Coming to Kindle and Smashwords
November 2013
Dec 20, 2011
Ape Speaks....
heartwarming
Armament, Human Heart-Shaped Glass Molotov Cocktails
By Rusty Blazenhoff on December 19, 2011
San Francisco-based artist and photographe
Dec 19, 2011
today you gotta multitask..
Brass Knuckles Meat Tenderizer
By EDW Lynch on December 16, 2011
The Knuckles Meat Pounder by DCI is a meat tenderizer shaped like brass knuckles.
The world is a poorer place.
Hitchens Remembered Through 15 of His Most Memorable Quotes
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
British American essayist and avowed atheist Christopher Hitchens died on Thursday, Dec. 15, at age 62, and he saw it coming.
“Death is certain,” he wrote in The Portable Atheist, “replacing both the siren-song of Paradise and the dread of Hell. Life on this earth, with all its mystery and beauty and pain, is then to be lived far more intensely: we stumble and get up, we are sad, confident, insecure, feel loneliness and joy and love. There is nothing more; but I want nothing more.”
It would be remarkable if he felt this way, that the pinnacle of existence was the experience of sensation, even pain, however intense, as he battled esophageal cancer in the months before he died with no hope or expectation to walk through the Pearly Gates. His writings—witty, fierce, wildly controversial—promoted, even demanded a rational brand of atheism that left little room for compromise.
“I try to deny myself any illusions or delusions, and I think that this perhaps entitles me to try and deny the same to others, at least as long as they refuse to keep their fantasies to themselves,” he wrote in his memoir, Hitch-22.
His abhorrence of organized religion…
“Violent, irrational, intolerant, allied to racism and tribalism and bigotry, invested in ignorance and hostile to free inquiry, contemptuous of women and coercive toward children: organized religion ought to have a great deal on its conscience.” God Is Not Great
…and dismissive distrust of faith…
“Faith is the surrender of the mind; it’s the surrender of reason, it’s the surrender of the only thing that makes us different from other mammals. It’s our need to believe, and to surrender our skepticism and our reason, our yearning to discard that and put all our trust or faith in someone or something, that is the sinister thing to me.”
…did not deprive him of a code of ethics…
“Beware the irrational, however seductive. Shun the ‘transcendent’ and all who invite you to subordinate or annihilate yourself. Distrust compassion; prefer dignity for yourself and others. Don’t be afraid to be thought arrogant or selfish. Picture all experts as if they were mammals. Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. Seek out argument and disputation for their own sake; the grave will supply plenty of time for silence. Suspect your own motives, and all excuses. Do not live for others any more than you would expect others to live for you.”
…or a sharp sense of humor…
“Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are god. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realise that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are gods.” The Portable Atheist.
To consider religion’s founders, flawed humans like himself, seemed to strip the institution of its divine mystery, and Hitchens would make a career of highlighting its contradictions and hypocrisies. If he had any faith, it was in himself, his intellect, and (sometimes) ours.
“Human decency is not derived from religion,” he wrote in God Is Not Great. “It precedes it.”
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“What can be asserted without proof can be dismissed without proof.”
