John Kettler Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 (edited) Michael Emrys, That has to be one of the all time great and wholly unexpected punchlines! Here is something for print nerds, I think. Am fairly sure the pants mimic part of the Pantone color system. Exercise is where you find it. Regards, John Kettler Edited June 1, 2019 by John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 (edited) Many years ago NOVA built a full scale trebuchet and fired it on a small portion of a representative Medieval wall. Here is another one, but the trebuchet is already built, and action proceeds from there. Range is deliberately constrained because in the festival there will be people at grave risk if the firing distance is much greater than the target. The projectile is relatively light. The sling is ridiculous in design. Please see the second vid for what it should look like. Notice also there is no trough for the sling to ride in until it clears the trebuchet. That trough can be moved a bit to adjust the point of strike. For comparison, here's the NOVA trebuchet firing a far heavier projectile, from a proper sling to something like actual combat range, and this shot series is nowhere close to max range, because the counterweight box isn't full, and the trajectory is flattish instead of more like 45 degrees. Regards, John Kettler Edited June 2, 2019 by John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 (edited) I've heard of expensive scotch, but this is beyond insane!A bottle of Scotch whisky fetched £848,000, or $1.1 million USD, at an auction on Wednesday smashing the world record. Distilled in 1926 and bottled in 1986, The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 60-year-old, referred to as “The Holy Grail of whisky,” was auctioned by Bonhams in Edinburgh.What stands out with this bottle is the label’s artwork and the limited number produced. At the time, renowned pop artists Valerio Adami and Peter Blake were commissioned by Macallan to design labels for 24 bottles, with each artist contributing to 12 bottles. Adami, now 83, is an Italian painter best known for his bold and colorful imagery outlined by black lines.It’s unclear how many of those Macallan bottles are still in existence, but they’ve made headlines at other auctions.In May, a bottle of The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 sold for £814,081, or $1.05 million USD, which was the world record at the time. At that same auction, a bottle of The Macallan Peter Blake 1926 sold for £751,703, or about $976,000 USD.“Its exceptional rarity and quality puts it in a league of its own, and the world’s most serious whisky collectors will wait patiently for many years for a bottle to come onto the market,” Bonhams Whisky specialist Martin Green said in a statement ahead of the auction.High net-worth investors have earned returns on investing in collectibles. Wealthy investors make so-called “passion investments” in things like fine wine, classic cars, musical instruments, rare books, jewelry, collectible stamps, gold, silver, gemstones, and other treasure assets.According to a recent report from Credit Suisse, ultra high net worth individuals on average have about 6% of their assets in these collectibles. And it turns out collectibles such as art, wine, and musical instruments have outperformed more traditional assets like cash and government bonds. The authors of the Credit Suisse report looked at collectibles with 118 years of data.Of the collectibles that had 118 years of data, the report found that wine was the best performer, with an inflation-adjusted price appreciation of 3.7% per year. Next we have something referred to as "aquatic cocaine" whose real name is totoaba, a fish on the verge of extinction because the Chinese are nuts about its swim bladder! Jonathan Garcia Pereda snapped a photo, the contraband glowing white in his smartphone. Mexican federal police had stopped a 28-year-old man from San Felipe at a checkpoint, discovering black plastic bags balled up in the tires. It appeared to be another familiar bust to the Mexican police, until they cut open the bags. Hong Kong bans the sale of totoaba, because it’s an endangered species. Perhaps the Hong Kong shop owner holding the picture was thinking of the law: Two weeks ago, he said he could sell totoaba. But on this second visit, he quoted the $100,000 price and urged us to shop elsewhere. At another store, a merchant pledged totoaba will help ease achy joints and soft tissues. The recommended way to ingest it? “Soup.” The only way to buy it? A lot of money. The Russian-made helicopter lifted off the ground of the Mexican naval base at San Felipe, a fishing village in Mexico’s Baja California. Aboard the helicopter were nearly a dozen sailors, some armed with semiautomatic rifles. The chopper made its way from dusty flatlands to the pristine blue waters of the Sea of Cortez. Just a few clicks north of San Felipe, the Colorado River meets the Gulf of California, where freshwater flows into the sea. It’s here, 5,019 square miles of the gulf, that is home to the totoaba’s nursery and spawning habitat. The Mexican military flies twice a day over this nursery, patrolling for poachers. Mexico’s government declared this area and 400 miles of coastline a protected habitat and off-limits to all fishing. But money is a more potent draw than the fear of arrest, with poachers making as much money from the bladders as they do from cocaine. That pound for pound profit is why observers dub the totoaba bladder “aquatic cocaine.” Shortly after taking off, the pilot spots a giant net in the protected coastline. It’s is an illegal totoaba net, hidden until poachers can drop the 2 kilometer-long net in the gulf to trap totoaba. Nine sailors, heaving