All readers and viewers beware, this video is beyond trippy and will make you nauseous. On Swordfish 2010 some crazy individuals got one strange idea to fasten a GoPro Hero camera on the tip of the sword with duck-tape and do some swings to see how it looked.



They started slow just to see if the camera was holding together, then stepped it up to speeds enough to make your eyes roll back into your head.

Have you ever wanted to drive through a puddle drenching every person at a bus stop or waiting to cross the street? Watch two kids wipe out while tubing? Who wouldn't want to watch that!

This video is the epitome of fails that are just plain hilarious and down right horrible. Although we'd never admit we would attempt to do any of these amazing feats, we can't help but smile when someone actually goes through with something we've always wanted to do.

 Pee Eww! What's that smell? Believe it or not, these cow dung creations were created by Enrique Ramos of Mexico City, and Enrique will paint on almost anything.

Ramos has been supplying Ripley's with unique and bizarre art pieces for over ten years now. His latest creation, these Cow Dung paintings, are appropriately titled "Cow-A-Dung-A".

I wonder what Jennifer Lopez and Brad Pitt would think about these lovely representations? Why pick such beautiful people to place upon such a sordid material. Or should I say soiled?

With my trusty Rolling Stone magazine in hand and a list of songs that rocked the past, I came up to the microphone. In a dark dampened garage is where I found myself most comfortable with some cats and dogs for an audience and player for karaoke my father had purchased for me several years back. Isn’t it funny how some of our most hidden talents will never be shared with the world? We sit all day watching stars light up the silver screen and singing their soulful songs on a stage that we were meant to perform on.

What does this all mean you ask? A new year is upon us and contemplation sets in when you actually have the time to let it. What would have been if I did this instead? What could I have been if I chose I different path? Even my friends remind me, “Remember when we were going to sign you up for Star search?” They figured I spent so much time singing to my karaoke songs that I was good enough to make it big. Maybe I was. I wasn’t the typical karaoke star, but when I moved here to Florida close to 11 years ago, there was a karaoke party in my honor.It's funny how I still remember moments such as this, but I suppose this is the fun in growing up.

With the assistance of my wonderful and dear friend Mary Gunderson of 1149 productions, I was able to compile some video clips and photography of my trip to the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Although Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is hundreds of miles from the ocean, the scenic beauty and the abundance of water all around make the town of Gatlinburg a “natural” location for a world-class aquarium, America’s most fun aquarium.

The song lyrics have never been truer.  Oh You better watch out,  You better not cry,  You better not pout, I'm telling you why.  Yet it isn’t Santa Claus that you have to watch out for – it is his sinister sidekick – Krampus. He has a whip – and he is going to use it.

Santa Claus Secret Weapon via Kuriositas

Contribution by Stevie Kirby

When it comes to non-animated Christmas specials, narrowing the field down is difficult to do but given a choice, my favorite of all time would be 'Rudolph The Rednosed Reindeer'. This was one of the first Christmas shows to appear on television from http://www.bestchoicetv.com/. In 1948 Rudolph was a very short program lasting probably about 15 minutes. The story came from a poem written by one of the May Company Department Store executives, Robert May. Johnny Marks composed the music which was catapulted to the 'eternal music hall of fame' when it was recorded by Gene Autry who was one of the first cowboys appearing in shows popularly known as 'Westerns'.

Rudolph The Rednosed Reindeer is not only enjoyable to watch but it has so many lessons in life within it. My favorite place is 'The Island of Misfit Toys' where we meet characters like Hermey, one of Santa's elves who really wants to be a dentist. Another favorite resident of this island is 'Charlie', a jack-in-the-box who considers himself a misfit because his name is not Jack. Another favorite character is Abominable Snowman whom all the other characters think is evil until Hermey, the misfit dentist, learns his secret power and by working on his teeth, disarms him. The main lesson to be learned is that there are no misfits in life because everybody is special.

Believe It Or Not, this odd looking specimen took close to 45 seconds to actually decide to put on a show. He shunned the feeder the first time, and without hesitation the second, grabbed his snack to give the kiddies a trill. Do you have any idea what type of fish this is? Let me know in comments.

A few weeks ago I was studying the Berawan funerary practices and how western culture viewed them as odd. Instead of honoring a loved one's past by holding onto the body for months, we tend to take a more immediate approach. Of course, as many of you know, the costs of funerals can be very expensive. It's something we don't want to face, and sometimes, we don't have the means to face it at all. This is why many people, including my closest of kin, have death insurance.

