danipretto

This is a series of dessert plates featuring real microscopic cell shots of various body parts created by medical illustrator/artist Emily Evans. The plates are $60/apiece or $200 for the entire set, but are currently sold out because who doesn't want to eat dessert off a close-up of a testicle? Hit the jump for a close-up.

Blue Turquoise Lake by Jeff Clow

© Jeff R. Clow Peyto Lake has a spectacular shade of turquoise blue as the result of glacial silt....and it really is amazing when you first set eyes on the water from the overlook. The lake is in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada ....

Jeff Clow: Photos · Blog

As many readers are already aware, there is good news to share today, Kate has been released from the hospital.

Jeff Moore / Splash News

The Duchess was released this morning, bundled up against the cold weather in a periwinkle scarf and black/navy checked coat, she was carrying a beautiful bouquet of bright yellow flowers.  More from the Daily Mail:

A St James’s Palace spokesman said: ‘The Duchess of Cambridge has been discharged from the King Edward VII Hospital and will now head to Kensington Palace for a period of rest.

‘Their Royal Highnesses would like to thank the staff at the hospital for the care and treatment the Duchess has received.’

Kate had been hospitalized since Monday with Hyperemesis Gravidarum, a potentially life-threatening disease afflicting pregnant women.  She and William both looked very happy this morning, but Kate also appeared a little fragile.

Jeff Moore / Splash News

It is an enormous relief to see Kate out of the hospital. The Daily Mail interviewed Caitlin Dean, a spokesperson with Pregnancy Sickness Support, a UK resource for pregnant women coping with nausea and vomiting, as well as Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

She will need people to look after her, literally bring food to her and quickly, if she wants a piece of toast or an apple it needs to come straight away before a bout of nausea sets in.’ ‘The emotional side is going to be really tough on her. It’s just so unrelenting, you wake up thinking you’ve got a whole day to get through and this lasts for months.

The Duchess wore Diane von Furstenberg’s Simyonette Coat.

Diane von Furstenberg "Simyonette"

The coat is from the fall/winter 2010 collection. It is constructed of 40% wool/60% Cotton. The piece is in a navy and black pattern, double-breasted, with slip pockets on the front.

Modnique

The Simyonette also features ruffled trim at the cuffs, shoulder and back. A better look at those ruffle details.

Jeff Moore/Splash News

The coat originally sold for $675.  (A fun little side note, the woman who found the coat is also named Kate.) This is not the first Diane Von Furstenberg coat we have seen Kate wear, she has worn DVF for the last two Remembrance Sundays.

Splash News

Kate was also wearing what we think are her Charge It boots by Russell and Bromley.

Jeff Moore/Splash News

We don’t know the maker of Kate’s periwinkle blue scarf, should we find out who it is we’ll update the post.

One other note, The Telegraph had a column yesterday I think many readers will find interesting: “Back off, people – the Duchess of Cambridge is not a Brood Mare“. As one might deduce from the title, the piece examines the baby frenzy and fallout from same, especially the circumstances that arose requiring Kate’s pregnancy be made public:

Of course I share the excitement at the prospect of a royal baby, but every single mother I have spoken to this week has said that her main reaction has been one of anxiety for Kate. No normal woman wants her pregnancy discussed before the 12-week scan.

So back off, people. The unborn child, already in the international spotlight before its eyes have been formed, may be third in line to the throne, but first and foremost it is the darling baby of Mr and Mrs Wales. We would do well to remember that, and wish Diana/Dorothy/Philip/Michael/Elizabeth/Squeak and his/her parents all the luck in the world.

James Whatling / Splash News

Whatever it takes to keep both mother and child safe and healthy is ultimately the only thing that matters, I know readers agree with that sentiment.

That brings us to a reminder that Kate will not be at the next several engagements that were scheduled, Prince William is attending those alone.

