Every new year people make resolutions to change aspects of themselves they believe are negative. A majority of people revert back to how they were before and feel like failures. This year I challenge you to a new resolution. I challenge you to just be yourself.
- Aisha Elderwyn
Happy New Year
Navel Maniac
Armed with a digital camera, the Navel Maniac patrols the streets of Brussels, Belgium, asking strangers if he can take pictures of their belly buttons.
Green Art Studio
A lot of paintings are composed of toxic chemicals, petro-oils, plastics and heavy metals along with preservatives and fungicides like formaldehyde. A lot of paintings also produce off gases that increase the toxicity of the environment in which they are manufactured and displayed.
Greg Patch of Green Art Studios uses beeswax and pigments that are toxicologically harmless - food container safe by European and US standards. The papers he is using are sustainably harvested plant based materials or recycled cotton pulp.
He says: My paintings move with the forces of nature - the streams, mountains, astrology, technology, thoughts, actions, energy, self, lunch – and culminate in the realization that everything is the wave.
I believe that nature calls to each of us to step out of ourselves and into it, to identify and revel within it, amid the waves. Doing this can transform our awareness into an energy greater than our own understanding.
(thanks Greg)
The Internet Movie Cars Database
Want to know if the car you drive has appeared in any movies?
The Internet Movie Cars Database has the most complete list on the web about cars, bikes, trucks and other vehicles seen in movies.
(thanks Cora)
One Year In 40 Seconds
Images snapped at the same spot through one year. Showing the seasons change.
The Lost Shoe Project
lost: no longer in the possession, care, or control of someone or something.
shoe: an external covering for the human foot, usually of leather and consisting of a more or less stiff or heavy sole and a lighter upper part ending a short distance above, at, or below the ankle.
The Lost Shoe Project.
Science Fictions Badass Butlers And Vicious Valets
Even the most powerful superheroes and supervillains need some help sometimes.
These butlers, chauffeurs, and valets may make the coffee and drive the cars, but they can also hold their own in a fight.
Owned
Moral of the story: Don't eat an unidentified insect before knowing what it is capable of.
(via Dump Trumpet)
Thanks For Referring
Here's a list of the websites that have sent me the most visitors in the past year.
Neatorama
Nothing To Do With Arbroath
Dark Roasted Blend
UniqueDaily
mental_floss
Bits & Pieces
Reality Carnival
Ehrensenf
AdFreak
Andrew Sullivan
Thanks to all of you.
Creative Grooming
Creative grooming is the practice of cutting, dyeing, twisting and sculpting a dogs' coat, transforming a pet from an ordinary canine into a colorful, extravagant representation of just about anything.
Some say the dogs like it to be at the center of attention, others call it animal abuse. You decide for yourself.
30 Ways To Die Of Electrocution
A Flickr photoset of 30 ways to die of electrocution.
(via Bre Pettis)
The Cheap Things
Sabotaging your hard drive to take advantage of your extended warrantee before it expires? Switching plastic sleeves on new and used LP's with cheaper ones? Writing the wrong room number on the hotel bar tab? Returning your digital camera to the store after removing the extra stick of memory?
Yes, there are hundreds of ways to do to save money. Here's a list of those ways. Some are good ideas, some are lousy ideas, and some are downright criminal.
95 Old School Games You Can Play Online
Remember the classic video games? The 8-bit masterpieces of our sweaty-palmed youth. Inviting some friends over for a Maniac Mansion all-nighter, huffing asthmatically into a cartridge to clear out the dust, or the thrill and crushing disappointment of rescuing a princess, only to discover you've really just saved a fungus.
These games aren't lost forever. You can still play many of them online. If you love the old classics, this list should have you busy for months.
The Venting Place
Masaki Ogawara is a 35-year-old Japanese printing company salesman with a lot on his mind. Now a visibly happier man thanks to his dish-smashing therapy at the anti-stress project 'The Venting Place.'
Begun only one month ago, it's really just a couple of concrete slabs on the back of a truck where passers-by like Ogawara dish out about two dollars to smash a cup or saucer.
Shake Your Shyness
Did you know that nearly 50% of the adult population in the U.S. is believed to be shy? That on average, shy men marry later in life? And that shyness causes shy people to miss out on opportunities that others would embrace?
Shyness is a psychological state that causes a person to feel discomfort in social situations in ways that interfere with enjoyment or that cause avoidance of social contacts altogether. Shyness can vary from mild feelings to moderately uncomfortable in social circumstances to debilitating levels of anxiety that interfere in children with the process of socialization.
Tips For Shaking Your Shyness.
The 13 Most Famous Numbers And Their Stories
The number 7 has a special place in various cultures based on its relative frequency. Scientific experiments have shown how favorable this number is chosen by participating humans.
It is the most frequently selection if people are asked to name their favorite number. As blue is as often chosen as the favorite color the phenomenon is also called 'blue-seven' phenomenon.
The 13 Most Famous Numbers And Their Stories.
How To Do Almost Anything With Social Media
A hand-picked selection of Mashable's social media How-To articles in 2008; some holiday reading, perhaps, or something to refer back to once you restart the daily grind in 2009.
5 Creepy Beach Sculptures To Scare Off Sunbathers
For most people the beach is a place to relax, especially when visited as part or a holiday. It's a place to forget the worries of every day life, look out to a hopefully calm sea and sprawl out on a strip of warm sand.
So it seems surprising that on some beaches around the world, artists have been chosen to display some of the creepiest structures known to man that are sure to traumatise the most hardened of tourists, especially at a time when the defenses are down.
Home Schooled
Home Schooled is a comics series by American artist Ash Jackson.
Co-writing by Silas Jackson.
The Presurfer will feature a Home Schooled cartoon every Monday. This is an absolute exclusive cooperation between The Presurfer and Ash Jackson.
Home Schooled is more or less a reflection of the wacky and occasionally interesting adventures of the artist, Ash Jackson, himself, with the aid of his friends, family, and other cohorts.
