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- Postcards From The Edge (Of America): The Adventures of Lewis & Clark
- Surreal Stop Motion Short-Luminaris
- Walking Dead Mad Men
- Black Patent Leatherette Hello Kitty Backpack
- Skateboard with Tank Tracks
- Dragon Guitar
- Using a Laser to Light a Firecracker inside a Balloon without Popping the Balloon
- A Bun in the Oven
- Three Men in Vancouver Decide to Ride Naked in a Shopping Cart through a High-Pressure Car Wash
- Hermit Crab Tries on LEGO Shell
- The World’s Ugliest Buildings
- It Works in the Movies!
- Porthole Laundry Chute
- Driver Attemps Hit and Run, Gets Blocked in By Other Drivers
- Glowing Life-Size Glass Skeleton Sculpture
- DC Comics Superhero 4-Piece Collector Glass Set
- Valerie Hagerty Loves To Watch Her Art Burn
- Scrap Metal Transformers Theme Park Opens In China
- Presidential Barbie 2012
- Awful Easter Bunny Family Pictures
- Your GPS is Wrong
- Twin Sisters
- Bald Barbie for Cancer Survivors
- Thermosaurus
- Baby Red Panda
- Food Spherification
- Nietzsche’s Will to Power Bar
- What Is It? game 221
- Google Glasses: A New Way to Hurt Yourself
| Postcards From The Edge (Of America): The Adventures of Lewis & Clark Posted: 06 Apr 2012 05:09 AM PDT
The good news? You can't get lost because you have no idea where you're going. We're talking, of course, about the great journey of Lewis and Clark, the original cross-country Hikapalooza over 200 years ago when the first U.S. citizens reached the Pacific by land. Together, the members of the expedition braved that big mass of unknown territory known as "the geography of hope," an uncharted land full of rumors, from Bigfoot to savage cannibals. Not to mention gold under the rainbow.  1778 Map of Western North America A Three Hour Tour… While the idea of finding a path connecting the two shores was a good call, it was pretty much impossible because of those pesky Rocky Mountains (who knew?). So what was supposed to be a quick trip to the Pacific ended up lasting 28 months.  Meriwether Lewis To organize the expedition, Jefferson called on Meriwether Lewis, a 29-year-old fellow Virginian and his personal secretary. Lewis accepted the challenge and got his old Army buddy, William Clark, to ride shotgun. Of course, for Clark, partnering with Lewis meant demoting himself from Lewis's previous superior officer to the equal-ranking position of captain. It was an important political move, and one that he wouldn't forget (stay tuned). While Clark recruited and trained the team, Lewis took a series of crash courses in kayaking, medicine and scientific observation (image of their compass courtesy of Smithsonian Legacies). The crew consisted of a black slave (Clark's) named York, a dog (a Newfoundland named Seaman) and a support staff of four dozen (mostly soldiers and gung-ho frontiersmen). For provisions, the group took along some party mix, mainly in the form of "ardent spirits" — a.k.a., 120 gallons of Kentucky Whiskey, about 30 gallons of brandy and a spot of rum (to ward off the chill, of course). The caravan also toted a traveling library, cooking kettles, canvas tenting, trade goods, axes, and personal possessions such as Lewis' writing desk and his favorite blankie. They called their new troop the Corps of Volunteers for North Western Discovery. Although, had the crew known what they were in for, they might have called it, Do It Yourself; We're Not Crazy.  William Clark But the Corps knew that as they ventured further west they would enter what were contractually Spanish and French territories. Of course, the land really belonged to the many bands of Native Americans living in the west who had called the area home for over 15,000 years. Lewis and Clark were a little nervous that the natives wouldn't be too happy to see a bunch of pasty white strangers tramping on their land, but rather than be selfish or aggressive to the new explorers, the hundreds of Indian tribes inhabiting the region acted more like AAA, aiding the expedition time and time again with food and shelter. The first indigenous peoples the Corps came upon were part of a small group of Oto and Missouri Indians. Knowing there might be some tension for crashing the party, Lewis and Clark had prepared gift baskets for the people they encountered, offering the natives specially minted bronze Presidential Peace Medals. Then they set