Clown News

Well-known burger clown controls Japanese minds with caffeine. Victims line up here.

Quote

"An artist never really finishes his work, he merely abandons it." - Paul Valery

Fact

There are more chickens than people in the world.

Nippon Too Crowded

I know the subways in Japan get pretty crowded, but this Tokyo wave pool...

More George

"No more gift registries. You know, it used to be just for weddings. Now it's for babies and new homes and graduations from rehab. Picking out the stuff you want and having other people buy it for you isn't gift giving, it's the white people version of looting." - George Carlin

Photos

Here's an entertaining photo site called Square America that features snapshots found at flea markets or purchased on EBay.

Best Of CraigsList

Tool for sale.

How To Let Musicians Down

A list by John Moe at McSweeney's.

Mugshots

Mugshots from 1920's Australia.

White House Manual To Deter Protest

I have been feeling that President Bush hasn't made a true public appearance in years, and now the Washington Post has this piece that pretty much confirms it for me. Of course protest is allowed but "preferably not in the view of the event site or motorcade route." I guess you can go protest at a bowling alley across town.
And this stuff about "rally squads" (Yikes):

"The rally squad's task is to use their signs and banners as shields between the demonstrators and the main press platform. If the demonstrators are yelling, rally squads can begin and lead supportive chants to drown out the protesters (USA!, USA!, USA!). As a last resort, security should remove the demonstrators from the event site."

And then three cheers for the Brown Shirts.

George Carlin

It often seems that as comedians age they soften up a bit and lose some of their edge. Not so for George Carlin. This seventy year old guy who is still pissed off continues to be insightful and wildly entertaining. An example:

"Just because your tattoo has Chinese characters in it doesn't make you spiritual. It's right above the crack of your ass. And it translates to "beef with broccoli." The last time you did anything spiritual, you were praying to God you weren't pregnant. You're not spiritual. You're just high."

Thanks for not mellowing, George.

Errol Morris Blog

Documentary filmmaker Errol Morris has begun writing a blog over at the New York Times about the manipulative power of photographs. First two columns here.

Shipwreck

Here are some images of the wreck of the the ship American Star off the coast of Morocco. Dramatic Google satellite image here. And surreal close photos via Fogonazos.

Very Short Film

the red house
running time: 54 seconds

Fact

China has more English speakers than the United States.

Clown News

National Geographic takes on the subject of "Coulrophobia", the fear of ...well, you know. Woman seeks help to overcome it here:

Fly Spy

Eavesdropping robotic fly via Technology Review.

Hal Fishman

Los Angeles lost one of its sons on Tuesday. KTLA newscaster Hal Fishman was the city's fatherly news figure for almost fifty years. Originally a teacher, he brought his professorial skills to his newscasts and commentaries. He was an author of two books, an avid fan of aviation, and a guy who gave me comfort with his consistency every weekday night at 10pm. And that hair was a thing unto itself!

Interview

A short exchange between friends about a young man's search for his biological father. Courtesy of StoryCorps.

U.S. Map As Baseball Teams

Here is a cool map for baseball fans from Strange Maps.