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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Drilling Thousands of Screws for Unusual 3D Mural Portraits

With the help of thousands of screws, Andrew Myres, a 31-year-old artist from Orange County, California, manages to mind-blowing portraits. According to Etsicommunication, the idea struck Andrew while working in a church a few years back: “I was doing bronze reliefs depicting the life of Saint Catherine and thought how cool would it be to create something entirely out of screws. I’d always wanted to work with screws, I got the idea and that was it. Six months later I completed my first piece.” The portraits are made by drilling screws into wood and some of them are are 1.2m (4ft). Even though the artist managed to sell five works for for £5,500, he says what he does is not measurable in material rewards: “Household screws are cheap if you need to hang a few pictures but when you need to buy tens of thousands of them the price soon adds up. This kind of art is unique enough that I have to keep going with it, but it costs so much to create each piece it’s not as financially rewarding as you may think. They are more a labour of love.”

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Thom Yorke Kills Justin Bieber



Thom Yorke battles the Biebs.

Have we reached a saturation point for these mash-ups yet?

Laughing Baby Loves Ripping Paper!



Baby Micah could not contain his laughter when his dad ripped up a job rejection letter he received in the mail. The 8-month-old found it so funny, that his dad kept ripping up paper to make his son crack up. He recorded this video and posted the clip as “Baby Laughing Hysterically at Ripping Paper” on his youtube page, and it’s quickly become an instant classic. Watch this hysterical laughter for yourself!...

Apple officially introduces iPad 2: Dual-Core A5 chip, 33% thinner, same prices

By Rachel King

Summary

After months of waiting and speculation, Apple has officially unveiled the iPad 2 at a special press event in San Francisco today.


After months of waiting and speculation, Apple has officially unveiled the iPad 2 at a special press event in San Francisco today.
[Image Gallery: Apple's iPad 2 Event]
This story will be developing, but here’s what has been announced about the much-awaited tablet so far:
  • iOS 4.3
  • All new A5 chip with dual-core processors
  • 2x faster CPU
  • 9x faster graphics
  • Same power consumption rate as A4 chip
  • Dual cameras: Shoots 720p at up to 30fps on the rear and VGA stills on front-facing camera
  • 33% thinner body at 8.8mm
  • Weighs 1.3 pounds
  • Built-in gyroscope
  • Same 10-hour battery life
  • New apps optimized for iPad: iMovie, GarageBand, FaceTime, Photo Booth
And unlike the iPhone 4, CEO Steve Jobs promises that this device will ship in both black and white from day one, with both AT&T and Verizon as 3G carrier options.
While all of these are definite improvements, I’m sure many consumers (myself included) were hoping for a cost drop. However, most of the price tags will remain the same:
  • 16GB Wi-Fi: $499
  • 32GB Wi-Fi: $599
  • 64GB Wi-Fi: $699
  • 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G: $629
  • 32GB Wi-Fi + 3G: $729
  • 64GB Wi-Fi + 3G: $829

Best of all, the iPad 2 is set to launch on March 11, with 26 countries receiving the tablet by March 25. Maybe 2011 really will turn out to be the “year of the iPad 2.” We’re only two days in, but this is definitely going to be the “month of the iPad 2″ at the very least.

Jobs also debuted a few nifty accessories, including an HDMI 1080p output dongle for $39 and a bizarre-looking screen cover that can convert to prop up the iPad. That will be available in a rainbow assortment of colors in polyurethane and leather for $39 and $69 respectively.

This is all very exciting, so check back in a bit to see an evaluation and whether or not I will be buying one myself.

Trent Reznor Is Now A Pretty Oscar-Winning Hate Machine

Posted by Joshua_Kopstein

This year, for the first time in at least a decade, I cared about the Oscars. I didn’t expect that I would, but sure enough, there I was: sat down with two friends over a bowl of homemade nachos, suffering through an ostentatious red carpet display to see who’d get their mitts on a few of those little gold men. Why? Because this year, only one film had gotten me hooked through its soundtrack alone. And it was going up against Hans Zimmer.

