Stephen Davies theorizes that it was from a combination of centralizing power, the creation of a super-big government (absolute power to the Emperor), restrictions on trade, and the development of state business monopolies ( Read more... )

I enjoy browsing through TV Tropes, a little too much. However, seeing this added under the Real Life examples of the "Elves Versus Dwarves" section just reminded me not to rely on it too much ( Read more... )

Beauty and the Beast is going to be released in 3D and shown in New Zealand.

I can't wait!

Hat tip :


( Read more... )

...is people who wish, with glee, for disaster or suffering to come upon people they don't like, while relishing the thought. Not talking about a momentary stab of anger, but active rumination of all the pain you wish the target to live through. For some reason, it is more disturbing to me than, well, just about anything ( Read more... )

Awesome tribute-to-Tolkien web comic from xkcd:


( Read more... )

Dear People Parking On The Side Of The Narrow And Winding Road I Drive By Every Morning:

Please refrain from doing it. Especially around curves. I mean, it's a road lots of people drive by, for goodness' sake.

Love, Nancy

Also, there's a possibility I'll be moving to New Plymouth sometime. But just a possibility.

A Spiked! article talks about how the Jamie Oliver/British Government drive to force British schoolkids to eat healthy lunches backfired spectacularlyAfter schools started rifing through kids' lunchboxes, the consequence was, naturally, that parents weren't too pleased with the authorities looking through what they're packing. So: "...lots of ( Read more... )

I was just randomly looking at things on the Web when I found this chart, and I think it sums things up pretty well...


( Read more... )