"My Little Pony"
Finnish artist, Mari Kasurinen takes "My Little Ponies" to a whole new level with her set of Custom My Little Ponies collection. Featuring characters like Alien, a Storm Trooper, and Edward Scissorhands. If you would like to adopt a pony for yourself, feel free to contact Mari through her deviantArt account; she will also commission custom designs.
McGill Scientists Find World's Oldest Rock
In Hudson Bay on Friday, a team of scientists from McGill University in Montreal, found a sample of the oldest rocks on Earth: Nuvvuagittuq greenstone dating back more than 4.28 billion years -- 250 million years older than any other rock. Even more exciting, they could possibly provide evidence of ancient life forms. "The rocks contain a very special chemical signature - one that can only be found in rocks which are very, very old," said Don Francis, professor of geology at McGill University in Montreal, "Nobody has found that signal any place else on the Earth."
In case you were curious, the previously identified oldest rocks date back to 4.03 billion years from Canada's Northwest Territories and the oldest minerals (specifically zircons) dated back to 4.36 billion from Western Australia.
Danish Island Completely Carbon Neutral
Samsø, a small island of 4,100 residents (Samsingers) off the Jutland Peninsula in Denmark. Used as a meeting place (as its name evidently indicates, erm, in Danish) during the Viking Age. Known for its strawberry picking in June and July and early potatoes (a great delicacy) but also, in recent years, for its renewable and sustainable energy. Samsø is completely carbon neutral.
In 1997, Samsø began a 10 year project to see if it was feasible (and practical) to generate all necessary energy from renewable sources alone. It is, on both counts, and the island reached its goal in 2003 - half the projected time. Using wind power (where, notably, the islanders are shareholders of the turbines) both on island and ten turbines at an off shore windfarm, the surplus of energy produced that Samsø is not only able to compensate for the non-renewable energy used on, for example, the ferries to and from the island, but is even able to sell energy back to the mainland. The islanders heat their homes using straw and a central heating system, and some vehicles operate on biofuel (whose sources are grown on-island). 75% of Samsø's heat is generated through solar panels, hay and biomass energy and 100% of their electricity is by the turbines.
So, let's give it up for Samsø - completely carbon neutral in under six years - a role model for the rest of us!
In 1997, Samsø began a 10 year project to see if it was feasible (and practical) to generate all necessary energy from renewable sources alone. It is, on both counts, and the island reached its goal in 2003 - half the projected time. Using wind power (where, notably, the islanders are shareholders of the turbines) both on island and ten turbines at an off shore windfarm, the surplus of energy produced that Samsø is not only able to compensate for the non-renewable energy used on, for example, the ferries to and from the island, but is even able to sell energy back to the mainland. The islanders heat their homes using straw and a central heating system, and some vehicles operate on biofuel (whose sources are grown on-island). 75% of Samsø's heat is generated through solar panels, hay and biomass energy and 100% of their electricity is by the turbines.
So, let's give it up for Samsø - completely carbon neutral in under six years - a role model for the rest of us!
Good bye, Mr. Newman
Paul Newman, famous actor, philanthropist, race car driver, and inventor of delicious salad condiments, died today at age 83. Newman had been battling lung cancer for a number of years, and is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joanne Woodward.(Image: Joanne Woodward, Paul Newman and their dog)
Born in Shaker Heights, Ohio in 1925, Newman briefly attended Ohio University in 1943 before joining the V-12 program (through OU) in the Navy and served in WWII, initially with hopes of becoming a pilot, but discovered he was colorblind. After the war, Newman returned to Ohio and graduated from Kenyon College in 1949 before going on to Yale, studying drama/acting.
Newman's acting career lasted from 1954 (with his first film, The Silver Chalice) through his official retirement in May of 2007 when he told ABC: "You start to lose your memory, you start to lose your confidence, you start to lose your invention. So I think that's pretty much a closed book for me." Outside of his onscreen career, Newman founded Newman's Own company, which we all recognize for its salad dressings, salsas, pasta sauce, &c. Not only does this company produce fabulous food, but Newman donates all profits (after taxes) to charity; so far, the donated funds exceed $250 million USD. Amazing, right?
