Via
Friday, August 28, 2009
Can a Bag of Water Keep Flies Away?
I've heard rumors that if you hang up a clear bag of water, it will repel flies. It sounded like a bunch of crap to me. But in digging a little deeper, I have heard a lot of people swear up and down it's true. Then I came across this article at HowStuffWorks.com:
The water bag method of fly repellant has many supporters, from restaurant owners to backyard grill-masters. Many success stories ranging from the mild to the miraculous litter the Internet.
So how does the method drive flies away? Some insist the flies perceive the clear liquid as the surface of a body of water. Others claim the insect flies away at the sight of its own magnified reflection. But the most popular reasoning that pops up among entomologists and patent-filing entrepreneurs is simple light refraction.
Refraction takes place when a clear or opaque object, such as a piece of glass or a bag of water, alters the course and velocity of light. The rays of light, which normally travel in a straight line, bend. This effect is responsible for a number of optical illusions, such as mirages, that occasionally baffle humans as well. For more information on refraction, read How Light Works.
In theory, refraction can be just as confusing for some species of insect, especially the housefly. It boasts a highly sensitive array of eyes which allow it to see in multiple directions at once.
The insect's head mostly consists of a pair of large complex eyes, each of which is composed of 3,000 to 6,000 simple eyes. These eyes can't move or focus on objects like human eyes, but they provide the fly with a mosaic view of the world around them. Each simple eye provides one small piece of the puzzle, much like the way a screen's pixel delivers one detail of the larger picture.
A housefly bases its sense of direction on the direction sunlight comes from. Some entomologists believe that when these complex, sensitive eyes experience refracted light, the insect becomes confused and flies away.
While some supporters claim water bags keep all kinds of flying insects away, most report success with complex-eyed insects, like houseflies.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Like Now That's Nifty? Then Follow Us!
If you like Now That's Nifty, then follow us with Google Friend Connect. It's easy, just click here, and sign up. That way, you won't forget about us, and everyone will know how cool you are.
People of Walmart
I've thought about doing something like this, but People of Walmart beat me to it. There are so many interesing people that shop at Walmart, it's about time someone documented them.
Stairs that are More Cool than You
Stairs are usually just utilitarian, built to get the job done. But sometimes they are works of art.
I don't know why we have stairs at all, when we could just use slides. Oh, right, we need them to go up.
These stairs are fan-say.
Another view.
Bookshelf stairs.
I would be paranoid every time I used these stairs.
Hollow wooden boxes, those look sturdy.
That couch doesn't look comfortable, at all.
These look like they are broken. I also think I would break something, coming down these stairs in the middle of the night.
Cool glass and metal stairs.
Yep, it's a tree trunk. This is where the Keebler Elves live.
An inside view of the stairs.
These would just confuse me.
You could almost argue this is a ladder, but the angle makes it a set of stairs.
These are pretty cool. It's like a stack of coins.
Nifty multicolored stairs.
How cool are these stairs? Pointless? Yes. But cool, oh yes.
These space saving stairs fold away when not in use.
These ones might be my favorite. Crazy.
I don't know why we have stairs at all, when we could just use slides. Oh, right, we need them to go up.
These stairs are fan-say.
Another view.
Bookshelf stairs.
I would be paranoid every time I used these stairs.
Hollow wooden boxes, those look sturdy.
That couch doesn't look comfortable, at all.
These look like they are broken. I also think I would break something, coming down these stairs in the middle of the night.
Cool glass and metal stairs.
Yep, it's a tree trunk. This is where the Keebler Elves live.
An inside view of the stairs.
These would just confuse me.
You could almost argue this is a ladder, but the angle makes it a set of stairs.
These are pretty cool. It's like a stack of coins.
Nifty multicolored stairs.
How cool are these stairs? Pointless? Yes. But cool, oh yes.
These space saving stairs fold away when not in use.
These ones might be my favorite. Crazy.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Double Roll Pizza From Pizza Hut Japan
And people call Americans unhealthy...
Pizza Hut Japan’s exclusive Double Roll pie is 646 calories per slice, with little bacon wrapped sausages littered across the crust, and mini hamburger patties on top of the mushrooms, soy beans, corn, paprika, garlic chips, green peppers, and pepperoni. As for cheese, it has mozzarella, cheddar and parmigiana. BTW, this comes with ketchup and maple syrup for extra flavor, and is recommended for kids.
Via
Pizza Hut Japan’s exclusive Double Roll pie is 646 calories per slice, with little bacon wrapped sausages littered across the crust, and mini hamburger patties on top of the mushrooms, soy beans, corn, paprika, garlic chips, green peppers, and pepperoni. As for cheese, it has mozzarella, cheddar and parmigiana. BTW, this comes with ketchup and maple syrup for extra flavor, and is recommended for kids.Via
Albino Kangaroo and a Beef Fail
I went to the county fair a few weeks ago, to get some fried food, and enjoy time with the country folk. Anywho, I came across some fun stuff, and snapped a couple of pictures with my phone.
As I was cruisin' the cows, I cam across this sign. "Species: Beff." FAIL
They also had a little exhibit of Australian wildlife. I thought this albino kangaroo was awesome.
As I was cruisin' the cows, I cam across this sign. "Species: Beff." FAIL
They also had a little exhibit of Australian wildlife. I thought this albino kangaroo was awesome.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Child Mullets Part Two - The Chullet
What is the worst haircut you could have as a child? What is the one haircut that would guarantee teasing and mocking, if you didn't live in Canada's hockey country, or the backwoods of the Appalachians? A mullet. Here is part two of child mullets, also know as chullets. Part one can be found here.
