Robin Hood Through the (Cinematic) Ages

By: Marina Zogbi

From: http://insidemovies.moviefone.com/
 
Most of us are at least somewhat familiar with the English folk legend of Robin Hood. There have been several variations since its medieval origins, but the most popular tells the story of a young nobleman (and skilled archer) whose lands and title are snatched by bad Prince/King John and his cronies. Taking the name Robin Hood, he goes to Sherwood Forest and gathers a band of "merry men" who rebel against the tyrannical powers that be, robbing from the rich and giving to the poor, until good King Richard the Lionhearted comes back from the Crusades and sets things straight.

The tale has been given many film treatments over the years and director Ridley Scott has now thrown his feathered cap in the ring with an action-packed epic ('Robin Hood,' out May 14) starring his main muse Russell Crowe, with Cate Blanchett as Lady Marion. Judging from previews -- and the fact that Crowe's playing him -- this Robin is a tougher, more seasoned outlaw than his predecessors and the movie features huge battle scenes on par with previous Scott/Crowe epic 'Gladiator.'

Let's take a look at some previous depictions of the legendary outlaw and see how he's transformed over the years:

Douglas Fairbanks in 'Robin Hood' (1922)
The dashing, acrobatic Fairbanks was the silver screen's first big-budget Robin, and he literally throws himself into the role. Graceful and charismatic, Fairbanks is jaunty and good-humored as the disenfranchised nobleman-turned-warrior hero, lacking the edge that later characters would have. Similarly, the (silent) movie is bigger on spectacle than emotion -- the immense set with thousands of extras impressed the heck out of audiences back then, as did its sword fights, jousting scenes and stunts in general.

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Errol Flynn in 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' (1938)
Flynn, arguably the greatest swashbuckler ever to grace the screen, was 28 when he made this movie and his sexy, charming -- and roguish -- Robin is still considered by many to be the definitive incarnation of the medieval hero. Flynn and Olivia de Havilland (Maid Marian), aside from being two of the most attractive actors of their day, have the necessary chemistry to pull off the movie's intensely romantic scenes. The supporting cast is equally strong (Alan Hale, Claude Rains, Basil Rathbone) and the visuals, in relatively new Technicolor, are spectacular. The movie's a classic in every sense.

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Frank Sinatra in 'Robin and the 7 Hoods' (1964)
Trust the Rat Pack to bring their inimitable irreverence to the RH legend (talk about your merry men). Set in 1928 Chicago, with guns replacing bows and arrows, this entertaining musical is only loosely based on the classic story, but it has several important elements: a corrupt sheriff and no-good racketeer (Peter Falk) team up to knock off the big boss; Robbo (Sinatra) refuses to relinquish his territory, gives money to an orphanage and later hooks up with the deceased boss's daughter Marian. Sure, it's not a very faithful homage, but Frank, Dean, Sammy --and Bing Crosby -- sing and dance up a storm and that's really what counts.

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'Robin Hood' (1973)
For many kids, this cheerful Disney musical, with animated animal characters, was their first exposure to Robin Hood and, following tradition, the charismatic fox (voiced by Brian Bedford) who plays the hero is a handsome, debonair lead (Marian is a good-looking fox, too, natch). Most of the story's main elements are there, but the movie's obviously not going for authenticity. (Tagline: Meet Robin Hood and his MERRY MENagerie!)

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Sean Connery in 'Robin and Marian' (1976)
Director Richard Lester took a very different (but faithful to legend) approach with a movie featuring a weary, middle-aged -- but still noble -- Robin, who comes back to Sherwood Forest with his faithful companion, Little John (Nicol Williamson), after 20 years abroad fighting in the Crusades. Renowned for his earlier deeds, he's once again enlisted to fight the tyrants in charge. As its title indicates, the movie is mainly a love story: Robin is reunited with Lady Marian (Audrey Hepburn), and they rekindle their romance despite the fact that she became a nun in his absence.

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Kevin Costner in 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' (1991)
This modernized version boasted a muddy, de-glamorized look and a thoughtful, more socially responsible hero (Roger Ebert described Costner's Robin as "sort of a populist guerilla, Che Guevara with a bow and arrow"). It was also an enormous, some say overblown, Hollywood production. The story's fleshed out, with the hero returning from the Crusades to find his father dead and his home in the possession of the evil Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman at his hambone best). With his Moorish sidekick (Morgan Freeman) and band of fellow rebels, Costner's Robin is a kind of laconic, Americanized version of the legend, complete with a not-quite-English accent.

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Patrick Bergin in 'Robin Hood' (1991)
With Kevin Costner starring in the above-mentioned high-profile production, this competing project, helmed by John Irvin, wound up going straight to cable TV. Harder-edged and lower-key than 'Prince of Thieves,' complete with a grittier, no-nonsense Maid Marian (Uma Thurman), this film's considered one of the most historically accurate versions ever brought to screen. Bergin, sporting a heavy-duty 'stache, is a dark, moody -- yet charming -- Robin, befitting the movie's general tone.

