Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Be Wary of Pickpocket Warning Signs (and Other Tips to Avoid Getting Pickpocketed)
Be Wary of Pickpocket Warning Signs (and Other Tips to Avoid Getting Pickpocketed):
Expert thieves have a lot of tricks up their sleeves to rob hapless travelers and natives. If you want to be less of a target for pickpockets, Gene Turner, "America's friendliest pickpocket entertainer," offers several tips, including being wary of pickpocket warnings. More »
The Glass of Fashion
The Glass of Fashion: I found this amusing but informative booklet inside a Winslow Homer art book. It's titled "How To Be Best Dressed Anywhere" and it was put out by The News Corp. sometime in the 1950s, I would guess. Take a look:
-Click to enlarge photos-
-Click to enlarge photos-
'GIF' Named America's Word of the Year
'GIF' Named America's Word of the Year:
The Oxford English Dictionary has named GIF the American word of the year. Some people might see this as a reason to declare language dead and start communicating only in a mixture of grunts and crotch grabs - especially considering the competing words included YOLO and mummy porn — but I think it's reason to celebrate! I ask you, what's doper than a GIF? Except for any real word ever? You can't answer that, can you. More »
Monday, November 12, 2012
Man Stuck Without Power During Hurricane Sandy MacGyvers His Prius To Provide Power
Man Stuck Without Power During Hurricane Sandy MacGyvers His Prius To Provide Power:
Many people who lost power on the East Coast during Hurricane Sandy were lucky enough to have access to electric generators. But for those who weren’t so fortunate, it was either remain in the dark or, in the case of one MacGyver of a man, figure out how to power your home using a hybrid car.
Bob lives in Paramus and had bought the Toyota Prius Hybrid last June to save on gas, reports NBC 4 New York. For a week after the storm, he was able to power some lights and electronics chargers with the aid of a few heavy-duty extension cords and a 100-watt power inverter plugged into his car’s lighter outlet. Once he figured that out, he upgraded to a 300-watt inverter to power his entire home — all on three-quarters of a tank of gas.
He said he’d heard about using a Prius as a power source on the Internet and figured he might as well give it a go after he lost power during Sandy.
“The neighbors kept saying, ‘Does Bob have a generator?’ No, it’s the Prius. It’s a spaceship,” he told the news station.
He wasn’t able to use a heater with his MacGyver system, but just having the lights on and charing his electronic devices was enough — and a lot more power than hundreds of thousands of other customers have had recently.
Make sure you know exactly what you’re doing before hooking your own car as a generator. Any time you utilize other sources for power, safety is an issue.
NJ Man Powers Home with Hybrid Car During Blackout [NBC 4 New York]
Many people who lost power on the East Coast during Hurricane Sandy were lucky enough to have access to electric generators. But for those who weren’t so fortunate, it was either remain in the dark or, in the case of one MacGyver of a man, figure out how to power your home using a hybrid car.
Bob lives in Paramus and had bought the Toyota Prius Hybrid last June to save on gas, reports NBC 4 New York. For a week after the storm, he was able to power some lights and electronics chargers with the aid of a few heavy-duty extension cords and a 100-watt power inverter plugged into his car’s lighter outlet. Once he figured that out, he upgraded to a 300-watt inverter to power his entire home — all on three-quarters of a tank of gas.
He said he’d heard about using a Prius as a power source on the Internet and figured he might as well give it a go after he lost power during Sandy.
“The neighbors kept saying, ‘Does Bob have a generator?’ No, it’s the Prius. It’s a spaceship,” he told the news station.
He wasn’t able to use a heater with his MacGyver system, but just having the lights on and charing his electronic devices was enough — and a lot more power than hundreds of thousands of other customers have had recently.
Make sure you know exactly what you’re doing before hooking your own car as a generator. Any time you utilize other sources for power, safety is an issue.
NJ Man Powers Home with Hybrid Car During Blackout [NBC 4 New York]
Voice of Elmo Leaves Sesame Street Amid Allegations of Sex With Underage Boy
Voice of Elmo Leaves Sesame Street Amid Allegations of Sex With Underage Boy:
Kevin Clash, the puppeteer who's been voicing Sesame Street's immensely popular Elmo character for nearly 27 years, has taken a leave of absence from the Sesame Workshop after allegations surfaced that he had sex with a 16-year-old boy. While Clash admits that he did have a relationship with the accuser, he says, "It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to make it into something it was not." In the meantime, how will Sesame Street proceed without its biggest star? More »
Friday, November 09, 2012
Cocoon 1 - your personal place of retreat
Cocoon 1 - your personal place of retreat:
Cocoon 1 is a very special place of retreat. The innovative product magically connects aesthetics an..(Read...)
Cocoon 1 is a very special place of retreat. The innovative product magically connects aesthetics an..(Read...)