up a virtual Swap Meet where they traded materials such as canteens, looking-glasses, fish hooks (popular), uniform coats (very popular) and guns (more popular). That was the usual routine: Dole out a few gifts (tobacco, beads, chewing gum) and march a little in formation, after which Lewis would calmly inform the tribes that they were now a part of the United States. Strangely, this didn't anger the Native Americans, but only because, after multiple translations, they probably had no idea what old pale-face was saying. Their hospitality plans certainly worked, and throughout the Corps' journey, the men continued to receive crucial supplies, advice and guidance from the 50-some odd Native American tribes they encountered. At one critical juncture, the Nez Perce tribe gave them meals when they had little to eat themselves. Other tribes provided canoes, improved footwear and important information about the terrain ahead. One tribe even provided them with "extended stay" shelter from the snow. The Corps spent the entire winter of 1804-05 in what is now North Dakota with the Mandan and Hidatsa Indians, who lived in an earth-lodge community that housed over 4,500 people (more than St. Louis or Washington D.C. had at the time). It's here that Lewis and Clark met the now-famous Sacagawea. Her husband, a French-Canadian fur trapper named Toussaint Charbonneau, had been hired as an interpreter and guide for the explorers, and it was agreed that he and his wife would accompany the Corps on their journey. But Sacagawea proved a better translator than her hubby, as well as a better tour guide. More importantly, Sacagawea put a pretty face on the group. Her presence allowed them to be seen by strange tribes not as a war company, but as a research party. Her infant son and his incessant screaming were less helpful, but there are pros and cons to everything.
Are We There Yet? Are We There Yet? Are We There Yet? It was at this point that they faced their biggest physical obstacle: the Rocky Mountains. Without horses, there was no way the group would be able to carry their gear across, a problem soon solved when the Corps encountered a band of Shoshone Indians. In one of those "you've gotta be kidding me" coincidences, Sacagawea's brother turned out to be the chief of the tribe, so they got a pretty sweet barter deal on a bunch of stallions. It still took the Corps two solid months to cross the Rockies. On the up side, they got great views of the Gates of the Mountains, Three Forks and the Bitterroot Range (so called because when they saw those suckers and realized the ocean was nowhere in sight, 'twas a bitter pill). Even after they made it over the Rockies, they kept running into problems: broken boats, grueling climbs, swarms of mosquitoes, even grizzlies. They trudged through snow in the Bitterroot Range, battled the Missouri River's fierce currents for its entire 2,400-mile length and dealt with nasty rains that literally rotted the clothes off their backs. When the crew reached present-day Oregon, they knew they were getting close. Although it was new to them, the area was a huge marketplace for Natives all over the west, bustling with hundreds of traders and merchants. Soon thereafter, on November 18, 1805, the crew finally strolled up onto the sands of the Pacific. Though it took the Corps a year and a half to reach what was known as Cape Disappointment, their attitude was quite the opposite. "Ocian [sic] in view! O! the joy," exclaimed the spelling-impaired Clark in his journal. History was made. Like teenagers at Lover's Lane, they carved their initials and the date on a tree to commemorate the journey from sea to shining sea. Home Sweet Home On March 23, 1806, the Corps left newly-built Fort Clatsop, and headed home. The two leaders took separate routes homeward (not because they couldn't get along, but to map more turf), and found more people heading west just as they returned. Commerce flourished up the Missouri, and in the Rockies, the fur trade was in full swing. The frontier floodgates had officially opened. In the last week of September 1806, two years and four months after departing, the Corps of Discovery arrived back in St. Louis. Congress gave each member of the expedition double-pay and a chunk of land. Lewis became governor of the Louisiana Territory and Clark took over command of the Louisiana military.
