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Friday, October 24, 2008

The Solar Furnace



Link
Scroll down for today's pictures & links.

The Solar Furnace

A piece of steel being melted by the Sun - and episode from James May's "Big Ideas":



url

The power of the Solar Furnace was discussed as far back as 1931, as in this article from Modern Mechanics:


(image credit: ModernMechanix)

Today's pictures & links:

Abarth Cisitalia 207, 1955

"A Boano Spider" version, more images here.


(image credit: hotwheels)

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Big Hole

The Big Hole is an open-pit mine in Kimberley, South Africa. It's the second largest hole excavated by hand. The largest is an abandoned Jagersfontein mine.


(image credit: Rudolph Botha)

Almost 500 meters wide, excavated to a depth of 240 meters...

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War Cart

An image from (quite controversial) document: "How to Hack the Boston Subway"


via

Consider it an urban art, not a real thing. Leave Boston subway alone.

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Strong Wind?


(original unknown)

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The Best and Worst Historic Places

The annual survey "Historic Places Rated" by National Geographic Traveler magazine is combined with the info from the NatGeo Center for Sustainable Destinations (evaluating destinations based on how well these places take care of their natural and cultural resources). Among the top such places that you should check out:

Wachau/Melk Abbey, Austria and Ghent, Belgium:


(photos by Sisse Brimberg and Cottoln Coulson/Keenpress and Joe Patronite/NGS)

The worst historic place? Central City, Colorado - The 19th-century mining boomtown had lost its character and culture "amid the noise of slot machines."


(photo by Rex A. Stucky/NGS)

See the whole Historic Destinations list here.

------------

Mixed fresh links for today:

Truly unimaginable times for auto industry - [crisis]
One of the best graffiti collections in months - [urban art]
Architectural Optical Illusions and Distortions - [weird]
Periodic Table of Elements (Artistic Version) - [cool art]
Tiny Biology-based Computers - [wow tech]
Interactive Touch Sensitive Mirror - [gadgets]
How many of them were in this van? - [fun video]
These bears want to get your attention - [fun video]
When Robot Programmers Get Bored - [wow video]
A community for financial news, ideas, and tips - [promotion]

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Yet another scary clown

This is in the same vein as all these Cold War-inspired creepy images of people in the gas masks - see our series Part 1, 2 and 3.



Art by Maleonn, see more here

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Wondering about computer technology that brought us to the Moon?

Here is an example - the first e-book reader!


Image via

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Cute Accessories

Rings - by Kim Venezia and Michael Arad of Shibuichi Studios:



Variations on USB theme: - via




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Great Vintage Gadgets

Portable radio with LP player:


(image credit: Al Q)

Very stylish TV: Dianne Daniggelis (Miss Illinois of 1955) displays the new concept of portable televisions - Zenith:


(photo by Bettmann/CORBIS, via)

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Star Wars Fire Hydrant


(photo sent in by Alex Dreher, Teneriffe)

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Neat Convertible Buses

Made by the "Icarus Company", Hungary:





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Smile! or... I have a tool for you



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So, you were saying?


(original unknown)

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St. Petersburg Ski Tours:



When the romantic promise "I'll do anything for you" achieves a whole new meaning.

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COMMENTS:

9 Comments:

Anonymous Carlos Portugal said...

About the Solar Furnace, the first one in the Modern Age was set operating in Lisbon, Portugal, in that distant year of 1904. The inventor was a jesuit priest, Father Manuel Gomes Himalaya and the demonstration was in the presence of the King of Portugal. The invention, called «Pyrheliophero» (literally «solar fire furnace») was later presented in the United States, at the Universal Exibition of St. Louis in 1904. There, it received the Grand Prix.

The enourmous machine was capable of fusing steel and stone at a staggering 3500ºC.

After the Exibition, it was destroyed in a misterious warehouse fire, still in St. Louis.

Returning to Portugal, Father Himalaya received support from the King, but short afterwards - in 1908 - the King and his Heir were assassinated and everithing went down the drain with the following (1910) republican revolution.

