Birds to Perform New Guitar Numbers

No, that's not a typo and this is nothing to do with the classic 60s rock band. London gallery and performing arts centre the Barbican is hosting a new work by French "composer" Celeste Boursier-Mougenot in which dozens of zebra finches create improvised compositions by landing and perching on strategically placed electric guitars. Titled the Curve, Boursier-Mougenot's latest installation takes the form of a walk-through aviary, hence the finches' reaction to the visitors becomes itself part of the exhibit. In an interview with the BBC, the composer hinted that his next work will probably involve shoals of goldfish in a tank, and will most likely not be a walk-through (Barbican Centre).

Posted By: Dumbfounded - Thu Feb 25, 2010 - Comments (9)
Category: Animals, Art, Performance Art, Music

More Theremin

Posted By: Paul - Thu Feb 25, 2010 - Comments (3)
Category: Music, Technology, Outsider Art

Safety in Offices

When your office is staffed by the Three Stooges.

Posted By: Paul - Thu Feb 25, 2010 - Comments (6)
Category: Accidents, Goofs and Screw-ups, Business, PSA’s, 1940s

Clowning Around

In the body of Florida's laws, there are bound to be quite a few that defy explanation. For example, Florida statute 876.13 which states: No person or persons shall in this state, while wearing any mask, hood, or device whereby any portion of the face is so hidden, concealed, or covered as to conceal the identity of the wearer, enter upon, or be, or appear upon or within the public property of any municipality or county of the state. That said, we can now understand what the cop was thinking when he arrested 18 year old Matthew David Lopez on Tuesday. Because Mr. Lopez was walking down a public street wearing a clown mask and orange wig. You can read about his arrest here. The reader comments range from jokes about the stupidity of the police for turning this into an arrest in the first place, to those who defend the cop's actions, and those who insist that if the police want to arrest anyone for this, it ought to be aimed at Muslim women who wear the niqab (face veil).

Posted By: Nethie - Thu Feb 25, 2010 - Comments (5)
Category: Clowns, Costumes and Masks, Crime

Theremin Jam

I'm sure by now we have all heard of the Theremin. This instrument was revolutionary for the sound effects of many old sci-fi and horror movies. However, it is often overlooked as an actual musical instrument. Below is a group of individuals who created a rather interesting piece of music to showcase its usefulness. Personally, I happen to like it. Without further ado, I give you "Crazy Theremin Jam."

Posted By: MohawkWarrior - Thu Feb 25, 2010 - Comments (5)
Category:

That’s Why They’re Called Killer Whales

Dogs are legally required to be put down after biting 3 times, but the same rule obviously does not apply to orca at theme parks. Dawn Brancheau, a trainer with 16 years experience, was killed at the San Diego Sea World today. Tilikum, Telly for short, the aptly named killer whale was responsible for her death. In front of an audience, during a show this afternoon, the 12,300 pound bull orca grabbed and violently shook the trainer who was pronounced dead by emergency personnel some time after 2pm. Tilikum was one of 3 orca involved in the death of a trainer at a theme park in British Columbia in 1991. A man was found dead in Tilikum's tank in 1999 in San Diego. Hypothermia was the cause of death, but the man also had a bite taken out of him. The San Diego park has had near misses as well, a female orca has attacked the same male trainer 3 times in 1993, 1999, and 2006. A park in San Antonio had an incident with a trainer escaping injury when another killer whale tried to hit and bite him. I don't think I'll volunteer to let 'Shamu' kiss my cheek next time I visit a Sea World park, that's for sure!
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/22659901/detail.html#

Posted By: Alex - Wed Feb 24, 2010 - Comments (7)
Category:

Al Jarnow

Considering this was originally presented on a kid's show, 3-2-1-CONTACT, can't you see this video giving some poor tyke nightmares?

Posted By: Paul - Wed Feb 24, 2010 - Comments (8)
Category: Science, Television, Children, 1970s

Instant Karma

Jesse Gonzalez, 24, of Bridgeport Connecticut, was struck by a car and a bus while fleeing the scene of a fatal shooting Monday evening. Apparently Jesse and his father, Joaquin Gonzalez, had a history of domestic violence and officers had been called to their home before to settle disputes. But the argument on February 22 ended badly. Jesse is accused of shooting his father in the head, killing him. The article includes photos and a video.

Posted By: Nethie - Wed Feb 24, 2010 - Comments (4)
Category: Crime, Family, Goofs and Screw-ups

Daily Jury Duty Update

Here's one from a couple of years ago that I forwarded to Chuck and he reported on, back when we had the dailies. Got a computer so full of kiddie porn it's running slow? Don't take it to Staples, they don't know how to keep their mouths shut. Danny should've been a little more patient, now he's got 16 years to kill (probably more like 4 or 5, if well behaved). If I recall, his defense was that "someone was jumping on the bed," and he set up the camera to prove it. Glad the City, County and State Police, as well as the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement could finally settle the matter. Greensburg Daily News

Posted By: qualityleashdog - Wed Feb 24, 2010 - Comments (4)
Category:

Hooray For Our Team!

Hasbro, the makers of Trivial Pursuit, ran a 5 month battle of the genders game online. It was offered in multiple languages and after 15,121,731 questions- WOMEN WON BY 100,000 POINTS! Just thought y'all should know.
http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/02/23/Women-win-global-Trivial-Pursuit-showdown/UPI-30371266959247/

picture from bing.com

Posted By: Alex - Tue Feb 23, 2010 - Comments (9)
Category: