Click for bigger.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Peculiar Insect
I don't know what this is, but I wouldn't like to wake up with one on the end of my nose.
Monster the Singing Cat
Monster has a vocal chord condition that makes it sound like he's singing when he yawns.
Cave Bookcase
A Cave bookcase provides a private reading space within its form.
Books can be stored on both sides. It can also be used as a room partition.
Books can be stored on both sides. It can also be used as a room partition.
Bury your dead marriage
A New York divorcee has come up with a solution for failed marriages - a miniature coffin to lay those unwanted wedding rings to rest.
"Give a dead marriage its proper, final resting place,'' the company offering the miniature caskets says on its website.
"The Wedding Ring Coffin is the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one for bringing closure after a divorce. It's time to bury the past and move on to a new tomorrow,'' it says.
The 5cm by 15cm solid wood coffin has a black velvet ring insert, a choice of six brass plaques inscribed with messages including "I do NOT!'' and "Six feet isn't deep enough,'' and costs $US30.
"It's a way to acknowledge the death of a marriage and to physically and symbolically close the lid on that chapter of your life,'' said Jill Testa, who came up with the idea.
"Most people just stick their rings in the bottom of their jewellery box, in a corner of a sock or underwear drawer,'' said Ms Testa, who surprisingly describes her own divorce after 20 years of marriage as amicable.
Her company, Wedding Ring Coffin, even offers cards inviting people to join in your marriage wake, featuring the slogan: "You're invited to my divorce party. Join me as I close the lid on my marriage.''
"Give a dead marriage its proper, final resting place,'' the company offering the miniature caskets says on its website.
"The Wedding Ring Coffin is the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one for bringing closure after a divorce. It's time to bury the past and move on to a new tomorrow,'' it says.
The 5cm by 15cm solid wood coffin has a black velvet ring insert, a choice of six brass plaques inscribed with messages including "I do NOT!'' and "Six feet isn't deep enough,'' and costs $US30.
"It's a way to acknowledge the death of a marriage and to physically and symbolically close the lid on that chapter of your life,'' said Jill Testa, who came up with the idea.
"Most people just stick their rings in the bottom of their jewellery box, in a corner of a sock or underwear drawer,'' said Ms Testa, who surprisingly describes her own divorce after 20 years of marriage as amicable.
Her company, Wedding Ring Coffin, even offers cards inviting people to join in your marriage wake, featuring the slogan: "You're invited to my divorce party. Join me as I close the lid on my marriage.''
Making art out of geometry
A piece of public art called 3 Ellipses for 3 Locks has been created by a Swiss artist on one of the locks of Cardiff Bay barrage.
It was created by Felice Varini and is one of several pieces scattered around Europe.
If you stand in one particular spot on the barrage, all of the lines join up to form a set of concentric circles.
Felice Varini is known for his geometric perspective paintings of rooms and other spaces, using projector-stencil techniques.
His work consists of unconnected lines which form shapes if viewed from a particular angle. From other points, the marks look like splashes of colour.
According to art critic Joël Koskas: "A work of Varini is an anti-Mona Lisa."
There's a bigger photo here.
It was created by Felice Varini and is one of several pieces scattered around Europe.
If you stand in one particular spot on the barrage, all of the lines join up to form a set of concentric circles.
Felice Varini is known for his geometric perspective paintings of rooms and other spaces, using projector-stencil techniques.
His work consists of unconnected lines which form shapes if viewed from a particular angle. From other points, the marks look like splashes of colour.
According to art critic Joël Koskas: "A work of Varini is an anti-Mona Lisa."
There's a bigger photo here.
Attempted murder charge over frying pan attack
A man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a man, attacking him with a frying pan and hitting him with his car in western Queensland.
Police said two men, aged 26 and 27, got into a fight on the side of the Barkly Highway at Mount Isa about 6pm (AEST) yesterday.
The 26-year-old man allegedly stabbed the other man, hit him with the pan and attempted to run him over with his car.
The victim, who knows his alleged attacker, was treated at Mount Isa Base Hospital and has since been released.
The 26-year-old Mount Isa man will appear at Mount Isa Magistrates Court tomorrow on a string of charges including attempted murder.
Police said two men, aged 26 and 27, got into a fight on the side of the Barkly Highway at Mount Isa about 6pm (AEST) yesterday.
The 26-year-old man allegedly stabbed the other man, hit him with the pan and attempted to run him over with his car.
