Clipmarks | Oddity Clips

Where are the witnesses?

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:30:55 GMT

clipped by: willhelm

Barack Obama is an immensely talented man whose talents have been largely devoted to crafting, and chronicling, his own life. Not things. Not ideas. Not institutions. But himself.

So where are the colleagues? The buddies? The political or spiritual soul mates? His most important spiritual adviser and mentor was Jeremiah Wright. But he's out. Then there's William Ayers, with whom he served on a board. He's out. Where are the others?

The oddity of this convention is that its central figure is the ultimate self-made man, a dazzling mysterious Gatsby. The palpable apprehension is that the anointed is a stranger — a deeply engaging, elegant, brilliant stranger with whom the Democrats had a torrid affair.

Having slowly woken up, they see the ring and wonder who exactly they married last night.

World Smallest PC

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:07:52 GMT

clipped by: titicy

Clip Source: www.pcpro.co.uk

A real Space Oddity arrives at PC Pro

You may remember that, some time ago, I blogged about an interesting little computer curio called the Space Cube. Quite simply, it’s one of the smallest PCs in the world, with each side measuring around 2 inches square. I wrote that it looked cool, ran on a 300MHz processor and that it probably wouldn’t be sold outside of Japan, if at all.

5 extremely cool research facilities

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:30:48 GMT

clipped by: Silkweaver
clipper's remarks: Some more interesting stuff at site. Especially a short video on measuring gravitational waves.

Clip Source: deputy-dog.com

1. large helical device, gifu, japan

the phenomenal photo above shows superconducting coils within the large helical device in japan, a machine which holds the title of ‘largest superconducting stellarator in the world’.

2. odeillo solar furnace, odeillo, france

this brilliantly shiny oddity is the 8-storey high odeillo solar furnace in france: at present the largest on the planet.

using this method, temperatures can reach an unbelievably hot 3400°C.

3. atf fire research laboratory, maryland, usa

measuring a whopping 60ft x 60ft, this is the largest calorimetry hood on earth and is an essential part of the atf fire research laboratory.

4. ligo observatories, louisiana & washington, usa

ligo’s hanford observatory, one of 2 main facilities used by ligo to detect ‘ripples’ or gravitational waves in space-time.

5. arecibo observatory, arecibo, puerto rico

arecibo observatory in puerto rico contains the largest curved focusing dish on earth and is used for 3 main research purposes: radio astronomy

Tags: science, technology, research

Yoda — a cat with four ears

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:26:33 GMT

clipped by: nolenelam
clipper's remarks: what a cool cat!

Clip Source: today.msnbc.msn.com

Purr-fect photo! Fame finds four-eared feline

Thanks to an image posted on a Web site, Yoda has become Internet star

updated 9:36 a.m. PT, Fri., Aug. 22, 2008

The owners of Yoda — a cat with four ears — could use a couple of extra hands to answer their telephones.

Ted and Valerie Rock said they've been inundated with television offers and media inquiries since their son posted a photo of their smoke-colored cat on a Web site. That turned the four-eared feline from a suburban animal oddity into an instant Internet celebrity.

The Rocks, from the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove, have fielded calls from “Good Morning America,” “Fox News” and “The Tyra Banks Show.” The cat's photo has graced the London Guardian and a British tabloid. The Daily Mail said if Batman had a cat, it would be Yoda.

Yoda's extra ears give him a hint of a devilish appearance. The Rocks said they found him in 2006 while watching a Chicago Bears game at a Blue Island bar.

Tags: cats

Alabama’s “Overweight Tax”: Oddity, or Preview of Times to Come?

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:33:30 GMT

clipped by: kellyabbot

Clip Source: www.projectweightloss.com

Last week, Alabama officials announced a new health insurance plan for state employees who are overweight. Starting next year, all state employees will have to be tested for their body mass index

Tags: weight loss, bmi calculator, calorie counter, diet plan, diet planner, workout planner, alabama

4-Eared Feline Finds Fame

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:26:32 GMT

clipped by: murieleileen

Clip Source: news.yahoo.com

Fame finds 4-eared feline thanks to Internet photo

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – The owners of Yoda — a cat with four ears — could use a couple extra hands to answer their telephones.

