Revisiting the Huckabees Freakout

We wanted to post this set freak out because:

A) It's a fucking classic
B) We LOVE Lily Tomlin
C) We Definitely Heart Huckabees

A little back story.

I ♥ Huckabees was a GREAT movie that came out in 2004. It stars Jason Schwartzman, Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin, Jude Law, Isabelle Huppert, Mark Wahlberg and Naomi Watts and is one of those films that really sticks with you (and you can quote from for the next 40 years.)

The plot involves...well you just have to see it. Existential Detectives, an environmental group, a department store model, crisis of conscious...well, it's all there.

There was a Bale-esque set freak out, years before there was THAT Bale freakout, and it centered around Lily Tomlin's disdain for the directors direction and the subsequent freak out of so-said Director, David O. Russell.

Footage is grainy at best but enjoyable nonetheless.

You can see Dustin Hoffman pacing uncomfortably, Jason Schwartzman taking it all in and one scared to death crew member who learned to duck fast.



BTW, this isn't the only "leaked" video regarding this particular movie production. In another behind the scenes look you can find Lily telling Dustin to "shut the fuck up."

God, we love her.

Bonus Huckabees scene - What happens in a meadow at dusk? Movie magic.
Plus, a young Jonah Hill in his first movie role.

The "NoNoNoNo" Cat

This has to be seen to be believed and even then it may just be "enhanced" video. But for sure, it's pretty fucked up. And hilarious.



Most cats will run when they are scared, but this guy just keeps fluffing up and fluffing up and arching his back and yelling "No!"

Help Stop "Puppy Mills"

"Hope" one week after rescue from puppy mill

Animal activists are well-aware of the torturous conditions of the Puppy Mill. Are you?

Never ever buy your family's pet from a breeder or pet store. The store may adamantly deny they buy from puppy mills but the sad truth is that they are lying right to your face. Those puppies came from somewhere and stores just don't accept unwanted dropped-off puppies - they get them from breeders. Bottom line. End of story.

You should always get a rescue pet from a shelter or other rescue organization.

Puppy Mill "mother" dogs are kept in terrible conditions and the puppies are just torn from their side at 4-6 weeks. The dog is then, in most cases, put in a "rape stand" so that she can be impregnated again...and again...and again...and again until she dies.

It's one of the most despicable outcomes of greed in this country. It's gross. We come from the Puppy Mill State. Pennsylvania, at one time, had more puppy mills that you could count. Hell, we are known as "the puppy mill capital of the East."

Nice.

Undercover video shot by activists shows: "Dogs standing in their own excrement in tight pens. Dogs living in cages with wire-mesh flooring that appears to visibly hurt their paws as they walk on it. Dogs in pens exposed to wind and rain. Dogs doubled up in small kennels designed for one. Unkempt breeding stock with matted fur. Newborn puppies on plywood flooring with no bedding."

There really are no words for it.

But there is a PETITION against it.

From the petition site:

W petition the Obama Administration to crack down on puppy mills.

To prevent the suffering of dogs and puppies in puppy mills, will the President act to close the current regulatory loophole and require large-scale, commercial breeders who sell puppies online and directly to the public to be covered by USDA’s Animal Welfare Act regulations, including minimum standards for humane care and treatment? This will help to protect consumers from unknowingly buying sick puppies from inhumane facilities and help to eliminate the horrible conditions in large-scale puppy mills.

SIGN THE PETITION AGAINST PUPPY MILLS HERE

Visit PETA's Puppy Mill Info Page

Prisoners of Greed.org

Puppy Mill Awareness Day.org

"Hope" today, thanks to Prisoners of Greed.org rescue

The Shining Part 2?

Sounds too good to be true? Not to Stephen King. Or us!

According to the prolific and incredibly imaginative author, he has wondered all these years about what happened to Danny Torrance, the little boy in The Shining, after those events of his childhood. So he has decided to pen the sequel.

King wrote The Shining back in 1977 after staying at the Colorado resort, The Stanley, and having some unexplained paranormal events happen to him first hand. "Ghost Hunters" fans will recognize The Stanley for one of the most amazing disembodied voices ever recorded.

King's experience led him to create the Torrance family and their ill-fated job as seasonal caretakers of The Overlook Hotel.

In the book, Jack Torrance, Danny's father, played BRILLIANTLY by Jack Nicholson in the 1980 film, suffers the worst case of cabin fever in history. He slowly succumbs to madness as the ghosts of the hotel wreck havoc with his mind. In the end he goes crazy and tries to kill his wife and child...

Here is where the book and the movie differ. The ending of the book is vastly different from the film where the family escapes and the father freezes to death in a vain attempt to capture them in sub-zero weather.

However in both, the mother and little Danny survive...hence over 30 years later..a sequel is born.

Danny is now in his 40's and haunted from his past. His clairvoyant powers which saved him as a child are harnessed and used to ease dying patent's fears as he works as a hospice worker.

The novel will be called Dr. Sleep and includes psychic vampires called "The Tribe."

We can't wait. Of course in the usual King fashion we imagine it will be 1,000 pages of pure madness, mayhem and horror.

“This is an idea that I’ve had for some time. I wrote a novel in the ’70s called ‘The Shining’ … I always wondered what happened to that kid, Danny Torrance, when he grew up … I kept wondering, what’s Danny Torrance doing? What’s going on with him now? Where did he go after this terrible experience? And little by little, this story started to form,” King said.

