Jessie

"A Florida woman dropped her purse on the ground as she waited for coffee at Starbucks — and ended up accidentally shooting her best friend in the leg. Pamela Beck, 51, from Pinellas Park, is thought to have dropped her bag too hard — sparking her loaded .25 caliber Titan handgun, which was inside, to fire a shot. The bullet hit her buddy Amie Peterson, 38, above the knee." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

Not to mention of course, that if you actually intended self defense, your purse is exactly the worst place possible for a woman to carry a gun... #pursesnatcher - WarLord

"A sci-fi convention briefly turned to the dark side after police were forced to separate two rival groups of fans who clashed wearing full costumes. Share article The force was called to the fourth Norwich Sci-Fi and Film Convention, hosted by the Norwich Star Wars Club, following reports of a fight between the organisers and Doctor Who fans in the Norwich Sci-Fi Club. Both sides admit to having a long-running feud and are said to hold their own conventions. Tempers flared after the treasurer of Norwich Sci Fi Club, Jim Poole, arrived at the event at the University of East Anglia hosted by their Star Wars' nemeses." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

"Poole said of the incident: "This wasn't a fight between Star Wars fans and Doctor Who fans with lightsabres and sonic screwdrivers drawn. "It's a bit sad and pathetic. We're all in the same boat. We're not in competition. "We'd like to extend the hand of friendship."" - Jessie

"In response to Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries not wanting "not so cool" kids or women who wear size large to wear his company's clothes, Greg Karber has come up with a funny and creative way to readjust the Abercrombie & Fitch brand. He's giving their clothes to the homeless. After scouring his local thrift shop's "douchebag section," Karber heads to LA's Skid Row to dole out the clothes among the homeless population. Watch the stunt and find out how you can be involved in one man's troll-job on a company with some pretty unflattering business practices in the video above." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

Thank you Soup! I don't think this guy set out to be offensive, but he does need to rethink his tactics. - Jessie

"The person, who remained anonymous, wrote: ‘I was recently walking my affenpinscher (a toy breed of dog) around the Hanover area of Brighton when I noticed that a wormhole or vortex has opened up on Montreal Road. ‘On closer inspection it seems to be some kind of portal to other times, places and dimensions. ‘I would have investigated further but I was concerned my little dog would be sucked into it. ‘Is this meant to be there? At first I believed it might be part of the Brighton Festival but I believe it could be a hazard to the general public. I look forward to your response.’" - Jessie from Bookmarklet

I just like the house colors. And seeing a comment from lain again. - SteVe C

"A man, 75, and a woman, 66, suspected of using cocaine and running a prostitution ring out of their apartments at the Vincente K. Tibbs Senior Citizen Building have been arrested after residents complained about vagrants, drunks and addicts invading their building, authorities said." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

"The Clown Heart concept began in Europe and Taiwan is the first country in Asia to take it up, said Huang Kuang-ying (黃冠瑩), one of the founders of the studio. Huang said she traveled to Italy when she was 20, where by chance she attended a Clown Heart training workshop and joined their tours of hospitals, psychiatric institutions and orphanages. “The experience made me realize that working for a good cause can bring happiness to everyone. So I decided to bring this concept back to Taiwan,” she said." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

"Another member, Lin Yu-hsuan (林鈺軒), read the movement’s slogan: “If you can’t fly with an angel, then dance with a clown.”" - Jessie

"Through training and role play, the studio opens up students to their creative comedic personality, which is unique to each individual. Thirty students signed up for the studio’s first workshop last year. After the training, the students performed at Taipei Railway Station and for patients at National Taiwan University Children’s Hospital. “When performing on the streets, we gave hugs... more... - Jessie

"A wolf cub yawns as it takes its first steps outside its den in Vienna Zoo. The cubs were born on April 27, in a natural den which was dug by the parent wolf in the semi-natural Arctic wolf enclosure in the zoo." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

"“The production companies Benderspink and Broken Road have teamed to make a rights deal with the Middle Ages-centric Medieval Times. Their aim is to take the branded dinner and tournament venue and get medieval on turning it into a feature film property,” writes Deadline. Now, keep in mind, pretty much any time Medieval Times has been featured in a film, it’s been to make fun of the whole idea. Remember Garden State or The Cable Guy? We don’t have any information of what they plan to do with it once it’s turned into a film property but I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the direction they took. Can you think of another plausible way this could be turned into a movie? Let us not forget Battleship." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