I guess I never realized how imperative it is to have a plan, especially if you have children. When I was in Tennessee with Kelly and his parents who are both AARP members,we discussed the various insurance they had.

Kelly's father had a stroke several years back, but his health is swiftly deteriorating. Burial insurance was something he never, and could not, even think about. It was in Kelly's mom's hands, albeit it was a saddening fact of live, it will surely assist her greatly when the time comes.

Now don't be dismayed or confused, as burial insurance is just another synonym for many other life insurance policies, such as death, funeral and final expense insurance. They all cover the final costs you'll incur. You can inquire about rates online by filling out a simple form.Start living your life today without worry.

The penguins of Ripley's Aquarium were more than entertaining. At one point, there was one close to the glass making very small corrections in his body language. A model penguin? Who knew!

The article written by Victor Flowers

Growing up in the frigid north where snow was more of a nuisance than a blessing means that it can be easy to forget just how magical a white landscape can be. Now, living in an area that may be lucky to see only a few flakes of snow a year I have come to appreciate any snowfall we receive.

My friends and I have made it a tradition to take time away from whatever we are doing as soon as those grey clouds start billowing forth the snow. We are not there for snowball fights or snow angels, we all get together for the very competitive snowman contest. Huge snowmen are erected year after year, everyone trying to make theirs the most imaginative or funny. Carrot noses and coal eyes are just the beginning for these mad creations.

After we have finished and the yearly winner is declared, we all head inside for some warm drinks and satellite television from www.direct.tv/. While my childhood memories of snow may be shoveling driveways and trudging to school in freezing temperatures, those memories have been replaced with friends, fun games, and warm living rooms.

If you haven't noticed, ok I'm sure you have, the posts died down a bit. I didn't want to leave you with a post that stated I wouldn't be posting this week due to the fact I'd be the Smokey Mountains in Gatlinburg Tennessee freezing my tail off. Yes, this Florida girl bundled up in three layers to brave the harsh weather of the mountains.



The Ripley Aquarium was one of my first stops and I'll be bringing you endless footage and photos from my trip. Stick around!

Hey, do you know what kind of crap this is? Tell me in the comments section? Where do them come from?

I remember growing up, I found myself in an open field in Ohio quite often, checking out the stars with telescopes I had received for Christmas. I started with a starwatcher refractor telescope which was user friendly and it taught me basic astronomy concepts and how to explore our solar system.

I would urge any parent looking for a creative gift for their child to start with one of these. There are several brands available. I happened to own a Jason telescope and a Barska Starwatcher 500mmx600mm. They were the perfect size, easy to handle and use, and I was able to see whatever I wanted to see with a little help from the directions book.

These days I haven't had much time to enjoy the sky, but I still have my telescopes in storage just in case an opportunity comes along to catch something impressive. Well, staying in the Smokey Mountains this year is a good enough reason to check out the horizon from a different perspective.

I also picked up some super cool Colorado series binoculars from OpticsPlanet for under $25.00 to view the mountains from my deck.  I can't help but think these will be perfect when the 8-16 inches of snow arrive in the mountains like predicted.

Twelve hours and counting and I'll be on my way with a Siberian Husky in the cab of the truck and about five layers of clothing on. It's going to be 26 degrees tonight in Florida. What do you expect? *smile*

Animals have always had a special place in my heart, especially cats. Growing up I always longed for a puppy and never really considered kittens, as my mom was allergic. It wasn't until a kitten fell into my hands from a broken home, when I was old enough to keep it, that I fell in love with its hilarious feline personality.

This particular video was provided by a nonprofit activist organization educating the public about adoptions. Why is the video so close to my heart? My friends from 1149productions provided the heartfelt music and Landon Walker, a gifted photographer I've featured on Ancient Digger, snapped the shots of these adorable critters.

For more information check out Whatcom Voice Of The Animals

After losing their father to the war in Afghanistan this family made an appearance on the 'Today Show' for what turned into a gift giving event. Our gift is the amazing dancing that the boy shows us.

This boy evidently has been watching the Numa Numa guy too many times on Youtube.I can't help but feel sorry for him and also horrified that he doesn't realize his father is never coming home.

 
Someones in the toilet with Granny. Someone's in the toilet I knoooooow. lol

Dispatcher: What's going on there ma'am?
Caller: I have some kind of animal in the toilet in my bathroom.
Dispatcher: Like, what's it look like?
Caller: Well, it's gray. That's all I can tell you. I didn't look real good because it scared me to death. I'm sorry.
Dispatcher: But it's not like one of your animals, like a cat or something?
Caller: No. My cat is in my office behaving herself.

