Here's some awesome artwork! ;o)

Here's some awesome artwork! ;o) -

Eruption of Wolf Volcano, Galapagos Islands

Eruption of Wolf Volcano, Galapagos Islands -  

Spirals in the D Ring

Spirals in the D Ring -  

This is why we can't have nice things! Personal integrity and self-discipline are 24-7 responsibilities. They are like virginity. You cannot expect other people to believe you have integrity if you have integrity 70% of the time and fake or completely disregard it the other 30% of the time because people will never know which 'mode' you're in - so you get nothing. It's a losing proposition. Like virginity, either you are or you aren't. You will never meet a 70% virgin. It is not going to happen...just like people are never going to trust those who are fake 30% of the time. Wise words to remember... (y) And, in case you don't think it's that important, this idiocy and failure has already spread well into the medical field. I give you exhibit A: (This is a damned shame!)

This is why we can't have nice things! Personal integrity and self-discipline are 24-7 responsibilities. They are like virginity. You cannot expect other people to believe you have integrity if you have integrity 70% of the time and fake or completely disregard it the other 30% of the time because people will never know which 'mode' you're in - so you get nothing. It's a losing proposition. Like virginity, either you are or you aren't. You will never meet a 70% virgin. It is not going to happen...just like people are never going to trust those who are fake 30% of the time. Wise words to remember... (y) And, in case you don't think it's that important, this idiocy and failure has already spread well into the medical field. I give you exhibit A: (This is a damned shame!) - A Va. man won a defamation and malpractice suit after recording audio of his colonoscopy.

-

Watching Meteors From the Space Station

Watching Meteors From the Space Station -  

Pure awesomeness! Here's something my surfing and artist friends will certainly like... (y)

Pure awesomeness! Here's something my surfing and artist friends will certainly like... (y) - These HD pictures of ocean waves are perfection personified. Take a look!

Fair warning...for those who want to act like subhumans and troll online. If you get treated like an idiot, it is not someone else's fault or they who have the problem, it is you. It isn't a game, it's a character flaw (to say the least). For those who are still in doubt (and are literate), here's something that might interest you... Don't be that guy (or girl)... (y)

Fair warning...for those who want to act like subhumans and troll online. If you get treated like an idiot, it is not someone else's fault or they who have the problem, it is you. It isn't a game, it's a character flaw (to say the least). For those who are still in doubt (and are literate), here's something that might interest you... Don't be that guy (or girl)... (y) - Trolls will lie, exaggerate, and offend to get a response.

There's a reason I used to really enjoy MadTV and why I really enjoy comedians like Orlando Jones. That was because they knew the right way to deal with racism, just like George Carlin knew how to deal with serious issue - he lampooned them or presented them in a humorous light. Carlin was equal-opportunity so, although he may have said some things that were offensive to some, he did not play favorites. As far as MadTV, they never debased whites and often used self-depreciating humor to deal with racism, which I think is a whole lot better than the tragic lameness, harassment, bigotry, hate crimes and murder that we see so often, these days. Maybe people should stop trying to be offensive to one another and return to the times when we could laugh at ourselves, instead of laughing at and mocking others. ...and the world would be a much better place. ...just my 2 cents. (y)

There's a reason I used to really enjoy MadTV and why I really enjoy comedians like Orlando Jones. That was because they knew the right way to deal with racism, just like George Carlin knew how to deal with serious issue - he lampooned them or presented them in a humorous light. Carlin was equal-opportunity so, although he may have said some things that were offensive to some, he did not play favorites. As far as MadTV, they never debased whites and often used self-depreciating humor to deal with racism, which I think is a whole lot better than the tragic lameness, harassment, bigotry, hate crimes and murder that we see so often, these days. Maybe people should stop trying to be offensive to one another and return to the times when we could laugh at ourselves, instead of laughing at and mocking others. ...and the world would be a much better place. ...just my 2 cents. (y) - The struggle is real. ____________________________________________________________________ For the latest info visit www.orlandojones.com or stalk me on ▼Ins...

