STUFF: News, Technology, the cool and the plain weird

[MIKA27]

CT SCUDERIA CORSA WATCH

When you're out on the race track, timing is everything — from figuring out exactly how late you can brake, to getting your shifts down perfectly, to hitting all the right lines — everything contributes to shaving seconds off your lap time.

The CT Scuderia Corsa Watch is made with exactly this in mind — with a design inspired by the clunky stop-watches typically worn around the neck by those helping you measure those precious seconds. It features a prominent start/stop button that protrudes from the watch case, making it simple to press even when you're on the move. With interchangeable bands made from leather materials regularly found in performance cars, and a range of colored cases and buttons available, you can customize it just as much as you do your ride.

[MIKA27]

COMPASS BOX THE GENERAL WHISKEY

The latest release from Compass Box is an extraordinary scotch whiskey that is both rare and mysterious.

The General is a blend of a 33 year old batch, while the rest of the blend is made up of a batch with an unknown age statement. It's named after a Buster Keaton film from the 1920's and is limited to only, and exactly, 1,698 bottles. You won't feel like you're getting a bargain, but if the taste comes anywhere near the backstory, this whiskey will be a runaway hit.

[MIKA27]

Revolutionary Membrane Can Keep Your Heart Beating Perfectly Forever

You’re looking at a rabbit’s heart beating outside the animal that once hosted it. It’s alive, pumping blood on its own thanks to a revolutionary electronic membrane that may save your life by keeping your heart beating at a perfect rate.

The thin, circuit-lined stretchable membrane has been developed by scientists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Washington University in St. Louis and may arrive to human hearts in 10 to 15 years.

They custom made it to precisely fit the shape of the rabbit’s heart: First, while the rabbit was still alive, they scanned it and created a 3D model using computer aided tomography. They manufactured the model in a 3D printer, which they used as a mould to create the membrane. After that they took the heart out, applied the membrane, and kept it beating at a perfect pace.

But this device is not just a custom-made pacemaker. According to University of Illinois’ materials researcher John Rorgers, co-leader of the team who has developed this device, it’s like an artificial pericardium, the natural membrane that covers the heart:

But this artificial pericardium is instrumented with high quality, man-made devices that can sense and interact with the heart in different ways that are relevant to clinical cardiology.

Washington University’s biomedical engineer Igor Efimov says that it is a huge advancement. The circuits you’re seeing are a combination of sensors that constantly track the tissues’ behaviour and electrodes that precisely regulate the heart muscles movement:

When it senses such a catastrophic event as a heart attack or arrhythmia, it can also apply a high definition therapy. So it can apply stimuli, electrical stimuli, from different locations on the device in an optimal fashion to stop this arrhythmia and prevent sudden cardiac death.

[MIKA27]

Super-megalithic Site Found in Russia: Natural or Man-made?

Alternate history buffs are about to be whipped into a frenzy! OK, maybe not, but they will find this interesting.

An ancient “super-megalithic” site has been found in the Siberian Mountains. Found recently in Gornaya Shoria (Mount Shoria) in southern Siberia, this site consists of huge blocks of stone, which appear to be granite, with flat surfaces, right angles, and sharp corners. The blocks appear to be stacked, almost in the manner of cyclopean masonry, and well…they’re enormous!

Russia is no stranger to ancient megalithic sites, like Arkaim or Russia’s Stonehenge, and the Manpupuner formation, just to name two, but the site at Shoria is unique in that, if it’s man-made, the blocks used are undoubtedly the largest ever worked by human hands.

Here’s the story, as reported by archaeologist John Jensen via his personal blog and Academia.edu:

“I subscribe to a couple of Russian Blogs and Websites that post various data and information without the typical hype and filters of Western Science, Academia and the Press, let alone the fringe and “Alien” woo-woo crowd interests. The following are photos of some Super Megaliths from Southern Siberia near the mountains of Gornaya Shoria.

The super megaliths were found and photographed for the first time by Georgy Sidorov on a recent expedition to the Southern Siberian mountains. The following images are from Valery Uvarov’s Russian website.

There are no measurements given, but from the scale depicted by the human figures, these megaliths are much larger (as much as 2 to 3 times larger) than the largest known megaliths in the world. (Example: The Pregnant Woman Stone of Baalbek, Lebanon weighs in at approximately 1,260 ton). Some of these megaliths could easily weigh upwards of 3,000 to 4,000 tons.

There is little commentary on Valery’s site, so the images are displayed here without much comments, other than my own limited observations.”

As Jensen pointed out, the monolith at Baalbek is considered to be one of the largest single stones used in an ancient megalithic site, but the blocks or stones at Shoria are much, much larger.