“By trying to adjust to the findings that it once tried so viciously to ban and repress, religion has only succeeded in restating the same questions that undermined it in earlier epochs. What kind of designer or creator is so wasteful and capricious and approximate? What kind of designer or creator is so cruel and indifferent? And—most of all—what kind of designer or creator only chooses to “reveal” himself to semi-stupefied peasants in desert regions?” The Portable Atheist
“The person who is certain, and who claims divine warrant for his certainty, belongs now to the infancy of our species.” God Is Not Great
“What happens to the faith healer and the shaman when any poor citizen can see the full effect of drugs or surgeries, administered without ceremonies or mystifications? Roughly the same thing as happens to the rainmaker when the climatologist turns up, or to the diviner from the heavens when schoolteachers get hold of elementary telescopes.” God Is Not Great
“Religion is man-made. Even the men who made it cannot agree on what their prophets or redeemers or gurus actually said or did.” God Is Not Great
“My own view is that this planet is used as a penal colony, lunatic asylum and dumping ground by a superior civilization, to get rid of the undesirable and unfit. I can’t prove it, but you can’t disprove it either.” God Is Not Great
“Every day, the New York Times carries a motto in a box on its front page. “All the News That’s Fit to Print,” it says. It’s been saying it for decades, day in and day out. I imagine most readers of the canonical sheet have long ceased to notice this bannered and flaunted symbol of its mental furniture. I myself check every day to make sure that the bright, smug, pompous, idiotic claim is still there. Then I check to make sure that it still irritates me. If I can still exclaim, under my breath, why do they insult me and what do they take me for and what the hell is it supposed to mean unless it’s as obviously complacent and conceited and censorious as it seems to be, then at least I know I still have a pulse. You may wish to choose a more rigorous mental workout but I credit this daily infusion of annoyance with extending my lifespan.” Letters to a Young Contrarian
Dec 15, 2011
this about sums it up...
‘he’s a stupid man’s idea of what a smart person sounds like,’ Paul Krugman
Dec 14, 2011
Dec 13, 2011
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Two-Snouted Pig With Shared Cyclops Eye Born In China (Picture)
The scene: Changtai County, Fuijan Province, China. The witness: pig-farmer Xiao Jintu. The situation: a piglet with two snouts and three eyes - one of which is shared between the two "faces".
This, ladies and gentlemen, isn't you average piglet. You don't need to be a veterinarian to work that one out, that's for sure.
The fifth of his litter, the as-yet unnamed little critter won't be becoming sliced ham any time soon, with Jintu deciding that as a one of a kind, he's just too special to end up on a plate.
"I've been raising pigs for 15 years and I've never seen anything like this before," said Jintu. "We knew something was different because her head was so large we had to help when her mother gave birth."
The fifth of his litter, the as-yet unnamed little critter won't be becoming sliced ham any time soon, with Jintu deciding that as a one of a kind, he's just too special to end up on a plate.
"I've been raising pigs for 15 years and I've never seen anything like this before," said Jintu. "We knew something was different because her head was so large we had to help when her mother gave birth."
This isn't the first time the world's seen a double-headed pig, however, with the genetic mutation cropping up here and there quite a few times over the years. Here's just one example and here a couple more from other species, with a two-headed turtle and a two-headed snake also appearing in the news of late.
If you're interested in finding out more about "polycephaly" - as the scientsists call it - here's a website dedicated to just that. Be warned, though... it's pretty damn weird.
how cool is that?
Higgs Boson Search: CERN Releases New Data Said To Narrow Hunt For 'God Particle'
GENEVA — Researchers hunting for an elusive sub-atomic particle believed to be a basic building block of the universe announced Tuesday that they have narrowed down the search thanks to the latest data.
The Higgs boson – popularly referred to as the "God particle" – is more likely to be found in the lower mass or energy ranges of the massive atom smasher being used to track it down, researchers from two independent teams said.
The unveiling of the latest data has generated much buzz among researchers who hope that the particle, if it exists, can help explain many mysteries of the universe. British physicist Peter Higgs and others theorized the particle's existence more than 40 years ago to explain why atoms, and everything else in the universe, have weight.
Both of the research teams are involved with CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research near Geneva. CERN oversees the $10-billion Large Hadron Collider under the Swiss-French border, a 17-mile (27-kilometer) tunnel where high energy beams of protons are sent crashing into each other at incredible speeds.
Fabiola Gianotti, an Italian physicist who heads the team running what's called the ATLAS experiment, said "the hottest region" is in lower energy ranges of the collider. She said there are indications of the Higgs' existence and that with enough data it could be unambiguously discovered or ruled out next year.
Several mass or energy ranges within the atom smasher are now excluded to a "95 percent confidence level," Gianotti told other physicists at CERN.