The book, which is still in the works, “kinda goes back to ‘what’s the worst thing you can think of?” King continued. “I knew that there were bad people in this story that were like vampires, only that what they sucked-out was not blood, but psychic energy from special people like Danny Torrance. And I came to realize that these people were called The Tribe and that they move around a lot.”

News Article

Stephen King.com

It's Time. Don't You Think?

From the petition site:

We petition the Obama Administration to:
Legalize and Regulate Marijuana in a Manner Similar to Alcohol.

We the people want to know when we can have our "perfectly legitimate" discussion on marijuana legalization. Marijuana prohibition has resulted in the arrest of over 20 million Americans since 1965, countless lives ruined and hundreds of billions of tax dollars squandered and yet this policy has still failed to achieve its stated goals of lowering use rates, limiting the drug's access, and creating safer communities.

Isn't it time to legalize and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol?

If not, please explain why you feel that the continued criminalization of cannabis will achieve the results in the future that it has never achieved in the past?

SIGN HERE

Bravo Spain!

The crowd cheers as the last dead bull of Barcelona
bullfighting is pulled from the arena

FINALLY!

Spain is finally banning BULLFIGHTING, which isn't fighting at all but the brutal cruelty of spearing bulls in front of cheering whacked out crowds. How anyone can enjoy watching an animal being brutalized is entirely beyond our comprehension. However it's been Spain's number one tourist attraction for hundreds of years.

We couldn't be happier with Spain's decision to grow up and find their compassion. Bullfighting isn't what a modern society should be known for. Animal cruelty as a sport is still number one in many Asian and Middle Eastern countries and is that what a European capital wants to be known for? On the continent? NO!

Congrats to Spain for ending this barbarous stupidity.

Sadly, many are calling for bullfighting to be reinstated in other regions of the country. Losers.

We hope that compassion, mercy and good-sense win out in the end.

News Article

The Beauty of Caves

There were a few articles published recently that caught our eye. The Earth's cave systems are beautiful beyond belief. Some are awe inspiring cavernous spaces that just catch your breath they are so amazing.

Here are 2 pics from the Lake General Carrera cave in Patagonia, Chile. It is hailed as the Earth's most beautiful cave.

Click on the article to see more impressive larger photos and to learn more about the system.

Chilean Cave Article

This Vietnamese cave system, The Hang Son Doong, was discovered in 2009 by some British spelunkers. It is so large that the end has yet to be found. It is simply breathtaking!

Click on the link to read more about it and see the larger pictures.
A MUST SEE!

Vietnamese Cave

This cave system in Tennessee is a spelunker favorite. The 350 foot "Rumble Room" has climbers going crazy over it.

"The intrepid cavers reached the cave by plunging down large waterfalls, shimmying through tight underground spaces and swimming in the world's most remote underground rivers."

Tennessee Rumble Room

"Who's a Pretty Boy Then?"

Wild Galahs comparing notes

This is from Down Under - the Wonderful Land of Oz - Australia.

"ENTIRE flocks of wild galahs, cockatoos and corellas are learning to talk.

The wild birds are being taught by pet birds that have escaped or been released by their owners and joined the flocks.

This is a TRUE story! People are reporting that while in their backyards or other outdoor places where large flocks of birds are hanging out they are hearing them speak English.

"We have had people call us thinking they are going mad or had something put into their drink because they've gone out to look at the flock of birds in their backyard and all the birds have been saying something like: 'Who's a pretty boy then'?" the Australian Museum's naturalist, Martyn Robinson, said yesterday.

"These birds are very smart birds and very social and communication and contact is important between them.

"So the pet bird begins to say things it's been taught by its owner and the rest of the flock learns and starts speaking too, to mimic the pet bird," Mr Robinson said.

"I just hope a pet that's been taught dirty words doesn't join a flock."

WE DO! How freakin' funny would that be?

News Article

When Pigs Fly!

How do you celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Pink Floyd classic album "Animals"?

By flying a pig over the Battersea power station London!

The band recreated the cover for their iconic album today in London in a publicity event for the re-release of ALL 14 Pink Floyd studio albums including a brand new box set.

Those 14 albums include three of the most well-known rock albums of all time: The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall. Pink Floyd has sold over 200 million albums since the 1960's.

News Article

Pink Floyd transcends space and time. Their music is inspired and awesome.

Thanks, Mom!

These dramatic pictures captured the perilous danger for a lion cub sliding into certain doom...until his mother climbed down and rescued him.

Take a look:

Mom arrives at the cliff top to see her baby boy sliding down the perilous slope

Four other lionesses get involved only to step back because of the steep cliff face

Mom climbs down and around to stop his fall

She gets him by the scruff and drags him back to safety

And its all hugs and kisses from there

R.I.P Troy Davis

We must reiterate our sincere condolences, even after all these years, to Officer MacPhail's family. Officer MacPhail DID NOT deserve to die. He seems to have been a good and honorable man that was helping out a homeless man when he was senselessly and needlessly gunned down. That's absolutely horrible and we really feel for his family.

We are also offering condolences to Troy Davis' family. This has been a nightmare that they can't escape from either.

Whether he is innocent or guilty matters only a little because both families have been hurt so much and that's the true sin. Matters have only been made worse because instead of one dead man, we now have two.

We vehemently DO NOT OPPOSE THE DEATH PENALTY. Yes we are radical left wing bleeding heart liberals but as the...and we can't believe we are typing this...State of Texas proved last night, the death penalty is completely apropos in certain situations.