LINKAGE:

• HER (Hyperemesis Education and Research) has a wealth of information and links about Kate’s illness
• Pregnancy Sickness Support, a UK foundation helping those with nausea and vomiting, as well as HG

It would be safe to describe the Chinese government as having been "peeved" at Norway for the Nobel Peace Prize that Liu Xiaobo was awarded back in 2010.  More than two years later, Beijing is still pissed off at Oslo, according to the Financial Times' Jamil Anderlini and Clare MacCarthy:

China is offering visa-free visits to Beijing for visitors from every European country except Norway, in what appears to be the latest in a string of punishments for the Nordic country since it gave a jailed Chinese dissident the Nobel peace prize in 2010.

The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by a committee of five appointed by the Norwegian parliament, and committee members have always been Norwegian nationals.

On Wednesday, the Beijing city government unveiled a list of 45 countries whose citizens will be allowed to enter the city while in transit for 72 hours without a visa, starting from January 1.

Visitors from all 27 EU member states, as well as Iceland and Switzerland, will enjoy the new visa-free treatment, as will those from the US, Russia, Japan, Australia and most major Latin American countries.

When asked why Norway was left off the list, Wang Qin, a senior official at the Beijing government travel administration, did not respond directly but said that some countries were not eligible because their citizens or government were “of low-quality” and “badly behaved”.  (emphasis added)

Yeah!!  I've taught a few Norwegians in my day, and the whole lot of them are low quality and badly behaved, with their inscrutable fjords and smug blondness and their vague association with herring and their very specific association with lutefisk!! 

In fact, I'm glad Wang Qin brought this up, because in the past couple of months a whole bunch of country rankings have come out, and they're an excellent way to bolster Wang's assertion of low Norwegian quality and bad behavior, especialy as compared with a peacefully rising China.

Why, just yesterday, Transparency International released their 2012 Corruptions Perception Index, and Norway ranks 7th and China ranks 80th!!  Who's dirty now??!!  [Ahem!--ed.]  Oh.... Norway's the 7th least corrupt economy and China is... way more corrupt. 

Well, there's more than one ranking system! A few weeks ago the World Justice Project released their 2012 Rule of Law Index.  I bet that shows how dirty Norway really is!!  [Ahem!--ed.]  Oh... Norway is actually pretty good on rule of law issues, including ranking first among all 97 countries in civil justice.  Whereas China is.... um... not as good, ranking 94th out of 97 countries on fundamental rights. 

Well, even if Norway's government is pretty good, I bet their low quality, badly behaved people make the country an unlivable hellhole compared to Beijing.  [Ahem!!--ed.]  Oh... so based on Legatum's 2012 Prosperity Index, Norway is actually the most prosperous country in the world, whereas China ranks.... 55th. 

Well, I'm sure if you looked at other ranking systems, like the U.N. Human Development Index or just GDP per capita, you'd find... similar results. 

[But that's just because Norway's rich!!  What have they done for the rest of the exploited developing world??!!--ed.cn]  Excellent point, oh great and glorious Beijing-based editor!!  Why, when we go to the Center for Global Development's 2012 Commitment to Development Index, we find that... that... Norway is the second-most supportive country for assisting the developing world.  Son of a....

Look, it kills me to write this.  I use to have great fun teasing my Norwegian students about the whaling and the high agricultural import barriers, just so they wouldn't think they were all that and a bag of chips.  But if China thinks Norway is a country of low quality and bad behavior, then China would be what happened if Lindsay Lohan hooked up with Kid Rock at 4 AM after a two-day coke bender and three bottles of Patron.   

In other words, Wang Qin wins this week's Vizzini Award.    

Ryan Kesler announced on Twitter today that himself and Bieksa would be putting on a road hockey game at the basketball court underneath the Cambie Street Bridge. We managed to snag a photo of Bieksa and The Green Men high fiving us. Stay tuned for more pics from the game!

I don't know bro, I think this guy has still got you beat. Seen here after possibly killing Robin (get it? because it's cat and robin is a kind of bird!), this is a picture of a cat that looks like Batman. Or -- OR -- is it a cat that BATMAN looks like? It's kind of one of those, 'Which came first, the chicken or the egg?' sort of things. "Batman came first." You don't know that! "There's a computer monitor in the background and Batman first appeared in 1939." THIS CAT COULD BE HUNDREDS OF YEARS OLD! "You're just arguing to take up space aren't you?" Haha -- thanks for the help, jerk! Thanks to Rodrigo and 74114803, one of which I suspect is either a secret code or an escaped convict.

