Cool

Funny Billboards

2007-11-09T07:36:00.000-08:00

20 Bizarre Hotels

2007-10-17T05:06:00.000-07:00

20 Bizarre Hotels

Tired of staying at the Main Street Hilton everywhere you go? Maybe just one time you'll forget about racking up your Marriott points and entertain the idea that the hotel you choose can be just as much an experience as your trip itself. Rainy day? No problem - Some of these hotels are so far out there; guests may be compelled to complain about their room just so they can take a look at another. These unusual hotels are certainly not listed on the common hotel guide. The hotels listed fall in the realm of adventure, geared to the global traveler looking for that memorable and fascinating holiday.

Ice Hotel SWEDEN

If cold weather is your thing, then bundle up and enjoy a stay at the Ice Hotel in Sweden. Made up of over 6,000 square feet of ice and snow, it's the largest - and the original - ice hotel in the world. Guests sleep in a thermal sleeping bag on a special bed built of snow and ice, on reindeer skins. In the morning, a cup of hot lingonberry juice is brought to their bedside. After enjoying a good (?) night's sleep on a bed of snow, that morning delivery should be quite a delight. With an average temperature of 17 degrees Fahrenheit, bring lots of layers, or just visit the Absolut ICE bar and drink some vodka to stay toasty - in more ways than one.

http://www.icehotel.com/

Green Magic Treehouses KERELA, INDIA

If you longed for a tree house getaway as a child, the Green Magic Treehouses in Kerela, India may be a long awaited dream come true. The houses are built in trees 90 feet high, and nestled in a tropical rainforest. They come complete with running water in private baths, telephones, and if you're feeling extra adventurous - access to a hanging bridge. All of the houses are made of Eco- friendly materials, and run by alternate energy sources, avoiding conventional electricity power. This, coupled with the beautiful abundance of flora and fauna, make for a beautiful and unique place to stay.

http://travel.vsnl.com/palmland/treehouse

Propeller Island City Lodge
BERLIN, GERMANY

The Propeller Island City Lodge in Berlin, Germany, much like the Kunsthotel in the same city, is a gallery-like hotel. Its 31 rooms are named, not numbered, according to their design theme. At the lodge, you can choose to sleep in a coffin, a castle bed, or perhaps a strikingly orange room. Equally unique are rooms with slanted floors, wave-like walls, and caged beds. More like a mind trip than a vacation stay, the City Lodge is best suited for travelers who prefer a bit of adventure.

http://www.propeller-island.com/

The Old Jail Mount MOUNT GAMBIER, AUSTRALIA

If you've ever spent a night in jail you probably don't want to go back. However, for the do-gooders that may never get there - The Jail in Australia is just the place to get locked up for the night, sans the legal fees and court appearance. This old prison in Mount Gambier has been transformed into a lodging aimed at budget travelers. Considering guests will have to eat in the mess hall and sleep next to a toilet, it's pretty safe to say that anyone with more than budget needs should steer clear of The Jail.

http://www.jailbackpackers.com

Daspark Hotel LINTZ, AUSTRIA

In the middle of a public park in Lintz, Austria lie 3 drainpipes. So, what does this have to do with bizarre hotels? You mean you don't want to stay in a drainpipe? Perhaps if you named your own price, would it sweeten the deal? The team at Dasparkhotel seems to think so. The drainpipes have been converted into mini guest rooms that consist of a double bed, a bedside table and a lamp. While your stay in the drainpipe will be far from lavish, it will surely make for a ridiculous travel story.

http://www.dasparkhotel.net

Imperial Boat House HOTEL CHEONG MON BEACH, CHINA

The Imperial Boat House Hotel, located on a Cheong Mon Beach in Thailand, is comprised of 34 authentic teakwood rice barges that have been converted into luxury beachfront suites. The transformed barges are hoisted up onto the shore to give travelers the feeling that they've just docked their own private yacht onto their very own island. Each two-story suite features a sunbathing deck, living room, dining area, sky-lit bathroom and luxurious bedroom. In keeping with the vessel theme, the hotel's pool is shaped like a boat.

http://www.imperialhotels.com/boathouse

Poseidon Undersea Resort FIJI

By early 2009, travelers will have the opportunity to stay at the grandiose Poseidon Undersea Resort. Nestled forty feet below the surface of the clear blue Fijian Lagoon, the underwater suites will be accessible by elevator. 70 percent of each suite is enveloped in Acrylic walls that allow for spectacular views of the ocean. Guests are invited to interact with the surroundings. At the push of a button the fish are fed, and a flip of a switch turns on the sparkling underwater lights.