Brewer, the ass wipe who murdered James Byrd, deserved the death penalty if ever we heard of a reason.

People who cold bloodily murder other people for senseless or hate filled reasons deserve the death penalty or more accurately, we the people deserve to live without the risk of them ever being free again.

Appeals for Brewer were over. No one protested for him. He was caught and convicted and put to death for it. The way he killed his victim was heinous and he was LUCKY to get lethal injection and not hung or hooked up to 'ole Sparky. Islamic law would have dictated he be stoned to death - and not in the 420 good way.

We just cannot justify not having a death penalty of any kind. We find that ridiculous. The reason society is in total and complete decline is because we hardly have standards, discipline or accountability anymore. If we declare ourselves to be morally above the death penalty then we are just asking for the dregs of society that do these heinous things and then to just live in jail for their natural lives on the taxpayers tit. No thank you.

It's bad enough the prisons are filled with unjustly convicted minorities and people convicted for marijuana offenses. The dichotomy of justice is mind-boggling. It's bad enough as it is without having the option of putting these fucking low lives out of our misery.

So in that respect we beg to differ from Jimmy Carter, the Pope and everyone else taking the super moral high road today. They will continue to take that road until it's their family member that's been dragged by a 24 foot chain alive for 3 miles before being decapitated by a drain pipe because an unrepentant "glad I did it" scumbag was hatin' on "niggers" that day.

The galling part of last night is that in this country it is practically beaten into us that convictions are supposed to come without any reasonable doubt.

There was no doubt that Brewer was a white supremest and killed Byrd because he was black.

There was and is, however, doubt that Troy Davis pulled the trigger on an unarmed off-duty police officer. Enough doubt to put all of us up in arms over it.

It was wrong. Whether he was innocent or guilty, there wasn't sufficient evidence to put him to death for it.

What happened last night was a national shame.

R.I.P Troy Davis - You are before the Ultimate Judge now and may He have mercy on all of our souls. Brewer's too. If he had one.

Rafa Armani Ads Wow Again

Rafael Nadal off court is as good to watch as he is on court.

We'd like to thank Giorgio Armani AND Rafa's Mom who gets an honorary "Golden Ovary Award" for birthing perfection.

God Bless The Foo Fighters

The Foo Fighters, God Bless 'em, have retaliated against the Westboro Baptist Church of Hate with song. Fightin' fire with fire.

Just watch the video attached to this Huffington Post.

News Article

And in More Execution News...

Wow, the Executioner is busy!

This one we agree with wholeheartedly.

"Lawrence Russell Brewer, 44, is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection at 6pm for his part in the 1998 killing of James Byrd, Jr in East Texas."

We remember this horrific crime as if it were yesterday.

"Brewer was one of three men convicted of killing Byrd after they offered him a lift along a remote country road.

Byrd, 49, was beaten unconscious and urinated upon before being bound to the vehicle by his ankles with a heavy logging chain and driven for three miles.

Forensic evidence showed that he was alive for much of the ordeal but was killed when the vehicle hit a concrete drainage channel causing his head and arm to be ripped from his body."

We know. That's one of the most awful fucking things you can imagine.

Of the other two men, one got life in prison and the other's case is still under appeal.

It was a sad tragedy and now justice will be served, somehow.

They made a movie about this murder, called "Jasper, Texas" and it's very good. It stars one of our all-time favorite actors Louis Gossett, Jr.

We hope James Byrd can Rest In Peace.

There and Back Again at 74

The Hobbit aka There and Back Again, was published this day in 1937. Ringers (and we are proud to be one) everywhere have been praising J.R.R Tolkien ever since.

"Since then, it’s estimated that the tale of Bilbo’s heroic quest defeat the dragon Smaug and reclaim the birthright of Thorin has sold somewhere between 35 million and 100 million copies. It’s also been translated into more than 40 different languages."

The Hobbit was published first, was a critical and commercial bonanza and lead to "The Lord of the Rings", which is itself 3 books altogether.

The Hobbit introduces us to Middle Earth and its inhabitants focusing on, of course, a Hobbit. One named Bilbo.

Here, let Leonard Nimoy regale you with his 1960's hit "The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins".

"For he was a little hobbit from the Shire that we all admire"



Ok. We just can't help laughing at that and shaking our head. WTF? How much acid was available in the 60's?

Bilbo's perfect world in Hobbiton is upset one day when he is beset by a dozen or so dwarfs who want his services as a thief to go with them to fight the evil dragon Smaug and steal his treasure. A thief! Who put that idea into their head? Why, who else but Gandalf the Wizard.

Well, after a lot of adventures we have the iconic Battle of the Five Armies and a happy ending.

For the full summary of the plot check out the Wiki page:

What makes this book so iconic is the world of Middle Earth that Tolkien creates and breathes life into on every page. It's just a magical, enjoyable and timeless adventure to treasure over and over again.

We highly HIGHLY recommend giving these books to 12 and 13 year olds. It will blow their mind in a way that Harry Potter never will. The books will become a time honored gift that, as they grow older, will lure them back time and again...as it did us.

Peter Jackson is currently helming the movie version and of course will nail it like he did LOTR. Most of the regulars will be back and some new characters, too.