Sunrise Fisheye by Chris Muir

Thank You for viewing my work. If you would like to license any photos please contact me at basicelementsphoto@gmail.com © Basic Elements Photography 2012

Chris Muir: Photos · Blog

This is a Twilight themed window display spotted at a toilet store in Austin, Texas. No word if they previously had a Harry Pooper display. Or a Game of Ceramic Thrones one. 50 Shades of Brown? I'm just gonna stop now. Thanks to carey, who informed me this is probably the least crappy thing to ever come out of the Twilight franchise.

A shop in New York City called Macaron Parlour is making and selling macarons made with Cheetos. Sure, why not? Macarons are the new cupcake and Cheetos are the key to my heart, so it just makes sense. The Parlour’s owners Simon Tung and Christina Ha came up with the concept and they say it’s starting to become more and more popular. You know, I believe it. People need to open their minds! Also, getting super stoned wouldn’t hurt. This definitely sounds like the kinda stuff I crave when I’m high. Except these Cheetos Macarons are just a eensy bit classier than, say, my infamous Grilled Cheese Ice Cream. But you know what they say: money doesn’t buy class. And I have neither!

Tbilisi 2 by Peyman Az

Peyman Az: Photos · Blog

by Mike Dang

Sotheby’s is auctioning off a 1960 credit card prototype that’s basically a piece of cardboard that’s estimated to be worth between $10,000 and $15,000.

But what I’d really like to know is who would even want to own this. I’d say J.P. Morgan, but they might be too busy playing ping pong with Justin Bieber.

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Hate someone so bad you’re willing to spend money sending them a booty burp in the mail? You have problems! But you’re also in luck, so congrulations and let me introduce you to Fart By Mail. It’s a mail order service that sends a smelly-ass greeting card complete with a fart sound. Wheeeeeee! Before we run out and buy one for everyone we know hate, a few quick questions: First, how do they trap those nasty gasses? Second, and more importantly, why? Third, I don’t wanna live on this planet anymore. I realize that’s not actually a question, but… does it even matter? Just put me out of my misery already!

the secret Venice by Daniel Metz

Far from the touristic areas, Alone in the morning light

Daniel Metz: Photos · Blog

SOULFUL PATCH BROBRO. This is a crocheted knight's helmet for sale by Etsy seller HattieHooker. You know, I was friends with a hooker once. She was always asking if I wanted a HJ but I could never tell if she was being serious/if I'd have to pay. That never happened. $40 gets you this crocheted knight's helmet cap. I want you to get one, then run around in the woods swinging a stick pretending to battle a dragon to save a princess. I will don a long blond wig and pretend to be that princess. Sadly, the dragon will defeat you and I'll take your wallet when you're pretending to be dead. Hit the jump for a couple more shots in case you're not already convinced this is the winter cap for you.

Note: don't even want to talk about what I saw when I was looking for a picture to use for this article but rest assured my SafeSearch is going to be on high for awhile. Harvard, best known for begging me to come to their institution on a full scholarship but me refusing because they didn't have a Magic: The Gathering club, now has an officially recognized sex club on campus. Just so we're clear, if they offered me that scholarship now I would take it. I would also accept an honorary doctorate.

Now S&M clubs are increasingly popular at elite institutions as "50 Shades Of Grey" climbed the bestseller list, the Observer said. Columbia, Tufts, MIT and Yale have them, though the story did not say whether they were officially recognized.

Oh yeah, did I mention it's a BDSM (bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism) club? Because it's a BDSM club. Maybe that scholarship isn't for me after all. Psyche! STOMP ON MY BALLS. Thanks to daniel, who informed me sex clubs are the next chess clubs. Me? I wasn't in any clubs in college, I was in a GANG.

