All Thrifty States

Jenna, an out of work journalist and Earth lover, created a web site to showcase her journey into Thrift Stores around the United States. Her goal is to discover what Americans consume and throw away.

Link via Inhabitat

 

NFB/Interactive's Welcome to Pine Point

Imagine growing up in a small mining town only to have that town disappear. What happens to your childhood memories? Will the residents continue to have any sense of belonging? In a collaborative effort by Adbusters creative team Paul Shoebridge and Michael Simons with former resident Robert Cloutier, and funding from the NFB of Canada, produce an online interactive web site to bring the history and culture of Pine Pointers, a former small town in the Northwest Territories.

It is a beautiful and interactive documentary of Pine Point.

 

Klepto Kitty

This kitty likes to scavenge and collect items. Lots of different items including clothing, shoes and toes. This kitty looks like my kitty.



Friendly stingray slaughtered in front of screaming children

In Hamelin Bay, Australia (I have actually visited this Bay), a friendly stingray named Stumpy was hunted in front of screaming children. This stingray would approach children and tourists in the shallows of the Bay and allow itself to be petted.



Hunting stingrays is not illegal in this area of Australia, but it is shocking that it was done to this particular sea creature in front of children. Sad story indeed.

Link via Arbroath

 

Sea Turtle Objects to Underwater Wedding

A couple's underwater wedding ceremony in the London Aquarium was crashed by a sea turtle.



Link via Arbroath

 

Take Me Home Tonight Cast Reenacts Every '80s Movie



Link via Neatorama

 

Simpsons house as a Quake III level



Link via BoingBoing

 

RMR: Rick at Heavy Equipment School



RMR: Rick and Concrete Toboggans



 

Friendship

Thirteen stories about surprising animal friendships. The story about the Lion, Tiger and Bear is probably my favourite.



Link via Neatorama

 

Cats Play with iPads



 

Sustainable Wind Bridge

A bridge designed by Francesco Colarossi, Giovanna Saracino and Luisa Saracino to generate wind power is still on paper. But if constructed, it will generate 40 million kWh per year.



Link via Neatorama

 

Kitten In Slow Motion



 

Stray dog saves boy in Siberia

A stray dog in Siberia saved a young boy who was feeding ducks and had fallen into a frozen pond. The dogs barking alerted Tatiyana Balashov, a volunteer who feeds stray dogs, who alerted utility workers close by. The dog, Naida, has since been adopted by a loving family in a village nearby.



Link via Arbroath

 

Processed Food Linked to Lower IQs

Researchers discovered a link between children eating processed foods aged three and under to lower Intelligence Quotient (IQ). These findings sounds reasonable because children development is so critical in the early years. I can not fathom feeding your little one garbage full of chemicals and additives.

Link via The Consumerist

 

Children Swim with Polar Bears

I was a bit skeptical when I read this article, but apparently at Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat near Ontario (a family resort) children can swim next to polar bears separated by a 25 cm (10-inch-thick) glass wall. I only hope this bear habitat is a natural, eco-friendly habitat that is not merely a cheap, tourist attraction.



Link via Arbroath

 

Cheetah Cam

The Smithsonian Zoo has a new Cheetah Cam. The cam shows a female Cheetah and her new cubs.

I am fond of their Octopus Cam.

 

Corgis Playing Tetherball

These two Corgis playing tetherball is rather amazing.



Link via Neatorama

 

Luxurious Bird Mansions

John Looser, of Ontario, designs and builds buildings for birds. These structures cost upwards of thousands of dollars and take a week to a month to build. Some buildings have swimming pools.



Link via Neatorama

 

Animal Friendships

These stories always melt my heart. Why can't two different species defined by stereotypes to be enemies be best friends?



Link via Neatorama

 

Wine Store Mishap



Link via Arbroath

 

22 Ways to Reuse an Altoids Tin

I am a big fan of reinventing new uses for old products. But an Altoids Tin? Apparently, The Art of Manliness discovered many things an Altoids Tin can be reused for.

Link via Neatorama

 

Top 10 Superbowl Ads

I am not a fan of American football, but I do watch the halftime show (which was Meh this year) and the Superbowl commercials. My favourite to this day is still the Cat Rancher commercial. Oddee has selected the Top 10 Best Superbowl Commercials.



