Tuesday, June 30, 2009

the incredible hand-art of Guido Daniele

I have encountered Guido Daniele's hand-art on two occasions. These hand paintings are simply amazing. Click the arrow to start the slideshow... and notice especially the eyes!

his website

need help with your wedding plans? here are some ideas

this Holiday Inn thought of everything for the reception...


a fantastic cake....


and to schedule the honeymoon...

Monday, June 29, 2009

research shows: plants communicate

We know that plants respond differently to different sorts of music. Research also shows that some plants respond to the human voice.

Now, scientists believe they have discovered something new-- plants have the ability to communicate by sending chemical "messages." These messages send out alerts to other plants about pests and pollinators.

In one test, researchers clipped some sagebrush shrubs, simulating an attack by grasshoppers. They found that nearby plants showed signs of receiving a threat warning.

Richard Karban of the University of California said, "Plants not only respond to reliable cues in their environments but also produce cues that communicate with other plants and with other organisms."

http://snipr.com/l2vkj [www_telegraph_co_uk]
broken link? backup URL

headlines of the ironic








(if you don't see it, check the spelling)

Friday, June 26, 2009

hello 911? a police car is blocking my driveway.

If you are in a hurry to get to work, it probably isn't a good idea to vandalize a police car and then wait around.

On Monday morning, Daphne Diaz, 23, of Syracuse, NY was leaving for work when she found that a police car was blocking her driveway. The police cruiser was there because the officers were responding to another call from her building.

Annoyed, Diaz immediately called 911 to report her blocked driveway as an "emergency." Moments later, she approached the officers and demanded that they move their cruiser. A few more minutes later, Diaz again approached the officers and demanded that they {insert profanities} move their {insert more profanities} car.

When the officers were able to get to their car, they saw that Diaz was waiting in her car. It was then that a group of residents pointed out that Diaz had "keyed" the police car, leaving several deep gouges in the back quarter panel.

The police then spent a little extra time with Daphne.

When they finally moved their cruiser, Daphne couldn't leave for work right away... because the police took her keys and cell phone as evidence. They also charged her with criminal mischief.

http://snipr.com/kwgqq [www_syracuse_com]
broken link? backup URL

note: the photo is of a keyed car, but not the police car in the story

Tony Melendez: guitarist with no hands.


for another amazing guitarist-- link

don't miss this very special CSI


oh wait. I think I saw that one.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

body painting by Liu Bolin

These amazing body paintings were created by Liu Bolin of Beijing. In a series known as "camouflage", the artist paints people from head to toe so that they will perfectly blend in with their surroundings. Incredible art.











http://snipr.com/krexq [www_moillusions_com]

birds on the police blotter



Tuesday, June 23, 2009

still more unfortunate name combinations


Broeker-Nuckles


Gross and Tingley


her and him

For more unfortunate name combinations, click "engaged to wed" label below or on label cloud

invisible rope prank 2


Invisible Rope Prank II
(thanks Ellen)

Monday, June 22, 2009

hotel employee creates $50K damage by believing a prank call

On June 6, Christina Bergman was working at the reception desk of the Holiday Inn Express in Conway, AK. At around 6AM, she received a call from a man who identified himself as an employee of the Grennel Fire Sprinkler Service.

The man told Bergman that there was a serious problem with the fire sprinklers and that they needed to be "reset." To reset them, he instructed her to pull the fire alarm. Bergman did as instructed. (creating a real, audible fire alarm)

The caller then told Bergman that the only way to keep the sprinklers from activating was to break all the exterior windows in the lobby. Bergman followed instructions.

At that point, a equally-gullible bystander, Rusty Brown, came to Bergman's aid and helped her break windows.

Since that did not turn off the alarms, the caller told Brown and Bergman that they needed to disable the sprinkler system by breaking the head of one of the sprinklers. Bergman broke it... causing water to pour from the sprinkler head, flooding the lobby.

The caller then told Bergman and Brown that they needed to cut the power to the hotel. They did.

The fire department and police finally arrived at the hotel to find more than a hundred people who had evacuated their rooms for the fire alarm. They also found a hotel lobby in complete disarray-- with broken windows, water pouring out the door, and no power.

Everyone was safe. There was never an emergency. Damage is estimated at $50K. A similar call was made to a hotel in Little Rock, AK.

