Chapel Perilous

Octopus Chameleon Color Change

Oh, soo shiny. 
posted by Bsti @ 6:36 PM ¶ comments (4)

Alpaca Direct - Dahlgren Alpaca Alaskan Winter Boot Socks

Very Comfy Lookin. 
posted by Bsti @ 6:05 PM ¶ comments (1)

 
posted by Bsti @ 5:50 PM ¶ comments (3)

Plasma ships in the ocean

"We notice the dolphin pods of approximately 150 dolphins swimming close to shore. They come to our boat and then bring us to these milky-white plasma balls. They seem to want us to go there and so they lead us directly to it. When we swim inside, we can see nothing beyond our hands. We cannot see each other or the dolphins. We cannot even see our own feet. It is unusual to tread water, see our heads above the surface and then look below and see no bodies! It feels like our body is in two different dimensions."

Now I want to back to Hawai'i and check this out.
As a younger, used to drink with friends on the banks of the Ala Wai canal. Sometimes the tilapia would glow greenly. It's unrelated, and I can't remember the reason I was told they sometimes glow. 
posted by Bsti @ 5:07 PM ¶ comments

Gorilla Art

My favorite is "Apple Chase" by Michael.
Found at Caiterwauling! 
posted by Bsti @ 4:20 PM ¶ comments

Religion is Bullshit !

I filled out this questionnaire, but I'll bet Tim will figure out I am not a christian. I don't know if my answers will show up in this link, but I think they were pretty good answers and I hope he posts them.
It made me think, and I like sites that do that.
 
posted by Bsti @ 2:36 AM ¶ comments (12)

IOL: World leaders rub shoulders at Pope's funeral Mass
"When Bush’s face appeared on giant screens showing the ceremony, many in the crowds outside St Peter’s Square booed and whistled."

From what I understand, people from all over the world travelled to the Vatican for this event.
Man, do you think they would have booed Saddam?
Arafat? Kim Jong-il?

Why do you suppose that is? 
posted by Bsti @ 12:49 AM ¶ comments (6)

Prairie Dogs Can Talk

Prairie dogs are able to use adjectives to differentiate objects, including human beings. For example, they can describe the color of clothes on a human and whether he is tall or short. They can also describe how fast a man is moving or whether he is carrying a gun. And there’s evidence that the animals can remember that specific person for up to two months. 
posted by Bsti @ 8:34 PM ¶ comments

Blueprint for a Prison Planet

An interesting read.
"America is the ultimate control fantasy - consensual incarceration - whole groups of people slowly driven to believe that there exists no way of securely living together other than by the giving up of personal freedom bit by bit." 
posted by Bsti @ 8:29 PM ¶ comments (1)

Cosmic particle accelerator seen

Astronomers have discovered a loop-like structure some 20 light-years across close to the centre of the Milky Way.

And the team that found it believes the vast, bizarre structure could be some form of cosmic particle accelerator. 
posted by Bsti @ 8:25 PM ¶ comments (1)

How much is a child worth in Jacksonville?

$969.99!
(thanks clippergirl) 
posted by Bsti @ 7:25 PM ¶ comments (1)

Fourteen Characteristics of

Fascism
I count at least 10 for these here united states. 
posted by Bsti @ 5:59 PM ¶ comments (2)

Directory of /fractals/animated/

Cool. 
posted by Bsti @ 5:26 PM ¶ comments

INDOOR DOG POTTY

for housetraining dogs, housebreaking puppies, dog training and puppy training
 
posted by Bsti @ 5:24 PM ¶ comments

100 things we didn't know this time last year

94. A cruise ship can put more than 130,000 litres of sewage into the sea each day. 
posted by Bsti @ 5:22 PM ¶ comments

Your Name in Japanese

Beasuchie. 
posted by Bsti @ 5:11 PM ¶ comments (7)

Kudzu Covered Houses

Few houses are abandoned and allowed to be taken over by vegetation. However, in parts of the south including the city of Atlanta those that are, are susceptible to being engulfed by kudzu. 
posted by Bsti @ 5:09 PM ¶ comments (1)

THE HUMAN BRAND

Worth A Visit! 
posted by Bsti @ 1:42 PM ¶ comments

SquirrelMail Inbox

I, _________________________ (fill in the blank), being of sound mind and body, do not wish to be kept alive indefinitely by artificial means.

Under no circumstances should my fate be put in the hands of peckerwood, ethically-challenged politicians who couldn't pass ninth-grade biology if their lives depended on it.

