Clipmarks | valann 47's clips

Animal Babies Braving the Cold

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:19:35 GMT

clipped by: valann 47

Clip Source: www.environmentalgraffiti.com

Animal Babies Braving the Cold

All animals pictured here are warm-blooded or homeothermic animals, meaning they have to keep their body temperature constant regardless of weather conditions. Sound familiar? Yes, humans are also warm-blooded, er, animals that need to don scarves, hats and gloves to maintain their body temperature of roughly 37 degrees.

Psst, Mama, it’s cold, let’s go inside:

Image via Just Being Myself

Hungry and cold, these penguins were all huddled at one side:

Close-up of a baby gentoo penguin snuggling up to its Daddy:

These prairie dogs take no chances and have bundled up in a thick blanket:

A hamster curling up to stay warm:

Hello, world! Eastern grey squirrel looking out of its snow tunnel:

This wombat doesn’t seem so sure what to make of the snow:

I’m gonna fluff myself up and stay all warm!

Fun in the snow they said and now it’s all sticking to me – grumpy chow chow:

Let sleeping dogs lie, even in the snow:

Tags: animals, cold, winter, young animals

The Floating Stadium of Singapore

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 07:11:12 GMT

clipped by: valann 47

Clip Source: visboo.com

Known as The Float at Marina Bay (or Marina Bay Floating Platform), this floating stadium is the world's largest floating stage. It is located on the waters of the Marina Reservoir, in Marina Bay, Singapore.
Made entirely of steel, the floating platform measures 120 metres long and 83 metres wide. It can bear up to 1,070 tonnes, equivalent to the total weight of 9,000 people, 200 tonnes of stage props and three 30-tonne military vehicles. The gallery at the stadium has a seating capacity of 30,000 people.
The stage took 13 months to build, and by April 2007, the platform and seating gallery were completed.
I think it's a great idea, but the grandstands seem to be quite far.

Tags: singapore, stadium, floating

Christmas lights

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:05:43 GMT

clipped by: valann 47

Clip Source: www.muffslap.com

With Christmas quickly approaching, most people are starting to put up their holiday lights and decorations. There is a good chance that you have one or two neighbors that thrive on having the most obnoxious light display in the neighborhood. These outdoor displays have visitors constantly driving by to witness these spectacles and probably even prevent the surrounding neighbors from getting a good nights sleep. However, the displays below not only have massive amounts of lights, but also have synchronized their display to the beat of their favorite Christmas song. These displays are so ridiculous, even Clark Griswald would be jealous!

[Video]

Tags: videos, christmas lights

FLOOD TOWN BRIDGE NAMED AFTER HERO

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:15:37 GMT

clipped by: valann 47

Clip Source: www.dailyexpress.co.uk

Heavy rain was falling as children officially opened a new footbridge named in honour of a hero policeman swept to his death in floods a fortnight ago.

Barker Crossing in Workington is named after Pc Bill Barker, who died directing traffic off the town's Northside Bridge when it collapsed on November 20.

The temporary footbridge is the first pedestrianised link across the River Derwent to unite the north and south sides of the Cumbrian town since the floods.

Previously residents could only cross the river by boarding a train or make a 45-minute detour via Cockermouth.

Children making their way to school were the first to use the new crossing, as the media looked on.

The 52-metre steel bridge was constructed by the army and is similar to those built by soldiers in Afghanistan.

A new footbridge in Cumbria has been named after Pc Bill Barker who died during the floods

Tags: cockermouth, bridge, hero

Photographers win British war on photography?

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:11:02 GMT

clipped by: valann 47

Clip Source: www.boingboing.net

Is Britain's war on photography coming to an end? After the Independent newspaper got senior officials to admit that anti-terror legislation was being "widely abused...to question and search innocent photographers," the Association of Chief Police Officers has sent out a strongly worded memo to all officers ordering them to cease the practice. The harrassment of photographers by police officers is said to have senior officers "exasperated, depressed and embarrassed," and they characterize officers' belief that anti-terror laws prohibit photography as an "internal urban myth."

Writing in today's Independent, he says: "Everyone... has a right to take photographs and film in public places. Taking photographs... is not normally cause for suspicion and there are no powers prohibiting the taking of photographs, film or digital images in a public place."

