Quick -how many movies can you name with a plot that revolved around a gemstone? There have been quite a few! And you’ve probably seen most of these Nine Famous Jewels from the Movies.

Whether they be real, items of legend, or completely fictitious, jewels from the movies are definitely “the stuff that dreams are made of”. With story arches, background, and in some cases almost a personality all their own, these so called “props” could easily be seen as characters themselves.

http://www.abazias.com/diamondblog/?p=825 -via Geek Like Me

A gang of Indian women are taking on corrupt officials and men who beat their wives. They dress in pink and wield axes to fight for the poor and downtrodden.

The several hundred vigilante women of India's northern Uttar Pradesh state's Banda area proudly call themselves the "gulabi gang" (pink gang), striking fear in the hearts of wrongdoers and earning the grudging respect of officials.

The pink women of Banda shun political parties and NGOs because, in the words of their feisty leader, Sampat Pal Devi, "they are always looking for kickbacks when they offer to fund us".

Link -via Exploding Aardvark

The Daily Mail ran an article on advertisements from a time when no one gave a second thought about portraying women as weak, stupid, and in need of a man to lead her through life. I can personally recall how people used to laugh if anyone took offense at ads like this. Link -via the Presurfer

They always say you should make sure your playground equipment is firmly anchored to the ground. Unlike this fellow. I wouldn’t post this if the guy hadn’t survived, but will he be able to hang onto his skateboard? Link -via Gorilla Mask

The World Clock Project hopes to collect pictures of clocks all over the world showing each minute of the day.

We find it intriguing to see a picture of a clock that is located thousands of miles away, but one which tells us the exact time of where we are right now. So we've set out to collect as many pictures of clocks as possible from as many different people as possible from around the world. Our goal is to gather enough pictures to account for all the minutes of the day. Upon accomplishing that, we will create a "digital picture clock" for the community.

There are some nice clocks already, and you can submit yours. Link -via Dump Trumpet

(image credit: PatsPiks, Apeldoorn, Netherlands)

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Looks like they both have a few tricks up their sleeves! -via Arbroath

Have you ever heard of satelloons?

From about 1956 until 1964, US aeronautics engineers and rocket scientists at the Langley Research Center developed a series of spherical satellite balloons called, awesomely enough, satelloons. Dubbed Project Echo, the 100-foot diameter aluminumized balloons were one of the inaugural projects for NASA, which was established in 1958.

Link -via Dark Roasted Blend

Feed the fish, and he will grow. Just how big, I do not know. I think I will name him Otto. Link -via Dump Trumpet

Do you occasionally feel guilty about downloading music without paying for it? Most folks don’t care about the record companies, but what about the musicians? Darren Barefoot has the solution with a website called Dear Rockers. Write a letter to a musician, and mail it off with $5. The site has a database where you can find many addresses. Also, send a photo or scan of your letter to the website, and they’ll post it. You can clear your conscience, showcase your creativity, and thank a musician all at once! Link -via Metafilter

Find out which radio stations are already playing wall-to-wall Christmas music in your area, with this list from 100000watts.com. http://ftp.media.radcity.net/ZMST/Todays/Christmas.htm

Sooth your mind by watching jellyfish float around, without having to feed them! This jellyfish aquarium contains jellies made of silicone. They even change color! Link -via the Presurfer

(Live Leak link)
Dave Downey of Perth, Australia has been crowned Father Christmas at the Snoyran Santa Games in Sweden. 30 Santas went nose-to-nose in five categories: chimney climbing, reindeer racing, kick sled racing, porridge eating, and Santa's Christmas Eve. Official event secretary Elizabeth Landby said:

"He was in third place during most of the time during the competition, but he impressed the judges during the chimney climbing and jumped to first place," Ms Landby said.

"He was popular among the children ... the children thought he was a good Santa."

Mr. Downey won a gold medal, a diploma, and a hand-made sculpture of Santa, in addition to the title. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22828677-401,00.html -via Arbroath

(Daily Motion link)
You’ve seen Dumbo, and you’ve heard the myth about elephants being afraid of mice, haven’t you? Mythbusters takes a look at what happens when an elephant encounters a mouse. No animals were harmed in this experiment. -via YesButNoButYes

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He lost his leg when he was very young. She lost an arm in a car accident. But their ballet won a dance competition on a Chinese TV network, CCTV9. -via Phil’s Phun

Previously at Neatorama: Reynaldo Ojeda and Claudia Lopez.

29-year-old Ingrid Marie Rivera won the Miss Puerto Rico beauty pageant, despite the fact that someone had applied pepper spray to her gown and makeup!

Rivera was composed while appearing before cameras and judges throughout the competition. But once backstage, she had to strip off her clothes and apply ice bags to her face and body, which swelled and broke out in hives twice.

"We thought at first it was an allergic reaction, or maybe nerves," Rosario said. "But the second time, we knew it couldn't have been a coincidence."

Rivera's clothing and makeup later tested positive for pepper spray.

Rivera was the favorite going into the competition. She was also Miss World Caribbean in 2005. Now she will represent Puerto Rico in the Miss Universe pageant. Link -via Arbroath

(Photo credit: AP)