All seemed right with the world. Clark basked in his newfound fame, married a nice gal and (leaving future road trips to others) settled in St. Louis as a socialite. But Lewis met a more surprising fate. Only three years after his return, during a trip to Washington, D.C., he killed himself in an apparent bout of depression. Lewis and Clark were two very different men, but they nevertheless managed to lead the Corps of Discovery to resounding success. They saw the amazing variance of the country: the great salmon runs of the Columbia River, the giant Evergreens and the sheer vastness of the land. And, most importantly, the duo made it back to tell the tale. They also set the trend for doing exactly what thousands still do today to get to know our great land: Hit the road, Jack. Tread lightly. _______________________
Be sure to visit mental_floss‘ website and blog for more fun stuff!
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| Surreal Stop Motion Short-Luminaris Posted: 05 Apr 2012 09:03 PM PDT This strange little film is called Luminaris, and it was created by Juan Pablo Zaramella from Buenos Aires. If you’ve ever felt like you drift through your day, unsure of where you’re going until you get there, then you’ll probably relate to this short. You’ll also relate if you keep hand written notes in your ears for safe keeping. Enjoy! –via Cartoon Brew |
| Posted: 05 Apr 2012 08:00 PM PDT AMC is on a winning streak with the hit series Mad Men and The Walking Dead. What happens when you mashup the two shows? Nothing that makes any sense, but it’s an opportunity for a string of obvious but still funny gags. There’s also a “behind the scenes” video. -via Bits and Pieces |
| Black Patent Leatherette Hello Kitty Backpack Posted: 05 Apr 2012 07:45 PM PDT Black Patent Leatherette Hello Kitty Backpack – $44.95 (sold individually) Attention Hello Kitty fans! Behold the very chic Black Patent Leatherette Hello Kitty Backpack from the NeatoShop. This wonderful backpack is made of shiny black patent faux leather and features a subtle embossed Hello Kitty design. This delightful bag looks even better in person. Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more fantastic Hello Kitty & Sanrio items. |
| Posted: 05 Apr 2012 07:30 PM PDT (Video Link) Rockboard’s Descender board is equipped with treads wrapped around heavy rollers. It’s built to go over terrain completely impassible for normal skateboards. Would you enjoy riding it? |
| Posted: 05 Apr 2012 07:17 PM PDT |
| Using a Laser to Light a Firecracker inside a Balloon without Popping the Balloon Posted: 05 Apr 2012 07:05 PM PDT Witchcraft! Burn the witch! YouTube user WorldScott does unnatural things with lasers. Watch the damning video at the link. Video Link -via Geekologie |
| Posted: 05 Apr 2012 06:54 PM PDT It’s so adorable that I don’t think I could bring myself to eat it! After many attempts, Donna Currie has perfected her technique for bunny bread. It’s a complex task, but she provides helpful instructions at the link. Link -via Tasteologie |
| Three Men in Vancouver Decide to Ride Naked in a Shopping Cart through a High-Pressure Car Wash Posted: 05 Apr 2012 06:45 PM PDT
The men made it through okay, although police had a few choice words for them. Link -via Dave Barry | Photo (unrelated) via Flickr user Fortyseven |
| Hermit Crab Tries on LEGO Shell Posted: 05 Apr 2012 06:33 PM PDT (Video Link) Harry, a crab who lives at LEGOLAND (it’s apparently spelled in all capital letters) in Windsor, Berkshire, UK, decided to see what all the fuss was about. He found a shell crafted from LEGO blocks and slipped right in. Link (warning: auto-sound) -via Technabob |
| Posted: 05 Apr 2012 06:13 PM PDT This is the Elephant Building in Bangkok. Is it ugly or an acquired taste? Yeah, I agree: ugly. The Daily Telegraph rounded up pictures of twenty-one hideous buildings around the world. What’s the ugliest building that you’ve ever seen? Link -via Joe Carter | Photo: xophe_g |
| Posted: 05 Apr 2012 06:04 PM PDT You know that trope you see on TV and movies all the time, where a woman takes off her glasses and suddenly becomes stunning? That doesn’t really happen, does it? A group of people tried it out. See the results at Magical Deductions. Link -via Metafilter