"While no where near as physically exhausting as the Canoe boat races, the ‘it’s a small world’ rubber duck race has gained its own cast member allure in the 5 years its been running. Cast members sponsor and decorate their ducks and then race them for a good cause. The event takes place early in the morning while the park is still closed to guests. The 2013 edition raised more than $1800 for Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire. The winning ‘duck design’ is a very impressive take on Maleficent dragon." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

I don't see any rubber duckie Disney princesses. :-( - Jessie

"“I think it is atrocious!!!… Since I am no longer with the company, I’m sure they could care less what I think on the matter. But they have betrayed the essence of what we were trying to do with Merida—give young girls and women a better stronger role model. She’s strong inside and out—she’s not just a simpering pretty face waiting around for romance! She was created to turn that whole ideal on it’s [sic] head! Oh yeah… that’s why I created her… they’re just in it for the money… not the integrity. They don’t care what message they send about women, as long as it makes them a buck.” — Brenda Chapman on Disney’s Merida redesign." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

The one we saw at Disneyland last year was awesome. She passed by us at one point, and she had the swagger down perfectly. - Jessie

"Dire Wolf (Canis dirus) skeleton" - Jessie from Bookmarklet

that's right, they were real weren't they? :o - Halil

"When wolves were scarce and prey abounded, pups with “helpers” – older siblings still in the family unit – fared better than those without: they were heavier and larger than their helper-less counterparts. At high densities, however, this dynamic flipped for female cubs. With less raccoon to go around, girls living in big families ended up smaller and lighter. High densities had no effect on their brothers, suggesting that male pups aggressively outcompete their sisters for whatever food comes in." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

"The real surprise, however, came in the long-term effects of helpers on cubs. Researchers expected male cubs that had benefited from helpers to turn into reproductively successful adults. In fact, they found the opposite: male wolves that had grown up with helpers actually had fewer offspring over their lifetimes than males that had endured a helper-less cubhood." - Jessie

"Meanwhile, the rangy females who’d been forced to vie with older siblings for dinner scraps ended up with higher lifetime reproductive success than those who hadn’t. The researchers speculate that girl cubs that survive the crucible of the sibling scrabble may be “individuals of the highest quality”, capable of eclipsing other wolves." - Jessie

"Inner Mongolian People’s Party Chairman Temtsiltu Shobtsood, a long-time advocate of rights for ethnic Mongolians living in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, warned Taiwanese to be cautious when dealing with Beijing while recounting Mongolians’ struggle for freedom and human rights. “You must be very careful when dealing with the Chinese Communist Party [CCP] regime, because it follows no moral guidelines, and if it seems that the CCP is doing something good for you, it must be doing it for a reason and when it gets what it wants, it will not hesitate to break its promises,” Shobtsood, who now lives in exile, said in a recent interview in Taipei with the Taipei Times." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

"“When a democracy like Taiwan deals with China, it’s like a gentleman dealing with a gangster — the gentleman will suffer in the end because he honors his word and carries moral responsibilities, while the gangster does not,” he said." - Jessie

"There are about 20 million Han Chinese in the region, accounting for 80 percent of the population, while there are only 3 million ethnic Mongolians, he said. “What Mongolians are facing is an issue of life and death,” Shobtsood said. “With the presence of a large Han Chinese population and government policies aimed at exploiting Mongolians, the survival of our culture is seriously threatened, while the natural environment is under attack from industrial development, mining and rapid urbanization.”" - Jessie

"The group was also joined on stage by U.S.A. Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Gabby Douglas and her mother, introducing the event." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

What an odd event for Gabby and her mom to be at...unless they're huge Disney fans. It must feel weird to be upstaged by park characters when you're an Olympic champion. - Spidra Webster