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Cary Elwes in 'Robin Hood: Men in Tights' (1993)
Mel Brooks predictably takes all sorts of liberties with our hero and his milieu in this ultra-shticky lampoon, but Elwes, looking a bit like Errol Flynn, is perfect as the dashing Robin. He plays it relatively straight amid an impressive supporting cast that includes Dave Chappelle, Richard Lewis and Tracey Ullman. Classic Brooks touch: The character of Friar Tuck has become Rabbi Tuckman (played by Mel himself).




Other Noteworthy Interpretations: John Cleese's hilariously polite Robin Hood in Terry Gilliam's 'Time Bandits' (1981), the amorous Monsieur Hood (Vincent Cassel) and his singing/dancing merry men in 'Shrek' (2001), Keira Knightley as Robin's equally dashing daughter in Disney TV movie 'Princess of Thieves' (2001).

Find out About Modern-day Robin Hoods

A Tiny Apartment Transforms into 24 Rooms

JellyWoo1014 — April 22, 2010 — In Hong Kong, because of the space, apartments are small and expensive. Gary Chang, an architect, decided to design a 344 sq. ft. apartment to be able to change into 24 different designs, all by just sliding panels and walls. He calls this the "Domestic Transformer."

This video is not owned by me and I do not take any right of it.

Visit us at http://jellywoo.com/ for more news related to tech and just life in general.

Thanks to Lifehacker, OhGizmo, and all the other sites that mentioned this!

World's tallest teenage girl: 6ft 11 ins, size 11 feet

From: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

Towering over her teacher and friends 16-year-old Marvadene Anderson stands six feet eleven inches tall making her the world's tallest teenage girl.

Marvadene towers over her teacher Peter Richardson, who is 5 foot 8 inches tall Photo: BARCROFT

 

Currently studying under a scholarship at Rutgers Preparatory School in New Jersey, Marvadene is terrorising opposition teams across the state playing for the school basketball team.

Originally from Jamaica, Marvadene is five inches taller than her idol, the basketball legend Michael Jordan.

Marvadene, weighs 15st and wears size 11 shoes, and it seems it runs in the family as her older sister, Kimberly, is 6ft 4in and calls her sister the "baby giant."

"Marvadene is wonderful addition to the school and the basketball team here," said JJ Quenault, 42, a teacher at Rutgers Preparatory School.

"The other girls were stunned by her height when they first met her and I must admit so was I, but now she is almost irreplaceable in the team.

"She is going to be a star in the world of girls' basketball and even though she has only recently adapted to basketball from netball, we expect a big future from her."

Attending classes at the New Jersey school, Marvadene is used to towering over her teachers.
"I work in the school photographic department and so have taken a few pictures of Marvadene," said JJ.
"To see her standing over her teacher Peter Richardson is quite amusing, as he is five foot eight and she of course is the world's tallest teenage girl at 6ft 11in."

Marvadene took the title from Thai national Malee Duangdee who stands at 6ft 10in.
"People are friendly with me because of my height and my personality. If I was tall and mean, I think I'd have a problem," she said.

"The rudest thing anybody ever said about my height is that I'm not going to be able to find a husband."

Lawrence Taylor's Only Draft Day Memory: Drinking '41 Coors Lights'

By Will Brinson
From: http://backporch.fanhouse.com/

Lawrence Taylor is an outrageous man: from his play on the field to his behavior off of it and even in his acting career, he's just kind of silly. Except in a mean, scary, "omfg he could kill me and no one would ever know or care" kind of way.

Because of that, when he says stuff, people believe him. Like, for instance, the claim he made yesterday to Sports Illustrated as to own draft day experience, in which he stated that he doesn't remember anything about it except for the fact that he drank 41 Coors Lights.

Now, all plausibility as to drinking that much beer aside, the real question is: "how does he remember the exact amount?" It's an excellent question, since, you know, after about the first 20 or so beers, most people would stop being able to see, much less "remember" anything. But it's Lawrence Taylor, and somehow, it seems totally logical.

And don't' forget his Film Work:

Shell Helix: Ever wondered what a completely clear car would look like?

Shell has a new oil that is formulated to clean the inside of your engine – so what better way to prove that then to build a functional glass car to prove it? Shell decided there was no better way, so they built exactly that – and filmed it for your enjoyment.

Shell has a new oil, known as Helix, which they tout for its “active cleansing technology,” and a tagline that claims “performance you can see.”

In order to back up their bold claims, Shell outsourced the building of a completely see-through car, made out of clear Perplex (plexiglass). The car of choice is a Nissan 370Z, recreated with immense detail and at least some functionality.

The engine itself was made double the size of the original – purely to allow for the video to capture the oil as it worked it way through the engine. The end result is an interesting perspective not often – if ever – enjoyed by the human eye.

How Europe sees United States of America

From: http://j.imagehost.org/0685/usa-states-map.jpg

Breathtaking 360º Virtual Image Tour of the Sistine Chapel

vatican.va — Michelangelo's masterpiece of the 12,000 square foot Sistene Chapel -- truly amazing virutal reality tour (Wait for it to load)

Click here for the: Breathtaking 360º Virtual Image Tour of the Sistine Chapel
 

Brilliant Nikon camera ad!

