John Kettler

Have never seen a more elaborate Rube Goldberg type device, if that's the right word, than this. Regards, John Kettler

This is a brilliant case of misdirection, especially following all the 50 Shades mania. Regards, John Kettler

All you bibliophiles, brace yourselves. The Mark Twain Library in Detroit was closed in 1996 for renovations and never reopened. Sure hope something's been done since! ! Regards, John Kettler

General Jack Ripper, Wonderful theme. Jennifer Connelly was so gorgeous I practically swooned. Thoroughly enjoyed watching her and the movie. Thanks! Regards, John Kettler

Lots of great stuff here, embracing everything from STEM to weird behavior by pets. Don't eat the pasta! Regards, John Kettler

When I had woodworking class in junior high I built a rabbit trap. Dull, dull, dull. There are far more interesting things to make, such as these, but I hope there's durable flooring where ever the recipient lives. Regards, John Kettler

Am pretty sure this is a real tattoo, especially after seeing a bunch of pics of women with SLRN (Slave Registry Number) bar codes (fully informed consensual slave relationship) tattooed in the same location or less conspicuously, higher up at the hairline. Regards, John Kettler

Memorable, effective advertising through positive association and strong emotions. If only the people who run the distillery had the wit to do so. Of course, it would give a certain societal segment absolute apoplexy. Some simply aren't suited for fatherhood. Regards, John Kettler

Artist Alain Bousquet did this clever riff on the famous Hokusai woodcut. But the real fun and science are here, in a series of demonstrations showing exactly why when someone's been stabbed or impaled, you do NOT extract the knife/arrow/bolt, fence rail, etc, without trained medical personnel, preferably in a trauma unit. https://www.tumbex.com/dexer-von-dexer.tumblr/post/169710834654/stem-stims-physics-more-pencil-tricks If this person is your ride or die SO, then you'll be fine. Suggest you don't EVER cheat! Regards, John Kettler

Thanks to brother George, who clued me in about a YT channel called Battlefield Explorer, I have this treasure trove of a video to share with you. It's a tour of the fabulous Overloon Museum in The Netherlands. One of the remarkable things about it is it houses AFVs and other weapons destroyed there in that two week-long battle during WW II. But this museum goes way beyond the usual, because it has a huge collection of WW II US soft-skins, plus lots of Allied artillery, some German artillery and both the armored and the unarmored Dragon Wagon tank retriever. My family has a direct connection with the armored version, which was used to transport "Patton's navy" AKA the USN's Boat Two, which used LCMs to rock soup Patton's Third Army across river after river. Uncle George was a Motorman Machinist's Mate 3rd Class on an "M" boat. Regards, John Kettler

Sublime, That's great news for you and your son. What a huge relief it must be! Regards, John Kettler

This is important, people. Who knows why, but without looking it up? EVen if you don't know, it sure is a pretty pic. Regards, John Kettler

They call it a "slide" for a reason. NO playground equipment engineer could reasonably have anticipated such extreme loads. If she didn't take frag and splinter damage from this sublime idiocy, she should count herself fortunate. Regards, John Kettler

If she can do this already, imagine how strong she'll be at, say, 18. https://memes-ma-mania.tumblr.com/video_file/t:U5nY1VcyBItP89PU11m4IQ/178973966298/tumblr_pgh6jqkb3B1xds887/480 Then, we have this doughty young woman. Had no idea this was possible at all. Bravo! Regards, John Kettler

I maintain this is an SF ghillie suit in a world where lasers are used as weapons. Gigi Hadid's outfit is a model of rationality, though, compared to this astounding getup Michael Urie is, er, wearing. If this is fashion, then I want none of it! Regards, John Kettler

This is a Grade One Miracle for the family involved. There have been numerous cases where the police busted in the wrong door, the homeowner tried to defend (in one instance, while in the tub), only to be shot and severely wounded or killed by the police, who were not charged or, in many cases, even dealt with administratively. Here, the shoe was on the other foot, and rightly so. https://thefreethoughtproject.com/charges-dropped-against-couple-who-shot-deputy-after-da-rules-it-was-self-defense/ Regards, John Kettler

Andy, May I take it you do this sport? If so, hat's off to you! On an altogether different note, this is really unusual and absolutely delights me. https://www.boredpanda.com/street-art-utrecht-apartment-building-transformed-into-bookcase-jan-is-de-man/ Regards, John Kettler

Andy, LIked the two somewhat scary (ok terrifying in the land case) kite boarding videos and found this much longer one for the gentleman rocketing across the ocean. The hydrofoil board rocks! Regards, John Kettler

Erwin, But look what you get with a cooperative school bus driver! WE never had such great field trips. Nor did this ever happen. Perhaps I should've gotten mentored? Regards, John Kettler

Regards, John Kettler

Regards, John Kettler

Not content with just the ocean, this shark has taken to the air. Words fail. A strong argument for living in a temperate region. Regards, John Kettler

Andy, Shall have to watch those later, but the speed numbers alone were enough to boggle my mind immediately. While looking for copies of the sadly defunct Game Fix, each of which had a complete game in addition to the articles and reviews, I found an altogether different type of game fix. Short of physical harm and bodies dropping, this story could easily be a bestselling crime novel and a hit movie. It's a story of greed, extortion, extreme opportunism, the Mob, gross ethics violations, enormous corruption, but covering, intimidation, drugs, sophisticated trend analysis, book suppression, fears for personal safety, the real crimes unpunished, huge lies to to the government and public alike by the still denying it NBA, connections to the high and mighty, criminal genius, sound tradecraft, failed OPSEC, a city subculture that produces NBA referees and also bookies and bettors. He went to prison for betting on games he officiated, but on several occasions then top tier NBA ref Tim Donaghy not only admitted to various people that he fixed games but explained how he did it. My primary interaction with sports writing is when I go the a doctor or dentist office and find Sports Illustrated in the waiting room. Got there unexpectedly here, but am I glad I did! http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25980368/how-former-ref-tim-donaghy-conspired-fix-nba-games Regards, John Kettler

Andy, Never heard of it. (not surprising for someone whose last model finished was the Tamia 1/35th scale SU-100 which I built in high school), but you made me curious... Glad I looked into it, for the stunning header pic alone was worth the trip. Back then, using artist pastels was cutting edge. Also, don't know whether the app still exists, but something called Monzo allowed you to build plastic models in virtual space. http://alamosquadron.com/Newsletters/2015/Alamo Squadron Oct 2015.pdf Regards, John Kettler

This warms my heart, makes me smile and also feel a bit sad. Regardless, that someone his age would do this verges on incredible. Believe the oldest jumper I can recall was ~80. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/13/d-day-veteran-harry-read-94-parachute-into-normandy-75th-anniversary?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard&fbclid=IwAR3YrOoC66K5MhHG_1ShJbZEeqZMkvr_BxLWou4s0-4PP-oEKQgx73sgIKU There will be 30+ C-47s re-enacting the airborne drops. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/28/parachutists-to-fill-skies-over-normandy-on-75th-anniversary-of-d-day Regards, John Kettler