Title: Use Your Words.
click on the picture for real size
Rare First Studio Recording Of 'Me And Bobby McGee' By Janis Joplin
Janis Lyn Joplin (January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970) was an American singer from Port Arthur, Texas. She rose to prominence in the late 1960s as the lead singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company, and later as a solo artist.
I'm a big fan of Janis Joplin. I know, some of you may say she was a drug-addicted drunk, and she sang with a raw and screaming voice, but I saw her at a live concert in April 1969 in Amsterdam and although that is almost 40 years ago, she still touches me.
Janis Joplin on Wikipedia.
Official Janis Joplin Website.
NASA Home And City
Have you ever wondered how space exploration impacts your daily life? At NASA Home and City, viewers can navigate around two floating islands.
Clicking on 'NASA Home' reveals various rooms and all of the everyday products that were developed as a result of space technology. In 'NASA City' you can enter the airport, the hospital, factories and office buildings -again revealing all of the products, tools and machinery that had their beginnings in the space program.
NASA Home and City - See how space traces back to you.
Cocaine Toothache Drops
Instantaneous Cure! Price 15 Cents. For sale by all Druggists. Cocaine is the new anaesthetic now used so extensively thoughout Europe and this country by Physicians, Surgeons and Dentists.
This preparation of Toothache Drops contains Cocaine, and its wonderful properties are fully demonstrated by the many recommendations it is daily receiving. Take no other except Cocaine Toothache Drops. Prepared by the Lloyd Manufacturing Co., 219 Hudson Ave., Albany, N.Y.
From The Nearly Genuine and Truly Marvelous Psychoneuropharmacological Mental Medicine Show, an online gallery of modern and vintage psychiatric drug advertising.
The Largest Helicopter Ever Built
The Russian Mil V-12 was by far largest helicopter ever built. It was developed in the Soviet Union during the 1960s.
The V-12 featured two rotors mounted side by side at the ends of a large wing. Each rotor had a diameter of nearly 115 ft. The helicopter was so enormous that the distance from the edge of one rotor disk to the other was almost 220 ft, even wider across than the wingspan of a Boeing 747.
More large helicopters at Aerospaceweb.
How To Avoid Looking Like An American Tourist
As an American traveling in a foreign country, the last thing you want to do is stand out like a sore thumb. Not only do you have a greater chance of getting sucked into tourist traps, but you're also a more obvious target for getting mugged or even kidnapped.
So, are you aware of the things you do, say, and wear that make you look like the stereotypical tourist?
Find Your Future You
Who will you be in 2033? Upload your picture, adjust it, and decide who you'll be in 2033.
Find Your Future You.
11 Weirdest Real-Life Cases Of Mass Hysteria
Mass hysteria (also called collective obsessional behavior) is the sociopsychological phenomenon of the manifestation of the same or similar hysterical symptoms by more than one person.
These anomalous phenomena occur just like other natural phenomena and have long-lasting psychological and often fatal effects on the victims. Unusual as they are, similarly absurd phenomena are observed in animals and plants as well.
People Who Deserve It
People Who Deserve It is not written with malice or scorn, but with a sincere desire to witness the upward progression of the human race. And some people are ruining it for everybody.
People who wear sunglasses inside. Savages who pee on the seat. This kind of conduct only perpetuates the acceptance of degenerate behavior.
On People Who Deserve It you will find examples of socially responsible reasons to punch someone in the face.
(via Nag on the Lake)
JibJab's 2008 Year In Review
Baby New Year '08 takes you on a tour of all of the good, bad, and worse the past year had to offer, all at breakneck speed.
My Holiday Sweater
Make your own dream-come-true holiday sweater. Pick a sweater, pick a pattern, decorate, and there you go! A model shows your sweater but you can also upload a photo and show it yourself.
My Holiday Sweater.
Chinese Girl Has Basketball For A Body
Qian Hongyan, who was forced to use half a basketball as her prosthetic body, has inspired millions recently with her ambition to compete as a swimmer in the 2012 Paralympics in London.
The 10 year-old was injured in an auto accident when she was only 3 years old. To insure her survival, the doctors were forced to amputate her legs. Qian's family, living in Zhuangxia, China, was unable to afford modern prosthetics and instead gave her a basketball to get around on. Once on the ball she uses two wooden props to help her move around.
(via eScene)
50 Things We Know Now (We Didn't Know This Time Last Year)
Did you know that using Facebook makes you a better employee, or that drinking wine can help you avoid lung cancer, or that doing tai chi makes life easier for asthmatics?
A list of things we know now we didn't know last year.
At World's End: 25 Post-Apocalyptic Visions
From time immemorial, societies have sought to establish a lasting presence on this planet that would remind latecomers of their glory long after they themselves have abandoned ship and turned to dust.
It doesn't always work out the way we plan, however. These sobering examples of post-apocalyptic art remind the living that what remains are more often ruins.
The World In Virtual Reality
360 Cities brings interactive, panoramic photography to the mainstream.They are dedicated to promoting geo-mapped, VR panorama photography and VR photographers around the world.
(thanks Jeffrey)
The Vintage Christmas Catalog Archive Project
Take a look at Christmas catalogs of the past.
(via Everlasting Blort)
The Presurfer Mobile
Did you know you can look at The Presurfer from your mobile phone?
Just go to Presurfer Mobile and look at the left hand side of the page where it says 'Send This Link to Your Phone.'
Fairy Tales Can Come True
Falling in love is the easy part. It's staying that way that takes some work.
So instead of saying... 'This relationship stuff. It gives me a headache just to think about it...' try to change your attitude a bit.
A photo story based on the book 'Fairy Tales Can Come True (Just Not Every Day!)'
The Black Hole
A sleep-deprived office worker accidentally discovers a black hole - and then greed gets the better of him...