Here's one of the funniest guys on the planet and, imho, very underrated... He's had me laughing since 'Make 7-Up Yours'... (LoL!) Now, I've seen all his movies and follow his career closely. Glad to see he got a great gig with 'Sleepy Hollow'. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm looking forward to it! Here's a link to his YouTube channel. If you want a lot of serious laughs, you might want to check out the channel and subscribe... (y)

Here's one of the funniest guys on the planet and, imho, very underrated... He's had me laughing since 'Make 7-Up Yours'... (LoL!) Now, I've seen all his movies and follow his career closely. Glad to see he got a great gig with 'Sleepy Hollow'. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm looking forward to it! Here's a link to his YouTube channel. If you want a lot of serious laughs, you might want to check out the channel and subscribe... (y) - Not the little boy from Everybody Hates Chris. Not Solange Knowles. Not Orlando Bloom. Not the black Jeff Goldblum. Not Isaiah Washington. Not Mos Def. For t...

Solar Dynamics Observatory Sees M7.9-Class Solar Flare

Solar Dynamics Observatory Sees M7.9-Class Solar Flare -  

I'm bailing out of here fast. Anyone got a sofa I can sleep on? This place is going to Hell in a hand basket... I pity anyone who is investing here, right now. They will lose it all. I have no time to make plans...I guess I'll just have to figure something out.

I'm bailing out of here fast. Anyone got a sofa I can sleep on? This place is going to Hell in a hand basket... I pity anyone who is investing here, right now. They will lose it all. I have no time to make plans...I guess I'll just have to figure something out. - Chinese diners are known for their ability to eat just about anything, judging from a custom seizure earlier this month apparently even 40-year-old meat.

I'm bailing out of here fast. Anyone got a sofa I can sleep on? No time to make plans...

I'm bailing out of here fast. Anyone got a sofa I can sleep on? No time to make plans... - Chinese diners are known for their ability to eat just about anything, judging from a custom seizure earlier this month apparently even 40-year-old meat.

Lights of An Aurora From the International Space Station

Lights of An Aurora From the International Space Station -  

Consider this a public service announcement: https://www.minds.com/ (A much wiser alternative!) Hope to see you all there! ;)

Consider this a public service announcement: https://www.minds.com/ (A much wiser alternative!) Hope to see you all there! ;) - A new social network has been launched, vowing more transparency, security, and privacy than Facebook and other social media giants. Backed by the hacktivist group Anonymous, it will encrypt all messages, shielding data from governments and advertisers.

Flying Over An Aurora

Flying Over An Aurora -  

This is for all the clueless, ethnocentric people who keep asking me if people eat dogs here... First of all, it's primarily a Vietnamese/Korean thing. Second, if you lived in a country with so many people, do you think you might consider alternative food sources when the regular ones were scarce or unavailable...or your food supply was unhealthy? Also, people should realize that the entire world evolving. When people are in the same nation or near developed nations, they usually develop along with them, but China has been isolationist for 4960 of it's 5,000 years of history. The majority know little or nothing about the world outside China...partly because they have no resources and partly because they are intentionally denied. But they are evolving too and, just like in the US, pets are becoming taboo to eat, but it is a slow road to changing these countries with 20x more history than our own. So just remember the next time you go to criticize someone... They are not you, they are not in the same state of evolution, they have not had the opportunity, security, freedom or legal protection you have had and, in many cases, have no functioning legal system at all. But they will evolve... You might want to exercise some patience and maybe even offer to help them evolve, instead of criticizing and vilifying them for things they may not even know is wrong yet. Before people point the finger at others, they should be very well aware of that person's situation and, when you criticize people but don't talk to them, you're in no position to do so. Let's work for peace and unity...instead of being divisive, rude and bigoted. There is no positive outcome in that, whatsoever. (y)

