Just look at it, I guess is the best way to introduce this site. I wouldn't be sure how to bescribe it otherwise. It is an English-language site, although there is a link to a Japanese site.
SHINYOKOHAMA RAUMEN MUSEUM [via Jon]
Friday, August 06, 2004
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Bad Checks Spell Trouble For Forger
Bad Checks Spell Trouble For Forger
"AUGUST 5--Meet Fitzhugh Fenderson, an alleged felon in dire need of a spell checker. The 33-year-old Long Island man is facing grand larceny and forgery charges for a scheme to swindle car dealerships out of pricey SUVs. According to cops, Fenderson last month passed bogus certified checks at two Cadillac dealerships, walking away with a pair of $65,000 Escalades. When the checks bounced, the dealers ran to Nassau County cops, who yesterday nabbed Fenderson, who was at the wheel of one of the Cadillacs when placed in cuffs. However, had the car salesmen looked more closely at Fenderson's checks they would have realized there was a problem with the paper. Along with misspelling 'Roosevelt,' his own hometown, Fenderson had trouble correctly rendering 'Chase Manhattan Bank.' Below you'll find one of those bogus 65k checks, passed at a Freeport dealership last month. Perhaps the next time Fenderson goes auto shopping he'll leave the checks at home and pay with cash."
"AUGUST 5--Meet Fitzhugh Fenderson, an alleged felon in dire need of a spell checker. The 33-year-old Long Island man is facing grand larceny and forgery charges for a scheme to swindle car dealerships out of pricey SUVs. According to cops, Fenderson last month passed bogus certified checks at two Cadillac dealerships, walking away with a pair of $65,000 Escalades. When the checks bounced, the dealers ran to Nassau County cops, who yesterday nabbed Fenderson, who was at the wheel of one of the Cadillacs when placed in cuffs. However, had the car salesmen looked more closely at Fenderson's checks they would have realized there was a problem with the paper. Along with misspelling 'Roosevelt,' his own hometown, Fenderson had trouble correctly rendering 'Chase Manhattan Bank.' Below you'll find one of those bogus 65k checks, passed at a Freeport dealership last month. Perhaps the next time Fenderson goes auto shopping he'll leave the checks at home and pay with cash."
The Sultan Brought Cheesecake
The Sultan Brought Cheesecake
"AUGUST 4--Three hundred pounds of lamb. A $12,000 Franck Muller watch. Christian Dior after-shave lotion. A Lady McDuffies gourmet lemon cheesecake. Those are just a few of the fabulous gifts received last year by the Bush family from foreign leaders, according to a list released this week by the Department of State's Office of Protocol (below you'll find excerpts from the 52-page report). It will probably come as no surprise that the most valuable gift came from Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdallah, who gave First Lady Laura Bush a matching set of diamond and sapphire jewelry valued by U.S. officials at $95,500. The Saudi royal also gave the president an $8500 mantel clock and the 'first family' (that would be first daughters Jenna and Barbara) received Bulgari necklaces valued at $8500 and $8000 apiece. Other recipients of Saudi largesse were Chief of Staff Andrew Card and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, both of whom got small daggers priced at $1500. The foreign gifts are taken, the State Department report notes, since 'non-acceptance would cause embarrassment to donor and U.S. Government.' However, in most cases, the items are turned over the National Archives for safekeeping. As for the lamb cache, we're guessing it was served to First Mutt Barney."
"AUGUST 4--Three hundred pounds of lamb. A $12,000 Franck Muller watch. Christian Dior after-shave lotion. A Lady McDuffies gourmet lemon cheesecake. Those are just a few of the fabulous gifts received last year by the Bush family from foreign leaders, according to a list released this week by the Department of State's Office of Protocol (below you'll find excerpts from the 52-page report). It will probably come as no surprise that the most valuable gift came from Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdallah, who gave First Lady Laura Bush a matching set of diamond and sapphire jewelry valued by U.S. officials at $95,500. The Saudi royal also gave the president an $8500 mantel clock and the 'first family' (that would be first daughters Jenna and Barbara) received Bulgari necklaces valued at $8500 and $8000 apiece. Other recipients of Saudi largesse were Chief of Staff Andrew Card and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, both of whom got small daggers priced at $1500. The foreign gifts are taken, the State Department report notes, since 'non-acceptance would cause embarrassment to donor and U.S. Government.' However, in most cases, the items are turned over the National Archives for safekeeping. As for the lamb cache, we're guessing it was served to First Mutt Barney."
