Best and Top of Everything : March 2012

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
These faceless enforcers of the “New Order” they called Stormtroopers were considered an extension of the Emperor’s will, and thus they often use some brutal tactics as a way to keep thousands of star systems throughout the galaxy in line. But some of them can be a little, well….odd! So join me with a capture net and box of straight jackets because we need to stop these rouge Stormtroopers from making the Emperor look like a laughing stock! So without further ado I bring you…
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers 
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
10 – Haters Gonna Hate! (source)
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
9 – What do mean you can’t work because your throat is a little horse?!? (source)
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
8 – I don’t remember the planet “Lego” from the films!!! (source)
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
7 – Meep Meep Meep Meep Meep Meep Meeeeeeeeeep Meep!!! (source)
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
6 – “And you are 100% sure you have not watched a single episode of ALF!?!” (source)
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
5 – The Empire of Donnie Darko (source)
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
4 – One for all and all for the loony bin! (source)
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
3 – Steampunk in the Darkside. (source)
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
2 – The Amazing Storm-Spider?!? (source)
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Unusual Stormtroopers
1 – I have to admit, you just don’t meet that many “Super Troopio’s!” (source)

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Top 10 Longest Rivers of the World

When you think of a river, the last thing you think about is probably how strong its water really is. You are more than likely to think about calm flowing water that brushes over stones at the bottom of the river. Maybe you envision small fish in the river. Whatever you think about, it’s definitely not how powerful the river is.


If you’re one of those people that are fascinated by random yet helpful bits of information, then this top-ten list is for you. Here are the top ten most powerful rivers in the world. This list is based upon the flow rate of the river itself.

10. Mekong River

The Mekong River is located in China. It runs through Burma, Thailand, Yunnan, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The Mekong is the 11th longest river in the world and the 7th longest in Asia. The river is said to be about 2,703 miles long. Because of the seasonal changes that cause variations in flow as well as the appearance of rapids and waterfalls in the river, the Mekong is extremely difficult to navigate. This river so strong that the level of the river located in Cambodia is lower than the high tide at sea! In 2000, the river’s rapids and tides became so overwhelming that it flooded, killing about 90 people.

9. Lena River

Flowing through Eastern Siberia, the Lena River is the 10th longest river in the world, bringing water 2,734 miles until it flows into the Sea. The river flows northeast and joins with two other rivers and finally flows into the Laptev Sea. The river is known to have strong links to stream flow, especially during the summer and spring when the water is much warmer than usual. Once it is spring, the ice on the Lena River melts before the ice downstream does, which usually causes flooding because ice blocks hinder the flow of water. In 2007, the river over-flooded and more than 1,000 houses and 12 towns were under water.

8. Parana River

Parana River Iguassu Falls Large Waterfall

Parana River Iguassu Falls Large Waterfall – BigStock

The Parana River is the 14th longest river in the world. Though most of the river is located in Brazil, it also runs through other parts of South America such as Argentina and Paraguay. The river is about 2,485 miles long and flows into three other rivers. On the southern part of the river, flooding is extremely common. The strong currents that the Parana brings have been said to erode river shores, destroy buildings, and cause many people to have to move out of their homes. The high winds and the El-Nino effect also play big roles in how powerful the river is.

7. Yenisey River

The Yenisey River is the biggest river that flows into the Arctic Ocean. At 3,445 miles long, the river is the 5th largest in the world. The river flows through Mongolia, the Yenisei Gulf, and then drains in the center of Siberia. The upper part of the river is subject to floods a swell as rapids. Because part of the river exits through the Darkhad Valley, studies have shown that it is often blocked by ice. Once the glaciers retreat, it is said that as much as 500km ³ of water could escape from the river and cause a complete debacle.

6. Mississippi River

The Mississippi River is the only river in the U.S. to make the list! The Mississippi River is the second largest in the U.S. It expands across 2,340 miles of land. It starts at Lake Itasca in Minnesota and travels all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. Those who live along the banks of the river often have to fear its high tides and extremely powerful waters. Many of the levees that have been built to hold back the water have proven extremely unhelpful. In 2008, many were afraid that the river would over-flood even more than it already had. The water was topping levees and many had to be evacuated from their homes.