Afterward, Guido Tonelli, lead physicist for the team running what's called the CMS experiment, outlined findings similar to those of the ATLAS team, saying the particle is most likely found "in the low mass region" of the collider.
Although it would be an enormous scientific breakthrough for the physics world if the Higgs boson was found, officials at CERN have ruled out making any such announcement this year.
The unveiling of the latest data has generated much buzz among researchers who hope that the particle, if it exists, can help explain many mysteries of the universe. British physicist Peter Higgs and others theorized the particle's existence more than 40 years ago to explain why atoms, and everything else in the universe, have weight.
Both of the research teams are involved with CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research near Geneva. CERN oversees the $10-billion Large Hadron Collider under the Swiss-French border, a 17-mile (27-kilometer) tunnel where high energy beams of protons are sent crashing into each other at incredible speeds.
Fabiola Gianotti, an Italian physicist who heads the team running what's called the ATLAS experiment, said "the hottest region" is in lower energy ranges of the collider. She said there are indications of the Higgs' existence and that with enough data it could be unambiguously discovered or ruled out next year.
Several mass or energy ranges within the atom smasher are now excluded to a "95 percent confidence level," Gianotti told other physicists at CERN.
Afterward, Guido Tonelli, lead physicist for the team running what's called the CMS experiment, outlined findings similar to those of the ATLAS team, saying the particle is most likely found "in the low mass region" of the collider.
Although it would be an enormous scientific breakthrough for the physics world if the Higgs boson was found, officials at CERN have ruled out making any such announcement this year.
Dec 12, 2011
cool and weird......
The Unclouded Mind, Creepy & Cute Mini-Exhibition by Artist Xue Wang
London-based artist Xue Wang posted several preview images for her mini-exhibition of creepy and cute paintings, The Unclouded Mind, at CoproGallery in Santa Monica, California. The new work for this show was “inspired by her visit to Hellingly Insane Asylum“. The show runs through December 31, 2011.
via
Bane Breaks the Bat’s Mask in New Dark Knight Rises Teaser
Get a good look at Bane's back in the new The Dark Knight Rises one-sheet.
Image courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures (click to enlarge)
Image courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures (click to enlarge)
The image, released Saturday by Warner Bros. Pictures with the intriguing tag line “The Legend Ends,” is the latest tease leading up to next week’s screening of the movie’s prologue, which introduces Batman’s brutal nemesis.
In the opening moments of Christopher Nolan’s final Batman movie, the director gives viewers a menacing blast of Bane, as revealed Thursday in advance screenings of the prologue, which might be the most highly anticipated six minutes of footage in cinematic history
inspired....
America Psycho' Author Bret Easton Ellis Wants Scott Disick For Movie Remake
As soon as we heard that Lionsgate was looking to remake "American Psycho" -- a film made only 11 years ago -- we immediately thought why? And too soon!
But then we thought what a perfect opportunity for Scott Disick to play the character he's been dressing as for the last decade.
The remake is still in early development but is said to explore how the wealthy, immaculately -groomed, homicidal character brought to life by Chrisian Bale would "fare in modern day Gotham."
We are guessing the studio is trying to capitalize on the public's general distaste (or disgust) with Wall Street by offering up a story with a villainous investment banker -- and is there a banker more evil than Patrick Bateman?

It turns out we weren't the only ones to have that brilliant thought -- Kourtney Kardashian's baby daddy totally wants in on it. A few hours after the annoucement of the remake, 28-year-old Disick tweeted:
"Just heard there doing a remake of American Psycho! best news i have ever heard! i hope they call me!We were even more delighted when late last night, "American Pyscho" author Bret Easton Ellis, chimed in too:
"I have warned Lionsgate that I will not approve a new version of 'American Psycho' unless it stars SCOTT DISICK or MILES FISHER," and he quickly added, "I am waiting for Scott Disick to ask: 'Who in the hell is Bret Easton Ellis?"