At first The Social Network had seemed like the dumbest idea in movie history: The tale of a petulant nerd who finds himself an overnight billionaire after building a website that forever shapes the online world into a crutch for his own social anxieties. Of course as we all know, the website, and the nerd who runs it, actually exist (although the nerd is perhaps more awkward than ruthless), and they’ve captured a decent chunk of the planet’s population. The addition of Aaron Sorkin on screenplay and David Fincher directing got me curious. But it wasn’t until it was announced that Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails would be scoring the film that it had my full attention.



Maybe it was my inner angst-ridden 15 year-old self that allowed the smug grin to crawl over my face when Trent and Atticus walked up to grab the gold. Or maybe it was that many of us had never expected a soundtrack like this one to be recognized by the Academy. I realized at that moment how rare a score like The Social Network’s is, and how its prestigious recognition could represent a sea change in the appeal of experimental electronic music.

But I didn’t get ahead of myself. If anything, Reznor and Ross’ score is a shared victory for those already interested in the things like swarmatrons and stylophones. Still, there’s definitely something notable about how those otherworldly, deep-mooded textures and largely improvised instrumentation have played such an important role in defining the tone of a major film. Even if it’s a film about the world’s most awkward billionaire.

Trent, who is usually not too keen on award ceremonies, said the experience was “humbling and flattering beyond words.” The duo’s next project is a film adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which we’re looking forward to because let’s be honest: these guys could make a Twilight movie sound good if they wanted.

New battery can recharge itself using sunlight

By Tuan C. Nguyen
From http://www.smartplanet.com/

 

A team of scientists are hoping to give those old school re-chargeable batteries a solar-powered makeover.
Mention solar technology to people and for many it still brings to mind big clunky panels housed at sprawling industrial facilities. But recent advances in solar cells has already allowed the technology to be miniaturized and integrated into a variety of everyday household products. Last year, the Japanese company Sanyo was honored with an IF Design award at the CeBIT technology conference for a developing a dual solar-powered light and USB charger. Now comes a battery prototype that can be recharged simply by being left out in the sun.
The researchers are calling their concept the Light Catcher, which is basically a photoelectronic battery comprised of tiny anti-reflective solar cells that soak up energy from the sun. A transparent encasing protects the battery while allowing sunlight to shine through. The batteries come in AA and AAA sizes and can be inserted into most portable electronics, anything from remote controls to toys. There’s also the option to power electronics using a 3.5mm jack.


The innovators behind the “Light Catcher” concept are Yung-Hsaing Chang, Ming-Shien Lin and Chang-Ting Lu. The team developed the batteries as an entry into this year’s iF Design awards, given out each year by the Hanover-based firm iF International Forum Design.

While miniaturized solar technology is still a ways from meeting the rigorous energy demands of many portable electronics like laptops and Smartphones, such advances are still quite promising. The amount of energy that can be tapped from sunlight is enormous considering that the current technology converts only a small percentage into use-able electricity.
Photo: Yanko Design

Smoke Boba Fett's Glass Pipe Helmet and Mentally Disintegrate

From: http://www.obviouswinner.com/

Whoa... Wait. WHOA! The mouth piece is apparently inside the helmet as you can actually wear it and smoke yourself into a galaxy far far away. Made by Kevin Murray who has now become a hero to all the Star Wars geek stoners of the cosmos, which is pretty much everyone this side of the milk way.
I know. You are thinking that this might be the coolest thing ever. So make sure you [ FAN THIS ] and get daily awesomeness right in your feed!!!
[ source ]

Fire at Redington and Humphrey Street, Swampscott 3/1/2011

This is what I dealt with last night. Got zero sleep, due to the fact that my house/corner became a mobile command center, for other town’s 15+ fire trucks.