If a reasonable amount of time passes and I fail to sit up and ask for a _________________ (cold beer, Margarita, Bloody Mary, Martini, Rum & Coke, shot of Wild Turkey, etc., . . . you get the idea) it should be presumed that I won't ever get better. When such a determination is reached, I hereby instruct my spouse, children and attending physicians to pull the plug, reel in the tubes and call it a day.

Under no circumstances shall the hypocritical members of the Legislature (State or Federal) enact a special law to keep me on life-support machinery. It is my wish that these boneheads mind their own damn business, and pay attention instead to the health, education and future of the millions of Americans who aren't in a permanent coma.

Under no circumstances shall any politicians butt into this case.

I don't care how many fundamentalist votes they're trying to scrounge for their run for the presidency, it is my wish that they play politics with someone else's life and leave me alone to die in peace.

I couldn't care less how many religious zealots and/or "right-to-lifers" send e-mails to legislators in which they pretend to care about me. I don't know these people, and I certainly haven't authorized them to preach and crusade on my behalf. They should mind their own business, too.

If any of my family goes against my wishes and turns my case into a political cause, I hereby promise to come back from the grave and make his or her existence a living hell.

I would add to this that I'd rather not starve to death for over a week, if at all possible. 
posted by Bsti @ 1:35 AM ¶ comments

Just letting you know

When you want to put a link in the comments of any post, the a href tag works.
Sure I could cut and paste, but if I'm feeling particularly lazy, I might not. 
posted by Bsti @ 10:25 PM ¶ comments

Today we explored beyond the boundaries of the huge park we go to, and are now kicking ourselves for not bringing a camera.
We walked along the shore of the Willamette and found the amusement park, and nobody around.
We will go back again and take many many pictures.
Lola thought she could walk on the river, twice. Funny as hell.


Where'd the ball go?
 
posted by Bsti @ 9:09 PM ¶ comments

HAWAII'S LAST QUEEN

"On January 16, 1893,four boatloads of United States Marines armed with Gatling guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition came ashore in Honolulu, capital of the independent Kingdom of Hawaii.
As the Royal Hawaiian band played a concert at the Hawaiian Hotel, 162 troops marched through the streets of Honolulu, heading for the palace. The Queen of Hawaii, Lili'uokalani, looked down from her balcony as the troops took up their positions.

The following day, she surrendered at gunpoint, yielding her throne to the government of the United States. A provisional government led by wealthy white sugar growers assumed control of Hawaii and petitioned the US for annexation."

Hawai'i was a kingdom, but by no stretch of the imagination was it tyrannical or oppressive.
The source of ALL of Hawai'i's woes rest soley on the haoles who controlled the sugar.

Prior to the arrival of the first Europeans in 1778, the Native Hawaiian people lived in a highly organized, self-sufficient, subsistent social system based on communal land tenure with a sophisticated language, culture, and religion.

"In 1881 her brother, King Kalakaua, went on an extended journey around the world, leaving the 43-year-old Princess in charge. Although she had no experience governing, she soon had the chance to display her mettle when an epidemic of smallpox erupted, killing many Hawaiians. The source of the disease was Chinese laborers, brought by ship to work in Hawaii's sugar cane fields, the island's economic mainstay. To protect the Hawaiians, Lili'uokalani immediately closed the port, an act that infuriated the wealthy sugar growers."

To this day, most Hawai'ians know the story and hold a grudge against white people in general for effectively stealing the islands from them. Some haoles would argue that they are better off for it, but, just as in Iraq, no one predicted or planned for any real positive outcome until they were on the firmament declaring victory and the deed was done. The goal was to conquer and aquire; any peripheral outcome, such as independence or overall economic health were merely incidental.

We didn't take Iraq to free the Iraqis. Think back to when it all started and ask yourself if it was ever mentioned until later in the campaign. The first point was that Iraq was an imminent threat. When evidence of that began crumble, the second point became that Hussein was a murderous tyrant. Good point, but it had almost nothing to do with the Main Goal, and actually detracted from it. We were supposed to go after terrorists, not invade countries simply to spead freedom.
There are a good handful of murderous tyrants that are more of a threat to us than Hussein was.
Then, it was finally revealed that the plan all along was to free the Iraqis, something they really could have told us at the outset.

I personally do not think we are attempting to spread freedom and democracy so much as secure key land points in hostile areas that are rich in fossil fuel. If democracy spreads, great! But that isn't the goal, and if it doesn't happen, so be it. All the more reason for the use of force.