This is for all the clueless, ethnocentric people who keep asking me if people eat dogs here... First of all, it's primarily a Vietnamese/Korean thing. Second, if you lived in a country with so many people, do you think you might consider alternative food sources when the regular ones were scarce or unavailable...or your food supply was unhealthy? Also, people should realize that the entire world evolving. When people are in the same nation or near developed nations, they usually develop along with them, but China has been isolationist for 4960 of it's 5,000 years of history. The majority know little or nothing about the world outside China...partly because they have no resources and partly because they are intentionally denied. But they are evolving too and, just like in the US, pets are becoming taboo to eat, but it is a slow road to changing these countries with 20x more history than our own. So just remember the next time you go to criticize someone... They are not you, they are not in the same state of evolution, they have not had the opportunity, security, freedom or legal protection you have had and, in many cases, have no functioning legal system at all. But they will evolve... You might want to exercise some patience and maybe even offer to help them evolve, instead of criticizing and vilifying them for things they may not even know is wrong yet. Before people point the finger at others, they should be very well aware of that person's situation and, when you criticize people but don't talk to them, you're in no position to do so. Let's work for peace and unity...instead of being divisive, rude and bigoted. There is no positive outcome in that, whatsoever. (y) - A retired school teacher and animal advocate saved the lives of 100 dogs on Saturday after she paid about $1,100 to save them from an annual dog meat festival in the southern Chinese city of Yulin.

From The Wall Street Journal: (SmH) What do you expect the greedy, money grubbing minions of political and capitalist corruption to say? Then again, look at the rest of the rivals. It's a pretty piss-poor choice of selection. She wouldn't have to do much to win but, if she does, it is not going to be pretty. If you want to know why, read my comment below...

From The Wall Street Journal: (SmH) What do you expect the greedy, money grubbing minions of political and capitalist corruption to say? Then again, look at the rest of the rivals. It's a pretty piss-poor choice of selection. She wouldn't have to do much to win but, if she does, it is not going to be pretty. If you want to know why, read my comment below... - Hillary Clinton has emerged from the rocky launch of her second presidential bid with a firm grip on Democratic voters and leads over three potential Republican rivals, a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll finds.

Awesome Humans in action... (y)

Awesome Humans in action... (y) - Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson today visited music charity Nordoff Robbins’ London centre to celebrate Music Therapy Week.

I definitely agree, Jon de la Luz - a picture is worth a thousand words...but this one's easily worth a few thousand more. (y) Thanks for sharing!

I definitely agree, Jon de la Luz - a picture is worth a thousand words...but this one's easily worth a few thousand more. (y) Thanks for sharing! - The AP maintains the image was "not intended to portray Sen. Cruz in a negative light"

Another great article for entrepreneurs who are using social media. (y)

Another great article for entrepreneurs who are using social media. (y) - Gone are the days when marketing professionals question the value of their company having a presence on social networks. Regardless of if the company is B2B, B2C, or any combination of the two – their customers are on social because EVERYONE is on social.

And this is also a great read... (y)

And this is also a great read... (y) - Recent encounters we've had with issues of race, identity and moral responsibility are precisely the kind that benefit from the careful analysis of contemporary philosophers, says Tania Lombrozo.

Funny stuff! (...just not for the cat!) :P (y) "Stowaways come in all shapes and sizes. French pilot Romain Jantot did his pre-flight checklist, but did not specifically scan for flying cats before he took a woman for a ride in his ultralight plane in Kourou, French Guiana. The cat was well hidden, but apparently woke up during the flight and slowly approached the pilot to ask something like, “What the hell is going on?” (Que se passe-t-il? Mettez-moi en bas à droite en ce moment! Es-tu fou?)"

Funny stuff! (...just not for the cat!) :P (y) "Stowaways come in all shapes and sizes. French pilot Romain Jantot did his pre-flight checklist, but did not specifically scan for flying cats before he took a woman for a ride in his ultralight plane in Kourou, French Guiana. The cat was well hidden, but apparently woke up during the flight and slowly approached the pilot to ask something like, “What the hell is going on?” (Que se passe-t-il? Mettez-moi en bas à droite en ce moment! Es-tu fou?)" - Un baptême de routine, jusqu'à ce que...de l'importance de regarder dans les ailes avant chaque vol. Pour info le chat va très bien, il continue avec applica...