"Photographers should be left alone to get on with what they are doing.

Photographers win British war on photography?

Tags: photography, uk, police

A House is not a Home Without a Pet.

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:06:26 GMT

clipped by: valann 47

Clip Source: amolife.com

A House is not a Home Without a Pet.

Tags: photos, animals, pets

cute animals sleeping

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:48:46 GMT

clipped by: valann 47

Clip Source: lilomag.com

Cute Animals Sleeping Post

Tags: animals, sleep, photos

4-year-old survives being hit by train

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:33:26 GMT

clipped by: valann 47

Clip Source: www.ajc.com

Doctors call this 4-year-old Atlanta boy Superman.

He either has to be made of steel or truly is blessed to have survived getting hit by a train, doctors told the boy’s mom.

Elijah Anderson was playing outside his northwest Atlanta home on Nov. 5 when his dog Poochy ran off.

Elijah chased after the Jack Russell Terrier as it ran behind his Lamar Avenue home toward the train tracks on Wilson Boulevard.

The conductor of the CSX train told police he saw the boy, but couldn’t stop the train in time. The 5,229-foot long train was travelling west at about 30 mph when it struck Elijah, throwing him from the tracks, police said.

“He couldn’t even cry because it hurt so bad,” his mom told the AJC on Thursday. “His eyes were closed and he couldn’t move.”

Poochy was not hurt.

Within 24 hours, his condition was upgraded to good, police said.

The only sign of the accident is a large scar on his forehead.

Police said CSX was not at fault and did not file any charges.

Tags: train, child, train hit

Loneliness can be contagious

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:39:21 GMT

clipped by: valann 47

Clip Source: www.cosmosmagazine.com

WASHINGTON DC: It only takes one individual in a group to begin to feel lonely for the feeling to spread to others, says a new study.

Before lonely people sever relationships, they transmit loneliness to their friends who then also become lonely, according to the study published in the December issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

These reinforcing effects mean that our social fabric can fray at the edges, like a yarn that comes loose at the end of a crocheted sweater,

The next-door neighbours of lonely people who experienced an additional day of loneliness a week caused their own neighbours and close friends to feel lonely, a pattern that escalated as the neighbours shared less time together.

The study, funded by the National Institute on Ageing, also found that women were more likely to 'catch' loneliness from others, in line with previous work suggesting that women rely more on emotional support than men.

Tags: loneliness, research

MS Breakthrough Exactly as Albert Einstein Would Have Done It

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 07:49:09 GMT

clipped by: valann 47

Clip Source: www.goodnewsnetwork.org

Dr. Zamboni's studies began when his beloved wife developed MS in 1995 at the age of 37.

His research began with a massive in-depth review of the literature, and modern imaging techniques such as ultrasound and MRI. His findings led him to believe that Multiple Sclerosis is not an autoimmune issue, but a vascular disease, a radical departure from current thinking.

Convinced that he was right, he performed experimental MS Breakthrough surgery on his wife.
He insisted, "I am confident that this could be a revolution for the research and diagnosis of multiple sclerosis."

He had found that over 90 percent of MS sufferers had blocked or deformed blood vessels draining from the brain. Thinking differently than current researchers, and seeking an urgent MS Breakthrough for Elena his wife, he theorized that iron is damaging the veins, and crossing the blood brain barrier, destroying myelin, the protective sheath of our nerves cells.

MS Breakthrough Exactly as Albert Einstein Would Have Done It

Tags: ms, theory, breakthrough, medicine

10 Free Online Advent Calendars

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:45:21 GMT

clipped by: valann 47

Clip Source: www.makeuseof.com

1. Boowa & Kwala

An online advent calendar to countdown to Christmas with little seasonal surprises each day.

2. Presentation Magazine

There is no indication as to what this online advent calendar has in store, but my wild guess is that it is probably more suited for adults interested in improving their presentation skills.

3. Online Bingo

Do you enjoy Bingo? Then this one is for you! Since it’s a UK calendar, where Christmas isn’t celebrated until December 25th it has 25 doors. Each door will contain Bingo-related freebies and surprises.