In Hawai'i's case, it wasn't about independence at all, but simply aquiring a few islands that were very profitable for the US.
Kanaka's independence was taken away by greed. In this era, such an action would be unthinkable, political suicide. Take over an independent government by military force for no other reason than to keep the sugar flowing.

Or is it so unthinkable?

These days, you just have to polish your game, because cameras are everywhere.
And there would be the Hannity's and the O'Reilly's telling you it's for Hawai'i's own good.
When I mention my oppostion to Hawai'i being a US state, I get comments that essentially say they are better off and shouldn't complain.
Go ask the Hawaiians yourself. I dare you.
If you are fortunate enough to find a jolly kanaka, the least you will get is a good beating for asking.
I know this because I lived in Hawai'i for a good part of my life, and WAS fortunate enough to meet and befriend many locals.
The anger runs deep, the memories do not fade so fast even with the youngers, because the elders still tell the tale.

To sum up, taking over other countries for their own good isn't a good enough reason.
Iraq will probably be better off, but will never forget the fact that they were not a threat but still were invaded by the US.
Meanwhile, as we spread democracy abroad, our own republic might reaching it's apex, it's sunset.
Freedom must be controlled, or there would be chaos, right?
"There ought to be limits to freedom" says Bush.

I say give Hawai'i back rather than merely apologizing for annexing it. She will do just fine on her own, and the tourism revenues would still flow, only to the people who deserve it.

"a substantial wrong has thus been done which a due regard for our national character as well as the rights of the injured people requires we should endeavor to repair"

"...the logical consequences of this resolution would be independence." 
posted by Bsti @ 2:16 AM ¶ comments (9)

Maynard? Jesus?

mtv.com - News
"Has Maynard James Keenan, the frontman of both the dark, heavy-metal art band Tool and the somewhat lighter A Perfect Circle, found Jesus and been born again? Well ...

Recent postings on two Tool Web sites — one of them purportedly by Keenan himself — contend that the singer has found religion and has left Tool."

If this turns out to be true (which I doubt), all Tool albums we own will instantly become obsolete, irrelevant, useless and worthless to me. THAT'S how much I love Tool. If MJK has indeed converted, I will no longer listen to Tool or APC. And that would be a damned shame.
I am still holding on to the hope that it's a Big Hoax, and a cruel one for true Tool fans.
If untrue, I will probably buy this.

Update Our Tool Albums Are Still Worth Something.
That must have been posted soon after I had posted this, coincidentally. 
posted by Bsti @ 7:32 PM ¶ comments (11)

All Dead Pope News, All The Time

CJR Daily
"Here's the problem facing news directors at the moment: The pope's death is a dominant, all-consuming story, but when it comes right down to it, there's not much to report. CNN's heavy hitters made the trip to 'Rome' largely for show, and now they're stationed there with little to do other than enjoy a good meal on Time Warner's tab. Admittedly, the selection of the pope's successor will likely be interesting, and his passing gives an opportunity for a look back at his life and accomplishments, but those stories aren't gonna fill a weeklong news hole."

Every time I switch over to Fox "News", popepopepope.
It's news, but it shouldn't be 24hour news. OTHER THINGS ARE HAPPING IN THE WORLD!! 
posted by Bsti @ 7:10 PM ¶ comments (4)

"'These e-mails may create a substantial vulnerability for the program.'" 
posted by Bsti @ 7:02 PM ¶ comments

Dark Envy Photography: Audra

Scroll down a bit.
 
posted by Bsti @ 5:21 PM ¶ comments

Willywarmers

Chenille looks really comfy. 
posted by Bsti @ 3:48 PM ¶ comments (7)

WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' ASPARAGUS

Not true, actually. I love asparagus, but Chittlin' Christ, doesn't it make your urine smell bad? So, now, because you probably need to know this for your own good:

The Skinny on Why Asparagus Makes Your Pee Stink

And in case you have a lot of disposable income, you can get this official George W. Bush tee shirt.



(Also posted at Caiterwauling, but I had to post it here because I knew it was just the sort of thing Chapelers would like.) 
posted by Cait @ 1:06 PM ¶ comments (5)

Pussy Ranch

A great read.

"I am a lazy, television-obsessed sex addict who thumbs her nose at hoch kultur. The Pussy Ranch used to be located here; the Ranch-That-Was contained mainly sardonic observations on my former life as a stripper."

Sharp wit on her.
For instance: "Here's to Dovetailing Perversions!"

And "Mona: Set in 1987, this family dramedy tells the story of Jeremy (Shia LaBeouf), a young boy who experiences a sexual awakening while watching an episode of Who's the Boss?"

