A Tweet by @MikeLeffingwell reveals a sad family secret we were all just vaguely aware of. After all, if it were only a matter of softness or firmness, they could get one of those dual adjustable beds! The illustration at Twaggies is by artist Donovan Santiago. Link
A Tweet by @MikeLeffingwell reveals a sad family secret we were all just vaguely aware of. After all, if it were only a matter of softness or firmness, they could get one of those dual adjustable beds! The illustration at Twaggies is by artist Donovan Santiago. Link
This cute little double hamburger is not a Big Mac -or even a burger! It's a cheeseburger macaron, made with cookies and fondant. Ladybird x, who made it, calls them "Little Macs." See the process of making them at Diary of a Ladybird. Link -via The Daily What
(vimeo link)
This animation was produced by Qais Sarhan for his graduation project on child labor at the University of Leeds. -via Nag on the Lake
The following is an article from Uncle John's Curiously Compelling Bathroom Reader.
Here's a little-known slice of Americana: the story of how freed slaves changed the face of the American West.
LAND OF OPPORTUNITY
In 1865 the American Civil War came to an end and four million black slaves were free. But to what future? The South lay in ruins, its plantation economy shattered. Most slaves had been field workers or tenant farmers, and working the land was the only job they knew. Although they were now free to buy land to farm, few had the money. Even worse, a new terror was rising across the South as hostile white, bitter in defeat, donned the white hoods of the Ku Klux Klan and began to terrorize the black community. But there was a way out ...and it lay to the west.
The Homestead Act of 1862 offered grants of 160 acres of public lands on the Great Plains to anyone who would farm the land for five years. Thousands of Southern blacks joined the flood of settlers heading west to what they called "Beulah Land" -the Promised Land- only their mission was slightly different. Yes, the promise of owning their own land was sweet. But sweeter still was the possibility of living independent lives untouched by fear and racism. So they banded together and developed all-black communities, with their own banks, their own newspapers, their own businesses, and their own schools and colleges.
OKLAHOMA, THE ALL-BLACK STATE?
Although blacks migrated to every state and territory in the West, the territory of Oklahoma became the preferred place to settle: A sizable number of African-Americans already lived there, having come as slaves with the Cherokee and other tribes during the Trail of Tears in 1838. After emancipation they bought land in Indian territory (often with the help of the Indians, who, under fierce pressure to give up their land to new settlers, preferred to sell it to black Americans). A number of black leaders, such as Edward P. McCabe and Hannibal C. Carter, led the push.
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Here's a little-known slice of Americana: the story of how freed slaves changed the face of the American West.
LAND OF OPPORTUNITY
In 1865 the American Civil War came to an end and four million black slaves were free. But to what future? The South lay in ruins, its plantation economy shattered. Most slaves had been field workers or tenant farmers, and working the land was the only job they knew. Although they were now free to buy land to farm, few had the money. Even worse, a new terror was rising across the South as hostile white, bitter in defeat, donned the white hoods of the Ku Klux Klan and began to terrorize the black community. But there was a way out ...and it lay to the west.
The Homestead Act of 1862 offered grants of 160 acres of public lands on the Great Plains to anyone who would farm the land for five years. Thousands of Southern blacks joined the flood of settlers heading west to what they called "Beulah Land" -the Promised Land- only their mission was slightly different. Yes, the promise of owning their own land was sweet. But sweeter still was the possibility of living independent lives untouched by fear and racism. So they banded together and developed all-black communities, with their own banks, their own newspapers, their own businesses, and their own schools and colleges.
OKLAHOMA, THE ALL-BLACK STATE?
Although blacks migrated to every state and territory in the West, the territory of Oklahoma became the preferred place to settle: A sizable number of African-Americans already lived there, having come as slaves with the Cherokee and other tribes during the Trail of Tears in 1838. After emancipation they bought land in Indian territory (often with the help of the Indians, who, under fierce pressure to give up their land to new settlers, preferred to sell it to black Americans). A number of black leaders, such as Edward P. McCabe and Hannibal C. Carter, led the push.
Sticking your face into someone else's picture isn't exactly a new phenomenon. Photobombing is apparently as old as photography itself -or at least the Civil War. Link
(YouTube link)
Sam Klemke videotaped himself every year for 35 years, clips of which are presented backwards, so you can watch him watch him grow (or shrink, rather) into a 20-year-old wearing bell bottoms and platform shoes. The sound quality does fade in the earlier clips. I found this fascinating, since he is close to my age. -via reddit
Who knew invasive plant species could be so gorgeous? Artist Nicole Dextras scoured her backyard (and her neighbors') for wearable weeds to comment on environmental issues in the fashion industry, such as the need for sustainable materials. This prom dress was made from Yucca plants found in her neighbor's backyard. Dextras said she was stunned to find that her neighbor found the plants to be a nuisance.
Nicole's ice typography is pretty amazing too.
Link via Yahoo!
They look like cups of hot chocolate, right? Keep scrolling.
The blogger behind Diary of a Ladybird made these cupcakes out of fondant. All they need is some chocolate syrup on top!
Link via Doobybrain
How cute is this? The World's Smallest Postal Service began in 2008. Postmaster Lea Redmond started a tiny letter transcription service for patrons of San Francisco cafes and shops. Now an online service has been added. Normal size letters are transcribed by hand on a miniature, wooden roll-top desk into miniature script and sealed with a tiny monogrammed wax seal. A mini magnifying glass is included to help the postal worker decipher the tiny print.
Link - Via Book Of Joe
redditor SirCreate is making me hungry with this excellent model of Stay Puft from The Ghostbusters out of modeling clay. The missing bite is a nice touch.
Link via Geekosystem
If you like this, check out the Stay Puft Caffeinated Marshmallows, available in the Neatoshop.
Really, the studio name and logo displayed in the watermark is as inspired as the smoker itself. Philip Wise modified a 55-gallon drum into this perfect Ewok-smoker. Or whatever else you want to cook.
Oh, was that offensive? Just keep in mind that those adorable little teddy bear-like creatures eat people. I say that we return the favor.
Link via Technabob
A simple but hilarious 3-panel cartoon by Matan Blumenblat and Aviv Or, cartoonists Israel. Once again, Clark Kent needs to discreetly change his outfit.
Link (Google Translate) via The Mary Sue
(YouTube link)
Ransom Riggs of mental_floss takes a haunting tour through the history and current state of California's Salton Sea. Music by Michael Picton.
Don't Break The Bottle CorkScrew - $24.95
Are you looking for a fun, and slightly aggravating, gift to bring to a dinner party? You need the Don't Break The Bottle CorkScrew game from the NeatoShop. Slip your favorite bottle of wine into this contraption and watch the mayhem begin. There will be no drinking here until they solve puzzle.
Be sure to check out all the fabulous Party Supplies available at the NeatoShop.