Oh Bret, you are too funny! But seriously, we doubt you have any say in the remake since you had no say in the film's awful sequel, "American Psycho 2" staring Mila Kunis before Hollywood loved her. In 2001, Ellis told the press, "I've sold the rights [to the book], but I really don't know how they ended up with all of these rights. Basically, the book really kind of survives. I'm the kind of writer that sees books and movies as two totally different animals. So far, none of these movies has blotted out the book for the reader."
And of course Disick knows who the creator of his sartorial idol is, and responded to the author's bait, tweeting:
"Not going to happen, I know just who u r!" The remake is still in early development but is said to explore how the wealthy, immaculately -groomed, homicidal character brought to life by Chrisian Bale would "fare in modern day Gotham."
We are guessing the studio is trying to capitalize on the public's general distaste (or disgust) with Wall Street by offering up a story with a villainous investment banker -- and is there a banker more evil than Patrick Bateman?
If the studio decides to go through with the unnecessary remake, we hope Disick is seriously considered for the role, or at least cast as one of the guys in that scene about the business cards.
If you need anymore convincing as to why Disick would be the perfect Bateman 2.0, watch this video a fan created. (Probaby NSFW): The presumptive Republican nominee...

Newt on Calista...
"First of all she is a very strong personality, which Nancy Reagan was,” Gingrich said. “She actually describes herself as being a cross between Nancy Reagan and Laura Bush with just a slight bit of Jackie Kennedy tossed in and I think there is, somewhere swirling in there, the model Calista would like to live up to.”
Newt on Newt
"People like me are alll that stand us and Auschwitcz."
Newt on foster families"
Newt Gingrich, the soon-to-be Republican Speaker of the House, was eager to flex his muscle. Minor controversy erupted over remarks he made about welfare reform and orphanages. Some Republicans had suggested that the nation could reduce welfare rolls by placing the children of welfare mothers in orphanages. The idea was to prohibit states from paying welfare benefits for two groups of children: Those whose paternity was not established and those born out of wedlock to women under 18. The savings, according to this proposal, would be used to establish and operate orphanages and group homes for unwed mothers.
I thought this was a horrible idea. In a speech before the New York Women's Agenda on Nov. 30, 1994, I criticized Gingrich.
Gingrich swung back: "I'd ask her to go to Blockbuster and rent the Mickey Rooney movie about Boys Town [an orphanage]. I don't understand liberals who live in enclaves of safety who say, 'Oh, this would be a terrible thing.'
Newt on women in combat
"If combat means living in a ditch, females have biological problems staying in a ditch for thirty days because they get infections and they don't have upper body strength. I mean, some do, but they're relatively rare. On the other hand, men are basically little piglets, you drop them in the ditch, they roll around in it, doesn't matter, you know. These things are very real. On the other hand, if combat means being on an Aegis-class cruiser managing the computer controls for twelve ships and their rockets, a female may be again dramatically better than a male who gets very, very frustrated sitting in a chair all the time because males are biologically driven to go out and hunt giraffes. "
Dec 9, 2011
Proudy (Piss), Prague
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An 18th-century Portuguese monk who pioneered hypnotic techniques, Abbé Faria was honored in 1945 in the city of his birth with this rather unwholesome tribute. The novelist Evelyn Waugh called the thing “wildly vivacious,” saying that it captured the illustrious abbé at the “climax of an experiment, rampant over an entranced female.” Be that as it may, it’s easy to imagine that the abbé’s prostrate subject wishes that she could call the whole thing off and make a run for the beach instead.
See More Ugly Public Art
Photo: Wendy Underwood
See More Ugly Public Art
Photo: Wendy Underwood
Created by the provocateur and artist David ÄŒerný, this sculpture of two swiveling, copper-clad bros urinating into a pool shaped like the Czech Republic is a high-tech homage to Brussels’ beloved Manneken Pis. In an experiential twist, you can send a text message to the sculpture (the number’s on a plaque nearby), and the accommodating animatronic dudes will “write” your text in the water.
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