http://www.poseidonresorts.com/

The Capsule Inn TOKYO, JAPAN

Think you've stayed in an efficiency room? Well, the Japanese are a bit more efficient than that. The Capsule Inn provides more of well - a capsule, than a room. While the Inn provides a public lounge space, including bathrooms, guests stay in a capsule unit. These capsules, which are made of reinforced plastic, have all the required amenities, like TV, radio, lighting, and alarm clock access. While you may be asking, required amenities for who? a quick stay in the Capsule Inn just might make you long for an all access capsule of your own.

http://www.capsuleinn.com/

Utter Inn SWEDEN

At the Utter Inn, guests literally sleep with the fishes. Swedish Sculptor and Artist, Mikal Genberg designed the Utter Inn that floats atop Lake Malaran. Guests are taken out in an inflatable boat to a small red house and then left alone to delve deep into the water to where they will spend the night. Far from ordinary, the Utter Inn is sure to be more of an aquatic adventure than a hotel stay.

http://www.privateislandsonline.com/utter-inn.htm

Winvian Cottages LITCHFIELD HILLS, CONNECTICUT

The cottages at the Winvian in Litchfield Hills, CT are an unusual, yet quiet resort-style getaway. Designed by fifteen different architects, each cottage has a unique theme and comes outfitted with luxurious amenities, such as spa inspired bathrooms. The Helicopter cottage is a 17,000 pound restored 1968 Sikorsky Sea King helicopter with operating lights and controls that simulates flying over the New England countryside. Among the other cottage themes are a tree house and a greenhouse, a Beaver Lodge that has an actual dam above the bed, and the Davinci Code-like Secret Society cabin. Despite the upscale services and the posh rates (between $1,500- $2,000 including all meals and drinks), the Winvian is just one big countryside playhouse.

http://www.winvian.com/

McMenemins Kennedy School Hotel PORTLAND, OREGON

Have you ever experienced the went to school in your underwear nightmare? At McMenemins Kennedy School hotel, that nightmare becomes a reality. The Kennedy School, a historic elementary school, has been converted into a delightful little place to stay while visiting the Portland area. Each room, fashioned from original schoolrooms, contains a chalkboard and comes fitted with a phone, Internet connection, and even a private bath. Couple those amenities with an in-house restaurant, movie theatre, and brewery, and you've got a truly unique hotel without sacrificing any conveniences during your stay.
http://www.mcmenamins.com

Burj Al- Arab DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Looking for another sea themed hotel? Just hop aboard a flight to Dubai and visit the Burj Al- Arab (Arabic for the Tower of the Arabs). The luxury hotel resembles a billowing white sail that stands over 1,000 feet tall on a man made island. Designed to be to Dubai what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, it was once marketed as the world's only 7 star hotel. So it is not surprising that Burj-Al-Arab is also among the world's most expensive hotels.

http://www.burj-al-arab.com/

Hotel Fox COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

Created by Volkswagen in an effort to promote a car, Hotel Fox, is a creative and cool hotel located in the center of Copenhagen, Denmark. Twenty-one artists were commissioned to design sixty-one rooms, which are not so much theme oriented, but rather they share an over the top, kitsch appeal. The service provided by the hotel is equally special. Guests can enjoy a flat screen TV panel in their room, and a twist on the standard mini-bar. Minibar-bags or more specifically - the Hangoverbag, Moviebag, Loversbag are provided to suit different occasions, as well as your very own customized bag. Trendy and plush, the Fox Hotel is certainly a journey to be taken when staying in Denmark.

http://www.hotelfox.dk/

Kate's Lazy Meadow Motel MT. TREMPER, NEW YORK

Kate Pierson, member of the quirky rock band the B-52's, created an equally quirky cabin getaway in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Kate's Lazy Meadow features mind-blowing mid-century modern/space age/rocket-your-socks-off decor The grooviest of suites contains two bedrooms and a full service 50's style kitchen - turquoise refrigerator and all. The motel is located on nine beautiful acres and one lazy meadow, so that guests here are surrounded by more than just fun knick-knacks.

http://www.lazymeadow.com/

Woodlyn Park Motels
WAITOMO, NEW ZEALAND

Planes, Trains, and Hobbit Motels? Woodlyn Park in Waitomo, NZ offers three unique lodging options. A 1950's railcar and a Bristol Fighter plane have been refurbished and transformed into small self-contained motel units. The Hobbit Motel resembles an authentic hobbit hole built into the side of the mountain. The entertainment provided at any of the 3 Woodlyn Park motels is equally bizarre. Guests are invited to enjoy a sheep shearing and fun with bush animals, such as the kiwi bear or the dancing pig.