While preparing for the film Winning in 1969, Paul Newman developed an interest in auto racing that lasted the better part of 40 years. In April of 2008, Barbara Walters interviewed Newman and was even so brave as to climb into a race car with him - a truly amazing sight!
Paul Newman, you were an all around wonderful human being; thank you.
Taking the Eurostar? That is SO last season!
Earlier today, Yves Rossy, a 49 year old Swiss pilot, jumped from a plane 8,200 feet above Calais, France and rocketed across the English Channel. The 22 mile journey took him less than thirteen minutes, with an average speed of 125 mph. Armed with four tanks of kerosene, the daredevil completed his journey in style and parachuted down to earth near Dover, England.How did he do this, you may ask? He built his own jet propelled wing system. That's right, one step closer to JETPACKS.
Now, why? Rossy explained that he wanted to retrace the path of Louis Bleriot, who, in 1909, was the first person to fly over the English Channel. French aviator Jean-Pierre Blanchard and John Jeffries, an American doctor, where the first to cross the Channel (in the opposite direction, from Dover to Calais) via hot air balloon in 1785. Yves Rossy now joines those ranks as the first man to use jet propulsion to cross the Channel - and in record time, too!
Watch Yves Rossy (aka FusionMan) rocket across the Channel
Video via CBS, courtesy of National Geographic
Now, why? Rossy explained that he wanted to retrace the path of Louis Bleriot, who, in 1909, was the first person to fly over the English Channel. French aviator Jean-Pierre Blanchard and John Jeffries, an American doctor, where the first to cross the Channel (in the opposite direction, from Dover to Calais) via hot air balloon in 1785. Yves Rossy now joines those ranks as the first man to use jet propulsion to cross the Channel - and in record time, too!
Video via CBS, courtesy of National Geographic
Artist of the Month: Julien Bocabeille
This month's artist is Julien Bocabeille, of Paris, France. At 23, he recently graduated from Gobelins: École de l'Image, co-directed the short film Oktapodi, winning nine (count them, 9) awards. It is a truly fabulous film! Julien is now working as the Lead Character Animator at Dreamworks SKG India!
Since viewing Oktapodi, I can't stop smiling, squealing and otherwise bothering my roommate in a high-decibel manner.
Oktapodi - Co-directed by Julien Bocabeille
SO CUTE!
Sorry.
Since viewing Oktapodi, I can't stop smiling, squealing and otherwise bothering my roommate in a high-decibel manner.
SO CUTE!
Sorry.
Love is...
An Israeli designed Ferrari motorcycle. That's love. Sort of.
Amir Glinik, and Israeli industrial designer, has designed an amazing motorcycle concept using a modified enine from the Ferrari Enzo. Employing hand controls from the F-16 fighter jet, push button controls from Ferrari's Formula 1 racecars, not to mention all sorts of new technologies like "drive-by-wire" technology, and an all weather touchscreen which controls extras like a trip computer and top notch sound system. Top speed? Who knows - it's still a concept bike - and cost? Another blank - in both cases, just think high. Very, very high. Impractically and ridiculously high, if you will. (But who needs practical, anyway?) Glinik explained that he was inspired by both "Vintage and modern Ferrari projects," He went on to describe this project as: “[A] mix of what I find to be the best Ferrari lines with the latest technology I could think of in terms of engine, gear and driving management.”
All images copyright Amir Glinik 2008
Amir Glinik, and Israeli industrial designer, has designed an amazing motorcycle concept using a modified enine from the Ferrari Enzo. Employing hand controls from the F-16 fighter jet, push button controls from Ferrari's Formula 1 racecars, not to mention all sorts of new technologies like "drive-by-wire" technology, and an all weather touchscreen which controls extras like a trip computer and top notch sound system. Top speed? Who knows - it's still a concept bike - and cost? Another blank - in both cases, just think high. Very, very high. Impractically and ridiculously high, if you will. (But who needs practical, anyway?) Glinik explained that he was inspired by both "Vintage and modern Ferrari projects," He went on to describe this project as: “[A] mix of what I find to be the best Ferrari lines with the latest technology I could think of in terms of engine, gear and driving management.”