5. Brahmaputra River

The Brahmaputra River is located in Bahaduradbad, Bangladesh. It starts in southwestern Tibet, goes through the Himalayas, the Assam Valley, and then through Bangladesh. The Brahmaputra River is about 1,800 miles long and is mostly used for transportation as well as irrigation. While most of this river is navigable, some parts are prone to catastrophic flooding in the spring once the snow of the Himalayans melt. This river is also one of the few that is known to have something called a tidal bare. This means that incoming tides form waves that travel up the river against the direction of the current. This is what researchers call a true tidal wave. This makes the Brahmaputra River that much stronger.

4. Yangtze River

The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia as well as in China. It is the 3rd largest river in the world. The river stretches to about 3,964 miles and flows through East China Sea in Shanghai. The Yangtze River is known for its flooding, and dams that have been built to prevent water from flowing outside of the river’s banks have proven to be useless. Researchers have realized that the river actually has three different types of floods and that its tides are much too strong during some seasons to prevent water from overflowing. Many use the river for electricity and water transport, but they often, if not always have to live in the fear of their towns being flooded.

3. Orinoco River

The Orinoco River is one of the longest in South America. In fact, it is the 3rd longest in South America. The river is 1,330 miles long and flows through Colombia and Venezuela. It begins at the Delgago Chalbaud Mountain. Once the river passes the forested terrain and waterfalls, it slows. However, the waterfalls become rapids which have proven to be extremely difficult to navigate, even though during this time the river is downstream. Eventually the river dumps into the Atlantic Ocean. The river also experiences coastal upwelling year-round, which often poses a threat for those who live close to the river.

2. Congo River

You might know the Congo River as the Zaire River. Whichever name you are familiar with, this river is the largest river in Western Central Africa. At 2,922 miles, the Congo River is the second longest river in Africa. This river is also Africa’s most powerful river. Even though the Congo starts off as a peaceful river, especially near Lake Tanganyika, it eventually begins to widen and also picks up speed during this time. Eventually the water passes through the “Gates of Hell,” which is a 75-mile long canyon that presents rapids that are impassable. At the Upper Congo, the river ends, but has a 60 mile stretch of rapids that make it dangerous and powerful.

1. Amazon River

The Amazon River is the largest river in the world when looking at its volume. It is located in South America, and because it is so large, it can count for at least 1/5 of the world’s complete river flow. This river is so powerful and so big that there aren’t any points along the river that can be crossed by a bridge. The river has an extremely powerful discharge at the mouth which can release as much as eight trillion gallons of water each day. The river is said to be about 150 ft. deep, so if you’re thinking about going for a swim in the Amazon, think again!


Top 10 Most Expensive Paintings

This is the list of most expensive paintings ever sold in the market. This list is up to date for the known prices paid for any paintings in the world. The list showcases paintings sold at either public auctions or private sales. Take a closer look at what makes these paintings so special. Some of these painting are worth a lot more than their sale prices. The years of sales are from 1989 to very recent sales in 2012.

10. Portrait of Joseph Roulin

          $ 105 Million

Painted in 1889 by Vincent Van Gogh, this is from series of paintings called “The Roulin Family”. Joseph Roulin was one of the supporting friends of Van Gogh. This painting was sold on August 1, 1989 (100 years after it was painted) via Private sale.

9. Nude, Green Leaves and Bust

     $ 106.5 Million

This was painted in 1932 by Pablo Picasso. This is one of the most expensive work by Pablo Picasso ever sold at auction. Sold on May 4, 2010 via Christie’s New York, buyer of the painting is anonymous.

8. The Scream

    $ 119.9 Million

This masterpiece by Edvard Munch was painted in 1893. Edvard Munch was a Norwegian painter. Landscape in the background of the painting is the view from Ekeberg, Oslo, Norway. It was recently sold on May 2, 2012 via Sotheby’s, New York. Buyer of the painting is American businessman, Leon David Black.

