Thomas Sanders walks around town inventing stories about the people he sees going about their lives. Sometimes the main characters are a little freaked out by his interpretations, and I can see why. Their reactions are more amusing than the actual stories. -Via Laughing Squid
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This cool CMYK jigsaw puzzle contains 1,000 pieces in 1,000 different colors. Creator Clemens Habicht claims the puzzle is less difficult to master than most puzzles. He explains,
"The idea came from enjoying the subtle differences in the blue of a sky in a particularly brutal jigsaw puzzle, I found that without the presence of image detail to help locate a piece I was relying only on an intuitive sense of colour, and this was much more satisfying to do than the areas with image details.
What is strange is that unlike ordinary puzzles where you are in effect redrawing a specific picture from a reference you have a sense of where every piece belongs compared to every other piece. There is a real logic in the doing that is weirdly soothing, therapeutic, it must be the German coming out in me. As each piece clicks perfectly into place, just so, it’s a little win, like a little pat on the back."
I'm not convinced my intuition would take over while attempting to assemble the puzzle, but between it being pretty and seemingly challenging, I'm tempted to try. Order the 1,000 Colors puzzle here. It ships out from Australia, so shipping cost is a consideration for most of us; the price minus shipping is $33 USD. -Via Colossal
In this video, Alton Brown demonstrates what he believes to be the perfect shape in which to cut raw potatoes prior to them being cooked and mashed. Of course, everyone should follow his advice. Because he's Alton Brown, and he sees all. -Via Laughing Squid
This adorable pygmy goat named Benjamin is just five weeks old, but he's got years worth of personality, according to his owner Tom. Benjamin was born with a twin, but his mother was unable to care for him properly. At first, it looked like litte Benjamin might not survive. But since Tom stepped in to hand-rear him, Benjamin is one thriving, healthy kid. His bouncy enthusiasm is quite enough to give those in need their cute for the day. -Via Viral Viral Videos
This may sound strange, but I actually like to wrap gifts. I'd rather wrap a gift than put it in a gift bag. But sometimes, if my December is hectic, I end up with a mountain of gifts to wrap on December 24th at about 10:00 pm. This cool wrapping trick shown in this video is something I plan to try this year. I hope readers can make use of it as well! -Via Design Taxi
Landon is introduced to twins, and it seems that he can't believe his eyes! Women will probably keep you confused all your life, buddy. Best get used to it. -Via Distractify
The work of Hollywood makeup artist Cris Alex can be seen in X-Men: Days of Future Past and The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Here, Alex flawlessly recreates the cover of Silver Surfer Vol. 3 #20, to the point that the makeup, in combination with special lighting, becomes flat-out optical illusion.
See more photos of the Silver Surfer body paint as well as behind the scenes photos of the shoot with Cris Alex at the artist's website.
Terrible Real Estate Photos (previously featured at Neatorama) is a website full of shots that defy all realty rational thought and reason. Toilets smack dab in the middle of the kitchen. People wearing reflective gear while in the corner trying to hide from the camera. Carpets that look like Pigpen died on them. House-eating trees. If there's currently a feature that's slightly embarrassing in your house, something you've been meaning to get to, this site will make you feel a lot better about it.
The site recently published a book of these photos, perfect for your realtor friend or family member who is feeling down for making mistakes not nearly as egregious as these.
Bik Ismo is a street artist from Arecibo, Puerto Rico. His impressive work shown here was created over a period of four days, solely with the use of spray paint. "Reflections" of vistas nearby are painted within the body of the dog. The piece was a part of the Raw Project at the Jose De Diego Middle School during Art Basel Miami last week.
See additional shots of Ismo's metallic dog mural at StreetArtNews, and visit his Facebook page to keep up with his projects.
Images: StreetArtNews
Movie stars get paid a ton of money for their work, and many people make comments to the effect that they don't deserve it. While their pay may be inflated, some of them are incredibly dedicated, focused and tough as nails when it comes to their jobs. One example is these actors who've been hurt on the set and, instead of stopping the action to get medical care, they let everything keep rolling. Gives new meaning to the phrase "break a leg." -Via 22 Words
H.H. Holmes
“Come with me, if you will, to a tiny, quiet, New England village, nestling among the picturesquely rugged hills of New Hampshire.”