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| Posted: 05 Apr 2012 05:52 PM PDT I want one. I don’t have a laundry chute, but I would like to have a porthole somewhere. Maybe I could cut one into the fabric of my cubicle? Allee Willis loves them. Over the years, she’s bought several vintage portholes and installed them around her house. Link -via Claire Long | Photo: Maryanne Bilham |
| Driver Attemps Hit and Run, Gets Blocked in By Other Drivers Posted: 05 Apr 2012 05:38 PM PDT (Video Link) On Monday, a teen driver rear-ended a bicyclist in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He then attempted to flee. A quick-thinking bus driver immediately stopped his bus across both lanes of the road. Another driver cut off any escape to the rear, boxing in the assailant’s car. As I watched this video, I was particularly impressed by the bus driver’s skill. He observed an incident from the rear and promptly, but safely, maneuvered his massive vehicle in a completely effective way. The two drivers, Richard Gubish, Jr. and Judson Smull, have been given the official thanks of the city for preventing this criminal from escaping justice. |
| Glowing Life-Size Glass Skeleton Sculpture Posted: 05 Apr 2012 05:36 PM PDT This glass skeleton is not only a visual treat, thanks to the glowing Krypton gas flowing through the “bones”, it’s also a feat of sculptural engineering, since it was made in ten different sections that had to be interconnected in what must have been a rather tedious process. Created by sculptor Eric Franklin, Embodiment is the culmination of over 1,000 hours of work and stands 78 inches tall. Here’s a bit from Eric on how it was made:
I guess making this awesome work of art wasn’t a real gas, I just hope Eric is noble enough to accept the praises that are sure to flow his way! |
| DC Comics Superhero 4-Piece Collector Glass Set Posted: 05 Apr 2012 04:26 PM PDT DC Comics Superhero 4-Piece Collector Glass Set - $17.95 Are you a man of simple taste looking to wow your friends with your eclectic sense of style? You need the DC Comics Superhero 4-Piece Collector Glass Set from the NeatoShop. This iconic set includes:
Glassware like this is the stuff of legends. Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more amazing Glassware & Drinkware! |
| Valerie Hagerty Loves To Watch Her Art Burn Posted: 05 Apr 2012 04:02 PM PDT Take that works of art! These deconstructed pieces are brought to you by Valerie Hagerty, who demonstrates that old glam rock adage “you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone”, with art that appears to be falling to pieces right before your eyes. Her deliberate deconstruction makes you further appreciate the work that went into each piece before they came under the knife, or gun or blowtorch, and I imagine this type of artwork will be all the rage after the apocalypse. Now when your tripped out friend says “the paintings are melting”, your sober mind can confirm this fact and help him avoid having a bad trip. Check out more of Valerie’s works at the links below, before they fall to the floor in a pile of pigment and rotten canvas. Link –via Beautiful/Decay |
| Scrap Metal Transformers Theme Park Opens In China Posted: 05 Apr 2012 02:56 PM PDT
Chinese artist Kefeng Zhu and his team of artists use heavy metal as their medium, and the results are pretty darn neat. His unofficial Transformers theme park is called Mr. Iron Robot, and it’s a big hit with kids from throughout the Zhejiang Province and beyond. It took Kefeng and his team over 10 years to complete the sculptures, and the opening of the park on March 20, 2012 represents the culmination of a lifelong dream for Kefeng, and a new tourist destination for China. The park houses 600 metal sculptures, which are made entirely of recycled scrap metal and various junked car parts, and they all look so cool that someone should create an animated series based around these guys, something like The Adventures Of Mr. Iron Robot Saving The World. Link –via DesignTAXI
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| Awful Easter Bunny Family Pictures Posted: 05 Apr 2012 01:00 PM PDT Have you had your portrait taken with the Easter Bunny yet? After seeing these pictures of the many ways it could go wrong, you might want to rethink your plans. Link -via the Presurfer |