___  
Blogger Skipweasel said...

The artistic Periodic Table...

While it’s a fun idea and some of the artwork is very good, it really does show the difference between (the bulk of) artists and scientists.
Take, for example, the text that goes with caesium.

[caesium]…can be produced solely by nuclear reactions.

Not true, it’s a naturally occuring element, though there’s noticeable amounts of radioactive caesium in the environment that /has/ come from man made nuclear sources.

[caesium]…is strong enough to etch glass, flesh and bone.

No, its hydroxide is.

…it is one of the most biologically hazardous components of radioactive waste and nuclear fallout,

No, it’s not as readily absorbed as many other radiopollutants.

Really, I despair of the standard of scientific education that leads to someone being unable to glean even basic information about something without reading some sentences out of context and getting the wrong end of the stick.

___  
Blogger Skipweasel said...

Lavoisier used a solar furnace in the 1770s to burn a diamond so he could prove it was made of carbon.

___  
Anonymous Carlos Portugal said...

Quite right, Skipweasle. But I mentioned the priest's furnace because it was the first to produce temperatures in excess of 3000ºC, which are similar, although far superior to those produced by the modern contraption depicted in the movie.

Lavoisier's furnace was unable to produce temperatures higher than 1800ºC - which is remarkable in 1770 - and was a relatively small furnace, compared to the gigantic Pyrheliophoro, capable of melting a huge block of basalt.

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Regarding the picture of the bent propeller ...

It is an actual photo. Most cameras with a slit shutter or a two curtain shutter as in SLR cameras will show this effect.

The exposure of the photo begins at the top and the shutter moves down in the shape of a small horizontal slit whose width is dependent on the exposure time. The propeller turns during this time. Therefore the propeller will look bent, because the blades will move and change position during the exposure of each fractional part of the whole image.

___  
Blogger Avi Abrams said...

Great info on solar furnace, and this "bent propeller" bit was unexpected... Thank you.

___  
Anonymous Guy King said...

Solar furnaces have been around long before the 1930s - in the 1770s
Lavoisier used one to burn a diamond to prove it was made of carbon.

Link

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

@skipweasel:
I despair of (sic) the English writing skills of people who post comments on blogs…

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Vá lá!...Dêem um desconto a quem não tem o inglês como sendo a sua língua nativa. Ou acham preferível todos nós começarmos a escrever posts em 'estrangeiro'?

___  

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  • That is a "Letournea company artic transport from the 50's
    Read more

  • The last one is LeTourneau LCC-1.
    Read more

  • The last truck is the truck that the wheels for Bigfoot V were removed from.
    Read more

  • Really great stuff, but where are those giant tow trucks that out trick these.
    Read more

  • http://warisboring.com/?p=434

    “The Overland Train Mark II was delivered in 1962 and immediatly declared obsolete”
    Read more

  • Someone should tell those japs that they have no sense of taste!
    Read more

  • Or rather I'd say it's to have so much lighting in one place and not go blind :p
    Read more

  • The last two pics are of the so-called "Snow Train", built to transport equipment to arctic radar stations.
    Read more

  • This guy's website is amazing!
    Read more

  • too bad international harvester went out of business.
    Read more

  • @Gilipollas

    You should be informed that "jap" is a derogatory and racist term stemming from World War II.
    Read more

  • I love it! An american, waxing lyrical over a garish truck, suggests that the "japs" (SIC) have no taste! c'mon !?!? :)
    Read more

  • Gilipollas said...

    "Someone should tell those japs that they have no sense of taste!"

    They have taste idiot, it just doesn't match yours. Just because someone likes different things than you do doesn't mean you are right and they are wrong.

