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Sandra Coast decided to join the U.S. Army, despite the fact that she had to lose 30 pounds for the chance, despite the fact that her son is in the Marine Corps, and despite the fact that she is 51 years old. And she passed the test: she has graduated from boot camp with the rank of Sergeant.
“I was impressed, because she can do everything the younger soldiers do,” Army 1st Sgt. John Byars said of Coast, according to the Armed Forced Press Service (AFPS). “She never expected us to feel sorry for her. She even got one of the highest Army physical fitness test scores in the company. She is a prime example that age is just a number. She ran faster than soldiers young enough to be her kids.”
Coast served in the Navy from 1982 to 1993, so she was allowed to enter military service at her age, whereas most civilians would not be eligible. “Everybody in the world thinks I am a total nutcase,” she told AFPS. “I just want to support our troops. I love all of them.”
Coast will not be sent overseas, but serve with a virtual unit that works by internet. Link -via Fark
(Image credit: U.S. Army)
Today’s Google Doodle is a wave form. This is to commemorate German physicist Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, born 155 years ago today. Hertz proved by experiment the existence of electromagnetic waves. His research led to the development of radio, TV, and radar, although he dismissed its importance at the time. Hertz’ name even became a unit of frequency, abbreviated at Hz.
Despite this global fame, the Nazis tried to expunge Hertz’s name from history. While Hertz identified as a Lutheran, his father grew up as a Jew.
“Hertz’s reputation was actively denigrated by the Nazis, who forced his wife and daughters to flee Germany because, despite strong Lutheran roots, they were considered Jews,” writes the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in its profile of Hertz. “One Nazi functionary attempted to overturn the use of the term ‘Hertz,’… He suggested to the Physical Society of Berlin that instead they use the term ‘Helmholtz,’ [after Hertz's teacher Hermann von Helmholtz] which would cleverly maintain the abbreviation ‘Hz’ for the benefit of foreign colleagues. Despite the climate of anti-Semitism, German scientists refused to go along with this plan. ‘Hertz’ remained and remains in use both in Germany and around the world.”
Also: the logo is confusing some people.
You’ve seen how abandoned buildings are taken over by vines and spiderwebs and can look really creepy? Daniele Del Nero recreates that feeling in miniature with his buildings covered in natural mold.
Grown over several days, the mould used to create these stunning models then dies after two weeks leaving a layer of dust akin to a spider’s web which gives the miniature houses their creepy and mesmerising look. “I’ve always been fascinated by old ruined buildings,” says Del Nero, in an interview. “We are used to imagining our cities as permanent and definitive, but it’s amazing how little time it takes for nature to reclaim its spaces.”
See more of Del Nero’s creations at Urban Ghosts. Link
(Image credit: Daniel Del Nero)
Instructables member abetusk designed a set of cat ears that move under your control, making you both cute and geeky! Several pre-programmed movements are controlled by one button in your pocket. The directions are all there if you want to make your own. Link -Thanks, Karen Howard!
Want to look at a bunch of pictures of Navy SEALS in training?
In a world where enemies who agree to wear black hats are hard to come by, the military and President Obama have begun to lean on the highly trained, whip-smart services of elite Special Forces units. While other budgets are shrinking, funding for special ops has doubled since 2001; in the same time, the numbers of deployments has quadrupled.
The photographs are sure to impress you of the rigors they endure to become part of the elite squad. And they’re, you know, kind of attractive, too. Link -via Buzzfeed
The divine Ms. Butt Meddler is back with a new video! The singer is the alter ago of gastroenterologist Patricia Raymond, who is gearing up for Colon Cancer Awareness Month in March by looking out for your health. The American College of Gastroenterology recommends that African-Americans get their first screening colonoscopy at age 45 instead of 50 as has been the benchmark for decades. Why?
We’ve known since before 2005 that studies showed that our African American patients and friends had a higher incidence of colon cancer, a later stage if diagnosed on their first (index) screening colonoscopy, and a lower survival.
Early screening can be the key to saving lives. Read more about colon cancer and colonoscopy at Dr. Raymond’s site. Link
Previously: (Lookin’ Up My) Back Door
Sure superhero fan art can be fun on its own, but you know what’s better? Non-superheroes suddenly transformed into amazing men and women of comic book lore. Sure they might not be as good at saving the world, but from an aesthetic perspective, they’re way more fun.
