Hamster Hat

Want to make an aww-some statement and be super snuggly while doing it? Nothing will suit you better than a Kigurumi, an animal hat whose name comes from a combination of two Japanese words: kiru (to wear) and nuigurumi (stuffed toy). Adorn this adorable accessory at home, at a cutesy costume party, or at work for a supremely casual Friday.

(via Everlasting Blort)

Hakone: Japan's Amazing Open Air Museum

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The small town of Hakone in Japan holds something of a revelation. However, unless you are from Japan, you may well not have heard of it. The town plays host to a large open air museum where the works of many famous artists are held - outdoors.

It is an attempt to balance art and nature in harmony. The artworks, combined with the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains give the visitor an unforgettable experience.

On Geek Versus Nerd

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To many people, geek and nerd are synonyms, but in fact they are a little different. Both are dedicated to their subjects, and sometimes socially awkward. The distinction is that geeks are fans of their subjects, and nerds are practitioners of them.

A computer geek might read Wired and tap the Silicon Valley rumor-mill for leads on the next hot-new-thing, while a computer nerd might read CLRS and keep an eye out for clever new ways of applying Dijkstra's algorithm. On Geek vs Nerd.

Parakeets Running In Slow Motion

YouTube link

(via Miss Cellania)

Maple Syrup

(via Criggo)

10 Momentous Counterterrorism Operations

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The world is full of potential high-impact terrorist targets, from crowded passenger planes and diplomatic embassies to all kinds of densely populated public spaces. It's no small wonder, then, that counterterrorism can be one of the most difficult and dangerous forms of security to enforce.

Some operations end in success, but there have also been a number of failed missions. Although many lives have been saved, sometimes there are fatalities. Yet while the less successful attempts may be upsetting, they can offer important lessons for future operations. Here are 10 of the most significant counterterrorism actions involving hostages in recent history.

Japan's Automated Underground Bike Storage

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Bicycles are a popular form of transportation in Japan. However, when parked they can take up a lot of public space that could otherwise be used by pedestrian foot traffic, small storefronts, etc.

Rather than take up valuable real estate above ground, they store them safely underground where they are protected from the weather and would-be thieves, while freeing up valuable public space.

Banknotes Featuring Scientists And Mathematicians

Scans of banknotes featuring scientists and mathematicians. From the collection of Jacob Lewis Bourjaily, a theoretical physicist at Harvard University.

(thanks Cora)

Amulet

Amulet is a film by Tevvon Reynolds. It's about a young boy on an quest to fulfill his destiny. On his adventure he runs into trouble and he must learn to face his fears to complete his journey.



Vimeo link

(thanks Tevvon)

The Natural History Of The Unicorn

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Today we know that there's no such thing as unicorns. But back in the 1500s, they were sort of a respectable version of Bigfoot. Although only a few people had ever 'seen' them, it was widely believed that they existed.

So when Topsell's Historie of Four Foot Beasties, the first illustrated natural history in English, was published in 1607, unicorns were included. Here are some excerpts from the original version of the book. Remember, as you read, that these descriptions were considered science, not fantasy.

Ed Balls Teaches Typing

Ed Balls is a British Labour Party politician. He doesn't really teach typing. It all started as a one line joke that turned into a surprisingly playable game. How fast can you type 'Ed Balls?' I did it in 0.456 seconds. How fast can you type 'Ed Balls?'

(via b3ta)

Tweet Is Now A Real Word

Proving either - or both - that the English language is a living organism in constant flux and evolution, or that the authoritative Oxford English Dictionary is cheapening itself with a premature bow to cultural pressure, the word 'tweet' in its social-media sense has been added to that sacred paragon of lexicography.

tweet, v.
2 a. intr. To make a posting on the social networking service Twitter. Also: to use Twitter regularly or habitually.
2 b. tran. To post (a message, item of information, etc.) on Twitter. Also: to post a message to (a particular person, organization, etc.).

tweet, int. and n.
2. A posting made on the social networking service Twitter.

A Tribute To Alfred Hitchcock

Jean-Baptiste Lefournier cut together this great homage to maestro Alfred Hitchcock with live action footage shot on Lumix GH2.



