Oceanic Anomaly Has UFOlogists Abuzz

Sonar image of the "USO" - Unidentified Submerged Object
Picture courtesy Ocean Explorer/Peter Lindberg

On June 19m 2011 the Swedish team Ocean Explorers discovered something weird on the ocean floor between Finland and Sweden in the Gulf of Bothnia.

Peter Lindberg's team was looking for a shipwreck containing a consignment of 1907 Heidsick Monopole Gout Americain Champagne (very rare) worth $13,000 a piece to collectors.

Instead of the ship, Jonkoping, what they found has Internet Ufologists talking alien submerged spaceships.

"At 87m down, between Sweden and Finland, they saw a large circle, about 60 feet in diameter," he told local media last week.

"You see a lot of weird stuff in this job but during my 18 years as a professional I have never seen anything like this.

"The shape is completely round … a circle."

Mr Lindberg said the team has also noted what they say could possibly be tracks running some 300m up to where the disc lies.

The team claims the tracks show the object has moved, either on or since settling to the ocean floor.

His team refuses to dive to it...after all they were looking for sunken ships and champagne...and no one wants to spend the money to dive to what may be a natural formation.

So it's up to the world. Maybe Richard Branson or James Cameron would fund a dive to it. After all, it may be natural but if it isn't...



Australian News Article

MSNBC News Article

"If a Nightingale Could Sing Like You..."

"This picture doesn't look like you!"
"It doesn't look like you either"

Check out this hilarious scene from Monkey Business as each of the Marx Brothers use the same passport to try and pass themselves off as Maurice Chevalier (and then answer the call for a "doctor"):



The Marx Brothers were HANDS DOWN the greatest comedians that ever lived.
God Bless You, Groucho. May you forever rest in peace.
And thanks for the Ten Thousand laughs...

____


And for all you Maurice Chevalier fans (and we know you're there), here's the original song:
"You've Brought a New Kind of Love To Me

All New Project Runway at 9pm tonight

Finally THE NEW SEASON OF PROJECT RUNWAY IS HERE!
We love seeing Tim Gunn tell the designers to "Make it work."

Tune in tonight at 9pm on Lifetime for the season 9 premiere.

Our favorite designer of all time has to be Santino Rice. His spin off show with Austin Scarlett was pretty awesome too. We hope they bring that show back soon.

Official Project Runway Website

Alex Trebek, Vigilante

He's not just the host of "Jeopardy," he's also a vigilante. Alex Trebek appeared on crutches on July 27, 2011 while hosting the National Geographic World Championship. The reason: He was chasing a burglar at his hotel in San Francisco, Calif. in the middle of the night when his Achilles tendon snapped. Trebek said when he fell, he also injured his other leg. Trebek, 71, assured the audience that he was OK.

Wow, he's 71? Yes. Turns out his birthday was just the other day on 7/22.

The World's Most Expensive Car Crash

What do you get when you crash a £250,000 Bentley into a Mercedes, a Porsche, a Ferrari AND an Aston Martin?

This:



"It was a line-up of the finest supercars in one of the world's wealthiest hotspots, Monte Carlo's Place du Casino.

But what started as a parade of high-priced horsepower turned into an impromptu game of demolition derby - when a hapless blonde scraped her £250,000 Bentley Azure down the side of a £75,000 Mercedes S Class.

Her 2.7 tonne beast then crashed into a £140,000 black Ferrari F430, before going head on into an £80,000 Porsche 911 and a £140,000 Aston Martin Rapide.

The driver, and her two passengers, then had the humiliation of watching hundreds of tourists circle the scene as they were unable to open the doors of the British-built convertible."

HILARIOUS! $800,000 worth of cars - smashed in under 25 seconds.
We're waiting for the video to surface...and we'll bring it to you!

"Oh My God, I Have a Vagina!"

Have you seen the new Summer's Eve commercials? Well, never you mind if you haven't, because America's pal, Stephen Colbert, has. And what he has to say about them is pretty hilarious!

Check it out:

LINK TO VIDEO CLIP

Katy Perry in a Smurfette Dress

Katy Perry voices Smurfette in the new NPH vehicle, The Smurfs and this is how she showed up for the premiere.

Russell Brand is officially the luckiest son of a bitch on the entire fucking planet.

This woman is gorgeous.



And don't forget, she kissed a girl and she liked it.

For I was hungry, while you had all you needed. I was thirsty, but you drank bottled water."

Children like these aren't just dying...
they are suffering terribly before death claims them

Please read the following admonishing post by Richard Stearns.

Richard Stearns - Huffpost

He nails it...and us...for good reason.

Washington Post News Article

Which brings us to this next post...possibly the greatest post we've ever read.
This guy is talkin' our langauge:

READ THIS POST BY CHRISTOPHER COCCA

So why is it that Christians everywhere aren't up in arms over the global crisises that are affecting millions of people when we know damn well we would make a difference?

What makes us as a human species turn our backs on people in need? Fear? Indifference?

Do we just think that someone else is going to do something so why bother?

And is Global Warming to blame for the worst drought in 60 years?

'Tonight the streets are filled with love'

150,000 people lined Oslo's streets yesterday for a gathering of love.