http://www.woodlynpark.co.nz/

Alton Towers ENGLAND

Alton Towers, England's most famous theme park, features 8 roller coasters, 3 water rides, and several themed hotel suites. Among the available themes are Peter Rabbits burrow, Arabian nights, Two Chocolate suites, and one totally cool - perfectly pink - Sleepover Suite. For the ultimate girls night in' (at around 550 US dollars a night) the Sleepover Suite comes equipped with a theatrical dressing area packed with makeup, state of the art entertainment system, and soundproof walls - for the karaoke of course. Whimsical and fun, Alton Towers is the ultimate destination for families traveling to the U.K.

http://www.altontowers.com/hotels/choose_alton_suites.asp

Helga's Folly SRI LANKA

Touted as a way of life rather than a hotel, Helga's Folly, (formerly Hotel Chalet) is a 40-room boutique hotel in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Run by Helga herself, the hotel was designed by her family in the 1930's. Buddhist relics, Ancient statues, murals, and elaborate shrines, coupled with modern kitsch make up the overall grandiose decor of Helga's Folly. Guests are invited to explore, enjoy the 1930's jazz tunes that are played throughout, and soak up the way of life.

http://www.helgasfolly.com/

Fur n' Feathers Rainforest Tree Houses AUSTRALIA

Luxury and tree hugging usually don't go hand in hand. The Fur n' Feathers Rainforest Tree Houses in Australia manage to combine the two. This beautiful accommodation is a wildlife sanctuary, located on more than 100 acres of endangered rainforest. Guests lodge in the luxury pole houses that overlook the Ithaca River, which offer privacy and seclusion. A stay at Fur n' Feathers provides a retreat from the stress of daily life with a unique, eco-friendly twist.

http://www.rainforesttreehouses.com.au/

Kunst Hotel BERLIN, GERMANY

If the term theme hotel evokes images of champagne hot tubs and vibrating
beds, one visit to the Kunsthotel in Berlin will change that. Each room in this gallery-like hotel is whimsically designed by a renowned artist to fit a different theme, era, or location. Rooms dedicated to Edward Hopper, Audrey Hepburn and Vincent Van Gogh are among the choices. Others have broader themes, like specific literary works, the color yellow, or shoe fetishes. With more than fifty rooms and an art gallery, the Kunsthotel, is a feast for the eyes and a treat to all travelers interested in the arts.

http://www.luise-berlin.com/en/hotel/bel-etage.htm

Hotel de Nesle PARIS, FRANCE

The city of Paris still holds some of its Bohemian charm. This charm, along with the works of the writers and painters of old world Paris, are preserved in the Hotel de Nesle. This quaint budget hotel's rooms are adorned with painted frescoes based on historical events and literary themes. Guests can choose to sleep in rooms designed in homage to the writer Moliere, the Notre Dame de Paris, or in the romantic Heloise room. Luxury lovers beware, the Hotel de Nesle is void of elevators and phones so you can forget about room service. Travelers who have few needs and a love for the arts would better appreciate this hotel and all of its delights.

http://www.hoteldenesleparis.com/

Funny Legends on Walls

2007-10-15T06:47:00.000-07:00

Funny Legends on Walls

Banned Cartoons. Mickey Mouse

2007-10-14T13:05:00.000-07:00

Great graffiti!!

2007-10-13T04:00:00.000-07:00

Some intelligent and maybe not so intelligent graffiti

No Comment..!!!

2007-10-08T04:36:00.000-07:00

GO AHEAD MAKE MY DAY!

Lamborghini Car Painted Amazingly

2007-10-04T08:15:00.000-07:00

Lamborghini is a well known brand of high perfornace Italian sports cars that is now a subsidiary of German car manufacturer Audi. Usually when we see a car like this we stop a little because a Lamborghini can catch your eye very easily. In this case the owner wanted more from his Lamborghini, and he painted his car in a way that will 100% get your attention, no matter what.

Kindergarden Jackass

2007-10-03T05:45:00.000-07:00

Watch the Jackass crew in the beggining... XD...dumb ass kid funny german germany laff

Paris Exposed

2007-10-03T05:11:00.000-07:00

It seems that Paris Hilton won a fight, but not yet the war. It’s a bit late though, as everybody has the videos now.

The belongings reportedly include shocking photos and tapes, including evidence of drug use and graphic sex. There is also highly sensitive medical information.

ParisExposed.com, the website that released the videos on the internet for a $39.95 single fee generated a huge buzz on the internet and in only 2 weeks since its launched it was temporarily shut down. Bardia Persa, the owner, needs to explain his side of the story to the court soon.

