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Friends don't give friends seven orgasms. (MORE below)
One picture is 1k words... but can once sentence can be a story?
One Sentence is about telling your story, briefly. Insignificant stories, everyday stories, or turning-point-in-your-life stories, boiled down to their bare essentials.
The idea was born from a blog entry several years ago that got 14 million responses.
Here are a few more...
As my friend was trying to explain to the 911 operator that we needed an ambulance at a biking trail named "Who's your daddy," I realized that I would be laying on the ground for a long time before being rescued.
As I stood shivering and topless outside 7-11 at 3 in the morning with a strange woman who was just let out of jail, I wondered whether it was a sign to stop drinking or a suggestion to drink more. (wonder if this was a chick that wrote this? a.s.)
When my three year old said that all "towel heads are evil," I knew it was time to explain how grandpop was a racist.
(This one is deep, kinda sad. But powerful. I almost didn't include because it wasn't funny, but it is well done. a.s.)
Three were raped, one abused, one is forever unsatisfied with who she is, two, maybe three are cutters, one truly believes she's a slut by nature, one is seventeen with the mind of a ten year old, one is an orphan, one is as mental as I am, and I wouldn't trade any of them for all the perfect friends in the world.
After your twin brother got me pregnant, I was relieved that the baby would still look like you.
Walking downtown, holding hands with my long-haired boyfriend, I often wondered how many people who saw us from behind thought we were lesbians.
When you said I wasn't allowed to say anything at the funeral because it would be "improper," I knew I hated you.
You know you live in a hippie commune when you go to bed alone and wake up with three other people and think this is normal.
As I woke up from my nap to find written on my feet "This is my momma and you can't have her," I realized that my child is very, very strange.
I lost my virginity in a fraternity bunk bed, I lost my dignity on the fire escape the next morning, and I lost my sanity buying the pregnancy test the next month.
After stealing his email password, I figured I'd find he was cheating on me with several women in several cities, but instead found he was cheating on me with lots of men in lots of cities.
On that note.. I'm sure we have better here. One picture is 1k words... but can once sentence can be a story? ... more -
Is technology making long-distance relationships easier?
Shanghaiist draws our attention to this new episode of Queer As Folk Beijing, China's first independent gay video podcast, which discusses long distance relationships and the effect of technology, for both gay and strait relationships. Has technology, cheap phone calls and the possibility of phone- or cam-sex really made it easier for people in long distance relationships?
What're your experiences/views of long-distance relationships? Have you been able to maintain them or d'you think they could be maintained? Can they ever be as stable as a normal relationship where both partners are in the same place?
I think they're very tough but not impossible, especially with technology making communications easier. I think you really have to have spent a fair bit of real (not virtual) time with the person first though. Shanghaiist draws our attention to this new episode of Queer As Folk Beijing, China's first independent gay video podcast, which ... more -
Indoor air pollution worse than the smog outside in China
Though already home to 16 of the planet’s 20 most heavily polluted cities, researchers have recently come up with worse news from smog-clogged China, after findings that the air inside the homes of the lower classes in the country can be up to 10 times worse than the prevailing gloom outside.
Reasons for this include the fact that 70% of homes still burn coal and wood for heat, while half of all Chinese men smoke, adding to a toxic combo of indoor pollution.
Shockingly, it is estimated that over the next quarter-century, 83 million Chinese — a number equaling nearly a third of the total U.S. population — will die of lung cancer and respiratory ailments unless cigarette smoking and indoor fuel-burning are reduced. Though already home to 16 of the planet’s 20 most heavily polluted cities, researchers have recently come up with worse news from smog... more -
Politics and beauty pageants - should they ever mix?
Sarah Palin aside, beauty pageants and politics are rarely seen to go together, though a recent pageant in China has caused controversy after critics argued that one of the contestants, a deputy to the National People's Congress, was accused of entering the contest for political publicity and thus 'debasing the pageant with politics'.
Yuan Jing, 22, was ranked second out of 1,000 contestants in the Miss Chinese International Pageant, but has since withdrawn from the competition, though she claims it's a personal decision. Nonetheless, she admits the hope for attention, stating that, "I was only introducing myself to the public. It was a kind of resume. Besides, contestants naturally would try all means to win votes. Why can't I?"
Should politics ever be mixed with beauty contests? Is it even an issue or are people being oversensitive? Sarah Palin aside, beauty pageants and politics are rarely seen to go together, though a recent pageant in China has caused controvers... more -
Hungry bears surround Russian villages
Dozens of brown bears searching for food have forced two villages in a mountainous region of southern Russia to impose a curfew, after the bears left the forests and began terrorising villagers and killing cattle. Now the inhabitants of Yailyu and Bele would no longer be able to leave their villages without an armed guard during the day and must stay in their homes at night. The bears have left the forest because of a lack of berries and nuts this year. Dozens of brown bears searching for food have forced two villages in a mountainous region of southern Russia to impose a curfew, after... more
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Thieves make off with Austrian church organ pipes
The things people steal these days... A pastor from a small Austrian town has reported that thieves broke into his church and stole scores of tin organ pipes, probably to exchange for their value as scrap metal. They dismantled and removed 122 tin pipes from the instrument, leaving only those in wood and tinplate, according to Manfred Mitteregger from the church in Groebming. "We noticed at once that the organ did not sound as good as usual but at first we thought it was a technical breakdown," he told the Austrian news agency APA.
