This story is fascinating. It’s scary, depressing, disgusting, and a terrible sign of things to come.

Dubai’s shiny image is projected all over the world, but in this article, covering terrible environmental disasters past and in the making, slavery, and absolute and selfish decadence, a different picture is painted.

A must read.

The Shuttle Endeavour finally launched today after six attempts. Apart from the long delays, the critical nature of the mission, and the unusual amount of debris during launched, one thing in this article caught my eyes:

Apparently, Roman Polansky is piloting the shuttle! (actually, Cpt. Mark Polanksy):

“Well Roman, the vehicle’s ready, the support teams are definitely ready and the weather’s finally cooperating, so it is now time to fly,” Launch Director Pete Nickolenko radioed Endeavour. “Persistence pays off. Good luck and Godspeed.

“Pete, thanks to you and everyone who’s worked so hard for this moment,” Polansky replied. “Endeavour’s patiently waited for this, we’re ready to go and we’re going to take all of you with us on a great mission. Thanks a lot.”

more cool photos on Boston.com’s The Big Picture

is one of my new favorite timekill websites, tons of hilarious notes, I particularly like this one a lot:

http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com

Harry Potter, Neo and Luke Skywalker are one and the same. Quite obvious, of you read this!

The theme they all follow is called “monomyth” (via Kottke.org).

Soup for the soul.

Have you ever thought of who would act in the MOTHER OF ALL ACTION FILMS?!?

Think no further! Look!!!

Sly is apparently also working on Rambo V (rescuing a grandma trapped in an old people’s home from the clutches of a senile south american dictator?) and death wish (kill me please?)!!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1137450/