Category Archives: Random Stuff

Random thoughts, topics, and factoids you’ll be happy you read.

The new Planking craze

Planking is the action of lying face down with arms to the sides of the body, in unusual public spaces and photographing it. The term “planking” was coined in Australia and became a fad in 2011. The fad has led to people trying to outdo each other by planking in unusual or dangerous locations.

On 15 May 2011, Acton Beale, a 20-year-old male, plunged to his death after reportedly “planking” on a seventh-floor balcony in Brisbane, Australia.

Here is a news report on it. Photos of it can be viewed here on the official Facebook Page for Plankers.

This image is NOT a painting

This image is NOT a painting. Nor is it a Photoshop job or an artist’s rendering. It’s a photograph, taken by National Geographic’s Frans Lanting. The photograph is of some camel thorn trees in Namib-Naukluft Parkin the Namib Desert in Africa (considered the world’s oldest desert).

The trees and sand look real when viewed closely. The orange backdrop? That’s a dune reflecting Namibia’s rising sun. The white bits are plants growing on the dune, and the orange is the sand itself. If you go to the site and look at the larger version, it’s a lot more obvious.

It is hard to believe this has not been manipulated. The image is simply stunning.

Camel Thorn Trees, Namibia

Photograph by Frans Lanting, National Geographic

13 Crazy Facts About Friday the 13th

friday-13th
1. Infamous murderers Charles Manson, Harold Shipman, Frederick West, Saddam Hussein, Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, and Jack the Ripper each have 13 letters in their names.

2. The fear of Friday the 13th is called Friggatriskaidekaphobia, and more than 60 million people worldwide claim to be affected by it. Napoleon and President Herbert Hoover were said to be sufferers.

3. In Formula 1, there is no car with the number 13. The number has been removed after two drivers were killed in crashes — both driving cars numbered 13.

4. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month and would never host 13 guests at a meal.

5. Sean Cunningham (Director) started advertising the movie Friday the 13th before the script was even finished.

6. Black Sabbath’s eponymous debut album was released in the UK on Friday, February 13, 1970.

7. The independent horror flick Friday the 13th was released in May 1980 and despite only having a budget of $550,000 it grossed $39.7 million at the box office in the United States.

6. Harry Manfredini (Film Composer) came up with the sound “ki ki ki, ma ma ma”, based on the line “Kill her mommy!” The creepiness of it was done by speaking the line and running it through a an echo reverberation machine.

7. The remake of the original Friday the 13th film was released on Friday, February 13, 2009.

8. Notable people born on Friday the 13th include Fidel Castro, notorious American train and bank robber Butch Cassidy, and Steve Buscemi (13 December 1957).

9. Tupac Shakur died on Friday, September 13, 1996.

10. The Uruguayan rugby team’s plane crashed in the Andes mountain range on Friday, 13 October, 1972.

11. Many hospitals and hotels have no room or floor 13, while airports don’t have a Gate 13.

12. Months with a Friday the 13th always begin on a Sunday.

13. Judas was the 13th guest at the last supper and that dinner party didn’t have the luckiest consequences. The idea that having 13 guests at a gathering is unlucky is not uncommon.

Terrorist hostage-taker photo backdrop

Dutch artist Helmut Smits art installations are usually controversial, but ‘Photo Tip’ definitely pushes takes it to the next level. ‘Photo Tip’ is a new art installation that lets people take a photo in front of a terrorist hostage-taker backdrop.

Would it be in bad taste to do this as a Christmas card? Jusk asking.
(via Helmut Smits)
Dutch artist Helmut Smits’Source: Trend Central

Source: Trend Central

Inspirational graffiti


(via The Meta Picture)

The story of Tom Brusko

I am a firm believer that a good percentage of the homeless people in America choose to stay on the streets rather than take the help that is out there for them. I also know that mental illness, addiction, and any criminal record basically ruins any chances of getting a job or qualifying for a place to live if you ae trying to do it all by yourself. This can be a life sentence for those who truly want to right their wrongs and contribute to society again.

I think we as Americans need to look more at helping those in need on our own streets before cutting a check to help those in other countries. You don’t have to give cash to a guy like Vietnam vet Tom Brusko (shown in video below). Sometimes a hamburger, some toiletries, or pair of tennis shoes can give them the hope that someone cares and that they should keep going. I don’t care what political party you are part of, helping people without judging should just happen once in awhile.

Watch this story about a homeless Vietnam vet named Tom Brusko (a.k.a., Epic Beard Man)  in Oakland. He may have done this to himself, but he’s hurting and that sucks. There are millions like him across the U.S. Maybe this will encourage you to not look away next time you see someone like him.

(via)

Happy 70th Birthday, Bob!

Minnesotans love to claim Dylan as one of their own. He is, after all, one of our most successful exports. Anyway, Bob Dylan turns 70 years old on May 24th. Rolling Stone has a nice write-up in honor of Dylan and his music. Check it out here.

Bob Dylan's First-Ever China Concert

Source: LIU JIN/AFP/Getty Bob Dylan's First-Ever China Concert

Spring has sprung on the Dutch countryside

Spring has sprung on the Dutch countryside. The vibrant blues, reds, pinks and yellows sprawl as far as the eye can see in Lisse, western Netherlands, where farmers hope to make huge profits selling them to florists and supermarkets around the world. The fields can hold over 60 million tulips at any one time. Today Holland produces more than nine billion bulbs every year, of which two thirds are exported overseas (mainly to the U.S. and Germany).

Photo Source: EPA / Daily Mail

Photo Source: EPA / Daily Mail

Photo Source: EPA / Daily Mail

Photo Source: EPA / Daily Mail

Photo Source: EPA / Daily MailPhoto Source: EPA / Daily MailPhoto Source: EPA / Daily MailPhoto Source: EPA / Daily MailPhoto Source: EPA / Daily Mail

(via Daily Mail)

Label your power cords

Here is a simple, yet brilliant, way to label all of those power cables in your power strip.

power cord organizer
(via The Meta Picture)

The People of Walmart

I try to avoid Walmart. This video explains why.

(via TO)