And The Dog Ate His Homework

Just one of Avery's lame excuses for not blogging:

"A raccoon promised it would ghost blog for me if I left it food on the porch. The little bastard lied to me."

LOLcat of Death

By now you've all heard of Oscar, the death predicting feline. Miss Cellania made my day with this LOLcat of death collection.

I Support Sloth

Show your support for the Seven Deadly Sins with these lovely wristbands.
Via Linkbunnies

Dad's gonna kill me

Richard Thompson's Baghdad's gonna kill me

Via Grow a Brain

Glaniad

Glaniad

I became interested in this community after reading Bruce Chatwin's In Patagonia a number of years ago. Everything I need to know about it is on this website. It tells the story of the Welsh emigrants who settled in Patagonia, South America, during the late 19th century. Their aim was to settle in a place where they would be able to live and worship freely as Welsh people, and preserve their language and traditions.

Thanks Plep

Visit Pere Lachaise Cemetery

Visite virtuelle du Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise

Via Neatorama

Want Some Dead Memorabilia?

The man who bought Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia's home (pictured above) 10 years ago is selling everything, including the kitchen sink. All items sold will benefit the Sophia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, that supports children and families in transition after separation or divorce and the family law court system.

Items for sale include:

two NHT stereo speakers stereo equipment cabinet CD/DVD cabinet a two person Jacuzzi with Kohler brass/chrome faucets from Jerry's Master Bedroom suite one Kohler bidet from Jerry's Master Bedroom suite two granite counter tops and custom kitchen cabinets three sets of Kohler brass/chrome bathroom faucets large wall mirrors, two round top and two rectangular Elkay-Lustertone double stainless steel kitchen sink one Broan trash compactor six brass carriage lamps and other, smaller curiosities.

Check it out on ebay
Via Information Junk

World's Most Interesting Bridges

This article is written by Joshua S. Hill, from My Writing Voice for Dark Roasted Blend. The bridges he chooses may not be the most obvious candidates for the World's Most Amazing Bridges, like San Francisco's Golden Gate bridge, Rialto bridge in Venice, Vancouver's Lion's Gate bridge, or Millau bridge in France.

I'm partial to the quaint old ones like the Rialto pictured above but there are some amazing modern feats of engineering here as well.

Flight of the Conchords

"The musical comedy act comprised of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement who, in their own words used to be 'New Zealand's 4th most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo'. Now they are 'the almost award-winning fourth-most-popular folk duo in New Zealand.'."

When The Sopranos ended I thought I might never again find something on TV to fill the gaping hole where Tony and Carmela used to dwell. There's always Coronation Street , of course, but it doesn't do the whole trick and I just don't like John From Cincinnati. Then I discovered Flight of the Conchords and life is good once more. I'm sure you're all light years ahead of me and are already regular viewers. If not, get on it pronto. It's hilarious!

In-Spiring

Russian Cathedral for All Religions in Tatarstan:

"It unifies 16 different religions: different branches of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and some more."

Hello Kitty, You Look Ridiculous

Japan's Hello Kitty Cat Humiliation System

"It's basically a hat, bib, collar and carrying bag to turn your cat into the saddest, most ridiculous-looking cat on the block."

Via B.A.'s Weblog

Tusk,tusk,tusk

Dentist takes insurers to task over tusk prank

"A dentist who implanted temporary fake boar tusks into an assistant's mouth while she was under anaesthetic then took photographs of her has won his case against an insurance firm which refused to pay out after the assistant sued him for $250,000"

Bring me something to drink or I kill the dog!

French expressions you won't learn at school...
Via Look At This

Music That Tastes Good

The vegetable orchestra

Via Cruel.com

Stirling prize nominees

The shortlist has been announced for the RIBA's prestigious Stirling prize for architecture. Here are the six nominees for you to make your own mind up.

Think outside the bottle

I never pass up an opportunity to rant about the wrongheadedness of drinking bottled water; much of it, like Aquafina and Dasani, is simply bottled tap water. Do I seem a little over the top about it? Perhaps all that tap water I drink has addled my brain.

Aquafina labels to show tap water use

San Francisco's mayor banned city employees from using city funds to buy bottled water when tap water is available. Ann Arbor, Michigan passed a resolution banning commercially bottled water at city events and Salt Lake City, Utah asked department heads to eliminate bottled water.

Critics charge the bottled water industry adds plastic to landfills, uses too much energy by producing and shipping bottles across the world and undermines confidence in the safety and cleanliness of public water supplies, all while much of the world's population is without access to clean water.

Translations of women's writing before 1700

Other Women's Voices

The site offers an introduction to over 125 women who wrote a substantial amount before 1700 and whose work (or at least a good part of it) has been translated into modern English. All but three entries are on women who wrote in languages other than English; those three are on women who wrote in the English of the 1300s and 1400s.

Via Wood's Lot

Steveology

I may not know much but I do know my Stevens from my Stephens. Fat lot of good it'll do me!

Earn Your PhV!



Score: 90% (9 out of 10)

Is This Cute Or What?

MILITANTPLATYPUS Genius!