The victim, who knows his alleged attacker, was treated at Mount Isa Base Hospital and has since been released.
The 26-year-old Mount Isa man will appear at Mount Isa Magistrates Court tomorrow on a string of charges including attempted murder.
Rare striped rabbit spotted in Sumatra
One of the rarest species of rabbit in the world has been spotted for only the third time in the last 35 years.
The Sumatran striped rabbit was photographed in late January on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the Wildlife Conservation Society said.
The species is listed as critically endangered by the World Conservation Union, due to loss of habitat.
The rabbit was previously photographed in 2000, with the last sighting by a scientist back in 1972.
The Sumatran striped rabbit was photographed in late January on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the Wildlife Conservation Society said.
The species is listed as critically endangered by the World Conservation Union, due to loss of habitat.
The rabbit was previously photographed in 2000, with the last sighting by a scientist back in 1972.
Airline Blames Diet for Pilot Breath Test Failure
A pilot arrested on suspicion of being over the alcohol limit has been cleared after tests found heavy dieting had caused his breath to smell like drink.
The Virgin Atlantic employee - held at Heathrow on 31 March before a flight to New York - had failed a breathalyser.
But samples taken from the 47-year-old prove his blood-alcohol level was consistent with a non-drinker.
Scientists say low-carbohydrate diets can produce acetone in the body, which may fool breath test equipment.
The long-serving pilot was said to have been on a heavy diet for a long period.
The Virgin Atlantic employee - held at Heathrow on 31 March before a flight to New York - had failed a breathalyser.
But samples taken from the 47-year-old prove his blood-alcohol level was consistent with a non-drinker.
Scientists say low-carbohydrate diets can produce acetone in the body, which may fool breath test equipment.
The long-serving pilot was said to have been on a heavy diet for a long period.
Filipinos crucify and whip themselves to mark the death of Jesus Christ
More than a dozen Filipinos were nailed to crosses and scores more whipped their backs into a bloody pulp on Friday in a gory ritual to mark the death of Jesus Christ.
The voluntary crucifixions in the northern Philippines were the most extreme displays of religious devotion in this mainly Catholic country, where millions are praying and fasting ahead of the Easter weekend.
In the small village of Cutud, about 80 km (50 miles) north of Manila, seven men cried out as nails the size of pencils were driven into their hands and feet before they were hoisted up in the scorching heat.
Up to 20,000 people watched the spectacle, which has grown from a village production started in 1962 to a media and tourist attraction copied in other parts of the country.
The atmosphere was festive, with hawkers selling beer, ice-cream and souvenir whips. Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" blared out from speakers before the penitents approached the crosses.
The voluntary crucifixions in the northern Philippines were the most extreme displays of religious devotion in this mainly Catholic country, where millions are praying and fasting ahead of the Easter weekend.
In the small village of Cutud, about 80 km (50 miles) north of Manila, seven men cried out as nails the size of pencils were driven into their hands and feet before they were hoisted up in the scorching heat.
Up to 20,000 people watched the spectacle, which has grown from a village production started in 1962 to a media and tourist attraction copied in other parts of the country.
The atmosphere was festive, with hawkers selling beer, ice-cream and souvenir whips. Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" blared out from speakers before the penitents approached the crosses.
Dead man found with shoes missing
Police have named a man whose body was found on a footpath in Shropshire.
Neil Williams, 41, from Telford, was found on a housing estate in nearby Stirchley on Friday. His shoes, watch, belt, and money were missing.
Detectives said he may either have been the victim of a robbery or he collapsed for some medical reason and had items taken from him as he lay on the ground.
Police are keeping an open mind but have launched a major investigation, a spokesman said.
"Stealing a person's shoes is a particularly appalling and degrading thing to do and it seems all the more so when it happens over the Easter holiday period, when most people are trying to enjoy the long weekend."
Neil Williams, 41, from Telford, was found on a housing estate in nearby Stirchley on Friday. His shoes, watch, belt, and money were missing.
Detectives said he may either have been the victim of a robbery or he collapsed for some medical reason and had items taken from him as he lay on the ground.
Police are keeping an open mind but have launched a major investigation, a spokesman said.
"Stealing a person's shoes is a particularly appalling and degrading thing to do and it seems all the more so when it happens over the Easter holiday period, when most people are trying to enjoy the long weekend."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)