”
The 3rd U.S. District Court in Los Angeles ruled today that parisexposed.com, the unauthorized Web site created by Bardia Persa two weeks ago, is to be shut down temporarily.

The judge handling the case issued a temporary restraining order and Persa has been ordered to appear February 16 to explain his side of the story and why Hilton’s items are in his possession and on the Internet.

Further the judge handling the case ruled that Hilton’s belongings, which a moving truck originally transported from her mansion in L.A. to a storage facility in Studio City before finding their way to Persa, were not to be distributed.

Persa, according to court documents, is not allowed to temporarily sell any of Hilton’s health, Social Security, personal or financial information or “photographs, videos and writings depicting [Plaintiff] in a sexual manner not previously exposed to publicviewing.”

The storage facility sold Hilton’s belongings at a foreclosure auction to a third-party for $2,775. This came after the moving company contracted to pay for Hilton’s items while the star was out of the country failed to pay the $208 bill for the storage unit.

Then a third-party sold the items to Persa for $10 million, who later created parisexposed.com, the unauthorized Web site offering a one-time $39.95 subscription fee to readers and containing the items from that storage facility.

During the two weeks in which parisexposed.com was on the Internet, the Web site was among the most popular.
”

Source: Associated Content

Have u Seen day and night at single time

2007-10-01T10:57:00.000-07:00

THIS PHOTO IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. BE SURE TO
READ THE TEXT BELOW TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING
OF WHAT YOU ARE VIEWING. IT IS HISTORIC TOO AS THIS
IS THE LAST MISSION FOR COLUMBIA ..The photograph attached was taken by the crew on board the Columbia
during its last mission, on a cloudless day.
The picture is of Europe and Africa when the sun is setting.
Half of the picture is in night. The bright dots you see are the cities' lights.

The top part of Africa is the Sahara Desert .

Note that the lights are already on in Holland , Paris , and Barcelona,
and that's it's still daylight in Dublin , London , Lisbon , and Madrid .

The sun is still shining on the Strait of Gibraltar . The Mediterranean Sea is
already in darkness.

In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean you can see the Azores Islands;
below them to the right are the Madeira Islands ; a bit below are the
Canary Islands; and further South, close to the farthest western point
of Africa , are the Cape Verde Islands.

Note that the Sahara is huge and can be seen clearly both during
day time and night time.

To the left, on top, is Greenland , totally froz

Church recruits Harry Potter magic to spread Christian message

2007-09-30T10:41:00.000-07:00

Church leaders are using the magic of Harry Potter to help spread the Christian message.

In the past Harry Potter books and movies have been attacked by evangelicals for 'glamorising the occult.'

But now a guide published by the Church of England advises youth workers how to use the wizardry of fantasy novelist J. K. Rowling as a launch pad for exploring Bible themes.

The publication of the guide by Church House Publishing comes with the release of the final Potter book 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'.

Youth leaders are being told they can use the popularity of the Potter series to spread the word of God.

This is a shift in emphasis for the Church, which up to now had not always been sympathetic to the Potter magic.

Canterbury Cathedral shot down a request to become a location for the first film, Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, for fear of upsetting Christians.

But in recent years, the Harry Potter phenomenon has won fans from among leading Church figures, including former archbishop of Canterbury Dr George Carey.

He described the film as "great fun" and a serious examination of good and evil.

Another Potter convert is the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev John Pritchard, who described Harry Potter author JK Rowling as a "great storyteller".

He reminded people that Jesus used storytelling to engage and challenge his listeners.

Author of the guide, 24-year-old youth worker Owen Smith, said: "The magic in the books is simply part of the magic that JK Rowling has created.

"To say, as some have, that these books draw younger readers towards the occult seems to me both to malign JK Rowling and to vastly underestimate the ability of children and young people to separate the real from the imaginary."

Darth Vader Blues

2007-09-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

You should hear Yoda play funk.

The American Way

2007-09-27T06:13:00.000-07:00

I wanna be a Pop Star

2007-09-27T05:29:00.000-07:00

bangkok plane crash survivor footage

2007-09-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

Video taken by one of the passengers of the Bangkok plane crash.

Amazing video...Lion Attack !!

2007-09-25T04:15:00.000-07:00

lion atacks man

Actor Nearly Chokes To Death On Camera

2007-09-24T05:48:00.000-07:00

Actor Nearly Chokes To Death On Camera. Don`t pretend to choke to death. You may regret it

Eminem vs Village People - Shake That Ass For The Ymca

2007-09-23T07:03:00.000-07:00

Eminem vs Village People - Shake That Ass For The Ymca

Drunk Miner!!