Link via Neatorama

 

Listening to: Natalie Merchant - Wonder

 

Dog gets prosthetic paw

A Tennessee couple's 9-year-old Siberian husky, Polo, was run over in the drive-way and the couple was faced with limited and expensive decisions regarding the pet's crushed paw. Expensive surgery costing upwards of thousands of dollars or amputate the leg and hope Polo could continue as a three-legged dog. Another alternative was to fit him for a prosthetic leg.

Link via Arbroath

 

Squirrel vs Obstacle Course



Link via BoingBoing

 

Google Autocomplete

Have you ever tried experimenting with Google autocomplete? You can come up with some very interesting (and surprising) searches. It also is funny how Google chooses to censor certain searches (illegal content, children, sexuality, etc.). But did you know it can be used to find out how to create meth, kidnap a child or make mustard gas?

Link via BoingBoing

 

Frozen Bubbles

I have seen a YouTube video of a women who throws a cup of boiling water in -30C air and the water instantly turns into snow. But what about frozen bubbles?



Photographer Tom Falconer

Link via Neatorama

 

Bob Staake's Look! A Book!

I am a huge fan of children's books every since my parents read me bedtime stories or took me to the local library. I am a huge fan of Richard Scary's books.



Bob Staake, a New Yorker illustrator, has published a new children's book titled Look! A Book! full of beautiful illustrations that any child would love as a gift.

 

2011 Best Picture Nominee Posters in Lego Form

I still a huge fan of Lego and thanks to the Internet I get to view and praise Lego animations and designs. Old Red Jalopy has created Lego revisions of the Best Picture Nominee posters for 2011. I think my favourite is the one for Winter's Bone.



Link via Next Movie

 

Simpsons Action Hero: The McBain Movie

I am a huge Simpsons fan. Recently, I watched the Simpsons Movie with director Matt Groening's and voice actor's commentary and it was fantastic. Their comments were full of insights, interesting facts, and original thoughts on the production of the movie.

Another fun fact about the Simpsons television series is if you arrange all the McBain clips together, you can form a four minute McBain movie.



Link via Neatorama

 

Listening to: Cyndi Lauper - Change of Heart

 

Happy Lunar New Year!

 



Link via Flickr Blog

 

Day Without Chemistry

The American Chemical Society produced a video to raise awareness of the many ways we depend on chemistry in our daily lives. The International Year of Chemistry (IYC) officially begins on February 1st.



Link via Neatorama

 

United States Map of Shame

A few United States map have been created: United States Food by State and The Economist's Comparing US states with countries.

But what is the embarrassing overall shame of each individual state in the United States? Some issues are expected, others are very surprising to discover.



Link via Pleated Jeans

 

Turkey Attacks Mail Truck

For some reason, a wild turkey in Cape Cod decided to chase and attack a United States mail truck. He proudly displays his masculinity by banging the side of the truck and chasing it down the street. The mail carrier is cautious and tries to speed up when the turkey stops. But the persistent turkey continues to follow him down the road.



Link via Arbroath

 

Dog found 18 miles out to sea adopted by rescuers

A dog rescued at sea over a year ago by a Polish sea vessel has celebrated his one-year anniversary gaining his sea legs aboard the ship with the crew that adopted him. He lives on the ship, but continues to dislike rough waters.



Link via Arborath

 

German Tiger Receives Artificial Hip

An eight-year-old German tiger received an artificial hip, the first tiger in the world to receive a prosthetic hip designed for dogs. The tiger has been suffering from arthritis, so the zoo asked the operation was performed by vets from the University of Leipzig.



The vets donated their time to perform the operation free of charge. Malaysian tigers usually live to about 20 years.

Link via Arbroath

 

Listening to: Veruca Salt - Seether

 

Kangaroo kicks man into water



 

Crazy Contraband

One can imagine simple examples of confiscated contraband by authorities. But what about live animals and just plain weird items?