Stupid people all night long were trying to get down to see the “Fire” and obviously police made them turn around; you would think that people would pay attention to the detour. Even 10 hours later, there are still people parking in front of my driveway, trying to walk down to see the fire.















Flames were through the roof at 132 Humphrey Street.  Credit Terry Date
Firefighters battled the blaze from all angles. 
Firefighters battled the blaze from all angles.  Credit Terry Date
Fire scene on the ground at 132 Humphrey Street. 
Fire scene on the ground at 132 Humphrey Street.  Credit Terry Date
Firefighters blast the blaze with water cannons and fire lines.
Firefighters blast the blaze with water cannons and fire lines.  Credit Terry Date
Fire and smoke through the rood at 132 Humphrey Street.
Fire and smoke through the rood at 132 Humphrey Street.  Credit Terry Date

Flames were through the roof at 132 Humphrey Street.

Flames were through the roof at 132 Humphrey Street.  Credit Terry Date

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

The 'wolf child' delighted to be named the world's hairiest girl - because it makes her more POPULAR at school

By Daily Mail Reporter
From: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

Her nicknames may include 'wolf girl' and 'monkey face'.

But 11-year-old Thai girl Supatra Sasuphan today insisted that she was after being officially recognised as the world's hairiest girl. 


Although the schoolgirl from Bangkok has faced merciless teasing at school, Supatra says being given a Guinness World Record for her hair has helped her become extremely popular.


Record breaker: Supatra Sasuphan, 11, has a rare genetic condition that makes hair grow all over her face
'I'm very happy': Supatra Sasuphan, 11, is one of only 50 people ever to have Ambras syndrome which makes  hair grow all over her face. She has now been recognised by the Guinness Book of Records. 

'I'm very happy to be in the Guinness World Records! A lot of people have to do a lot to get in,' she said. 'All I did was answer a few questions and then they gave it to me.'
Supatra is one of just 50 known sufferers of Ambras Syndrome - caused by a faulty chromosome - to be documented since the Middle Ages. Before the disease was understood, sufferers were branded 'werewolves.' 

She has thick hair growing over her face, ears, arms, legs and back. Even laser treatment has failed to stop the hair growth.


But while most sufferers have been shunned, Supatra has gradually been embraced by her community, and became a popular and outgoing child.


Supatra with friends in Ratchabophit school
'One of the most popular girls in school': Supatra with classmates at Ratchabophit school, where she says getting the record for world's hairiest girl has helped her win more friends.

Little Supatra Sasuphan
They don't tease me anymore: doctors tried to remove Supatra's hair with laser treatment but it quickly grew back

She said: 'There were a few people who used to tease me and call me monkey face but they don't do it any more.

'I'm very used to this condition. I can't feel the hair as it has always been like this. I don't feel anything.

'It does sometimes make it difficult to see when it gets long.I hope I will be cured one day.'

In other ways Supatra is the same as other children her age - she loves swimming, dancing to her favourite music and playing with friends.


But more than anything, Supatra loves perching in front of the TV at her tiny one-bedroom family home in Pranakom, on the outskirts of Bangkok, to watch cartoons.

Happily families: Suptara with her sister 15-year-old Sukanya, left, her father Sammrueng and mother Somphon
Happily families: Suptara with her sister 15-year-old Sukanya, left, her father Sammrueng and mother Somphon



 People in a street turn and stare as Supatra walks by in Bangkok, Thailand.
Still attracting stares: strangers look at Supatra on the streets of Bangkok, but her neighbours say her sweet nature quickly won over her local community

She said: 'I like to watch anything on TV, whatever is, I like having it on. I like to watch Bugs Bunny.'


The bubbly little girl is also determined not to let her condition prevent her from leading a normal life.


She said: 'I like to study maths so I can be good at it and teach it to younger children so they can do it too.


'I want to become a doctor so I can help patients when they get injured.


'I want to help people who get hurt and help cure people.'