Apparently Mercer's wine flavored ice cream has existed for awhile but this is the first time I've heard of it so it was NEWS TO ME. You probably already knew about it though and feel the urge to call me a stupid idiot in the comments. DO NOT RESIST THAT URGE. Holding back your hate will only make you more irritable and painful to be around and I'm sure your friends can barely stand you as it is. Mercer's Wine Ice Cream is 5% alcohol (you have to be of age to purchase it) and comes in flavors everyone's mom will love like Cherry Merlot, Chocolate Cabernet, Peach White Zinfandel, Port, Red Raspberry, Chardonnay, and Riesling. Unfortunately, there's no boxed wine flavor and buttchugging is strongly discouraged. "Brain freeze?" Anal freeze brobro. Thanks to cancan, who agrees alcohol shouldn't be mixed with anything but the saliva in your mouth.

by Mike Dang

In April of last year, the Department of Justice shut down the three largest online poker sites in the U.S., leaving players—many of whom considered online poker their part-time of full-time jobs—and their earnings stuck in limbo. What happened to their money? Buzzfeed’s Michael Kaplan reports:

Cates is 23 years old and has won approximately $7 million in his career as a poker pro. For the last 18 months, though, 80% of Cates’s bankroll — and around $145 million belonging to more than 100,000 other players — has been held in limbo by the United States Department of Justice…

Anticipating that Full Tilt’s money problems could be resolved, players quickly began buying account balances from other players.

Some players have six or seven figures in limbo, and to get some of their money back, players sold their account balances to people with actual money for as high as 85 cents on the dollar, and as low as a penny on the dollar. The people who’ve bought the accounts hope to recoup the full balances from the DOJ. The shadow market is fascinating to me—more interesting than the actual idea of a 23-year-old earning $7 million by gambling, which I’m boggled by.

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Aaaahhh by Peter Rumpel

Tiergarten Heidelberg

Peter Rumpel: Photos · Blog

Momentum Machines has created a hamburger making robot named Burgeon that will be able to produce up to 360 burgers an hour. Like, from start to finish. It won't kill the cow though. Humanity? Yes, and not just through obesity.

Of course, the Burgeon doesn't appear to account for the human skill of actually creating a "tasty" burger, but the company claims that the machine can stamp out beef patties, grill the meat, toast the buns, and even apply pickles, tomatoes, and condiments.

Per the company (which clearly hates human workers): "Our alpha machine replaces all of the hamburger line cooks in a restaurant. It does everything employees can do except better." Wait -- what do you mean "alpha machine"? Is there a less impressive beta machine too? What does it do? "DING FRIES ARE DONE, DING FRIES ARE DONE" Ahahahahahhaha, now it's eating off the floor. Thanks to Carlos, who prefers his burgers made the way they are now: with the chance of finding a human hair in one.

Thank My Friend by Erwin Syahril

Erwin Syahril: Photos · Blog

This is a video from a Brazilian television show where unsuspecting victims are riding a fake elevator when all of a sudden the lights flicker off, and a ghost girl (who looks like a little sister from Bioshock) appears out of nowhere (actually a secret door in the wall) and you realize you're going to die. Then she SCREAMS at you, the lights flicker back off, and she disappears. I'm honestly surprised nobody attacked her. I mean, it's fight or flight and you're trapped in an elevator. I don't know, I think I would have..."Cried in the corner." IN A PUDDLE OF MY OWN URINE. Dammit, you can't air this -- I never signed anything! Hit the jump for the worthwhile video, but feel free to skip around.

Seen here lounging in a VERY magical looking living room, a lady models the $35 Gryffindor Uniform Comfy Throw With Sleeves. It's not actually a Snuggie like I said in the title though -- Snuggies are a name brand, and this is not. Unfortunately, you're not a Gryffindor so this product isn't for you. "Yes I am too!" No, you're not. And if you WERE a Gryffindor you're like a young Neville Longbottom sort of Gryffindor and nobody wants to be like that. Me? When I put the Sorting Hat on it started puking. That means I get to choose my house! "Dammit GW, you're a Death Eater." I SWALLOW IT WHOLE. Thanks to Becca, who agrees they should make little Dobby snuggies for all the ugly kids my friends seem to be having.

