Illusion: When an unearthed tree makes the sky look like a lake
Unearthed tree plays tricks with your brain.
The Madness of Star Wars Inconsistency
In response to an io9 post about Return of the Jedi facts, user bangishotyou points out the frustrating inconsistency of George Lucas with this thought of how an alternate future would play out:
Also, Lucas clarified that a “Jedi Master” like Yoda is different from a Jedi Knight,” because “he’s a teacher, not a real Jedi.” And Yoda is like a Guru, who “doesn’t go out and fight anybody.” And Yoda wouldn’t be any good in a fight, against someone like Darth Vader.
Fast forward decades later and Lucas, the writing master that he is, goes back on something he previously stated about something he previously created.
More on this breaking news at 11. Now back to Ollie for the weather.
If I ever get serious about my writing and create a universe and fill it with marvelous characters that people love, I’m gonna pull a Lucas. I will change the rules literally at random from book to book. I will give definitive interviews on the characters and universe I’ve created and ended them with, “Everything I just said is set in stone. I won’t change a thing.” Then I’d go and change every single goddamn thing and when called out on it I’d stroke my handlebar mustache (cause I’ll grow one by then just for this next part) and say, “I get what you’re saying, but these are my creations. Those set in stone things I said before, I was high when I said them! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a lunch with Michael Bay. Those characters you love? Oh yeah. We are gonna do horrible, horrible things to them. Because we can.” And then I’d do a backflip off the interview chair while laughing maniacally and dash off into the night. (Because I also control time at this point and an exit as random as that deserves to be done under the cover of darkness.)
Kasdan responded: “I understand what you’re saying, but I can’t believe it; I am in shock.”
This sounds like a voice of reason. A person who would have fit right in with the rest of us after seeing The Phantom Menace.
The Official “Fun Vs. Effort” Graph of Pets
Take note
PhotoStory: Tragic tale of a lonely, undead Apple
Based on a true story
The “Average” Male Face From Around the World
View the Female version of this study HERE
The “Average” Female Face From Around the World
FaceResearch.org released these pictures from an experiment last year showing the combined faces of women around the world to approximate the “average” face of each country. The results are actually the “average attractive” product as the process is void of individual imperfections or defining features and beauty is often reliant on symmetry, which the processing creates. The study did not release how many images were used to make the composites.
Sarah Silverman mourns the death of her dog Doug
Faced with increasing health issues that progressed into Doug refusing food, the 42-year-old comedian made the decision to have her beloved companion euthanized. Silverman wrote a touching obituary on “Duck” and his passing which she shared with her fans:
Duck “Doug” Silverman came into my life about 14 years ago. He was picked up by the State running through South Central with no collar, tags or chip. Nobody claimed or adopted him so a no-kill shelter took him in. That’s where I found him — at that shelter, in Van Nuys. Since then we have slept most every night together (and many lazy afternoons.) When we first met, the vet approximated his age at 5½ so I’d say he was about 19 as of yesterday, September 3, 2013.
He was a happy dog, though serene. And stoic. And he loved love.
Over the past few years he became blind, deaf, and arthritic. But with a great vet, good meds, and a first rate seeing-eye person named me, he truly seemed comfortable.
Recently, however, he stopped eating or drinking. He was skin and bones and so weak. I couldn’t figure out this hunger strike. Duck had never been political before. And then, over the weekend, I knew. It was time to let him go.
My boyfriend Kyle flew in late last night and took the day off from work to be with us. We laid in bed and massaged his tiny body, as we love to do – hearing his little “I’m in heaven” breaths.
The doctor came and Kyle, my sister, Laura and I laid on the bed. I held him close – in our usual spoon position and stroked him. I told him how loved he was, and thanked him for giving me such happiness and for his unwavering companionship and love. The doctor gave him a shot and he fell asleep, and then another that was basically an overdose of sleeping meds. I held him and kissed him and whispered to him well passed his passing. I picked him up and his body was limp – you don’t think about the head – it just falls. I held him so tight. And then finally, when his body lost its heat, and I could sense the doctor thinking about the imminent rush hour traffic, I handed him over.
14 years.
My longest relationship.
My only experience of maternal love.
My constant companion.
My best friend.
Duck.
Watch this gif of a mezmorizingly creepy trail of rodent babies
Centipede-mouse? It’s actually a mother shrew and her babies.
Similar to the rat king folklore:
Rat kings are phenomena said to arise when a number of rats become intertwined at their tails, which become stuck together with blood, dirt, ice, excrement or simply knotted. The animals reputedly grow together while joined at the tails. The numbers of rats that are joined together can vary, but rat kings formed naturally from a large number of rats are rarer. The phenomenon is particularly associated with Germany, where the majority of instances have been reported. Historically, there are various superstitions surrounding rat kings, and they were often seen as a bad omen, particularly associated with plagues.
Orb Jiggle Juggle (GIF)
Blah blah blah blah boobs
Gif: Dominos Small to Large
This Gif is a visual reminder that the small can start chain reactions that topple the big