Perhaps one of the most epic superhero mashup artworks around is this great Futurama X-Men Meld by DeviantArt user Gottabecarl. Can you identify all of the characters in this massive artwork? Be warned, you might have to head to his DeviantArt page just to be able to see them all in their full scale.
If there was anyone Muppet that best matches Wolverine, DeviantArt user Rahzzah totally nailed it as Animal. That being said, I don’t know how well Beaker would serve as any superhero. He’s not exactly the bravest Muppet around. Personally, I think casting Miss Piggy as Phoenix seems like a much more natural choice.
When the jury was still out on whether or not Community would be renewed for another season, artist Aviv Or expressed his feelings on the matter by showing just how much he thought of the show’s characters. Personally, I adore the idea of Abed playing the role of Professor X.
Ever wonder where Mystique got all those tiny skulls on her belt? Caanan Grall has the answer with this single frame that explains so much about her back story. While it might not be as informative, his take on Clark Kent taking over for Archie is certainly just as entertaining.
Have you ever wondered what Batman and Robin would be like if they were mixed with a grouchy Chihuahua and a obese house cat? DeviantArt user Stejam13 has your answer with this wonderful combination of the classic comic and the legendary Nicktoon, Ren & Stimpy.
The comedy-advertising duo Rhett and Link star in this installment of Epic Rap Battles as the Wright Brothers, who are dying to tell the Mario Bros. why the Princess wants to hang out on the black and white side of the screen.
The Mario Bros., on the other hand, channel their inner guido and get tough, which really doesn’t help their rhyming skills. Maybe you should have grabbed a Tanooki suit before this battle Mario Bros.!
–via Kotaku
This full leather suit of Batman styled armor may not stop bullets or sharp swords, but it looks badass enough to put fear into the hearts of bad guys, so I’m sure it will serve old Batsy just fine when he hits the streets dirt roads.
The medieval version of Batman lives by the credo speak gruffly but carry a big sword. Is the medieval Batmobile some kind of crazy armored horse and cart?
Jack Davis is known for both his work in EC Comics as an illustrator in the 50s, and as a founding member of MAD Magazine, but did you know that he lent his distinctive style to animated TV commercials for everything from Gilette razors to booze to fishing poles? Check out this great collection of cartoon commercials and get wacky wild Jack Davis style!
–via ComicsAlliance
This Half-Life Barnacle by German artist Daniel Ritthanondh is incredibly detailed and realistic, but it’s too damn creepy to actually use in any respectable home. Would any of you actually put this up?
Artist Ben Cuevas created a series of knitted hoods detailing the inner-workings of the human face. Above is Subcutaneous Fat, but he’s also made the muscular system, the skeletal system and more. If nothing else, it’s an interesting way to learn about anatomy.
Link Via Laughing Squid
If you know someone who is in possession of some rather embarrassing VHS tape footage of you be very nice to that person until you get your hands on those tapes, unless you want to end up like the b-ball champ in this hilarious home video from 1990.
This sporty geek apparently has his sister to blame for his mad dunking skills being posted to the interwebs, so I’m sure family events are going to be a bit chilly from here on out for those two. I wonder if he ever made it into the NBA?
–via TDW
These two rescued critters are currently being fostered by YouTube user nrc5878. Apparently, in her home, kitties are in charge -not the pitbulls.
These awesome etched shot glasses are even cooler than they appear at first because they aren’t just mass produced trinkets, but specially made by Etsy seller Fanboyglass.
Back in my day, textbook sketches were usually just vulgar, talentless nothings, but these beautiful designs by artist Paula Swisher are quite the exception.
Using leaves of paper from old engineering and science manuals as her canvass, Swisher brings what she describes as a “contrived sense of order” to pages of numbers, figures, and graphs — creating what she calls “a visual metaphor for our attempts to make sense of our experiences.”
Don’t miss the rest of these amazing drawings on her website.
Who wants to clutter up landfills with old junk tech when you can make cool art pieces out of it?