Click to Enlarge

i.imgur.com — Now this is good advertising

Nikon S60.  Detects up to 12 faces

Concert pianist plays iPad onstage

by Chris Matyszczyk

One of the world's foremost concert pianists has taken the iPad to a place it has surely never been. Yes, away from the thighs, where the device so often rests.

A few days ago, wandering onto the stage to perform his first encore at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, China's Lang Lang, one of the world's most dazzling piano players, proved the product's astounding versatility. The audience was clearly surprised he emerged clutching an iPad. They could be sure he wasn't going to use it to take a shot of the audience. But perhaps he needed to send an e-mail. Concert pianists are busy people.

Yet, no. For Lang Lang is a man who keeps time while being ahead of it. No sooner had the audience paused for a last cough than he broke into Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee" with the help of the Magic Piano iPad app from Smule.
 
He held his iPad aloft. He placed it on the piano, while his left hand stroked his Steinway (yes, he's a Steinway man) and his right tickled his iPad. He even let a bemused conductor, who cursorily resembled a relative of Ben Kingsley and Dr. Evil, share in the experience.

As you can see from the video, Lang Lang's thighs were only used to sway a little to the music.

Launch of secret US space ship masks even more secret launch of new weapon

Michael Evans, Pentagon Correspondent 

From: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/

The X-37B sits on top of an Atlas V rocket

Somewhere above earth is America’s latest spaceship, a 30ft craft so classified that the Pentagon will not divulge its mission nor how much it cost to build.

The mysterious X37B, launched successfully by the US Air Force from Cape Canaveral on Thursday, using an Atlas V rocket, looks like a mini-Space Shuttle — but its mission is top secret.

It is officially described as an orbital test vehicle. However, one of its potential uses appears to be to launch a surge of small satellites during periods of high international tension. This would enable America to have eyes and ears orbiting above any potential troublespot in the world.

The X37B can stay in orbit for up to 270 days, whereas the Shuttle can last only 16 days. This will provide the US with the ability to carry out experiments for long periods, including the testing of new laser weapon systems. This would bring accusations that the launch of X37B, and a second vehicle planned for later this year, could lead to the militarisation of space.

US defence officials, who would not say how much the project had cost, insisted, however, that it was “just an updated version of the Space Shuttle activities”.

Thursday’s launch was more about testing the craft, a new generation of silica tile and a wealth of other advances that make the Shuttle look like yesterday’s space technology.

Nasa’s X37B programme began in 1999 and ran until September 2004 when it was transferred to the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency before being taken over by the US Air Force.
The flight of the X37B is being managed by the US Air Force Space Command’s 3rd Space Experimental Squadron.

“This bird has been through all of the shake, rattle and roll, the vibration tests, the acoustic tests that any spacecraft would go through,” said Gary Payton, Under Secretary of the Air Force for Space Programmes.
With all the focus on the launch of the secret X37B, another space launch by a Minotaur IV rocket from Vandenberg Air Force base in California received less attention.

It was carrying the prototype of a new weapon that can hit any target around the world in less than an hour.
The Prompt Global Strike is designed as the conventional weapon of the future. It could hit Osama bin Laden’s cave, an Iranian nuclear site or a North Korean missile with a huge conventional warhead.

Could Belgium split apart?

The Belgian government has fallen — again.

By Paul Ames - GlobalPost

A member of the Belgian Flemish far-right party Vlaams Belang displays a badge reading "Division of Belgium" in the Belgian Parliament in Brussels on April 22, 2010. (Yves Herman/Reuters)

BRUSSELS, Belgium — It’s been a bad couple of days for Belgium.

On Thursday the government collapsed, plunging the country into a renewed political turmoil; politicians from the French-speaking south and Flemish north cast doubt on the country’s survival; Flemish separatists sang for independence in the parliament; and the press around Europe warned the country is teetering on the brink of disintegration.

Then, on Friday, one of Belgium’s best-known churchmen, the bishop of the beautiful medieval city of Bruges, resigned after admitting he had “sexually abused a boy who came from my close circle of friends.” The revelations added to the sense of malaise that has gripped the kingdom.

“Is there still any point to this country?” asked the leading French-language newspaper Le Soir.
“We are a country gone mad,” exclaimed Deputy Prime Minister Laurette Onkelinx as the fifth government in three years came tumbling down.

(Watch a Flemish pop group's take on Belgium's national identity.)

The crisis could hardly have come at a worse time, as the country struggles to pull out of the economic downturn. Unemployment has soared to its highest level in 20 years and public finances are getting dangerously into the red. With the possibility that political instability could undermine investor confidence, business leaders have warned the country risks becoming a Greece on the North Sea.

“We cannot underestimate the dangers,” cautioned the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium. “It’s time to stop playing with fire.”

At the heart of the Belgian mess has always been the rift between the 6 million Dutch-speakers in the north and the 4 million French-speakers in the south.

The two communities have long drifted apart. They vote for different politicians, attend different schools and learn different histories. They don’t read each other’s books or newspapers, nor watch the same movies or television shows.

When Flemings head south for weekends in the rolling woodlands of Wallonia, or Walloons visit the beaches and historic cities of Flanders both are politely received. Apart from that, the compatriots mostly live separate lives.

