Knights of Templar

"The mysteries of the Order of the Knights Templar could soon be laid bare after the Vatican announced the release of a crucial document which has not been seen for almost 700 years."

Click here to read more

Mysteries of religion? Or mysteries of the worlds first major corrupt society?

Ancient Stone Tablet found

Bearing the words "Mæktir haluar" an ancient stone tablet was unearthed in Norway recently. It's currently on dispay at the Stavanger's Archeological Museum. Incredible as it may seem this stone could actually date back somewhere in the 11th century. Quite a ways removed from todays Email and digital data driven world.

I guess I'm old

Universal Studios is closing the Back to the Future ride. I can't tell you what it looks like, its been 15 years since I've seen it, maybe longer. All I know is that whatever they replace it with won't come close to recreating the awesomeness that is Back to the Future.

Spiny Lobster Season

October is right around the corner and I'm already thinking about having some tasty shellfish bbq'ed on a nice chill winter night. I don't claim to be a fisherman, luckily all you need for these guys is a nice spot on Most piers in Orange county and a hoop net.

Good Side monday

A 94 year old women from Australia has earned her masters Degree

San Paulo bans Outdoor advertising

Hero for cancer! Jane Tomlinson passes away

The American Underground

Underground complexes have never ceased to amaze me. I'm pretty sure i could live in a cave if I had to


Mount Weather
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/facility/mt_weather.htm

New York Subway System
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_New_York

Abandoned subway station
http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/abandoned/

Texas Underground Cave system
http://www.utgrotto.org/all_random.asp

Abandoned Mines –
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=abandoned+mine

Jewel Cave
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewel_Cave

Truth

Allowed to be the greatest, one will only strive for more

The Bottle Tree man

At dawn the sun hits the bottles just right, they gleam like the worlds brightest eyes. The gentle breeze sets a peaceful mood with the tinkering of objects old and new. This isn't a mantra, it's being outside the Bottle tree ranch on a nice winter morning. Or a warm summer evening

Elmer Long is a man who has made his home off of Famous Route 66 in Helendale, Ca for over 30 years. His art, his memory and legacy will live forever now that he has cemented his status as a true roadside attraction. Check out some pictures!

Etched in History

Today, we have cameras, DVD's CD's and many more ways of storing information that will otherwise have been lost. thousands of years ago and even hundreds of years ago that was not so true. A nice flat rock and a well made chisel could be the difference between 50 years and millions of years of historical signifacance.

Left behind by ancient civilization are millions of lost pieces of art, once canvonly imagine what we have not seen or unearthed yet. Romans have drawn the most attention in this area as they were thr premier society with the tools and the know how back then. I am by no means a historian, just a blogger who blogs for the enjoyment of the subject at hand.

The city of Volubilis was unearthed in 1915 archeologist began extensive work and revealed picture perfect art in the form of beautioful mosiacs hidden from human eyes for what seemed like an eternity. Even after Rome lost her grip on the world they still would not abandon this rich grain bearing city. Today very little remains as you can see. But one day I will visit this place on my extensive tour of rome I have been planning.

June 20th

June 20th seems like any other day but over the course of the years like all other dates it can yield a significant amount fo history. I am a little bored at work so I am searching for fun stuff to type about. I don't blog everyday, only when I feel like it, makes it more like a hobby then a job :)

The U.S Officially adopted the Great Seal if the United States as it's official seal on June of 1782 - Highly detailed and all consuming, the seal itself it a link towards many mysteries and conspiracys about our fore fathers, and even somethat preceded them

Ahh Oil good ole oil, back ion 1972, really not all that long ago the Trans atlantic pipeline opened for buisness. The pipeline starts inPrudhoe Bay, AK and come out near Valdez. 31 workers lost their life building this pipeline in one of the worlds most dangerous reigions. OIl may be a cause of strife and hatred all over the world, but it is a nessacary evil until we as the human race can develop a more peaceful and enviormentally friendly soloution.

Todays Random Links

I am an internet trash collecter. Not everything I see I save now and again. I will bookmark something for later viewing, or in this case. Jot it down in my spiffy lil blog here. Nothing special just a few random tidbits I'd like to share.