You may recognize the name Valery Uvarov, but if you don’t, it should be known that he is Russia’s foremost UFOlogist and a long-time proponent of various alternate history theories. He was involved, as a primary player, in the Russian Screws scenario, some of the details of which are specious. His website is a veritable mountain of questionable but compelling claims about ancient civilizations, alternate explanations for megalithic constructions, and OOPART speculation.

It turns out that Georgv Sidorov is also a proponent of unconventional theories regarding humanity’s past. This doesn’t necessarily warrant discounting the entire story, but it is important to understand that both men are known for seeking out evidence in support of their belief systems, as we all are wont to do to some degree.

At the release of this story, some are excitedly claiming that the Shoria site is evidence of an ancient lost civilization; a civilization capable of incredible feats of engineering that even with our modern technology would be virtually impossible. Others though are wisely urging caution. The pictures are compelling, and the typical observer would be hard pressed to come up with a natural explanation, but there may be one.

In 1987 a group of recreational scuba divers stumbled onto another apparent super-megalithic site in Japan. The Yonaguni Monument, which sits off the coast of Yonaguni, which is the southern-most island of the Ryukyu Island chain, is considered by some to be the most compelling evidence for a lost civilization in our past. Others are less convinced, however.

Boston University geologist Robert Schoch believes that the features of Yonaguni are the result of natural geological processes. He cites well-defined parallel bedding planes and earthquake activity, and since there are similar formations in the region that are known to be completely natural, this seems a safe bet.

The Shoria site, however, isn’t in an area that’s prone to frequent earthquakes, and the stone involved is much harder than the sandstone of Yonaguni, but our weird world is known to have created some startling rock formations that defy explanation. The Giants Causeway of Northern Ireland and The Waffle Rock of West Virginia come to mind. Both of those sites are now known to have been completely natural, but when viewed from the perspective of the layman, it seems incredible to think that they aren’t artificial constructions.

In any event, the site at Shoria has yet to be studied by experts in the field, all we have at the moment are the pictures, which in-an-of-themselves are quite impressive, but hardly conclusive. Future investigation should prove interesting.

[MIKA27]

Don't Ever Complain About Traffic In Your Neck of The Woods!

Vehicles are ensnared at an intersection in Xi’an, the capital city of Shaanxi province, where according to reports, the traffic signal failed. The city is often plagued by serpentine traffic jams, and heavy smog this winter has compounded those problems, reducing visibility for motorists.

[MIKA27]

Is ‘Calcio Storico’ The Most Violent Sport In The World?

You might not have heard of a game called Calcio Storico (translation ‘Historic Football’) but it’s probably one of the most violent sports in the world.

Now you might think that UFC, MMA, Thai Kickboxing or even Rugby could go toe to toe with the sport, but you’d be wrong. It’s origins date back to around the 16th century in Piazza Santa Croce in Florence, Italy. Each team has 27 players ready for battle, modern-day gladiators if you will, whose sole aim is to score as many goals as they can using their hands or feet.

So why is it consider the most violent sport on the planet?

Players are actively encouraged to use a combination of boxing, mixed martial arts and traditional Greco-Roman wrestling to overpower their opponents on the way to scoring a goal. If someone stands in your way, you can legitimately cracked them in the face with an uppercut or roundhouse kick on your way to slamming the ball home.

Whilst it’s popularity has dwindled over time (if use to be played all over Italy), each year in the Piazza Santa Croce they host the annual tournament, the place where it al began. Here’s a video which showcases the game in full and more importantly, just how intense the on-field action truly is.

Watch an entire match!!

[MIKA27]

Ukraine's Yanukovych asked for troops, Russia tells UN

Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych asked Russia to send troops across the border to protect civilians, Moscow's UN envoy has claimed.

Vitaly Churkin told a Security Council meeting Mr Yanukovych wrote to Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Saturday.

Thousands of Russian troops have been pouring into Ukraine's Crimea region.

Moscow is attempting to justify the intervention, which has sparked outrage and threats of economic sanctions from the US and EU.

Western ambassadors dismissed Russia's arguments.

Crimea and several Russian-dominated cities in eastern Ukraine have been rocked by instability since Mr Yanukovych was ousted last month.

Monday saw pro-Russian protesters attempt to storm government buildings in the eastern city of Donetsk, and the Crimean city of Odessa.

Russian troops and pro-Moscow militias continued an apparent blockade of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea.

Kiev's UN envoy Yuriy Sergeyev says Russia has deployed about 16,000 troops to the peninsula.

And Ukrainian defence sources accused Russia's Black Sea Fleet chief Aleksander Vitko of threatening a full-scale assault if they did not surrender by dawn on Tuesday.