Aeon Flux -- The Movie
Aeon Flux -- The Movie
"Charlize Theron, who will play the title SF superhero in Aeon Flux, told SCI FI Wire that she is currently rehearsing with director Karyn Kusama and her co-stars in the live-action movie, which is based on the animated MTV series. Shooting begins in mid-August, but Theron is still getting to know the character, she said in an interview. 'I've just spent five days with the director and the cast, so we're still sort of working that out,' Theron said. 'It's not just a special-[effects movie]. It's a love story, of course, so those are the things that kind of get me going.'"
"Charlize Theron, who will play the title SF superhero in Aeon Flux, told SCI FI Wire that she is currently rehearsing with director Karyn Kusama and her co-stars in the live-action movie, which is based on the animated MTV series. Shooting begins in mid-August, but Theron is still getting to know the character, she said in an interview. 'I've just spent five days with the director and the cast, so we're still sort of working that out,' Theron said. 'It's not just a special-[effects movie]. It's a love story, of course, so those are the things that kind of get me going.'"
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
U.S. May Limit Flights at O'Hare
Just wait until after I get to Wizard World, oh and back home too.
U.S. May Limit Flights at O'Hare
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. aviation regulators threatened on Wednesday to cap commercial flights into and out of Chicago's O'Hare airport to reduce unprecedented delays that are causing congestion throughout the country's aviation system."
U.S. May Limit Flights at O'Hare
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. aviation regulators threatened on Wednesday to cap commercial flights into and out of Chicago's O'Hare airport to reduce unprecedented delays that are causing congestion throughout the country's aviation system."
Monday, August 02, 2004
The art of not writing books
The art of not writing books
"Imaginary novels and incredible stories are being collected for posterity in an unconventional UK arts project, the Library of Unwritten Books."
"Imaginary novels and incredible stories are being collected for posterity in an unconventional UK arts project, the Library of Unwritten Books."
Friday, July 30, 2004
London Underground Map translated into German
London Underground Map translated into German
Opens to an image of the map. I thought it was amusing. I wonder if this is what it would have been like, if WWII had gone differently?
Opens to an image of the map. I thought it was amusing. I wonder if this is what it would have been like, if WWII had gone differently?
Francis Crick Dies
Francis Crick Dies
"Francis Crick, who along with James Watson discovered the double-helical structure of the DNA molecule, died Wednesday of colon cancer. He was 88."
"Francis Crick, who along with James Watson discovered the double-helical structure of the DNA molecule, died Wednesday of colon cancer. He was 88."
Cineplex Odious
Cineplex Odious
"Meet Warronnica Harris and Terrell Tolson. The Florida couple got popped this week at a St. Petersburg theater after Harris, 23, allegedly refused to end a cell phone call as the opening credits for 'Catwoman' rolled. When an off-duty police officer working at the theater tried to curtail her chat, Harris announced that 'she could talk as much as she wanted on her phone,' according to this police report. In short order, Tolson, 25, joined in, allegedly telling Officer John Douglas that he would kick the cop's ass. The report quotes Harris as saying she would 'hit the cracker in his head.' In a bid to subdue the duo, Douglas blasted them with pepper spray. Harris and Tolson were eventually charged with disorderly conduct--and spared having to sit through another Halle Berry bomb."
"Meet Warronnica Harris and Terrell Tolson. The Florida couple got popped this week at a St. Petersburg theater after Harris, 23, allegedly refused to end a cell phone call as the opening credits for 'Catwoman' rolled. When an off-duty police officer working at the theater tried to curtail her chat, Harris announced that 'she could talk as much as she wanted on her phone,' according to this police report. In short order, Tolson, 25, joined in, allegedly telling Officer John Douglas that he would kick the cop's ass. The report quotes Harris as saying she would 'hit the cracker in his head.' In a bid to subdue the duo, Douglas blasted them with pepper spray. Harris and Tolson were eventually charged with disorderly conduct--and spared having to sit through another Halle Berry bomb."
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Woman Arrested, Cuffed for Eating Candy
Yahoo! News
"A government scientist finishing a candy bar on her way into a subway station where eating is prohibited was arrested, handcuffed and detained for three hours by transit police. "
"A government scientist finishing a candy bar on her way into a subway station where eating is prohibited was arrested, handcuffed and detained for three hours by transit police. "
Monday, July 26, 2004
The Howell Crop Circles and the Illuminati
The Howell Crop Circles and the Illuminati
"Here's something that has been circulating in the form of photocopies in the Grand Rapids area since last fall; I have now translated the newest version of it into an interactive online essay. Looks like this crop formation's been largely decoded! Read closely..."
"Here's something that has been circulating in the form of photocopies in the Grand Rapids area since last fall; I have now translated the newest version of it into an interactive online essay. Looks like this crop formation's been largely decoded! Read closely..."
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Timelord: Adventures Through Time and Space
A site of derivative material for the Time Lord RPG, orginally published by Virgin Books. I think that its a pretty good game for capturing the feel of Dr. Who.
