Web
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Water Business
I thought some translator was having fun when I saw a reference to “JR East Water Business Company” on this photo of a vending machine employing a facial recognition system. As it turns out, it was somebody in a higher position having fun with katakana English: (Many Japanese literally translate mizushobai — hostess bars, kyabakura [cabaret clubs], sunakku [err, snacks], etc. — as “water business.” Japanerds seem to prefer the term “water trade.” Of course, there’s no reason to break down this particular word and the Japanese that do it usually do it to show that they know some English…)
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Power, Fame, or Winning?
I thought the Guardian really had something with their Charlie Sheen v Muammar Gaddafi quiz, but NY Mag did them one better with It’s Time to Play ‘Sheen, Beck, or Qaddafi?’ Yo should go check those out, but remember, these resentments, they are the rocket fuel that lives in the tip of my sabre! // On a more serious tip, if you haven’t had a good cry in a while, go read this: The Someone You’re Not
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Wolverine or Two Bat Men + The Defaced Bard of Avon
These two pics made my day:
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Spicy Maple Links of Destruction 2/11/11
Offered mostly without comment because I’m still chewing on them: The last Japanese man remaining in Kazakhstan A Kafkian tale of the plight of a Japanese POW in the Soviet Union An Evening with J. D. Salinger Of course he’s crazy, that’s why his best works ring so true. Educating B Students My question is: Where have all the A students gone? The New Atheists’ Narrow Worldview If it weren’t for the crazy shit based in monkey-ass superstition, religion wouldn’t be half as entertaining… And in that regard, I think of animistic religions as more honest than others. And finally: Alternate Universe Movie Posters So cool.
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Legion, the chat transcript
Adam: yo what up Adam: that’s cool, I like chatting to myself anyway me: hey you there? Adam: they killed the black guy! me: ? Adam: and he had a prosthetic hand… bastards! Legion it’s a really good movie! such an intricate plot me: oh Adam: and great acting me: you should see spartacus the series pretty cool Adam: what up man me: not much just finished my only class for today Adam: nice me: i was sitting under the trees outside drinking coffee Adam: gonna go do something fun? me: um soon got a pal who’s cousin has an m4 Adam: lol me: we’re going to go to the…
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Readability
I’ve really tried to keep the design of this site pleasing and simple over most of its incarnations. It bugs me when I visit sites that have interesting content overlaid with shitty design and ads, so I’ve been using the Readability javascript for a long time (it currently exists as a Chrome plug-in). Simply stated, it simplifies pages, strips out extraneous crap, and makes them easier to read. Readability has now launched as a subscription service, starting at $5 a month. I would pay for it if I browsed on my mobile more often, but $60 a month is a bit too much for me… I like the idea a…
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much lulz
Golden Globes Awards 2011 – Ricky Gervais Opening Monologue Never thought I’d willingly watch any part of that show.
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FM tribute
My second-favorite moron of the week is the commenter on the clip above who called Annie Lennox a “Gaga wannabe.” Holy crap, kids today!
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Self-taught
Seen on a popular teaching web forum: “…at least I got a descent education in my country!” This was, of course, some western douche trying to insult a Thai posting in English.
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Wikileaks / Cablegate deconstructed
Bruce Sterling does it best: The Blast Shack