The church estimates that the theft will cost it 20,000 euros (27,200 dollars), though investigators say the sale of the stolen pipes will only bring the criminals 700 euros (950 dollars).
Thefts of metal, in particular electrical copper wire cables, have increased in recent months in Austria as metal prices have soared.
I think this isn't just in Austria either - there were signs all over some metal cables on a railing at the Thames Barrier Park in London, which read 'Galvanised cables. No scrap value'. Seems very mean to steal church organs from a tiny church tho, especially for how much they'd get for them. They could've at least stolen the whole set to sell at full price... :-P The things people steal these days... A pastor from a small Austrian town has reported that thieves broke into his church and stole s... more -
Scientists Turn Wood into Fuel
Discovery-News.com: Discovery's Tracy Staedter and Matt Danzico visit University of Massachusetts Amherst to learn how biomass gas can be transformed into green gasoline. Discovery-News.com: Discovery's Tracy Staedter and Matt Danzico visit University of Massachusetts Amherst to learn how biomass ga... more
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Making maths "uncool" is hurting America
A recent report has suggested that Americans are collectively making maths uncool, through teasing those who're good at maths, particularly girls, which could be robbing the country of some of its best talent. They found that while girls can be just as talented as boys at mathematics, some are driven from the field because they are teased, ostracized or simply neglected. "The U.S. culture that is discouraging girls is also discouraging boys," Janet Mertz, a University of Wisconsin-Madison professor who led the study said in a statement. "The situation is becoming urgent. The data show that a majority of the top young mathematicians in this country were not born here."
Odd, I'd never thought of maths as a topic that could be ridiculed. I don't understand it but I respect people who do. Is this just a phenomenon in the US? A recent report has suggested that Americans are collectively making maths uncool, through teasing those who're good at maths, pa... more -
Angry about the economy? Smash some plates and move on
Despite the economic downturn, one business in prosperous San Diego is booming. Sarah's Smash Shack is a room where, for only $10, anyone can vent their aggression and pent-up frustration by hurling dinnerware and bric-a-brac against a wall for 15-minutes at a time. Music blares, clients dress in protective gear and a neon sign urges them to "Break More Stuff."
Owner of the business, Sarah Lavely, says that many of her clients come because they're "under financial strain, maybe they're stuck in a job they can't leave." For instance, insurance broker Adam DeWitt came with his wife for his birthday and took out their anger about not being able to buy a first home because the banks have frozen lending.
"It was the best $50 we've spent in the last two years, better than filling up your tank with gas, better than paying interest on your credit card," said DeWitt.
The Shack won't let patrons drown in their sorrows -- neither drinks nor food are served. On the "menu" there are delectable glass and ceramic breakables, neatly arranged on shelves, ready to be obliterated in one of several "break rooms" outfitted with checkerboard tiles and slabs of dented steel bolted to a far wall.
One of the most popular items, "The Smash Shack House Special," mimics a rowdy Greek supper club, where diners smash plates when they enjoy the entertainment. The Smash Shack version features 15 plates for 15 minutes for $45.
The advantage to the plates, Lavely said, is that clients can write nasty little epithets on each one in a thick black marker before hurling. Guests also favour highly breakable frames (3 for $10) into which they slip photos of enemies.
The DeWitts plugged in some music by Guns n Roses, scribbled the names of banks and politicians they don't like on plates and smashed away.
"Oh boy, we smashed some plates, a couple of TV trays, some cups and mugs. My wife smashed some glass flowers," said DeWitt.
"You get mad and do something to your own stuff at home and you think to yourself, 'God, that was stupid.' But there you get a pure rush of picking up something and watching it smash and you have no remorse afterward.".
Sounds like fun. I wouldn't mind giving it a try myself sometime, when essays start to loom, though with student loans I'd probably be better off saving my money and going for a run. Despite the economic downturn, one business in prosperous San Diego is booming. Sarah's Smash Shack is a room where, for only $1... more -
Gay teen comes-out to his parents - mother comes-out back.
Now here's something that probably doesn't happen all that often. A gay teenager chronicles his coming-out to his parents - only to find his mother coming out to him!
Quite a story, and the kid's got guts to tell the whole of the interweb. Cool parents too, though I'm not sure how I'd react if the same thing happened to me (relieved confusion, most likely).
Watch the vid above for the full story. Now here's something that probably doesn't happen all that often. A gay teenager chronicles his coming-out to his parents -... more -
The Futurist: Retro-Engineering Dinos
Discovery-News.com: Flip a genetic switch and turn a bird into a dino? Not quite, but not so far off either. James Williams gets the story from paleontologist Jack Horner. Discovery-News.com: Flip a genetic switch and turn a bird into a dino? Not quite, but not so far off either. James Williams gets the s... more
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Top 5 Science Videos!