Timelord: Adventures Through Time and Space
Timelord: Adventures Through Time and Space
Bulwer-Lytton Awards
2004 Results
The winner:
"She resolved to end the love affair with Ramon tonight . . . summarily, like Martha Stewart ripping the sand vein out of a shrimp's tail . . . though the term "love affair" now struck her as a ridiculous euphemism . . . not unlike "sand vein," which is after all an intestine, not a vein . . . and that tarry substance inside certainly isn't sand . . . and that brought her back to Ramon.
The winner:
"She resolved to end the love affair with Ramon tonight . . . summarily, like Martha Stewart ripping the sand vein out of a shrimp's tail . . . though the term "love affair" now struck her as a ridiculous euphemism . . . not unlike "sand vein," which is after all an intestine, not a vein . . . and that tarry substance inside certainly isn't sand . . . and that brought her back to Ramon.
Monday, July 19, 2004
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Free Stuff from TOGC: SRD 3.5 (d20) handouts
Some nice, cleaned up and layed-out pdfs, suitable for handing out to players in most cost conscious groups. Not a bad job with the look, a suitable alternative.
TheOtherGameCompany.com
Just remember though that the SRDs do not reprint the experience progression material. So, you will need a PHB for that and perhaps another thing or two.
TheOtherGameCompany.com
Just remember though that the SRDs do not reprint the experience progression material. So, you will need a PHB for that and perhaps another thing or two.
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
Mary Sue Litmus Test for Fantasy Fiction
This came up on a discussion on a gaming email list. I wasn't sure what it was, but I thought that it would be worth saving for a later point. It looks like it might have some use for character creation.
NaNoWriMo.org : View topic - Mary Sue Litmus Test for Fantasy Fiction
from http://www.subreality.com/marysue/explain.htm (the second result googling "Mary Sue")
"So you're scratching your head and wondering who the heck Mary Sue IS, hm? Well, "Mary Sue" is an unkind term used to describe a certain kind of character, a style of writing. She (or he) is created to serve one purpose: wish fulfilment. When a writer invents someone through whom he/she can have fantastic adventures and meet famous people (fictional or real), this character is a Mary Sue. (We don't have a name for the male version -- suggestions?)
Although storytellers have been rehashing Mary Sue since the dawn of time, she did not receive her current name until the early 1970s. The original was Lieutenant Mary Sue ('the youngest Lieutenant in the fleet -- only fifteen and a half years old') as immortalized in Paula Smith's 'A Trekkie's Tale,' which she wrote and published in her 1974 fanzine Menagerie #2. (According to Katherine Langley: 'Paula is still active in fandom and, to be sure, suitably bemused that Mary Sue lives on.')"
NaNoWriMo.org : View topic - Mary Sue Litmus Test for Fantasy Fiction
from http://www.subreality.com/marysue/explain.htm (the second result googling "Mary Sue")
"So you're scratching your head and wondering who the heck Mary Sue IS, hm? Well, "Mary Sue" is an unkind term used to describe a certain kind of character, a style of writing. She (or he) is created to serve one purpose: wish fulfilment. When a writer invents someone through whom he/she can have fantastic adventures and meet famous people (fictional or real), this character is a Mary Sue. (We don't have a name for the male version -- suggestions?)
Although storytellers have been rehashing Mary Sue since the dawn of time, she did not receive her current name until the early 1970s. The original was Lieutenant Mary Sue ('the youngest Lieutenant in the fleet -- only fifteen and a half years old') as immortalized in Paula Smith's 'A Trekkie's Tale,' which she wrote and published in her 1974 fanzine Menagerie #2. (According to Katherine Langley: 'Paula is still active in fandom and, to be sure, suitably bemused that Mary Sue lives on.')"
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Friday, June 25, 2004
The Investigators, International Private Investigators, El Paso, Texas
Check out the photo gallery and action figure links. I think that I had one of those toys as a kid...
The Investigators
"Thank you for your interest in The Investigators" [via Jason]
The Investigators
"Thank you for your interest in The Investigators" [via Jason]
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Pair Nailed In AOL Spam Scheme
Spam in the place where you live...now face west.
Pair Nailed In AOL Spam Scheme
"An AOL software engineer was arrested today for stealing the company's entire subscriber list--totaling 92 million screen names--and selling it to a 21-year-old Las Vegas spammer. According to the below federal criminal complaint, Jason Smathers, 24, last year illegally accessed the highly confidential AOL list by using another employee's identification codes. Smathers, who worked in AOL's Dulles, Virginia office, then allegedly sold the list to Sean Dunaway, who used the AOL database to promote his own online gambling business and who also sold the list for $52,000 to fellow spammers, one of whom used the names 'for purposes of marketing herbal penile enlargement pills,' according to the complaint. AOL's subscriber base is about 30 million individual customers, who account for 92 million different screen names. Prosecutors also contend that Smathers subsequently sold Hathaway an updated AOL customer list--this one with approximately 18 million names--for $100,000. Both men have been charged with conspiracy, which carries a maximum prison sentence of five years. The Secret Service probe was aided by a spammer who purchased the two lists from Dunaway and is now seeking 'leniency concerning his/her participation' in the AOL conspiracy, notes the complaint."
