roll).
3. The usual other maki stuff including a bit of wasabi, etc.

I call it "The Breakfast Blend"... :smile:

I still can't produce the Tomago properly -- I don't know how the Sushi Master Chefs are able to produce something which is perfectly light yellow all the way through. But what I can do is good enough to taste good.

And trust me, this combination tastes *really* good!!!

light yellow? banana or pineapple?

Tumeric? idk, is that the way it is cooked or is something added?

[QUOTE=kracker;359010]Tumeric? idk, is that the way it is cooked or is something added?[/QUOTE]

From my understanding [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagoyaki"]Tamagoyaki[/URL] is the hardest thing to get correct...

The ingredients (at least for the recipes I follow) are simply eggs, a bit of sugar, a bit of soya sauce, and a little bit of salt...

And a great deal of work, experience and ability (I don't yet have the latter two)....

[QUOTE=chalsall;359013]From my understanding [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagoyaki"]Tamagoyaki[/URL] is the hardest thing to get correct...
[/QUOTE]
When I order Tamago, people don't understand. They don't understand the subtlety of the flavor. The little bit of brown that comes from the Millard reaction make a difference.

[url]http://whatismissing.net/#/home[/url]

Incredible website about what's going missing in the natural world. Make sure you click around till you find the videos.

[QUOTE=chappy;359153][url]http://whatismissing.net/#/home[/url]

Incredible website about what's going missing in the natural world. Make sure you click around till you find the videos.[/QUOTE]All I get is a note saying that Flash is missing. So, just for fun I tried the mobile version: [url]http://whatismissing.net/mobile/[/url] And this time it appears that JS is missing. That must be the answer to "What is missing?" - Flash and JS are missing.

Edible drink garnishes that stir your cocktail.
[URL]http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2013/11/cocktail-science-mit-researchers-jose-andres-drink-garnish-high-tech.html[/URL]
Not suitable for James Bond, though, I assume.

[QUOTE=Brian-E;359715]Edible drink garnishes that stir your cocktail.
[URL]http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2013/11/cocktail-science-mit-researchers-jose-andres-drink-garnish-high-tech.html[/URL]
Not suitable for James Bond, though, I assume.[/QUOTE]A goldfish also suffices and doubles as a tasty treat for Blofeld's cat.

[URL="http://tech.slashdot.org/story/13/11/20/2218252/bp-hired-company-to-troll-users-who-left-critical-comments"]BP Hired Company To Troll Users Who Left Critical Comments[/URL]

From Al-Jazeera no less.

This should be entertaining....

[URL="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25014477"]E-Sports Entertainment settles Bitcoin botnet allegations[/URL]
[QUOTE]The matter came to light in May when a user noticed unusually high usage of his PC's graphics processing unit (GPU) at times when he was not using the computer.[/QUOTE]

[url]http://www.shell.us/products-services/shell-for-motorists/motorsport/shell-and-ferrari/performance/driving-simulator.html[/url]

128K image of [URL="http://celestiamotherlode.net/catalog/show_addon_details.php?addon_id=1070"]Venus[/URL]... :surrender

[quote]
The Virtual Textures in this add on are levels 0 (2048x1024) all the way to level 7 (a HUGE [I]131072x65536[/I] [B][I]12.6[/I][/B] Gig map!).
[/quote]

[url]https://telepathwords.research.microsoft.com/[/url]

all of my current passwords (except the one I use for this forum) pass the muster. My system is simple--the first letters of common phrases like "When In The Course Of Human Events" and the number 2. Witcohe2 for example.

Beats the [URL="http://www.damninteresting.com/ive-got-the-same-combination-on-my-luggage/"]launch codes set to 00000000[/URL].

[COLOR="White"]Yes, I recognize they aren't launch codes. Lighten up Francis.[/COLOR]

[QUOTE=chappy;361227][url]https://telepathwords.research.microsoft.com/[/url]

all of my current passwords (except the one I use for this forum) pass the muster. My system is simple--the first letters of common phrases like "When In The Course Of Human Events" and the number 2. Witcohe2 for example.[/QUOTE]

"Our system for getting web users to give us their passwords is simple -- build a webpage which "helps people check for weaknesses in their password selection..."

