Archive for November, 2011

Everybody Needs A Hobby of the Day: Not athletic? Not a problem! Johnny “Sticky” Budden’s got your back: Introducing Finger Freerunning!

Because using your legs is for showoffs.

[thanks adam!]

Kickass Cover of the Day: To help her memorize Hamlet’s “To Be or Not to Be” soliloquy for her AP English class, talented singer-songwriter Courtney Welbon gave William Shakespeare the Laura Marling treatment. 

Maybe kids today would be more inclined to appreciate The Bard if his works were funneled through twee uke arrangements? Just a thought.

[thanks courtney!]

Early Bird Special: Animals: What’s their deal?

[slacktory.]

Lights Out: Something worth keeping in mind while watching this short clip from Japanese erotic horror flick The Big Tits Dragon: Hot Spring Zombies Vs. Strippers: You are awake and this is real.

(VNSFW, fire crotch.)

[toplessrobot.]

This x That:

Know This:

• International Energy Agency: Climate change may become irreversible in as little as five years.

• No successor to Greek PM George Papandreou named, even as new interim government announced.

• Obama administration will delay industry-requested “Christmas tree tax” amid uproar.

Read This:

• Another social network moderator who allegedly tipped off authorities to Mexican drug cartel activities found dead.

• American Mustache Institute rescinds endorsement of Herman Cain amid sexual harassment allegations.

• Darren Aronofsky loves reality TV, calls it “an extension of documentary.”

The Other:

• NewsFeed: Soccer Player, Inspired by Twitter, Names Son “Trendy.”

• Tea x Time List: The Origins of the 10 Most Iconic Monsters in Pop Culture.

• Above: “See-Saw Style Table” by Marleen Jansen.

Stop Beating Students of the Day: UC Berkeley students clashed with police this afternoon after several tents were set up outside Sproul Hall as part of an Occupy-style protest against tuition and fee hikes as well funding cuts for public education.

Officers in riot gear used their batons in an effort break through a human chain of peaceful “Occupy Cal” protesters that had formed to prevent police from tearing down the tents. 

At least seven people were arrested, and the tents were eventually cleared away, but returned later on. According to reports, police plan to remove the tents again later tonight, and a second “showdown” with the remaining protesters is expected.

UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau told students earlier this week that the university supports the spirit of Occupy Wall Street, but will not allow camping on its grounds.

[nbcbayarea / mercury / dailycal.]

End Of An Era of the Day: Joe Paterno is out as Penn State’s head football coach effective immediately.

The Board of Trustees announced the decision at a press conference a short while ago. Earlier today, Paterno said that he would retire at the end of his 46th season.

Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley will take over as interim coach. “Right now, I’m not the football coach, and that’s something I have to get used to,” Paterno told the AP shortly after his ouster.

Paterno had come under fire after it was revealed that he was made aware in 2002 of assistant coach Jerry Sandusky’s alleged sexual assault of pre-teen boys, but decided merely to inform his superiors and take no further action.

University president Graham Spanier also resigned tonight; executive VP Rodney Erickson will act as interim president.

Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and Senior Vice President Gary Schultz had previously stepped down after being charged with with perjury and failure to report suspected child abuse. Neither Spanier nor Paterno have been charged.

According to reports, a large crowd of JoePa supporters has gathered outside Old Main to voice their dismay at the board’s decision. The Daily Collegian says students are heading toward Beaver Canyon, where a demonstration will likely take place.

[pennlive / wtae.]

Whoopsie Daisy of the Day: Tonight’s GOP debate isn’t even over yet, but the quote of the night already belongs to Rick Perry.

Just over an hour into CNBC’s Republican Presidential Debate, Governor Not A Talker suffered a potentially catastrophic senior moment when he was unable to name the third agency of government he “would do away with” as President.

“I can’t. The third one, I can’t. Sorry,” Perry sputtered before ending on the worst sound bite a presidential hopeful could possibly utter: “Oops.”

15 minutes later Perry recalled that it was the Department of Energy he was “reaching for.” 

[bi / think.]

Dance Number of the Day: Alex Yde introduces the world to “yoga breakdancing” while AWOLNATION sails away in the background.

[thd.]

Sexy Surprise of the Day: People‘s Sexiest Man Alive candidate and Community star Joel McHale records himself making a mundane activity look sexy.

Several of his sexy co-stars stop by to help him out.

[reddit.]