Fruit From Washington

Exaggerated Fruit and Novelty Postcards

Fruit From Washington has come across some great examples of exaggerated farm products and other humorous old postcards with an agricultural, fruit, vegetable or berry theme, as well as some classic beauties.

Pretty postcards via Linkfilter

Good Advice

Things I wish I’d known when I was younger is a list of useful lessons that may help you avoid making mistakes in life. Unfortunately this comes too late for The Nag.

I, never a dedicated follower of fashion, like this one:

Following the latest fashion, in work or in life, is spiritual and intellectual suicide. You can be a cheap imitation of the ideal of the moment; or you can be a unique individual. The choice is yours. Religion isn’t the opiate of the masses, fashion is.

The Impotence of Proofreading

The Impotence of Proofreading By Taylor Mali

Via Aardvark

So this is why Baby Nag collects Pez dispensers!

Baby Nag has a great collection of Pez dispensers. I always thought it was such a sweet little hobby but apparently it has a seamy underbelly!

This is one of three or four known ads from PEZ that featured a nude photograph. It is unknown how many nude ads were created by PEZ. T

The ad says "You'll enjoy the new play idea of PEZ". This ad was created to call attention to the new dispenser costumes that were being packaged in with the dispensers and candy.o t

he new dispenser costumetoThe Sexy Side of PEZ! Via Ectoplasmosisu'll s that were being packaged in with the dispenserscandy.

Canadian History a la Shatner

I like The Shatner Show ,a revisionist view of my history.
Via BB-Blog

The Which Lolcat Are You? Test

Your Score: Lion Warning Cat 80% Affectionate, 62% Excitable, 31% Hungry You are the good Samaritan of the lolcat world. Protecting others from danger by shouting observations and guidance in cases of imminent threat, you believe in the well-being of everyone. Link: The Which Lolcat Are You? Test

A Two Stooges Moment

Mr. Nag and I, as if performing some sort of nocturnal ballet, rolled toward the centre of the bed simultaneously and with enough velocity to give each other a skull shattering headbutt. Very stoogelike but instead of going,"Nyuk nyuk, nyuk" we moaned in pain.

Chinese Public Health Posters

Blort's back with some great links including this collection of Chinese Public Health Posters

Skittles

Wish everything you touched would turn into a sugary snack? Be careful what you wish for. A video about Skittles from Creativity Online.

Via DesignObserver

The Talking Heads Have Always Ruled

I fell in love with The Talking Heads the first time I heard them and my love has never wavered for a moment. My friends were puzzled,"You still like those guys?". Here's a great collection of videos via Metafilter.
Psycho Killer; Stay Hungry; Cities; I Zimbra; Drugs; Take Me to the River; Crosseyed and Painless; Life During Wartime; Houses in Motion; Born under Punches; and The Great Curve.

Tammy Faye Messner: 1942-2007

A very long time ago I used to laugh at Tammy Faye Bakker's runny makeup (why didn's she use the waterproof stuff?). I used to jokingly call one of my sisters "Tammy Faye" because she was also heavy handed with the mascara. I admit to taking some satisfaction from the fall from grace of the 700 Club and her sleazy husband, Jim Bakker. Then I forgot about her. Last year Nag Jr., a true junk TV addict, convinced me to watch a Surreal Life marathon with him. Tammy Faye was a ray of sunshine on that show, down to earth, spunky and kind. Much to my surprise I couldn't help but like her.

Here is an article that is a little different than the obituaries that are all over the web today;
Tammy Faye Messner: 1942-2007 What Is Beauty?

Two days ago Tammy Faye weighed 65 pounds. She had cancer that went to her lungs. My reason for bringing her image here is not to discuss her life, but this act, her last public act, that she initiated, calling Larry King and asking to be on his show… to literally give an ‘end time’ public view of what those of us who have worked in hospice long before it was ever called hospice, have seen often… but a view that is often shut away from the public… only those who have loved their loved ones to the end and past the end… see how the body even though diminished, can still carry enormous spirit.

My Garden

Loads of these incredibly fragrant lilies today.

Stieglitz Photographs

This very good Stieglitz Interactive Tour shows us how to look at his photographs in a more informed way.

Via Rashomon

Yet Another Reason Not To Shop At Walmart

Toxic Flip Flops

Hi all! For those of you who don't know, I used to work at Walmart for a short time, but quit.
Before I quit though I did buy a pair of cheepie flip flops to wear over a weekend trip to the beach, Long Boat Key April 20th to be exact.

Boy, was she sorry! . I'm sure there's at least one real wuss out there who'll complain if I post stomach-churning photos so I am showing you an early picture of this woman's chemical burns - it gets much worse. The positive part of ths story is that she paid only $2.44 for the toxic Chinese-manufactured flip flops.
Via Reddit

They Should Take My License Away

How's My Parking? It's tougher than it looks.
Via Found On the Web

World's Top Blog

Chinese actor writes world's top blog

There are blogs that are popular, with thousands of hits every day; there are plenty more that are not so hot, lucky to get 10 page views a week. Then there is Xu Jinglei's blog, which can pull in visitors at a rate of more than 100 every second.

You Support the War, Do You Plan To Enlist?