"Do you ever watch A Knight’s Tale and wish you could be a spectator living the experiences of medieval tournaments? But you know, in a nicer setting with toilets and hygiene? You can live that dream because the Battle of the Nations is happening this weekend in France. The gathering started in 2010 because clubs in Eastern Europe who practiced medieval historical battle wanted an official event where everyone could compete. The event has grown since the early days and 22 national teams are duking it out this weekend—including a team from the US." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

Sort of reminds me of this since it's taking place in France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki... - Spidra Webster

Thank you, Jessie! - Anne Bouey

"My palm tattoo of the black spot from Pirate folklore" - Jessie from Bookmarklet

this is so coooooool :D so Davy Jones will come for you in person :D - ؟- سعید همیشه سبز-

"Story behind it: From my research, the first time alohomora is used, it is cast by Hermione, in the first book. It's my personal belief that Hermione taught herself that spell, because what professor would teach a first year student the spell to unlock locks? That's just asking for trouble! I like the idea that Hermione was already teaching herself, even during her first year at Hogwarts. I like to think that she knew, as a muggle, that she would have to fight extra hard to make it anywhere in the wizarding world. So, for me, the spell alohomora came to mean more than just unlocking locks -- it became about motivating yourself. (Cause Hermione unlocks her knowledge -- get it!?)" - Jessie from Bookmarklet

:D - Soup in a TARDIS

"It’s happy hour somewhere, right? A Scottish brewery wants customers to pair its latest drink with their morning meal. Earlier this year, Black Isle Brewery released Cold Turkey — a rich beer with a malty coffee base and hints of berries and grapefruit. With oats, barley and wheat, the amber ale “has all the malty taste of multigrain cereal,” Black Isle said on its website." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

" Richard Burkitt, director of For the Right Reasons, a Scottish charity that helps people overcome drinking problems, told the Scotsman that the beer sends a negative message. “I would not encourage people to drink alcohol at breakfast time,” he said. “If you are drinking at breakfast time, you have a problem and you are an alcoholic. And you need to seek help.” Burkitt has a point.... more... - Jessie

"“Unfortunately, if you mention breakfast and beer in the same sentence, people do jump to rather predictable conclusions,” Gladwin told trade publication the Drinks Business: “But there has been a lot of positive reaction to it as well. It’s worth remembering that one man’s breakfast is another man’s lunch. Some people who have been up for four or five hours prior to 9 o’clock in the morning might have a drink as it’s their lunch.”" - Jessie

"Foxes rely on non-evaporative heat loss for dissipating heat, and can increase conductance by behavioral or morphological mechanisms. When ambient temperatures rise above the thermal neutral zone, small canids employ evaporative cooling by panting. Small desert canids can be independent of drinking water if evaporative water loss can be restricted. Low basal metabolic rate, a wide thermal neutral zone, seasonal change in fur density and body fat, and active heat dissipation by a change in skin vasoconstriction are additional mechanisms to avoid heat load without the need to evaporate water." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

"Foxes are capable of maintaining water balance for an indefinite time with water input from the diet alone. All 5 fox species in the Saharo-Arabian region include fruit and vegetative material, a water-rich food component in their diet. However, kit and swift foxes feed almost exclusively on rodents. Foxes are able to produce concentrated urine, although not at the levels known in... more... - Jessie

My office has crappy air conditioning so I will be trying several of these this summer. - Jessie

<3 - Jessie from Bookmarklet

isn't the foot supposed to be especially painful? - Halil

I've heard that, but I think a tattoo of Serenity would be worth it. :D - Jessie

"Here we use a 30-year time series of wolf, coyote, and fox relative abundance from the state of Minnesota, USA, to show that wolves suppress coyote populations, which in turn releases foxes from top-down control by coyotes. In contrast to mesopredator release theory, which has often considered the consequence of top predator removal in a three-species interaction chain (e.g., coyote–fox–prey), the presence of the top predator releases the smaller predator in a four-species interaction chain. Thus, heavy predation by abundant small predators might be more similar to the historical ecosystem before top-predator extirpation. The restructuring of predator communities due to the loss or restoration of top predators is likely to alter the size spectrum of heavily consumed prey with important implications for biodiversity and human health." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