A Russian spokesman was later quoted as denying that any ultimatum had been issued.

But Ukrainian military personnel besieged in their bases are waiting nervously for the 03:00 GMT deadline, many of them preparing for an attack.

At the UN in New York, Mr Churkin offered the Security Council a copy of the letter Mr Yanukovych had sent.

He said the ousted leader had described Ukraine as on the brink of civil war, with civilians being persecuted simply for speaking Russian.

Vitaly Churkin (L) and Samantha Power ® were both uncompromising in the Security Council meeting

Ukrainian soldiers have a nervous wait as a Russian ultimatum gets closer

He quoted from the letter: "I would call on the president of Russia, Mr Putin, asking him to use the armed forces of the Russian Federation to establish legitimacy, peace, law and order, stability and defending the people of Ukraine."

Mr Churkin reiterated Moscow's view that Mr Yanukovych is Ukraine's legitimate leader, not interim President Olexander Turchynov.

Western ambassadors refused to accept Russia's justification, continuing to accuse Moscow of violating international law.

"Russian mobilisation is a response to an imaginary threat," said US envoy Samantha Power.

"Military action cannot be justified on the basis of threats that haven't been made and aren't being carried out."

UK ambassador Mark Lyall Grant also rejected Russian allegations of terrorism and threats against ethnic Russians in Ukraine.

"It is clear that these claims have simply been fabricated to justify Russian military action," he said.

He dismissed Mr Yanukovych's letter to President Putin as meaningless.

A number of Western nations have urged Russia to withdraw its troops and accept international observers in Ukraine.

The US and EU have threatened sanctions including possible travel bans and targeted economic measures.

However, a British official was photographed holding policy documents that suggest the UK will not seek to curb trade with Russia or close London's financial centre to Russians.

[MIKA27]

Vatican: Holy Father uses unholy word by accident

In an accidental slip of the tongue, Pope Francis uttered an Italian swear word during his weekly blessing in St Peter's Square in the Vatican on Sunday.

While delivering his speech in Italian, instead of saying "caso", the word for a case or example, the Pope said "cazzo", which is a swear word. He quickly corrected himself, but several videos of the gaffe were soon circulating on YouTube.

"If each one of us does not amass riches only for oneself, but half for the service of others," the Pope said just before the slip-up.

But he immediately paused and repeated the phrase correctly. "In this case, the providence of God will become visible through this gesture of solidarity."

The blunder does not seem to have prompted a malicious response, with most people saying he should be forgiven. "Even the Pope does Mistakes," read the title of one of the uploaded clips.

Fortunately, the episode did not overshadow the message of the blessing. The Pope asked for prayers for Ukraine and called on the international community "to support any initiative for dialogue and harmony", the official website of the Holy See reports.

[MIKA27]

Apple’s New Car System Turns Your Dashboard Into an iPhone Accessory

Apple’s CarPlay interface in the upcoming Volvo XC90 SUV.

Apple’s CarPlay looks like a slick, Siri-enabled way to interact with your iPhone in the car. While not a standalone in-car operating system, it is a “second screen” iOS interface optimized for the car — one that allows for deeper integration with iOS devices than any in-car system to date. This should make the creators of full-featured infotainment systems very nervous.

The system will debut at the Geneva International Motor Show this week, and new cars from Mercedes, Volvo, and Ferrari will ship with CarPlay built in. Or make that half of CarPlay built in: In addition to a CarPlay-enabled car, you’ll need an iPhone with an upcoming iOS 7 update to use it. According to Apple, the system only works with Lightning-connector iPhones — you’re limited to using the system with the iPhone 5, 5s, and 5c — that will need to be connected to the car in order for the features to work.

Think of it as a car-infotainment system by proxy, because everything’s still running through the iPhone. For the screen mirroring and car-touchscreen interaction with the phone, CarPlay uses a system based on streaming H.264 video. A Volvo press release mentioned that Wi-Fi connectivity is planned for its own implementation of CarPlay, but the real brains of the system — the iPhone itself — will need to stay physically tethered via a Lightning cable for now.

That physical connection will offer much deeper integration than things like the Siri Eyes Free system found in Chevy cars, which only requires Bluetooth connectivity. In CarPlay, as in Siri Eyes Free, Apple’s voice-control system can read messages aloud and receive voice dictation as you drive. But with the CarPlay system, you can get turn-by-turn directions from Apple Maps while navigation information appears on the big screen. Your car’s touchscreen console will become an in-car extension of the iPhone screen, providing access to certain third-party apps on a larger, less-distracting display (Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Beats Radio, among others). You’ll see familiar iOS icons and have a better idea of what does what.