Weird Animal
Siphonophorae or Siphonophora, the siphonophores, are an order of the Hydrozoa, a class of marine invertebrates belonging to the phylum Cnidaria. They are colonial, but the colonies can superficially resemble jellyfish.
Although they appear to be a single organism, each specimen is actually a colony of Siphonophorae. The best known species is the dangerous Portuguese Man o' War.
(via Dark Roasted Blend)
Round Trip With Endeavour
NASA's space shuttle Endeavour recently returned to the Orbiter Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, after its successful mission to the International Space Station. The shuttle, being a reusable spacecraft, has a cycle of preparation, execution and recovery.
Endeavour has been through this cycle 22 times now, since 1992. Here is a look at one full cycle for one space shuttle, starting with the landing of Endeavour from its previous mission on March 26th, and ending with its return to Florida 9 months later.
Old Saint Nicked?
With Christmas days away, The Smoking Gun has a roundup of mug shots of a dozen arrestees bearing a passing resemblance to Santa Claus himself.
Really Thin Buildings And Houses In Japan
In Japan, where real estate is prohibitively expensive, there are lots of thin buildings. You've probably seen one of these: quaintly slender buildings sandwiched between two large ones; sharp, pointed corner structures hugging every available space.
So if you're bemoaning the cramped, crowded flat you're holed up in somewhere in Tokyo, just be thankful you don't live or work inside one of these claustrophobic structures.
10 Wondrous Places To Shop For Holiday Gifts
If you're looking for a store with a bit of a difference for holiday gifts, here are 10 of the more unusual places to go to fill a Christmas stocking.
(thanks Andi)
The Universal Record Database
The Universal Record Database is an evolution of a Burning Man theme camp created in the summer of 2004. A group of friends, including URDB co-founder Dan Rollman, sat down in San Francisco to brainstorm theme ideas for their camp.
Eager for a concept that allowed community participation, Dan suggested a Burning Man Book of Records, in large part due to his lifelong Guinness Book obsession.
(via Grow-A-Brain)
Blurred Out: 51 Things You Aren't Allowed To See On Google Maps
Depending on which feature you use, Google Maps offers a satellite view or a street-level view of tons of locations around the world. You can look up landmarks like the Pyramids of Egypt or the Great Wall of China, as well as more personal places.
But for all of the places that Google Maps allows you to see, there are plenty of places that are off-limits. Whether it's due to government restrictions, personal-privacy lawsuits or mistakes, Google Maps has slapped a 'Prohibited' sign on these 51 places.
(via corsinet)
The I Love The Hoff Super Fantastic Activity Fun Book
Now with 200% more Hoff.
The I Love The Hoff Super Fantastic Activity Fun Book. (pdf document)
(via Everlasting Blort)
Gnutty For Gnomes
Gnome crossings happen everyday. Gnutty for Gnomes is a blog dedicated to all things gnome: gnomes in the garden, gnomes in the gnews, gnome humor, gnome products, crafts featuring gnomes, gnome photos, and everything else gnome.
17 Beautiful Examples Of Origami Art
Origami (from oru meaning 'folding,' and kami meaning 'paper') is the ancient Japanese art of paper folding. The goal of this art is to create a representation of an object using geometric folds and crease patterns preferably without the use of gluing or cutting the paper, and using only one piece of paper.
17 Beautiful Examples of Origami Art.
Crazy Side Cars
Motor bikes are one thing, side cars are another! You just don't see many of them these days. Here are some crazy side cars.
(via Dark Roasted Blend)
The Buzzwords Of 2008
Politics without buzzwords is like sports without clichés, math without numbers or Blago without bleeps. Buzzwords are what political wiseguys use to sound all important and knowing in a profession whose prime currency is the illusion of being both. They are like secret passwords for the chattering class, the verbal equivalent of a terrorist fist jab.
The New York Times' buzzwords of 2008.
Unusual And Creative Christmas Trees
By now you probably have your Christmas tree installed and decorated. But if not, you might try something unusual. Take a look at these strange, unusual and funny Christmas trees.
(thanks Olga)
Google Czech Republic Christmas Special
Google Czech Republic put up a Christmas special where you can click on the faces of employees to make them sing in choir.
(via Google Blogoscoped)
The Etiquette And Elegance Of The Noble Art Of Shoe Throwing
The recent appalling attack on Mr Bush at his Baghdad press conference highlights the declining standards and knowledge of the etiquette and elegance of the noble art of shoe throwing.
We take you through the fundamentals to ensure style, panache and appropriate choice of equipment and technique enhance your experience and notoriety.
Bristol Stool Scale
The Bristol Stool Scale or Bristol Stool Chart is a medical aid designed to classify the form of human feces into seven categories.
It was developed by Heaton and Lewis at the University of Bristol and was first published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology in 1997. The form of the stool depends on the time it spends in the colon.
(via Everlasting Blort)
Barack Obama's Watches
So which watch does Barack Obama wear? No sooner had he hit the campaign trail, in early 2007, than the 'watch guys' started studying the photos, trying to identify his watch. With an image for being somewhat casual, and summertime tours through the Southern states, he often rolled up his sleeves.
And when he rolled up his sleeves, the watch freaks saw a big, stylish watch... not the usual plastic Timex or Casio, so popular among those running for office (or in office), but a large, light-dialed sport style watch. Most experts saw a light-dialed TAG-Heuer sports watch, one of the common quartz watches of the mid-1990's.
Then suddenly, something strange happened late in the year 2007.
(via Grow-A-Brain)
Daleks: A Plea For Tolerance
Daleks have had a really bad press over the last few years. Thanks to the efforts of the last remnant of a species that was so warlike and irredeemable they had to be, well, exterminated, the good name of the Dalek species has been besmirched, sullied and libeled.
With only a few Daleks left, seeking asylum on the planet Earth is proving difficult. Here, we put the record straight and offer their side of the story.
(via Robert-John)
Home Schooled
Home Schooled is a comics series by American artist Ash Jackson.