Thursday, November 08, 2012
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
What To Do If You’re Still Getting Calls From “Rachel At Cardholder Services”
What To Do If You’re Still Getting Calls From “Rachel At Cardholder Services”:
Last week, the Federal Trade Commission shut down five operations responsible for untold number of scammy robocalls from “Rachel (or one of many other names) at Cardholder Services.” But several readers have written in to say that these calls have not ended.
“We know there are lots of bad guys,” William Maxson, an attorney for the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, tells Consumerist, adding that even though the agency was able to bring the hammer down (my phrasing, not his) on five major scammers, “There are others out there that use the same methods.”
The FTC confirms that there are ongoing investigations into other robocallers, though it can’t offer specifics since telling scammers that you’re about to bust them is not always the best way to catch them.
For people that continue to get robocalls from Cardholder Services or any other potential scam, Maxson says the fastest and easiest way to let the FTC know is to go to DoNotCall.gov and click “File a Complaint.” You can also call (888) 382-1222 to file a complaint with the FTC.
Remember, even if you’re not listed in the Do Not Call Registry, it is illegal for businesses to robocall you without your permission.
Last week, the Federal Trade Commission shut down five operations responsible for untold number of scammy robocalls from “Rachel (or one of many other names) at Cardholder Services.” But several readers have written in to say that these calls have not ended.
“We know there are lots of bad guys,” William Maxson, an attorney for the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, tells Consumerist, adding that even though the agency was able to bring the hammer down (my phrasing, not his) on five major scammers, “There are others out there that use the same methods.”
The FTC confirms that there are ongoing investigations into other robocallers, though it can’t offer specifics since telling scammers that you’re about to bust them is not always the best way to catch them.
For people that continue to get robocalls from Cardholder Services or any other potential scam, Maxson says the fastest and easiest way to let the FTC know is to go to DoNotCall.gov and click “File a Complaint.” You can also call (888) 382-1222 to file a complaint with the FTC.
Remember, even if you’re not listed in the Do Not Call Registry, it is illegal for businesses to robocall you without your permission.
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
Abandoned Suitcases Reveal Private Lives of Insane Asylum Patients
Abandoned Suitcases Reveal Private Lives of Insane Asylum Patients:
From the 1910s through the 1960s, many patients at the Willard Asylum for the Chronic Insane left suitcases behind when they passed away, with nobody to claim them.
More
From the 1910s through the 1960s, many patients at the Willard Asylum for the Chronic Insane left suitcases behind when they passed away, with nobody to claim them.
More
Monday, November 05, 2012
Homeowner Realizes Too Late That A Home Inspection Is Better Than Uncovering A Mouse Infestation Later
Homeowner Realizes Too Late That A Home Inspection Is Better Than Uncovering A Mouse Infestation Later:
Talk about a nightmarish scenario: A Canadian woman discovered that the $1 million house she’d just bought had a mouse infestation so thoroughly entrenched that she’s had to rip apart the home down to the framework to get rid of it. So how did she miss it before buying the home? She says she didn’t get a home inspection.
While it’s always better safe than sorry, the woman tells CBC News that she thought everything would be fine, as she had contractors, engineers and architects walk through the 5,000-square-foot home several times before she moved in. None of them spotted anything wrong, though the infestation has probably been percolating for five years.
Now, all its drywall and insulation will be ripped out to get rid of the nasty mouse mess.
“All you see is just feces and urine, just puddles and piles,” she said of what she found when she pulled down the walls to renovate the home. ”The whole vapor barrier is just filled with this nest.” She’ll likely spend tens of thousands of dollars to get the mess cleaned up and new insulation and drywall installed.
Although a pest control expert said the mouse problem must’ve been years in the making and is the worst infestation he’s ever seen, the former owners denied knowing anything about any mouse issues. The current owner says she’s likely going to sue, as the inhabitants must’ve noticed something was awry.
The previous owner said he wouldn’t have sold the house if he’d known. And since there were thick walls, who’s to know if the mice just stayed hidden.
Now would be a good time to stress the importance of getting an inspection done in a home before buying it, as doing so could’ve caught this kind of infestation. Spending a little extra in advance is well worth it if it can save you spending thousands more later to clean up Mickey’s mess.
Mice infest Winnipeg woman’s $1M house [CBC News]
Talk about a nightmarish scenario: A Canadian woman discovered that the $1 million house she’d just bought had a mouse infestation so thoroughly entrenched that she’s had to rip apart the home down to the framework to get rid of it. So how did she miss it before buying the home? She says she didn’t get a home inspection.
While it’s always better safe than sorry, the woman tells CBC News that she thought everything would be fine, as she had contractors, engineers and architects walk through the 5,000-square-foot home several times before she moved in. None of them spotted anything wrong, though the infestation has probably been percolating for five years.
Now, all its drywall and insulation will be ripped out to get rid of the nasty mouse mess.
“All you see is just feces and urine, just puddles and piles,” she said of what she found when she pulled down the walls to renovate the home. ”The whole vapor barrier is just filled with this nest.” She’ll likely spend tens of thousands of dollars to get the mess cleaned up and new insulation and drywall installed.
