PLASTIC STATE OF MIND - Parody with Purpose

This is a fun approach to raising awareness about the dangers of plastics.

I love the bag monster suits :)

My uncle appears in one scene as well, in the check-out line in the background.

The Islam Awareness Blog: Gaza doctor writes book of hope despite death of t...

The Islam Awareness Blog: Gaza doctor writes book of hope despite death of t...: "On a cool but sunny December day in Gaza, Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish took his eight children to the beach for the simple pleasures of paddling ..."

Hollywog

Ultimate 72 Hour Emergency Survival Kit for 2 People | SurvivalSimon.com

Ultimate 72 Hour Emergency Survival Kit for 2 People | SurvivalSimon.com

Scribble Maps

Scribble Maps

the summer line for deep desert fremen stilsuits is exciting for its audacious use of exposed water traps. be the daring trend setter in your sietch - whether crysknife slashing harkonnens for their bodywater or worm cruising for girls - its all about you

the summer line for deep desert fremen stilsuits is exciting for its audacious use of exposed water traps. be the daring trend setter in your sietch - whether crysknife slashing harkonnens for their bodywater or worm cruising for girls - its all about you, originally uploaded by fubuki.

Top 10 Transgenic Animals : Discovery Tech : Discovery Channel

Top 10 Transgenic Animals : Discovery Tech : Discovery Channel

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UNICEF distributes early childhood development kits in Jacmel, Haiti

UNICEF distributes early childhood development kits in Jacmel, Haiti

JACMEL, Haiti, 6 April 2010 – When the earthquake shook the mountains outside this port city in southern Haiti on 12 January, rural schools throughout the area were destroyed or damaged. Not only were classes cancelled for the short term, but looking ahead, parents were afraid to send their children back into damaged classrooms that they feared might collapse.

Desiderata

-- written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --

Not "Found in Old St. Paul's Church"! --

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,

be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others,

even to the dull and the ignorant;

they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;

they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain or bitter,

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,

for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals,

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love,

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,

be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life,

keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

reBlog from Aaron Solomon Adelman: Divine Misconceptions

Does anyone else think that portraying a fanatical monotheistic suicide-bomber as Arab-American on the new SyFy show Caprica is horribly misconceived?

As Aaron Solomon Adelman blogged back in December:

Today’s topic:  The pilot for Caprica, the prequel to Battlestar Galactica (new series), has shown up on Hulu, and since it is riddled with religious ideas, it is my job to blog about it.  Where do I start?…Aaron Solomon Adelman, Divine Misconceptions, Dec 2009

There are a lot of religious undertones to the plot of Caprica. This series is set up to be the backstory for the history-making remake of Battlestar Galactica, which also had a lot of religion in it, and it seems that religion is central to the differences between the Cylon and human races that populate the BSG universe.

All of that is well and good, but if you watched BSG you will realize that the whole story cycle is supposed to take place in *our past*, before humans were even making fire.

The BSG civilization was a pre-Earth space-age civilization with human-like qualities, but they exist before all of earthly human history.

Caprica happens even *earlier*-- so why is there an Arab-American suicide bomber? What frakked up vision of human destiny posits that in every possible human history there are people with Arab blood who hold fanatical beliefs and are willing to kill themselves and others to make a point?

This is a poor generalization even in our current historical situation, much less in some pre-historical super-society on the planet Caprica.

I'm disgusted that they would cast things this way.

Are they reducing the whole BSG universe to a morality play about modern conflicts? Then they are selling themselves short.

Ursula K. Le Guin could teach these guys a whole hell of a lot about creating a believable, relevant extra-terrestrial civilization whose behavior and beliefs shed light on our own.

Ditto the late, great Octavia Butler.

I am deeply disappointed.