by Mike Dang

Video: Secret santa gives out $100 bills to Hurricane Sandy victims

A mysterious and wealthy good Samaritan visited the most devastated regions hit by Sandy and started handing out $100 bills! Haven’t we all had some sort of fantasy in which we are absurdly wealthy and shower money on people from a helicopter and do exactly this? The mysterious man says his goal is give out $100,000 during the holidays. Godspeed, sir. [via]

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These are some shots of a shark breaching the water to catch a seal snapped off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa by photographer Dana Allen. I'm not sure how long he (he -- Dana's a he) had to sit around waiting for a shark to fly, but maybe it happens all the time. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm drafting a petition to fill all the oceans with concrete. Hit the jump to see the whole series.

Seen here looking suspiciously unemployed, Robert Wilkinson, the man who sang Bohemian Rhapsody in its entirety in the back of a cop car after being arrested for a DUI, shows off his court outfit. I'm not sure who the hell his stylist is, but my guess is weed.

Wilkinson had no defence lawyer and represented himself at trial but failed to convince the court the arrest was a violation of his Charter rights. He arrived at the court building wearing sunglasses, a Viking helmet complete with horns and a NASA T-shirt proclaiming: "I need my space." Robert Wilkinson will have to pay a $1,400 fine and will be prohibited from driving for one year. Wilkinson said his brief bout with fame didn't change his life much. The unemployed karaoke singer said he received $1,000 from the American cable network TrueTV so it could air the video on its show World's Dumbest Criminals.

AHAHAHAHAHA, when your job description is being reported as "unemployed karaoke singer," that's when you know you've hit rock bottom. I'm joking, brobro is clearly LIVING THE DREAM. I don't know about you, but I would kill to be an unemployed karaoke singer. You want me to stab a neighbor? I'll stab a neighbor. Hit the jump for the video just in case you never saw it the first time.

by Logan Sachon

“If you had told me twenty years ago that I would one day get sober, marry an amazing woman who consistently inspires me to be a better man, have a child who is the love of my life, and become the founder of one of the leading addiction treatment centers in the world, I would have laughed in your face. Then I would have taken another hit of crack.” — That’s Richard Taite, founder and CEO of Cliffside Malibu, a rehab facility for the rich and famous where people stay from 30 to 120 days and spend “many tens of thousands of dollars.” He used to be addicted to crack, but now he’s not. He also used to not have any money, but now he does.

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This is one of the caviar vending machines recently installed around Los Angeles by Beverly Hills Caviar. Caviar prices range from $4/spoon for the cheap stuff up to $500/ounce for the primo eggs. The machines are estimated to have around $50,000 worth of merchandise in them at any given time, making them a likely target to be dragged behind my truck and crowbarred open at home. They don't JUST vend caviar though, they also sell bottarga (another version of cured fish roe), escargot, truffles, gourmet salts, and mother of pearl plates and spoons. You know, just in case you couldn't find any decent mother of pearl plates and spoons at the Mother of Pearl Discount Dinnerware Warehouse. You know, I actually knew a girl named Pearl in middle school and her mother was NOT easy on the eyes. Plus she thought it was funny to fart in the car when she was driving us to the mall. Pearl would always get so embarrassed and yell at her but she'd be all, "If God didn't want us farting he wouldn't have given us buttholes," then rip another one that sounded like a tire blowing. That usually made it worse. *rereading article* Classy as caviar. Thanks to Lofi and PYY, who taught me everything I know about caviar, which is that they're expensive fish eggs. I feel like an expert!

by Logan Sachon

FastCo reports on the results of a study by Civic Economics on Just How Awesome shopping locally is. Result: It’s Incredibly Awesome.

Some numbers: “…independent stores recirculate 55.2% of revenues compared to 13.6% for big retailers, and that local restaurants recirculate 67%, while big chains do 30.4%.”

What that means: “The extra dollars in the local economy produce more jobs for residents, extra tax revenues for local governments, more investment in commercial and residential districts, and enhanced support for local nonprofits.”

Basically: “In short, these businesses create better places.”

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