    Using the term "jap" indicates that you have no class. Me thinks your opinion of yourself is a little too high.
    Read more

  • the Japanese trucks are just plain stupid. why in the HELL would any person want to drive a truck that has THAT much chrome all over it, when all it would do is TOTALLY distract the driver from driving? the other ones are really nice and classy, however.
    Read more

  • Amazing truck photo collection.
    I like the trailer truck best,
    because of all the wood and
    feel of home.

    thanks from tony
    Read more

  • @Anonymous: American taste is weird as well... Why the hell anyone needs 5L or 6L engine in a family car? It doesn't make sense...
    Read more

  • funny how the first "anonymous" that wanted to trash galipollas for using the term "jap" automatically labelled him an American, Because to him, obviously all Americans are bad in one way or another...too bad the guy writing the original comment was from Spain. Ever hear of a little thing called "the pot calling the kettle black"?
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  • Loved the "Death & Taxes" poster!
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  • The ice bullets are on pre-order
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  • Great pictures.
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  • the stacked cups are available on perpetualkid.com
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  • What was Sebastian Bourdais doing in a Subaru Rally car in Australia when he's driving for Torro Rosso about a week before the race in Brazil? Are you sure you have the driver's name right?
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  • This is what Gazzetta says
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  • Great pictures.
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  • The cooling tower being demolished appears to be that of the Trojan Nuclear plant in Portland, Oregon which was recently dynamited.
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  • Actually, I'd love one of those Hitler dolls. As a target, on my BB gun shooting range...
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  • Oh my God! where did you found these pictures. They are really creepy. I like them.
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  • Wow, I like those mini nukes.
    Read more

  • Uncanny valley for that fake baby.

    I once walked by a remote abandoned house, and in the bushes, in the rain, was a collection of naked dolls like those first pictures up here, missing eyes, limbs, heads... Creepiest thing I ever saw.
    Read more

  • Oh lord, that "baby laugh-a-lot" ad is pure evil. Is it for real?
    Read more

  • Don't know why, but I've always been creeped out by dolls.

    I put together a slide show of your pics with some music (hope you don't mind). I added a few other creepy dolls I found on the web.

    http://heylookhear.com/Image/creepy
    Read more

  • There is a small island in mexico City where the ownwer tried to protect himself from evil ghosts with creepy dolls.
    Have a look:
    http://nimraithkar.blogspot.com/2005/06/un-lugar-de-misterio-dentro-de-un.html

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mexad/2148018278/
    Read more

  • My godfather-in-law outfits his Kentucky home with an astounding display of macabre baby doll folk art.

    That link just gives a glimpse. You can Google the guy for more - but you really have to visit the property to get the full impression.
    Read more

  • How wonderfully horrifying
    Read more

  • I'm glad you touched upon those realistic "Reborn" dolls -- the whole psychology behind those things is fucked up.
    Read more

  • Hey! You've got one of my dolls pictured here (the toothy baby). I make lots of scary dolls and display them at halloween. You can see some here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lagrotesquerie/sets/72157606203236996/
    Read more

  • Karenw - credit is added, we will feature your work more in Part 2, with more info from these comments. Thank you!
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  • DRB is great, I love weird stuff like that,Keep it up :o)

    Here are a couple more "Alien" and "Clone" sci-fi art babies to add to the collection...

    A clone: http://www.marty.com.au/sci-fi-gallery/art-sculpture/3-clone-alone.html

    and a Womb with a view: http://www.marty.com.au/sci-fi-gallery/art-sculpture/6-womb.html

    (Found on mArty Gallery)
    Read more

  • Hey, I read with interest the discussion of our beloved art of reborning (the creation of reborn babies, reborn dolls, fake babies or whatever you want to call them!) and just want to point out that the ladies taking part are very normal, gifted and talented individuals. A forum for discussion of this subject without prejudice can be found at Reborn Babies UK, there you will find very nice ladies - friendly, and definitely not wierd. PS. None of us make Hitler dolls!
    Read more

  • Thank you for those photos of Dubai's airport. They are the only view I will get, because I refuse to set foot in that place - for my own safety.
    Visitors to Dubai airport have been arrested and sentenced to 4 years in jail for having *tiny* amounts of marijuana - in one case it was an invisible speck on the bottom of a shoe, which he likely got by walking on someone else's discarded joint. Another man was jailed for having 3 poppy seeds left over from a bread roll.
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  • Finally I know where that picture I've got as desktop background was taken (Chittorgarh Fort).
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  • Check out Rubel Farms Castle in Glendora, CA
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  • Neuschwanstein was reconstructed on a ruined castle in the 19th century.
    I suppose the original one looked much less dramatic.
    Burg Eltz, however, is the real thing.
    Constructed in the middle ages, never fell, despite being under siege serveral times, and still owned by the family who build it.
    There's even a "siege castle" on the opposite side of the valley!
    The siege castle is in ruins while the castle besieged is still standing...
    Read more