[QUOTE=ewmayer;361329]"Our system for getting web users to give us their passwords is simple -- build a webpage which "helps people check for weaknesses in their password selection..."[/QUOTE]
Precisely what I was thinking when I looked at the site...

It's true that Microsoft now has the ability to add my passwords to their evil brute force password cracking program.

Shouldn't you be more worried about the Prism keylogger?

I tried the bot, it didn't guess too much, they still have to teach him romanian, hehe... so my passwords are safe for now... :smile:

[QUOTE=LaurV;361342]I tried the bot, it didn't guess too much, they still have to teach him romanian, hehe... so my passwords are safe for now... :smile:[/QUOTE]
How easy is it for them to guess a password if you use a transposition cipher on something familiar, but unique to you, but then some numbers, also reasonably meaningful, at the end.

I'm only mentioning this because it woudn't be a huge deal if those accounts were compromised. It's an old method of mine, so I've forgotten about most of the accounts anyway.

[URL="http://wronghands1.wordpress.com/2013/12/06/alphabet-of-the-obsolete/"]alphabet of the obsolete by John Atkinson[/URL]

[url]http://www.digitaltrends.com/lifestyle/flowershells-let-plant-garden-shotgun/[/url]

Somehow, I think the Chicago authorities would take a dim view of this horticultural technique, even with reduced charge shells. Plus, I don't have any shotgun, much less a 12 gauge.

Amusing idea, though.

[QUOTE=only_human;362258][url]http://www.digitaltrends.com/lifestyle/flowershells-let-plant-garden-shotgun/[/url][/QUOTE]
Is creaters normally spelled with an "e" or am I insane?

[QUOTE=jasong;362411]Is creaters normally spelled with an "e" or am I insane?[/QUOTE]
I thought you'd be surprised that it is spelled with an "s".

[QUOTE=Brian-E;362412]I thought you'd be surprised that it is spelled with an "s".[/QUOTE]

:grin::grin::grin: :goodposting:

[QUOTE=jasong;362411]Is creaters normally spelled with an "e" or am I insane?[/QUOTE]

Yes, but only one of them. OTOH, "its" should be spelled without an apostrophe right before "creators".

"All creaters great and small..."?

Crow sledding on snowy roof with jar lid
 

[YOUTUBE]n7hiuXjXJEw[/YOUTUBE]

BONUS! Two crows provoking cats.

[YOUTUBE]IZMegkI31cg[/YOUTUBE]

[URL="http://helenarney.bandcamp.com/track/free-track-mersenne-48"]FREE TRACK - Mersenne 48[/URL]
by Helen Arney[QUOTE]Here's my festive celebration of the world's biggest known prime number, Mersenne 48, discovered at the start of 2013 by Curtis Cooper. I thought a little song would be more interesting than just singing all 17 million digits... though feel free to add that to the chorus yourself... Happy Christmath 2013 everyone![/QUOTE][QUOTE]released 30 December 2013
Words, lyrics, ukulele and vocals by Helen Arney, December 2013
With thanks to presenter Tim Harford and producer Ben Carter at BBC Radio 4 "More Or Less". They helped me with the first inkling of an idea for this song, and first broadcast it as part of their 2013 "Numbers of the Year" special: [url]www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03m81b7[/url][/QUOTE]

McLaren's ultrasonic force field to replace windshield wipers
 

[url]http://www.gizmag.com/mclaren-ultrasonic-windshield-wiper-washer/30205/[/url]

My digital camera applies ultrasonic vibrations to the sensor to clean it at startup and shutdown. This application would be several steps beyond.

I do wonder about the chances for some of the advanced patterns discussed to set up such strong resonant points that the glass breaks.