Co-writing by Silas Jackson.
The Presurfer will feature a Home Schooled cartoon every Monday. This is an absolute exclusive cooperation between The Presurfer and Ash Jackson.
Home Schooled is more or less a reflection of the wacky and occasionally interesting adventures of the artist, Ash Jackson, himself, with the aid of his friends, family, and other cohorts.
Title: No Place like Home for the Holidays.
click on the picture for real size
Antikythera Mechanism Working Model
The Antikythera mechanism is an ancient Greek clockwork machine found in a shipwreck, that has taken more than a century to decipher. British scientist Michael Wright reconstructed the mechanism including all the known features of this complex device.
Songfacts
Songfacts is a free searchable database of song information compiled by radio professionals, music enthusiasts, and visitors to the website. The information will help you better understand and enjoy the songs you listen to.
For example, did you know that the original title for 'Born In The USA' by Bruce Springsteen was 'Vietnam'? Director Paul Schrader sent Springsteen a script for a movie called Born In The USA, about a rock band struggling with life and religion. This gave Bruce the idea for the new title.
If The Shoe Fits, Fling It
There is currently a certain vogue for shoe flinging - where the rest of the world learned exactly what it means in one place. But what does it mean to the Western World? An inquiring mind investigates.
(via Robert-John)
Top 10 Most Awesome Approaches To Photograph
Point, shoot and... what? From amazing architecture to abandoned places, sometimes the subject is at the center of compelling photography - but at other times the types and approaches take the proverbial cake.
These fascinating photography techniques take the art of image-making into entire new dimensions.
Allvoices
Allvoices is global media destination that provides multiple perspectives around news and events. The website content ranges from first hand accounts, local news, global news, blogs, to user generated videos and images.
Allvoices encourages people to contribute and share from anywhere around the world using cell phones and computers to create news and to participate in existing news by sharing views, articles, images and videos.
Mmmm, Bacon
Need a side of bacon on your web site. Just put your URL at the end of http://bacolicio.us/, like this http://bacolicio.us/http://presurfer.blogspot.com
The Hero Factory
I heard the stories about a secret machine that turned people into superheroes. I didn't think it was possible. But here it is. With one button I'd receive unimaginable powers and become a superhero. Could I go through with it? Would I even survive the process? Only one way to find out.
Make me a hero.
Creative License
Adobe launched Creative Suite 3 with this beautiful flash site. It takes a while to load, but it's worth it. Just pull the slider slowly to the right.
Authentic Horse Art
Cholla is an international artist who was born from a Mustang Stallion and a Quarter Horse mare. He is a copper buckskin standing 15.2 hands and weighing 1,300 lbs. His art is collected worldwide and has sold in 28 states.
(via UniqueDaily)
Cannot Find Planet
The planet you are looking for is currently unavailable. The planet might be experiencing Goa'uld invasion, or you may need to adjust your DHD settings to account for Stellar Drift.
Hangover Helpers
What to do when you have had one too many. In Germany they use pickled herring, in Romania it's cow stomach. And here in the Netherlands? We just take another beer! It's Heineken country after all.
(via Karen Williams)
Sock And Awe
Here's something you could wait for. And it didn't take long.
Get your shoes ready and play Sock and Awe.
(thanks Günter)
48 Mind-Blowing Examples Of Photo Manipulation Art
Photo manipulation is one of the most creative artforms to come out of the digital age. Here are shown ten masters of this technique and 48 examples of their stunning artwork, blending real photos with synthetic elements for a surreal result.
UK Beauty Company Advertises on Eyelids
Feelunique.com, a UK-based online boutique that specializes in skincare and makeup, is paying for the advertising space on your eyelids that shows when you wink. They'll pay you up to $155 to plaster their logo on your blinkspace.
Models that get selected to be featured in the campaign will be paid, according to the website, on a pay per wink basis.
(via Urlesque)
Top 5 Water Ballon And High-Speed Action
Exploding water balloons registered with high-speed cameras.
(thanks Martin)
New York City In Photo-Realistic 3D In Google Earth
Google has updated the 3D buildings in Google Earth for New York City. There are now thousands of new 3D buildings with photo textures applied.
Just fly to 'New York City' and turn on the 3D Buildings layer in Google Earth. Tilt your view so you can see the buildings in all their glory.
Beer Bottle Christmas Tree
Christmas tree built from 1050 beer bottles. Decorated with 200 lights, with a bubble lamp in the center.
14 Daringly Different Contemporary Door Designs
In our rush to renovate our dream house with the craziest and most creative that modern design can conjure up, we're liable to forget how we enter and leave it.
If you are thinking that modern door design is a matter of open-and-shut conventional thinking, these 14 examples of door designs should put you in the right frame of mind.
World's Naughtiest Person
Oh my God, it seems I'm singled out as 'the naughtiest person in the world.' It was all over Channel 6 TV News last night. They say I caused a Christmas Crisis and now they're looking for me.
You can see the video here.
Make your own 'naughtiest person' video.
(thanks Brian)
Barry Goldwater, Jr. Favorite Photos Page
Barry Goldwater Jr. with President George Bush. Barry Goldwater Jr. with President Ford. Barry Goldwater Jr. with Bob Hope. Barry Goldwater Jr. with Senator John McCain. Barry Goldwater Jr. with Neil Armstrong. You get the picture.
Barry Goldwater, Jr. Favorite Photos Page.
(via Everlasting Blort)
Body Spray Of Seduction
Burger King Flame - The body spray of seduction, with a hint of flame-broiled meat. Keep clicking the spray can.
(thanks Mark)
Immersion
Photographer Robbie Cooper shows just how focused young video-game players can be.
(via The Awesomer)
2008 Mug Shots Of The Year
Yes, it's The Smoking Gun's 2008 Mug Shot of the Year. Out of thousands, here are the 20 best booking photos of 2008.