Belgians will often joke that all they have in common is a love of beer, good food and a dedication to the hapless national soccer team.

Politicians from both sides are, however, forced to cohabit. Although many powers have been handed down to regional authorities over the years, the federal government that runs the country is always made up of complex coalitions of political groups from both language groups who often can’t stand each other.

The latest crisis was sparked by efforts by Flemish parties to roll back concessions granted to the French-speaking minority living in officially Dutch-speaking suburbs around Brussels.

To many Flemish politicians those rights encourage encroachment on their historic territory by francophones moving out from the capital. They are particularly incensed by arrangements dating back to the 1960s that allow French-speaking parties to campaign for votes in suburbs around Brussels that are officially Flemish.

Flemish parties in the coalition government had set an Easter deadline for an agreement to break up the so-called Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde electoral district. When that failed the Flemish Liberal Democrats, a previously moderate party, stormed out of the government, forcing Prime Minister Yves Leterme to present his resignation to King Albert II.

The monarch, whose role is largely symbolic, will spend the weekend in consultation with political leaders before deciding whether to call fresh elections, to ask Leterme to try to cobble together another coalition or to turn to somebody else to form a government.

Meanwhile, Flemish parties were threatening to use their overall majority in parliament to force a split of the contested electoral district — a move that would end the decades-old tradition of seeking a negotiated settlement to even the bitterest linguistic disputes. French-speakers warn that they might retaliate by using their majority in Brussels to limit the rights of the Flemish living there.

The separatist Flemish Interest Party celebrated the confusion by unveiling banners demanding the breakup of the country in the federal parliament and singing a nationalist anthem. In regional elections last year, more than 35 percent of Flemish voters backed Flemish Interest or other parties that openly support independence for the northern region.

However, despite the rabble-rousing words from politicians on both sides of the current dispute nobody is taking to the streets, and there is little sign that general public is anything more than bemused, bored and exasperated by the latest crisis provoked by their politicians.

“The worst thing about this is that politics is facing a crisis of legitimacy so deep that they risk making themselves irrelevant,” concluded political commentator Yves Desmet in the Flemish daily De Morgen.

Wow Chow: 10 Radical Restaurant, Bistro and Cafe Designs

By Elizah 

From: http://weburbanist.com/

 

Feeling a little peckish? Longing for a dining experience that transcends the ordinary, taking your taste buds on an otherworldly journey into hot damnnnn territory? Fret not, foodies, for the act of eating can be easily elevated to that of a culinary adventure when good food melds with even greater digs. Tantalizing our taste buds traditionally begins with fresh ingredients, masterful preparation and an aesthetically pleasing arrangement, but once the extra ingredient of architectural genius is added to the mix, a perfectly satisfying meal becomes that of an event that lingers within our minds long after we unceremoniously lap up the last scrumptious crumb from plates. (Waste not, want not…mom would definitely approve.) You might want to make a point of visiting at least one or two of the following radically designed chow palaces for an experience you’ll undoubtedly dine for!

Germany’s Fully Automated, Quick-n-Quirky Restaurant

(Images via: Crust Station, s Baggers, Be Update, Anita Coco, 2Day Blog)

Boasting a Wallace and Gromit-like, spiral-configured and entirely automated gravity feed rail system, Michael Mack is the brainchild behind ’s Baggers highly entertaining and quite efficient automated ordering and direct-to-table delivery service. Essentially rendering waiters and waitresses obsolete, his patented, computer-networked process could enable other restaurateurs to focus on the business of serving good food and pass their saved personnel costs onto patrons. Endowing diners with greater control over the pace of their meals, the novelty aspect alone is enough to help Mack gain a devoted following and court fast food chains like McDonald’s, which he is very eager to license the idea to.

Japan’s Deeply Rooted Eatery

(Images via: Storm Seed, RVM Gratz, Cube Me, Best House Design, Cyana Trendland)

Upon initial review, this novelty restaurant perched atop a rustic looking tree is quite impressive with its 20 foot tall weathered foundation and internal elevator which transports patrons up to the main dining area. The hearty vines ensconcing the trunk add to the overall impression that this is a tree with a storied life, but in actuality, it possesses the heart and soul of plain old concrete. In spite of that buzz kill, the Naha Harbor Diner has earned a reputation as offering an outstanding view of Onoyama Park and the harbor as well as serving up really tasty, locally sourced organic ethnic cuisine running the gamut from Japanese and Indian to Italian.

A Maldivian Deep Sea Spectacle

(Images via: Elite Choice, Sydney Table, Koormann, Trip Advisor, Funking Dave)

For those who never quite got their sea legs down pat but still long for the hypnotic views that only the ocean can provide will undoubtedly be enamored with the Maldivian spectacle known as Ithaa, which in the region’s native tongue means “pearl”. Indeed, the $5 million restaurant is an ocean bound treasure, located 15 feet below the Indian Ocean to be precise, but you better be prepared to sell off any spare gold dental fillings you might have or at least a whole bunch of platelets to afford their $120 lunch or $250 dinner. Still, some might feel that it’s an experience well worth the bank account damage. Situated on Rangali Island, Ithaa restaurant is believed to be a one-of-a-kind underwater restaurant encapsulated entirely in very thick clear, aquarium style R-Cast acrylic, enabling patrons to enjoy 270 degree views of coral reefs and the naturally indigenous marine life.