"I say “steals” because looking at Zelda’s smile there appears to be a mutual acceptance of her choosing Nathan Fillion over Link. (I feel you, girl.) But “Nathan Fillion Stabs Link, Gathers a Swooning Zelda In His Manly, Manly Arm Before Spiriting Her Away In a Consensual Fashion to His Nerd Castle” is too long for a headline." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

"National Taiwan University (NTU) was named the top university in Taiwan and 24th in the world for electrical and electronic engineering, according to this year’s QS World University Rankings by Subject, which evaluated 1,526 universities on 30 individual subjects." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

"Twenty-seven of NTU’s subjects were included in the rankings, including materials (34th), pharmacy (38th), chemistry (46th) and earth and marine sciences (49th), making it the top university in the nation. Trailing behind was National Cheng Kung University, with 14 subjects included in the rankings. Its statistics and operational research and materials sciences were ranked in the 51st to 100th section." - Jessie

"The rankings also showed that Taiwanese universities generally rank lower in the fields of arts and the humanities." - Jessie

"PC Mick Colley, who led the case, said: “Unlike the rest of us, the Speeds felt entitled to the good life irrespective of whether they earned an honest living to get it. “Daniel sold illegal drugs so he and his wife could enjoy holidays, have all the mod cons and drive nice cars. “Daniel was not only polluting our community with illicit substances, Abigail was draining money from law-abiding taxpayers by continuing to claim benefits. “This is what happens when you bite the hand that feeds you. He will now have to get used to a much more modest life in jail and she will have to go without the luxuries in life for a change."" - Jessie from Bookmarklet

Oh that's cool. I'd be willing to take a chance. :) I'm the person who happily plunked down $5 for a grab bag of books at the annual library sale every year in my hometown. I got some really good stuff that way! (and also some real doozies. Oof.) - Hookuh Tinypants

Yeah at least the doozies are usually good for a few LOLs. :-P - Jessie

"Tangled’s Pascal is my latest addition, eventually having my whole leg sleeved in Disney" - Jessie from Bookmarklet

"You know when you're eating frosting straight out of the can and you're thinking, "I don't even really like this flavor," but you keep on eating? (It's a dark, but human, moment. We understand.) Well, now one study is offering an explanation for why. Compared to calorie-free foods, foods with calories in them hit the human brain with big effects, even if people don't appear to consciously like the flavors all that much. There appear to be two unrelated brain circuits that kick into gear when people consume things, Dana Small, a Yale University psychologist who studies people's responses to food and one of the scientists who performed this study, tells Popular Science. There's one that's related to consciously liking flavors. And then there's another that responds to glucose in the blood, which is an indicator of that person's metabolism of food. "The thing the brain really cares about are the calories," Small says." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

I actually have never done this. - ronin

"Lin Tsung-han (林宗翰), 30, is a sports teacher at Jhuci High School. Lin said he and his fiancee were driving to Chiayi to visit a relative when he saw a man, 39-year-old Du Chun-yi (杜俊義), snatch the elderly woman’s necklace from her neck. Because the woman, surnamed Kuo (郭), fell down, Lin asked his fiancee to take care of her while he chased the thief on foot." - Jessie from Bookmarklet

"Lin took off his sandals and ran barefoot. “I ran while shouting: ‘Stop running! I am a sports coach and you cannot get away, give back the necklace!’” Lin said. The teacher said he and Du ran about 200m until the latter collapsed and asked Lin to stop chasing him. Du took out the necklace from his pocket, gave it to Lin and begged him not to call the police, Lin said. While Lin was thinking about what to do, Du fled." - Jessie

"Lin then ran back and returned the necklace to the woman. However, a gold Kuanyin (觀音) pendant that hung from the necklace was gone. They went to the police, who later caught Du using Lin’s description. According to the police, Du had been caught stealing in large hospitals before and had a record of larceny and drug possession." - Jessie

"Before it was a military term, camouflage was French street-slang popular among pickpockets and other shadowy figures in 1870s Paris. A combination of the Italian word camuffare (to disguise) and the French word camouflet (puff of smoke), this word described a common practice among thieves: staging an attractive woman who would blow smoke in the face of an intended target, which was both sexually suggestive at the time and distracting enough that the thief could snag the mark’s wallet." - Jessie from Bookmarklet