Generation Chickenhawk: With The College Republicans

Max Blumenthal video via BoingBoing

Paris Panorama

Paris by night
Via In Paris Now

Linda Evangelista and The Simpsons do Paris

Red Carpet Style Awards:
This is the most adorable fashion spread ever by Harpers Bazaar. It features the Linda Evangelista and The Simpson wearing various designs from Fall 2007 collections.

Via Coudal

Oh Deer

Bubba Loves It
Via B.A.'s Weblog

Look Good, Do Good

Recycled Juice Bags are helping impoverished communities, as they are made by a women's cooperative in the Philippines. Working for this award-winning organisation makes a genuine difference because almost all of the women are their family's main breadwinner. So as well as getting a highly original, head-turning bag, you'll be improving lives and helping to elevate people out of poverty.

Recycled Juice Bags
Via Spluch

Satan will rain down your throat with hot acid and dissolve your testicles

I haven't been out to a movie in quite awhile. I have a huge TV which I like to watch while drinking wine and dressed in a ratty bathrobe. That's my idea of living. Pathetic, or what? I'm old enough to remember those snacks on parade at the movies but I guess the snacks have got to be firmer today to deal with a tougher audience.

Thanks YesButNoButYes

Stitch this, muthafucka

Mitch O'Connell Embroidery Patterns: Sure, these gals look great, but just don't cross 'em!

(And The Nag thought embroidery was just for the blue-rinse set)

Via Boing Boing

Avert Your Eyes If You Don't Like Ugly

Top dog in my menagerie of pet peeves right now is the drone of a mosquito as soon as I turn out the light and try to sleep. Mr. Nag never gets bitten, perhaps because he's using me as a decoy. Apparently I have a body only a mosquito could love. I took a little walk through my garden just now and got 13!!! bites on my legs - large, ugly misshapen ones (the bites, I mean, although now that I reflect the legs are not as shapely as they once were). I'm not usually paranoid but the words "West Nile Virus" are beginning to take on a new significance.

Edit: I can't believe I forgot to mention the unbearable itch!

Piazza Navona

A collection of photos of one of my favourite squares (actually a rectangle) in Rome, Piazza Navona

Competition in the industry is stiff

The Top 10 Weirdest and Funniest Japanese Condoms

Japan boasts more condoms used per person per year than any other country. To get ahead in the race for safe sex supremacy, Japanese consumers are being treated to innovative market thrusts that are by turns interesting, unusual and downright weird.

Soviet Architecture in Cartoons

Another collection of goodies from English Russia

Worried about losing your election?

Incarcerex: It's Time for a New Bottom Line
via B.A.'s Weblog

We're Number 5

Yo, Jamaica and The Netherlands, eat our dust!

The true North, stoned and free:
Percentage of the population aged 15-64 who have used marijuana within the past year:

Papua New Guinea 29.5

Micronesia 29.1

Ghana 21.5

Zambia 17.7

Canada 16.8

United States 12.6

Jamaica 10.7

England 8.7

Netherlands 6.1

Mexico 3.1

History of Quebec

l'Histoire du Québec n.2

Via Young Doc Savage

Remy's Kitchen

'Ratatouille': QuickTime Tour

Remy's kitchen is just one of the panoramas you can view. And what a kitchen it is! My household vermin are going to start complaining that the kitchen chez Nag is not ritzy enough for them!

Via A Welsh View

Vietnam War Era Revolutionary Art

Vietnam Propaganda Posters from a book by Ron Gluckman

During the Vietnam War, they painted for political purposes, to raise spirits, and troops for the fronts. Largely forgotten in peace time, the artists who produced Vietnam's vibrant propaganda posters are celebrated in 'Dogma, Morale From the Ministry.

Via Plep

Really permanent

Indian advertising at its best

Via ectoplasmosis

July 14,1976

Death penalty abolished in Canada

Does the government have the right to take the life of one of its citizens? For the first time, the Canadian government says no. After a decade of fierce debate and an impassioned, last-ditch speech by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, the House of Commons narrowly passes Bill C-84, abolishing the death penalty in Canada.

Roll me up a reefer, Mr. Nag

Pot laws thrown out...again.

Prosecutors say they plan to launch a speedy appeal of a Toronto judge's ruling that Canada's marijuana possession laws are unconstitutional.

Legal. illegal or decriminalized? Your guess is as good as mine. This ruling just adds to my confusion.

Conrad Black Monopoly

Poor Conrad, he bought up all the properties and then drew this card:



He was so sure he'd pick this one:



Oh well, c'est la vie.
Wishful Monopoly card via Scribd

Chantons le jour de bastille

A Dozen French Revolutionary Songs

Bastille Day Cocktail

FRENCH 75

Serves 1

ingredients

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
2 ounces gin
3 ounces plus 1 tablespoon chilled Champagne
lemon peel for garnish

preparation

In cocktail shaker, combine lemon juice, sugar, gin, and ice cubes and shake to c hill . Strain cocktail into Champagne flute and top off with Champagne. (Alternatively, Colin Field suggests serving drink over ice in tumbler.) Garnish with lemon peel and serve.