  • What a fantastic post--I'd love to go visit each and every one of these castles....maybe someday. Have you been to these?
    Read more

  • http://www.lovelandcastle.com/

    Loveland OH
    Read more

  • Hi there, fab article!!
    Ever heard of "la scarzuola" the surreal and utopistic town created by architect Tomaso Buzzi. It's location is in Italy, in Umbria region.

    More info about the history of this fascinating place almost unknown even to 90% of italians...
    http://www.bellaumbria.net/Montegabbione/citta_buzziana_eng.htm

    And here are some shots from flickr
    http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=scarzuola&w=all&s=int

    It's truly another world!!
    Read more

  • NurseExec - we've seen some of the castles in Germany, including Neuschwanstein. Switzerland castles, for example, around the Thun Lake, impressed us the most.

    Great suggestions, everyone! Keep them coming.
    Read more

  • Another crazy castle is the Pena Palace in Sintra Portugal
    Read more

  • I have a poster of Neuschwanstein on my wall at the very moment...tho I believe the angle of the picture is different than yours posted here.

    This one is taken from up the mountain looking back down at the castle into the lake, most likely during early or very late winter.

    It is on my wall to remind me what a man's castle is supposed to look like. Didn't know the historical perspective, sorry poor bugger...lol.
    Read more

  • These are awesome! Amazing what people used to be able to do with simple tools. Take a look at the Chateau de Chenonceau at www.chenonceau.com. It literaly straddles the Loire river in France. Also has an interesting history. It was owned also entirely by women throughout it's existence. Cheers.
    Read more

  • The castle and white church tower emerging from the mist in the photo just below that of Moszna castle in Poland is not from a castle in Eastern Europe, but from 14th Century the castle and walled city of Bragança, a town in northern Portugal, in Western Europe.

    And the Pena Palace in Sintra, near Lisbon, Portugal, as mentioned by the previous Anonymous, is indeed quite crazy and beautiful. No wonder: one of the architects was the german Baron of Eschweige, who was also one of the designers of Neuchwanstein Castle...

    Pena Palace was rebuilt in the 19th Century over the ancient ruins of an old monastery by the german-born Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg, the prince consort of Portugal.

    It's well worth a visit, but do noto forget to visit «the real thing» in Portugal: the medieval towns of Óbidos (similar to Carcasonne, in France), Marvão, the small 12th Century village and castle of Sortelha, the Roman and Moorish town of Mértola, or the big Templar Castle of Tomar. Inside it, fully restored, is the center of Templar Europe in the 14th Century: the enourmous round fortified church, with quite strange inscriptions and icons, where it is said the Holy Grail was once kept.
    Read more

  • Wow! Absolutely Stunning!

    Jiff
    www.privacy-center.be.tc
    Read more

  • The "Unknown" bottom left castle (the one up the small street with the blue and red flag) is Le Chateau de Nyon in Nyon, Switzerland (right near Geneva).

    I've been up that street, and from the castle's terrace you can see a beautiful panorama of the alps, Lake Geneva, and the city itself.

    Voltaire used to live right beside it, incidentally.
    Read more

  • yea, just saw carcassonne on rick steves today :P it looked pretty cool!
    Read more

  • boldt castle on heart island, new york.
    Read more

  • Krak des Chevaliers in Syria should definetly be on the list!
    Read more

  • chateau de chillon in montreux, switzerland. small but beautiful location. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pearbiter/566128230/sizes/l/
    Read more

  • Can you say disgustingly oversaturated?
    Read more

  • Have you checked out Boldt Castle on Heart Island on the St. Laurence (sp) river near Alexandria Bay, New York?
    Read more

  • I want to go! *sigh
    Read more

  • I'm surprised you didn't mention Castel del Monte. Talk about haunting.