The Most Popular Blogs Written In Different Languages
There are a lot of blogs all around the world, some of them are a bit bigger than others. It would be nice to see which blogs belong to the top segment in different languages.
The Top 100 blogs in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish.
Decorated Trains In Japan
Of the countless trains running on Japans' 12,000-mile rail network, a few are decorated with images of anime and manga characters, colorful ads, and designs by notable artists.
Decorated Trains in Japan.
(via Look At This...)
Japanese Bike Storage System
A bicycle storage system used at Kasai Station in Tokyo, Japan. Customers place their vehicle on a platform and the system will automatically store their bike in an underground parking garage that can accommodate 9,400 bikes.
The Gift Of Cash
These days, cash is hard to come by. So imagine people's reactions when someone took to the streets to give money away. Watch this hidden-camera footage documenting this experience - you may be surprised!
(thanks Gary)
Children: Look What You Have Done To Santa
Gimme this! Gimme that! For hundreds of years the children of the world have been making outrageous and unfair demands from a lovely old man who doesn't even have a pension plan. Well, kids, we hope you're happy.
The old man has finally snapped. As a direct result of your voracious and selfish requests, Santa has had an identity, a mid-life, a gender and an alcohol crisis all at the same time. Shame on you! Are you happy now? Are you?
(via Robert-John)
Identifive
Identifive is a game where you look at two nearly identical photos and try to spot the differences between them. This one however is slightly more enjoyable because of the voiceovers and point system.
(thanks Snaithbert)
Santa Yourself
Turn yourself into a dancing Santa. Upload a photo with your face. Scale, move and rotate it to fit Santa. Then send it to your friends and wish them Merry Christmas.
Santa Yourself.
(thanks Agnieszka)
21 Amazing Websites To Locate Anyone
How to locate people through social networks, public record databases, and general search engines.
Christmas Trees 'Round The World
A small slideshow of Christmas Trees 'Round The World.
(thanks Cora)
33 Brainovations
The human brain is a fascinating organ that is starting to get its fair share of attention in research and marketing. Did you know that your brain has a special Jennifer Aniston neuron that is dedicated to reacting to the famous Friends sitcom star?
But that's not all your brain is good for. New gadgets and designs utilize the brain for gaming, brain-inspired lamps, chairs that can actually change your thought, and virtual brainwashing gadgets that ensure you have a healthy happy lifestyle.
Veni Vidi Vici
Veni Vidi Vici was created by Will Burdett and David Bryan for their final degree project whilst studying 3D Animation at the University Of Hertfordshire.
Cartoon Particles
Cartoon Particles by designer, musician and artist Markus Hofko.
Cartoon Particles are the basic elements of the classic comic characters.
The Beauty Of Street Photography
photo by Matt Stuart
Street photographers strive to capture the life and culture of city streets. When it comes to street photography, many photographers traditionally choose to work in black and white, focusing the viewer's attention on the subject by eliminating the distraction of colour.
Smashing Magazine celebrates the diversity and livelinesss of the world's streets by presenting you 50 excellent examples of street photography, urban photography and photojournalism.
Jesus Was Born In June
Astronomers have calculated that Christmas should be in June, by charting the appearance of the 'Christmas star.' They found that a bright star which appeared over Bethlehem 2,000 years ago pinpointed the date of Christ's birth as June 17 rather than December 25.
The researchers claim the 'Christmas star' was most likely a magnificent conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter, which were so close together they would have shone unusually brightly as a single "beacon of light" which appeared suddenly. If the team is correct, it would mean Jesus was a Gemini, not a Capricorn as previously believed.
Christmas Buffling
Business waffling, or buffling, is to babble incoherently in business jargon outside one's office workspace. Some examples are 'thinking outside of the box,' 'touch base,' 'at the end of the day,' 'and pushing the envelope.'
(thanks Melanie)
The Collapse Of Iceland In 10 Easy Steps
Even after the government seizured the top banks, Iceland may face bankruptcy. Inflation and interest rates are raging upwards. The krona, Iceland's currency, is in freefall and is rated just above those of Zimbabwe. One of the country's three independent banks has been nationalised, another is asking customers for money.
The Collapse of Iceland in 10 Easy Steps.
(via Grow-A-Brain)
Best Songs Ever
Best Songs Ever has a mission. They want to find the most popular and loved songs out there. Therefore they need your vote.
Currently the top 3 songs are:
1 Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven
2 Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
3 Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
50 Websites You'll Wonder How You Lived Without
When it comes to the Internet, we're creatures of habit – Google for search, Hotmail for email, Twitter to stay in touch and maybe the BBC and CNN websites for news.
This means that we use only a handful of favourite sites, leaving the rest of the Internet unvisited. Let's put that right. By the time you've finished reading, we promise that your list of bookmarked sites will have ballooned and you'll be getting more from your surfing.
50 Websites You'll Wonder How You Lived Without.
I Made You A Beard
Erin Dollar from Portland, Oregon, has a great sense of humor.
She makes beards. Sometimes she makes other things too - prints, drawings, piñatas, and cookies, mostly.
She says: I made this weblog to keep track of what I'm making, and to share beard-related tidbits... because I like you, and you like beards.
World Beard And Moustache Championships
Talking about beards, every two years, the owners of the world's most elaborate facial hair come together for the World Beard and Moustache Championships. On May 23, 2009, the championships will return to the United States for the second time in their history, as the City of Anchorage, Alaska plays host to the world's bearded and moustached elite.
The World Beard and Moustache Championships feature competition in a variety of categories that include everything from the delicate Dali moustache to the outrageous full beard freestyle. The competitors appear before a panel of distinguished judges charged with the responsibility of awarding the coveted world titles to the best of the best.
This Is Where We Live
A film for 4th Estate Publishers' 25th Anniversary. Produced by Apt Studio. The film was produced in stop-motion over 3 weeks in Autumn 2008. Each scene was shot on a home-made dolly by an insane bunch of animators.