Dawn Survey Orbit Image 11

Dawn Survey Orbit Image 11 -  

This is for all the foreigners who can't seem to let the 'dog eating' questions go about China - either because they can't comprehend anyone having a good reason to do that, despite the fact that many of us eat meat every day, yet, not many people are complaining about chickens, cows, pigs or others, know nothing about the world outside their neighborhoods, can't imagine what it would be like living in a country with 5x as many people that is the same size as the US but in which nearly everyone lives on the Eastern side, can't understand that all things are in a state of evolution...even nations...and that China is not the US - or anywhere near it or those who simply cannot avoid being trolls). Besides, it's more of a Vietnamese or Korean thing than a Chinese one. At any rate, here is your current history lesson... ;) (y)

This is for all the foreigners who can't seem to let the 'dog eating' questions go about China - either because they can't comprehend anyone having a good reason to do that, despite the fact that many of us eat meat every day, yet, not many people are complaining about chickens, cows, pigs or others, know nothing about the world outside their neighborhoods, can't imagine what it would be like living in a country with 5x as many people that is the same size as the US but in which nearly everyone lives on the Eastern side, can't understand that all things are in a state of evolution...even nations...and that China is not the US - or anywhere near it or those who simply cannot avoid being trolls). Besides, it's more of a Vietnamese or Korean thing than a Chinese one. At any rate, here is your current history lesson... ;) (y) - Boss Ning has been running a dog meat restaurant in this southern Chinese city since 1981 and she says business is thriving.Her customers can feast on crispy dog or dog hot pot, as well as lamb, duck and other meats.Dog is particularly popular in the region during the sweltering heat of summer and e…

Appropriate at the time... Enjoy! :) Pearl Jam - "Do The Evolution" Woo.. I'm ahead, I'm a man I'm the first mammal to wear pants, yeah I'm at peace with my lust I can kill 'cause in God I trust, yeah It's evolution, baby I'm at piece, I'm the man Buying stocks on the day of the crash On the loose, I'm a truck All the rolling hills, I'll flatten 'em out, yeah It's herd behavior, uh huh It's evolution, baby Admire me, admire my home Admire my son, he's my clone Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah This land is mine, this land is free I'll do what I want but irresponsibly It's evolution, baby I'm a thief, I'm a liar There's my church, I sing in the choir: (hallelujah, hallelujah) Admire me, admire my home Admire my son, admire my clones 'Cause we know, appetite for a nightly feast Those ignorant Indians got nothin' on me Nothin', why? Because... it's evolution, baby! I am ahead, I am advanced I am the first mammal to make plans, yeah I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher 2010, watch it go to fire It's evolution, baby Do the evolution Come on, come on, come on

Appropriate at the time... Enjoy! :) Pearl Jam - "Do The Evolution" Woo.. I'm ahead, I'm a man I'm the first mammal to wear pants, yeah I'm at peace with my lust I can kill 'cause in God I trust, yeah It's evolution, baby I'm at piece, I'm the man Buying stocks on the day of the crash On the loose, I'm a truck All the rolling hills, I'll flatten 'em out, yeah It's herd behavior, uh huh It's evolution, baby Admire me, admire my home Admire my son, he's my clone Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah This land is mine, this land is free I'll do what I want but irresponsibly It's evolution, baby I'm a thief, I'm a liar There's my church, I sing in the choir: (hallelujah, hallelujah) Admire me, admire my home Admire my son, admire my clones 'Cause we know, appetite for a nightly feast Those ignorant Indians got nothin' on me Nothin', why? Because... it's evolution, baby! I am ahead, I am advanced I am the first mammal to make plans, yeah I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher 2010, watch it go to fire It's evolution, baby Do the evolution Come on, come on, come on - This is "Pearl Jam - do the evolution" by nextplus on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

- Answer: Not going to touch this one...

Here's something that folks might find interesting. A lot of folks have some info on this subject, but many may not have current info, since the program has changed several times over the years. Have a look... :)

Here's something that folks might find interesting. A lot of folks have some info on this subject, but many may not have current info, since the program has changed several times over the years. Have a look... :) - You know astronaut ice cream? That hard, crumbly freeze-dried mystery sweet in the guise of a Neapolitan? Astronauts don't actually eat it. So what are our space explorers actually eating? It's surprisingly quite tasty.

Night-Shining Clouds

Night-Shining Clouds -  

Through the Clouds

Through the Clouds -  

Facebook's Nostradamus impression... :P (y)

Facebook's Nostradamus impression... :P (y) - Free, open the app and turn the wheel of life!