One of them is played by Evangeline Lily (Kate on Lost) and she's a little nervous. Here is what she had to say recently about her new role:

"I am very concerned that people will watch, and I’ll be the black mark on the film. I know how adamant the purists are and I’m one of them! That said, upon reading The Hobbit again, as an adult, I can see why additional characters were needed to round out the story as an adaptation — especially female characters! The Hobbit didn’t include female characters at all. What they have done is all in perfect keeping with J.R.R. Tolkien‘s world, while adding a third dimension to an otherwise very two-dimensional story."

She's right about at least one thing. There are no women in The Hobbit. There were very few in LOTR either and PJ adapted that very well to give Arwen and Galadriel more "air" time.

We are very excited to see the movie The Hobbit for we've seen The Battle of the Five Armies in our minds for some 30 years now and can't wait to see it on the Big Screen. Not to mention THE DRAGON. Smaug will finally be as famous as Bilbo! It's going to be fucking awesome!

For all your Tolkien news and Hobbit updates go to:
The One Ring.net

Worldwide Admonishment From an Arctic Biologist and Photographer

Ok. This one is for all you haters out there who think "Global Warming" and "Climate Change" are just buzzwords for political farce or God-forbid, those of you who think its all just made up so Al Gore can make money.

Take it from Paul Nicklen, Artic photographer and award winner. Nicklen, a contributing photographer for the National Geographic, is passing along a message from the creatures he sees: They're in trouble.

Nicklen was four when his family moved to Inuit territory in Canada and where he has explored the region all his life and in later years as a biologist and a photographer.

Nicklen said that polar bears could face extinction within 50 to 100 years if ice continues to recede.

"We know the science. We know that ice is disappearing and after a while it just becomes a statistic. And with my photography I want people to understand that if we lose ice, we stand to lose an entire ecosystem.

"This is our one chance at life on this planet. Our planet is in trouble and we are not reacting fast enough."

We know why people...Republicans in particular...are so hostile to the idea of Climate Change. They are scared to death about it and try to hide the facts, smear the messengers and cry that it's not "Man-Made".

THE FACT IS THIS - WE ARE IN MORTAL DANGER. It's not just polar bears that will go extinct its US.

We applaud people like Paul Nicklen and thank him for at least raising the red goddamn flag about it.

"Titanic" Necklace Stolen

A necklace that was recovered from the wreck of the Titanic has been stolen from the museum that housed it.

And it's pretty "embarassing" too according to the museum's executives.

The showcase had not been broken into and the alarm never went off. You can't get any clearer signs of an inside job than that. The museum execs are pissed.

The museum in question is none other than the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. Tivoli Gardens opened on August 15, 1843 - 69 years before the Titanic disaster - and is the second-oldest amusement park in the world. It's the most visited theme park in Scandinavia, hosting 4.5 million annual visitors.

It was originally called Tivoli-Vauxhall.

The necklace was owned by first-class passenger Eleanor Wildener of Philadelphia, who survived the Titanic sinking, according to maritime historian Claes Goran Wetterholm.

She died 1937 never knowing her necklace had been raised from the deep and in 2011, a full one hundred years after the disaster, would still be roaming the world.

News Article

The Long Arm of "Justice"

The facts are this:

On the night of Aug. 19, 1989 off-duty Police officer Mark MacPhail was shot dead while trying to help a homeless man that was being attacked. Nothing could be worse than that. A good man, rushing in to help someone who gets shot dead.

Except if an innocent man is put to death for it. A man that may or may not have had anything to do with Officer MacPhail's senseless killing.

Despite the fact that 7 out of 10 witnesses recanted their testimony, despite the fact that people including an ex-President AND a former FBI director are against it and despite the fact that Amnesty International is calling it "unconscionable", the fact is that Troy Davis has been denied clemency and WILL DIE TONIGHT by lethal injection at 7pm.

That's a lot of facts. And the ambiguity in the actual guilty verdict is too much to bear and overwhelming when put against the death penalty.

If we allow this to happen as a society then we are going down a terrible and dangerous road.

We really don't quote 'ole Rev. Al on Omni but we will today. Here is what he had to say:
"This is probably the most egregious injustice I have seen in a long time, to set a precedent that a man can be executed when the evidence against him has mostly been recanted," said Sharpton. "It's unthinkable."

We have to agree. This is a case where most of the witnesses have RECANTED their statements. It's even terrible to condemn a man to life in prison when innocent but to death?

We can't imagine the horror of knowing that we're innocent of the crime, convicted for it, shown hope through recanted testimony only for all of it to be ignored and then facing our death KNOWING that there is no mercy. This all might be well and good for the Puritans of the 1650's but this is the United States of America 2011.

This is sad and made all the worse knowing that although the "people in charge" know better they will forge ahead regardless of the reasonable doubt that has now arisen.

Will There Be a Tennis Strike?

The Big Three - Federer, Nadal and Djokovic

Andy Murray has gone on record saying 'Yes I think so.'

This is nothing new. For years now tennis players have complained about how long their season is compared to every other sport. They virtually have a year long season without sufficient off-time to recover - again - like every other sport.

This has been a contentious point for a very long time.

Several top-players LED BY the Big Three, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are reportedly "not afraid" to boycott or strike to get the reigning bodies of tennis - Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and International Tennis Federation (ITF)- to reform the schedule. Viva la Revolucion!

As it stands now, Rafa, for example, will not be able to rest until December 5. Even then he would have a scant 3 weeks to rest, recuperate and recover before he will have to report to Australia for the January Open there.