Yellowstone Geyser erupts after 10 years of inactivity - anyone who has never seen one in person really needs to head to yellowstone. Very powerful stuff

X-Seed 4000 - Skyscraper based on the Physics of Mt. Everest - This may be a post of it's own in the near future. Excellent stuff

Urban Detterents

New youth brings new vision. Sometimes at the wrath of an older generation who is used to doing things a certain way. In Glasgow Scotland youth culture of today is clashing once again with authorities. This time it's over unsightly concert posters plastered all over the city. I've seen these flyers and posters all over every major downtown hub i have ever spent time in. I never thought of it as an eyesore so much as I did a waste of advertising dollars.

Well city officials have come up with a .10 deterrent in the form of a giant cancelled sticker struck across the poster in question. Looks liek it is already paying immediate dividends as city officials are getting many calls from smalltime promoters wondering what the deal is. Rather ingenious solution for a small problem that only a few were aware about.

Link to article

Photo By Jamie Dickinson

Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei

Since 1885 only 46 people have been given the title of "Marathon Monk" Some have even done it twice. There are Marathons, and their are feats of endurance's. This is neither, this is the single most incrediblt regimen ever taken on by a human being in teh history of man. Not to bash the men who fought so bravely in our wars, but the Baton Death March was a picnic compared to what these monks do to their bodys and minds.

The Ritual begins with 100 consecutive days of running 26.2 Miles...twice. Did I mention you need to awake at midnight each night to do this. All through the night they are stoppin.g to pray, approximatley 250 times. The monks supplies during this ordeal are very very minimal. A candle, prayer book and small pouch of vegitarian meal. Not so much to fill you up but mereley to garnish any small amount of nurishment.

If the Monk fails to even arise or complete one day it is reccomended he kill himself. No pressure eh? The Monks are only allowed to stop moving for 3 reasons, they are finished, they are praying, or they are dead. These crazy runs can last upwards of 7 years if properly completed.

Once the 100 days of running has ended the monk can attempt to do the next stage...1000 days. The first 300 days of this are basic "training days" where they continue to run for 26 miles a day. In the 4th and 5th year the pace gets intense and they run for 200 consecutive days. After accomplishing this, they are given a walking stick and a special tabi hat.

One of the finishing feats on this mind controlling journey is the doiri. Here they will pray and recite chants for 9 days, no food, water or sleep is allowed. I can only assume here that suicide is the only option if the monk fails.

The story is not completed in this blog, I just wanted t write about it cause it sounded like something I would want anyone else to read. It is an excellent story.

Video - Monks of Mt. Hiei - Excellent documentary from google video

June 6th, 1944 - D-day

D-Day Memorial Foundation

Never forget that all freedom has a cost.

Crazy Horse Statue

Somewhere in Sioux Falls, MD there is a unfinished 21 story high Mountain carving of Chief Crazy Horse designed and built by Polish sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski. He sarted the giant carving in 1948 and worked feverishly until his death in 1982, he was 72.

www.crazyhorsemoujntain.us is a nice tribute as well as informative site with much more info on this.

Pygmy Kangaroo!

To be honest I didn't even knew such a thing existed. But on June 5th Scientists from India will return 17 of these animals back to the wild. Like many animals saved from poachers, the minute they go back into the wild there chances of survival decrease. Hopefully under the watchful eye of the Indonesian enviormental society these little guys will thrive

Click the link for Pygmy Kangroo info

North poll Journey abandoned

And for get this, warm weather. Seems that the fallacy of global warming had stopped her dead in her tracks.

Marineland - Palos Verdes, Ca

In August, 1954, Marineland of the Pacific opened to the public for the first time. Located at the tip of Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County It was the largest oceanarium in the world.

This was before Sea World and todays Modern super parks, this one really was great. As a child I was taken here by my parents and have fond memories of this place. I look through these old Photographs and I can remeber standing next to some of these buildings. I remember being facinated by this place.

How could something so beautiful be destroyed and let go to waste due to the frugal hearts of a handful of wealthy men and women. Marineland had one failing about it...itwas built on land that was highly desired by the rich and famous. When push came to shove, millions of dollars in the pockets of investors was more enticing then a mere world class water park. 1987 would be the last year it would be open.

With preservation efforts lacking, the majority of the old park has been torn down, vandolized or both. There is a large lack of conservation funds to keep the remainin buildings. It's only a matter of time before Marineland is just another rich kids backyard.