2007-09-22T05:11:00.000-07:00

Check Out these Very funny..haha

Yakuzi girl

2007-09-20T08:38:00.000-07:00

Cute Girl!!

2007-09-20T07:12:00.001-07:00

Drunk people Im Serbia!!

2007-09-19T10:15:00.000-07:00

Hundreds ill after Peru 'toxic meteor crash'

2007-09-19T10:09:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of people have suffered headaches, nausea, and respiratory problems after an object from space - believed to be a meteorite - crashed in southern Peru.Eyewitnesses watched a fiery ball fall from the sky and smash into the remote Andean plain near the Bolivian border on Saturday, local media reported.

When villagers went to investigate, they encountered fetid, noxious gases, according to local health officials.

Jorge Lopez, director of the health department in the southern state of Puno, 800 miles south of Lima, said at least 200 people had become ill after inhaling "toxic" fumes emanating from the resulting crater.

"This is caused by the gas they have inhaled after the crash," Mr Lopez said.

Ursula Marvin, a meteor expert at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Massachusetts, said it was likely the dust raised when the object hit the ground was causing the health problems.

She said a meteorite "wouldn't get much gas out of the earth".

Three geologists from Peru's Geophysics Institute are on their way to the site to determine whether it was, in fact, a meteorite, and are expected to present a report on the incident on Thursday.

Similar cases were reported in 2002 and 2004 elsewhere in southern Peru but were never confirmed as meteorites.

How to Write Something Worth Reading

2007-09-19T04:53:00.000-07:00

90% of writing published online isn’t worth the server space it’s stored on. This is due to lack of purpose and underdeveloped style. Many writers fail to take themselves seriously. Perhaps they underestimate the validity of their ideas or the power of the medium.

Effective writing can be learned by practice and observation. The purpose of this article is to encourage the creation of forceful, passionate writing, the sort of writing people love to read.

1. You write what you read.

Stop reading the same meaningless, repetitive writing everyone else reads. Quality of output directly correlates to quality of input. I’ve noticed the technical quality of my writing and the originality of my ideas sharply decline when I fall into the habit of reading nothing but blogs.

Absorb fresh ideas and sublime style by reading old books, written by masters of language. Then take these ideas and pretend you invented them. You’ll be hailed as a prophet.

The subject matter of the books you read is secondary. The value comes from unconsciously absorbing the style of the author. This is how we learn to write rhythmic sentences and clearly convey meaning. You will also find unexpected inspiration.

2. Avoid balanced views.

When forming an opinion, it is necessary to consider the strengths and weaknesses of alternatives and select the most correct. Many writers use the same method when making an argument.

Unfortunately, this reasonable process makes for weak writing. If you wish to influence readers mentally and emotionally, do not concede the slightest degree of doubt. Overwhelm them with the strength of your conviction.

3. Style is king.

The hearts and minds of readers are won, not by judicious argument, but by force of personality. You aren’t selling an idea alone. You’re selling the authority of the mind that endorses it. Don’t believe for a moment that being in the right outweighs charismatic personality.

4. Unleash your noble scorn.

Digg and Reddit are filled, not with praise for Liberal politicians, but with rabid denunciations of Conservative leadership. Prose writing is most effective when used to expose injustice and unravel misconceptions. Channel your anger and frustration into passionate writing.

This is a great example, and this site has built a well deserved following by expressing disgust.

Scorn is a powerful tool, but it must be used with delicacy. Avoid insulting readers by making broad denunciations that allow them to believe your anger is directed at others. Consider the statement, “The population of the United States is 300 million, mostly fools.” Anyone who reads this will likely agree, considering themselves one of the exceptions.

5. Passion

Passion is the one quality essential to powerful writing. Writing without passion is a sailboat without wind. Whatever you write about, there must be a passion that drives you. The passion that lights your mind on fire and compels you to expose your private thoughts to the world.

Writing with passion leaps off the page. But this sort of writing is rare because we’re afraid of our inspiration. We’re afraid to express ourselves too forcefully, to overstep the bounds of our authority and risk being wrong.

To produce great writing, you must recognize these doubts as the byproduct of innovation. The only writing that matters is writing that challenges popular opinion, writing that changes minds. If you aren’t pushing limits, you aren’t going far enough.

Embrace your passion and share it with your readers. You may offend some, and you may be proven wrong, but unless you take that chance you’ll never make an impression.