Seriously, read the whole site. It's quite entertaining. 
posted by Bsti @ 1:47 AM ¶ comments

DU Death Toll

DU Death Toll: "Of the 580,400 soldiers who served in Gulf War I, 11,000 are now dead.
While this important story appeared in a Washington newspaper and the wire services, it did not receive national exposure—a compelling sign that the American public is being kept in the dark about the terrible effects of this toxic weapon."

(thanks Clippergirl) 
posted by Bsti @ 11:12 PM ¶ comments

What he said...

One of the posters over at The Daily Brief writes about Growing Up Catholic.

That wasn't my experience, but I've got plenty of relatives who are no strangers to the sentiment.

I mention it because in a lifetime of hearing stories, some whispered, some not, I've long since come to the conclusion that piety has nothing to do with grace or faith... which are qualities not exclusive to any one system of belief.

I guess it just pisses me off to see anyone - rather, any earthly organization - trying to claim a monopoly, is all.

 
posted by ben @ 10:04 PM ¶ comments (1)

Turns out I'm average.

Health 24 - News, Other
Wait, what's that last sentence?! 
posted by Bsti @ 4:20 PM ¶ comments (5)

Pixie sez: Time To Laugh

Just one click and away we go... 
posted by weirdpixie @ 1:25 PM ¶ comments (4)

John Wayne 'Rio Grande' Movie UFO Solved 
posted by Bsti @ 6:53 PM ¶ comments (1)

Church fights Da Vinci Code novel
"'The book is everywhere. There is a very real risk that many people who read it will believe that the fables it contains are true.'"

I know what you mean.....only I'm thinking of the ancient book of fables written in the Middle East that many people believe is true.

 
posted by Bsti @ 6:18 PM ¶ comments (5)

Now this is different...

Orly Cogan
Naked people in socks doing wild things!
Many are hand stitched too! but beware, some of them are doing naughty things so this might not be safe to view at work, unless you work for yourself or for someone super cool like me ~;)
found via I, Jester who also loves socks.
 
posted by niqkita @ 9:08 AM ¶ comments

Excellent Review Of Sin City

but turns out he didn't like it at all.
Psst. "Dr." Baehr, the only thing that influences EIE's are ticket sales.


Warning: he tosses out alot of spoilers, damn him anyway, I haven't seen it yet.

"Even an essentially good intentioned character like Bruce Willis’s John Hartigan uses sadistic and horrifically violent methods to fight the bad guys."

I wonder if he supports the war in Iraq. 
posted by Bsti @ 1:23 AM ¶ comments

Astronomers capture photo of extrasolar planet
"The planet is thought to be one to two times as massive as Jupiter. It orbits a star similar to a young version of our sun." 
posted by Bsti @ 10:30 PM ¶ comments (2)

Biere De Mars

Home of New Belgium Brewery
"With earthy tones of ripe mango and lemon verbena, this bottle-conditioned ale reflects the hearty character of the southern Belgian and northern French countrysides. Brewed with barley, oats and wheat malt, Biere de Mars’ celestial orange hue inspired the planetary play on words as well as the ethereal watercolor label."

Tasty. 
posted by Bsti @ 7:11 PM ¶ comments (1)

Dr. Menlo to commit suicide "live on the Internet" soon

Timelock: if by April 1st, 2005--one year from the formal launch of this site--I don’t sell a book, script, ten short stories, get a play produced or get a decent job writing, I will commit Hari-Kiri live on the net. Sounds gimmicky, doesn’t it?

After a year has passed this April, 1st without meeting the conditions of his gimmick, weblog magnate, Dr. Menlo will soon announce the date of his death broadcast. Watch this space for further updates.

 
posted by sauceruney @ 4:15 PM ¶ comments (2)

Star Trek: Hidden Frontier

I found this via RA.
Fan-based series, the special effects are impressive, but the acting, not so much. One guy appears to have a pig nose glued to his face.

Here's another one. Based on TOS. Acting's a little better, but Hahaha you fools, Andoria is an ice planet!

More fan-based stuff to explore in their links section.
 
posted by Bsti @ 3:37 PM ¶ comments (2)

What is?this octopus?thinking?

The debate about observational learning in octopuses is at the centre of one of the oddest challenges in neurobiology: the quest to understand the brain of the cephalopod, animals that include octopuses, squid, cuttlefish and the single- shelled nautilus.

One trouble. I think, is that scientists assume time flows the same for every living creature.
One year to us might be fifteen to an octopus. 
posted by Bsti @ 3:04 AM ¶ comments (1)