SOFIA at Sunset

SOFIA at Sunset -  

Here's a great article I think will appeal to a large group of people (anyone who drives, basically). It deals with the ethics/production/development of self-driving cars. You might want to check it out. I often wonder (but also shake my head, unfortunately) at how fast technology develops in relation to how slow litigation (law) is developed to keep us safe with - or from - it. I think this is a decent example of that situation...and something we should all think about!

Here's a great article I think will appeal to a large group of people (anyone who drives, basically). It deals with the ethics/production/development of self-driving cars. You might want to check it out. I often wonder (but also shake my head, unfortunately) at how fast technology develops in relation to how slow litigation (law) is developed to keep us safe with - or from - it. I think this is a decent example of that situation...and something we should all think about! - The computer brains inside autonomous vehicles will be fast enough to make life-or-death decisions. But should they? A bioethicist weighs in on a thorny problem of the dawning robot age.

Tropical Storm Bill From the International Space Station

Tropical Storm Bill From the International Space Station -  

Stars and Stripes From the International Space Station

Stars and Stripes From the International Space Station -  

Pure awesomeness... The power of art to evoke meaning!

Pure awesomeness... The power of art to evoke meaning! - Italian artist Gehard Demetz (42) was originally trained as a wood carver creating traditional religious sculptures. Soon he started creating sculptures that were anything but traditional. He mostly creates unsettling sculptures featuring children. Demetz uses a rough and sketchy style of carvin...

In the modern world, it seems there are a few different approaches to 'checking the axis powers' and building alliances, however, most of those seem to be designed to enrich the lives of those who are commercially responsible (like arms dealers) for brinkmanship, war, widespread death, devastation and motivation (on the war side) and profiteering, corruption, bribery and favoritism at the expense of those truly in need of help (on the allied side)...including generating profit for the aforementioned, heartless, soulless pro-death/pro-war (at any cost) members of various military industrial complexes worldwide...and do little but guarantee further aggression. These are not the ways to peace and happiness. Those are never the result of war. If one is searching for the route to peace and happiness, they will find it through the persistent focus on learning and through intellectual collaboration. They will certainly not find it by turning a blind eye to widespread death in the interest of personal financial gain. These people have no right to even call themselves human. That said, I believe the people below are going about this the right way and will, no doubt, have far more to do with a positive outcome for the future of all people than the ones above who are doing nothing beneficial at all except lining their pockets and playing deadly games with the lives of those who rely on them the most for knowledge and intellectual collaboration. These humans should be ashamed of themselves...and those who see education as a stepping stone to a career, at which time they can stop learning - you've already been replaced by the ones who came after you because their knowledge is more current. If you want to be competitive, you must evolve. If you want to be relevant, you must keep studying. If you want to show your appreciation to more people than simply the ones who gave birth to you - like those who taught you, clothed you, transported you, employed you, etc...then you do owe society - like it or not. Anyone who believes otherwise is in dire need of further education...and anyone who falls short of their social responsibilities neither has the right to complain about society nor should they have any expectation of bettering themselves within it. This is exactly where the human race got off track. We should have been stressing cooperation rather than competition and unity or inter-dependency rather than independence, but we did not...and this is what we're left with. The only question is - can we do better? There is o question we should - especially when there will be little or no peaceful or happy future for the human race until we do. Something to think about... [PEACE - You're doing it right!]