[URL="http://www.mentalfloss.com/article/29086/its-complicated-5-puzzling-international-borders"]Puzzling International Borders[/URL]

[QUOTE=rogue;363383][URL="http://www.mentalfloss.com/article/29086/its-complicated-5-puzzling-international-borders"]Puzzling International Borders[/URL][/QUOTE]
Brian and I once walked North from the Kingdom of the Netherlands into the Republic of France.

[QUOTE=Nick;363428]Brian and I once walked North from the Kingdom of the Netherlands into the Republic of France.[/QUOTE]
Sint Maarten to Saint-Martin?

[QUOTE=sdbardwick;363431]Sint Maarten to Saint-Martin?[/QUOTE]
Exactly! :smile:

It's weather Jim, but not as we know it.
 

The UK is having [URL="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25584221"]some showery and breezy weather[/URL] at the moment. In particular, "A severe hail storm has swept through Cambridgeshire, leading to difficult driving conditions".

Hail like that, which left a couple of cm of ice cover, is unusual in these parts at this time of year. Everything went dark, apart from occasional lightning flashes, and the chucks ran for cover under the bamboos[sup]*[/sup]. No significant damage done here and the power glitches didn't crash anything..


Paul

* Though Pixie kept dashing out to peck up some hailstones because she particularly likes eating ice chips. We've only ever seen her doing it in hot weather previously..

History 101: The Zoot Suit Riots
 

[url]http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/01/03/1266933/-History-101-The-Zoot-Suit-Riots[/url]

I was aware of the zoot suite in general, but not the details about ethnicity. I also had not known that there had been an officially sanctioned pogrom against Mexican Americans.

History 101: The Zoot Suit Riots
 

I knew about the concentration camps for people from Japanese origin during the second world war but was not aware that people from Mexican origin had suffered from pogroms at the time. An interesting book about the second world war, the USA army and and race issues is "And then we heard the thunder" by John Oliver Killlens.

Overall it is not so surprising, legal apartheid in the USA was only ended with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, less than 30 years before it ended in South-Africa.

Jacob

[url]http://laughingsquid.com/cat-battle-armor-turns-any-feline-into-an-unstoppable-force-for-slaughter/[/url]

[QUOTE=Xyzzy;364264][URL]http://laughingsquid.com/cat-battle-armor-turns-any-feline-into-an-unstoppable-force-for-slaughter/[/URL][/QUOTE]
I'm not sure why, but this makes me think of a feline equivalent of Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defence Initiative ("Star Wars"). The main difference, I think, is that this feline version isn't meant seriously (or is it?).

[QUOTE=Brian-E;364306]I'm not sure why, but this makes me think of a feline equivalent of Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defence Initiative ("Star Wars"). The main difference, I think, is that this feline version isn't meant seriously (or is it?).[/QUOTE]Not to be taken seriously but not amusing to me either. It made me recall the spurs people would attach to chickens for fighting.

[QUOTE=only_human;364335]Not to be taken seriously but not amusing to me either. It made me recall the spurs people would attach to chickens for fighting.[/QUOTE]

Except that spurs on fighting cocks are very seriously intended. Maiming or killing the opponent chicken is the goal.

EDIT: .....and on rereading your post, I see that this was probably the source of the discomfort you mention regarding cat armor.

[QUOTE=kladner;364472]Except that spurs on fighting cocks are very seriously intended. Maiming or killing the opponent chicken is the goal.
[/QUOTE]

If you want to kill a chicken you take a knife and cut its head off. Spurs on fighting cocks are very seriously intended for "entertainment", and for betting large sums of money on the outcome. It is no surprise that cock fighting is banned in all civilised countries.

