Some good questions

From P.J. O’Rourke….

I have, of all the inglorious things, a malignant hemorrhoid. What color bracelet does one wear for that? And where does one wear it? And what slogan is apropos? Perhaps that slogan can be sewn in needlepoint around the ruffle on a cover for my embarrassing little doughnut buttocks pillow.

You never know when you many need to know the answers to those questions. Sadly, O’Rourke does not provide the answers. Instead, he offers up some really bad philosophy.

Three Strange Maps

Strange Maps is a good blog to keep an eye on. Most of the maps on that blog are so ridiculous they are of interest only those people who have a fetish for maps (though as a web site that has its own map maybe we should not cast stones). But amongst the dross there are quite a few gems.

For example, this map charting how people ask for a “soda” is pretty fascinating.

Also worth checking out is this map comparing the population of China’s various provinces to the population of various nations.

And last but not least is this map of genetic variation in Europe.

Man Flies Over The English Channel With A Jet Pack

From Reuters….

Swiss adventurer Yves Rossy flew from England to France Friday propelled by a jetpack strapped to his back — the first person to cross the English Channel in such a way.

The sad part of this story is that the man cheated during the takeoff and landing. So there is still a ways to go before jetpack’s become the things that all little boys dream of.