Funky French Archipelago Dining Design is Especially Tres Fine

(Images via: Komokokomoko)

In a land dotted with endlessly quaint outdoor cafes, French designer Matali Crasset conceived of a vibrant indoor eating configuration that offers a modern interpretation of an archipelago with multiple satellite dining zones. Located inside a shopping mall at Cab 3000, St Laurent du Var, this Nouveau cafe design concept offers a dash of eye candy as well as a festive indoor solution to the open air dining culture that is so intrinsically a part of the French lifestyle. Even better, the designer created a fully movable unit which can be easily relocated to future locations that may be more optimal.

The Bee’s Knees For Diners Who Speak Chinese

(Images via: Ricarch, Shenzen Party)

Have you heard what all the buzz is about in Shenzhen, China? Ever since SAKO Architects constructed the 1300 square meter Honeycomb restaurant, area residents have been enjoying its large public space for special events as well as its intimate dinner nooks, all stylistically divided with a white spiral honeycomb-studded staircase. Featuring sleek transparent acrylic plastic partitions, undulating wave-like white aerated room sectionals, black granite flooring and mirror-like ceilings, the contrast of carefully appointed details with a space-age undercurrent work harmoniously to create a dynamic dining space that any diligent worker bee would happily want to cool their heels off in.

Pricey Crane-Bound Vittles a Light-Headed Thrill (or Chill)

(Images via: Spot Cool Stuff Travel)

Better not be afraid of heights if you step on board the swinging platform of Dinner in the Sky’s instant movable restaurant with a view. Hatched up by an apparently wacky and thrill-seeking Belgium company, they seem to be doing quite well given the fact that they are offering their distinctive crane-hoisted experience in major cities around the globe, including directly above the Grand Canyon, Paris’ Notre Dame, the Las Vegas Strip and naturally, glitzy Dubai. For the equivalent of an average blue collar salary ($30,000), you too can achieve new heights of dining glory with (hopefully) 22 of your closest seriously seat-buckled friends as you clink glasses at a height of 162 feet for two ever-so-brief yet undoubtedly memorable hours. Mangia!

Darkness Abounds in a Lviv, Ukraine Din-Din Shroud

(Images via: English Russia)

A Ukrainian undertaker and funeral home director must have thought to himself, “Egads! I know what’s been missing from the dining scene for far too long…a little dash of death to help us digest the bitter pill of our mortality!!” In keeping with his whopper of a brainstorm, the enterprising entrepreneur created a massive pine coffin restaurant replica called Eternity — acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records as being the largest in the world — and adhered to dreary thematic touches such as funeral music, depressingly crummy carnation wreaths and multiple human-sized coffins propped up against the black landscape plastic-lined walls. Whoo-eee, that’s one heavy scene. Who’s craving a Hello Kitty eatery instead?

Dining Kiwi-Style at What Seems Like a Mile (High, That Is…)

(Images via: Homedit, Cibo Archittetura, NZ Tramping, Springwise, Technovegy)

Standing 12 feet tall and spanning an equally impressive 10 feet in width, New Zealand’s plantation poplar-constructed Yellow Treehouse restaurant – nestled on the forest edge and accessible via a meandering 60 meter pathway – accommodates 18 diners in seriously lofty style. With its chrysalis-like vibe that spirals upward toward an open ended top, the organic design employs structural timber trusses which work in tandem with its central Redwood tree base to support the entire restaurant. Overall, the final look is one of an enchanting childhood fantasy come to life.

Airy, Woven Beauty With a Japanese-Themed Interior

(Images via: Dezeen, Design Boom)

With its bi-layer steel lattice exterior offering a practical yet highly dynamic way to repurpose what was previously an old house, Tori Tori Restaurant – located in Mexico City – is the exciting result of a collaboration between industrial designer Hector Esrawe and Rojkind Arquitectos. Filtered light streams through its open air pattern and into the perimeter of the very successful Japanese eatery, creating what seems to be an organic yet structured representation of the surrounding ivy-covered walls. This is one of those stop-and-stare structures that easily demonstrates that the days of cookie cutter box designs are fortunately over and done with – good riddance!

Sky-High Wood Pile (Better Keep the Splinters Out Of Your Eyes!)

(Images via: Ricarch)

Without its chaotic cacophony of criss-crossed wooden pieces streaming from four central cores and emanating up onto the ceiling, Sliver restaurant might easily be relegated to the ranks of attractive, modern dining spaces that are nevertheless easily forgettable at the end of the day. Fortunately, Russian based Dark Design Group exceeds our wildest design expectations with their simple yet incredibly compelling effect…as if a turbulent tornado of stripped trees is swirling overhead. Just be sure to shield your dinner plate from the splintery fall-out!