Ah, the 90's chullet. Notice the neon pink shirt. Do you remember those t-shirts that would change color, when you blew hot air on them?
Oh my. Nice call with the boy scout look-alike shirt. At least you have that sweet chullet going for ya.
No THAT is a handsome family. Daddy has a mullet, and baby boy has a chullet. Is it just me, or does the Dad's smile look like he just farted, and is smiling in self satisfaction.
Oh my, but that is a large mouth. This little chullet number wasn't uncommon in the 80's, but is a rare site these days.
Ah, a chullet at a baseball game with dad.
Another view of the same baseball chullet.
Uh, this is certainly a unique breed of chullet, one I have never encountered. It's like he has a beard on the back of his head. We'll call it a "chullet-bullet."
This kid is so cool, we had to conceal his identity.
A racing fan chullet.
Ah, three chullet brothers. What makes this picture even more outstanding? Two words, bolo ties.
He is gonna be a heart-breaker.
Hello young chullet, nice bike shorts.
A chullet on a stroll through the park, with his mommy.
A chullet bordering on a rat tail.
Oh my but that is a full, fluffy chullet.
Chullets are often mischievous.
A farmer, ginger chullet.
Ah, the 90's chullet. Notice the neon pink shirt. Do you remember those t-shirts that would change color, when you blew hot air on them?
Oh my. Nice call with the boy scout look-alike shirt. At least you have that sweet chullet going for ya.
No THAT is a handsome family. Daddy has a mullet, and baby boy has a chullet. Is it just me, or does the Dad's smile look like he just farted, and is smiling in self satisfaction.
Oh my, but that is a large mouth. This little chullet number wasn't uncommon in the 80's, but is a rare site these days.
Ah, a chullet at a baseball game with dad.
Another view of the same baseball chullet.
Uh, this is certainly a unique breed of chullet, one I have never encountered. It's like he has a beard on the back of his head. We'll call it a "chullet-bullet."
This kid is so cool, we had to conceal his identity.
A racing fan chullet.
Ah, three chullet brothers. What makes this picture even more outstanding? Two words, bolo ties.
He is gonna be a heart-breaker.
Hello young chullet, nice bike shorts.
A chullet on a stroll through the park, with his mommy.
A chullet bordering on a rat tail.
Oh my but that is a full, fluffy chullet.
Chullets are often mischievous.
A farmer, ginger chullet.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Movie Review: Inglorious Basterds
I saw Quentin Tarantino's new movie, Inglorious Basterds a couple of nights ago. I went with the anticipation that it would be nothing but killin' Nazi's, and there certainly was lots of that, but there was also a very engaging, deep story. There are a few story lines going on, that all come together in various ways, at the end. There is the story of the SS Officer, Col. Hans Landa, played by Christoph Waltz, who hunts down elusive Jews, and later leads security for high ranking German officals. There is the story of Shosanna Dreyfus, who's family is killed by the Nazi's, comes to own a movie theater, and desperately wants revenge. The story of the German war hero, Fredrick Zoller, who falls in love with Shosanna Dreyfus. The story of the inglorious basterds themselves, led by Lt. Aldo Raine, played by Brad Pitt. As well as several other story lines.
The movie really had me on the edge of my seat, in anticipation, as to how things would turn out, what twist was next, etc. I got really involved, and pulled into the story. The acting was superb. Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz specifically were fantastic. Brad Pitt played the part of a driven comander, from Kentucky, hell bent on killing any Nazi he comes across. He had a cool accent and dimeaner that he managed to keep intact throughout the movie, no matter the situation. There was one scene in particular where he is pretending to know Italian, that is hilarious. Christoph Waltz plays the Jew hunting SS officer, and is really, really good. He comes across as a very observant, slightly psychopathic, yet very intelligent man.
Of course there are the classic Tarantino elements, like the unique soundtrack, the 70's type freeze frame shots of certain characters, the writing little notes on the movie screen, etc. I'd have to say, this is up there with Pulp Fiction in my book, and I highly recomend it.
My Score:
9/10
For more info:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361748/
The movie really had me on the edge of my seat, in anticipation, as to how things would turn out, what twist was next, etc. I got really involved, and pulled into the story. The acting was superb. Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz specifically were fantastic. Brad Pitt played the part of a driven comander, from Kentucky, hell bent on killing any Nazi he comes across. He had a cool accent and dimeaner that he managed to keep intact throughout the movie, no matter the situation. There was one scene in particular where he is pretending to know Italian, that is hilarious. Christoph Waltz plays the Jew hunting SS officer, and is really, really good. He comes across as a very observant, slightly psychopathic, yet very intelligent man.
Of course there are the classic Tarantino elements, like the unique soundtrack, the 70's type freeze frame shots of certain characters, the writing little notes on the movie screen, etc. I'd have to say, this is up there with Pulp Fiction in my book, and I highly recomend it.
My Score:
9/10
For more info:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361748/
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Styrofoam Cup Art by Boey
Please note that all photos are Copyright 2009 by Boey and may not be used without permission. I think these are pretty dang neat. You have heard of people sketching on napkins, so why not cups? Makes sense to me. I wonder if there is anyone out there that sketches on coffee filters...
More photos can be found here, at Boey's flikr page.
So how does he do it?
More photos can be found here, at Boey's flikr page.
So how does he do it?
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