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(thanks Cora)

Secrets Of Ancient Roman Concrete Discovered

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The chemical secrets of a concrete Roman breakwater that has spent the last 2,000 years submerged in the Mediterranean Sea have been uncovered by an international team of researchers led by Paulo Monteiro, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Berkeley.

Analysis of samples pinpointed why the best Roman concrete was superior to most modern concrete in durability, why its manufacture was less environmentally damaging - and how these improvements could be adopted in the modern world.

LOLCats From Yesteryears

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LOLcats, for those uninitiated, is an Internet meme of funny cat pictures accompanied with an amusing caption, often idiosyncratic and grammatically incorrect. While the term is believed to have originated in 2006, the concept of lolcats originated much earlier.

These photographs were taken by American photographer Harry Whittier Frees (1879–1953), who dressed his cats, Rags and Fluff, as well as the pets of his friends and neighbors, and posed them in human situations with props.

(thanks Cora)

Unique World Phenomenon - The Flower Of Tisa

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The Tisa's flower or Tisa mayfly (Palingenia longicauda) is an ancient insect species. Ascendants of this species emerged some 200 million years ago. The Tisa River is one of the last sanctuaries where the Tisa's flower has its massive appearance every year.

Unlike most mayflies, adult Tisa's flowers never leave the water; their cerci are constantly touching or sweeping the surface. The slow-moving river and absence of surface-feeding fish help make this possible. Now extinct in many European countries, Tisa's flower can be found in Serbia and Hungary on the Tisza river.

(thanks Bojan)

Vespalogy

Vespa is an Italian brand of scooter manufactured by Piaggio. The name means wasp in Italian. The Vespa has evolved from a single model motor scooter manufactured in 1946 to a full line of scooters. Here's a groovy retrospective of Vespas from 1943 to 2013.



Vimeo link

(thanks Cora)

Mexicans Nominate A Cat To Run For City Mayor

Citizens in Xalapa, Mexico have quite a decision to make on July 7, when they cast their vote for a new mayor. One of their choices is a cat who vows to 'rid the city of rats.' Literally, but also in the sense of corrupt politicians. In response to politics as usual, two students in the eastern Mexican city have nominated a cat named Morris for mayor.

If elected, they say Morris will eat, sleep, yawn and continue other cat activities as usual, which is what makes him a good candidate. If Facebook likes are any indicator of popularity, then Morris is actually the lead in the race - by a lot. As of Saturday evening, Candigato Morris has over 70,000 likes, crushing the human frontrunner Americo Zuñiga's 30,000.

(thanks Miss Rare)

A Good Plan

(via Criggo)

Hovertrax

The Hovertrax is an auto-balancing, electric transporter with gyro technology. Shift your body weight to control speed and direction for seamless gliding. The tough yet super light, Hovertrax responds to your foot movement accelerating forward, backward and left and right.

The Hovertrax has two halves that tilt independently of each other. Each wheel has its own motor, each equipped with a gyro sensor and accelerometer.

Big Cats Like Boxes Too!

Tigers, lions and leopards love boxes too! Just like domestic cats.



YouTube link

(via Pets Lady)

10 Kick Ass Facts About Bruce Lee

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Bruce Lee (born Lee Jun-fan) was a Chinese American martial artist, Hong Kong action film actor, and filmmaker. Lee was the son of Cantonese opera star Lee Hoi-Chuen. He is widely considered by commentators, critics, media and other martial artists to be one of the most influential martial artists of all time and a pop culture icon of the 20th century.

Here are 10 kick ass facts about Bruce Lee.

Snore-Stopper

The Snore-Stopper is the newest achievement in sleep research and as well as a relationship-saver; in one neat device. One brief, yet resolute punch and you again reign over nighttime peace.

(thanks Cora)

How 8 Famous Writers Chose Their Pen Names

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Some pen names are fairly well-known for what they are. Most people know that Mark Twain was the alias of Samuel Langhorne Clemens. The outing of Richard Bachman as a pen name used by Stephen King was well-publicized and inspired King's novel, The Dark Half.

Some pen names you don't see coming, though, and assume the name on the book cover is the real deal. Here are eight pen names of famous writers.