Although a pest control expert said the mouse problem must’ve been years in the making and is the worst infestation he’s ever seen, the former owners denied knowing anything about any mouse issues. The current owner says she’s likely going to sue, as the inhabitants must’ve noticed something was awry.
The previous owner said he wouldn’t have sold the house if he’d known. And since there were thick walls, who’s to know if the mice just stayed hidden.
Now would be a good time to stress the importance of getting an inspection done in a home before buying it, as doing so could’ve caught this kind of infestation. Spending a little extra in advance is well worth it if it can save you spending thousands more later to clean up Mickey’s mess.
Mice infest Winnipeg woman’s $1M house [CBC News]
Stream of unconsciousness
Stream of unconsciousness:
This cartoon appeared in newspapers in November of 2007, five years ago. The comics are always a reminder of how fast things are changing. Five years ago, you’d have downloaded a movie or tv show to your *gasp* laptop computer and synched it with your mp3 device. You still can do that, but the stream is where they want us now, whether you synch or not. The point of the cartoon remains valid, however.
This cartoon appeared in newspapers in November of 2007, five years ago. The comics are always a reminder of how fast things are changing. Five years ago, you’d have downloaded a movie or tv show to your *gasp* laptop computer and synched it with your mp3 device. You still can do that, but the stream is where they want us now, whether you synch or not. The point of the cartoon remains valid, however.
Why are new planet names so dull?
Why are new planet names so dull?:
Scientists' could learn a thing or two from science fiction when it comes to naming newly discovered worlds, says Quentin Cooper.
More
Scientists' could learn a thing or two from science fiction when it comes to naming newly discovered worlds, says Quentin Cooper.
More
Kurt Vonnegut’s Daily Routine
Kurt Vonnegut’s Daily Routine:
“In an unmoored life like mine, sleep and hunger and work arrange themselves to suit themselves, without consulting me.”
As a lover of letters and of all things Kurt Vonnegut, I spent months eagerly awaiting Kurt Vonnegut: Letters (public library), which has finally arrived and is just as fantastic as I’d come to expect. What makes the anthology particularly sublime is that strange, endearing way in which so much of what Vonnegut wrote about to his friends, family, editors, and critics appears at first glance mundane but somehow peels away at the very fabric of his character and reveals the most tender boundaries of his soul.
Here’s a taste:
In the mid-1960s, Vonnegut was offered a teaching position at the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa. His role as long-distance father and husband was propelled by voluminous correspondence with his family, who remained in their Cape Cod residence. In a letter to his wife, Jane, dated September 28, 1965, he outlines his daily routine:
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“In an unmoored life like mine, sleep and hunger and work arrange themselves to suit themselves, without consulting me.”
As a lover of letters and of all things Kurt Vonnegut, I spent months eagerly awaiting Kurt Vonnegut: Letters (public library), which has finally arrived and is just as fantastic as I’d come to expect. What makes the anthology particularly sublime is that strange, endearing way in which so much of what Vonnegut wrote about to his friends, family, editors, and critics appears at first glance mundane but somehow peels away at the very fabric of his character and reveals the most tender boundaries of his soul.Here’s a taste:
In the mid-1960s, Vonnegut was offered a teaching position at the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa. His role as long-distance father and husband was propelled by voluminous correspondence with his family, who remained in their Cape Cod residence. In a letter to his wife, Jane, dated September 28, 1965, he outlines his daily routine:
Dearest Jane,Compare and contrast with Henry Miller’s daily routine.
In an unmoored life like mine, sleep and hunger and work arrange themselves to suit themselves, without consulting me. I’m just as glad they haven’t consulted me about the tiresome details. What they have worked out is this: I awake at 5:30, work until 8:00, eat breakfast at home, work until 10:00, walk a few blocks into town, do errands, go to the nearby municipal swimming pool, which I have all to myself, and swim for half an hour, return home at 11:45, read the mail, eat lunch at noon. In the afternoon I do schoolwork, either teach of prepare. When I get home from school at about 5:30, I numb my twanging intellect with several belts of Scotch and water ($5.00/fifth at the State Liquor store, the only liquor store in town. There are loads of bars, though.), cook supper, read and listen to jazz (lots of good music on the radio here), slip off to sleep at ten. I do pushups and sit-ups all the time, and feel as though I am getting lean and sinewy, but maybe not. Last night, time and my body decided to take me to the movies. I saw The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, which I took very hard. To an unmoored, middle-aged man like myself, it was heart-breaking. That’s all right. I like to have my heart broken.
Brain Pickings has a free weekly newsletter and people say it’s cool. It comes out on Sundays and offers the week’s best articles. Here’s what to expect. Like? Sign up.
Jawbone Sunglasses
Jawbone Sunglasses:
Emma Montague made these stylish but slightly creepy sunglasses. They’re constructed..(Read...)
Emma Montague made these stylish but slightly creepy sunglasses. They’re constructed..(Read...)
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