George Best, a soccer legend from Northern Ireland, was immortalized in bronze, but it more closely resembles Pazuzu, the hideous demon infesting the Exorcist series of movies. Sure, it's not as bad as the Ronaldo statue...
... Or the Lucille Ball statue...
But still...
A new statue of George Best - the Northern Ireland and Manchester United football great - has provoked strong reactions from fans and critics alike. ... The often cruel social media sphere has not held back.
Speed flyer Joseph Innes headed to Romania for this pulse-pounding speed flying trip through canyons and gullies. The low-visibility flights in fog are especially thrilling. Read the rest
The only bids remaining are Almaty, Kazakhstan and Beijing (which has no mountains) -- all the other states that had bid have pulled out following devastating popular opposition (the remaining cities are in countries where the public doesn't get a vote). Read the rest
A teenager has smashed the world bog snorkeling record, completing two lengths of a murky trench in 1 minute and 23.13 seconds. Dineka Maguire, 18, of Northern Ireland, beat 129 other competitors and shaved more than a second off the previous best time at the Waen Rhydd Bog near Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales.
"I couldn't believe her time," organizer Bob Greenough told the Belfast Telegraph. "... Because the competitors can only use dog paddle, it's all about leg power." [via Abroath] Read the rest
Perhaps it is just local pride, but nowhere I've been diving, nowhere in the world, compares with California. The abundance and variety of sea life you can encounter underwater from Carmel to Catalina is without compare. The cold water, however, takes some getting used to.
My solution for the last five years or so: the Whites Fusion Drysuit. Read the rest
Taisto Miettinen and Kristina Haapanen are once again wife-carrying world champions, writes Scott Thistle at the Oxford Hills Sun-Journal: "The prize, besides a check for $530 ... is the winning woman's weight in beer." [The complete leaderboard] Read the rest
@DTEFLON#WWE asked me to appear but I just cannot do anything with them for as long as they continue their support of #SOAP/#CISPA
— Sean Morley (@ValVenisEnt) July 18, 2012
Sean Morley, AKA Val Venis, a professional wrestler, has informed a fan via Twitter that "#WWE asked me to appear but I just cannot do anything with them for as long as they continue their support of #SOAP/#CISPA"
Kick ass, dude. From Techdirt:
While the WWE was never listed on the official Judiciary Committee list of supporters, the organization made many community sourced lists as a supporter of SOPA. Regardless of when and how the WWE came to be supportive of the unpopular bills, this shows that there is a long lasting bitter aftertaste left in the mouths of those who feel betrayed by organizations that supported SOPA and CISPA.
WWE Raw SuperShow One Wrestler Short Due To SOPA Support Read the rest
Angry dads flail uselessly at one another for a while at a little league game in Georgia, earning themselves citations for disorderly conduct. Read the rest
England's Football Association embodies the nation's most popular sport. To promote fitness and good health, it provides these splendid awards to schools that offer adequate soccer programs. I'd ask if you could spot the mistake, but I think this may be one of those "honor the error as a hidden intention" dealies—a tragic fact echoed by star player Rio Ferdinand's endorsement deal with a tobacco company. [via Ben Goldacre and Huw G] Read the rest
From the BBC: "Kazakhstan's shooting team demanded an apology after a spoof national anthem from the comedy film Borat was played instead of the real one at a medal ceremony in Kuwait." Best potassium in the world. Read the rest
Here's a "street skiing" video that crosses street-skating with parkour, driving a long-suffering pair of skis over a series of urban obstacles from stone stairs to snowy hills. Just watching this daredevil makes my heart pound in sympathy.
(via Kottke) Read the rest
Ever wonder what became of Dan Borislow, owner of MagicJack, who sued us unsuccessfully when we pointed out the insane terms of service accompanying his flagship product? Me neither. Turns out that he's still being, um, flamboyant. Saul sez, "Borislow is now bringing his special kind of havoc to Women's Professional Soccer. Last season was hard for WPS, teams folded, and they seemed desperate for owners who had financial stability. Borislow bought the majority interest in the Washington Freedom, moved them to Florida, and then started to flout league rules. He's been fined, his team has had a point deducted from the standing, he made himself coach, and had his players (including Women's World Cup heroes Abby Wambach and Hope Solo) file a grievance against him. He's now apparently filed suit to keep the league, which is feeling stronger because of the popularity of the World Cup, from terminating his franchise. The press release from the league, which is what the link points to, has to be one of the most extraordinary documents produced by a professional sports league against one of its owners."
Read the rest
Mr. Borislow has failed to honor his commitments to the detriment of the League, our players and our partners. From unprofessional and disparaging treatment of his players to failure to pay his bills, Mr. Borislow's actions have been calculated to tarnish the reputation of the League and damage the League's business relationships. Now, Mr. Borislow has filed a baseless legal action against WPS. The League is not intimidated by Mr.
A pre-race prayer at the NASCAR Nationwide series race in Nashville Tennessee, on July 23, 2011.
"We want to thank you, Lord, for these mighty machines.... Lord I want to thank you for my smokin' hot wife.... Boogity Boogity Boogity. Amen."