That's a very long and difficult season. Consider football. Those guys play once a week for only 16 weeks! In tennis it's a constant 47-49 weeks. That's crazy.

From the AFP:
"The 24-year-old Scot (Andy Murray) told the BBC that he had held several talks with other players at the US Open and they would be discussing the matter further at the Shanghai Masters early next month.

Matters came to a head at the US Open where rain forced some players such as Spanish star Rafael Nadal to play matches on three successive days then have one day off and travel to Europe to play Davis Cup.

The players were also incensed by the announcement last year by ATP chief executive Adam Helfant, who has since decided to leave the governing body, that the Paris Masters and the World Tour Finals would be played back-to-back, so two weeks have been saved in the 2012 ATP calendar.

However, Murray made clear the players' patience was wearing thin.

"It's (a strike) a possibility. I know from speaking to some players they're not afraid of doing that (striking)," said Murray, who was beaten by Nadal in the US Open semi-finals.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that but I'm sure the players will consider it." "

We saw the show of solidarity between players as we've never seen before at the US Open earlier this month. The players marched practically in formation right into the President's office and had their say.

They've cut their teeth with that one and will almost certainly be ready to unionize themselves and fight for the bigger prize.

Now that Roger Federer has twin baby girls at home, we're sure he will lead the way into Mordor to destroy the One Ring of power a power play for reformation. He has as much to fight for off the court as he does on it.

News Article

The Price is ALWAYS Right

This Price will NEVER be wrong

Ummm...this one too!

We've been a fan of The Price is Right since we were kids pretending to be sick to play hookey for a day. The show is as popular as ever and is celebrating 40 years on the air.

40 years. That's right. The shows newest season started yesterday 9/19/11 and is a year long celebration of it's 40th year.

And the best news...? There's going to be a Celebrity Week in January featuring, among others to be announced, Snoop Dogg, Jenny McCarthy and Neil Patrick Harris.

Wednesday, September 28 is a MAJOR LANDMARK. The shows 7500th episode will air including a presentation of all the most hilarious memories from the last 40. And we're sure the clip will air where the woman's tube top falls down, she doesn't know and tries to bid to Bob Barker with her boobies hanging out. The original wardrobe clothing malfunction!

If we could do only one thing, just one thing...it would be to spin the Price is Right Wheel. We are dying to do that.

Drew Carey is a GREAT host. Sure, Bob Barker is a legend, but when you watch Drew you can understand how old and frail Bob was toward the end. Drew lets the contestants manhandle him when they run up on stage and hug him. It's great. We think he's an awesome host.



Everyone loves Plinko and so do we, but we have a love for the Cliffhanger too!

Oh and did we mention the models? They're worth watching too!

Congrats to everyones favorite pricing game.

To another 40!

R.I.P Tom Wilson, Sr

The creator of the comic strip character Ziggy died last week following a long illness.

Tom Wilson created Ziggy back in the 60's while working for American Greeting cards and had the little guy published for the first time in 1969.

By 1971 Ziggy was syndicated to 15 newspapers daily growing to a more than 500 newspapers and Sunday editions.

His son Tom Wilson, JR has penned for Ziggy since 1987.

Talk Like a Pirate Day

For everythin' you need t' know about why today exsists includin' how t' talk like a pirate go here:
Talk Like a Pirate.com

And t' help you speak it better or at all in our case:
Talk Like a Pirate - English to Pirate Translator


Here is The Gettysburg Address in pirate speak because you know Abraham Lincoln was a pirate at heart.

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated t' t' proposition that all men be created equal.

Now we be engaged in a great civil war, testin' whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We be met on a great battle-field o' that war. We have come t' dedicate a portion o' that field, as a final restin' place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It be altogether fittin' and proper that we should do this.

"But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. T' brave men, livin' and went t' Davy Jones' locker, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power t' add or detract. T' world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It be for us t' livin', rather, t' be dedicated here t' t' unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. "

It be rather for us t' be here dedicated t' t' great task remainin' before us -- that from these honored went t' Davy Jones' locker we take increased devotion t' that cause for which they gave t' last full meaaye o' devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these went t' Davy Jones' locker shall not have went t' Davy Jones' locker in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth o' freedom -- and that government o' t' people, by t' people, for t' people, shall not perish from t' earth."

13 Dogs Jumping Rope

This belongs in the "I don't see this every day" category.

Here's the description from the Youtube vid.

"Uchida Geinousha's 'Super Wan Wan Circus' based in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, offers a unique act for its audience; the incredible sight of 13 dogs skipping on a rope."

The Strange and Sad Cute Little Red Seal

These amazing pictures of a strangely colored red seal were taken by by photographer Anatoly Strakhov who spotted the sad seal hiding under some logs on Tyuleniy Island, Russia.

The seal was alone waiting for it's mother to come and feed him. He is almost blind, they say, and cannot see very well.

He was "shunned" by the rest of the seals for being a "ginger".

"Tamara Cooper, head of the animal care team at the National Seal Sanctuary in Gweek, Cornwall, said: 'It's certainly unusual, but there are many colour variations within seal species.

'There's no denying it's rare to see seal pups with such pale features and blue eyes. It's not a species I’ve seen before.'"

He has been taken to a "dolphinarium" where he will be cared for.

If we can find out more, we'll update the post.

Is he the cutest thing ever?

Save The Poe House

The Edgar Allen Poe Museum in Baltimore is in danger of closing due to lack of funds.