The Rocks, from the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove, have fielded calls from "Good Morning America," "Fox News" and "The Tyra Banks Show." The cat's photo has graced the London Guardian and a British tabloid. The Daily Mail said if Batman had a cat, it would be Yoda.

"It's amazing," Ted Rock said. "For the past few days, our phone has just been ringing off the hook."

Yoda's extra ears give him a hint of a devilish appearance. The Rocks said they found him in 2006 while watching a Chicago Bears game at a Blue Island bar.

Some in the bar were passing

Tags: cat, feline, 4 eared, unusual

Seattle Oddity

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:42:06 GMT

clipped by: cakebelly
clipper's remarks: Looks like a teeny hippo to me - odd enough to get more pictures of it, surely.

Clip Source: www.forteantimes.com

Skinny pig? Hairless rat... or some new mutant?

This oddity was spotted outside a Seattle office block and has been the subject of some fevered speculation as to what it might be. Most likely explanation is that it's a domestic hairless rat that has either been abandoned or escaped, which is a little sad as it wouldn't survive for long on its own. Link

Exercise in Futility

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:02:04 GMT

clipped by: cavey1732
clipper's remarks: I sumbledupon this message. I tried it of course.

Clip Source: www.jeffbridges.com

Tags: oddity

Live: Santa Monica 72

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:45:27 GMT

clipped by: Seabear6
clipper's remarks: released end of July

Clip Source: davidbowie.shop.musictoday.com

Recorded live on October 20, 1972 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium during the critically acclaimed Ziggy Stardust tour, this show features 18 Bowie classics including "Ziggy Stardust," "Life on Mars?" "Space Oddity," and "Suffragette City." The first bootlegs of this show surfaced in 1973, but on July 8, 2008, the officially titled David Bowie - Live Santa Monica '72 will be released for the first time. This version is the final chapter in the life of the original Santa Monica bootleg that had many different titles and was released in various formats.

Tags: bowie

A Look at Ohio's "Dome-Less" Statehouse

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:41:08 GMT

clipped by: presohio

Clip Source: www.theotherpaper.com

There’s something wrong at the Statehouse. It doesn’t involve any funny money or a little, black book. There’s not a single reference to under-aged or extra-marital. The Statehouse scandal in question has to do with a dome, or rather, the lack thereof.

And no, that’s not a joke about State Sen. Bill Harris being on summer recess, either.

The next time you find yourself along High Street between Broad and State, stop and take a look at the Ohio Statehouse. Take a good, long look and you’ll see that something just doesn’t seem right.

For the Downtown set, the visage of the Statehouse is almost an afterthought. It’s such a familiar part of the landscape, it’s easy to take for granted. Most people don’t even notice the oddity. But right there, jutting up from the center of the building is a large, ornate cylinder—looks a little like a gun turret, or maybe a Lazy Susan. In architectural terms, it’s known as a cupola.

Tags: preservation, history, statehouse, columbus

Capturing that WTF Moment

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:13:26 GMT

clipped by: jplnoons
clipper's remarks: There are just some things in life that make you say WTF!

Clip Source: my.mmoabc.com

Capturing that WTF Moment

There are just some things in life that make you say WTF!

Tags: wtf, funny, weird, strange, bizarre, humor, oddity

Miracle Fruit: The Psychedelic Berry That (Legally) Rewires Your Senses

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:36:39 GMT

clipped by: wildcat

Clip Source: www.dailygalaxy.com

Imagine drinking Tabasco sauce and thinking it tasted like a sugary glaze, or drinking a bitter beer that your taste buds are certain is chocolate. Imagine having a magic pill that could turn lemons into candy. Well, you don’t have to imagine. Like a magical treat straight out of Willy Wonka’s candy factory, the berry known as “miracle fruit” has the odd ability to rewire the way the tongue perceives bitter and sour flavors for up to two hours after consumption. The fruit has been growing in popularity in the US as the guest of honor at bizarre soirees known as "flavor tripping parties" where tasters eat the strange little fruit and then consume sour and bitter foods to experience the oddity of how their tongue transforms the flavors in a reality-defying fashion.