    "It has neither a moat nor a drawbridge and may in fact never have been intended as a defensive fortress."

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castel_del_Monte_(Apulia)
    Read more

  • Casa Loma in Toronto is a fasinating castle to explore for Americans who can't make it over the pond.
    Read more

  • Traquair House, in Scotland, is quite picturesque. I also find it interesting because it is still in the family, and the family still lives there. I don't know if it qualifies as a proper castle or not, but it looks like one, particularly from the rear. Traquair also offers gorgeous, if pricey, bed and breakfast accomodations. www.traquair.co.uk Stirling is another lovely castle in Scotland, with a spectacular view of the town below.
    Read more

  • I adore the Coral Castle (and apparently so did Billy Idol--"Sweet Sixteen" is about it). I would like to point out, though, that he quarried much of the coral from right behind where he built the wonderful place. I visited on a road trip to the Keys a few years back, and you can see the big hole behind the castle.

    It may not be as gilded or gorgeous as the other castles mentioned, but it was a lovely place to visit, and I highly recommend it if you're nearby!
    Read more

  • Beautiful pictures!

    Prague Castle in the Czech Republic is gorgeous and fascinating.
    Read more

  • This is the Moorish Castle in Sintra, Portugal where i proposed to my now wife!
    http://hashassin.deviantart.com/art/Moorish-Castle-47757226
    Read more

  • How about a mention of Alcazar de Segovia, in Spain?
    http://www.blogdeturismo.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/alcazar_segovia.jpg
    It's believed to be the inspiration for Walt Disney's Cinderella Castle!
    Read more

  • Some of those castles would be very defensible in case of zombie attacks.
    Read more

  • This view from Kumbalgarh reminds me of Myst.
    Read more

  • I used to live in Prague, so we traveled to countless castles across Europe (the best years of my childhood!). Neuschwanstein is simply amazing! My parents live near there and go visit regularly, i guess because they get bored??? Schloss Linderhof is another amazing castle, built by the same king i believe. I'm looking forward to my next visit to Europe so i can go back and revisit my childhood. Everyone should go see the castles of Europe if given the chance.
    Read more

  • Take a look at the Chateau de Chenonceau at www.chenonceau.com. It literaly straddles the Loire river in France.

    Chenonceau actually straddles the Cher, a major tributary of the Loire. The fact that it spans the river may have spared it -- French revolutionaries resisted sacking it partly because it was a river crossing and thus valuable to them. It's a gorgeous castle with a fascinating (and slightly soap opera) history, and definitely should be included. The grand ballroom over the river is something to be seen. And so is the room of Louise of Lorraine, who turned the castle into a convent as she mourned her husband, King Henri III. The room is decorated in symbols of mourning and of her faith.

    If the Coral Castle is included, a rather more modern (and considerably more bizarre) "castle" could go on the list: the House on the Rock. This strange residence started out as an artistic retreat for the architect, who began construction by hand, hauling materials up a natural stone pillar in Wisconsin. Eventually it mutated into a very surreal tourist attraction. I suppose in a way it was his own Neuschwanstein.
    Read more

  • Fantastic Post!
    Thank you DRB-Team for the great time I always have on your site, it just so amazing what you are collecting and presenting us 365/year!

    Keep up the amazing work!
    Read more

  • Thank you Lukas... encouraging.
    Great info, everybody!
    Read more

  • If only I had 10 million dollars to spend. Keep taking my dollar and a dream to the grocery store to play the lotto but still no luck. Lol.

    Another awesome post and spectacular pictures. Thanks for always finding a way to awe me.
    Read more

  • Great post. Spain has many beautiful spots and there are endless palaces and castles and monasteries in picturesque locations. Try the Alcazar in Segovia or the Alhambra in Granada or the sights in Cuenca.
    Read more

  • portmierion is NOT a castle it's a whimsical collection of various styles of italian architecture.
    Read more

  • Beautiful! I love old castles.

