We love to see headlines that don't turn out quite right, whether it's because of typos, poor editing, or a writer with a wicked sense of humor. Freakonomics has a collection of 36 classics that are so funny they circulate years, sometimes decades after they were first preserved. You've probably seen some of them, but there will no doubt be some that are new to you. Link -via Digg
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Hanukkah begins at sundown tonight, and will continue through Sunday, December 16th. If you are observing, we wish you a happy holiday with solemn rituals, joyous celebration, and plenty of good food (as David Israel said, "We suffered, we suffered, we suffered, now let's eat!").
This past week, we had three articles from our pop culture historian (and bona fide Hollywood actor) Eddie Deezen, starting last weekend with A Sincere Homage to Larry Fine.
Eddie also gave us "Imagine": John Lennon's Signature Song, and Why Do People Tell Actors to "Break a Leg"?
Jill Harness took a look at Artworks Made From Seriously Weird Materials.
Assessing Gluteal Hardness in Uniformed Security Guards came from the Annals of Improbable Research.
Uncle John's Bathroom Reader brought us some examples of unbecoming behavior by children's authors in Don't Tell the Kids!
First Class Mail: 5 Letters That Changed History was reprinted from mental_floss magazine.
Congratulations to the Tokyoflash Treasure Hunt #22: Winners, liisam, Jon Bryan 1, and jbensch, who won prizes from the NeatoShop, and bug, who won a Tokyoflash watch!
In the What Is It? game this week, the unknown item turned out to be the housing for a four-face Verdin street clock. Anker was the first with the correct answer, which is good for a T-shirt from the NeatoShop! We also have a t-shirt for amanderpanderer, who said, "It is a connecting piece from the construction of Hamtopia, the pleasure palace for our Hamster overlords who will be arriving on December 21st. All Hail Squeeky, Lord of all Hamsters." That wins the award for the funniest answer of the week! You'll find the answers to all this week's mystery items at the What Is It? blog.
We're racking up more things to see outside of the main page, and you don't want to miss any of it! At Lifestyles of the Cute and Cuddly we saw an adorable baby hippo, a cat in a claw machine, and a hamster climbing stairs. At Neatolicious, the new food blog, we saw creative Doctor Who cupcakes, Christmas cocktails, and Jello Jigglers. The Halloween blog gave us new pranks, monsters, and cosplayers this week. Also check out Mad Skills and NeatoBambino! Oh, and don't forget the extra content you'll find at Neatorama's social networking sites: Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
The most popular post of the week was Brody's The Hobbit Box Stacking. The posts that drew the most comments this week were A Sincere Homage to Larry Fine followed by Why is The Hobbit making some moviegoers sick? and Practically Speaking, How Does a Predator Eat Food? We didn't have any rollicking long comment threads because Alex, who normally posts the most provocative items, is busy at the NeatoShop, shipping out Christmas gifts for lucky recipients. Speaking of the NeatoShop…
We'd like to throw a spotlight on the fine folks at Odd Art Fabrications, who lovingly designed and hand-made an entire series of zombie Christmas ornaments for the NeatoShop! Yes, you can order and receive these in plenty of time before Christmas. You might even want to start a tradition of ordering one or two every year until you have enough to cover your entire zombie Christmas tree!
[Update 12/22/12: Video removed due to copyright claim by artist]
Yellow Scream is a half-hour documentary about painting screams with yellow paint, by Korean artist/comic Kim Beom. Here is what information we get from the YouTube page:
"The technique to this painting is to incorporate the sound of screams into the brush strokes," states the narrator in Kim Beom's video Yellow Scream (2012). "A brush stroke done with screaming is very different from a normal one. ... The effect of the screams is recorded with the brush strokes." He then dips his brush in a dab of lemon yellow paint, leans into the canvas, and lets out an anguished wail as he makes his first stroke: "Aaaaaaaaagh!"
Inspired by Bob Ross--style instructional television programs, the Seoul-based artist says "the theme of this video is the existential nature of contemporary art (and culture) as well as of artists." Characteristic of Beom's deadpan humor, the narrator's demonstration shows how to apply paint while engaged in "a long scream that sounds like when you're hurt"; "a scream induced by psychological pain"; and "a more pained, wronged, and regretful scream." Nearing the painting's completion, he advises, "Let's mix a bit of permanent green and add some refreshing hope and pleasure to the screams of joy." The final work, the instructor states, achieves a symphonic melding of color and emotion--a "clear, resonating chorus" of yellow.
