HUMOUR: "My Kingdom All But For a Cheeto..." (10 August 2008)

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TOP: Cheetos, they can really trip you up...

Hi All,

I've always had an odd sense of humour as anyone who knows me or follows my blog can tell you. And one of my humour quirks is that I absolutely adore "stupid criminal" stories. There's something universally appealing about knowing that someone else out there puts your very own, worst personal gaffs to rest ...in very spectacular ways.

One of my very favorite "stupid criminal" stories came from back East during the snow season quite a few years back... apparently several "really stupid" criminals got caught because they robbed a bank and then... walked back in the snow (...leaving foot prints - Doh!) back to their apartments. And you can guess that they were summarily caught and arrested. I get a warm feeling in my gut just thinking about that story. Call it schadenfreude, but I still enjoy it.

Definition of schadenfreude:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfreude

But this story puts my favorite "stupid criminal" snow story to rest:

Cops follow Cheetos trail to nail burglar suspects
August 7, 2008

ST. PAUL—St. Paul police followed a trail of Cheetos in order to nab three teenagers suspected of burglarizing a vending machine. Officers were called to the Arlington Recreation Center on July 29, where they found a vending machine's glass had been broken with a chair.

Most of the candy and chips were missing, according to a criminal complaint in Ramsey County District Court.

The officers followed the orange, dusty trail from the rec center, around the side of the building and to a nearby home. Inside, they found numerous vending-sized bags of Cheetos and other snacks.

Police arrested three males aged 17, 18 and 19 who soon arrived at the home by car...

...All three denied being involved, the complaint says.

Please follow the link below for the full article and not just an excerpt.

Link to full story here:
http://ncane.com/b8uq

I'll be out at the August MWSS meeting today playing Pig Wars in 28mm...

Have a great Sunday!
And good gaming to you!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (...if it is indeed an infringement).

WEIRD NEWS: "Pink guns: Yeah, right? Right?" (16 October 2007)

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TOP: This image is a Photoshop mock-up...

Of an actual Asian military firearms competition.

Hi All,

I've seen alot of things in my time... the end of the Cold War, men landing on the Moon, Dan Rather getting hoisted on his own poetically just petard, etc. BUT... I never thought I'd see the day that pink guns acquired a share of the firearms market. But, they're here! There have always been options to have the metal parts of firearms anodized with various colors, but now a number of manufacturers see pink firearms as a way of attracting more women to the self defense and hunting firearm markets.

Who would have thought?

"Colorful firearms pop up to attract women hunters"
Link here:
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=666096

"Pink guns for girls"
Link here:
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2524635.html?menu=news.quirkies

"2nd Amendment Sexy or Candy Coated Killas?"
Link here:
http://greensleeves.typepad.com/berkshires/2007/09/2nd-amendment-s.html

TOP: This is a REAL M-16! Technicolor polka dots and all!

TOP: Pink Glock, anyone?

Update (16 October 2007 at roughly 11:00am):
Mark AKA Old Digger, my friend, gives new meaning to the initials "HK" and firearms. Thanks, Mark!

TOP: Normally, I think of Hechler & Koch when I see the initials HK...
Now, I know that Hello Kitty's (HK) firearm of choice is an AK!

Have a great Tuesday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

WEIRD NEWS: Do You Feel Lucky, Punk?

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Happy 77th birthday, Clint Eastwood!

May all the punks have unlucky days!

Seriously, I've always wanted to say that...

Have a great Thursday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures: These are not all my images. I am using various images from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

WEIRD NEWS: The Revenge of Darth Pug!

.Some sick fiend appears to have recast Star Wars... with pugs!

Hi Everyone,

What a great weekend I had! Gaming out the wazoo!

"You can't go wrong with Star Wars, Halloween, and pugs... can you?"

Saturday was the MWSS (Miniatures Wargaming Society of Sacramento) meeting during which we had plenty of great games! If you're interested in playing some miniatures games or boardgames with a bunch of nice folks, please check out the link I have for the MWS AKA MWSS groups on my right sidebar.

The following were played:
1. 15mm Fantasy Skirmish game using the Savage Worlds ruleset
2. 1/1200 Civil War Ironclads (ships) battle using a homebrew ruleset
3. 15mm American War for Independence battle using the Sons of Liberty ruleset
4. Ingenious board game

I took lots of photos, which I hope to share soon along with a better write-up of the games played.

"Uh Bill, please cue the Imperial March..."