All images copyright Amir Glinik 2008
! Blasphemy!
Okay, I know this ad has been out since July, but I just saw it a few minutes ago and was absolutely horrified! The Breakfast Club is one of my favorite movies, and this JC Penny ad which pretty much traces the movie one frame at a time is horrifying, blasphemous and has GOT to be some form of copyright infringement! (and if it's not, it should be!!) I am not amused. Anyone else equally dismayed?
Sydney's Sensational Salon
Officially open for business this morning, a Marie Antoinette inspired hair salon designed by architect, Scott Weston, at the IVY in Sydney, Australia. This absolutely luxurious salon would be my top pick any day! Complete with cupcakes, plush velvet seating and amazing faux-carpentry, lend an air of romance and decadence to this absolutely fabulous space.
Scott Weston graduated from the University of Technology, Sydney with first class honors and a University medal (wow!). AFter spendign two year abroad, he ended up at the Royal College of Art in London.
A scale model of one of Scott's current projects, Open Haus
Scott Weston graduated from the University of Technology, Sydney with first class honors and a University medal (wow!). AFter spendign two year abroad, he ended up at the Royal College of Art in London.
A scale model of one of Scott's current projects, Open Haus
Lotus Goes Green
Okay, so I've always had a special place in my heart for fast cars, largely attributed to my childhood love of Full House, which features a cherry red Mustang convertible, cruising across the Golden Gate sigh.
In any case, the English-based Lotus Group has just released its newest "green" vehicle: the Exige 270E Tri-Fuel car. That's right, tri-fuel, and no, that doesn't include diesel. This "research engine" runs on gasoline, ethanol or methanol. I KNOW, RIGHT? Their previous model,the 265E Biofuel, which ran on ethanol and gasoline, with up to an 85/15 ethanol/gasoline mixture while maintaining its 265 horsepower. Ohh yeah.
But Lotus has done more than just redesign their cars; they've complete renovated their factories. From "body panels made from locally grown hemp [to] water based paint", reported greenUpgrader (gU), not to mention solar panels for energy regeneration. Seats are made from both the hemp-polyester resin with undyed, minimally processed wool upholstery, and sisal carpets. Manufacturing more than $50 million (USD) per year, Lotus can make a huge impact by changing their manufacturing process. And how have they done this? By using sustainable materials, developing methods for generating renewable energy, and making lighter vehicles to improve fuel efficiency.
Way to go, Lotus. You've done me proud. Now, if only I could get my hands on one...
In any case, the English-based Lotus Group has just released its newest "green" vehicle: the Exige 270E Tri-Fuel car. That's right, tri-fuel, and no, that doesn't include diesel. This "research engine" runs on gasoline, ethanol or methanol. I KNOW, RIGHT? Their previous model,the 265E Biofuel, which ran on ethanol and gasoline, with up to an 85/15 ethanol/gasoline mixture while maintaining its 265 horsepower. Ohh yeah.
But Lotus has done more than just redesign their cars; they've complete renovated their factories. From "body panels made from locally grown hemp [to] water based paint", reported greenUpgrader (gU), not to mention solar panels for energy regeneration. Seats are made from both the hemp-polyester resin with undyed, minimally processed wool upholstery, and sisal carpets. Manufacturing more than $50 million (USD) per year, Lotus can make a huge impact by changing their manufacturing process. And how have they done this? By using sustainable materials, developing methods for generating renewable energy, and making lighter vehicles to improve fuel efficiency.
Way to go, Lotus. You've done me proud. Now, if only I could get my hands on one...
Got Wifi?
Yes? No? Not sure? Well, this spiffy t-shirt can tell you!
Okay, so this is pure geekdom at its best and man, it won me over! I would never actually purchase one of these, but it entertains me endlessly, nonetheless.
Okay, so this is pure geekdom at its best and man, it won me over! I would never actually purchase one of these, but it entertains me endlessly, nonetheless.
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