7. Garçon à la pipe

    $ 126.4 Million

This painting was also painted by Pablo Picasso in the year 1905. The painting depicts a Parisian boy holding a pipe in his hand. This painting is an example of oil on canvas. It was sold on May 4, 2004 via Sotheby’s, New York.

6. Bal du Moulin de la Galette

   $ 138.7 Million

It was painted by French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir in the year 1876. Painting depicts a dance at Le Moulin de la Galette. It was sold on May 17, 1990 via Sotheby’s, New York.

5. Portrait of Dr. Gachet

    $ 146.5 Million

It was painted by Vincent van Gogh in June of 1890.This painting depicts Dr. Paul Gachet, who took care of van Gogh during the final months of his life. It was sold on May 15, 1990 via Christie’s New York.

4. Portrait of Adele Bloch- Bauer I

    $ 152.6 Million

Gustav Klimt took 3 years to complete this wonderful painting in 1907. This painting is an example of  oil, silver, and gold on canvas. It was painted in Vienna. Painting has an interesting history of being confiscated by the Nazi Germany (when Nazis occupied Austria) and then later it was put to auction. It was sold on June 18, 2006 in Private sale via Christie’s.

3. Woman III

   $ 156.5 Million

It was completed in two years from 1951 to 1953 by Willem de Kooning. This painting was once part of Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art before the revolution in 1979. It was sold on November 18, 2006 in Private sale to billionaire Steven A. Cohen.

2. No. 5, 1948

   $ 159.4 Million

It was painted by an American painter, Jackson Pollock in 1950. It was once most expensive painting in the world until 2011. Painting looks like a nest with brown and yellow paint on top of it. Painting is said to have been purchased by entertainment mogul David Geffen in November 2006 in Private sale.

1. The Card Players

  $ 254 Million

This is the most expensive painting in the world. This masterpiece was painted in the years from 1894 to 1895 by French artist Paul Cézanne. Painting is said to have worth of $300 million, making it one of the most expensive work of art ever sold in the world. It was sold in 2011 via Private sale. Buyer of this painting is Royal Family of Qatar.

Top 10 Strangest Hobbies In The World

We’ve all got ways to spend our leisure time.  Some of us make crafts, some of us watch sports, some of us play games…and some of us get a little more creative.  Especially in England, for some reason.


10.  Mooing

mooingcontest

We all know there are people superb at imitating animal calls but, believe it or not, there is such a thing as competitive mooing.  Shockingly, these contests tend to take place in rural locations noted for their dairy, like Wisconsin, and wherever British people keep cows.

Yes, this sounds absolutely ridiculous, but thankfully, we live in an era of the Internet, where there is nothing so ridiculous it cannot be filmed and put on Youtube:

Not ridiculous enough for you to see a grown adult in a costume doing this?  Here’s another three minutes:

9.  Faking Your Death

deadbodyguy

Chuck Lamb is better known as the Dead Body Guy.  He wanted to be an actor but, unlike most aspiring actors, he was able to admit to himself that he wasn’t that very good at speaking roles.  So he went for non-speaking roles, namely the role of Corpse #3.

To support this, he regularly posts staged photos of his death, and hey, it’s gotten him a small career as a horror icon.  He even has online tributes:

8.  Competitive Dog Grooming

dogsasotherthings

We all know about dog competitions.  What you may not know is grooming a poodle to look stupid is a highly competitive subculture.  Those photos you see floating around the Internet of a dog that looks like a Ninja Turtle, or a dragon, or a panda, or a tiger?  All real, all part of competitive dog grooming shows.

They’re mostly put on by the National Dog Groomers Association of America, but there are a bunch more across the country.  Much to the suffering and sadness of dogs across the country.

7.  Milk Bottle Collecting

milkbottlecollection

Paul Luke likes milk.  Not as in, “he enjoys a nice cold glass with lunch”, as in, “he’s kind of really into milk as a hobby.”  So much so that not only does the former milkman (and current dairy sales rep) have a milk bottle collection, he has over 10,000 milk bottles, and actually had to build a museum to keep all of them.  It’s worth explaining that for decades, milk bottles would have various kinds of advertisements and art designs on them, so it’s not just a strange hoarding thing.