[QUOTE=BudgieJane;364489]If you want to kill a chicken you take a knife and cut its head off. Spurs on fighting cocks are very seriously intended for "entertainment", and for betting large sums of money on the outcome. It is no surprise that cock fighting is banned in all civilised countries.[/QUOTE]
[SOAPBOX] Yes, though I think fewer "civilised" countries would have banned it if its human participants were typically heads of state and their cronies all dressed up in fancy costumes. [/SOAPBOX]

[QUOTE=Brian-E;364492][SOAPBOX] Yes, though I think fewer "civilised" countries would have banned it if its human participants were typically heads of state and their cronies all dressed up in fancy costumes. [/SOAPBOX][/QUOTE]agreed. For an example of illegal animal abuse that is prevalent, there is this: [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soring[/url]

[QUOTE=only_human;364495]agreed. For an example of illegal animal abuse that is prevalent, there is this: [URL]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soring[/URL][/QUOTE]
Thanks. I had never heard of this practice before. Always been pretty dubious about the ethics of using horses in sports like racing and dressage, but this is sheer cruelty.

[URL="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/01/13/iranian-news-agency-says-the-u-s-is-secretly-run-by-nazi-space-aliens-really/"]Iranian news agency says the U.S. is secretly run by Nazi space aliens. Really.[/URL]

[QUOTE=only_human;364523][URL="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/01/13/iranian-news-agency-says-the-u-s-is-secretly-run-by-nazi-space-aliens-really/"]Iranian news agency says the U.S. is secretly run by Nazi space aliens. Really.[/URL][/QUOTE]Same journalism school as the [URL="http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com/"]Iraqi Minister of Information?[/URL] a.k.a. [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfAeMtcURg0"]Baghdad Bob[/URL] <-Utube link.

Nanotechnology being used to improve condoms
 

[url]http://beta.slashdot.org/story/196785[/url]

Doesn't make me go hmmmmmmmm, but there might've been some grunting and fist-pumping.

[QUOTE=jasong;364525]Doesn't make me go hmmmmmmmm, but there might've been some grunting and fist-pumping.[/QUOTE]

Doesn't surprise me at all... After all, what can be safer sex than auto-gratification?

Seriously though, this is actually an important issue WRT STDs (and not only AIDS/HIV).

Some men refuse to wear condoms during sex (with others) because (to paraphrase) they "don't like eating candy with the wrapper on"....

David Brooks and pot
 

Tom Tomorrow deconstructs Brooks' inane remarks.

[QUOTE=Uncwilly;364524]Same journalism school as the [URL="http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com/"]Iraqi Minister of Information?[/URL] a.k.a. [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfAeMtcURg0"]Baghdad Bob[/URL] <-Utube link.[/QUOTE]Aka Comical Ali

We've al heard of the dangers of texting and driving, [url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/14/us-usa-florida-shooting-idUSBREA0C1CH20140114?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews]but this hip new trend may require some actuarial analysis[/url].

[QUOTE=ewmayer;364570]We've al heard of the dangers of texting and driving, [url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/14/us-usa-florida-shooting-idUSBREA0C1CH20140114?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews]but this hip new trend may require some actuarial analysis[/url].[/QUOTE]

What do you expect from a country who's constitution says that any citizen is allowed to own and carry a musket?

[QUOTE=ewmayer;364570]We've al heard of the dangers of texting and driving, [url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/14/us-usa-florida-shooting-idUSBREA0C1CH20140114?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews]but this hip new trend may require some actuarial analysis[/url].[/QUOTE]The shooter was a retired police captain, so he at some point was trained in both the use of weapons and in appropriate use of force. I reiterate my position that there is no way in hell I want to be in a movie theater with [I]more[/I] people packing guns.

[QUOTE=only_human;364573]The shooter was a retired police captain, so he at some point was trained in both the use of weapons and in appropriate use of force.[/QUOTE]

71 years of age.

Probably not allowed to drive....

[QUOTE=chalsall;364576]71 years of age.

Probably not allowed to drive....[/QUOTE]

I seriously doubt that. There are places with absolute age limits, but in the US cars are probably second only to guns as "god" given rights. My Dad drove in his eighties, though I took to "coming along" and volunteering to drive. He was so cautious that it created more risks.

[QUOTE=kladner;364578]I seriously doubt that. There are places with absolute age limits, but in the US cars are probably second only to guns as "god" given rights.[/QUOTE]

Very good point.