| Posted: 05 Apr 2012 12:02 PM PDT The old “Do Not Enter” sign just didn’t do the trick. You have to wonder how many problems they had before deciding to post a sign to spell it out for everyone. Then again, if people using GPS don’t read signs, will this help at all? Link |
| Posted: 05 Apr 2012 11:27 AM PDT
The girls go to different classes at school and have different interests, but they are best friends as well as sisters. Link -via TYWKIWDBI |
| Bald Barbie for Cancer Survivors Posted: 05 Apr 2012 11:00 AM PDT
The dolls will not go on the market, but will be donated to children’s hospitals and other charity outlets in the US and other countries. Link -via Breakfast Links |
| Posted: 05 Apr 2012 10:00 AM PDT Believe it or not, this is more than a Tyrannosaurus sculpture. It’s also a radiator! Yep, an energy-efficient cast iron heat exchanger designed by Anton Schnaider of Art. Lebedev Studio. Just hook it up to your pipes and turn the tap on its ankle. This one is heating up someone’s mittens as well as the room. Link -via Laughing Squid |
| Posted: 05 Apr 2012 09:11 AM PDT A red panda cub at the national Zoo in Washington has discovered a beam of light. Honestly, it doesn’t matter what a red panda does, we will watch it because they are the cutest animal on the planet. -via Arbroath |
| Posted: 05 Apr 2012 08:31 AM PDT
Read the rest of the science at io9, but be warned that the author thinks this is a bad idea, so you may lose your appetite. Link -via Boing Boing |
| Posted: 05 Apr 2012 07:12 AM PDT Nietzsche’s Will to Power Bar – $4.95 Are you searching for a wonderfully life-affirming afternoon pick-me-up? You need Nietzsche’s Will to Power Bar from the NeatoShop. This delicious fruit and nut bar will help you get in touch with you inner Ubermensch. The box is chocked full of fun activities and even includes a cut-out Nietzsche mustache. This is great food for thought. Freud Bar and Gay Bar also available. Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more hilarious Food & Drinks. |
| Posted: 05 Apr 2012 06:30 AM PDT It’s once again time for our collaboration with the always amusing What Is It? Blog. Can you guess what the pictured item is? Or can you make up something interesting? Place your guess in the comment section below. One guess per comment, please, though you can enter as many guesses as you’d like in separate comments. Post no URLs or weblinks, as doing so will forfeit your entry. Two winners: the first correct guess and the funniest (albeit ultimately wrong) guess will win T-shirt from the NeatoShop. Please write your T-shirt selection alongside your guess. If you don’t include a selection, you forfeit the prize, okay? May we suggest the Science T-Shirt, Funny T-Shirt and Artist-Designed T-Shirts? For more clues, check out the What Is It? Blog. Good luck! |
| Google Glasses: A New Way to Hurt Yourself Posted: 05 Apr 2012 05:57 AM PDT Tom Scott immediately saw the need for a parody of the Google Glass Project. Honestly, a lot of people saw the opportunity, but he produced it, in a hurry. -Thanks, Ray! Previously from Tom Scott: Spider-Man, Star Wars Weather, and Rats. |
Imagine taking a road trip with some friends, but this time, you're not in a Winnebago during Spring Break or runnin' a quickie to Tijuana and back. There are no cell phones, no GPS systems and no 24-hour convenience stores. Nope, this little jaunt is about 8,000 miles round-trip, and you'll be lucky to travel 12 clicks on a good day. There's no reliable map to guide your path. You'll have to chow stewed dog meat to stave off starvation. Oh, and you'll encounter hail the size of grapefruit, rattlesnakes galore and potentially hostile tribes who very well may want to kill you.
(Image source: 
The article above, written by Michael Stusser, is reprinted with permission from the 
Surprisingly, alcohol was involved:
A few years ago, we brought you a story of 
Bald is beautiful! Mattel has announced that they will development a Barbie doll without hair especially for girls dealing with hair loss, whether from chemotherapy or another cause, in themselves or a family member. The dolls should come out in 2013.
Last week we read about 
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