My Time Lord and Savior

A peek above our garters to Dr. BA for pointing us to this thread at Fark.com which led us to these two comics from HomeOnTheStrange.com:

Filed under: Art, Astronomy, Blogs In Our MonkeySphere, Entertainment, Fundies, Humor, Images, Religion, Science, Time Sink

Silenced Voices – A Short Study In Contrast

Two very prominent public voices fell silent yesterday. Earlier in the day, D. James Kennedy of the Coral Ridge Hour died at age 76. Then last night (early this morning local time), Luciano Pavarotti died at age 71.

From the Lycos Obituary for Pavarotti:

ROME (AP) — Luciano Pavarotti, whose vibrant high C’s and ebullient showmanship made him the most beloved and celebrated tenor since Caruso and one of the few opera singers to win crossover fame as a popular superstar, died Thursday. He was 71.

From the CNN Obituary for Kennedy:

MIAMI — The Rev. D. James Kennedy, a pioneering Christian broadcaster and megachurch pastor whose fiercely conservative worldview helped fuel the rise of the religious right in American politics, died Wednesday. He was 76.

Both men were known for what came from their mouths, and both were born in the 1930s. That’s where the similarity ends.

Filed under: Art, Entertainment, Equality, Fundies, Politics, Religion

Mike Nifong Gets Gentle Slap On The Wrist

In the state of North Carolina, repeatedly lying to several courts attempting to inflame racial tension, deceive the public as well as the courts, and convict people you know to be innocent in a effort to gain reelection and secure your pension comes with a serious price:

one day in jail.

Via CNN:

(CNN) — Embattled former district attorney Mike Nifong was held in criminal contempt of court and sentenced to one day in jail Friday for his actions in the flawed Duke lacrosse team rape case.

Nifong must report to jail September 7, Superior Court Judge W. Osmond Smith III said.

The judge said Nifong’s withholding of DNA evidence from defense attorneys was an affront to the integrity of the judicial system.

Filed under: Art, Biology, Education, Images, Politics, Rants, Science, Sex, Sports

The Boys Are Back In Town

After a pair of seemingly eternal hiatuses (hiati?), the blogosphere is once again graced by the presence of two wonderful bloggers. Please drop by and welcome them both back.

In a cosmically coincidental confluence of androgynous proportions, the man who’s nom de blog is WhoreChurch explores your anus, and Molly tells us that she sometimes fantasizes about getting a blow job.

I ask you, what are the odds of that happening on the same day?

From whence came the art:

That self portrait is titled Androgynous in Jeans, by Molly Montrevoir.

Filed under: Art, Astronomy, Blogs In Our MonkeySphere, Education, Erotica, Friends, Images, Literature, Literature and Literotica, Photos, Science, Sex

Naked People on Ice

Not sure what to do about Global Climate Change? Get naked!

It may not help the weather, but it’s fun anyway. In this case, it also helped to raise awareness of the issue.

Via Lycos and Greenpeace:

The nude volunteers posed for us and renowned naked “installation” artist Spencer Tunick on the Aletsch Glacier.

Without clothes, the human body is vulnerable, exposed, its life or death at the whim of the elements. Global warming is stripping away our glaciers and leaving our entire planet vulnerable to extreme weather, floods, sea-level rise, global decreases in carrying capacity and agricultural production, fresh water shortages, disease and mass human dislocations.

At the Greenpeace link there are a few videos of the event, a couple photos, and even two wallpapers you can download, if you’re feeling frisky. One of them is thumbnailed above.

According to Lycos, the temperature during the shoot was around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which though not freezing, surely caused significant shrinkage.  Please bear that in mind while zooming the image, and give the guys a break.

From whence came the art:

That photograph is a thumbnail of a wallpaper you can download at Greenpeace, by Spencer Tunick.

Filed under: Art, Education, Environment, Images, Photos, Science

Struck By Sleeping Beauty

I was just browsing Flickr this morning, not really feeling like finishing the posts I was working on when I got the news about Aunt Helen yesterday.I’m just feeling contemplative, I guess. Calm, almost serene. Very quiet, perhaps a bit morose.

This photo just struck me and I wanted to share. The artist’s caption lies below the photo.

[...] Sweet princess… if through this wicked witch’s trick, a spindle should your finger prick… a ray of hope there still may be in this, the gift I give to thee. Not in death, but just in sleep, this fateful prophecy you’ll keep. And from this slumber you shall wake, when true love’s kiss, the spell shall break [...]
– Excerpt from Movie “Sleeping Beauty” by Walt Disney 1959

Lurate Caccivio, Italy (November, 2005)

From whence came the art:

That photograph is titled Sleeping Beauty, by Rickydavid, and is captioned with that quote.

Filed under: Art, Images, Photos

Flowers Of Japan

Sometimes, it’s rather difficult to find exactly what you’re looking for, especially when you restrict your search to Creative Commons licensed material.

I’m feeling really low key today, so I did the best I could to find a soothing nature type video montage with some koto and/or flute musical accompaniment. This one has some wonderful photos in it.

I guess I’m going to have to just make one myself. It’s been quite a while since I’ve done a video, so I suppose I’m overdue anyway.

Head below the fold for something mellow and calming to continue Music Monday.

Filed under: Art, Entertainment, Images, Music Monday, Music Video, Video

The Beauty Of Crop Circles

Martyne and I were just yacking about crop circles, as brought up by the recent post by the BadAstronomer.

As it’s Music Monday, I thought you all might enjoy a bit of relaxing electronic music to go along with a montage of some very beautiful crop circles.

Despite the fact that they are quite obviously and provably the work of humans who were born right here on this very planet, some of them can be extremely elaborate works of art. While I’m sure the delicacy and intricacy are utterly lost on the farmer whose field is damaged by the eventide vandals, the craftsmanship and dexterity of the artists cannot be denied.

Without further ado, allow me to direct your attention below the fold, to where you will be able to pull up a chair and take a moment of quiet to reflect on the portraits in the corn.

Filed under: Art, Entertainment, Images, Music Monday, Music Video, Photos, Video