Link via BoingBoing

 

Cat lives in tree

A cat gave birth to some kittens in a Maple tree in Wisconsin. One of the kittens stayed in the tree when the mother cat and kittens left. A friendly neighbourhood man decided to make the tree more comfortable for the kitten and feed it milk and meatloaf. Thus, the kitten has decided to remain living in the tree.



Link via Arbroath

 

Slacklining at the Totempole

Slacklining at the Totempole in Tasmania. It´s a 65m high and only 4 m thick spire that connects the totempole with the mainland. Length of the slackline is 17m, climber is Jens from Saxony.



 

Little Big Planet One Take

A live-action video by talented performers of my favourite game on Play Station.



 

Ollie

Ollie the stray cat who lives in Manchester Airport is being sent postcards from around the world. Ollie first received a hand-written postcard from Egypt a year ago and continues to receive postcards from Rome, Belgrade and Venice.



Link via Arboroath

 

Serial Killer Barbie

What if American girl-next-door Barbie was actually a serial killer? Artist Mariel Clayton has created a series of dioramas to explore Barbies darker alter ego.



Link via The Frisky



Link via Neatorama

 

Book Origami

El Paso-based artist Isaac Salazar folds and cuts pages of books to create word-inspired art. Salazar's creations are available on Esty.



Link via Neatorama

 

Mom Unplugs Teens For Six Months

I don't know how she managed to do it, but Susan Maushart took away television, iPods, cell phones and video games from her three teenagers for six months. The transition was dramatic for some of children more than others, but gradually school grades improved, family dinners, movie and board game nights become common and fun again, and hobbies and interests developed. The social-networking and technological experiment proved insightful, but Maushart learned limited access improved family quality and lifestyle fulfillment.

 

Cult of Less

Chris Yurista, a Washington DC resident, says digital technology has replaced his need for a home filled with materiel possessions. The 27-year-old left his apartment a year ago and has not looked back. Kelly Sutton decided to downsize his material possessions and live out of a backpack with a laptop, an iPad, an Amazon Kindle, two external hard drives, a "few" articles of clothing, bed sheets, and a bike. The 22-year-old software engineer, who founded CultofLess.com, now lives in a tiny, minimalist apartment.

I worry about the cultural shift to increasing social interaction only by technology. There is less personal and physical interaction and more frequent short, burst communicative bites that are of less quality and empathy. People are becoming so sensitive to Facebook statuses, walking and driving while texting, and checking emails at dinner. People do not even hesitate as to whether to engage in these behaviors.

Link via BBC News

 

Listening to: Queen - Radio Gaga

 

An Austrian woman hacked her Ikea expedit bookshelf to create a five star Hamster resort.



Link via Boing Boing

 

Fire Hero

Chris Marion of New Jersey built a propane fire art installation that choreographs fire to AC/DC's Back in Black



 

With all the natural disasters and political strife in the world, one wonders if the Mayan prediction of the world coming to end has some street cred. Nah.

 

Canoeing in McDonalds

A reporter canoeing through a McDonald's in Brisbane. Can I get fries with that?



 

Listening to: Way Out West - Mindcircus (Gabriel & Dresden Mix)

 

Say, Can You See

At a Norfolk Admirals hockey game in Virginia, 8-year-old Elizabeth Hughes was doing a good job singing the United States anthem when her microphone stopped working. Nonetheless, she got a little help from her friends.



Link via reddit


It Gets Better Canada

A group of famous, literary and media GLBT Canadians share their personal experiences for the It Gets Better campaign.



 

TED Talk: Arianna Huffington

Arianna says the simplest way to be more successful is to get more sleep.

Two and a half years ago Arianna Huffington fainted from exhaustion, hitting her head on the way down. She had to get five stitches near her eye. Shortly after the accident, she became an advocate for getting more sleep.

Here she is at the TED Women conference telling attendees about the benefits of sleep.

 

A great Should I Work For Free chart by Jessica Hische.

 

Listening to: Goldfrapp - Ooh La La

 

8-Bit NES Lego Animation by Andrew Jive



 

Fluorescein

Recently the Goldstream river on Vancouver Island turned green. Investigators determined that the river was contaminated with Fluorescein is a synthetic organic compound soluble in water and alcohol and now harm would come to plants or animals.