Each person held a single rose into the air as a sign and symbol of love for the fallen.

We don't even have words for this it's so beautiful.

Norway, we love you and we will always stand with you.

We love Thor Hushovd, one of our favorite athletes, We cannot get over the irony that during the entire month of July people lined the street of France waving Norwegian flags for Thor and then this happened.

We love Sig and Edgar Hansen from the F/V Northwestern and hope they are all okay right now.

We think of our Norwegian friends fondly and send them our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.









News Link

TDF: Champagne on the Champs Elysees!

Cadel Evans enjoys the traditional last ride into Paris

FRANK SCHLECK, CADEL EVANS and ANDY SCHLECK. 3,1 and 2.

Some traditions are meant to last and the few on the last day of the Tour are pretty cool.

The First tradition is that there is no attacking on the final day. The remaining cyclists and teams ride into Paris like a fraternity group. Many riding up and down the peloton talking to friends on other teams and occasionally riding to the front to congratulate the winner.

Today, that winner was Cadel Evans, the first Australian to ever do so. At his side were the runners up, #2 Andy Schleck and his brother #3, Frank Schleck.

The Second tradition is that the winner gets to have a glass of champagne on the way into Paris in between all the publicity shots and fraternization.

Today was no exception and the drinking, driving and riding is fun to watch. It's so French.

The Third tradition is the sprint along the Champs Elysees from Place de Concord to the Arch D' Triumph and back 8 times.





Mark "The Missile" Cavendish took this Stage and the Tour's Green Jersey and now has a remarkable 20 total Tour Stages. He's only a year or two away from beating Lance's record 22.



Thor Hushovd's Team Garmin won for Best Team.

It was such an awesome Tour. Everything about this year was great. If you've stopped caring about The Tour becuase Lance Armstrong no longer runs, then you are really missing a renaissance of new and seasoned riders.

Read more:
News Article

News Article

TDF: Yell for Cadel; The "Andy" Curse

Cadel hugs and kisses the Famed Tour De France's
Yellow Jersey winner's Lion

Yesterday's Stage ended with young Andy Schleck grabbing the yellow Jersey from 10 Day Leader Thomas Voeckler. It ended the Alps run beautifully with Alberto Contador, Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans all cycling like demons to win the famed Tour.

Andy's Yellow shirt lasted but a day as he fell short in the Stage 20's Time Trial today by MINUTES. The Australian Cadel Evans WILL WIN THE TOUR TOMORROW. It's a tradition that YOU DO NOT ATTACK on the Final Run into Paris and so Cadel will finally win the Tour after coming in second multiple times.

It's a First for Australia prompting parties and capping Cadel's historic 2011 Tour.

The Curse of the Andy's continues as yet another mega sports star named Andy fails to clinch a major title. Andy Roddick, Andy Murray and now poor Andy Schleck who gave his heart and soul in the Alps only to fall short today. His time trial was a total bonk. He must've have given his all yesterday and had no more energy to give.

CADEL EVANS WINS THE TOUR DE FRANCE!!

CADEL EVANS WINS THE TOUR DE FRANCE!!

CADEL EVANS WINS THE TOUR DE FRANCE!!

Roll of honor Result after stage 20:

YELLOW: EVANS Cadel BMC RACING TEAM 83h 45' 20"
GREEN: CAVENDISH Mark HTC - HIGHROAD 280 pts
CLIMBER: SANCHEZ Samuel EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI 108 pts
WHITE: ROLLAND Pierre TEAM EUROPCAR 83h 56' 03"
TEAM: TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO 250h 57' 43"

The first win ever for an Australian, The first Green (Fastest rider) ever for a Brit and a Frenchman wins White (The best young rider).

Sadly, our Big Norwegian Friend, Thor Hushovd, rode with a black armband today to show some support for his home country that was devastated by terror attacks yesterday. Thor had a wonderful Tour and this was complete and utter tragedy for him and his fellow countrymen. There was so much support for him throughout the month of July with Norwegian flags flying everywhere along the routes and Stages every day. Today many more people waved those flags in total support and solidarity for the Norwegian Thor Hushovd. So fucking sad for him and the poor victims.

However...

What a Tour! It was the best in years and a total blast. We loved every minute of it and plan to sit and relax watching the riders come into Paris tomorrow and circle the Champs Elyssees. It will be MAGICAL.

So Yell for Cadel. He earned it.

TDF: Mayhem and Madness on The Mountain

It was a day for the schmenges today on Alpe d'Huez.

Here's a quip from the British newspapers that sums it up:

The approach road to the Alpe, a quarter-mile stretch from Bourg d'Oisans, a town which comes alive whenever Le Tour visits, was even rowdier, with people as far as the eye could see on either side and in the roadway itself.

Anything goes on the Alpe at Tour time. Rational thinking and rational behaviour are left behind as a crazed euphoria grips what Police estimate could be up to half a million people lining a mountain road today. By the time the race passes, between 4pm and 5pm this afternoon, most of them will have drunk themselves back into oblivion, whether on alcohol or simply the intoxicating atmosphere of a street party which rivals the Rio Carnival for the dazzle of its sound and vision.

That's right. A Massive Mountain Street Party.