Check out this Cool manga Anime Pics ;)

2007-09-18T06:43:00.000-07:00

Ancient records help test climate change

2007-09-18T05:06:00.000-07:00

EINSIEDELN, Switzerland — A librarian at this 10th century monastery leads a visitor beneath the vaulted ceilings of the archive past the skulls of two former abbots. He pushes aside medieval ledgers of indulgences and absolutions, pulls out one of 13 bound diaries inscribed from 1671 to 1704 and starts to read about the weather.

"Jan. 11 was so frightfully cold that all of the communion wine froze," says an entry from 1684 by Brother Josef Dietrich, governor and "weatherman" of the once-powerful Einsiedeln Monastery. "Since I've been an ordained priest, the sacrament has never frozen in the chalice."

"But on Jan. 13 it got even worse and one could say it has never been so cold in human memory," he adds.

Diaries of day-to-day weather details from the age before 19th-century standardized thermometers are proving of great value to scientists who study today's climate. Historical accounts were once largely ignored, as they were thought to be fraught with inaccuracy or were simply inaccessible or illegible. But the booming interest in climate change has transformed the study of ancient weather records from what was once a "wallflower science," says Christian Pfister, a climate historian at the University of Bern.

The accounts dispel any lingering doubts that the Earth is heating up more dramatically than ever before, he says. Last winter — when spring blossoms popped up all over the Austrian Alps, Geneva's official chestnut tree sprouted leaves and flowers, and Swedes were still picking mushrooms well into December — was Europe's warmest in 500 years, Pfister says. It came after the hottest autumn in a millennium and was followed by one of the balmiest Aprils on record.

"In the last year there was a series of extremely exceptional weather," he says. "The probability of this is very low."

The records also provide a context for judging shifts in the weather. Brother Konrad Hinder, the current weatherman at Einsiedeln and an avid reader of Dietrich's diaries, says his predecessor's precise accounts of everything from yellow fog to avalanches provide historical context.

"We know from Josef Dietrich that the extremes were very big during his time. There were very cold winters and very mild winters, very wet summers and very dry summers," he says, adding that the range of weather extremes has been smaller in the 40 years he has recorded data for the Swiss national weather service.

"That's why I'm always cautious when people say the weather extremes now are at their greatest. Without historical context you lose control and you rush to proclaim every latest weather phenomenon as extreme or unprecedented," Hinder says.

Most historians and scientists delving deep into archives seek accounts of disasters and extreme weather events. But the records can also be used to obtain a more precise temperature range for most months and years that goes beyond such general indicators as tree rings, corals, ice cores or glaciers.

Such weather sources include the thrice-daily temperature and pressure measurements by 17th-century Paris physician Louis Morin, a short-lived international meteorological network created by the Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1653, and 33 "weather diaries" surviving from the 16th century. In Japan, court officers kept records of the dates of cherry blossom festivals, which allow modern scientists to track the weather of the time.

Early records often are only discovered by chance in documents that have survived in centuries-old European monasteries like Einsiedeln, or in the annals of rulers, military campaigns, famines, natural hazards and meteorological anomalies. In Klosterneuberg near Vienna an unidentified writer notes a lack of ice on the Danube in 1343-1344 and calls the winter "mild," while the abbot of Switzerland's Fischingen Monastery laments the late harvest of hay and corn in the summer of 1639 when "there was hardly ever a really warm day."

Scores of similar clues are pieced together year by year to determine temperature ranges, says Pfister, whose team of four uses old "weather reports" to work back as far as the 10th century.

Pfister has found that from 1900 to 1990, there was an average of five months of extreme warmth per decade. In the 1990s, that number jumped to an unprecedented 22 months. The same decade also had no months of extreme cold, in contrast to the half-millennium before.

Even in the last major global warming period from 900 to 1300, severe winters were only "somewhat less frequent and less extreme," Pfister says. Over the past century, temperatures have gone up an average of 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit, which is often attributed to the accumulation of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere.

Global warming is one of the world's top issues today because of fears of massive hurricanes and flooding. For most of history, though, it was the fate of farms and the fear of famine that encouraged careful weather observation.

The Einsiedeln abbots — princes within the Holy Roman Empire until 1798 — were powerful leaders who ruled over large swaths of central Switzerland's mountainous terrain. Agriculture was the primary source of income for the region and natural disasters such as floods and avalanches posed an omnipresent threat.

Debts accrued and honored, accidents, local conflicts and business transactions also fill Dietrich's accounts, "but most days start with the weather," says Andreas Meyerhans, who cares for the monastery's precious documents.