 

Children are Introduced to Vintage Technology



 

Lion and tiger cubs heard sheep in South Africa.



Link via Arborath

 

Listening to: Metric - Gimmie Sympathy

 

Life is New

From BBC Earth.



 

Kitty vs. Spinning Spider

Kitty is a deaf kitten who loves to play with a robotic spider.



 

Jack Tripper the Amazing Eyeless Kitty

A spayed cat somehow gave birth to a single kitten she was unable to nurse. The kitten, Jack, was born without eyes. Jack was adopted by a neighbourhood family.



Jack is able to run, jump and play like any other kitten. What a great story.

 

Cat Who Likes To Fetch



 

Listening to: MGMT - Kids

 

A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa




Maru's Christmas Stocking

Maru plays with a Christmas Stocking, fishes and catches a cat nap.




RMR: Rick and Habitat for Humanity

Rick Mercer goes to Regina, Saskatchewan, to volunteer with RCMP cadets to build a house for Habitat For Humanity.




RMR: Bear Tagging

Rick Mercer visits Algonquin Park to help a Park Ranger and students tag a mother Black Bear and weigh her cubs.



 

Listening to: Metric - Gold Guns Girls

 

Canadian Bison Pet Rides Shotgun

A Canadian couple in Alberta has a pet bison who rides shotgun and drinks beer.



 

Santa Stops By

A Santa in Winnipeg gives out presents to random strangers.



 

Simon's Cat in 'Santa Claws'



 

The Cat Diaries



 

Funny photos of cat snowmen.

 

A cover of the Song of Healing from The Legend of Zelda with wine glasses.



 

Natalie Time Lapse: Birth to 10 years old



 

Santa Sleighs Rain or Shine

This past weekend, I went to Victoria with great friends to sleigh ride with about 80 Santas for the annual SantaCon. It was great fun! It was lovely to reconnect with wonderful Slacktorians I had not seen since the summer. I also got to get to know some new friends a little more. Always wonderful to spread merry cheer and feel red-n-white fuzzy.

Prior to Santa, we got to try a delicious Pig BBQ joint for lunch. The pulled pork poutine is amazing! Little did we know an undercover Santa was giggling at us from the kitchen.

I love walking around and wishing families Happy Holidays and giving the little ones candy canes. After going for 14 hours through 7 international destinations, this Santa pulled her sleigh into the Bunny B&B to take off her big black boots and rest her weary feet. Surprisingly after many years, Santa was allowed into the Bengal Lounge at the Fairmont Empress. It was so elegant and lovely.

Listening to: Amy Grant - Sleigh Ride

 

I am a huge fan of classic video games. So when I saw these video game bento box lunches, I melted in a tee-hee fashion.

What were these people thinking? I can appreciate anyone wishing to permanently ink their skin for life with creative artistry, but a bacon tattoo? Believe me, I am one of the biggest fans of bacon worship, but really.

My friend Jesse's question was selected to be answered by the Old Spice Guy. It's rather awesome.



Listening to: Tiësto feat. Tegan & Sara - Feel It In My Bones

 

Thanksgiving

A 28 year old Sydney fellow named James West has been receiving annual Thanksgiving emails from a family in Florida. After three years, James decided to try an online plea to track down the Tran Family and attend their annual Thanksgiving family dinner. He is also trying to track down the actual James West family member.

This is the first video of a three-part series.



 

Talented hoop performer Ethan Law.

 

Yesterday Didn't Happen



 

A cartoon by Dan Meth about Early Adopters of Technology.

This week, I was inspired by my girl friend's boyfriend's talented vegetarian cooking finesse, I made whole wheat pasta with Yves sausage, eggplant and peppers. Surprisingly delicious! Even the leftovers were hearty and comforting during the temperature drop sprinkled with snow flurries.

Recently, tried Wii Sports Bowling. I scored 212 on my first try. I love Wii and the console games because the design gets you off the couch and is so interactive. Brilliant! I particularly enjoy the karaoke games.

I started watching the Tudors. An amazing Canadian produced show that has beautiful set design, costumes, wonderfully written and acted.

Listening to: Hall & Oates - Adult Education