(via Dark Roasted Blend)
The 11 Coolest Mugs For A Hot Cup O' Joe
Whether you're a coffee drinker or tea drinker, there's one thing everyone can agree on: the mug you use to drink your beverage of choice is just as important as the brand you like, the amount of milk and sugar you take, and your favorite biscuits to go with your drink.
To take you away from the boredom of everyday mugs, and to provide some additional options for the newly addicted, here's a collection of cool mugs that are unique and practical at the same time.
5 Really Weird Things About Water
Water, good ol' H2O, seems like a pretty simple substance.
But in reality, water - the foundation of life and most common of liquid - is really weird and scientists actually don't completely understand how water works.
Here are 5 really weird things about water.
ZooBorns
ZooBorns brings you the newest and cutest exotic animal babies from zoos and aquariums around the world.
Home Schooled
Home Schooled is a comics series by American artist Ash Jackson.
Co-writing by Silas Jackson.
The Presurfer will feature a Home Schooled cartoon every Monday. This is an absolute exclusive cooperation between The Presurfer and Ash Jackson.
Home Schooled is more or less a reflection of the wacky and occasionally interesting adventures of the artist, Ash Jackson, himself, with the aid of his friends, family, and other cohorts.
Title: The Card Part 2: Final Act.
click on the picture for real size
Tension Condension: 10 Surefire Stress Busting Sites
People relieve stress in a number of ways but sometimes all you have is the PC in the corners and the internet connection. Fortunately there are plenty of stress busting sites out there in the cloud.
Here are ten surefire stress busting sites - you are bound to find one that suits both your temper and your temperament.
(via Robert-John)
The Hajj And Eid al-Adha
Last Thursday marked the end of the Muslim festival Eid al-Adha which also marked the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. One of the pillars of Islamic faith, the Hajj must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by any Muslim who has the ability to do so.
This year, nearly 3 million Muslims made the Hajj, without major incident, and are now returning to their homes across the world. Muslims who stayed closer to home celebrated Eid al-Adha, commemorating the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son to God.
Video Game Design Between 1990-2008
The 1990s became the golden age of computer video games and gave birth to a large number of game developers and publishers. From design and graphics point of view, video games greatly evolved and continue to do so.
Computers from the 90s mostly had a 16 bit graphic display and were 100 MHz machines, but remember that in those days these configs were king just as 3,6 GHz and Nvidia GeForce 9400 are nowadays.
Let's look at how the graphics and design evolved starting from 1990.
Real Time Satellite Tracking
This is a real time satellite tracking web application.
Over 8000 satellites real time tracked.
Make A Friend This Christmas
This Christmas over 1 million geeks around the globe will sit lonely in their bedrooms, misunderstood and ignored by a cruel world outside. Without real friends, they languish unloved in basements, offices and box rooms, hoping without hope for a better life.
All you need to give is a little time: a visit from a neighbour or a friendly phonecall can make a world of difference to a lonely geek. It will cost you nothing to give a geek a little of the human contact that he craves (yet instinctively shuns), brightening up the geek's world for a moment at least.
Befriend a Geek.
About Potatoes, Pineapples, And Coconuts
So you want to know the best way to bake a potato? Golden, crispy brown skins and soft, tasty potato-goodness inside? It's quite simple and easy to do.
So you want to know the ancient super secret technique for cutting pineapples that has been passed down through the ages and closely guarded by all who are privy to it?
Everone has problems the first time they try and learn how to open a coconut. These little guys must be the most well protected nut in all of the world, but we humans can't just sit around and let monkeys show us up, right?
Steampunk Second Life Machinima
A machinima documenting the Bogon Flux, in the Wastelands, Second Life.
(via Nerdcore)
How To Commit Armed Robbery In Six Easy Steps
After a trio of Ohio women was busted earlier this week following a botched robbery attempt - the manager claimed that she could not open the store safe and the robbers departed empty-handed - cops searched the group's getaway car and discovered printed instructions downloaded from the Internet that detailed 'How To Commit Armed Robbery In Six Easy Steps.'
A Compendium Of Cracking Christmas Animated Anarchy
Why bother to send your friends and family an amusing Christmas animation when you can send them ten?
(via Robert-John)
The Vivienne Tam Virtual Catwalk
Ever wanted to stroll along the catwalk in fashion designed by Vivienne Tam, a Hongkong born designer based in New York? Now you can.
First choose five pieces of clothes you'll rock on the runway. Then upload your picture. That's it! Now watch yourself walking in an unnatural way looking like you're not interested at all.
The Vivienne Tam Virtual Catwalk.
(thanks Kathryn)
Van Halen's Backstage Concert Rider
Since The Smoking Gun began publishing backstage concert riders about 10 years ago, they have been searching for the most famous rider of them all, the one in which Van Halen famously stipulated that brown M&M's were to be banished from the band's dressing room.
Well, the hunt is over. The Smoking Gun has finally obtained the 1982 Van Halen World Tour rider - typewritten and 53 pages long - containing the M&M prohibition.
10 Realistic Alternatives To Google Adsense For Webmasters And Bloggers
There is a world out there beyond Google AdSense. Many webmasters and bloggers have, for a variety of reasons, become disenchanted with the giant of the online adverting world and are looking for alternatives.
Here are ten of those alternatives to start you off - with full links for you to research them to discover whether they are suitable for your ad needs.
(via Robert-John)
2008 Urlies
Urlesque introduced The 2008 Urlies - The Year in Internet, an awards ceremony in different categories. The Presurfer was nominated in the category 'It' Urls - Site of the Year. Although I didn't win - the honor goes to Buzzfeed - I'm very pleased with the nomination.
Thanks to the Urlesque team.
8 Truly Strange Christmas Customs
Some of the stranger Christmas traditions are remnants of older pagan holidays, and some have been changed over the centuries until their origins are hard to discern. Others were just made up to boost business!