In the modern world, it seems there are a few different approaches to 'checking the axis powers' and building alliances, however, most of those seem to be designed to enrich the lives of those who are commercially responsible (like arms dealers) for brinkmanship, war, widespread death, devastation and motivation (on the war side) and profiteering, corruption, bribery and favoritism at the expense of those truly in need of help (on the allied side)...including generating profit for the aforementioned, heartless, soulless pro-death/pro-war (at any cost) members of various military industrial complexes worldwide...and do little but guarantee further aggression. These are not the ways to peace and happiness. Those are never the result of war. If one is searching for the route to peace and happiness, they will find it through the persistent focus on learning and through intellectual collaboration. They will certainly not find it by turning a blind eye to widespread death in the interest of personal financial gain. These people have no right to even call themselves human. That said, I believe the people below are going about this the right way and will, no doubt, have far more to do with a positive outcome for the future of all people than the ones above who are doing nothing beneficial at all except lining their pockets and playing deadly games with the lives of those who rely on them the most for knowledge and intellectual collaboration. These humans should be ashamed of themselves...and those who see education as a stepping stone to a career, at which time they can stop learning - you've already been replaced by the ones who came after you because their knowledge is more current. If you want to be competitive, you must evolve. If you want to be relevant, you must keep studying. If you want to show your appreciation to more people than simply the ones who gave birth to you - like those who taught you, clothed you, transported you, employed you, etc...then you do owe society - like it or not. Anyone who believes otherwise is in dire need of further education...and anyone who falls short of their social responsibilities neither has the right to complain about society nor should they have any expectation of bettering themselves within it. This is exactly where the human race got off track. We should have been stressing cooperation rather than competition and unity or inter-dependency rather than independence, but we did not...and this is what we're left with. The only question is - can we do better? There is o question we should - especially when there will be little or no peaceful or happy future for the human race until we do. Something to think about... [PEACE - You're doing it right!] - An experimental philosophy course this spring not only linked the great philosophers of Western and Eastern cultures, but crossed a 12½ hour time difference to join Duke students and faculty with thos

More good stuff... :)

More good stuff... :) - “What do you do for a crust?” is usually one of the more predictable questions you’ll be asked at a social gathering. It’s classic small talk – we define ourselves, and others, by what we sell our labour…

Very interesting read... (But watch that fine line!) (y)

Very interesting read... (But watch that fine line!) (y) - A new study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience has discovered a genetic link between mental illness and creativity. The research was conducted by scientists from deCODE genetics and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College, located in London, UK. (so…

Anecdotal evidence for the brilliant - and plenty of excuses for their counterparts (the majority). Life is balance, hehe... ;) (y)

Anecdotal evidence for the brilliant - and plenty of excuses for their counterparts (the majority). Life is balance, hehe... ;) (y) - TIMEWHEEL is an artistic collective, audiovisual studio and blog.

Dave Grohl: Nicest Guy in Rock It doesn't get any more 'Rock & Roll' than this... (y)

Dave Grohl: Nicest Guy in Rock It doesn't get any more 'Rock & Roll' than this... (y) - The Foo Fighters frontman calmly rushed to the hospital after breaking his leg during a concert in Gothenburg.

Hubble Meeting the Neighbors

Hubble Meeting the Neighbors -  

Expedition 43 Soyuz Landing

Expedition 43 Soyuz Landing -  

- It's a sad day for genre fandom today. We lost a legend. #RIPChristopherLee #YouWillBeMissed

Lonely Galaxy Lost in Space

Lonely Galaxy Lost in Space -  

Tethys the Target

Tethys the Target -  

Samantha Cristoforetti Prepares For the Journey Home

Samantha Cristoforetti Prepares For the Journey Home -  

Fresh Crater Near Sirenum Fossae Region of Mars

Fresh Crater Near Sirenum Fossae Region of Mars -  

June 4, 1965, Earth Observations From Gemini IV

June 4, 1965, Earth Observations From Gemini IV -  

Considering the educational, legal, financial, economic and many other things that so many Chinese people are relatively uninformed about and who regularly listen to the advice of their government, despite never trusting them and constantly doubting them, It is not at all difficult to realize that people such as the ones lacking such critical information are the reason for the instability there - or why investing in the Chinese market is asinine. Are they the only ones who are ignorant? I think not...but I know it is dangerous to trust your personal assets in the hands of those not properly prepared to do so.

Considering the educational, legal, financial, economic and many other things that so many Chinese people are relatively uninformed about and who regularly listen to the advice of their government, despite never trusting them and constantly doubting them, It is not at all difficult to realize that people such as the ones lacking such critical information are the reason for the instability there - or why investing in the Chinese market is asinine. Are they the only ones who are ignorant? I think not...but I know it is dangerous to trust your personal assets in the hands of those not properly prepared to do so. - "It's a little bit of a bait and switch."