But Supatra's future didn't always look so promising. When she was first born she had to undergo two operations just to breathe.


Her father Sammrueng, 38, said: 'We found out Supatra's condition when she was born - we did not know before.


'She was not very healthy because her nostrils were only one millimetre wide. For the first three months she was kept in an incubator to help her breathe.She was in the hospital for a total of ten months. We were very worried about her.'

Supatra gets her hair cut by her mother in Bangkok, Thailand
Time for a trim: Supatra's hair grew longer as she got older and her mother now cuts it with scissors, above



One of the most popular girls in school': Supatra during a PE lesson in Ratchabophit school, Bangkok
Outgoing child: Supatra  during a PE lesson with classmates

Supatra has another operation when she was two-years-old and can now breathe normally.


But when Sammrueng and his wife Somphon, 38, brought Supatra home to live with them and their other daughter Sukanya, now 15, they faced more problems.


'When neighbours first saw Nat they asked what kind of sin I had done. I was very worried about what she would be when she grew up because of other children teasing her,' he said.


But Supatra's sweet nature quickly won over people in her community.


Sammrueng, a jewellery maker, said: 'She gets along with others really well and is very generous. She has a lot of friends.


'She is just the same as any other little girl her age.


'But her teeth grow slowly and she can't see very well."


Doctors tried to remove the hair with laser treatment when she was two-years-old but despite numerous sessions it kept growing back as thickly as before.


Supatra's hair has got increasingly thicker as she has grown up so her mother has to cut it back regularly for her. 


She uses baby shampoo to wash her hair as she is allergic to stronger brands.
Sammrueng said: 'I still hope one day she will be cured. We will do anything we can if it will help her.'

This Guy’s Name Is Wonderful And Terrific


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The University at Buffalo football team may not have been able to recruit the high school prospect with the most talent among this year’s class, but they were able to recruit the high school prospect with the best name.

Meet Wonderful Terrific Monds II. In an effort to make sure their son would never lack self-confidence, they gave him the most glorifying name they could come up with (we are simply assuming that is the explanation for such a name). Now the Bulls are hoping Monds can live up to his name.
That could be a tough task for the defensive end out of Westwood High School, but if he wasn’t up for the challenge, his parents probably would have just named him Average Mediocre.
Hat Tip – [Rivals.com]

The Five Most Expensive Beatles Collectibles

by Deidre Woollard
from http://www.luxist.com/

beatles Wikicollecting.org, a new collaborative wiki project for collectors, has created the a list of the top five most expensive collectibles associated with The Beatles. The popular band has spawned many museums and items that are associated with members of the band, especially in relation to the creation of their music, sell very well, often at auction at some of the world's top houses. The top collectibles are associated with the life and music of John Lennon.

1) John Lennon's Rolls-Royce Phantom V – $2.23 million. In 1985, a psychedelic hand-painted Rolls-Royce Phantom V owned by John Lennon was sold by Sotheby's. This amazing car with custom modifications including a seat that converts to a double bed, a television and an interior-exterior sound system, is housed at the Royal BC Museum. Canadian businessman Jim Pattison donated the car to the museum.

2) The piano John Lennon used to write Imagine - $2.1 million. The simple walnut-finished Steinway upright that John Lennon used to write the song "Imagine" is an example of a humble collectible that has acquired value because it is part of history. It is considered to be one of the most valuable pieces of music memorabilia with a current estimated value of $8 million to $12 million. Musician George Michael bought the piano at auction for $2.1 million in 2000 and composed the song "Patience" on it. The instrument was recently on loan to the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.
3) The Wikicollecting list cites John Lennon's handwritten lyrics to "A Day in the life" - $1,202,500 as the third most valuable collectible but this may not be true. The John Lennon-penned lyrics to "A Day in the Life" were auctioned off by Sotheby's New York in June 2010. "A Day in the Life" is the last song on The Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and considered to be one of the best songs of all time. The lyrics sold for $1.2 million beating the estimate of $500,000 to $700,000 but according to various sources, the record for most expensive Beatles handwritten lyric record still belongs to the lyrics for "All You Need Is Love" which sold for $1.25 million in 2005 at the Cooper Owen auction house.