Racism, demonism, greed, a horse's skull, and two customs about poop. Very strange indeed!
8 Truly Strange Christmas Customs.
10 Comic Books That Changed The Industry
In the early 1990s, comic books were becoming very gimmick oriented. Every other week, there was a new 'special first collector's issue,' another 'holo cover' or 'glossy cover,' and another purportedly industry-changing story line.
(thanks Philipp)
15 Energy Zappers Depleting Your Zest For Life
If you don't feel up for the kids, are annoyed at every demand, and you're living for the weekend, than it is time to fix what's zapping your energy.
Before deciding where to begin to increase it, look at your energy zappers first.
No matter how strenuously energy boosting you do, the energy will just continue to drain until you plug your 'holes'. Check out these energy zappers and see how many apply to you.
(thanks Olga)
Hero Dog Tries To Help Wounded Dog
A dog in Chile is unfortunately hit by a car. Another dog drags the wounded dog to the side of the road. The hero dog ran away and has not been found since.
At the end of the video the narrator says the injured dog survived. Unfortunately, according to Jorge Rivas, operations manager for Vespucio Norte Highway in Santiago, the poor animal died.
(thanks Danelle)
After The Crisis: A Parody Of 15 Corporate Logos
The 2008 crash is probably the most serious economic crisis we have faced after the Great Depression. Stock markets from around the world fell as much as 20% in a single week, dozens of banks either failed or were rescued by government and private institutions, and companies started laying off employees as a consequence of the reduced demand.
One day, better times will be here again but until then, cheer up a little by looking at some company logos... after the crisis.
Men Are Red, Women Are Green
Michael J. Tarr, a Brown University scientist, and graduate student Adrian Nestor have discovered this color difference in an analysis of dozens of faces. They determined that men tend to have more reddish skin and greenish skin is more common for women.
The finding has important implications in cognitive science research, such as the study of face perception. But the information also has a number of potential industry or consumer applications in areas such as facial recognition technology, advertising, and studies of how and why women apply makeup.
(via Neatorama)
The Twelve Days Of Christmas
Jacquie Lawson is a British artist who lives in the village of Lurgashall in Southern England. Together with a small team of family and friends she has developed a unique collection of e-cards. Here's an example.
(thanks Cora)
Google Zeitgeist 2008
As the year comes to a close, it's time to look at the big events, memorable moments and emerging trends that captivated us in 2008. As it happens, studying the aggregation of the billions of search queries that people type into the Google search box gives us a glimpse into the zeitgeist — the spirit of the times.
Google Zeitgeist 2008 compiles some of the highlights from Google searches around the globe.
22 Year Tradition: Aspen Boutique's Fantastical Holiday Cards
Aspen Boutique (formerly Aspen Traders) has a long-standing tradition of mailing fanciful holiday cards to their customers. They have been doing it since 1987. The cards are designed by Gardner Design of Wichita Kansas, run by Bill Gardner of LogoLounge fame.
Reuben Miller had an interview with Bill Gardner who gave some background about their unique, long-standing relationship with Aspen Boutique.
(thanks Reuben)
From Functionality To Fantasy
Computer mouses have come a long way since they made their wooden box debut about 40 years ago, and now there are literally countless shapes, designs, and features for every type of computer user.
The mouse, an accessory that grew out of a purely functional need for pinpointing and clicking on the computer screen, has now developed into a highly personalized piece of gear with different technical variations, depending on the primary use. Here is a look at the metamorphosis of the computer mouse over time.
(via Grow-A-Brain)
Evolution
Scientists who study the extinct creatures that once roamed the Earth are called paleontologists.
If you were to watch a paleontologist at work, you would probably see him on his hands and knees, methodically and painstakingly examining the surface of the ground. This is because he is looking for fossils, or else he has lost a contact lens.
(via Everlasting Blort)
Nature's Fearless Fighting Machines
Animals fight for a variety of reasons. It may be for play, for space or, most likely, for sexual dominance. Here, with the help of some wonderful images - we take a look at a few species in the throes of fighting.
(via Robert-John)
Top 2000 Music Videos
Someone with a lot of time on their hands made a Top 2000 of music videos.
It's done by someone from my country so there may be some Dutch artists in there with songs that you may have never heard of but most of the other ones are probably familiar.
(thanks Cora)
Holiday Cheer
Upload your photo, choose your Holiday Cheer, a background, and send it to your friends.
The Heaviest Potato In The World
Farmer Khalil Semhat from Lebanon has dug up what might be the heaviest potato in the world. The giant weighs 11.3 kilos (24.9 pounds). I've been working the land since I was a boy, and it's the first time I've seen anything like it.
Mr. Semhat said he had to ask for help from a friend to get the huge potato out of the ground. He insisted that he had used no fertilizer or other chemicals to produce it.
Christmas Intelligence Agency
The Christmas Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an independent international agency responsible for providing holiday security intelligence to senior holiday policymakers including Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, Cupid and their associated support staff.
The Christmas Intelligence Agency was created in 1947 with the signing of the International Holiday Act by Santa Claus. The Holiday Reform and Grinch Prevention Act of 2004 amended the International Holiday Act to provide for a Director of National Holiday Intelligence who would assume some of the roles formerly fulfilled by the Director of Christmas Intelligence, with a separate Director of the Christmas Intelligence Agency.
Genetic Programming: Evolution Of The Mona Lisa
Roger Alsing decided to play around a bit with genetic programming. He created a small program that keeps a string of DNA for polygon rendering. The procedure is quite simple:
Setup a random DNA string,
Copy the current DNA sequence and mutate it slightly,
Use the new DNA to render polygons onto a canvas,
Compare the canvas to the source image,
If the new painting looks more like the source image than the previous painting did, then overwrite the current DNA with the new DNA,
Repeat from 1.
Now to the interesting part. Could you paint a replica of the Mona Lisa using only 50 semi transparent polygons? Here's the result.