And Sunday was Kevin E.'s birthday, a local gaming nut! We work at a number of local gaming conventions together and he's well known for being a strong supporter of the Boardgame Meet-up Group. If you're interested in playing some boardgames with a bunch of nice folks, please check out the link I have for Boardgame Meet-up Group on my right sidebar. The birthday party was fun! We played tons of game and socialized to our heart's galore. One of the guests brought a huge "chocolate fountain," something I'd never seen before. It was basically a chocolate fondue pot that allowed melted chocolate to flow through a water fountain device in which you could dip fruit pieces, cookies, or other goodies. Pretty cool. The BBQ was nice as well!

Happy birthday again, Kevin!

The Chocolate Fountain - watch out!

And I also got to pass on a monkey figure I found for my friend Mike's son. We both think that he'll like it. Conor has been working on a Godzilla collection like me and needed a good Kong.

The Fiendish Giralon, a D&D Miniatures collectible figure.

And, of course, the theme of this post is "Dogs & Star Wars."

"Luke, I am your father..."

I simply had NO idea!

Have a great Monday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

P.S.

Despite the Star Wars theme, I couldn't pass on this one:

"Uh, Captain, there's been a horrible accident with the transporters..."

"Scotty may never be the same..."

Notes regarding photos / pictures: These are not all my images. I am using various images from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

WEIRD NEWS: Star Wars EVERYWHERE!

.Whose your Sith daddy now, punk?
Love the SCUD in the background... Classic!

Hi Everyone,

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away...

Like alot of folks out there, I'm a big Star Wars fan and it never ceases to amaze me just how much of a pop icon Star Wars has become and the lengths to which Star Wars fans will take their fan-dom.

I recently read an article about a church / cathedral in the United States which erected a Darth Vader gargoyle on its roof.

Darth will scare away ill spirits...
He might even come back as a blue shimmering ghost...

And Star Wars has even invaded Israeli politics:

This one just makes me chuckle...

And even the US Postal office is getting in on the act:

Who knew that R2 had a cousin in the Postal Service?
Recycled droids?

All I can say is:

May the Force be with you!

Have a great Thursday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures: These are not all my images. I am using various images from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

WEIRD NEWS: Quirky Star Wars Viewpoints!

.I think we ALL wish we were Han Solo at one time or another...

I wonder... do Wookies get hairballs?

Hi Everyone,

Got a few posts in the works, but thought I'd drop off a few fun graphics (the one above and below) for your perusal:
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Darth Vader - "Truther" Conspiracy Theory Nut: "Need $$$ to build Deathstar!"

And to top that Darth Beggar photo off, check out this amusing "truther perspective" of how the Deathstar was really destroyed:

http://www.websurdity.com/2007/02/28/uncomfortable-questions-was-the-death-star-attack-an-inside-job/

Yeah, right!

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I have a great weekend planned:

SATURDAY:

- Visit a bunch of friends at the MWS meeting and play games.

- Link to MWS Yahoo E-group:

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/M_W_S/

- My old buddy Mark should be there who I haven't seen in awhile. Should be lots of fun.

- Mark is hosting a VSF (Victorian Science Fiction) game.

- A link to Mark's photo album (gaming miniatures):

http://s81.photobucket.com/albums/j213/MACarper/
- Nils will also be hosting a zombie game.

- Check out his blog (lots of photos) here:

http://blackcavalierswargaming.blogspot.com/

- Wish my bro-in-law Vince happy birthday!

- Chill out and work out.

SUNDAY:

- Go see the new movie "The 300" with a group of friends on an IMAX screen.
- Official "The 300" web site:

http://300themovie.warnerbros.com/

- The real historical Battle of Thermopylae that inspired the movie:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thermopylae

- A Wiki page for the comic book of "The 300":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/300_%28comic_book%29

- A movie review by Debbie Schlussel of "The 300":

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2007/03/weekend_box_off_43.html

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2007/03/300_not_an_anti.html

- Possibly go pick up a new bed mattress from an old neighbor.
- Chill out and work out. It should be good.

I have mixed feelings about seeing "The 300." On one hand, I love the history of The Battle of Thermopylae, but on the other hand, the previous film "Sin City" was WAY TOO gory for me. Very tasteless, it was. On the other hand, my buddy Vynnie of RIF (Recon In Force) invited me and he should be there with a number of our other friends... and we get to see it on the giant IMAX screen... so, I guess, if nothing else, the company should trump the film if it's really bad.

Vynnie's web site:

http://www.recon-in-force.com/index.html

*** Any good weekend plans yourself? ***

Have a great Friday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

P.S.