Discovery-News.com: From fungus to falling spacecraft, James Williams finds the top 5 coolest science videos from September.
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Ze-Gen Creates Zero Emissions
Discovery-News.com: The renewable energy company Ze-gen is converting construction waste into near zero-emissions energy. Discovery News finds out how they're doing it. Discovery-News.com: The renewable energy company Ze-gen is converting construction waste into near zero-emissions energy. Discovery Ne... more
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'Podestrians' pose new threat to road safety
A UK insurance firm has expressed concern over the rising number of 'Podestrians', or people who wander around wearing noise-cancelling headphones and MP3 players without paying attention to oncoming vehicles. Apparently these people account for 9% of minor accidents, with 62% of them being identified as kids or teenagers.
The image above comes from an Australian road safety campaign aimed at bringing awareness to music-loving pedestrians.
I certainly agree that not being able to hear oncoming traffic increases the chances of an accident, though I don't think listening to MP3 players is neccesarily dangerous - just if the volume's too loud or headphones block out all noise. All if it's a particularly engrossing album. A UK insurance firm has expressed concern over the rising number of 'Podestrians', or people who wander around wearing noise... more -
The iPod is dying, and the iPhone's rubbish
So says Steve Wozniak, one of the founders of Apple Inc, who reckons that the iPod has had its day, and is not too keen on the restrictions Apple have imposed on the iPhone either. In an interview with the Telegraph, he said that:
"The iPod has sort of lived a long life at number one. Things like, that if you look back to transistor radios and Walkmans, they kind of die out after a while. It's kind of like everyone has got one or two or three. You get to a point when they are on display everywhere, they get real cheap and they are not selling as much."
And of the iPhone:
"Consumers aren't getting all they want when companies are very proprietary and lock their products down, I would like to write some more powerful apps than what you're allowed."
Though still technically a paid employee of Apple, Woz speaks some pretty damning words of his organisation.
Do you think the iPod has really had its day, or that Apple has become too restrictive towards its consumers? (I certainly think the latter is true) So says Steve Wozniak, one of the founders of Apple Inc, who reckons that the iPod has had its day, and is not too keen on the restric... more -
136 Villagers Poisoned By Water in Southern China
CDT reports that over a hundred villagers from two villages in southern China have been poisoned by after drinking water apparently contaminated with arsenic. Symptoms have included swelling in the face and eyes, vomiting and blurred eyesight, while medical tests confirmed the presence of excessive amounts of arsenic. It is thought that the pollution comes from industrial waste from a nearby metallurgy company.
*sigh* another story of chemical contamination from China, and sadly another of many. Legislation in local areas really need to be tightened up, especially when it comes to factories' desposal of waste. CDT reports that over a hundred villagers from two villages in southern China have been poisoned by after drinking water apparently co... more -
Screw the elderly, I'm keeping my bus seat
Chinese culture is usually known for its traditionally-fillial respect towards the elderly, yet one bus passenger in Nanjing this week made the news after claiming herself to be a member of a "never give up your seat group" on the internet - and refusing to give up her place to the elderly lady standing next to her.
Further research from Danwei has revealed that there really is such a movement online, encouraging young people not to give up their seats. Complaints and reasoning found on their pages include:
"Some of the old people, despite their advanced age, are actually stronger and healthier than younger people;
Some old people take the privilege for granted and have no gratitude to seat-givers;
Young people are shouldering the burden of the entire society, and deserve a few minutes' rest during their commutes."
I'm worried - it's common courtesy to give up your seat to anyone who is seen to be struggling. The reason to give up your seat isn't so much that they're old, but that they can't stand on the bus as easily as a younger person may be able to. I wonder if there're similar internet 'movements' in other parts of the world? Chinese culture is usually known for its traditionally-fillial respect towards the elderly, yet one bus passenger in Nanjing this week... more -
How safe is your city? Put it to the bicycle test
Publicist Mariano Pasik has set out to monitor the level of crime in different neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires with hidden cameras and unchained bikes as bait. The idea is that the longer it takes for the bike to be stolen, the safer the area.
"It's not a statistic but in a way it shows that the places where the bicycle gets robbed really quickly perhaps the quality of life is poorer," he said.
Pasik has even posted speeded-up versions of his bike-theid vids,, set to music, no his site http://www.lapruebadelabicicleta.com/), and hopes that others will also take part in his bicycle test across the world - planting bikes and camera, that is, not stealing bikes.
And he's come across some surprising findings so far, for instance, while a bike lasted an hour without being stolen in the unsavoury Constitution neighbourhood, on the upscale shopping street of Santa Fe, a bike lasted a few short minutes before it was stolen.
Though this us perhaps because theives are more likely to operate in areas where there is more wealth and more people, rather than trying their luck in already poor neighbourhoods.
Interestingly, so far in the Bicycle Test, no woman has stolen a bike.
A neighbourhood "passes" the bicycle test when an hour passes or when the filmer gets tired or runs out of batteries. Publicist Mariano Pasik has set out to monitor the level of crime in different neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires with hidden cameras and ... more -
Girls are the Answer?
This video explains how girls can change the future of the world.
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