December 28, 2011

  So, there I was, standing in the middle of the southbound 
  I-5 during rush hour, wearing nothing but an inner tube, 
  a tutu, my fireman's hat and some dress socks, and 
  clutching a bazooka.  I thought to myself, "Hey! I'm 
  dealing *so much better* with holiday stress this year!"

 

Top of the Heap:  The Patriot Riders certainly have MY "unwavering respect"
      http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/dec/26/unwavering-respect/

Washing out that potential hire because of a visible tattoo?  Might want to think again.  (Thanks, Jack!)
     http://www.inc.com/vanessa-merit-nornberg/why-your-next-hire-should-be-like-lisbeth-salander.html

Thanks to Homeland Security grants, local police departments are as well-armed as military units. What could possibly go wrong?
      http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/12/20/local-cops-ready-for-war-with-homeland-security-funded-military-weapons.html

10 Cool Things The U.S. Government Spent Money On In 2011
      http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/10-cool-things-the-us-government-spent-money-on

Youngest Unmarried Son Jack sent me this link to this Dance-Activated Video
     http://www.sprawl2.com/

SOPA Could Destroy the Internet As We Know It (Not a joke, troops... this is serious)
     http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/mythbusters/articles/mythbuster-adam-savage-sopa-could-destroy-the-internet-as-we-know-it-6620300

Stressed? Here's how to make everything OK
     http://make-everything-ok.com/

STILL stressed?  Try some colors
     http://www.greatdanepro.com/Just%20Colors/index.htm

The 18 Most Annoying Golf Partners
     http://www.golfdigest.com/golf/humor/18-most-annoying-golf-partners#slide=1

In the "why-didn't-I-think-of-that?" category, the Power Stick  (Thanks, Debb!)
     http://shopping.yahoo.com/powerstick-usb-portable-charger--shop/


An illuminating list of SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) Supporters and Opponents
     http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h3261/money



Okay, time for some of the "Best of the Year" lists:

The Top 20 Movies of 2011
     http://www.movie-moron.com/?p=13779

Facebook's Top 10 Lists for the year
      http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2011/12/facebooks-top-10-lists-for-2011/1

The Top 30 Android Apps and Games
     http://alturl.com/sz78s

The Top Apps for Your iPad and iPhone
     http://www.pcmag.com/article/print/250054
     http://www.tested.com/tested-the-best-iphone-apps-of-2011/47-663/

Top 24 Deep Space Pictures of 2011.
     http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/12/14/top-24-deep-space-pictures-of-2011/

The 4 biggest scientific breakthroughs of 2011.
      http://theweek.com/article/index/222719/the-4-biggest-scientific-breakthroughs-of-2011

           and

The Best and the Worst of Everything in 2011
     http://www.fastcompany.com/1801868/a-mega-meta-mash-up-of-the-best-and-worst-of-2011

December 21, 2011

  I'm thinking that, even though gold, frankincense 
  and myrrh are all pretty nice gifts, Jesus couldn't 
  have been all that happy when the wise men told 
  him they were for both his birthday *and* Christmas.

 

Top of the Heap:  Track Santa through NORAD
     http://www.noradsanta.org/en/

My good friend Tim (I-taught-him-everything-he-knows) Hunter wrote and produced a Christmas video! (Tim's the one with Santa at 1:59)
     http://youtu.be/9L17lVmjs0k

I met the writer/producer/star of "Keeping Up With the KarTRASHians" at a party this past week.  It's hysterical (and somewhat NSFW)
     http://www.kartrashians.tv

Universal Studios Los Angeles is getting its own Harry Potter attraction! (Suck on THAT, Orlando!)
     http://www.movieline.com/2011/12/los-angeles-to-get-its-very-own-harry-potter-theme-park.php

10 Nifty Google Easter Eggs That Will Amuse You
     http://www.buzzfeed.com/ashleybaccam/10-nifty-google-easter-eggs-that-will-amuse-you

Optical Illusion Tattoos
     http://www.moillusions.com/2011/07/top-10-optical-illusion-tattoos.html

Smoking can make your nipples fall off
     http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/05/smoking-can-make-your-nipples-fall-off/