4) The drum skin which appears on the cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - £541,250 ($1,071,133). The hand-painted bass drumskin shown on the front cover of the Beatles' 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band designed by artist Joe Ephgrave sold at a Christie's auction in 2008 for £541,250, nearly four times its pre-sale estimate.


5) George Harrison's Gibson SG guitar - $567,500. George Harrison's Gibson SG guitar - $567,500. A 1964 Gibson SG guitar played by George Harrison between 1966 and 1969 was sold at a Christie's New York sale in 2004 for $567,500. The guitar used by Harrison during the Revolver recording session and The Beatles' last official UK concert and was played by John Lennon during the White Album sessions in 1969.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Kimmel’s Post-Oscar Show: Hanks, Tyson and Lindsay Lohan

Kimmel’s Post-Oscar Show: Hanks, Tyson and Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan and Jimmy Kimmel (Photo: ABC)


Jimmy Kimmel recruited a bevy of A-list beauties – including Lindsay Lohan – for an elaborate spoof of TV fitness infomercials that premiered late Sunday night on his sixth annual post-Oscars edition of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on ABC.

The “infomercial” was for an exercise program called the “Hottie Body Hump Club,” in which those who desire a “hottie body” are instructed to hump an inflated rubber exercise ball. Kimmel, of course, starred as the program’s guiding light – “Jimmy K” – in sweatshirt, gym shorts and requisite headband.

Somehow, Kimmel and his crew persuaded nine female stars to participate and, yes, hump the exercise balls in unison. Besides Lohan, Kimmel’s “Hottie Bodies” were Scarlett Johansson, Minka Kelly, Jessica Biel, Jessica Alba, Kelly Ripa, Eva Longoria, Emily Blunt and Sofia Vergara. The lavishly produced infomercial video was reminiscent of the “Handsome Mens Club,” last year’s centerpiece production on Kimmel’s post-Oscar show. That one featured a surprising group of top male stars including Sting, Matthew McConaughey, Patrick Dempsey, Matt Damon, Lenny Kravitz, Rob Lowe and others.

Watch Lindsay Lohan’s Surprise Appearance “Steal” the Show:
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This year, the biggest surprise was Lohan, who has made no TV appearances lately other than court appearances. She’s currently facing grand theft charges in connection with a $2,500 necklace she’s accused of stealing from a jewelry store. She made a reference to the theft charges in the “Hottie Body” spoof when “Jimmy K” said the exercise program “is so affordable, it’s practically a steal!” That’s when Lohan quickly interjected: “Allegedly!”
What else did Kimmel cook up for the post-Oscar show? Here are some highlights:
“Tyler Perry’s The President’s Speech”: While the “Hottie Body Hump Club” might get the lion’s share of attention, we thought this spoof was the funnier bit – a “trailer” for an Americanized version of “The King’s Speech” starring Mike Tyson (“Sir Michael Tyson”) as a speech coach for President George W. Bush (who appeared only in stock video). Tyson was unbelievably funny.

Tyler Perry’s The President’s Speech
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Tom Hanks’ Oscar story: The two-time Oscar winner told a surprisingly interesting story about the state of his two Oscar statuettes (for “Philadelphia” in 1993 and “Forrest Gump” in 1994). He said they’ve already corroded so badly just from people holding them occasionally that he has had to have them re-plated – and even that might not restore them to like-new condition.