A schmenge is a person that has camped on said mountain for DAYS, drinking themselves silly and waiting for the riders to zoom by. Only the riders don't zoom on mountain stages. They crawl painfully up the sides, dodging drunks left and right.

Which brings us to Alberto Contador. Yes, we've called him a douchebag. Yes, we've said we hope he doesn't win. But you know what? 'ole Alberto redeemed himself today in the most splendid fashion. HE PUNCHED SOMEONE OUT! WTG, Alberto!

Riders have enough to contend with and then they have to deal with people who refuse to move out of the way and dare we say it...TOUCH THEM AT WILL.

DO NOT TOUCH THE RIDERS.

Contador punches a dude

See what can happen?

SOS! CALL FOR ACTION! WE MUST FREE THE STEVE!

WE MUST SAVE THE STEVE IRWIN FROM THE BRITISH COURT SYSTEM!

YOU MUST WATCH THIS VIDEO AND HELP THE SEA SHEPHERDS GET THEIR SHIP BACK...




SEA SHEPHERDS URGENT SOS


DONATE HERE TODAY!

TDF: Andy Schleck Goes Balls Out!

Andy celebrates his hard-earned Stage win today

Balls Out: To exude tremendous effort, to try extremely hard

BRAVO ANDY!!!!

STAGE 18 SHOCKER!

IT WAS AN EPIC DAY IN THE TOUR as Andy Schleck (Team TEAM LEOPARD-TREK) attacks on the second climb of the day, overcomes the breakaway leader and rides to victory on the highest climb EVER on the Tour on the most beautiful day in the French Alps.

Andy made up over a minutes time and is now only 15 seconds from the Yellow Jersey with Thomas Voeckler clinging to it one more night in a shocking display of power from the Frenchman.

Voeckler's pain was clearly written across his face as he valiantly rode up the 3 steepest climbs of the Tour including the Galibier pass. Voeckler is not known for mountain stages and it was on-the-edge-of-your-seat action as the world watched Andy ascend and attack and try like hell to not only win the stage but to take the Yellow as well.

If Andy can keep this up and attack one more day, he'll own the maillot jaune (Yellow Jersey) and win in Paris on Sunday.

Another action packed day in the Alps is set for tomorrow with the peloton riding the famed Alpe d'Huez. The Alpe d'Huez is as anticipated as the Col Du Tourmalet and WE CANNOT WAIT!

Saturday's time trial will be a barnburner as Cadel Evans and maybe Alberto Contador will try and wrestle the Yellow back from Andy (we think he'll have it after tomorrow).

Sunday's ride to Paris WILL BE SPECTACULAR in what has been the best tour of the past decade.

Thomas Voeckler leads the Peloton up the Izoard pass

Voeckler almost killed himself today in a grueling Stage
and you can see the happiness at the finish

Andy was the King today in the gorgeous Alps

READ: One Reporters Joy and Anguish at the Tour End...

What Really Happened to Natalie Wood?

Actress Natalie Wood was born this day in 1938. She died November 29, 1981.

How beloved was Natalie Wood by her Hollywood peers? Well, her pall bearers were: Rock Hudson, Frank Sinatra, Laurence Olivier, Gregory Peck, David Niven, Fred Astaire and movie director Elia Kazan.

Her funeral was attended by over 1,000 people and included Elizabeth Taylor and Gene Kelly.

In life she starred in over 50 major motion pictures including some of the best and biggest of all time: Miracle on 34th Street, The Searchers, West Side Story, Splendor in the Grass, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, Rebel Without a Cause and one of our all time personal favorites, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.

She was nominated 3 times for an Academy Award and nominated multiple times for Golden Globes, winning twice.

Her death at age 43, remains an open mystery. Natalie was married a few times in her life and like Elizabeth Taylor two of those marriages were to the same man, Robert Wagner (Of recent Austin Powers movie fame.)

On the night in question, November 29, 1981, she was on her and Robert's yacht with fellow actor Christopher Walken and the boat Captain. She was found drowned the next morning, clad in a nightgown, jacket and socks. The official story is that she went outside late that night/early that morning to secure a dingy that kept banging against the boat, slipped, fell in the water and accidentally drowned.

Her sister, actress Lana, insists that Natalie would never go out at night like that and secure a boat. Besides, she had THREE other men on board that could have done that for her, including one (the Captain) that was on the payroll to specifically take care of that kind of thing.

The Captain insists to this day he saw and heard Natalie and Robert having a terrible fight on deck early that morning and that all of sudden Robert was alone saying, "she's gone." The implication here is that he threw her overboard or accidentally/inadvertently caused her to fall overboard.

The police ruled that because of the level of alcohol in her bloodstream (super high)and because they believed Wagner's story that is was an accident.

Christopher Walken has NEVER ONCE spoken publicly about that night. Wagner never said much either. His autobiography from a few years ago basically just says this:

According to Wagner, tensions came to the boil during a late dinner on the couple's yacht Splendor, which was moored off the island of Santa Catalina, near Los Angeles, after Walken suggested that Wood should star in more films instead of caring for two young children.