and sweating, pull the heavy net aboard the chopper. The captain of the mission lifts a corner of the net. “The holes are 12 inches wide,” he said. “It’s used specifically to fish totoaba illegally. The head gets stuck, and it suffocates. It’s dangerous to the totoaba, but it’s also the main killer of the vaquita.” Regards, John Kettler Edited June 2, 2019 by John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 I checked this, and you can, too, on Amazon. There really is scented Duck tape! Regards, John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 Never saw this 2017 story, but it certainly reinforces the whole Nazis went to Argentina case.https://www.wlrn.org/post/photos-trove-nazi-artifacts-uncovered-argentina Regards, John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted June 11, 2019 Share Posted June 11, 2019 (edited) The gullibility of certain newspapers has reached ridiculous proportions: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7121013/North-Korean-leader-Kim-Jong-executes-general-throwing-piranha-filled-fish-tank.html https://metro.co.uk/2019/06/10/north-korean-general-executed-thrown-piranha-filled-fish-tank-9883652/ https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/kim-jong-un-executes-general-16486955 The latter even after having published this: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/kim-jong-uns-pop-star-16493183 Hook, line & sinker.....Kim must be laughing his head off! Stupidity truly knows no limits. Edited June 11, 2019 by Sgt.Squarehead 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted June 12, 2019 Share Posted June 12, 2019 (edited) Andy, Impressive stupidity, but I've got an even more spectacular example. You say you don't keep your cat inside at night?http://newfeed.us/they-tracked-their-cats-with-gps-and-what-they-found-out-was-amazing/ Regards, John Kettler Edited June 12, 2019 by John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted June 12, 2019 Share Posted June 12, 2019 NOT an appropriate gift for an arachnophobe. Also, if you see a woman sitting in this, perhaps a high speed exit is in order? Regards, John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted June 12, 2019 Share Posted June 12, 2019 This was a real surprise for me, since it depicts something archaeologists and forensic pathologists haven't known about all that long, but the bones don't lie. The location of the stab into an artery to finish a gladiatorial foe is shown nicely on this statue I've never seen before. Regards, John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted June 13, 2019 Share Posted June 13, 2019 This is without a doubt the most incredible miniature wargaming story I've ever read. The industry has reached heights my mind can scarcely imagine, still less accept. CM IS ecrack, but for gamers who play minis this is...https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jan/21/heroin-for-middle-class-nerds-how-warhammer-took-over-gaming-games-workshop?fbclid=IwAR1hTA4sH1VJYIeY-PNYnzhd-_QkXM4JYVPfxeyuidBeiTw7Qq0rDB8RmbM Regards, John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erwin Posted June 13, 2019 Share Posted June 13, 2019 On 6/12/2019 at 1:18 AM, John Kettler said: Andy, Impressive stupidity, but I've got an even more spectacular example. Regards,You say you don't keep your cat inside at night?http://newfeed.us/they-tracked-their-cats-with-gps-and-what-they-found-out-was-amazing/ John Kettler Yup. A silly attempt to blacken the cat's reputation regardless of color. The sample was tiny and in any case, more than half the cats didn't roam. So, the more accurate conclusion is that most cats do not roam, and NOT the alarmist interpretation that all cats are somehow dangerous to the environment because they all roam. And anyway what damage are they causing - it doesn't say. Maybe they are doing something useful like keeping down the rodent population. A wonderfully funny and silly example of ecology/green political correctness gone mad. "25 cats were originally outfitted with GPS trackers but only 14 continued to keep them on for the entire experiment. Some owners said that their cat would not move after being fitted with the tracker. If that was the case, they were quickly removed." 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erwin Posted June 13, 2019 Share Posted June 13, 2019 (edited) 46 minutes ago, John Kettler said: This is without a doubt the most incredible miniature wargaming story I've ever read. The industry has reached heights my mind can scarcely imagine, still less accept. CM IS ecrack, but for gamers who play minis this is...https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jan/21/heroin-for-middle-class-nerds-how-warhammer-took-over-gaming-games-workshop?fbclid=IwAR1hTA4sH1VJYIeY-PNYnzhd-_QkXM4JYVPfxeyuidBeiTw7Qq0rDB8RmbM Regards, John Kettler Another hilarious interpretation: "Warhammer 40k are ridiculous, over-the-top pastiches, created by people who were bored and angry under Margaret Thatcher, and channelled that rage into worlds where everyone is the villain, and hope has been extinguished for millennia." However it's a fun article and fascinating to read how a niche market has grown to be so mainstream and profitable. Perhaps there is hope for us hardcore wargamers and BF... Edited June 13, 2019 by Erwin 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted June 14, 2019 Share Posted June 14, 2019 This one is like something out of "Beavis & Butthead," but it's true, or was when the survey was taken, though slightly understated.https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-1-10-americans-html-std-study-finds-20140304-story.html Regards, John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 (edited) Celebrity connections to royalty (who knew so many had them?) are fascinating. Especially intrigued by the one who's a descendant of Vlad the Impaler AKA Dracula.https://www.ibtimes.co.in/photos/15-celebrities-you-didnt-know-are-royal-19262-slide-109063 Is this the ultimate specialty chocolate?https://www.ibtimes.co.in/innovative-agricultural-scientist-bihar-develops-chocolate-baby-goats-799367 Regards, John Kettler Edited June 15, 2019 by John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 (edited) When I was a boy, my father, who was an Electrical & Electronics Engineer, used to dismiss the non-hard science courses as "Basket Weaving & Canoe Tilting." Would've had a field day with this one, except it is actually considerably more demanding than the, er, soft courses mentioned. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/disneyland-fanatics-can-now-take-a-college-course-on-the-theme-park-005459199.html Regards, John Kettler Edited June 15, 2019 by John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted June 19, 2019 Share Posted June 19, 2019 Thank goodness he did this at night when few cars were about! Imagine what could've happened in daylight on a main road at rush hour or Polish equivalent in a major city. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7155793/Drunk-driver-49-faces-eight-years-prison-taking-Soviet-Cold-War-era-TANK-spin.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ico=taboola_feed Regards, John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 (edited) How about a gigantic Waterloo game using minis, say, 22,000? This event is under discussions with Guinness as the largest game ever played with miniatures.It's so huge it's on four gigantic game tables separated by aisles! Rules are Black Powder. Have no idea why, but the videos have minuscule views and some not even a single comment. Regards, John Kettler Edited June 20, 2019 by John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 (edited) Ground level doesn't properly convey how gargantuan the battle area really is, but this will. Daresay there's scarcely a military academy on the planet with a wargame table of such vast magnitude. The tables are long enough and wide to use as runways for RC aircraft models. What an amazing dad, and oh, the happy memories his daughter will have forever!https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7159339/Six-year-old-girl-shrieks-Im-flying-flies-model-dragon-father.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ico=taboola_feed This is both insane and stupid--a truly dangerous mix.https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7160787/Is-death-Venice-Colossal-cruise-ships-towering-St-Marks-Square.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ico=taboola_feed Regards, John Kettler Edited June 20, 2019 by John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 Here's what the map looks like as one piece. This far better conveys what a behemoth it is. Hope the insights from the book were factored in, for the standard canon penned by Siborne is demonstrably inaccurate as to certain high profile units, locations and accomplishments., but maybe the map isn't.https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/headline_650397_en.html?fbclid=IwAR1bVapkD3_jAfnZ8SCIwzH8O-u_XaGxXHjSscrqzdxQZ-BKbGfLxMrYNqI&utm_source=Warlord+Games+Newsletter&utm_campaign=ac0791b8c2-warlord_games_wednesday_news-12_06_2019&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b7e928b4ed-ac0791b8c2-132782593&mc_cid=ac0791b8c2&mc_eid=23292e9105https://www.amazon.com/Waterloo-Perspectives-Great-Battle-Reappraised/dp/0471052256/ref=sr_1_56?keywords=waterloo&qid=1561062893&s=books&sr=1-56 Regards, John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Jack Ripper Posted June 23, 2019 Share Posted June 23, 2019 On 6/20/2019 at 1:16 AM, John Kettler said: When I was a kid, I wanted a room like that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danfrodo Posted June 23, 2019 Share Posted June 23, 2019 anyone remember the Waterloo movie from ~1970? I saw it at drive in as little kid, only barely remembered when I watched decades later. Now I see it's really hard to find on streaming and the blu ray is rare & expensive. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Emrys Posted June 23, 2019 Share Posted June 23, 2019 1 hour ago, danfrodo said: anyone remember the Waterloo movie from ~1970? I saw it at drive in as little kid, only barely remembered when I watched decades later. Now I see it's really hard to find on streaming and the blu ray is rare & expensive. A week or two ago I put it at the top of my queue at Netflix. I watched it in a theater in '70 and then again several years ago on DVD. Now I feel like it is time to give it another look. At the time it was made, it was pretty consistent with the accepted version of events, but I think more recent research—including battlefield archeology—demands a little fine tuning. Still a gripping tale, I expect. Michael 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danfrodo Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 cool Michael, sounds like I might need to re-subscribe to old school DVD netflix for a little while 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 Guys, Waterloo (1970) is on YT, but it's blurry on a 4K screen, so you may need to tweak your display res. On a wildly different note, I found a cute pet video which is also weird, funny and is a living science lesson. Regards, John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOS:96B2P Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 22 hours ago, General Jack Ripper said: When I was a kid, I wanted a room like that. +1 Me too. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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