City budget cutbacks have put the museum on the chopping block unless someone - a corporation - a sponsor - wealthy philanthropist - ANYONE - can step in and fund it.

The city actually axed the $85,000 a year budget two years ago and since the museum has existed on public funding. That isn't enough and so they will have to close soon if a solution isn't found.

The building is a historical landmark and will be preserved regardless of a functioning museum - however it would just sit there boarded up.

This place can't close," Jeff Jerome, museum curator, said as he stood in the museum's lobby, formerly Poe's parlor. "It would be an embarrassment to the city to have thousands of people come to the city to see a boarded-up house."

News Article

Please Help Stop Cruel Army Tests on Monkeys

This is one of the most horrifying things the United States Army is doing and we just can't believe it is justified.

Please help stop the Maryland Aberdeen Proving Ground poisoning of monkeys for nerve gas attack simulations.

Come on! They need to poison monkeys to test nerve gas? This stuff has been available since before WWI. It's sickening, cruel and a waste of money not to mention the lives and health of innocent creatures.

The video is sick. We're telling you right now that these "scientists" are just psychopaths that are using science as a way for themselves to personally torture animals. There is absolutely no justification for this kind of "experiment" except to see animals suffer. BEWARE the video is explicit.



SIGN THE PETA PETITION TODAY

READ What Woody Harrelson has to say

WE MUST FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT STOP.

This shit is federally funded? Well, FUCK YOU PENTAGON.

Big Tom Boonen OUT of World Championships - Sastre Retires

One of our favorite cyclists is in the news this week and it's not good.

Due to injury and general wear and tear, Tom Boonen will not be able to defend his World Cycling Championship title at the 2011 UCI Road Race in Copenhagen this week. The event runs 9/19-9/25.

“I’m really upset,” he explained. “I really wanted to participate in this World title. The route was perfect for me and the preparation program I was working on would have taken me to the championship event in top form. Unfortunately, rather than diminishing, the pain in my hand is increasing day by day and I simply cannot race in this condition. I relinquish my place on the squad to an athlete who can be of use to our national team.”

This is a total bummer as we really wanted Tom to win again!

News Article

Official Website - Copenhagen 2011

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Carlos celebrates his 2008 TDF win with the
traditional glass of champagne on the Champs d'Elysees

Also in cycling news everyone's favorite Spaniard and perennial Tour De France contender Carlos Sastre retired today after a well-respected 15 year career.

"The moment has arrived to bring this cycle to its close," the 36-year-old Spaniard said. "Next year I will begin a new stage, even though I am no sure what I will do."

Sastre won the Tour in 2008. He also finished runner-up in the Vuelta in 2005 and 2007 and the Giro d'Italia in 2009.

We will miss him at next years race but wish him well in his retirement.

Survivor: South Pacific Premiere TONIGHT

Survivor Fans Get Ready! Our show is back tonight for its 23rd season.

Returning Survivors are...drum roll please...Coach "Dragon Slayer" Wade and Ozzy Lusth.

Ozzy and Coach

Ozzy looks dopey in the above pic...but he's kind of a mellow guy anyway. Look for Coach to dole out some Zen and get the kids doing yoga on the beach again. Also look for him to be kind of crazy as always. Just not last season Phillip crazy.

Coach has been on twice now. Originally in the Tocantins and then Heroes vs Villains. He says "Coach 3.0 is going to different than anytime you've seen him."

Ahh. Sure, Coach. Whatever you say!

This marks Ozzy's third appearance as well. He started out on Cook Islands and then came back for Micronesia. We remember Ozzy as being very self sufficient. He can do all the physical stuff very easily - swim, climb etc.. - and he cooks and makes fire. He's a great Survivor contestant. We'd still vote for Coach either way. Sorry, Ozzy.

Also returning is Redemption Island, a feature we actually liked last season.

New player, Brandon Hantz, is the nephew of THAT Hantz. Yes, Russell. Does Evil and Villainy run in the family? We shall see.

Jeff Probst will be our host once again. It's his show now after all. Not many people who start out as show hosts become Executive Producers and 'ole Marky Burnett loves him some Probst. As do the rest of us!

Jeff Probst somewhere in the South Pacific

We just can't wait! 23 seasons and IT JUST NEVER GETS OLD. Bring on Survivor - we're ready!

CBS Survivor Website

The Djoker's Wild Night - Novak Wins US Open!

WHAT A NIGHT!

As expected, the Men's Final between Rafael Nadal (2) and Novak Djokovic (1) was an absolute intense epic powerhouse match that did not disappoint.

The 4 set match won by Novak Djokovic (JOKE-O-VICH) was lopsided on paper - 6-2 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-1, but not on court. We've never seen Rafa work so fucking hard to win 2 games ever.

Each set took at least an hour as the guys battled on and on. It looked as if Novak might take it in 3 but Rafa fought back to force a tiebreak which he won pretty handily.

Novak and Rafa are such good players that each shot was blasted at each other like missiles. One game lasted 18 minutes and there were many rallies over 20 shots. Over and over like robot cyborgs from another planet these guys played their hearts and their guts out.

The physical fitness level was set to 11. Novak and Rafa both possess speed and agility but time and again Novak was like a fucking lightning bolt. He clearly is in the best condition of his life.

From the UK Telegraph:
"This was nothing less than a salute to physical endurance. The remorseless Novak Djokovic, trading blows with Rafael Nadal to lung-bursting extremes last night, proved beyond doubt by his four-set on win on Arthur Ashe Stadium that he was the world No 1 by a distance."

From the UK Guardian:
"Novak Djokovic might still be the king of tennis but it took a struggle of epic proportions over four sets at Flushing Meadows to rip Rafael Nadal's fingers from his crown.

The Serb beat him for the sixth time in six finals this year to take the Spaniard's US Open title in a match of so many highs the lows were rendered irrelevant, a price worth paying for one of the finest finishes to a major in recent times.

The sustained quality of the exchanges, in rallies that ran to 30 shots and more, left the 24,712 excitement junkies packed into the Arthur Ashe stadium delirious on a balmy New York Monday night and the combatants drained of the last drop of their genius.

It took the world No 1 four hours and 10 minutes to subdue the reigning champion 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 on a night when one miracle followed another."

It was the best match all year as far as we are concerned.

From Jonathan Overend,BBC tennis correspondent:
"At times the tennis was frightening. We've seen some amazing things in this golden era for men's tennis, but several of the rallies last night hit new heights. Djokovic and Nadal traded brutal, relentless blows. The rallies were seemingly won, time and time again, only to continue sometimes for upwards of 30 strokes. The superstar of tennis in 2011 has just taken his extraordinary season to a whole new level."

Both men acknowledged 9/11 in their trophy speeches and in Rafa's broken English it came out awesome. He said something like "We remember your ninth eleven." It was adorable. Poor Rafa lost pretty hard to Novak again (he is now 0-6 this year against him). As much as we wanted Novak to win, it was heartbreaking to see Rafa lose.

Djokovic holds the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles and if he hadn't lost the French to Nadal, he would have won the GRAND SLAM. Novak also becomes only the sixth man in the open era to win three of the four majors in the same year.

"It's an incredible feeling," said the 24-year-old, Serbian, who has lost only two of his 66 matches in 2011. "I've had an amazing year and it keeps going. Every time I play Rafa it's a big challenge. He's had a great tournament and I wish we have many more tough matches in the coming years."

Novak Djokovic, World's #1, holds his trophy up and proudly
displays his love for NY on his NYFD hat

NOLE! NOLE! NOLE! NOLE!

Happy Birthday, Goran!

Goran Ivanisevic turns 39 today!

One of our favorite tennis players OF ALL TIME, Goran is still missed on the circuit.

Here are the final moments of the match that won us hundreds of dollars on our Vegas bet that year. A match we will never ever forget. A total Classic. We hated to bet against our other favorite at the time, Patrick Rafter but we KNEW, we just KNEW that Goran had it in him to win this one. And in classic fashion!

Goran Ivanisevic vs. Patrick Rafter at the 2001 Wimbledon Finals...

Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic

The Men's Final of the US Open is set to happen today at 4pm when these two great champions take to the court.

Once again it's Rafa vs. Novak and it's GOING TO BE A CLASSIC.

Every time these two meet there's a classic match. And today will be no exception for 2 good reasons.

1) Each man wants to and needs to win.

Novak wants to cement his domination at being the Number one ranked player in the world with another win over Rafa. He's currently at 65-2 this year, one of the greatest winning streaks in history.

Rafa needs to end the 0-5 losing streak (in matches against Novak) he's been on since Novak turned into a freight train.

2) It's New York, It's Sunny and It's the Final

After what seems like months of rain, the East Coast is finally drying out. The men fought for and gained an extra day of rest and were not forced to play 4 days in a row. They are rested and ready for battle. Barring any injury it should be a barn burner.



Note: The Semi-final Saturday between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic was beyond outstanding. Roger won the first two sets had 2 match points and LOST after Novak came back to win 3 sets in a row. AMAZING!!! How could anyone not like this sport?

Polar Explorers Explored More Than the Just Poles

Polar explorer Rear Admiral Robert Peary and chief aide Matthew Henson are credited with the discovery of the North Pole in 1909. The two and their crew had set up camp in Greenland in the 1890's and relied on native Inuit men to guide them and help them with provisions and logistics on their journey.

It also seems that being men, they had manly needs to attend to as well, turning to the Inuit women for more intimate explorations. Women who bore the men many children.

The children they fathered so far away from their own wives and families at home, were unknown for decades and what started out as almost a tragedy for them has become a source of pride and success.

"After the Americans left in September 1909, never to return or communicate with the Greenlanders, their Inuit families fell into destitution."

"Admiral Peary's forgotten son first came to outsiders' attention through French explorer Jean Malaurie, who spent a year with the Polar Eskimo tribe in 1950-51 and later wrote of Kaala, who was almost killed by an enraged walrus while hunting.

Anaukaq Henson, who died in 1987, remained little known until Harvard University's S. Allen Counter journeyed to Greenland's far north in 1986 to confirm rumours of ‘black Eskimos'"

1986!

Today the Great-Great Grandchildren of these famed polar explorers are striking out on their own and finding a a globalized world of difference.

American polar explorer Robert E. Peary stands with husky sled dogs.

This photo provided by Robert E. Peary II, also known as Hivshu Ua, shows him in Qaanaaq, Greenland. He is the Inuit great-grandson of U.S. polar explorer Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary

This story is intriguing and a MUST read.

Follow the link for the full article including many more pictures:
News Article

Serena Williams is a Loser

Sam Stosur celebrates her win

In every way Serena Williams is a complete jerkoff.

Australian Samantha Stosur kicked Serena's ass in the US Open Woman's Final yesterday winning the Tournament 6-2,6-3. It was awesome the way Stosur ran Williams around the court like Serena was new to the game.

However, Serena being Serena, in other words a complete bitch, had words with another official ala her 2009 rant where she threatened to shove a tennis ball down the officials throat.

Yesterday, Serena continued to be as unattractive on the court as she is off of it. "A furious Williams harangued umpire Eva Asderaki and then continued to insult the official at the next change of ends, calling her 'out of control', a 'hater' and 'unattractive inside'.

Really, Serena? Really?

It sounds as if you are describing yourself.

She then went on to not shake hands with the official after the match as is common courtesy. Someone doesn't understand "sportsmanship" at all.

We would have LOVED to LOVE Serena during her career. She had all the makings, if not more, to be a GREAT and BELOVED Champion. Plus, being an American she could have given us all such a huge sense of pride winning all of her tournaments. Her demeanor and attitude pretty much killed it off almost immediately. The way she wouldn't take to court unless she was wearing something ridiculous that she swore was fashion or without wearing huge hoop earrings made a joke of the sport. She seemed to take the sport seriously on one hand while lampooning it with the other. In interviews all she did was to talk about fashion and how much she loved it and went to school for it. She treats her own sport like it's a sideshow and not the real deal. We absolutely cannot stand her and hate that she is an American representative of tennis. We hope that this is the end of her career and we won't have to suffer through watching her anymore. The sooner she goes away the better.

The USTA will meet today to discuss another fine for the Big Bitch Cry Baby that is Serena Williams.

Live Long and Prosper - Happy Birthday Star Trek!

Space: the final frontier.
These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission:
to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations,
to boldly go where no man has gone before.

Guess what premiered 45 years ago today - Sept. 8, 1966? Yup, STAR TREK.

THANK YOU GENE RODDENBERRY. You were a true visionary putting Asian, Russian and black men and women on the Bridge of the USS Enterprise. You influenced millions of people to do better, to strive to work together and make Earth a better place. It hasn't worked out very well, but for a TV show, it did a pretty good job at bringing people together.

As unabashed Trekkies, (we will NEVER be Trekkers) we want to wish our favorite franchise EVER a happy 45th!

With the exception of just one other show (Highlander), no TV/Movie series/franchise has ever given us such pleasure, joy and fun.

We love the original series and their movies the most but The Next Generation show comes in a veryclosesecond. It's hard to believe that Star Trek is 45 years old and even harder to believe TNG is over 20.

As far as the original series goes, we'll always have The City on the Edge of Forever. Many of the original series were penned by BIG NAME real sci-fi writers. "In 1968, Star Trek's most critically acclaimed episode, "The City on the Edge of Forever," written by Harlan Ellison, won the prestigious Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Teleplay."

"And those are the days worth living for..."



Star Trek has influenced the world for the better in every way. Today, even our flip style cell phones are exactly like Kirk's communicators. Star Trek quotes are part and parcel of pop culture. Even bushmen in Zimbabwe know to have Scotty beam them up.

We've loved every minute of it and look forward to another 45 years!

As 'ole Doc McCoy would say, "Hey Jim-boy, y'all ever have a real cold, Georgia-style mint julep, huh?"
Huh? NO, wait.
Not that one...this one..."You treat her (the Enterprise) like a lady, and she'll always bring you home."

Doc McCoy montage




Original Intro






News Article

Free At Last!

The video says it all.



To think that these animals have been trapped in cages since before we were even teenagers makes us want to scream.

Lab animals of all kinds NEED YOUR HELP TO BE SET FREE.

The human race is not an endangered species and has zero justification for torturing animals in the name of science.

Keeper Renate Foidl said: 'The chimps are incredibly happy. This is amazing, I have been waiting for this moment for so long.'

The lab chimps are now at the Gut Aiderbichl Animal Sanctuary, near Salzburg, Austria.

Russian Ice Hockey Team Killed in Plane Crash

Lokomotiv ice hockey team.
They all perished in the plane crash

Terrible news from Russia today as we learn that most everyone on board a small plane were killed on take off.

The Yak-42 aircraft was leaving Yaroslavl, north of Moscow, and flying to Minsk in Belarus.

It crashed immediately after take-off from the city, which is on the Volga River about 150 miles from the capital.

The Emergency Situations Ministry said 45 people had been on board and only two are believed to have survived.

The Lokomotiv ice hockey team from Yaroslavl, a leading force in Russian hockey, were travelling on the plane.

They were going to Belarus for the opening game of the season in the Kontinental Hockey League against Dinamo Minsk on Thursday.

The wreckage, from Russian TV, on the Volga River

"Lokomotiv is coached by Canadian Brad McCrimmon, former Detroit Red Wings assistant, and includes several international stars in its ranks, such as goalkeeper Stefan Liv of Sweden and Czech Republic players Karel Ranuchek, Josef Vasicek and Jan Marek and Slovakia's Pavol Demitra.

Demitra, the Slovakian national team captain, played in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks. Other top names include Russian defensemen Ruslan Salei and Karlis Skrastins."

This is unbelievably tragic and hits close to home. Brad McCrimmon played for the NHL for 18 seasons. He spent years as a Philadelphia Flyers (1982-1987) playing with Big Tim Kerr, Brian Prop and the Sutter Brothers. He was a GREAT defenseman. After retiring as a player he became a coach on several teams.

He will be missed.



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