Airplane Made under 3 minutes [Time-lapse Assembly Video]

youtube.com — Behind the scenes at Boeing as the newest Specialty Plane is unveiled!

grizzly bear vs caribou

Mother Nature at is best. Survival of the Fittest!



and Afterwards--

The Yacht Week 2010 - Official Trailer

LEDs Could Save Your Wrinkled, Pimpled Face

From: http://gizmodo.com/

Forget botox—if you want better-looking skin, start looking closer to home. At your LED-backlit LCD, for example. The Light Masque, pictured, is the secret to eternal beauty according to specialists, using red LEDs to diminish lines and spots.

Near-Infrared light might not sound like it can diminish lines and spots, but London-based inventor John Tsagaris is claiming it uses "the latest NASA technology" which has already been tested on astronauts and the US Navy. Nice to know the men upstairs and on our seas don't have spots or lines, then.

With blue LEDs medicating spots and rosacea, and red LEDs "supercharging" skin cells and going even deeper, the inventor of the Light Masque reckons his patients see effects after the first 25 minute session, but should have three sessions a week for two weeks just to ensure results stay. At £75 ($115) per session, it may be cheaper to just get botox. Not that you need it—Gizmodo readers are beautiful as is, obviously. [Daily Mail]

Send an email to Kat Hannaford, the author of this post, at khannaford@gizmodo.com.

Baseball Rain Delay Turns Into Talent Show Dance-Off

By: Ryan Wilson
From:  http://backporch.fanhouse.com/

There used to be a time when baseball rain delays meant one of two things: the teams involved would sit in the dugout or the locker room and wait for the weather to clear, or one enterprising soul would grace fans with a reenactment of a Babe Ruth home run, complete with waddling home run trot, and topped off with a tarp slide at the plate. Those were simpler times.

Last weekend, Western Kentucky and Florida Atlantic took advantage of the inclement weather and put on a talent show. There were dance-offs, wrestling matches, theatrical performances -- basically what you'd expect to find at a traveling carnival.



It was something right out of Glee just not as overproduced. Oh, and when the rain cleared, FAU beat WKU, 10-3. The talent show, however, was called a draw.

Doctors in Spain claim to have performed world's first full face transplant

A team of 30 Spanish doctors claim to have successfully performed the world’s first full face transplant.

 

By Kate Devlin and Fiona Govan
From: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/



The ground-breaking operation was carried out last month on a young man whose face had been disfigured in an accident.
While face transplants have been carried out in the past they have only been partial.

Doctors in Barcelona who performed the latest surgery said that it was the first full face transplant to be carried out anywhere in the world.
As well as skin tissue, the patient received new cheekbones, facial muscles, teeth, palate, skin, nose, lips and jaw.

The gruelling operation took 24 hours in total to perform on March 20.

Before the surgery, the man, a farmer in his thirties, had been unable to swallow, speak or breathe properly after accidentially shooting himself in the face in 2005.

The man, who has not been named, is expected to remain in hospital for at least two months.

A statement released by Barcelona's Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, where the operation was carried out, said: "(The patient) had been operated on nine times without satisfactory success, therefore he was considered for full face transplant.

"This is the first full face transplant performed worldwide, as the 10 operations performed previously had been only partial."

The world’s first face transplant was carried out on a French woman, Isabelle Dinoire, in 2005.
She had been ravaged by her dog and received new facial tissue as well as a new nose and mouth.
Since then there have been a number of such operations, including in China and America.

In 2008 an American woman, Connie Culp, received what was at that point the most extensive face transplant ever performed.

As well as skin she received bone, muscle and blood vessel and nerve transplants.

Prof Peter Butler, head of the UK's Facial Transplantation Research Team, has been ready to perform a full face transplant for several months.

His team, based at the Royal Free Hospital in North London, has ethical permission to perform four face transplants.

He praised the work of the Spanish team, led by Dr Joan Pere Barret.

He said: "We congratulate Dr Barret and his transplantation team in Spain on what may well be the most complex facial transplantation operation carried out so far worldwide.

"Secondly I would like to wish the patient well for the future. 

"We must also remember the family of the donor who, we understand, has helped not only the facial transplantation patient, but others, with various forms of organ donation.

"To help others, not only to live but to have a good life, is a supreme act of human generosity.”

A Star Is Born—Just Not with That Name

Find out what these celebrities were called before they were famous

By Amanda Greene 

from WomansDay.com

It’s not uncommon for stars to change their names before making it big. Whether to avoid confusion (one comedian’s birth name was Albert Einstein) or to add that special star quality (another famous heartthrob upgraded from Archie Leach), swapping out given names is a time-honored Hollywood tradition. Read on to see if you know which well-known stars have given the term “name dropping” a whole new meaning.

Albert Brooks (Birth name: Albert Einstein)

Through his first year of college, actor Albert Brooks was known by his birth name, Albert Einstein (no relation). To avoid confusion with the famous scientist, the actor chose Brooks, a family name, when he began his stand-up comedy career. The name switch was an obvious move for him: When asked why he did it, he replied: “Do I even have to answer?” Photo by Retna.

Ben Kingsley (Birth name: Krishna Bhanji)

The Academy Award winner was born in England as Krishna Pandit Bhanji—Krishna is the name of a Hindu god and Bhanji is a Muslim surname. He started his acting career in the theater, but when he decided to make the move to film, he changed his name because he, along with his father, believed a British name would help him succeed. He chose his father’s nickname, Ben, and a last name inspired by his grandfather’s nickname, King Clove. Of the name change, Kingsley has said: “The irony is that I changed my name from Krishna Bhanji to Ben Kingsley in order to play Mohandas Gandhi!” Photo by Retna.