Indeed, this is really what makes Apple’s announcement so compelling. Instead of today’s fragmented universe of in-car infotainment systems and sometimes-kludgy interfaces, some cars will now have a combination of Apple’s proven design chops, the now-familiar iOS interface, and what should be a rich in-car app ecosystem. You’ll be able to use an Apple-designed interface for navigating music, maps, and other iPhone features in your car — via voice, touchscreen, or the buttons and knobs on the steering wheel and console.

For many in-car infotainment systems, that could make CarPlay a service provider. As explained in WIRED’s analysis of Apple’s iOS for the Car demo at last year’s WWDC, many carmakers offer basic, bare-bones in-car infotainment systems. CarPlay could be a centerpiece for future in-car offerings. Among those car manufacturers, Honda, Hyundai, and Jaguar are slated to have CarPlay-enabled cars coming out later in 2014.

(One interesting side note: If you’re looking for a dual-boot car, you might be best off buying a Honda or a Hyundai in the near future. Both of those carmakers are listed as being part of the 2014 CarPlay lineup and are also members of the Android-focused Open Automotive Alliance.)

Of course, CarPlay’s reliance on Apple’s own core apps is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the ability to develop apps for an already successful platform with a loyal user base will be an attractive proposition for developers. On the other hand, sometimes-frustrating core services, like Apple Maps and Siri, will certainly need to improve in order for CarPlay to realize its full in-car potential.

It will also be interesting to see whether apps that offer competing functionalities — Google Maps, most notably — will be allowed to run on the in-car arm of Apple’s platform.

It’s also possible that this is simply Apple kicking the tires on the in-car OS game before they really step on the gas. Remember the Motorola Rokr E1? That “iTunes phone” came out a few years before the first iPhone. Similarly, this could be an example of the company fine-tuning its in-car interface, app presentation, and services before launching its own full-fledged in-car platform.

In the meantime, it really doesn’t matter that this isn’t a “true” in-car OS — in fact, it may have key advantages compared to a full-bore Apple OS for cars. In terms of functionality and interface for iPhone users, it’ll look like a duck and act like a duck. If it’s a success, factory-installed in-car systems of the future will simply be “dumb terminals,” relying on connected mobile devices for all the entertainment features. That’s probably a great thing for both consumers and developers.

For the foreseeable future, you’ll still have to buy a car that has the CarPlay features built into it instead of being able to add them down the line. There haven’t been any announcements about aftermarket consoles or add-ons that include CarPlay functionality.

[MIKA27]

SurroundWeb: Microsoft's Plan To Cloak Your Living Room With Internet

Your browser is in all your devices. Hell, you can even get it in your watch if you’re down with that. And in the Microsoft world, its next destination is your living room wall.

Microsoft Research has cooked up a prototype of something called SurroundWeb, a holodeck-style system that finds the flat surfaces in a room, and projects the internet onto them. Microsoft lays it out:

We introduce SurroundWeb, the first least-privilege platform for immersive room experiences. SurroundWeb is a “3D Browser” that gives web pages the ability to display across multiple surfaces in a room, adapt their appearance to objects present in that room, and interact using natural user input.

SurroundWeb enables least privilege for these immersive web pages by introducing two new abstractions: first, a Room Skeleton that enables least privilege for room rendering, unlike previous approaches that focus on inputs alone.

Second, a Detection Sandbox that allows web pages to register content to show if an object is detected, but prevents the web server from knowing if the object is present. SurroundWeb provides three privacy properties: detection privacy, rendering privacy, and interaction privacy while simultaneously enabling Web pages to use object recognition and room display capabilities.

Working closely with Kinect, SurroundWeb will map and remember your room, looking for the spots where it could beam content.

According to the abstract, it also will look for things into your room — a can of soda, for example — and if its site has new or interesting content, it will show up in the rendering of the room. You could also scan different URLs from your phone or tablet, and SurroundWeb could plop them up on a surface in the room. But these are just a few examples.

If SurroundWeb sounds familiar, that’s because it’s not a far cry from the insane IllumiRoom — the wide-angle projection box that turned your TV and console into an immersive gaming experience — Microsoft teased out last spring.

The most detectable difference with SurroundWeb is Microsoft is dealing with web pages, which are dynamic and evolve and change, rather than games, which have a set source code. (You can read the whole idea for SurroundWeb in this 16-page paper.) But it’s a neat vision of the future in which you would actually be able to interact with the things you do online, whether it’s watching a video or browsing Twitter.

It’s just research at this point. But given that Microsoft has already made gesture-based controls for the living room into a real thing with Kinect, it’s not exactly unrealistic.