The diaries — written in German sprinkled with old Swiss dialect and margin notes in Latin — are "unique" because of the exceptional everyday detail they provide, Pfister says. He adds that centuries of weather records make it clear that people need to adapt when extremely hot or cold weather becomes more frequent. While the lives of earlier generations were ruled by the weather, "in the second half of the 20th century people slept and became completely unprepared for natural disasters, because they happened so rarely."

In Einsiedeln, Hinder reads from a barometer flanked by the Virgin Mary, and worries that humanity is in trouble.

"God still controls the weather," he says. But, he adds, people must do their part by taking better care of the planet.

Paris hilton with her sister on the Beach..!!

2007-09-17T05:21:00.000-07:00

27 Lessons Learned on the Way to 3000 Visits a Day and 2200 RSS Subscribers

2007-09-17T04:36:00.000-07:00

It’s been nearly 6 months since the first post was published at Pick the Brain. Over the course of 97 posts and 1602 comments, traffic has grown to over 3,000 unique visitors a day, over 2200 readers have subscribed to the Rss feed and several articles have been featured on the popular pages of Digg, Del.icio.us, Reddit, StumbleUpon, and Netscape. It isn’t the most amazing start (there have certainly been bumps along the way) but I’m proud of what I’ve built and optimistic the site will continue to grow.I want to share what I’ve learned, but it’d be pointless to try explaining it all. Rather, I’ve compiled a list of the 27 most important lessons.

Just in case you don’t get past number one, my two most important points are a) help people solve a problem, it’s the most powerful way to keep them coming back, and b) differentiate yourself. There are so many blogs that if you don’t stand out, you’ll get lost in the crowd.
Blogging is not a great way to make money. I don’t care what Pavlina says his earnings are. It takes talent, effort, and patience. Only do it if you love to write and have something to say. Be prepared to invest 2-3 years before seeing any serious returns.
Make it as easy as possible for people to suscribe to Rss feed.Subscribing is the best thing a reader can do.
Offer a full feed, even if it means people visit the site less often. A person reading you is always better than a person not reading you. Make it easy.
If you aren’t sure a post is good, sit on it for a day. If you still aren’t convinced, delete it. A bad post is worse than no post. Bad posts make people question if your blog is worth reading. When you make a bad post (and you will) learn from it and move on.
Be prepared to completely run out of ideas after the first 3-4 months. Do your best to stick it out and refrain from posting anything that’s absolutely lame. The inspiration does come back.
It’s not always what you know, who you know is important too. Content brings people back, but in the beginning you need a group of “internet friends” to network with. Don’t be shy about emailing bloggers in your niche, you’d be surprised how receptive they are when you share your best content.
Write catchy headlineslist posts that will be popular with the social sites. It’s the best way for thousands of readers to discover you.
Do everything you can to make your headline and opening paragraph as compelling as possible. If people aren’t drawn in early, the quality of the rest of the article is irrelevant.
Courteously encourage friends, family, and casual acquaintances to vote up and link to your posts. It may seem like cheating, but believe me, your competitors are doing it.
Don’t write every post for the social sites. It isn’t genuine and people get tired of it. My favorite A list bloggers rarely make the front page of Digg or Reddit. Although these sites are the easiest way to get a huge burst of traffic, it’s important to remember that they only represent a tiny fraction of the internet population.
Listen carefully to every piece of feedback but don’t be a slave to it. Most people don’t know anything. Your blog is your brainchild. It won’t work if you try to satisfy everyone.
Experiment. Take chances. Piss a few people off. Do things to stand out. If your writing doesn’t have an edge it might as well not exist.
Always look for a different angle. Even if what you’re saying is valuable, there is no point in reading if it doesn’t say anything different than the popular opinion.
Don’t participate in every meme or trade links with everyone who asks. If linking doesn’t provide value to your readers it’s a bad idea.
Write about your life in a way that’s relevant to your topic. People relate to meaningful personal experiences and it’s a consistent source of material.
Make people think. It doesn’t happen very often and they won’t easily forget it.
Don’t be anxious to plaster Google Ads all over the place. Before you have a ton of traffic readers are much more valuable than 20 cents a click.
Design matters. If your blog looks terrible, people won’t take it seriously. If it’s too cluttered or difficult to read, people will get frustrated and leave. A great design gives people a warm fuzzy feeling that makes a site worth visiting for its own sake.
Posting comments on other blogs is overrated. Writing a quality post and politely emailing a dozen bloggers in a relevant niche can do wonders.
Respond to your commenters, especially the ones who disagree. It’s the best way build community and it shows readers that you value their time and effort.
Obsessively reading other blogs and checking traffic stats are not productive activities. Your time is better spent doing things that actually increase traffic like creating content, doing research, and posting to relevant forums.
Once you have a bit of success don’t flaunt it but let other people know.
Make use of blog carnivals. They’re the easiest way to build links and find readers before anyone knows who you are. They’ve helped me crack the Tehnorati 5000 just today.
Display your best posts on every page in a prominent location. You want readers to find your best content and get hooked. Why bury your best work in the archives?
Read blogs about blogging. They’re a great source of knowledge, especially about the technical aspect. Don’t follow all the advice. If you do, chances are you’ll end up somewhere in the middle. Sure you won’t make a bad impression but most readers will forget about you.
Do what works for you. Be completely genuine. Trying to promote a fake persona isn’t sustainable. People will see through it.