Pair Nailed In AOL Spam Scheme
"An AOL software engineer was arrested today for stealing the company's entire subscriber list--totaling 92 million screen names--and selling it to a 21-year-old Las Vegas spammer. According to the below federal criminal complaint, Jason Smathers, 24, last year illegally accessed the highly confidential AOL list by using another employee's identification codes. Smathers, who worked in AOL's Dulles, Virginia office, then allegedly sold the list to Sean Dunaway, who used the AOL database to promote his own online gambling business and who also sold the list for $52,000 to fellow spammers, one of whom used the names 'for purposes of marketing herbal penile enlargement pills,' according to the complaint. AOL's subscriber base is about 30 million individual customers, who account for 92 million different screen names. Prosecutors also contend that Smathers subsequently sold Hathaway an updated AOL customer list--this one with approximately 18 million names--for $100,000. Both men have been charged with conspiracy, which carries a maximum prison sentence of five years. The Secret Service probe was aided by a spammer who purchased the two lists from Dunaway and is now seeking 'leniency concerning his/her participation' in the AOL conspiracy, notes the complaint."
Anxious Country Prays to Placate 'Sweating' Deity
Anxious Country Prays to Placate 'Sweating' Deity
"KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Priests offered special prayers as hundreds of devotees thronged a shrine in a remote Nepali village on Wednesday to appease a Hindu deity after its stone idol began 'sweating,' witnesses said."
"KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Priests offered special prayers as hundreds of devotees thronged a shrine in a remote Nepali village on Wednesday to appease a Hindu deity after its stone idol began 'sweating,' witnesses said."
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Senate Race Sex Scandal
For all the Star Trek/Boston Public geeks...
Senate Race Sex Scandal
"JUNE 22--In what may prove a crippling blow to his U.S. Senate campaign, divorce records reveal that Illinois Republican Jack Ryan was accused by his former wife, actress Jeri Ryan, of pressuring her to have sex at swinger's clubs in New York, Paris, and New Orleans while other patrons watched. The bombshell allegation is contained amidst nearly 400 pages of records ordered released yesterday by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge who ruled on media requests to unseal documents from the Ryan case. The salacious charge leveled at the politician was made by Jeri Ryan, who has starred in TV's 'Star Trek: Voyager' and 'Boston Public,' in a court filing in connection with child custody proceedings (you'll find a portion of that heavily redacted September 2000 document below). The performer alleged that she refused Ryan's requests for public sex during the excursions, which included a trip to a New York club 'with cages, whips and other apparatus hanging from the ceiling.' While Ryan confirmed the trips with the actress, he described them simply as 'romantic getaways,' denying her claims that he sought public sex. The politician has repeatedly claimed that his divorce file--portions of which were sealed in 2000 and 2001--contained no embarrassing information that would harm his chances against Democratic nominee Barack Obama. The Ryans were married in 1991 and, in November 1998, Jeri Ryan filed for divorce citing 'irreconcilable differences.'"
Senate Race Sex Scandal
"JUNE 22--In what may prove a crippling blow to his U.S. Senate campaign, divorce records reveal that Illinois Republican Jack Ryan was accused by his former wife, actress Jeri Ryan, of pressuring her to have sex at swinger's clubs in New York, Paris, and New Orleans while other patrons watched. The bombshell allegation is contained amidst nearly 400 pages of records ordered released yesterday by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge who ruled on media requests to unseal documents from the Ryan case. The salacious charge leveled at the politician was made by Jeri Ryan, who has starred in TV's 'Star Trek: Voyager' and 'Boston Public,' in a court filing in connection with child custody proceedings (you'll find a portion of that heavily redacted September 2000 document below). The performer alleged that she refused Ryan's requests for public sex during the excursions, which included a trip to a New York club 'with cages, whips and other apparatus hanging from the ceiling.' While Ryan confirmed the trips with the actress, he described them simply as 'romantic getaways,' denying her claims that he sought public sex. The politician has repeatedly claimed that his divorce file--portions of which were sealed in 2000 and 2001--contained no embarrassing information that would harm his chances against Democratic nominee Barack Obama. The Ryans were married in 1991 and, in November 1998, Jeri Ryan filed for divorce citing 'irreconcilable differences.'"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)