2011's Biggest Movie Controversies
     http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/12/2011s-biggest-movie-controversies/249845/

Twitter Tips:  Everything You Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask
     http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/13/twitter-tips_n_1146600.html

20 Things You Didn't Know About the Periodic Table
     http://discovermagazine.com/2011/nov/20-things-you-didnt-know-about-periodic-table

Strange Sightings on Google Street View
     http://autos.aol.com/photos/strange-images-google-street-view/?ncid=dynaldusaolp00000023

It's he-e-e-e-ere.... Debris from Japanese tsunami reaches US shores
     http://www.wjla.com/blogs/weather/2011/12/first-batch-of-japanese-tsunami-debris-reaches-the-u-s--13986.html

December 14, 2011

  Oh, come on. Chuck Norris is just a stupid actor.  
  If he were really a "god," he would come to my 
  house and slam my head to the keyboaeuoewcm,67d
  ajfklsdbgiuyruffu478whiuogehjbyuiwbjdgjkldfsuhi

Top of the Heap:  In the "I-wanna-play-this" department - Maybe the scariest game ever?  (Thanks, Amanda!)
     http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/deep-sea-the-scariest-game-ever/

Prototype Texas Flashlight  (Thanks, Billy!)
      http://videos2view.net/texas-light.htm#.TpjYMP3QiMM.aolmail

The 12 All-Time Ugliest Christmas Sweaters. And some are still available to buy!
      http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/the-12-all-time-ugliest-christmas-sweaters/

Oh, swell.  Meet Leaproach, the New Jumping Cockroach
     http://news.discovery.com/animals/jumping-cockroach-111206.html

The Worst TV Series Finales of All Time
     http://guyism.com/lifestyle/worst-tv-series-finales-of-all-time.html

10 Things You Didn't Know About Sesame Street
     http://www.buzzfeed.com/jpmoore/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-sesame-street

(Somebody else's list of) the Best Supporting Primetime Cartoon Characters
     http://unrealitymag.com/index.php/2011/11/18/my-seven-favorite-supporting-primetime-cartoon-characters-of-all-time/

Newt Gingrich's Career in One Comic Strip
     http://www.buzzfeed.com/provincialelitist/newt-gingrichs-career-in-one-comic-strip

Stories behind Dr. Seuss Stories
     http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/18659

Everything you ever needed to know about The Hokey Pokey
      http://www.neatorama.com/2011/12/08/the-hokey-pokey/

December 7, 2011

  The bumper sticker on the car in front of me 
  said, "I'm an organ donor" -- and I thought, 
  "My cousin DOES need a new kidney..."

Top of the Heap:  Get your teeth into the truth about shark attacks!
     http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news-shark-attack-experiment-live

You learn something new every day
      http://dlewis.net/nik/

How to make bacon roses!  Mmmmm, bacon!
     http://www.dixiworld.com/2011/11/making-bacon-roses-perfect-gift-bacon-geeks/

All these Hawaiian islands are yours to enjoy, except Niihau: Attempt no landing there.
     http://www.neatorama.com/2011/12/05/forbidden-island-u-s-a/

Katherine Heigl hates balls.  (Might be a little NSFW)
      http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/b63f436ac2/katherine-heigl-hates-balls

You mean that fake article from the satirical website about the unbelievable story with the really old photo isn't real? Well how about that.
      http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/poop-tattoo-story-is-crap-8764319

What's the value of your home?
     http://bit.ly/uPe8mj

A Guide to Horror Movies, 2012
     http://www.movie-moron.com/?p=19888

26 Cool Toilet Paper Dispensers!
     http://www.nowthatsnifty.com/2011/11/26-cool-toiler-paper-dispensers-and_29.html

11 Facts You Might Not Know About Battlestar Galactica
     http://www.neatorama.com/2011/11/30/11-facts-you-might-not-know-about-battlestar-galactica/

The 20 Best New Sci-Fi Movies of 2012
     http://www.movie-moron.com/?p=20259

Jellyfish Lake in Palau Swarms With Complex Historical Wonders
     http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/jellyfish-lake-palau-video_n_1115577.html?ref=animals

The Ins and Outs of Owning a Tank
     http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/05/infographic-the-ins-and-outs-of-owning-a-tank/

The Man Who Invented Flying Saucers
     http://www.professorsolomon.com/raypalmer.html

November 30, 2011

  The contest entry said, "Void Where Prohibited." 
  Now I don't know about you, but I can think of 
  a lot less messy acts of civil disobedience. 