Visit the Marineland of the Pacific Historical Society for more Histrical info and more great pictures. Old memories don't fade out, but buildings do get torn down. And that makes me sad.

Also see Maureen Megowan's web page on the History of Palos Verdes, excellent read.

This area is also an excellent dive site location for both beach and tide launch http://www.calcoastdivers.com/DiveLocations/oml.html

You can see the Atrocity that will replace the once proud marine land - The property is worth Many Millions of dollars, I wish they would preserve a little bit instead of wiping out the last remaining shred of existance. To some people it means much more http://www.terranea.com/

Oro Grande - Artist rendition of 1886

Homoe is where you make it, not where you were born and not where you plan on dieing.

The Plan

Set up a trip back bo my old camping stomping grounds. As a boy I used to go to a place up near Mammoth called Rock Creek. I used to walk the banks of the river with My dad or my little brother for hours on end. Seeing a deer or Racoon was never a dull moment. Yet Those memories aren't as cherised as the ones that I have now. That time of any ones life is always a saftey net. No matter what we do nowq have or will become can't begin to take the purity that was that one week a year every year for many years.

The Travesty of Today's Living

When I was young scraping a knee wasn't to big a deal. When I was young violence in school wasn't violence at all. It was kids being kids losing there tempers. We respected our teachers and we knew our place. Todays society although only 20 years ahead has devolved back into some form of Archaic torture chamber. Every move by eveyone is constantly scrutinized and the world is more aware of how politically correct or incorrect they are then how right or wrong based on them using their own god given common sense.

Long Beach, Ca

The 2 Queen Mary's in the Same panoramic shot.

A CunardWhite Star line cruise ship. The Queen Mary was an awesome site to behold on any scale. Makes for a great weekend down in Shoreline Village. This area is Also home to the Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach every April.

1000 Days at sea

Reid Stowe and Soanya Ahmed Left port on April 21'st, they will return in 1000 days in an atempt to set a new world record. Ahmed is on board as videoagrapher of the expedition.

The plan is to never refuel, nor restock, the entire trip will be self sufficent. Incredible at the very least... Head to 1000days.net to get the latest details from the amzing record setting team.

The 13 Crystal skulls

Enjoy the mystery that is the Mitchell Hedges Skull.
What is a Crystal Skull?

Iran's Bam Citadel under renovation

"The reconstruction process of the citadel is important to Iran since the monument has been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage in Danger List," the head of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) said on Saturday.

The Organic Endurathon

The Organic Endurathon - An idea brought forth by Steve Shriver founder of Eco Lips. 260 miles across Iowa..with a few twists thrown in to make it even harder on most endurance race runners.

Your States Enviornmental Impact

Earth Day Network’s Urban Environment Report of 72 cities in America with over 200 Variables. Yeah I know that just sounds cool. Click the link to get all sorts of juicy info.

1. Los Angeles
2. Seattle
3. Dallas
4. Washington, DC
   

Rosie Stancer

Meet Rosie Stancer, Director of Special Olympics of Great Britain and another reason to embrace the human race. Dediated to her cause her whole life Rosie decided she needed to go above the normal threshold. She decided to Solo the north pole. Incedible read at her Journeys blog.

A diminutive 5'4," and a mother, Rosie Stancer is not built in the image of Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen.

Memorably described by one journalist as “a cross between Tinkerbell and the Terminator,” Rosie's appearance belies the inner strength that has so successfully propelled her to previous polar success. Her achievements are testimony to the fact that dreams can be realised through skill, determination and courage. read more

Back to the Future Technology, Today!

Michael J. Fox is smiling big right now after reading this article

"The tactical biorefinery is a portable machine that can convert food waste and inorganic trash into electricity. Purdue University researchers created a unique hybrid design for the U.S. Army. It uses three distinct technologies to perform its magic:"

Relaxing Views

Sometimes when your outlook is skewed it helps to just let your imagination flow free. Landscapes are wonderful for focusing the mind.

Martin Strell

World record breaking swimmer who recently swam the entire length of the Amazon river. View his amazing journey with Videos, pictures, and reports from the support crew that was at his side through a 3000K Jaunt through some of the harshest river water on earth.

View his website for the great Amazon Swim here
Martin Strel's webite
Wikpedia Entry

What is The Good Side

Dedication to the things we should all strive for and the conquests we have and will make as the human race