The Disturbing Origins of 5 Common Nursery Rhymes

In college I learned the creepy origins of Ring Around The Rosey (kids would mock plaque victims with the chant) and ever since have been unwilling to play the game with my kids. This great little Internet article from Cracked (of all places) explains a few more unsavory origins for children's rhymes. Check it out.

This is what they had to say about Georgie Porgie...

The whole thing refers to a torrid gay sex scandal involving King Charles I. Georgie Porgie is thought to be a caricature of George Villiers, the 1st Duke of Buckingham and hardcore pretty boy. He was rumored to be a lover to Anne of Austria, the Queen Consort of France who was notorious for just about everything except for being pretty. Or really looking like a woman at all.

WHO IS SARAH PALIN?

Other than John McCain's Hail Mary attempt to get elected.

Well, she wants creationism taught in High School science classes.

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/08/mccains-vp-want.html

Thinks polar bears shouldn't get a 'threatened species' designation because it might slow down oil drilling.

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/08/john-mccain-pic.html

Caused the 'city' she was mayor of to spend nearly ten times the amount it might have paid for a sports complex... because she allowed it to be built on someone else's land ...then tried to seize it through eminent domain.

http://www.adn.com/matsu/story/474934.html

And appointed a sexual harrasser as the head of Alaska's Department of Public Safety

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/08/palin-appointed.html

But really, the fact is, she's 44 years old, has no practical national political experience, would be one hearbeat away from becoming president to the oldest elected president in our country (God forbid), would continue undermining laws to benefit the oil industry, left her former hometown's finances in a shambles, admitted to not knowing what a vice president does in an interview two years ago, and is under investigation for abusing the power of her office.

The horrifying thing? She'll probably get elected.

GREAT MOVIES SWEDED

Okay, if you didn't see Be Kind Rewind (and most people didn't) you probably don't know what 'sweded' means. So, watch this clip.




These homemade versions of popular flicks were the best part of Be Kind Rewind. As a matter of fact, I was so tickled by them I gave the movie a better review than I should. As a total movie package, however, it was pretty lacking.

Still, the film challenged audience to no longer be passive when it comes to art. To participate. Which is a terrific message. And one that sunk in with a few people. So, check out these awesome 'sweded' versions of popular films, now circulating on YouTube.

And go out and make your own!

TERMINATOR 2




JOHN CARPENTER'S THE THING

I HOPE YOU LIKE PAIN

Apparently these guys do.

ROLLERSKATING NINJAS

Jeff S continues with the martial arts madness. Dig the totally bitchin' soundtrack. Of course, these guys would've been toast if they'd gone after Weng Weng.

OMG! IT'S WENG WENG

Once you've had the Weng Weng nothing else will do. (Thank you Jeff S for this amazing rap/homage video).

WATCH THE BOX...

This news report from Minnesota courtesy Jeff S.

GOT WOOD?

Safe for work... only if the sound is turned off.



Not sure how many new Greenpeace this'll attract but it's certainly a new approach.

THE MESSIAH IS IN DA HOUSE!

Just back from vacation out West. Hope to add the gobs o' stuff I've found on the net soon. Also my theories on why Republicans only support religous doctrine/issues that don't actually cost them anything and other useless thoughts.

In the meantime, Jeff S sends me this moment of zen...

I Think I'm Changing My Vote

Inspired...

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

COULD YOU SURVIVE THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE?

Take the test.

I got a:

Physical rating of B
Mental rating of A.
Experience rating of C.
Emotional Rating (integrity) of F.


Which, according to the rating system, means I get a Z+ ...I'm likely to survive the undead onslaught.

Isn't the music creepy.

HITLER'S BUNKER FOUND?

Have you ever noticed how unopoular name Adolph is? One guy has pretty much ruined a perfectly good name for everyone. Charlie Chaplin-style mustaches too.

The bunkers - discovered near the town of Houvig off the Danish coast - are part of 7,000 built by the Nazis as part of Hitler's 'Atlantic Wall' from Norway to the South of France. Expert Tommy Cassoe said: 'It was like entering a pyramid with mummies all around. It is as if the German soldiers had left only yesterday.'

Read about it here.

.

.

.

GET YOUR WAR ON

Get me on the list!

Brilliant, subversive stuff. I love the comic strip. The video is just as good. Check it out, you won't be sorry. But be careful, it's not safe for work. It says naughty words and provokes political thought.

THE U.S. GOVT JUST GETS CREEPIER AND CREEPIER

Do, The Department Of Homeland Security claims that they can, at borders, confiscate/seize your laptop for any reason, never have to return it to you and can share your data and content with whoomever they like.

Now, don't you feel safer?

Full article here.

SONNET 138 and MORE BEAUTIFUL THINGS TO LOOK AT

Dave McKean is a brilliant and bizarre illstrator / artists / animator. He directed a film called MirrorMask which was lovely to look at but less successful to listen to.

Here's some of his stuff in a purer form. just exquisite.



The Week Before



Doll Face

For The Buffy Fans In The House

I'm one of those geeks who worships at the alter of Joss Whedon. In fact, my pipedream is to one day be a part of his writing team. Doesn't matter what the show is, I just wanna write for him.
And then we'll become best friends and cut our thumbs with my pen knife and do that blood oath/friends-for-life thing and when I die I'll leave some cryptic set of instructions that will send him on a totally crazy cross-country adventure, which he'll do to honor the memory of our friendship. Wacky things will ensue.

Anyway, the further adventures of Buffy The Vampire Slayer was briefly considered to become an animated cartoon. Which sounded pretty darned cool to me. And, of course, it didn't happen. Because Hollywood is a cruel and fickle mistress who gets it on with really annoying assholes who wear lotsa hair gel, have six pack abs and drive much nicer cars than me.

Anyway, here's a nifty sample of what could have been. The cast (minus Sarah Michellle Gellar) returns to provide vocals. The Buffy stand-in (voice-in) is surprisingly good. Enjoy!