A list of free historical medieval, Elizabethan and Victorian costume patterns.
Source: Free Historical Costume Patterns
Now, the question you might be asking yourself is “why are you posting this here?” Continue reading “Free Historical Costume Patterns”
The Staten Island Ferry Disaster Memorial Museum hopes to preserving the memory of those lost in this tragedy and educate the public about the truth behind the only known giant octopus ferry attack in the tri-state area.
Source: Staten Island Ferry Disaster Memorial Museum – http://sioctopusdisaster.com
Continue reading “Staten Island Ferry Disaster Memorial Museum – http://sioctopusdisaster.com”
“The world is a better place to live in because it contains human beings who will give up ease and security and stake their own lives in order to do what they themselves think worth doing.…
I’ve long been fascinated by the Antikythera mechanism and what it could have been used for, how it was built, etc. Now, an interesting article, An Ancient Device Too Advanced to Be Real Gives Up Its Secrets at Last, gives some possible insight.
To be fair, though, I’m also fascinated by the Nazca Lines in Peru, I once did a diorama project on my explanations for the Bermuda Triangle, and have gone looking for The Loch Ness Monster (not in any organized official way, but I did take a tour boat out onto the water). Pretty much any unexplained phenomenon is okay in my book (and I’m really excited out new cable package included The History Channel in English!)
Okay, I admit it. I’m a sucker for underwater monsters. Give me a giant squid, a Kraken, an octopus of unusual size, hell, even an overgrown shark and I’m there. For me, America said it best – “The ocean is a desert with its life underground and the perfect disguise up above.” It’s that “perfect disguise” which makes it interesting. No matter how calm, there could be any number of unknown dangers lurking just out of sight.
This is why, despite being terrified of the water, I’ve been certified as a scuba diver, twice. In another reality, I’m a marine biologist, who spends his days as a dive instructor on a tropical island and doing research on the side. In this one, though, I’m just a writer who likes the monsters hidden beneath the sea
So one day my friend Ian Rowland directed me to the site of his friend Gianni Sarcone, a designer of optical illusions. Specifically, the post on How To Create Monsters & Mythological Creatures. That’s an example over there to the left.
Once you see the method, like a number of magic tricks, it is deceptively simple. And yet, the results are awe inspiring. As someone who has a penchant for the idea of urban fantasy (I’d love to write one, just don’t quite see it so instead, I read ’em) all I can see are a number of powerful beings trapped in static forms or natural figures waiting to make themselves known in that luminal time between dark and light.
Maybe you’ll be able to find inspiration here. Or maybe you’ll just enjoy some clever photography. Either way, it’s definitely worth a look.
“Just a few months ago, I had the pleasure of visiting Toronto and strolled right into The Monkey’s Paw, an “antiquarian shop specializing in uncommon books and paper artifacts from the age of print.” Upon entering, I was immediately drawn to this beautiful, vintage-looking vending machine. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it sold random books for only $2. Named the “Biblio-Mat,” it’s the world’s first randomizing vending machine for old books.The Biblio-Mat was built by Craig Small for The Monkey’s Paw. According to the owners, “The machine was conceived as an artful alternative to the ubiquitous and often ignored discount sidewalk bin. When a customer puts coins into it, the Biblio-Mat dramatically whirrs and vibrates as the machine is set in motion. The ring of an old telephone bell enhances the thrill when the customer’s mystery book is delivered with a satisfying clunk into the receptacle below.” Watch the video below to see it in action!”
Source: Awesome Vending Machine Sells Random Books for $2 – My Modern Met
Source: Gifts For Writers, 2015 « terribleminds: chuck wendig
I think he gets it mostly right… and my mailing address can be found here
So I’m thinking about podcasts.
These are the democratization of ideas and thoughts, right? Anyone who thinks they have something to say has an open platform in which to say it. This is the digital version of Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park. It doesn’t really matter if you’re right or wrong, no one is fact checking outside of their choice to listen or not.
Like a blog, a podcast can have a specific point of view… or not. It can be published (is that even the right verb?) on a regular schedule…or not. It can make money for the people putting it out… or not. Continue reading “Podcasting…?”
So yesterday I won an award. Was nominated for four.
I was voted by the student body at Vytautas Magnus University a likely candidate to be the funniest professor, the best orator, best foreign professor and best all around professor. I took home the prize for Best Foreign Professor. This time around the award was a large hourglass which takes about a half hour to cycle through. Last year was an engraved globe and the year before a sculpture for the desk. Third year in a row I’ve won this particular prize. Continue reading “Awards…”
This is incredibly cool! Due to the cyclical nature of, you know, the laws of the physical universe, there are only a handful of different variations on the annual calendar. It so happens that this year, 2015, matches up perfectly with 1981. 1981 when Marvel comics put out an absolutely brilliant calendar featuring all their heavy hitters.
Artist Mark Anderson decided to scan the pages for his own calendar this year. Then he generously made the scans available to others (Thank you!!). Anyone want to go in on a piece for your own wall?
2015/1981 Marvel Desktop Wallpaper Calendar | Andertoons Cartoon Blog.
The Classic Typewriter Page :: Antique Typewriters.
As someone who is both a writer and has a fascination and love for old typewriters, this site is just amazing.
Gifts For Writers, 2014 « terribleminds: chuck wendig.
There’s some great stuff here for any writer or literary buff in your life (like me).
There’s also Writers Tears Whiskey and Editor’s Blend tea for the libation of your choice.
Oh… and there’s always books and things.
(mostly this is just here for me to remember it)
There’s something about the first day of the year when the leaves outnumber the people on the streets on a Sunday morning.
Getting the Hang of Thursdays 