Haven't posted a "gratuitous babe" in awhile so here goes:

Notes regarding photos / pictures: These are not all my images. I am using various images from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

WEIRD NEWS: Al Gore, Global Warming & Me!

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Hi Everyone,

On The Miniatures Page (TMP) today, I read Wyatt the Odd's comments (He's very likeable!) about the horrible cold spell facing California and... I'm pretty unfazed so far. I read the California state weather warning earlier this week, which sounded like we were going to get "The Day After Tomorrow" (Catastrophic disaster and tsunamis) and, instead, it's right pleasant. To read the warning, I was expecting much worse than has actually happened... at least, so far.

A link to the TMP post:

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=96583

Speaking of Global Warming, that reminds me of Al Gore…

*** Anyone know that he has his own television station now called Current TV? ***

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_TV

I only know because the other day ago, they were doing "interviews on the street" and they asked my friend and I for interviews on the way back to the office from lunch… we agreed and signed waivers.

It was pretty juvenile… very leading questions about prop 87 (taxing energy producers for being evil capitalists), mental healthcare and… the kicker:

*** "Would you rather see money spent on mental healthcare reform or Girls Gone Wild?" ***

I'm not kidding… they really asked that! I might expect that question from "Slick Willy Clinton TV," but Al Gore?

The "journalist" who interviewed us said that they'd call us if they decide to use our footage. I don't think I'll cross my fingers... I should have gotten more excited about "Girls Gone Wild" like the guys they interviewed before us. Have a great Sunday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

P.S.
Here's a link to Prop 87 if you're really interested (pretty boring):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_87_(2006)

Notes regarding photos / pictures: These are not all my images. I am using various images from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

WEIRD NEWS: You've never heard this before...

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Hi Everyone,

My friend Larry sent me this the other day ago... FREAKY!

This guy can sing like a girl (four octave range)...

http://tinyurl.com/qtoo8

Apparently, his name is Vitas and he's Russian.

Here's one of his sites:

http://www.myspace.com/vitasss

Some say that this performance is a "Milli Vanilli" performance AKA fake, but it sounds pretty good either way.

Have a good Thursday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

P.S.
I found his official web site as well:
http://vitas.com.ru/klip_eng.htm

P.S.S.
Here's a video of his tunes:
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Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

WEIRD NEWS: The ROBOTS Are Here, And They, Not The Dingos, Want Our Babies!

Hi Everyone,

I came across this news article this morning and thought to share...

Robot Birth Simulator Gaining Popularity
By PAUL ELIAS, AP Biotechnology Writer

VALLEJO, Calif. - Noelle's given birth in Afghanistan, California and dozens of points in between. She's a lifelike, pregnant robot used in increasing numbers of medical schools and hospital maternity wards.

The full-sized, blond, pale mannequin is in demand because medicine is rapidly abandoning centuries-old training methods that use patients as guinea pigs, turning instead to high-tech simulations. It's better to make a mistake on a $20,000 robot than a live patient. ...

Pretty cool, huh? I dont know how much dealing with a cold robot will help nurses and doctors with their bedside manner, but I'm all in favor of saving a few more lives...

It's probably all a secret conspiracy by the robots to take our babies... do ya think?

A link to the article:

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060417/pregnant_robot.html?.v=1

Robots in 'da house!

Ninjas too!

Have a great day!

Chag Sameach and Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

WEIRD NEWS: Urban Ninjas In 'Da Hood! Watch Out!

Hi Everyone,

Just when you think the world might just be approaching a level of normality, something like this happens...

And, wow, I had no idea that folks all over were doing "urban ninja" training in malls and urban development projects around the world!

And these guys are good... very talented acrobats! I think that they were inspired by both Bruce Lee Kung Fu videos and... the indubitable Jackie Chan! Very fun!

I was browsing one of my favorite web sites, TMP (The Miniatures Page), when I came across this post:

"Urban Ninja Video?"

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=72177

Check out these two videos:

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- Asian Urban Ninjas

http://www.badongo.com/vid.php?file=ninja+video__2006-02-20_chew.wmv&s=black&ad=na

This guys features some "urban extreme gymnastics" and a bunch of footage of him doing back and forward flips at his dojo. He also had a few clips of what are obviously him and his friends recreating manga fight scenes. The music accompaniment isn't bad either, especially compared to the "Russian Urban Ninja" video below...