However, he’s just the tip of the iceberg of an entire network of milk bottle collectors who share, trade, and talk about milk bottles.

But, hey, heck of a conversation piece!

6.  Soap Carving

soapcarving


Yep, the practice of criminals in bad prison movies is not just a character quirk, but an actual hobby.  People take bars of commercial soap and carve them into beautiful sculptures…which then have to be carefully sealed, or they’ll kind of cease to exist.

This isn’t some sort of casual thing, either: soap carving requires a whole set of tools and techniques, mostly learned by carving fruit.  Only then can you become a soap carver.

5.  Tape Art

tapeart

This is the simple, elegant art of…uh…taking a cassette tape, like from the 1980s, pulling out all the magnetic tape from inside the casing, and using it to create a portrait of the artist.  Even as art hobbies go, this one is fairly obscure and only really got started a few years ago, but there are some pretty impressive examples of the form out there.

Believe it or not, this hobby is actually becoming fairly common among the hip right now, and some impressive portraits have been done.  It’s just not for anybody who fears for the integrity of their prized “Slippery When Wet” cassette.

4.  Trainspotting

trainspotting

It’s not just the name of a movie about heroin!  It’s an actual hobby!  Trainspotting is exactly what it sounds like: people watch for trains and, when they see them, they write down the numbers of the train.  Trainspotters basically “collect” seeing certain types, tracking trains in certain regions, or seeing all the rolling stock from a certain company.

Yes, that’s all there is to it.  Yes, this is a real hobby.  Yes, more than one person does this.

3.  Navel Fluff Collecting

navelfluff

Graham Barker collects his own navel fluff.  He has a Guinness World Record recognizing his collecting of the stuff for more than twenty years.  He started in 1984, keeps it all in carefully labeled jars, and has greeted every single question about why he collects navel fluff with, “why not?”  No word on whether he’s ever gotten a reply like, “because it’s disgusting?”

All we can say is that it must be a great icebreaker at parties.  Or something.

2.  Extreme Ironing

extremeironing

Yes, as in “removing the wrinkles from your clothes”.  That kind of ironing.  People find weird or unusual ways to set up their ironing board, do so and…iron their clothes.

Granted, extreme ironers are not entirely serious about their hobby: it’s as much about exploration, hiking, climbing, and other physical activities normal people get a hobby to avoid, as it is about actually pressing a shirt.  Even so, they had a world championship, which makes us wonder how long it’ll be before they get endorsement deals involved.

1.  Hikaru Dorodango

hikarudorodango

Or, polishing dirt.

If it sounds weird, well, it is, but believe it or not, it’s possible.  Essentially, you make a ball of mud and draw the moisture out of it, while coating it with finer and finer grains of soil.  Then you work the dirt, by hand, polishing it into a high-gloss sphere.  You’re making art with your hands…literally!

How effective is this technique?  The Mythbusters used it to prove that you can, in fact, polish a turd.  Not that we recommend that as a hobby.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching

The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
Here is some good news for you, it doesn’t matter where you live in the World it is officially the weekend, and that also means that it is Caturday! So stop doing that “last little bit of work” and if you are at work, take just a small time-out and relax as I show you the awesome styles that a cat can bend its body into when they are stretching…
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
10 – The Neck Breaker. (source)
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
9 – The Long Reach. (source)
Angie in full stretch
Angie in full stretch
8 – Surprise attack style! (Send to me Via E-Mail)
Sorry to the person who sent me this as I have forgotten your blog url, but when you tell me it I will attach it to this image as the “source” link.
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
7 – The Full Frontal (source)
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
6 – The Booty Call: Back it Up Style (source)
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
5 – The happy ‘C’ shape (source)
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
4 – Each Limb Gets its own Stretch (source)
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
3 – Around the box in 80 Stretches (source)
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
2 – The Happy Rack (source)
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Cats Stretching
1 – The Happy Contortionist (source)