[MIKA27]

This Pilot Firing A Missile Is The Coolest Selfie Ever, Not The Oscars'

Forget about Ellen Degeneres. This is the most awesome selfie, not theirs: A Royal Danish Air Force pilot firing a live air-to-air AIM-9 Sidewinder missile from his F-16 fighter.

[MIKA27]

This Titanfall Ad Makes Me Want My Own Personal Mech

Who hasn’t wanted a giant robot to follow them around all the time?

This ad for Xbox One-exclusive game Titanfall (Also on PC) shows that life is indeed more fun with a mech by your side that can grab you and stuff you inside it for some gunfighting skirmishes.

Parking it in the city might be an issue though…

MIKA: Already pre-ordered

[MIKA27]

What The Hell Is This Giant Russian Car?

According to English Russia, a Russian guy designed this car using a 3D modelling software. Then he and his friends got a Nissan Maxima “as a source for some parts” and built it. Looks like an all-terrain batmobile to me.

Why can’t Russian keep building insanely dumb stuff like this instead of trying to start World War III?

[MIKA27]

KOENIGSEGG ONE1

The Koenigsegg One:1 is finally official!

Swedish supercar specialists Koenigsegg have taken the hypercar concept to the next level, the all-carbonfibre One:1 is is equipped with a twin-turbocharged, 5.0-liter V8 engine and a crazy 1,360hp! Reports say this beast has traveled at 273 miles per hour, which would make it the world´s fastest production vehicle. Only six of these will be made, good luck if you’ve got the requisite $2m lying around. Read a great report on the supercar by Jalopnik here

[MIKA27]

MINI BEER PONG

Mini Beer Pong takes the classic party drinking game and shrinks it into a compact tabletop entertainment solution. Each handcrafted table uses spring-loaded ball launchers to shoot tethered balls into 1 ounce cups, eliminating the hassle caused by chasing stray ping pong balls around.

The 2-foot long table is the perfect party entertainment accessory, allowing you to get hammered in just about any setting.

Learn more at the Scienz website, or purchase now from Amazon

[MIKA27]

ESSENTIAL COCKTAIL RECIPES: 30 BEST WHISKEY DRINKS

For the most part, I prefer to drink my whiskey neat. Whether it be my favorite single malt Scotch, or a good ‘ole American Kentucky bourbon. Pour a finger’s width or two of pretty much anything good, and I'm a happy camper. There are times however when I like to get a bit creative with booze. You know, a nice whiskey cocktail.

Thanks to the popularity of shows like Mad Men (thank you Don Draper), the popularity of classic whiskey cocktails has made a huge resurgence in bars, making it much easier to get a good Old Fashioned drink at your local spot.

This surge in popularity has also led to a lot great iterations on some classic whiskey drinks, and we are all for progression and creativity. The drawback is that there are still a lot bad drinks out there, and herein lies the problem. How do you go about finding the best whiskey drink recipes on the web?

Well that’s where I come in. I've been drinking the stuff for years, and have taken on the daunting task of drinking countless whiskey cocktails to find the best ones. So let’s get to it. We’ve got everything from the classics, to the new school concoctions. Below are the 30 best whiskey drinks – in no particular order.

1. OLD FASHIONED

I won’t waste any time getting to our favorite cocktail, the Old Fashioned. The original recipe dates all the way back to the 1800s, and while it has been changed up a number of times (with many bartenders not actually knowing how to make it) I prefer this particular recipe. Use an orange peel (not a wedge), you’ll thank me later. [View Recipe]

2. COKE, PEANUTS, AND WHISKEY

The aptly titled whiskey cocktail takes on the delicious pairing of roasted peanuts with ice-cold Coca-Cola, and adds some Jack Daniel’s to the mix. [View Recipe]

3. ROB ROY

Created back in 1894 by a bartender at the Waldorf Astoria New York, this drink has gone on to become iconic on the cocktail scene. Celebrating the premiere of the operetta with the same name, you can’t go wrong with any variation of this whiskey drink. [View Recipe]

4. HOT BLOODED

What original started simply as the Jalapeno, Blood Orange and Whiskey cocktail was recently renamed to Hot Blooded. If you’re looking for a bit of spice in your drink, this is a great choice. [View Recipe]

5. MINT JULEP

Anyone who keeps up with the Kentucky Derby has at least heard of one of these. It’s the traditional drink of the massive sporting event, with nearly 80,000 being served up each year. It takes only 3 minutes to craft, and it’s the perfect way to beat the heat. [View Recipe]

6. SEA CAPTAIN’S SPECIAL

The first cocktail dedicated to rye whiskey, this bitter-sour concoction includes bitters, pastis, and is topped off with some champagne. [View Recipe]