I saw this yesterday and laughed, but was reluctant to post a half-hour video. Still, so you might find time to watch the whole thing some day. Thanks to Scott Lamb for this shorter edit. Continue reading for the full-length version. -via Buzzfeed
Russia wasn't completely cut off from decadent Western pop culture during the Cold War! From the description at Dark Roasted Blend:
Not sure how this passed the communist censorship, but the world-famous Moiseyev Ballet in Moscow performed this dance not only during their trips to America in the 1960s but also at Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow in 1962. They did call it a "parody dance" in the official program - but they still have too much fun dancing it!
With all the public appearances and attention that came with her instant stardom, Tardar Sauce would just as soon set the record straight on her preference for the simple life. And she has the sweetest voice ever! -via reddit
Cal Poly Graphic Design professor Ray Kampf created a dozen illustrations for The Twelve Days of Christmas, each with a modern twist. My personal favorite is the 10 lords a-leaping, but they are all delightful! Kampf also invites you to check out his holiday website Fruitcake Fables. Link | Artist's website
Previously: Ray Kampf's students in Pantone Procession
Chef Alton Brown wrote up some trivia about the history of egg nog at mental-floss. Although we tend to think of it as a medieval European recipe, it owes a lot of its popularity to the New World.
Egg-based drinks found new popularity in the American colonies, where nearly everyone had access to cows, chickens, and rum.
Nutritious and relatively stable, eggnog was our first health drink. If you ask me, sipping it is our patriotic duty.
But the best part is his personal recipe for homemade egg nog, plus tips for making it correctly. Follow it to the letter and you'll have nog with rum, cognac, and bourbon all together! Link
It's funny enough that they have a boxer named Chaos! Chaos' hobby is swimming down the carpeted stairway. Apparently he does this every morning. -via Metafilter
(YouTube link)
This typographical 'toon is the first of a series of four animations by the Lycette Brothers. There are three sequels, in which our little office worker continues trying to woo the typist. Link -via Everlasting Blort
Eight-year-old Ezrah Noelle yodeled her way to second place at the 2011 Oklahoma Kids State Competition, Specialty Act division. Who knew Santa yodeled? -via Everlasting Blort
In case you had the notion that deep-frying everything in sight is an American thing, check out the offerings of one fish and chip shop in Birmingham, England, for the holidays.
Hollywood Fish Bar owner Chris Christoforou has created a battered Christmas dinner consisting of a turkey, roast potatoes, stuffing, brocolli, carrots, pigs in blankets and brussel sprouts - all indidually dipped in batter and deep fried.
Oh yes, there's deep-fried pie, too! See it all in a video at The Telegraph. Link -via Flavorpill
They don't last long, but they are works of art for a short time in winter. Flavorwire has a roundup of homes, hotels, igloos, castles, and art buildings made from ice and snow. Such structures are found in Romania, Russia, Sweden, China, Canada, and the U.S. Even in New Mexico! Shown here is The Celestial Sphere, a concert hall made of ice in Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico. Link
The moral of the story is: Don't call names. Especially when the guy has a pet rock. Comic by Gregor Czaykowski of Loading Artist. Link -via Bits and Pieces
The Pantone Color Institute has announced the Color of the Year for 2013: Emerald 17-5641. The color on anything besides a gem doesn't really remind me of the gem, however. How about you?
Most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, the perception of Emerald is sophisticated and luxurious. Since antiquity, this luminous, magnificent hue has been the color of beauty and new life in many cultures and religions. Also the color of growth, renewal and prosperity, no other color conveys regeneration more than green. For centuries, many countries have chosen green to represent healing and unity.
"The most abundant hue in nature, the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today's complex world. This powerful and universally-appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors."
I don't know, this shade doesn't appear to match anything I already have, which may be a clue to why it was selected. Fashion-conscious consumers will have to start all over and buy whole new sets of clothing, accessories, and household items. Link -via Gizmodo
He's a street performer, a juggler, an acrobat, and a stripper! Actually, it's French freestyle footballer Iya Traore practicing his skills, and yes, showing off for the crowd. -via Cynical-C
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