Toddlers & Tiaras with Tom Hanks
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“Miss Ultimate Sexy Baby Nevada Pageant”: This one was another pre-produced bit that has to be seen to be believed. It began with Hanks telling Kimmel that he’s appearing in a cable TV reality show with his “daughter,” six-year-old “Sophie” and then introducing a clip. We then saw Hanks playing the role of a creepy pageant dad on TLC’s “Toddlers & Tiaras” preparing to enter his daughter in the “Miss Ultimate Sexy Baby Nevada Pageant.” The surprise ending: Sophie loses to … “Rhonda Howard,” whose “dad” is none other than Hanks’ pal Ron Howard, director of “Apollo 13.” The bit made reference to that movie, and also “Big” and, believe it or not, “Turner & Hooch.” The whole thing was a scream.

Watch Kimmel’s Interview with Tom Hanks on ABC’s Post-Oscars Special:
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Everything Is A Remix: KILL BILL


Everything Is A Remix: KILL BILL from robgwilson.com on Vimeo.

 
vimeo.com — Seems that Quentin has some pretty obvious influences...

Marijuana Department Store Opens in California

From: http://abcnewsradioonline.com/

 
Photo Courtesy - Getty Images

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- First there was Home Depot, now there is the Walmart of weed. That's the term being used to describe a store set to open in Sacramento on Saturday.

The 10,000 square foot marijuana emporium is the first of its kind, and is being billed as the place where growers of medical marijuana can come for supplies and training, according to a report by the Sacramento Bee. The store goes by the name weGrow, and while it does not actually sell marijuana, it offers all the necessary manufacturing tools and information.

The weGrow operation was born out of a warehouse in Oakland, Calif., and its operators are hoping it becomes the first national franchise of its kind. The company also plans to open stores in New Jersey, Colorado, Oregon, and Arizona.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Space shuttle Discovery docks with International Space Station for the last time

By Daily Mail Reporter

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

Space shuttle Discovery has docked at the International Space Station on its final visit before becoming a museum.


The shuttle, on its final voyage, will spend a week at the orbiting outpost and has delivered supplies and the first humanoid robot to fly in space.

A spacewalk is currently taking place at the ISS as two of Discovery's visiting crew float outside to move a broken ammonia pump and install an extension cable, among other chores.

Incoming: The shadow covering Discovery, in this image taken by astronaut Paolo Nespoli, was made by the International Space Station as the shuttle prepared to dock yesterday morning
Incoming: The shadow covering Discovery, in this image taken by astronaut Paolo Nespoli, was made by the International Space Station as the shuttle prepared to dock yesterday morning
Enlarge   Last mission: On its final voyage, Discovery will spend a week at the orbiting outpost
Last mission: On its final voyage, Discovery will spend a week at the orbiting outpost
Discovery's docking took longer than usual because of a slight misalignment between the shuttle and the station which meant the hatches didn't open
Discovery's docking took longer than usual because of a slight misalignment between the shuttle and the station which meant the hatches didn't open


Discovery should have made the flight in November, but was grounded by fuel tank cracks and only took off on Thursday with two seconds to spare after it was held up by computer errors.

Altogether, there are 12 people on board the spacecraft, representing the U.S., Russia and Italy.

Four of the five major partners currently also have vessels docked there, including cargo ships from Japan and Europe.


The docking took longer than usual because of a slight misalignment between the shuttle and the station, which means the hatches did not open.

The station's commander, Scott Kelly, shook hands with shuttle commander Steven Lindsey as they landed.

Astronauts have now installed a platform holding a spare radiator for the station, which was carried aboard the shuttle.

Enlarge   Making history: Discovery, the oldest of the U.S. shuttles, only took off with two seconds to spare after computer problems
Making history: Discovery, the oldest of the U.S. shuttles, only took off with two seconds to spare after computer problems
The robot Discovery carried - Robonaut 2 or R2 for short - will remain at the space station, where it is hoped it will eventually serve as an astronaut assistant
The robot Discovery carried - Robonaut 2 or R2 for short - will remain at the space station, where it is hoped it will eventually serve as an astronaut assistant
Docked: Discovery has delivered supplies and the first humanoid robot to fly in space
Docked: Discovery has delivered supplies and the first humanoid robot to fly in space

Before the landing, Discovery performed a 360 degree back-flip so space station cameras could capture any signs of launch damage.