While miracle fruit is practically unheard of in the US, it is quite common in other countries

Tags: berry, miracle fruit, flavor

Dogs With Dye Jobs

Mon, 19 May 2008 16:30:50 GMT

clipped by: hitchhiker08
clipper's remarks: Hot dog! Not so hot for the dogs, am sure ...

Clip Source: www.dogguide.net

No, I’m Not Kidding - 15 Photos Of Dogs With Dye Jobs.

I wish I was. Some people feel compelled to dye their dogs. I can’t say that I understand this. Spare me the “I need my dog to match my outfit, couch, car” argument. It’s a DOG - not an accessory. Maybe, just MAYBE if it is Halloween, I might give you a pass, but only then…..

Multicolored Papillon:

Papillon" />

Pride Pooch:

I am all for Pride, but this is a bit much.

Pink Pit Bull:

Blue Poodle:

There Are No Words:

As seen on late night Cinemax….

Pekingese Lion:

This little dog looks like a sad mini lion statue.

His and Hers Poodles:

A perfect gift for any couple.

A Brighter Shade Of Pink:

This Wheaton gives a new meaning to the color pink!

Some Dogs Have Reason To Bite:

This one would have an excuse…

I am finding myself getting more and more exasperated as I continue to write this blog…

Olympic Poodle:

Glam Rock Chinese Crested:

If Looks Could Kill:

Tags: dogs, oddity, bizarre, canines, dye, cosmetic, color

Tooth Tattoos - surprise the Tooth Fairy!

Wed, 07 May 2008 07:52:02 GMT

clipped by: hitchhiker08
clipper's remarks: I guess its all about people wanting to make a statement - may not be as bold as a body tattoo or piercing, but kinda cute...

Clip Source: inventorspot.com

Tooth Tattoos - What Would the Tooth Fairy Think?

The tooth artists at Heward Dental Lab can create custom handpainted artwork on your teeth. They have been in business for over 30 years and state "We have found that there is a lack of true artists in our industry. Our technicians were trained first to be artists and then taught how to construct teeth."

They say that you will have your very own custom crown in 6 easy steps which include obtaining a prescription, picking out your artwork, deciding where you want it, and visiting your dentist to have it put in place.

David Letterman

Prices range anywhere from $75 to $500.

They specify they want simple pictures, so I guess the Mona Lisa might be too much to ask for.

Elvis

Washington

Rooster Tattoo

Tags: body art, tattoos, pop culture, teeth, cosmetology, bizarre, oddity

10 amazing 'shoe' trees!

Tue, 06 May 2008 07:09:10 GMT

clipped by: hitchhiker08
clipper's remarks: I'll give up my keds to boot!

Clip Source: www.environmentalgraffiti.com

10 Amazing Places For Footwear: Shoe Trees, Power Lines, and Other Oddities

Ever get really, really frustrated? So frustrated, perhaps, that you considered simply firing your footwear at the nearest tree you could find? Well, me neither, but it seems that some people have, and in the process inspired over 70 “shoe trees” all over America, each holding hundred of pairs of sneakers in their branches.

10. St. Helen, Michigan

9. Santiago, Chile

8. Amboy, California

7. Manchester, UK

6. Brooklyn, New York

Brooklyn, of course, has overcome one of the unique problems of having a shoe tree in a city: a lack of trees.

5. British Columbia, Canada

4.San Diego, California

3. Bristol, UK

2. Benton County, Oregon

1. Shoefiti in Springfield–The Simpsons Get In On The Act

I couldn’t resist– when Bart and Homer have adopted a trend, you know it’s made the big time.

Tags: oddity, shoe tree, pop culture, superstition