Cary Grant (Birth name: Archibald Alexander Leach)

Hollywood legend Cary Grant was once known by a far less recognizable name—Archibald Alexander Leach. In order to escape his working-class English upbringing, Grant ran away from home and joined a troupe of comedians and acrobats. His travels with the troupe eventually led him to Hollywood, where he was offered a contract from Paramount under one condition: that he change his name to Cary Lockwood. After some negotiations, he settled on Cary Grant. Photo by Getty Images.

Charlie Sheen (Birth name: Carlos Irwin Estévez)

Like father, like son. Actor Charlie Sheen, born Carlos Irwin Estévez, decided to take dad Martin Sheen’s surname instead. But Martin Sheen was actually born Ramón Antonio Gerard Estévez, and adopted the name Sheen from his favorite Catholic archbishop, Fulton J. Sheen, in order to improve his chances at an acting career. It looks like it worked for both generations. Photo by Retna.

Demi Moore (Birth name: Demetria Guynes)

Despite the fact that Demi Moore no longer goes by her birth name, Demetria (her last name is from first husband Freddy Moore), she clearly has an affinity for unusual monikers: She named her three daughters Rumer, Scout and Tallulah. And it seems that name-swapping runs in the family: In 2007, Moore’s daughter Tallulah Willis (then 13 years old) legally changed her name to Lula Willis. Photo by Retna.

Elton John (Birth name: Reginald Kenneth Dwight)

The iconic singer, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, changed his name to pursue fame. His choice was inspired by singer Long John Baldry and sax player Elton Dean. The star never felt at ease with his birth name—he’s even said that hearing it made him cringe—because he thought it didn’t have enough star power. “If you're going to make a record, Reg Dwight is not going to make it," he’s said. Photo by Retna.

Judy Garland (Birth name: Frances Ethel Gumm)

Judy Garland, born Frances Gumm, and her sisters used to tour the vaudeville circuit as “The Gumm Sisters.” But when the name was met with laughter at a performance, they were encouraged to choose a new moniker. The reason behind the choice of Garland remains a mystery, but there are plenty of theories. Two such explanations: that it was a tribute to the character Lily Garland from the film Twentieth Century, and that the trio had been told they were prettier than “a garland of flowers.” The star chose Judy as her first name based on a popular song. Photo by Getty Images.

Michael Keaton (Birth name: Michael Douglas)

Actor Michael Keaton was actually named Michael Douglas, but when he moved to Los Angeles and started auditioning for TV roles, he had to change his name to avoid confusion with the more well-known star. He chose Keaton for a surname because he’d read an article about actress Diane Keaton and thought her name sounded good. Years later, Michael called Diane and thanked her for her name, but the two have more in common than he realized: Diane Keaton was actually born Diane Hall. Photo by Retna.

Miley Ray Cyrus (Birth name: Destiny Hope Cyrus)

At age 15, Destiny Hope Cyrus legally changed her name to her childhood nickname, Miley. Her friends and family used to call her “Smiley” which eventually changed to “Miley.” As a tribute to her dad, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley adopted “Ray” as her middle name. Photo by Retna.

Whoopi Goldberg (Birth name: Caryn Johnson)

We have to agree: Caryn Johnson just isn’t as catchy as Whoopi Goldberg. The actress decided to give up her birth name when she started acting, and instead chose to go by her nickname, “Whoopee Cushion” (we’ll let you imagine how she got that name). Her mother convinced her to change her last name to something more conventional, and suggested Goldberg. Photo by Retna.

Mickey Rooney (Birth name: Joe Yule, Jr.)

Actor Mickey Rooney, born Joe Yule, Jr., got his big break when he was a child actor—he scored the part of Mickey McGuire in a show based on a comic book series. His mother wanted to legally change his name to Mickey McGuire to beef up the publicity for the show, but the comic’s creator wasn’t wild about the plan, so they went with Mickey Rooney instead. Photo by WireImage.

Shirley MacLaine (Birth name: Shirley Beaty)

Because she changed her name, it’s not common knowledge that actress Shirley MacLaine is actor Warren Beatty’s big sister (he added the extra “t” himself). During her early acting career she was auditioning for a role and the producer kept mispronouncing her name, so she opted to change it from Beaty to MacLaine. But she kept her first name, which was inspired by Shirley Temple. Photo by Getty Images.

Anne Rice (Birth name: Howard Allen O’Brien)

Author Anne Rice didn’t have fame in mind when she changed her name from Howard. According to Rice, her mother had named her after her father, but when a nun asked Rice what her name was on the first day of school, she told her it was “Anne.” Her mother, knowing how self-conscious Rice was about her given name, let it go, and she’s been known as Anne ever since. Clearly a fan of playing the name game, Rice has also published novels under the pen names Anne Rampling and A.N. Roquelaure. Photo by Retna.