Most of the ads I see when watching TV involve furniture, or cloths, or make-up, or cars, or drugs (may cause anal leakage, or death. Consult your doctor...).

I have never seen an ad for a musket.

Perhaps I'm just not watching the correct channels....

[Caution: flame war ahead]

Actually nobody put the finger on the red button here... Young people forget "the manners in public places", very fast, and they have no freaking idea how bothersome the light and chirps from a texting conversation can be, especially in a dark and quiet cinema hall. Total disrespect for other people watching the movie, who also paid the same money. If you want to text, why the freak you went to the cinema? Go somewhere else. If I would be 71 and having a gun, I would also shot the bastard who was texting during the movie... I would only ask once. The old guy was very generous that he asked many times...

[QUOTE=LaurV;364596]Actually nobody put the finger on the red button here...[/QUOTE]That is because the red button is obvious. Yes, it is freaking annoying. Yes it destroys the movie experience. Yes it could enrage someone beyond self control. It is a good thing that feeble 71 year old geezers pack lethal force so that they can deal with anger issues.

[QUOTE=LaurV;364596][Caution: flame war ahead]

Actually nobody put the finger on the red button here... Young people forget "the manners in public places", very fast, and they have no freaking idea how bothersome the light and chirps from a texting conversation can be, especially in a dark and quiet cinema hall. Total disrespect for other people watching the movie. If you want to text, why the freak you went to the cinema? If I would be 71 and having a gun, I would also shot the bastard who was texting during the movie... I would only ask once. The old guy was very generous that he asked many times...[/QUOTE]... and that guy next to me on the plane that kept putting his elbow into my seat space. I asked him many times to keep his arms within his seat space. And that couple behind me with their crying child ... And those unnecessary and intrusive announcements ... And flying in general ... there should be a rule that allows anyone that is annoyed to be able to kill/maim/harm others that annoy them. Makes perfect sense. Annoy someone, expect to get shot/beaten/stabbed. Seems like a suitable and sensible balance. [/sarcasm]

[QUOTE=LaurV;364596][Caution: flame war ahead][/QUOTE]
...said the man pouring gasoline. Nice going! Thanks but no thanks for the "warning".
[QUOTE=LaurV;364596]... Young people forget "the manners in public places", very fast, and they have no freaking idea how bothersome the light and chirps from a texting conversation can be, especially in a dark and quiet cinema hall. Total disrespect for other people watching the movie, who also paid the same money. If you want to text, why the freak you went to the cinema? Go somewhere else. If I would be 71 and having a gun, I would also shot the bastard who was texting during the movie... I would only ask once. The old guy was very generous that he asked many times...[/QUOTE]
You are just growing old but having cognitive dissonance of still being "ok". Deal with it before you will turn into that 71-old while still being physically 50. Nothing could be more painful.
Next thing you will start saying "in my age, young men were respectful of the elders... :paul: The newspapers were not as yellow... The politicians were honest... The staircases were less steep... :paul: etc." You know, hopefully, that these are all silly thoughts? Nothing changed. Only you.

Nothing is easier than turning into an old creep and/or going completely bonkers. You just have to do nothing. OTOH, staying sane is an everyday chore, like brushing your teeth. Mental floss, man. Do it.

[QUOTE=Batalov;364601]OTOH, staying sane is an everyday chore, like brushing your teeth. Mental floss, man. Do it.[/QUOTE]I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad...

:paul:

[QUOTE=only_human;364597]so that they can deal with anger issues.[/QUOTE]
Who said anything about anger? At 71 I can't defend myself, he started being aggressive ("have you been to report me?") and I already lived my life, I won't care of going to jail for what remained of it (in fact, that would make my children's life happier, getting rid of me :razz:). No anger. I would shot the bastard smiling.

[QUOTE=LaurV;364608]No anger. I would shot the bastard smiling.[/QUOTE]
If I didn't know you from your decent postings on this forum, I would honestly think you're just trying to troll. But I'm pretty certain you never do that, so I'm mystified now.