4. Woodlands Junior School

This UK school has an interactive online advent calendar which shares 25 bits of information about how Christmas is celebrated around the world.

5. National Museums Liverpool

6. Electric December

7. Yule in Iceland

8. Greg’s Advent Calendar

9. St. Margaret Mary

10. Holidays On The Net

Tags: advent calenders, online, free

telephone box turned into library

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:52:29 GMT

clipped by: valann 47

Clip Source: www.boingboing.net

Disused call-box turned into world's smallest lending library

"A traditional red phone box has been recycled into one of the UK's smallest lending libraries - stocking 100 books, CDs, and DVDs. The phone booth was bought from British Telecom for £1, and it looks like something right out of a Doctor Who episode." [ed: technically, the Tardis is a police call box, which is ~~green~~ blue, not red]

Users simply stock it with a book they have read, swapping it for one they have not...

"This facility has turned a piece of street furniture into a community service in constant use."

A resident dreamed up the idea when the village lost its phone box and mobile library in quick succession.

Tags: telephone box, library, recycled

tree house pictures

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:26:50 GMT

clipped by: valann 47
clipper's remarks: oh I'd love one.

Clip Source: dornob.com

Treehouses are more popular than ever, as play spaces for children but also as luxury hotel (and even house) designs for adults. Some of the most fantastic plans and ideas can be traced to specialist designers and builders – and pictures of their work can provide some of the best inspiration (as well as an informal visual guide) for do-it-yourself recreational, residential and commercial tree buildings.

The trick is to find a balance between safe and fun – railings are a must, as are sturdy supports, but whimsy and asymmetry help make these places feel more organic and engaging for younger visitors in particular.

Still others (were it not for the color in the pictures) seem timeless or like they could have been constructed in the Middle Ages – until you reach their incredible contemporary interiors at least.

Tags: tree houses, photos, design

Tale of half-frozen cat named Icee

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:10:53 GMT

clipped by: valann 47
clipper's remarks: Over the next few hours, Steinbeiser and shelter workers keep substituting warm towels for the ones that have cooled down, a never-ending relay from the laundry room to the office where they've set up the temporary kitty ICU. They inject subcutaneous fluids. A dehydrated cat can't maintain its body temperature, and this was clearly a dehydrated cat, maybe so dehydrated there's been organ damage. By afternoon, he is stirring a bit when people approach, opening his eyes, reaching out a paw. They substitute the warmed-towel approach with a cozy crate next to a heater. He looks somewhat more alert. But his heartbeat remains erratic.
The tension that's been swirling about the shelter for the last 36 hours dissipates. The staff, a little emotional about the miracle that blew in with first big snowstorm of the season, names him Icee.

Now the little black and white cat, about 3 or 4 years old, is prowling the cat room, healthy, plumped up, personable and waiting for a home.

"He is," sa

Clip Source: www.usatoday.com

You might imagine that a little shelter already filled to the rafters with discarded dogs and cats wouldn't exactly launch itself into code-blue alert to save a long-shot homeless cat.

You'd be wrong.

So it's a Friday morning, frigid and icy, after an overnight storm dumped a foot or more of snow. Animal control receives a call about a cat that may or may not be alive under a deck. The officer arrives, finds the cat is still living but just barely, and transports it over treacherous roads to the shelter.

"A cat," France says. "I'm not sure if it's still alive."

The women exchange glances. It looks really bad. But Steinbeiser thrusts the cat at France, who unzips her jacket and presses the cat close to her body, then zips back up. Steinbeiser races off to toss some already-dried towels back into the dryer to heat them up.

Tags: cat, rescue, icee

Solar Powered Knit Hat and Gloves Keep You Warm for Winter

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:58:10 GMT

clipped by: valann 47

Clip Source: www.inhabitat.com

Solar Powered Knit Hat and Gloves Keep You Warm for Winter

When battling 70 mile per hour blistering cold winds, who couldn’t use a little extra coziness? These ingenious accessories offer a way to keep warm using the power of the sun! Called Endless Warm, the smart set includes gloves and a hat adorned with paper-thin solar panels arranged in a fetching snowflake pattern.

Tags: hat, gloves, solar power