The Dandelion: The Whimsical World Wide Weed
The humble dandelion. From your garden to almost the ends of the earth this small but conspicuous plant flourishes. Gardeners do not appreciate its presence, considering it a weed, even though its flowering usually indicates the beginning of the honey bee season and could be seen as a welcome sign.
Its simplistic looking structure hides a few surprising secrets and the cultural resonance of the dandelion, especially in Europe, is strong. Here is a short but sincere homage to one of the small wonders of our botanical world.
(via Robert-John)
Google MyWay
With Google MyWay you can make your very own Google search page. Enter the text that you want to appear as the logo for your Google MyWay.
(thanks Cora)
Miniature Palaces And Dollhouses
Dollhouse enthusiasts usually trace the origins of their fascination to European 'baby houses' of the 1700s, though kids were kept far, far away from these elegant treasures; they were more a status symbol than a real plaything.
Dollhouses arguably have roots as far back as the ancient Egyptians, if not further... There is something magical in making things smaller; even your office tower may look like a doll house from a certain angle, without you realizing it.
Ecofont
The prints we make for our daily use not only use paper, but also ink. Lots of ink. According to Spranq (a Dutch creative communications company) that is partly unnecessary. They therefore developed a new font: the Ecofont.
A good idea is always simple: how much of a letter can be removed while maintaining the readability? After extensive testing with all kinds of shapes the best results were achieved by using small circles. This resulted in a font that uses up to 20% less ink. Free to download, free to use.
World's Oldest Living Animal
As a photograph it looks fairly unremarkable - a tortoise nibbles at the grass in front of a Boer War prisoner and guard.
But the pictures helps to mark the animal as the oldest animal on the planet.
Jonathan, the tortoise, is believed to be 176-years-old and was about 70 at the time the black and white picture was taken. He was photographed during the Boer War around 1900.
Micro Spy Remote
The Micro Spy Remote is a universal remote control for televisions. The Micro Spy Remote is simple to operate and easy to handle. This gadget lets you hide from being caught. Its size does fit your palm to easily conceal it from others sight. It makes you more naughty than ever.
This Micro Spy Remote control lets you manage the volume, channel, mute, and on/off. Change the channel without being noticed. Mute the sound as if you were innocent of what's happening. Put on/off the television without the presence of its original remote control.
The Private Lives Of Your Favorite Toys
After you've put on your pajamas, brushed your teeth, turned out the lights and gone to bed, that's when they get down to business. It's a secret that has been accidentally exposed to many but never corroborated and proven beyond doubt, until today.
The Indian in the Cupboard almost got it right, with the exception of the role that the cupboard played. Here's an expose into the private and secret lives of your favorite toys.
Ugly Artwork
A Flickr photoset of ugly artwork.
Of course, as always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
The City Of The Future
Victory City is the wave of the future. It's an entire city all under one roof, to be built and operated by private enterprise alone. Boasting no crime, no pollution, and no over-crowding, Victory City is a veritable utopia for those who've grown weary of trying to find solutions to today's urban problems.
The plans for Victory City have evolved over a period of 38 years, nurtured by the vision and dedication of its inventor, Orville Simpson. Mr. Simpson conceived of the general idea of Victory City in 1936, when he was only 13 years old. Afraid of being ridiculed, Mr. Simpson kept his ideas about designing and building the City of the Future to himself... a secret vision he held in his mind for approximately 24 years.
Home Schooled
Home Schooled is a comics series by American artist Ash Jackson.
Co-writing by Silas Jackson.
The Presurfer will feature a Home Schooled cartoon every Monday. This is an absolute exclusive cooperation between The Presurfer and Ash Jackson.
Home Schooled is more or less a reflection of the wacky and occasionally interesting adventures of the artist, Ash Jackson, himself, with the aid of his friends, family, and other cohorts.
Title: The Card Part 1.
click on the picture for real size
GeoHive
GeoHive is a site with statistics on the human population, Earth and more. The main kind of data you can find is population statistics of regions, countries, provinces and cities.
Next to that there are some statistics on economic factors like wealth, infrastructure, and statistics on natural phenomena.
Where's The Gap In Your Knowledge?
You will be asked three questions in each section (history, economics, politics, science and nature, arts and culture, law, philosophy, and religion and theology) to find out where the gaps in your knowledge are. You must answer at least two out of three correctly to complete each section.
Where's The Gap In Your Knowledge?
10 Absolutely Useless Gadgets
Ever bought a gadget and afterwards thought it was the most useless thing ever? Here is a list of 10 useless gadgets.
Photographs Of Old Computers
Ah, those good old days!
Photographs and short descriptions of old computers.
How Dangerous Of A Driver Are You?
Take the How Dangerous Of A Driver Are You? test and find out whether you're a safe driver or people have to flee for their lives.
(via Optical Poptitude)
The Art Of Arborsculpture
Arborsculpture is the art of growing and shaping the branches of trees (and other woody plants) into shapes never intended in the wild or even in the garden.
A combination of pruning, grafting and bending, it is used to make living plants into something either useful or ornamental. The results can be quite stunning.
(via Robert-John)
Biggest Movies Coming Summer 2009
The line-up features the usual mix of sequels, prequels, remakes, reboots, big screen adaptations and original fare.
Here's Movie-Moron's definite guide to the summer 2009 movies.
(thanks Sheridan)
The Manhattan Street Corners
The Manhattan Street Corners is photographer Richard Howe's working title for a project to produce a comprehensive photographic portrait of everyday life at street level in daytime Manhattan. Between March and November, 2006, he systematically photographed each and every one of the island's roughly 11,000 street corners.
The photographs capture the many identities of a multi-faceted city. The sequences of images read like a film where we are peering into the lives of the people who define the city's character.
Presidents Who Smoke
Several US presidents of the last century were notorious smokers who lit up constantly in the White House even while regulating tobacco themselves. As the legen