Top of the Heap:  Wreck Diving the Mysterious Ghost Fleet of Truk Lagoon
     http://www.lovethesepics.com/2011/06/wreck-diving-the-mysterious-ghost-fleet-of-truk-lagoon-33-pics/

Y'ever thought of starting your own beehive?  Me neither.  What a stupid idea.  But if you DO, here's how
     http://www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/how-start-rooftop-beekeeping.html

The world's largest limousine
     http://www.themidnightrider.com/

What Happens Online When You Die?
     http://www.lifeinsurancefinder.com.au/infographics/what-happens-online-when-you-die/

The 15 Most Innovative Gadgets
     http://www.businessinsider.com/most-innovative-gadgets-2011-11?op=1

A Beginner's Guide to Doctor Who
     http://www.ugo.com/tv/doctor-who-a-beginners-guide

Waste a little time and draw a stickman
     http://www.drawastickman.com/

National Geographic Photo Contest 2011
     http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/11/national_geographic_photo_cont.html

The 101 Best Chrome Extensions
     http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/best-chrome-extensions

This changes EVERYTHING! Urine-powered video games!
     http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/28/urine-powered-video-game-_n_1117240.html?ref=weird-news

8 Gadgets That Lie to You Every Day
     http://www.cracked.com/article_19571_8-gadgets-that-lie-to-you-every-day.html

Apparently, the latest “12 Days of Christmas Index” is up 4.4% over last year.
     http://consumerist.com/2011/11/reenacting-12-days-of-christmas-will-now-cost-you-more-than-100k.html

November 23, 2011

  I was really impressed with this new bicycle repair tool factory 
  from northern Ohio, but now I kind of wish I hadn't invested so 
  much money in the Jerry Sandusky Pedal File Company.

Top of the Heap:  100 Wikipedia Alternatives
     http://www.freecollegeclasses.org/wikipedia-alternatives/

Jackass 3.5 (the full movie on YouTube)  NSFW
      http://youtu.be/l3osedT7kLI

Doolittle's Raid. America's first response to Pearl Harbor.
      http://www.neatorama.com/2011/11/07/doolittles-raid/

Six Reasons Why Writing For the Internet is the Best Job Ever (now, if I could only get PAID for it...)
     http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-reasons-writing-internet-best-job-ever/

It's been a rough week.  So Why Do We Fear Death?
     http://news.discovery.com/videos/why-tell-me-why-why-do-we-fear-death.html

How the Internet Has Changed the Way We View Death
     http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/oct/30/untangling-web-aleks-krotoski-death

How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the OWS Protests.
     http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/how-i-stopped-worrying-and-learned-to-love-the-ows-protests-20111110

Carrying an armchair to the edge of space
     http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=65629

Europe, according to... well, everybody
     http://www.zerohedge.com/news/europe-according

11 Sounds That Your Kids Have Probably Never Heard
     http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/106713

The U.S. government has a few job openings in Houston with some travel required
      http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/302967000

I don't think of my desk as being "messy." I think of it as "a wilderness of free association."  But THESE desks are NASTY!
      http://www.master-cleaners.co.uk/blog/untidy-office-desks/

Canada's new $100 plastic bill is all tricked out
     http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/11/canadas-new-plastic-100-bill-is-all-tricked-out.html

The Hidden Meaning of Tattoos
     http://www.neatorama.com/2011/03/10/the-hidden-meanings-of-tattoos/

How to Predict the Weather Without a Forecast
     http://www.wikihow.com/Predict-the-Weather-Without-a-Forecast

The Ridiculously Thorough Guide to Making Your Own Pizza
     http://billyreisinger.com/pizza.html

November 16, 2011

Troops -

My mom passed away last Thursday morning, and I haven't had time to put anything together for this week's mailing. 

I'll make it up next week with an extended issue.

Until then, stay safe, stay happy, and tell someone close to you that you love them.

