Snow crystals
With rain and winter here, I stumbled upon a fascinating site about snow crystals. In fact, not only fascinating but beautiful. It also reveals the bond between snow and frost.
This site has been created by a guy who is passionate about the physics of snow crystals.
Did you know that no two snow flakes are alike?
Do you know how snow forms? Is it water drops falling from the sky? No – it is water vapour in the clouds jumping straight to a frozen state and forming on suspended dust particles.
The way these particles bond leads to infinite combinations of shapes.
Frost is also covered on this site. It is the same and snow, except it happens near the ground and forms on windows, plants and other solid surfaces.
The gallery is stunning. Some look like jewellery, some look like cotton reels – incredible.
Why does snow look white, and sometimes bluish? All about partially reflected light – just like salt and sugar.
Koopa
How well do you know your modern art? Ever heard of Koopa?
To many of us, modern art remains a bit of a mystery. So much so that sometimes it’s difficult to tell whether a work is extremely complex or overly simplistic. A topic that many people take seriously, perhaps too seriously. In the midst of this debate, enter Koopa, the turtle with a penchant for painting.
Heralded as the world’s only collected turtle artist, Koopa has not only raised some eyebrows aesthetically, he’s also a reptile on a mission. Along with his human assistant Kira, Koopa aimed to be the first turtle to have his original artwork hang in all 50 states.
Browse the online gallery, and you’ll see why every state in the USA has hopped on board. Koopa also has a heart, splitting the proceeds from his sales with turtle rescue groups. So come on, put on a goofy smile, and go watch a master at work. Who knows, you may fool some of your high art friends with your new Koopa.
Actually very good.
Canvas is primed with a background colour, then sanded.
Then paints are loaded on and Koopa walks all over canvas without being coerced.
There’s video of it happening as well and plenty of shots of artwork. Also a link to the eBay store where paintings are listed for 800, 1200, etc.
Do not call register
You can list your Australian fixed line and mobile numbers on the Do Not Call Register, provided the numbers are used primarily for private or domestic purposes.
This includes home and mobile numbers. You get an email which you have to click on to activate.
Under the Do Not Call Register Act 2006, telemarketers can check their calling lists against the Do Not Call Register. If a telemarketer calls a number on the Do Not Call Register, they may be in breach of the Act, and may face penalties.
You will still get calls from “exempt” organisations like charities, religious organisations and registered political parties. You can also still receive calls from market researchers.
It will take up to 30 days for individual telemarketing agencies to recognise your registration, and stop calling to your number.
You lodge complaints online.
Learn to Yodel
You no longer need to climb the Alps to learn how to yodel. You can take classes and earn a Certificate of Yodelology right in your home. I am told that Yodeling is one of the easiest way to meet new friends.
Hodl-oh-ooh-dee
Norm the yodeller has created this site and says everyone smiles when there is yodelling about.
Coyle and Sharpe
Street Pranksters of the ’60s
Jim Coyle and Mel Sharpe roved the streets of San Francisco in the early 60’s looking to “terrorize” people in the interest of humor. Their surreal encounters were captured on tape and then broadcast on their nightly radio show “On the Loose.”
“To look at them, you’d think them two well-educated, well-read, well-spoken, audacious young men. They are. They are also two young men who’ve rejected a conventional way of life in order to tape absurd, impromptu conversations with the innocent passer-by on a hidden tape recorder. Or, to put it another way (their way), ‘We’re just Renaissance Men who like to bug people.'” The site includes MP3’s, Videos, and visitor’s gallery.
My favourites are asking a man if they can burn his grocery bag, and asking women for their opinion about a child rental agency where you can rent children for a weekend.