Wagner admits he lost his temper over the remark and smashed a wine bottle on the table, prompting Wood to go below to their cabin. He and Walken then went up on deck to cool down. At about midnight he returned to the cabin and discovered that his wife was missing. Then he realised that the yacht's dinghy had gone too. That's when he remarked to the Captain, "She's gone."

This implies that he thought maybe she had just taken the smaller boat to shore and left him. He was so drunk he might not have even known she was dead.

Her body was found by authorities later that day.

Her sister, Lana, as of March 2010, asked the LA police to re-open this "case" and reinvestigate. No word on that, but considering the LA police face thousands of homicides a year and this incident happened 30 years ago this November, we'd say it's over.

Lana's story is conveyed through this news article from a couple of years ago.

We'll never know what really happened that night unless Christoper Walken or Robert Wagner give some sort of tell all.

Until then, it's still up in the air...Lover's squabble that led to accidental death, drunken accident or deliberate murder...?

TDF: It's Thor's Tour - All Hail The God of Thunder

"Oh Hi!" - Thor Hushovd from the podium today

Oh what a Tour so far! This year has been absolutely one of the best we've ever seen...and we've been following since the Greg Le Mond days and watching since cable starting carrying it.

"Hushovd, of Garmin-Cervelo, outsprinted Norwegian compatriot Edvald Boasson Hagen to take his second victory of the race after a rainy 162.5km ride over undulating terrain from Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux.

Frenchman Thomas Voeckler retained the race leader's yellow jersey but the Europcar leader, like the Schleck brothers Andy and Frank, lost time to both Contador and Australian Cadel Evans in a thrilling finale."

Yes, ANOTHER THRILLING FINALE. Every Stage this year has been packed with thrills and excitement. And for the first time in what seems like decades WE'RE NOT SURE WHO IS GOING TO WIN.

In the "Lance Years", we knew 2 weeks in who had it in the bag. Lance.

Last year's fiasco with that snake Contador attacking Andy Schleck as Andy's bike chain broke at the last minute really pissed alot of people off...and then we knew Contador would win.

We really don't want that to happen again this year. Alberto is a douchebag.

This year we have a laundry list of guys that we would WANT to win including the Schleck brothers, Andy and Frank and the Aussie, Cadel Evans.

1. VOECKLER Thomas 181 TEAM EUROPCAR 69h 00' 56"
2. EVANS Cadel 141 BMC RACING TEAM + 01' 45"
3. SCHLECK Frank 18 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK + 01' 49"
4. SCHLECK Andy 11 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK + 03' 03"
7. BASSO Ivan 91 LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE + 03' 49"
26. LEIPHEIMER Levi 75 TEAM RADIOSHACK + 20' 12"
29. GILBERT Philippe 32 OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO + 20' 50"
30. VANDE VELDE Christian 58 TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO + 21' 39"
53. HUSHOVD Thor 51 TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO + 51' 04"
60. MILLAR David 56 TEAM GARMIN - CERVELO + 1h 04' 48"
68. CHAVANEL Sylvain 121 QUICK STEP CYCLING TEAM + 1h 13' 08"
95. HOOGERLAND Johnny 204 VACANSOLEIL-DCM + 1h 36' 09"
100. PETACCHI Alessandro 169 LAMPRE - ISD + 1h 43' 11"
105. HINAULT Sébastien 105 AG2R LA MONDIALE + 1h 48' 24"
122. CANCELLARA Fabian 12 TEAM LEOPARD-TREK + 1h 59' 57"

And of course, the #1 Sprinter and owner of the Green Jersey:
Mark Cavendish Team Highroad

Now of course only the top few guys have a shot but what we would give to see Big Thor win the entire thing.

A note on Thomas Voeckler who has the yellow again tonight. It seems like yesterday Little Tommy Voeckler was new to the race and winning the White Jersey for Best Young Rider. Well, that was 10 years ago and this "seasoned professional" as Paul Sherwin put it has really come into his own. A Frenchman, Voeckler has the entire country rooting for him...and us too!

Today's Roll of honor - Result after stage 16

YELLOW: VOECKLER Thomas TEAM EUROPCAR 69h 00' 56"
GREEN: CAVENDISH Mark HTC - HIGHROAD 319 pts
POLKA: VANENDERT Jelle OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO 74 pts
WHITE: URAN Rigoberto SKY PROCYCLING 69h 08' 51"
TEAM: GARMIN - CERVELO 206h 31' 24"

Read this GREAT article:

ESPN - HOW TO WATCH THE TOUR DE FRANCE

We're in the final week but it's never too late!

Bird Attacks Cat. Cat Doesn't Even Notice.

Either this cat gets attacked all the time and is over it, or he just doesn't care much.

We feel sorry for the poor little bird who is trying unsuccessfully to scare the cat away from something the cat doesn't care about either!

Cash Cab KILLS Pedestrian!

Adam Growe - Toronto Cash Cab

This is so sad.

This Cash Cab is from the Canadian version and did not involve Ben Bailey driver of the New York Cash Cab OR Adam Growe host of Canada's Cash Cab.

"A replica taxi used in TV game show ‘Cash Cab’ struck and killed a pedestrian in Canada after finishing production for the day. A 61-year-old man from Surrey, British Columbia, died in hospital after being hit by the mock yellow cab on Friday night in Vancouver. The accident happened as a producer was driving the vehicle back to a storage facility after filming had ended for the day.

