Category: True Stories

A Hole.

“THIS YEAR HAS 11 OBBUCHES.”

From Google Translate:

President of Konya Chamber of Geological Engineers Dr. Fetullah Arık said that in the Karapınar region, 300 potholes occurred until 2017, 9 last year and 11 this year.
[…]
Arık also mentioned that the cultivation of water-consuming products such as corn and alfalfa in the region also triggered the formation of the sinkhole. Because there are natural geological factors; but maybe we can slow the formation. This happens if we can slow down the human factors a bit. In the region, many water consuming products such as corn and clover are grown. Considering that parts of Turkey received a rainfall falls below average groundwater level is accelerating the formation of sinkholes.

Yusuf Gültekin, who is engaged in animal husbandry and agriculture in the region, said that they are in constant fear and sometimes pray until morning. Explaining that a sinkhole was formed next to the house in the plateau in 2012, Gültekin said, “By chance, we did not come to our house in the plateau. If we were to come and sit, we could fall into the waist. We destroyed the part of the house near the sinkhole and made it a little further. We got used to this situation, there is nothing to do. These days are becoming frequent. I pray until morning at home.”

[Top image found here; story & more here.]

Saturday Matinee – Erecting Trajan’s Column, The Real McKenzies & Room Full Of Blues

Trajan’s Column: ancient technology animated. Trajan was a good guy, at least as far as Roman emperors go, and was popular for his public works projects. (His cousin Hadrian succeeded him and built a famous wall to keep out Celts, Scots, Picts & other badass tribes.)

Scottish-Canadian band The Real McKenzies. Nice scenery, unfortunate animations, and echoes of the Ramones.

Beyond the best bar band in the world, Roomful of Blues has been performing since 1967 (with an impressive roster).

Have a great weekend, folks. We’ll post some stuff tomorrow.

My WebEx Meeting Notes 13 June – 09 July 2020

9AM daily. Pen on paper, 8-1/2 x 11.

Giant Woolly Bear Caterpillars: They’re Multiplying.

In December 2007 we broke this news story (image above) and the main-stream media ignored it. Some commenters here dismissed it as absurd lies and #fakenews, while others provided first-hand accounts and evidence. Suddenly and without warning, a cryptic hint about new evidence appeared recently:

We contacted Ms. Ally because we just had to. It was well worth it: apparently the rare Giant Woolly Bear caterpillars are infesting parks throughout the US northeast, and she provided an original un-enhanced photo to prove it.


Ms. Ally did not return requests for specifics, i.e. location, number, unusual behavior, mating songs or personal hygiene, but we will update this post with further information when/if it becomes available.

[Original post & comments here.]

Stamina.

First Lady Melania Trump
Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, 4 July 2020

[Found here.]

My WebEx Meeting Notes 28 May – 12 June 2020

9AM daily. Pen on paper, 8-1/2 x 11, negative image.

Out of curiosity, I inverted the black & white, and the image spooked me – there are things crawling around in there that I didn’t see while doodling (like the giant robopillar rising up from the cityscape below).

Here’s the undoctored version:

[Meeting notes for May 2020 here, April here.]

The Korean War – 25 June1950 to Present

The war came suddenly. It was a sunny Sunday morning on 25 June 1950, when the peace was shattered by an agitated radio announcer screaming that there was an all-out attack by the North Korean army all along the 38th parallel. Within two days, the distant rumbles of cannons could be heard from our house in Seoul, and on the third day North Korean tanks and soldiers appeared on our streets. It was incredible. The radio had been repeating President Syngman Rhee’s message that brave South Korean army soldiers were repulsing the communist army and that the capital city never would be abandoned to the invaders.
[…]
The bridges across the Han River—the only escape routes—were blown up by the retreating South Korean army. There was no question that it was a full-scale invasion. The communist occupation of Seoul lasted for 90 days while the North Korean thrust expanded rapidly southward down the narrow peninsula, despite the U.S. and United Nations participation in the conflict.

The North Koreans in Seoul now engaged in methodical hunts for able-bodied men to be impressed into their various “volunteer” units. I moved nine times from relatives’ houses to friends’ places to stay a step ahead of the occupation soldiers—who were spreading their dragnets ever wider. We heard rumors about “kangaroo courts” held at city squares where any “reactionaries” were bludgeoned to death. I was undoubtedly a “reactionary” by their definition. For the first time I knew fear and hunger, as food was extremely scarce. This was the darkest and most helpless period in my life. I was convinced that all the shocking events were caused by the communist aggression. Along with some schoolmates, I decided to do my part in defending my homeland. – John K. C. Oh

Mr. Oh’s account from USNI Naval History Magazine June 2000, Volume 14 Number 3 [read more here].

Image of members of the “Frozen Chosin” found here.

This Is Not A Noose.

Story (kinda) here. Terrence K. Williams’ response is worth the watch:

The .Gif Friday Post No. 637 – The Karma Lesson, Slo-Mo Gravity & Head Banger [Plus Bonus!]

[Found here, here and here.]

Here’s a bonus protest .gif found on Twitter – with audio! Go full screen! We’re on your side!

 

Souvenir Cartridge

“This bullet was found on the roof of Kuwait International Hotel where the invaders camped during their last days. Today, the KIH presents you this limited edition souvenir for “GOOD LUCK” just as the hotel survived the war without major damage. November 1991″

Found that tucked away in my home office desk. I think it’s a .50 caliber Browning NATO casing, but I wasn’t smart enough to photo the head stamp before I mailed it off to a veteran friend.

Above: Kuwait International Hotel after occupation by Iraqi forces in 1991. Much of the interior was burned out as these pictures show. More on cartridge casings here.