7. SUBURBAN

Another classic, this drink is said to date all the way back to 1875. Typically (although not always) served up in a traditional cocktail glass, the Suburban blends rye whiskey with dark rum and port, and is finished off with a dash of Angostura bitters. [View Recipe]

8. SMOKE SIGNALS

When you’re really looking to knock the socks off of your house guests, this is the go-to. Created in Portland, Oregon, this whiskey drink includes a mixture of pecans, sugar, lemon juice, and is topped off with carved ice chunks. [View Recipe]

9. SAZERAC

Right behind the Old Fashioned, this bad boy is our second favorite whiskey cocktail. First created in New Orleans circa 1850, this delicious cocktail includes rye whiskey, bitters, simple syrup (or sugar cube), absinthe, and a lemon peel as a finishing garnish. [View Recipe]

10. PENICILLIN

This cocktail is a great way to start whiskey enthusiasts on the path to drinking their single malt neat. It includes 2 ounces of a blended scotch, fresh lemon juice, ginger syrup, honey, and a splash of Laphroaig – providing a nice smokey finish. [View Recipe]

11. IRISH COFFEE

When you’re looking for the ideal whiskey drink to heat you up during a cool summer night, this is the go-to. Made with Irish whiskey (as indicated by the name) along with coffee, sugar and heavy cream, this is a great dessert choice for whiskey drinkers. [View Recipe]

12. MANHATTAN

Blending rye whiskey with sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters in an ice filled cocktail glass, the Manhattan is as classic as they come. [View Recipe]

13. BOURBON SWEET TEA

Forget the Arnold Palmer, this is the way to enjoy a hard tea. And pouring it into a mason jar to drink from? The ultimate finishing touch. [View Recipe]

14. REMEMBER THE MAINE

This is a classic cocktail that most have forgotten about, but has managed to stay relevant among whiskey cocktail enthusiasts – and for good reason. Featured in Charles H. Baker Jr.s 1939 book ‘The Gentleman’s Companion,’ this old school cocktail blends rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, cherry brandy and absinthe. [View Recipe]

15. BRAIN-DUSTER

With a name like Brain-Duster, how could this thing not be good? Think of the previously mentioned Remember The Maine, but skip the cherry brandy. [View Recipe]

16. TOM AND JERRY

There is literally no better holiday drink than this – whiskey or other. This classic Christmas cocktail was created all the way back in the early 19th century, and is very addictive. You can even make a batch for the kids – skip the alcohol of course. Beats the hell out of egg nog. [View Recipe]

17. WHISKEY SOUR

Simple, yet tasty. This classic cocktail blends a shot of bourbon with lemon juice and simple syrup, served on the rocks, and topped off with a lemon wedge. [View Recipe]

18. SEVEN AND SEVEN

With many of the other whiskey drinks on the list, you can choose the brand of whiskey. That’s not the case with this cocktail. The recipe specifically calls for Seagram’s 7 whiskey mixed with 7-up, and finished off with a lemon wedge for garnish. [View Recipe]

19. SRIRACHA HOT TODDY

You didn’t think I could put together an entire list of the best whiskey drinks without including something with Sriracha hot sauce in it did you? I love this stuff too much, and we just had to experiment. Take all the ingredients of a Hot Toddy – whiskey, honey, ginger, lemon, and add some Sriracha. Now that’s what we’re talking about. [View Recipe]

20. PRESBYTERIAN

If you liked the Seven and Seven, this cocktail is right up your alley. Pour 2 ounces of Scotch into a glass with 4 ounces of ginger ale, and you’re ready to roll. [View Recipe]

21. RUSTY NAIL

This drink has gotten a bit of a bad rap over the years – being labeled as an old man’s drink, but we respectfully disagree. The mixture of Scotch and Drambuie tastes great together, and the dash of Angsotura bitters is a nice finishing touch. [View Recipe]

22. JOHN COLLINS

Basically a tall version of the previously featured Whiskey Sour. Made with 1.5 ounces of bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, club soda, and both a Maraschino cherry and orange slice for garnish. [View Recipe]

23. SUFFERING BASTARD

How could you go wrong with a whiskey drink called the Suffering Bastard? The answer is, you can’t. There are some variations of the this drink (a Mai tai version that calls for rum), but we prefer this recipe of bourbon, gin and ginger ale. [View Recipe]

24. BLOOD AND SAND

Yet another classic, this Scotch based cocktail was invented all the way back in 1922, and was named after the Rudolph Valentino move with the same name. The recipe mixes Scotch whisky, Rosso vermouth, cherry brandy and orange juice. [View Recipe]