Story compliments of Notes on Living

Well, three days and my warm Florida feet will land swiftly in the mountain snow of the Smokies in Tennessee. This entire month I was thinking I was quite prepared with my Nuptse Boots and fleece gloves and hat, but low and behold here comes the snow storm of the Midwest. I guess I never think about inclimate weather anymore living in the Sunshine State. I haven't owned a winter jacket in so long I had to buy one. Funny thing is, this will be the only time I wear it, but it still has to be super warm and versatile. There's nothing I hate more than being constricted in a jacket when you have five layers of clothing on, not to mention the heat warmer in my Shawty pants. *smile*

I'm becoming a bit apprehensive about driving up the mountain, which I'm sure many of you actually live in the mountains so I'm in need of some of your advice. I have a Dodge Ram 1500, but it doesn't have snow tires and I've never driven a truck in the snow. I've driven a car in Ohio during the snow when I lived there, but I know a truck handles completely different. I have to go up a very steep incline to the cabin, which I chose because it was closest to the top and secluded. Hey, what was I thinking? I'm gonna need that parka in the back of truck, one minute I'm reaching out the back window to the tote. Ok, back.

So, any advice from you winter experts about traveling up the Snowy Smokies? Three days left and I'll be in natures hands. HELP!

Dai Haifei, a 24-year-old architect in Beijing, China, found an ingenious solution to live rent-free. He built himself a mobile egg-shaped house that is powered by the sun.The 6-foot-high structure, which is small enough to fit on a sidewalk, is made of bamboo strips, wood chippings, sack bags, and grass seed that’s expected to grow in the spring.

I know what most of you are thinking. Where does he cook? Shower? Go to the bathroom? Store his personal items? This little piece of organic architecture may seem green in every aspect, but is it practical?

Adam Neate is the world's best British street artist as well as a conceptual genius, taking everyday, ordinary objects and transforming them into a piece of art.

Adam Neate initially gave his work away to friends and left paintings outside charity shops as donations. When he realized the charity shops binned these offerings rather than selling them, he started leaving them in the street instead for any discerning passer-by to take. Over a 5-year period he left thousands of works all over London

Anna Bang via Voltcafe

A bird once thought extinct and then found only in two breeding sites in Japan has turned up on U.S. soil.

Nests of the endangered Short-tailed Albatross have been discovered on two tiny islands in the northwestern Hawaiian islands. Previously the birds were only known to nest on Torishima and Senkaku islands in Japan.

Read about the Albatross discovery at USA.today

Eddie Izzard cracks up an audience with his own rendition of Stonehenge's evolution. As archaeologists, we tend to get a bit over analytical about these types of mysterious sites. Well, it's time for Eddie to have a go!

STONEHENGE....the biggest henge in the world. Before that there was Woodhenge and Strawhenge. What the heck is a henge anyway? Watch Eddie Izzard explain.

What a dreadful video, as I watched the Clelia II cruise ship bob up and down in waves in Antarctica  measuring close to 3 stories high. Every summer, travelers make way through the waters of Antarctica, yet in the past few years, the surf has become increasingly volatile.

Jon Bowmaster, an Antarctica adventurer, describes what the trip is like for the passengers aboard saying "it's like hitting a three story building head first, over and over." What has caused this sudden change in weather? Could ist be global warming rearing its ugly head?

Edward S. Curtis, a professional photographer in Seattle, devoted his life to documenting what he perceived to be a vanishing race. His monumental work The North American Indian was published between 1907 and 1930 and contained over 2000 photogravures in its volumes and portfolios.

It's been documented that Curtis received $75,000 to create a portfolio of photography for JP Morgan. He then repayed them with 25 sets and 500 original prints.

This was to be a job for Curtis, but it turned into an ethnographic research study. He recorded tribal lore and history, and he described traditional foods, housing, garments, recreation, ceremonies, and funeral customs. He wrote biographical sketches of tribal leaders, and his material, in most cases, is the only recorded history.

 To many anthropologists, Curtis is a manipulator of history. Why? He was seen as portraying Native Americans in a more westernized state. However, at the time, many Native Americans had actively embraced the new western culture, while others were living in horrible conditions.

 On the other hand, it's been rumored Curtis paid natives to pose as warriors at a time when they lived with little dignity, rights, and freedoms. It is therefore suggested that he altered and manipulated his pictures to create an ethnographic simulation of Native tribes untouched by Western society.

From my standpoint, I can't help but wonder, why manipulate a culture distinct on it's own? Why create an atmosphere of perfection when imperfection makes photography more lifelike.

© The copyright is in the public domain

Via Behance