-H.H. Holmes, “Holmes’ Own Story," 1895
So begins, in his own words, the story of H.H. Holmes, America’s first known – and perhaps most prolific – serial killer. Born Herman Webster Mudgett in 1861 and raised by his parents against the bucolic backdrop of Gilmanton, New Hampshire, he had a privileged upbringing. A youth of high intelligence, Herman excelled in school. He exhibited a hallmark of many serial killers in their youths, the torture and killing of animals. Despite this, young Herman managed to stay out of trouble, though he was bullied by peers. During one such experience, his schoolmates dragged him inside the office of the town's doctor, knowing he was afraid of it. There he faced the doctor’s model skeleton. Though terrified at first, he later claimed the incident imbued in him a desire to learn about human anatomy.
DEVIL AS DOCTOR
Learn about anatomy he did. Mudgett enrolled at the medical school of the University of Michigan. It was there that he discovered a passion for dissecting cadavers. For Mudgett, medical school was an education in how to profit from acquiring and selling cadavers and skeletons. He learned that human skeletons were a commodity for which people paid handsomely. Additionally, he gleaned a trick of his lifelong career as a con artist: insurance fraud. Mudgett purchased claims on fictitious people and subsequently disfigured cadavers, using them to cash in on the policy of the “accident victims.” Not even a year after he began studying medicine, the school expelled Mudgett for stealing cadavers. He was readmitted that same year. Such was the life of this charismatic hustler: rarely was he unable to smooth talk people so that things went his way.
At age 23, Herman Mudgett graduated from medical school. After time spent drifting, he decided to move to Chicago. He also took on the name that would be recorded in the annals of criminal history: Henry Howard (H.H) Holmes.
Holmes arrived in Chicago in May of 1886. He settled in Englewood, then a commercially robust suburb on the city’s south side. There he began work as a pharmacist in a drugstore owned by the Holton family. Pharmacy owner Edward Holton died several months later, reportedly of cancer. Holmes convinced Holton’s widow to sell him the store. After an initial down payment, Holmes stalled any further payments to the widow, who eventually filed suit against him. Shortly afterward, she mysteriously disappeared, most likely dying by Holmes' hand.
World's Columbian Exposition (Chicago World's Fair), 1893
At that time, circumstances in late 1880s Chicago and the nefarious schemes and blood lust of Holmes joined to create a perfect storm for serial murder. Chicago was in a period of growth and renewal. The city was rebuilding after the great fire of 1871, which burnt most of its business district to ashes and left 100,000 residents homeless. Business and real estate development were welcomed. People seeking jobs flocked to the city. Soon, the World’s Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World’s Fair, would bring 26 million visitors to the city.
THE MURDER CASTLE
Holmes snapped up a parcel of land on the street opposite the pharmacy, which he soon closed. He then drew up secret blueprints for a building that would later make him infamous worldwide. Homes kept the plans of the three-story structure under wraps by hiring men to construct sections of it and then firing them before they could understand how their work fit into the bigger picture. Holmes had good reason to conceal the design of the house, as it would have aroused suspicions about its designer. As it was, Englewood residents looked proudly upon the massive building being constructed, considering it a monument to the success of their community. They dubbed the structure “the castle.”
Some people say the definition of insanity is repeatedly taking the same action time and time again, expecting a different outcome. After seeing this video, I think there may be a new definition. This clip is from the new film Days of My Youth, which follows skiers and their love of the sport. In the clip, professional skier Cody Townsend skis the narrow, nearly vertical drop that made Powder magazine's "Line of the Year." -Via Gizmodo
This collection of 28 ideas for parents includes some decent ones. From repurposing old furniture to plastic bottles, there are a lot of possibilities. Of course, each tip won't work for everyone, and each parent has their own unique set of circumstances. But if even one of these ideas can help out an exhausted, holidazed parent, this post has done its job.
See the entire list of ideas for parents here.
This lake in the High Tatras Mountains of Slovakia is crystal clear, to the point that those walking on it while it's frozen apear to be magically suspended in air. The video below captures hiker Tomas Nunuk walking on the frozen water. Such transparent ice forms due to a water content with a high level of purity freezing at a slow rate. Coupled with the beautiful surroundings, the lake seems like a frozen paradise! -Via Lost at E Minor
Russian artist Igor Verniy makes these gorgeous sculptures of animals with scrap metal. Vemiy transforms car, bicycle and clock parts, tableware and any other scraps he can find into these intricate designs with a decidedly steampunk look. The animal sculptures are equipped with moving parts that simulate their species' movements in real life.
See a number of photographs here, and visit Verniy's Etsy shop and Facebook page to stay updated on his offerings.
Images: Igor Verniy
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