At least four pieces of debris broke off the fuel tank during lift-off and a strip of insulating foam struck its belly.

Nasa managers do not believe the shuttle was damaged because the foam came off late in the launch.

As a precaution, every shuttle crew since the 2003 Columbia disaster has had to thoroughly check for possible damage to thermal shielding.

Carrying out repairs: Discovery astronaut Steve Bowen, attached to the end of a robotic arm, makes a spacewalk out of the ISS today
Carrying out repairs: Discovery astronaut Steve Bowen, attached to the end of a robotic arm, makes a spacewalk out of the ISS today

Nearly there: Discovery commander Steve Lindsey and pilot Eric Boe on board the shuttle's forward flight deck
Nearly there: Discovery commander Steve Lindsey and pilot Eric Boe on board the shuttle's forward flight deck

Discovery
Nicole Stott
Last time: Astronauts Steve Bowen and Nicole Stott on board the shuttle on its final voyage. It will become a museum after returning to Earth
Discovery - the first to perform the manoeuvre in 2005 - is the first in the fleet to be retired this year.

Endeavour and then Atlantis will close out the 30-year shuttle programme later this year.
Discovery is the oldest of the three and the most travelled, with 143million miles logged over 39 flights and 26 years.

The robot it carried - Robonaut 2 or R2 for short - will remain at the space station, where it is hoped it will eventually serve as an astronaut assistant.

A Twitter update from the robot, posted by a human at mission control, said: 'We're here! Home Sweet Home!'

En route: Astronauts inside Discovery control the shuttle's Remote Manipulator System/Orbiter Boom Sensor System. Equipped with special cameras, it inspects the shuttle's thermal tile system
En route: Astronauts inside Discovery control the shuttle's Remote Manipulator System/Orbiter Boom Sensor System. Equipped with special cameras, it inspects the shuttle's thermal tile system

Trent Reznor: 'I Am Truly Stunned' to Win an Oscar


Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Composing "The Social Network" was “the best experience I’ve ever had,” added the Nine Inch Nails frontman.

Turns out the competition was a magic feather for Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

While the Nine Inch Nails frontman and his British composing partner each expressed disbelief over their winning best original score Oscar for their synthy, non-orchestral soundtrack to The Social Network, Reznor revealed a surprising anecdote about his road to Oscar glory.

“[Inception] composer, Hans Zimmer, who I’ve been battling at awards shows all year, told me, ‘In a lot of ways, I hope you win because it’s helped open up the field a bit for texture of what film scores can be,’ ” Reznor told reporters backstage. “I am truly stunned by this. David [Fincher] bugged us to do it. I’m very glad we did. It’s been the best experience I’ve ever had from start to finish.”

Reznor, who'd already “put Nine Inch Nails on the back burner" when Fincher approached him to score Network (the two had previously together on the creepy title sequence to Fincher's 1995 film Seven) admitted that movie composing was never in his plans.

"Thankfully David had a very clear idea of what he wanted,” said Reznor. “The only immediate direction he gave us was that there be no orchestra, be similar to Bladerunner -- inhabit the same iconic quality -- but not sound dated. It was definitely difficult to score for a bunch of people talking in rooms. There were no landscapes, or battles scenes. It wasn’t obvious to us what shape it would have."

For his part, Ross said he’d “been stunned” by every bit of recognition the pair had garnered throughout award season and only when the two received an Oscar nomination did he believe their Academy Award changes. “That morning I thought, ‘Wow, this is a reality.’ I’ve come in with no expectations. It’s been incredible.”


It’s a long way from the day the musicians saw Fincher’s first cut of the film. “We watched 45 minutes, and it had more dialogue than in last 10 films I’d seen combined. That was a quiet car ride home,” Ross said.

Next up for the Oscar-winning composers? They are currently scoring Fincher's next film, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.