The artists in this gallery have come up with some rather ingenious ways to recycle that old tech trash, from making surreal landscapes out of motherboards, a crashing wave of recycled records, and even a nine foot tall Autobot made out of old car and machine parts.
The pieces in this set will make you think twice before you chuck out your old tech junk, and maybe they’ll even inspire the DIYers to repurpose that useless old junk and show the world how crafty they can be!
Link –image credit: Grace Grothous
This fantastic visual effects video by Fernando Livschitz shows what it would be like if roller coasters weren’t stuck on tracks, and they were free to roam about a beautiful city like Buenos Aires. What a wild ride!
–via Juxtapoz
The man pictured here is Inspector Spacetime, or rather, the actor who plays the fictional Inspector on a fictional show created for the cult hit TV show Community.
He’s supposed to be an alternate version of Doctor Who, and characters Troy and Abed from Community are huge fans of the fictional space-time detective. Are you lost yet?
Well, here’s the strange part-the actor pictured above (Travis Richey) wants to make Inspector Spacetime into a real show web series, and he needs your help!
Travis has started a Kickstarter account in order to get this project off the ground, and he has wisely avoided involving NBC in the project, which means the web series just might have some hope after all.
Link –via Topless Robot
If Star Wars took place in the groovy 1960s, instead of “a long, long time ago”, the Imperial Walkers might have looked something like this bad boy.
A Volkswagen bus cleverly attached to some AT-AT legs might not look like the most menacing thing on the battlefield, but there’s no better way to ride in style and comfort while blasting Rebel forces, and you can sleep right in the cockpit if you’re too loaded to drive walk home.
So, whether you’re crashing a peace and love festival on Endor or attending a Burning Man Jedi gathering in the vast desert of Tatooine, you’ll be stomping around in style.
Is this cake from Williams-Sonoma real? Oh, I see the picture. But I refuse to believe that it is real until I can see it with my own eyes. I doubt that we humans have truly overcome our limitations and brought this cake into existence.
Or would you prefer to see George Lucas’s Up? I’ve accepted droids, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable flying an X-wing that talked. Through a mouth. Andrew Chesworth composed this image for Star Wars Day — you know, May the Fourth.
Link -via Popped Culture
Previously:
Darth Vader in Pixar’s Up
Pixar Star Wars
It’s just a flesh wound! Kids recreate the Black Knight scene from the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. They’re cute, funny, and awesome! -via The Daily What Geek
It may take you some practice to get the roses to look right, but the process looks simple enough. You’ll need seventeen spoons, a lit candle, needle-nose pliers and a glue gun. While it’s hot, melt a safety pin into the back and turn your rose into a pendant.
Link -via Craft | Photo: Cut Out + Keep
They’re like Nazca lines, but far more ephemeral. Sonja Hinrichsen, with the help of five volunteers, cut spiral designs into the snow at Rabbit Ears Pass, Colorado. Who could imagine that snowshoes could be the implements of an artist?
Link and Artist’s Website -via Colossal (where there’s a video)
No, it’s not a healthy, balanced meal — although it certainly gives the appearance of one. This is a birthday cake from Paul’s Creative Cakes to remind some lucky dad that he’s showing his age.
Link -via That’s Nerdalicious! | Baker’s Website
When he was just a calf, Moose Wayne’s parents were murdered by a pack of criminal wolves. Now he is, as artist Morgan Thomas depicts, the guardian of the forests of Gotham.
Artist’s Website -via The Uniblog
A wise man has achieved enlightenment. Others do not understand and scorn his insight. Thus it has always been for men of vision, and always shall be.
-via Geekosystem
NUKEMAP, a Google Maps application by Alex Wellerstein, makes the dangers of nuclear war personal. Move the marker anywhere in the world, then select a nuclear weapon. You can choose anything from the 20 ton Davy Crockett portable missile to the 100 megaton Tsar Bomba. The latter is pictured above detonating over Lubbock, Texas.
Link -via Geekologie
Specifically, a ring with the Decepticon logo. Why? Because some women go for bad boys. It’s the adrenal rush of danger, I guess. To us Autobots, it’s always “Let’s just be friends.”
Link -via io9 | Photo: TheBoog17