Ufo video

2007-09-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

2007-09-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

7 Ways to Make Your Own Good Luck

When I look back at the last 45 years, I feel the greatest factor in any success I have had, as a university student, diplomat or businessman, has come mainly from being lucky.

When Napoleon was asked if he preferred courageous generals or brilliant generals, he replied neither. He preferred lucky generals.

So, how do you get lucky?

These are seven habits that brought me luck.

1) Be adventurous but do not bet the farm.

Every thing that I achieved came from taking risks. I left the comfort of my hometown university to study abroad. I confronted my boss on something that really mattered to me. I quit the company and started out on my own. I lent money to a supplier against very little security, and on and on. These were the moves that brought me the greatest rewards. But in all cases, I could afford to lose. I was not going to be exiled to Elba if I lost. I did not always develop a business plan, or do a detailed ROI analysis. I followed my gut feel, but I knew that I could cope with failure.

2) Start by trusting people.

You cannot do it alone. You will only achieve your goals with the help of others: friends and family, colleagues, employers and employees, suppliers and customers. If you are suspicious by nature, or if you like to do everything yourself, your chances of getting lucky are diminished. Because it’s usually others that bring you luck.

3) Play your strong cards.

Know your strengths and try to use them. Know your weakness and try to avoid having to use them. Don’t pretend to have strengths that you don’t have. You can develop strengths and overcome weaknesses. But make sure you identify your specific skills, aptitudes, knowledge, and contacts and use them wherever you can. This will increase you chances of getting lucky.

4) Give more than you take.

If you want to attract lucky people to your campaign, be prepared to give. You need to go the extra mile for others without worrying too much about keeping score. In my experience the old saying “what goes around comes around” is definitely true in business and in life, and “it” comes around when you least expect it, believe me.

5) Get and stay fit.

I am not referring to only to physical fitness. I mean your overall mental, physical and psychological well being. Eat right and stay active. Keep learning and improving yourself. Look on the bright side. Not everything is going to go your way. Believe in your chances of success, even in the face of difficulties. Never deal with tough problems at night when you are tired. Health and energy will bring you luck, and the strength to rebound from reverses.

6) Be a good communicator.

You have to communicate who you are and what you want. Work on your language skills. I mean your use of words, your ability to speak and write clearly and simply but forcefully. If you have the time, learn another language. Knowing many languages has greatly increased my luck and business opportunities. In our global village, the importance of languages will only increase. Japanese is now the biggest blogging language on the web!

7) Be true to your craft and trade.

An accountant can write a good business plan and do the ROI analysis, but is unlikely to make a good shoemaker. Every start-up, every enterprise, every venture, is based on a craft or specialized field of knowledge. Be true to the Hippocratic Oath of your chosen field of activity. People will know if you are for real and then you will start to get lucky.

Give luck a chance to happen! Practice these seven habits. You can start as a student or any time you want, but there are no guarantees.

Love-heart Chihuahua

2007-09-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

"How much is that doggie in the window?
I do hope that doggie's for sale."

A Chihuahua puppy born in Japan with a natural heart shaped pattern on his coat has captured the hearts of animal lovers around the world.

Heart-kun, as he has been named by owner Emiko Sakurada, was born on May 18, 2007, one of a litter of puppies at the Pucchin Dogs shop.

His natural heart-shaped markings on his fur have made him an instant star in Japan. And it was a case of puppy love across the world as the tiny dog made television appearances worldwide.

Shop owner Ms Sakurada got the surprise of her life when she saw the birthmark heart markings in the fur of her tiny pooch.

She said it was the first time a puppy with these marks had been born out of the 1,000 animals that she has bred.

Since Heart-kun was born, he has brought a lot of luck, according to Ms Sakurada. He sister got lucky on the lottery and won a concert ticket.

Heart-kun's owner has been inundated with requests from people wanting to purchase the unique puppy. But they can keep their paws off him, she says, for her little four-legged friend ain't going nowhere!