 - Skip    ಠ_ಠ

November 9, 2011

   They say if you don't vote, then you can't complain.
   But what if you want to complain about not voting? 

Top of the Heap:  One of the best music sites I've found
     http://uwall.tv/

Japan, six months later
     http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2011/09/japan-marks-6-months-since-ear.html

I usually hit the brakes a few times to get tailgaters to back off, but this would work even better (Warning: NSFW language) (Thanks, Billy!)
     http://www.bitoffun.com/video_vault/do-not-tailgate.htm

When The Beatles Met Elvis
     http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15126945

15 Really Odd Geographical Facts
     http://www.theworldgeography.com/2011/06/15-really-odd-geographical-facts.html

15 Patron Saints for Modern Situations
     http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/105520

The Life and Legend of Rin Tin Tin
     http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/stories/rin-tin-tins-life-and-legend

Why Fingernails on Blackboards Sound So Horrible
     http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/11/chalk-board-fingernail-sound/

Facts in Photos
     http://oddstuffmagazine.com/facts-in-photos-50-pics.html

Five Ridiculous Animal Myths (That You Probably Believe)
     http://www.cracked.com/article_19527_5-ridiculous-animal-myths-that-you-probably-believe.html

16 Common Household Items With Secret Uses
     http://wildammo.com/2011/10/20/16-common-household-items-with-secret-uses/

Could a Russia-USA Rail Tunnel Be Built?
     http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15387714

          and, finally,

The Mystery of The Bright Spot on Uranus (insert childish chuckle here)
     http://www.skymania.com/wp/2011/10/mystery-of-bright-spot-on-uranus.html

November 2, 2011

  You'd think that with a name like "ESPN" they'd
   probably already know the score in advance. 

Top of the Heap:  What Occupy Wall Street. is about
      http://occupyamerica.crooksandliars.com/karoli/ows-about-justice-not-wealth-or-class

The Most Satisfying GIF on the Internets
     http://imgur.com/y1POi

How to clear a stuffy nose in 1-2 minutes
     http://www.normalbreathing.com/art-stuffy-nose-clear.php

20 Unusual Uses for Vinegar
     http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-vinegar-253/

20 Things You Didn't Know About... Fire
     http://discovermagazine.com/2011/oct/20-things-you-didnt-know-about-fire/

Japan invents flying spherical spy drones.  What could POSSIBLY go wrong?
     http://youtu.be/pF0uLnMoQZA

What's your number?
     http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15391515

Bryan Singer's Battlestar Galactica movie is underway
     http://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/film/bryan-singers-battlestar-galactica-movie-underway.html

Facebook's new "Trusted Friends" security feature
     http://techland.time.com/2011/10/28/facebook-announces-new-trusted-friends-security-feature/

Hey, HAL, y'ever wonder why computer voices are mostly female?
     http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/21/tech/innovation/female-computer-voices/index.html

Cool Astronomy Picture of the Day - the Waterfall Nebula
     http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap111024.html

Completely pointless Cosmic Plaything
     http://www.spielzeugz.de/html5/liquid-particles-3D/

Pictures from the filming of The Hobbit
     http://www.aintitcool.com/node/51787

8 Simple Questions Science Can't Answer
     http://www.cracked.com/article_19442_8-simple-questions-you-wont-believe-science-cant-answer.html

Wanna put yourself into a rainy mood?  Me neither.
     http://www.rainymood.com/#.Tqzi-nIsOIc.facebook

If you DO decide to build a guillotine, don't do this
     http://www.king5.com/news/cities/bellingham/Bellingham-man-cuts-off-own-arm-with-guillotine-132740773.html

14 Punctuation Marks You Never Knew Existed
     http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/13-punctuation-marks-that-you-never-knew-existed

October 31, 2011

  Since it IS Halloween, I took it upon myself to decorate 
  the place with some gravestones and skeletons.  For 
  some inexplicable reason, though, that didn't go over 
  all that well with the people here at the retirement home.