A photocopy of the police report can be found at The Smoking Gun: (the second page of the report has most of the detail)

http://snipr.com/kmflv

I have seen that couple somewhere before.

Stock photography can be an easy solution for advertisers. Unfortunately, some advertisers get their photos from the same stock. For example...

these two ads appeared in the same publication.


if the nursing home care doesn't work out, we still have you covered


"Together in Christ... Marriages that Thrive"-- provided you use Rogaine for that bald spot.

Friday, June 19, 2009

son keeps his mother "alive" to keep her checks coming

Irene Prusik died in 2003 at the age of 73. Since dead people cannot collect social security checks, her son, Thomas Prusik-Parkin came up with an amazingly stupid and brazen plan:

Thomas has impersonated his dead mother for the last six years so that he could collect her checks.

When Irene died, Thomas gave the funeral director a false social security number so that her government checks would not stop. Then, he started making appearances as his mother.

Thomas would wear a wig, glasses and his mother's dresses (see photo). He collected her checks, visited banks and carried on any official business that might be necessary to keep his mother "alive." He even renewed her driver's license.

Thomas was often assisted by Mhilton Rimolo, who posed as Irene's nephew. Mhilton would help "Aunt Irene" walk and answer questions.

The ruse came to an end when the owner of Thomas' building tipped-off authorities.

Authorities then set up an "interview" with Irene. Thomas showed up "wearing a red cardigan, lipstick, manicured nails and breathing through an oxygen tank." It was, however, impossible for him to hide his man-hands.

If convicted, Thomas, now 49, and his "cousin" Mhilton, 47, will be old enough to collect their own social security checks when they get out of jail in 25 years.

http://snipr.com/kf3l1 [www_ananova_com]

charlie bit my finger

charlie bit my finger

Thursday, June 18, 2009

you haven't changed a bit

Today is my wife's and my 32nd anniversary (we were married when we were around 8). In honor of that event... here are some "then and now" newspaper (mis-)posts that celebrated anniversaries:

we had reverse hair loss


we became the same height and size


we changed races

grave humor


(for those who may have trouble seeing it, it says, "This ain't bad... once you get used to it")





more weird product combinations





for part one see link

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

late college applicants: apply here

Have you procrastinated? Are you still looking for a college to attend in the fall? These colleges are likely to have some openings for late-applicants.

Drake University. You can finally pass math.


Maria College. You will excel in any sport you choose.


Paradise Valley Community College. You don't even need to know spelling.


Utah Career College. Where you can make a succ of yourself.

more strange allergies

Recently, Telegraph.co.uk reported two separate stories about strange allergies:

a boy who is allergic to sunlight
a girl who is allergic to the 21st Century

Jackson McIntyre, age 6, is allergic to sunlight. He has a very rare genetic disorder known as Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. This disorder is created by a deficiency in an enzyme. It causes Jackson to have a burning sensation whenever his skin is exposed to sunlight

Jackson's case is so severe that he is effected by both UV and visible sunlight. He experiences symptoms, at times, even standing near an un-shaded window.
http://snipr.com/k4tbx [www_telegraph_co_uk]

In a second story, a girl named Molly Harrand of Herne Bay, Kent, England is allergic to nearly everything that is 21st century. Doctors have not determined the cause of her unique allergies, but here is a partial list of things she is allergic to:

shoes, socks, carpets, pasta, bread, oats, eggs, soy, chocolate, cleaning products, soap, shampoo, deodorants, plastic and rubber surfaces, machinery, dust, pollen, grass, many toys, coins, pens, and even computer keyboards.

Doctors say that if Mary lived 100 years ago, she would probably not have had these allergies.

Molly's father Derek, is quoted as saying, "We have been to the best doctors in the land but no one knows what to do to help Molly. There has simply never been a case like hers. We want to free Molly from her terrible pain. If there is anyone out there who may be able to help then we would love to hear from them."
http://snipr.com/k4tmr [www_telegraph_co_uk]

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

incredibly inventive stupid products


no more double chin (or dignity)


"10 minutes a day makes foot pain go away," replacing it with excruciating comfort


how to become alienated from both the businessmen and the hard-core rockers


the ad says, "can be used as a fly-o-lator or use as a grape crusher to make wine"