25. THE REVOLVER

To be honest, we weren’t really sure to expect from a recipe that called for a half ounce of coffee liquor, but the mixture of Buffalo Trace and Kahlua was actually quite good. [View Recipe]

26. SPICED BOURBON CIDER

Hard cider has definitely seen a surge in popularity as of late, and this is by far the best way to enjoy a glass of alcoholic cider. Add bourbon, ground cloves, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon sticks, bitters, and maple syrup to your apple cider, and you’ve got yourself a beverage. [View Recipe]

27. THE IRISH REDHEAD

This one’s pretty easy to guess the ingredients right from the title. Made with 3 ounces of Jameson Irish Whiskey, an ounce of Grenadine, and 6 ounces of sprite, it’s the perfect way to settle that uneasy stomach. We’re kidding. Sort of. [View Recipe]

28. GLASGOW COCKTAIL

If you’re partial to the spicy-bitter taste, then the Glasgow is for you. After you fill up your mixing glass with ice cubes, add Scotch whisky, dry vermouth, bitters and pasties, pour the mixture into a cocktail glass and enjoy. [View Recipe]

29. THE BROOKLYN COCKTAIL

It may not be as famous as its neighbor (the Manhattan), but that hasn’t stopped the Brooklyn from becoming one of our favorite whiskey drinks. This recipe calls for 2 ounces of rye whiskey, dry vermouth, Maraschino liqueur, and AmerPicon. [View Recipe]

30. BACON, BOURBON, AND HAZELNUT HOT CHOCOLATE

A “best of” list is not complete without including the greatest food known to man – bacon. The perfect way to enjoy those cold winter evenings, this is a recipe for success. [View Recipe]

[MIKA27]

SUPERHERO WINTER OLYMPICS

We loved the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, but how much more awesome would the events be if it were superheroes competing? That’s the concept behind graphic artist Francesco Francavilla’s Winter Super Olympics series.

Superheroes make everything cooler, so why would the olympics be any different? Comic book fans will be happy to know that Francavilla didn’t discriminate, including characters from both the Marvel and DC universe. You’ve got Batman speeding down a hill as he prepares for his ski jump, Captain America using his indestructible shield to luge across the ice, The Flash tearing up the speed skating event, and even Silver Surfer showing off his snowboarding skills.

[MIKA27]

JAMSTIK MIDI GUITAR FOR IPAD

You’ve mastered Guitar Hero, worked Rocksmith to the bone, and now you need a new guitar fix—just, maybe not a real one yet. The JamStik is ready for you. But despite the playful name, this isn’t a toy, so put down the Cheetos, grab your iPad, and prepare to lay down the funk.

This 15” long MIDI instrument features real guitar strings and works wirelessly over Wi-Fi. The company behind the JamStik, Zivix, says there’s no tuning required, and the low latency means instant responsiveness with the strings—very important. There’s a rechargeable battery so you can whip out your Stik for those campfire sing-a-longs, and it has full MIDI support for those home studio sessions. Plus, the bundled JamTutor system promises to teach you things Activision never could. Watch the video below. [Purchase]

[MIKA27]

ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE N430

Combining the DNA of a racetrack superstar with a street-legal ride, the new V8 Vantage N430 from Aston Martin is poised to thrill. The signature yellow and green Aston race theme (applied for the first time to a road-going Vantage) lets you know right off the bat that this vehicle is something special.

If you need your clues to be a little less subtle, the 4.7-liter V8 engine delivers an upgraded 430 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. The track-tuned upgrades abound, with lightweight carbon Kevlar seats, new lightweight forged alloy wheels, recalibrated suspension system, quick-ratio steering rack, and Jenny Craig’s favorite upgrade: It weighs 44 pounds less than the original V8 Vantage. Inside you’ll find a 1000W Bang & Olufsen audio system, black magnesium paddle-shifts or carbon fiber gearshift surround, a leather or Alcantara steering wheel, and much more. Look for the V8 Vantage N430 to first hit the U.K. this fall for about 90,000 euros.

[MIKA27]

DANISH FUEL REPURPOSED JERRY CANS

For the World War II buffs out there whose significant other refuses to let them house a M3 Gun Motor Carriage tank destroyer in the garage, how about this instead: a Repurposed Jerry Can from Danish Fuel that acts as a rugged, military-inspired bar cabinet.