Circumstances leading to the accident are still being determined and no charges have been filed yet, a Vancouver police spokesman said. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and the taxi is now being held by investigators, reported the Vancouver Sun.

The victim is not being identified at the request of the family.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his friends and his family. My heart also goes out to the driver of the vehicle, a member of our technical staff, who is shaken and devastated by this tragic accident, as is our entire team'
Andrew Burnstein, president of Castlewood Productions

The Canadian version of ‘Cash Cab’, hosted by licensed taxi driver and comedian Adam Growe, has been broadcast by Discovery Channel Canada since 2008."

News Article

It's Over, Zahi

It's all over. The Last Great Pharaoh of Egypt is no longer.

Yesterday, in both shocking and saddening news and without any fanfare (and we mean ZERO) famed Indiana Jones wannabee, Zahi Hawass, was told to pack his bags and leave the office he's held since 1969.

He tried to leave on foot but was heckled by protesters so he had to hail a cab and basically run away for his life from what once was the most famous position and highest regarded cabinet in all of Egypt - Egyptian Minister of Antiquities.

He even had his own TV show and clothing line but that wasn't enough to counter decades worth of lies, privilege and cronyism.

It's over, Zahi.

People have felt the same way about Zahi Hawass as we have over the years. Both worshipped and ridiculed, elevated and scorned, his method of so-called Archeology has fueled debate, anger, skepticism and jealousy over the 40 years of his career.

How the mighty have fallen.

A few short years ago, laws were changed in his country to protect his right from forced retirement to no avail. Just 3 years later and he leaves office in a humiliated and down low fashion - no ticker tape parades or state sponsored ceremony of greatness.

Nothing.

Just pack your bags and go, Dr. Hawass.

You're fired.

News Article

TDF: THOR HAMMERS AWAY!

Big Thor Wins the Stage...
and look at all the pretty colors

Big Thor Hushovd wins Stage 13 in what has to be one of the most dramatic stages of the Tour's history.

So much for "not doing much in the mountains". Thor, World Champ, PROVES, that he is out for blood this year and pretty much put on a "clinic" today.

From Le Tour.fr
"The world champion can do it all: he can time trial (to victory as he did in the world championships as an under-23 rider and again in the prologue at the start of the 2006 Tour), he can sprint (as two green jerseys in the Tour proves), he can win stages on the pavé (as he did in 2010) and he can climb the Aubisque and beat the peloton home with panache. This is his ninth stage victory (including the prologue) in the Tour de France."

"This is the best moment ever in my career," Hushovd said.

"Winning alone, after going over the Col d'Aubisque in the rainbow jersey, is incredible.

"It is the craziest thing I've ever done."

The win was Hushovd's ninth at the Tour de France and continues a stunning race for the veteran sprinter. He is being praised for cycling the strongest he ever has. So far this year is a glory run for the giant Norwegian. GO THOR!

The Stage ended in the historic holy town of Lourdes.

And without a prayer, Andreas Klöden of Team Radioshack, is out from injuries, although he really tried hard to keep up today before abandoning.

Happy Birthday Jesse Ventura

Jesse is one bad ass motherfucker

It's a good thing I'm not president because I would prosecute every person that was involved in that torture. I would prosecute the people that did it. I would prosecute the people that ordered it. Because torture is against the law. ... Waterboarding is drowning. It gives you the complete sensation that you are drowning. It is no good, because you — I'll put it to you this way, you give me a water board, Dick Cheney and one hour, and I'll have him confess to the Sharon Tate murders. ... If it's done wrong, you certainly could drown. You could swallow your tongue. It could do a whole bunch of stuff to you. If it's done wrong or — it's torture...It's torture."
Jesse Ventura - pro wrestler/UDT Navy diver/ex-Governor of Minnesota

Jesse Ventura, American legend, turns 60 today.

Jesse has been famous for being a wrestler back in the day - nickname "The Body" - or, from being in 2 or 3 Arnold Schwarzenegger movies in the 80's - the great ones Predator and Running Man - or, from being the Governor of Minnesota - or from his latest TV show, "Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura".

Jesse was also a frogman for the Navy's Underwater Demolition Team, a biker riding with the Mongols, a bodyguard for the Rolling Stones back in the 70's and the mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota for 4 years.

He also has hosted a radio show, a TV show on MSNBC, acted on a soap opera and authored several books.

For all the good times and bad, that he had with the wrestling world, fame and lawsuits, Jesse was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.

That's probably not even the half of it.

Jesse catches shit from a lot of people over his politics, demeanor, conspiracy theories and so forth, but not from us. He's our hero. Of course he has flaws and is subject to arrogance and entitlement, but he EARNED it. He's a bad ass motherfucker.

And when we think of America, we like to think of guys like Jesse Ventura, out there doing real things and keeping people honest. Next to John Walsh, he's one of our favorite good guys. Plus, he wants to waterboard, Dick Cheney. How awesome is that?

TDF: Col du Tourmalet! Col du Tourmalet!