Bono (Birth name: Paul Hewson)

Thanks to his vocal skills, the lead singer of U2 was given the nickname Bono Vox—which means “good voice” in Latin—by a friend. He dropped the Vox and became known as Bono by everyone, including close friends and family. Photo by AFP/Getty Images.

Elvis Costello (Birth name: Declan MacManus)

Musician Elvis Costello, born Declan MacManus, has gone through plenty of monikers. During early performances he adopted the name DP Costello, a tribute to his father, who performed as Day Costello (Costello was his great-grandmother’s maiden name). A few years later, Costello’s manager decided to change his first name to Elvis, after the legendary musician. About 10 years after that, he decided to go back to his original name, adding Aloysius as a middle name. Finally, he adopted the alias Napoleon Dynamite for his 1986 album, Blood and Chocolate. Photo by Getty Images.

'Iron Man 2' Imax poster

"Iron Man 2" is less than two and a half weeks away! The premiere is in Los Angeles next week! Woo-hoo!
Here's the new (really cool) poster for the Imax release, first seen on SuperHeroHype.

William Shatner and Lin Yu Chun Sing Duet, Internet Explodes

From: http://mashable.com/

William Shatner and Taiwanese singer Lin Yu Chun performed a duet of Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” on last night’s episode of Lopez Tonight. Consequently, the world of viral Internet memes promptly folded itself into one big tesseracted fourth dimension where we’re all slaves to cats wielding keyboards and “David After the Dentist” is the official language.

Lin Yu Chun shot to Internet famedom a few weeks ago after his stirring rendition of “I Will Always Love You” during his audition for the Taiwanese, American Idol-esque talent show Super Star Avenue. He’s been called “The Next Susan Boyle,” and garnered his share of accolades for his surprisingly sweet chords.
Shatner — aside from being William Freaking Shatner — is also set to star in the TV adaptation of Sh*t My Dad Says.
Together, the two online heroes create, um, beautiful music?


[via All Things Digital]

Borneo Rainforest: New Species Found Include Lung-Less Frog

A lung-less frog and a slug that shoots love darts: Just two of the 123 new species found in Borneo rainforest since 2007

By Daily Mail Reporter

From: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/



A lung-less frog, a frog that flies and a slug that shoots love darts are among 123 new species found in Borneo since 2007 in a project to conserve one of the oldest rainforests in the world.

The global conservation group World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has called for protecting the threatened species and equatorial rain forest on Borneo, the South China Sea island that is the world's third-largest and is shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

'The challenge is to ensure that these precious landscapes are still intact for future generations,' said a WWF report released today.

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No lungs: Known as the Barbourula kalimantanensis and discovered in 2008, this flat-headed frog breathes entirely through its skin. It is among 123 new species found in Borneo since 2007

The search for the new species was part of the Heart of Borneo project that started in February 2007 and is backed by the WWF and the three countries that share the island.

The aim is to conserve 85,000 square miles of rain forest that was described by Charles Darwin as 'one great luxuriant hothouse made by nature for herself'.

 

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Explorers have been visiting Borneo for centuries, but vast tracts of its interior are yet to be biologically explored, said Adam Tomasek, leader of WWF's Heart of Borneo project.

He said: 'If this stretch of irreplaceable rain forest can be conserved for our children, the promise of more discoveries must be a tantalizing one for the next generation of researchers to contemplate.'

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Dendrelaphis kopsteini: This snake has an almost flame-like neck colouration that gradually fuses into a vivid blue, green and brown pattern. When threatened it flares its nape, revealing bright orange colours

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Ibycus rachelae: This slug uses 'love darts' made of calcium carbonate to pierce and inject a hormone into a mate to increase the chances of reproduction

The scientists' discoveries include the world's longest known stick insect at 56.7cm, a flame-coloured snake and a frog that flies and changes its skin and eye colour.
In total, 67 plants, 29 invertebrates, 17 fish, five frogs, three snakes and two lizards and a brand new species of bird were discovered, said the report.

Borneo has long been known as a hub for monster insects, including giant cockroaches about 10cm long.

Flying frog: The Rhacophorus Penanorum changes colour at night

Notable among the species discovered are:

• A snake that has a bright orange, almost flame-like, neck colouration that gradually fuses into an extraordinary iridescent and vivid blue, green and brown pattern. When threatened it flares its nape, revealing bright orange colours
• A frog that breathes through its skin because it has no lungs, which makes it appear flat. This aerodynamic shape allows the frogs to move swiftly in fast flowing streams. Although the species was discovered in 1978, it was only now that scientists found the frog has no lungs
• A high-altitude slug found on Mount Kinabalu that has a tail three times the length of its head. They shoot calcium carbonate 'love darts' during courtship to inject a hormone into a mate. While resting, the slug wraps its long tail around its body.
  

The Heart of Borneo, the core island area the conservation effort targets, is home to ten species of primate, more than 350 birds, 150 reptiles and amphibians and a staggering 10,000 plants that are found nowhere else in the world, the report says.

Phobaeticus chani: Now officially the world's longest stick insect, it measures 56.7cm long with a body of 35.7cm). Only three have ever been found, all discovered near Gunung Kinabalu Park

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Crystal-clear fins: Another new discovery is the Eirmotus insignis

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