Jerry Cans were designed by the Germans — whom the English called “Jerries” – in the 1930s to help them transport more than 5 gallons of fuel or other vital fluids without the need for a funnel. Back then, the colors would correspond to what was in the can; if it was red, it had gasoline in it; yellow for diesel; blue for petrol; light blue for water; and teal for delicious Glacier Freeze Gatorade. While the bad guys had ‘em in the “big one,” you can have one now and have the last laugh—as well as an ice cold German import. True payback. [Purchase]

[CaptainQuintero]

You would have thought a better colour would have been picked for the water versions lol!

[MIKA27]

DAS PARK SEWAGE PIPE HOTEL IN AUSTRIA

When most people dream about the ultimate vacation destination, we can pretty much guarantee you that sleeping inside a sewage pipe doesn’t top the list. That didn’t stop designer Andreas Strauss from creating a hotel made entirely of just that – giant old sewage pipes.

Crowned the Das Park Hotel, this eco-friendly destination is located in Ottensheim, Austria, and was assembled back in 2004. Each 6.5-foot in diameter pipe features wall paintings by Austrian artist Thomas Latzel Ochoa, and also includes a small window for natural light to enter, double-bed, storage space, and even a small charging station for gadgets and gizmos. While there is no bathroom in the actual room itself, there are shared toilets, showers, cafe, and even a minibar in the surrounding area – there’s even a swimming pool. Perhaps the greatest aspect to the hotel is the “pay as you wish” system that lets guests pay exactly what they think the trip was worth.

[MIKA27]

TIMBERTOP DESK BY RAIL YARD STUDIOS

There are two types of distressed—one good, one bad. Bad distressed is the way you feel after your pet Yeti gets quarantined by the government. But good distressed can be seen right here in these distressed timbers on this magnificently rustic Timbertop Desk from Railyard Studios. Is this the kind of desk Abraham Lincoln used to lean on when hammering away at his MacBook Air? Yes it is.

The top of the desk features two sections of rail, and two gauge rods act as a vise to keep the rails in place. The 1.5″ thick threaded steel rods and fist-sized hex nuts only further the image of this desk as a time-machined transport from the 1500s. You can sit at the desk with a normal office chair, but if you’re serious about completing the look, only a massive tree stump will do. [Purchase]

[MIKA27]

THE WALKING DEAD MONOPOLY

Breaking Bad may have wrapped up earlier in the year, but we still have plenty of Walking Dead to look forward to. But my ultimate favorite show on AMC finally gets a gift we already knew was coming – an official Walking Dead Monopoly set.

That’s right. After seeing all of the prototype boards over the years, Hasbro has finally decided to release an officially licensed version. While the rules are pretty much the same in this zombie version of the popular game we all know and love, players will now play for resources that will save your life, as oppose to making you rich in the standard version. There are six different collectible tokens to choose from including Michonne’s katana, Rick’s Hat, RV, Lucille (bat), a bucket of body parts, and a telephone symbolizing Rick’s meltdown during season 3 of the show. [Purchase]

[MIKA27]

Harrowing Final Interview With America’s Most Terrifying Serial Killer

Looks can be deceiving, there’s never been a better example than in the case of Ted Bundy….

To some he was an attractive, charismatic and personable young man, to others he was America’s most notorious serial killer, rapist, kidnapper and necrophile.

Moments before his execution in the electric chair in Florida State Prison in 1989, he confessed to committing 30 individual murders, although police and authorities maintain this is possibly much higher.

Those 30 deaths occurred in a 4 year period between 1974 and 1978. If that wasn’t terrifying enough, he decapitated 12 of those victims, keeping their severed heads in his freezer at home as mementos.

He dramatically escaped prison not once, but twice. And whilst on the run as a fugitive, committed more grizzly murders, deaths that genuinely could have prevented if the authorities has been more vigilant in watching his movements.

Below is a disturbing interview Ted Bundy conducted hours before he was sent to meet his maker in the electric chair. His interviewer is James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family – which at the time was a group campaigning to prove the negative effect pornography was having on society. Consenting adults having sex were apparently turning upstanding moral citizens into wayward degenerates and vicious killers like Bundy.

Bundy was aware of Dobson’s background and ulterior motives during the interview and thus conveniently blames his evil actions on pornographic material. The truth is that Bundy had an extremely harrowing childhood. His alleged father Samuel Cowell, was a ferociously evil influence during his formative years. Cowell was a well-known racist, would erupt into bursts of unbridled aggression and would frequently beat his wife and the family pets.

Hardly the upstanding role model a child can look up to.

http://youtu.be/9LYL1PTrtXo

It goes some way into explaining the monster that Bundy became. Despite his demeanor, make no mistake he intentionally stalked, bound, tortured, beat, suffocated, sliced, raped and slowly killed his victims before having intercourse with their splayed corpses.

As his defense attorney Polly Nelson famously once said “Ted was the very definition of heartless evil.”