At last! The Col du Tourmalet (Tour-Ma-Lay), THE MOST ICONIC RIDE ON ALL THE TOUR DE FRANCE.

Located in the picturesque Pyrenees mountains of France, this mountain is the most anticipated and lovely stage of the tour. Although not on every years itinerary, when it is - it's a GREAT TIME.

Just hearing Phil Liggett say Col du Tourmalet makes us happy. Of course, any time Phil speaks we're happy, but there's something about the Tourmalet that makes us...giddy!

PHIL LIGGETT IS A LEGEND.

The Col Du Tourmalet is the highest road in the Pyrenees and has been included in the Tour more than any other mountain pass. At the col is a memorial to Jacques Goddet, director of the Tour de France from 1936 to 1987, and a large statue of Octave Lapize gasping for air as he struggles to make the climb. Also, it is so popular and so legendary that thousands of amateur riders make the climb every year and many take documents to have rubber-stamped in the shop at the summit to show they have made it.

It's just a fan favorite. If you love the Tour de France then you know the Col Du Tourmalet very well. The coolest mountain in France.

Today's Stage 12 went well. There were some crashes, notably Andreas Kloden and Tommy Voeckler. Both recovered and finished well today. Spanish cyclist Samuel Sanchez won the Stage. It's his first Stage win ever.

Here are the standings so far.

Top Ten-Overall Standings After Stage 12

1. Thomas Voeckler, Team Europcar

2. Luis-leon Sanchez, Rabobank Cycling Team, at 01:49

3. Cadel Evans, Bmc Racing Team + 02:06

4. Andy Schleck, Team Leopard-Trek + 02:17

5. Ivan Basso, Liquigas-Cannondale + 3:16

6. Damiano Cunego, Lampre-ISD + 3:22

7. Alberto Contador, Saxo Bank Sungard + 4:00

8. Samuel Sanchez, Euskaltal Euskadi + 4:11

9. Tom Danielson, Garmin-Cervelo + 4:35

10. Nicolas Roche, AG2R LaMondiale + 4:57

Watch the race on Versus. More days in the mountains to come!

TDF: The Missile Gets Torpedoed

Today's although-not-crash-free-but-relatively-quiet Stage 10 had quite the sprinters run for the finish as Brit favorite Mark "The Missile" Cavendish was beat out at the last second by German Andre Greipel (Team Omega Pharma-Lotto).

Greipel is described as Cavendish's "Arch Rival", so this must have really pissed Mark off today.

The duo were team-mates and outspoken rivals last season, with Greipel denied his chance to ride in the Grand Tours by Cavendish's presence in the HTC-Highroad squad.

In other words, Cavendish took Greipels spot on the team. So today's sprint was a grudge-match.

However it was the first time ever that Greipel beat Cavendish outright in a sprint. Cavendish must've timed something wrong or thought that Greipel was further behind then he was and let up too soon.

Also today, Yarosolav Popovych (Team Radioshack) retired from the race this morning after coming down with a fever and in big news, Alexandr Kolobnev (Team Katusha), quit the race after failing doping controls.

The rider dropped out of the Tour on Monday after the International Cycling Union said a urine sample collected from Kolobnev last Wednesday tested positive for Hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic that can also be used as a masking agent.

Police searched his room but found nothing.

Kolobnev said he doesn't know how the banned diuretic got into his urine sample. He said he was waiting for the results of a test of his 'B' sample.

Katusha's team statement said that "If the 'B' sample also tests positive, he will be fired and will have to pay five times his salary as a fine."

Doesn't pay to dope unless you're named Lance.

In the other news regarding the now infamous car crash from the other day, tour organizers and tour officials have passed tough new rules to keep the media cars away from the riders DURING the fucking race.

Between cycling teams, organizers, police, and media, nearly 170 cars and motorcycles are on the course each stage. Many, like the France Télévisions car that clipped Flecha, are authorized to drive around the peloton throughout the day.

170 cars! That's so ridiculous. What on God's Earth would Eddie Merckx or Bernard Hinault have to say? In their day the Tour was riders and support cars only.

But Tuesday brought new restrictions for media vehicles on the course, including a mandate that cars must keep a two-minute distance from the race when roads permit.

“What we witnessed two days ago was both unacceptable and shocking,” said Jean-François Pescheux, the race’s director of competition.

Flecha, a rider for Britain’s Team Sky, spent Monday morning undergoing X-rays in a local hospital. He arrived at an afternoon press conference heavily bandaged. “I haven’t heard anything from the driver,” he said. “I don’t even know his name.”

The driver is known to French police, however.

Police spent yesterday interviewing witnesses, riders, and even the driver, though neither investigators nor Tour de France officials have released his or her name.

Trust us, the driver is IN TROUBLE.

Stay tuned for more mountain stages this week!

TDF: Vinokourov Suffered Career Ending Injury

Vino has his leg looked at by the doctor
before being taken to the hospital

The crash yesterday that involved Alexander Vinokourov, Jurgen van den Broeck, David Zabriskie and Frederik Willems might have ended poor Vino's career.

This was supposed to be his last Tour anyway, but to go out like this is difficult to accept.

The poor guy ended up in the woods and was lifted out by friends. He suffered a broken leg and a pelvic fracture.