Top of the Heap:  Zombify Yourself for Halloween
     http://mashable.com/2010/10/25/make-me-zombie/

The 12 Most Convincing Real-Life Ghost Stories
     http://www.ranker.com/list/the-12-most-convincing-real-life-ghost-stories/wavy-gravey

Dunno who to go as for Halloween?  How about going as yourself?
     http://freshpics.blogspot.com/2011/10/japanese-company-creates-super.html

Six Seriously Spooky Cemetery Stories
     http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/104083

How Do You Make a Monster? Dissecting Vampires, Werewolves and Zombies
     http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/19700

The 10 People Who Open the Door When You're Trick or Treating
     http://www.collegehumor.com/article/6633134/the-10-people-who-open-the-door-while-youre-trick-or-treating

6 Scary Tricks That Amazed Us as Kids (Explained by Science)
     http://www.cracked.com/article_19506_6-scary-tricks-that-amazed-us-as-kids-explained-by-science.html

The ultimate collection of downloadable Halloween masks.
     http://superpunch.blogspot.com/2011/10/dozens-of-downloadable-masks.html

Feeling a little Buff?  Here are some Vampire Slayer Kits
     http://blogs.laweekly.com/stylecouncil/2009/10/vampire_hunting_kits_portable.php

A Comparison of Vampire Traits
     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_vampire_traits

The 7 Most Ridiculous Ghost Stories from Around the World. (Sort of NSFW)

25 Zombie Cakes.

The 6 Creepiest Places on Earth.

Where Monsters Come From.

Why Our Brains Love Horror Movies. The more you know, the more pleasure you can squeeze out of this weekend's offerings.

A Cosmic Halloween Gallery: things that go BOO in the night.

The Hidden Haunted History of 7 American Landmarks

13 Horror Movies and the 'True Stories' They're Based On.

The 12 Most Convincing Real-Life Ghost Stories.

Who Was Dr. Frankenstein?

Absolut Frankenstein

10 TV shows with the best Halloween specials. Sitcoms love the opportunity to break out of their formula and do something weird and different.

7 Burning Halloween Questions: Answered! Now you’ll know why you do the silly things you do on this silly holiday.

The 25 Creepiest Horror Movie Posters.

The Hierarchy of Monsters.

October 26, 2011

  Important Internet safety tip: If you want to see 
  pictures of Scarlett Johansson, make sure you
  don't accidentally Google "scarlet johnson."  

Top of the Heap:  Presented without comment:  Moments
     http://youtu.be/jNVPalNZD_I

How cool is this?  Boost Your WiFi Signal Range with an Empty Coke Can
     http://www.labnol.org/internet/increase-wifi-with-soda-can/20216/

Herman Cain's 9-9-9 Tax Plan in one very large graph
     http://alturl.com/mzrk6

Speaking of ol' Herman... check out this weird campaign ad starring his Chief of Staff
     http://thedailywh.at/2011/10/24/ineffective-political-ad-of-the-day/

Grandpa's video will. WARNING: this is absolutely NSFW.
     http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=64815

How to pronounce "banana" (and a buncha other words)
     http://www.neatorama.com/2011/10/19/how-to-pronounce-banana/

The 8 Most Wildly Irresponsible Vintage Toys
     http://www.cracked.com/article_19481_the-8-most-wildly-irresponsible-vintage-toys.html

The Most Relaxing Song Ever.  Just don't listen to it while driving
      http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2049948/Most-relaxing-song-UK-band-Boffins.html

The Top 50 Breakfasts in the World
     http://oddstuffmagazine.com/top-50-of-the-best-breakfasts-of-the-world.html

Being Elmo: 5 revelations about Sesame Street’s star
      http://theweek.com/article/index/220661/being-elmo-5-revelations-about-sesame-streets-star

Are You as Fit as a World War II GI?  (short answer:  no)
     http://artofmanliness.com/2011/09/12/are-you-as-fit-as-a-world-war-ii-gi/

Five Liquid Cures for Hangovers
     http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/cleanplatecharlie/2011/09/fort_lauderdale_hangover_cures.php

8 Terrifying Robots Now Stalking Your Local Hospital
     http://www.cracked.com/article_19465_8-terrifying-robots-now-stalking-your-local-hospital.html

For the gamers:  The 15 Best Racing Games
     http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/224004/the-15-best-racing-games/

5 Great Hidden Google Search Tips You Should Know About
     http://smashinghub.com/5-hidden-google-search-tips-that-you-should-know-about.htm