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- Russian Urban Ninjas

http://videobomb.com/posts/show/46

- The Russian video is alot longer, something like eight minutes compared to the roughly three of its Asian counterpart, but the Russian "Ninja" is just as amazing or more... But while his acrobatics are amazing, the accompanying music is a little less... well, fantastic. You see, Russia, has always had a fascination with things foreign and, even during periods of paranoia and xenophobia, they still had it.
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- So, knowing that fact, what music did these guys pick? You probably didn't guess it... and never would... French rap! Yes, French rap! I'd still check it out, but I recommend turning the sound down a wee bit... I can appreciate some rap, but I don't think I'm ready for the words "French" and "rap" together...

- And as a side note, the little bit of Russian dialogue in the film is a tad funny... They should have had bad subtitling with the Asian film theme and all.

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Enjoy your Sunday!

Chag Sameach and Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

P.S.
I made my first pot of Matzo Ball soup yesterday evening so it's starting to really feel like Passover this year! Gut Pesach!

P.S.S.
Happy Easter Sunday to my Christian friends!

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

WEIRD NEWS: LEGO Aircraft Carrier Sails!

Hi Everyone,

There is no end of amazing things people have built out of LEGOs. You name it and someone has come up with a LEGO version of it. Well, just the other day ago, what comes along, but an ENTIRE US Navy Aircraft Carrier! The thing is huge. It must be at least two feet by about eight feet in size... or more.

I first heard about it here:

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/airpower/

And you can see multiple views / photos of this LEGO monstrosity here:

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=126969

And part of what prompted this post about LEGOS is my love of those wonderful building toys that encourage creativity in children. I used to collect the castle sets that came out in the 1980s and even before that, my mother and sister and I would build LEGO villages from our family's collection. I have many fond memories of making those LEGO villages. And I have an equally large set of fond memories of building LEGO creations with my nephews. We've made cars, planes, castles, Harry Potter of every color and type, and a vast array of other LEGO creations.

And the funnier thing is that LEGOs are practically a legacy in my family. We've been passing them down from one another for at least several generations. I received LEGOs from my uncle and later passed them on to my baby sister who passed them on to my nephews. I imagine that they will pass them on to their children when the time comes.

I've tried to keep my blog apolitical, but this story really irked me. And I doublechecked it to make sure the story was true and not a hoax or urban myth... checking out the UN web site and several others.

Well, the other day ago, I read about the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Descrimination and I was pretty disappointed that the UN was trying to pull LEGO into the whole free speech / Mohammed cartoon row that is currently occurring. It's pretty sad when the UN feels a need to slam a perfectly unpolitical toy-making company like LEGO to try and force their point on others. Not only that but the UN is biting the hand that feeds it as the LEGO company has worked with UN humanitarian programs before that have benefitted refugees and others.

The UN has recently removed their poster from the official UN web site, but I still very disappointed that an international agency dedicated to making peace could be so partisan. I'm embarassed that I participated in the Model UN program when I was younger.

Here are two links about the UN / LEGO smear campaign:

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=19735_UN_on_Wrong_Side_of_Cartoon_Jihad&only

http://michellemalkin.com/archives/004812.htm

I'm sure that LEGO enthusiasts come in every stripe and colour imaginable and of that I'm glad. Here's one last link for the UN. This LEGO enthusiast built a LEGO version on the UN building:

http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/11802

Everyone have a great Friday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures: These are not all my images. I am using various images from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

WEIRD NEWS: No Worries About The Yellow Snow, Mate!

Hi Guys,

I follow a number of E-groups and interesting news bits are always turning up.

*** Ever wondered about those "lemon" yellow snowcones? ***

This caught my eye about a week or so ago:

Ded posted this at the Traveller-TNE E-group:

Being the space enthusiasts that we are, we're aware that providing space travelers with sufficient, safe drinking water is a vital concern. Hauling all that water into space in our pre-contra grav TL is a major payload expense. Traveller has predicted a means to recycle human waste, though it doesn't say so in so many words, at least not that I recall. Well, a major advancement has been made here in reality.

http://wired-vig.wired.com/wired/archive/13.08/urine.html

There's probably enough info in the article to enable GM's to develop water purification systems for their games (if desired). Haven't found the website for the company yet.

The Traveller-TNE E-group can be found here:

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/Traveller_TNE/

Some other links turned up later:

http://www.watseco.com/

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

WEIRD NEWS: Monster Island - The REAL Kraken!

Hi Guys,

I saw this news article and it made me think of Monster Island:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050928/ap_on_sc/japan_giant_squid

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

WEIRD NEWS: Australian Researcher: Heavy Metal Makes Lighter Planes!

Hi Guys,

I saw this in the news and thought it was interesting:

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,68968,00.html?tw=rss.TEK

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.