Alberto Contador had this to say about the condition that led to the pile-up in the woods. "I went past a little later and saw a rider down and my hair stood on end. That curve should have been signposted."

Riders are FURIOUS at the obscenely high number of injuries, crashes and mayhem at this years tour and are not holding back about the car crash:

From: The Herald Sun
"Anyone involved with a bike race (including riders) should take written and practical tests before getting licenses. Hope all who crashed are ok," Mark Cavendish tweeted.

It was a familiar theme.

Former rider Magnus Backstedt said: "Hoogerland is a hard man. Respect to get back up after that. I hope he can continue.

"Left feeling disgusted and saddened by result of the action of that driver."

Chris Boardman questioned why officials would allow a television car to pass the breakaway of five with trees enroaching on the roadside. "What was commisare doing waving press car through on such a narrow lane anyway?," Boardman tweeted.

South African sprinter Robbie Hunter was blunter. "Ok that was just fucked...French tv car just crashed the break...Hoogerland went down hard! That driver needs a beating!!!," he tweeted.

Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara followed up with: "This car driver should get the same pain as my friend flecha... He corst (caused) the crash...This is a disaster what happen."

And the Stage winner Luis Leon Sanchez went off at his press conference:
"There were cars going past us all day, far too close, and it was pretty much going to happen at any moment," Sanchez said. "I have to ask the Tour organisation to sort this out. Measures have to be taken. You don't expect something like that to happen in the best race in the world."

No you don't, Luis. This is pretty fucked up.

The abandoned riders so far (from Independant.co.uk)

Stage 4
* Jurgen Van De Walle (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto

Stage 5
* Christophe Kern (Fra) Team Europcar
* Janez Brajkovic (Svn) Team Radioshack

Stage 6
* Vasil Kiryienka (Blr) Movistar Team
* Ivan Velasco (Esp) Euskaltel-Euskadi

Stage 7
* Rémi Pauriol (Fra) FDJ
* Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step Cycling Team
* Bradley Wiggins (GB) Sky Procycling

Stage 8
* Benat Intxausti (Esp) Movistar Team
* Christopher Horner (US) Team Radioshack

Stage 9
* Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Pro Team Astana
* Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
* Frederik Willems (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
* David Zabriskie (US) Team Garmin- Cervelo
* Woulter Poels (Hol) Vacansoleil-DCM
* Pavel Brutt (Rus) Katusha Team
* Juan Manuel Garate (Esp) Rabobank Cycling Team
* Amets Txurruka (Sp) Euskaltel-Euskadi

TDF: Car Crash Fallout - Graphic Pics

Team Sky Manger Dave Brailsford is considering filing charges against the driver of the vehicle that slammed into Johnny Hoogerland and Juan Antonio Flecha yesterday during Stage 9 of the Tour de France.

We would say "Considering?" Considering what? How much you are going to sue for?

What happened was inevitable considering that the Tour is followed and supported by dozens of cars - mechanical supply cars, food and water cars, medical cars, TV news cars, etc...However, that doesn't excuse what occurred. It's shocking how HARD the guys were hit and it's a miracle they were able to finish the stage, although both were in such obvious pain that it was written across their faces in winces and scowls.

The vehicle in question, a French media car, was immediately sidelined and thrown out of the race. And it was the second vehicle induced crash of this years tour after last Wednesday a photographer's motorbike was involved in a crash with Danish rider Nicki Sorensen of Team Saxo Bank.

As of right now, the police are officially investigating the accident.

The Spaniard, Juan Antonio Flecha, feared he had suffered a fractured elbow, but plans to start tomorrow's 158km 10th stage from Aurillac to Carmaux. He said: 'Tomorrow I'll be able to ride, how well I don't know but I really don't care. 'At first I want to see how everything goes. I'm thinking more long term. 'I'm more concerned about the Pyrenees. I can't bypass the Pyrenees.'

Spoken like a Tour Rider. As avid Watchers, we cannot bypass the Pyrenees either!

The crash was nothing short of spectacular though as Hoogerland flew head over heels and landed in barbed wire.

Later Hoogerland will refuse to place blame, not even on the driver of the car, who is kicked out of the race. He says that in his pain, his mind turned to Wouter Weylandt. "I just said to Flecha – we're still alive, and Weylandt died," he said. Hoogerland will later claim he was lucky. It could have been worse. Every cyclist rides with a fresh memory of Wouter Weylandt's death on a descent in May's Giro d'Italia.

This years Tour is full of broken bones...and dreams

Here are the photos:

Johnny Hoogerland's falls hard into a barbed wire fence

He has to be carefully extracted
Mind the family jewels there!

He's helped back to the road

His injuries are "superficial" but terribly painful

Johnny bleeds his way to the Podium,
dripping blood all over France

Johnny breaks down in tears,
after winning the famed polka dot jersey for Best Climber,
earned before the horrific crash

Video of the car crash



Johnny Hoogerland (Who is very cute, btw) cries at the podium.
We're pretty sure if we went head first into a barb wire fence and then rode 34 more miles we would have cried LONG before the podium.

WHAT IS IT!? Oh, Two Apples....

Check out this hilarious video of a kitten scared of two apples.