    I was surprised not to see Heidelberg, which is gorgeous.

    Another fascinating one is Slain's Castle, in the northeast of Scotland. Bram Stoker stayed there and it is apparently the inspiration for Dracula's Castle. It's not so pretty to look at, but the precipitous and isolated location make it a dramatic and eery example.
    Read more

  • I visited about 20 castles during some eight years in Europe.... none in this article, and usually small unrenovated ones, free to visit on a serviceman's pay. But Heidelberg is one that would deserve to be in the next article. And I visited that one several times....
    'Walled cities' might be a good topic for another series.
    Read more

  • The Czech republic has some great castles like Krumlov and Sternberk.

    Also Austria the most spectacular castles are definitely the Hohenwerfen and Hohensalzburg.

    The great teutonic fortress of Marienberg made of red bricks is definitely worth seeing too.
    Read more

  • The view from Neuschwanstein "that launched 10,000 epics" and Maxfield Parrish's most famous painting are definitely more than coincidence.
    Read more

  • As an absolute castle-lover living in the middle of Europe, I was pleasantly surprised to see some real gems in your article.

    I have added some of your examples to my 'must visit' list for my next vacation, so thanks for inspiring me!
    Read more

  • Dracula's Bran castle????the bran never been dracula's castle actualy is in Brasov-Transylvania,and Tepes was the ruler of Wallachia,he only born in Sighisoara in Transylvania and returned only when asked the hungarian king's support(btw.Transylvania was hungarian kingdom those times,Tepes was romanian ruler and the Bran castle was a post at the border where the merchants paid when they passed the borders),i live in Transylvania,to 44 km where Dracula born
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  • Great pictures and some good ideas for travels too - there's something magical about wandering around the towers and tunnels of an old fortress.
    I would add Crac de Chevaliers in Syria; an old crusader castle, and without doubt the best preserved one that I have ever seen. In parts it's in such good condition it's almost as if the crusaders were still living there!
    Thanks for sharing.
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  • Wasnt Bran castle the castle of the female ''vampire'' ?

    Anyway a nice picture is Hohenzollern.

    Ekzt castle is actually used by several families.
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  • Am I the only one who finds the idea of a 125mph elevator terrifying? o.o
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  • Oh wow! I come here every post and I never say anything but I've sent your link to a dozen people ... I am sorry I always lurk so silently and nevr speak up - you rock and all your posts are awesome! This art is incredible! Congrats on acquiring such amazing work under your banner :-) How wonderful for you and for us readers!
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  • OMG, those medallion designs are simply amazing. I love those clocks. Very good job!
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  • Isn't Atlantis in the Bahamas? I'm pretty sure about this.
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  • Atlantis Bahamas is a sister hotel. This one is built on the artificial island, with restored QE2 ocean liner hotel nearby...
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  • looove the video...I'll be whistling it all day. Cute!
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  • I cant help but think that the Raccoon type animal dressed in the samurai outfit is a case of animal cruelty, but it's just so damn cute!
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  • where is that bus stop? From the road signs and lines on the tarmac looks London to me... but where?
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  • And here comes the two best jewels of the original http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJefVspR88M&feature=related and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_esCf2GSTI&feature=related , I just love the dance.
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  • Will, it's a Tanuki.
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  • The "Heart Attack Grill" was about a block away from me when I lived in Phoenix. I remember the food being ok and the customers being unsightly (talk about OBESE). There was always some minor controversy about the way they had their "nurses" dress as well...
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  • Puggle? That's what you'd call a beagle/pug cross. Puggle dogs are, I'd say a damn sight more popular.

    These babies look like some new character in Homestar Runner.
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  • So adorable!
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  • There is now video of me feeding my latest echidna at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOKjcfEnXeQ

    den
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  • Wow. I love your photo sharing. Great pics, really. Stumbled your post. Keep on going.
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  • At least now I know where comes the inspiration for the BM in the manga Bio-meat Nectar.
    just look at the bottom of this page
    http://www.onemanga.com/BioMeat_-_Nectar/35/21/ :)
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