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.