Look at his scared-kitten-crazy-sideways-kitty-crab-dance... He actually works up some bravery to smack at them once in a while.

So cute!

The Great Ronnie James Dio's Birthday

Today would have been Dio's 69th birthday. One of the greatest heavy metal artists of all time he has been greatly missed since his passing on May 16, 2010.

He was the nicest guy and the best singer ever. We will always miss him.

Turn it up and rock out!
As always we suggest you let it spool first then listen again and enjoy...

TDF Stage 9: Tour De Crash

Johnny Hoogerland tangled in the barb wire
after the car crash

It was a day of blood, sweat and tears as close to 12 riders, some big names too, abandoned the race today. One huge crash took out vets David Zabriskie and Jurgen Van Den Broeck and really messed with Christian Vande Velde. Vandelveld had this to say: "I was never the same after the crash. We were going too fast."

Alexandre Vinokourov also abandoned after crashing today on the 129.2 mile trek stage from Issoire to Saint-Flour.

BUT THE BIG NEWS WAS WHEN 2 RIDERS WERE SIDE SWIPED BY A FRENCH TV NEWS CAR AND ALMOST KILLED.

The car swerved to avoid hitting a tree and instead took out, Team Sky rider Juan Antonio Flecha, who was hit directly by the car and subsequently almost ran over by 3 others. And in one of the most dramatic crashes in the history of the Tour, Dutch cyclist Johnny Hoogerland was thrown upside down in to a barbed wire fence.

These two cyclists were awarded the "Fighting Spirit Award" of the day, which has never been given to two people on the same day as a tie.

There have been so many injuries this year it has to be setting some sort of record. Chris Horner of Team Radioshack is also out with broken bones.

In fact, Chris Horner had his bell rung so badly, that when tour doctors examined him he didn't even know he was in the tour even though he was riding on his bike clinging to the side of the medical car. He was retired immediately.

Little Tommy Voeckler, now a ten-year veteran, has taken the lead and snatched the leader's yellow jersey from everybody's favorite Norwegian Thor Hushovd.

Tomorrow is a rest day.

Current Standings:

Overall standings
1. Thomas Voeckler (France / Europcar) 38hrs 35mins 11secs
2. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spain / Rabobank) +1:49"
3. Cadel Evans (Australia / BMC Racing) +2:26"
4. Fraenk Schleck (Luxembourg / Leopard) +2:29"
5. Andy Schleck (Luxembourg / Leopard) +2:37"
6. Tony Martin (Germany / HTC - Highroad) +2:38"
7. Peter Velits (Slovakia / HTC - Highroad)
8. Andreas Kloeden (Germany / RadioShack) +2:43"
9. Philippe Gilbert (Belgium / Omega Pharma - Lotto) +2:55"
10. Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark / Leopard) +3:08" 11.
Ivan Basso (Italy / Liquigas) +3:36"


King of the Mountains standings
1. Johnny Hoogerland (Netherlands / Vacansoleil) 22 points
2. Thomas Voeckler (France / Europcar) 16
3. Tejay Van Garderen (U.S. / HTC - Highroad) 5

Team standings 1. Europcar (France) 115hrs 03mins 31secs
2. Leopard (Luxembourg) +32"
3. RadioShack (United States) +1:02"
4. Rabobank (Netherlands) +1:18"
5. Garmin (United States) +1:50"
6. AG2R (France) +4:23"
7. Katyusha (Russia) +4:40"
8. HTC - Highroad (United States) +4:55"
9. Quick-Step (Belgium) +6:14"
10. Omega Pharma - Lotto (Belgium) +7:45"

Alexandre Vinokourov has to be carried out of the
ditch after one of today's crashes

Video of the car crash

TDF: Two Faves Are Out

To say it rained in France today is an understatement

The Tour lost two of it's favorite riders today: Former world champion Big Tom Boonen and contender favorite, Team Sky's leader, Bradley Wiggins.

Poor Boonen was hurt in Wednesday crash and said this: "Yesterday it was OK, I felt OK, but today I'm really doing bad, my head hurts, I can't concentrate and I'm a danger for my colleagues".

Sounds like he has a concussion or something.

Bradley Wiggins was involved in another GREAT crash today that affected dozens of riders in the pouring rain. Someone slammed on the brakes in the front of the peloton and that was it...bodies hit the road.

"I think the guys were moving Bradley up, he went into a tailwind, they knew it was coming. Somebody apparently slammed the brakes on, the whole peloton skidded and then powered into the back of him at a great speed. There's a lot of guys (who) hit the deck."

Wiggins, a favorite to be in the top three, if not the Tour winner, broke his collar bone and was taken to hospital.

There was no change at the top of the standings, with Big Thor Hushovd in Yellow, Cadel Evans still in second place, just one second behind, and Frank Schleck still in third place, four seconds behind Hushovd.

Mark "The Missile" Cavendish won his second straight stage. "It's a very special day for me ... it's a very sentimental moment," Cavendish said. "I have to thank the guys for all their work today, it was a hard windy day, and the guys rode hard for me all the way through. They were marvelous", he said."

Cavendish takes the stage

Giant Norwegian Thor (Tor) Hushovd accepts
another yellow jersey and Lion