Would you continue smiling while you explained to the man's devastated partner, family and friends why you had done this?

Just because a thing is possible...you don't have to do it/use it. I have a cheap little prepaid phone (costs me $20/year to keep it active) that I use maybe five minutes every other month.

[QUOTE=Brian-E;364610] I would honestly think you're just trying to troll.[/QUOTE]
Honestly, I did, a little bit. :blush:
Also honestly, I have no freaking idea how I would react in such situation.

I imagine myself at 71 or older, bored of life, and trying to teach that guy a lesson... Who knows what strange thoughts would walk on my mind at that time? Thinking more, there would be no lesson for the guy to learn if he dies, as I don't believe in gods or afterlife. When you die, you are just dead, the people around you know it, but you don't realize you are dead. Same as when you are stupid, you don't realize you are stupid, if you would realize, you would do something not to be stupid anymore. But the people around you realize you are stupid... Well, anyhow... guys using their mobiles during meeting, in classrooms, etc, the presenter/teacher is burning his lungs there, and some idiot in the second row is talking to his girlfriend... we see this more and more, even at supermarket, instead of scanning the products I bought, the girl at the counter is laughing to some invisible interlocutor behind the touchscreen of the mobile...

Sometimes is frustrating. Here in Asia, this is the "normality". I usually ignore them, and this amuses me, instead of making me angry. Sometimes I think that someone should teach them a lesson, but most of the times I feel pity for them.

So... I am still thinking if I would smile shooting the guy or not... :razz:
I guess I still have to wait till I am 71, and see... now I can still deal with them without the gun: I am still enough strong to face them, especially the girls :razz:, and enough fast to run away when the danger increases... hehe...

[now I went nuts again, replyind to myself, but I forgot to say this, and it may count...]
SWMBO had a parent-teacher conference (she is teaching) and some moron came there and instead of talking about his child those 20 minutes during he was scheduled to talk to the teacher, he was sustaining some phone conversation. After the time expired, SWMBO invited him politely but firmly to go out: another parent was waiting. "But I didn't talk about my child". "well, you can go to the office and reschedule..". They usually starts bargaining for "5 more minutes". Luckily, SWMBO loves children, she is always talking about how cute and how clever and ingenious, and how innocent (in the good sense) they are at this young age, and she is not "discharging" her emotions on the child. I have learned something very important from her, as she always says it: it is not children's fault that their parents/teachers/etc are idiots...

:goodposting:X 2

You and your "who must be obeyed" are both clearly very good at handling people who can't see that they are causing annoyance and inconvenience to others.

Guns are, of course, never a useful tool in this situation.

[QUOTE=Brian-E;364619]Guns are, of course, never a useful tool in this situation.[/QUOTE]

In this particular case, it removed one stupid breeder from the gene pool. Possibly two. Perhaps others will learn from this.

(That's meant as dark humor.)

[QUOTE=chalsall;364634](That's meant as dark humor.)[/QUOTE]
Yes, I think even I would have realised that this time, and others here certainly would. But it's always a good precaution with me because you never know when I'll bite your head off, do you?:smile:

[QUOTE=Brian-E;364635]But it's always a good precaution with me because you never know when I'll bite your head off, do you?:smile:[/QUOTE]

:smile:

I have stood down people with guns, machetes, knives and fists.

Using only words.

[QUOTE=chalsall;364636]:smile:

I have stood down people with guns, machetes, knives and fists.

Using only words.[/QUOTE]

The pen IS mightier than the sword.

But the thinking, creative mind is even mightier.

:smile:

[QUOTE=davar55;364638]But the thinking, creative mind is even mightier.[/QUOTE]

Indeed.

In one situation I allowed a man to hit my face. Repeatedly.

I simply smiled at him, and reminded him that he was breaking the law.

This same man then pulled a machete from his car, and threatened to strike me with it.

He might have realized at that point that I knew how to kill him with one strike bare handed, because he quickly climbed back into his car and drove off....