Note to all Internet users: Trust no one!

Whistleblower Edward Snowden says U.S. telecom companies all collaborate with NSA, accuses Britain of storing every bit of Internet data it can!

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Top 10 Unusual Guinness World Records

10. Heaviest pumpkin

Guinness World Records confirmed on October 09, 2010 that a gigantic pumpkin grown in Wisconsin was officially the world’s heaviest. It weighed 1,810 lb 8 oz and was unveiled by Chris Stevens at the Stillwater Harvest Fest in Minnesota. Stevens’ pumpkin was 85 pounds heavier than the previous record, another huge pumpkin grown in Ohio. The proud farmer said his secret is a precise mixture of rain, cow manure, good soil, seaweed and fish emulsion. Some of the world’s heaviest pumpkins, including the record-holder were on public display at the Bronx Botanical Gardens in New York for several weeks.

9. Most T-shirts worn at once

Believe it or not, there is a record also for this category. Krunoslav Budiseli? set a new world record on May 22, 2010 for wearing 245 T-shirts at the same time. The man from Croatia was officially recognized as the new record holder by Guinness World of Records after he managed to put on 245 different T-shirts in less than two hours. The T-shirts weighted 68 kg and Budiseli? said he began struggling around T-shirt no. 120. He dethroned the Swedish Guinness record holder who wore 238 T-shirts.

8. Most living generations

Did you ever wonder what is the Guinness World Record for most living generations in one family? Seven is the answer.
The ultimate authority on record- breaking mentions on the website that the youngest great-great-great-great-grandparent of this family was Augusta Bung “aged 109 years 97 days, followed by her daughter aged 89, her grand-daughter aged 70, her great-grand-daughter aged 52, her great-great grand-daughter aged 33 and her great-great-great grand-daughter aged 15 on the birth of her great-great-great-great grandson on 21 January 1989.”

7. Longest ears on a dog

A bloodhound from Illinois has the longest ears ever measured on a dog. The right ear is 13.75 in long and the left one 13.5 in. The dog named Tigger earned this title in 2004 and is owned by Christina and Bryan Flessner.
Mr. Jeffries is the previous record holder of this title. Each of his ear measured approximately 11.5 in long. His grandfather used to hold this amazing world record, but when he died Mr. Jeffries took over.

6. Largest horn circumference – steer

Lurch was the record holder of the world’s largest horn circumference, 37.5 in. He was an African Watusi steer born October 11, 1995 on a ranch in Missouri. Janice Wolf adopted Lurch when he was only 5 weeks old. Unfortunately, the steer died last year of cancer. A form of cancer at the base of one of Lurch’s horns ended the 15 years long beautiful friendship between him and Janice

5. Most body piercings in one session

In May 2010, Chris Elliot and Tyson Turk (USA) set the world record for most body piercings in one session: 3100 in 6 hours and 15 minutes. It all happened at the Tyson Turk Tattoo Studio, Bedford, Texas. Chris and Tyson shattered the previous record of 1015 piercings in 7 hours and 55 minutes set by British Kam Ma and Charlie Wilson.

4. Most people inside a soap bubble

The Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, California celebrated this year the 15^th anniversary of the BubbleFest. A bubble’s math principles and science were presented and demonstrated at the three-weeks long exhibition. The intriguing Bubble Show was also part of the program. Fan Yang and Deni Yang impressed the audience with their awesome skills for bubble making. The Yang family collaborated with the Discovery Science Center to set a new Guinness World Record for most people inside a soap bubble and they succeeded.
The family that has been working with soap bubbles for 27 years created a huge soap bubble and got 118 people inside it. The record was set on April 4, 2011.

3. Fastest individual 1 mile run wearing swim fins

American Ashrita Furman, nicknamed Mr. Versatility, is no stranger to Guinness World of Records. He set more than 340 official Guinness records since 1979 and currently holds 113, including the record for fastest mile run in swim fins: 7 min 56 sec. Ashrita achieved this record in 2010 at the Marswiese Sportzentrum in Vienna, Austria.
Ashrita Furman has set records in more than 35 different countries, on all seven continents. Marco Frigatti, head of the global records management team for GWR, declared that Ashrita won “the official record for The most current Guinness world records held at the same time by an individual.”

2. Fastest 100m running on all fours

The 2008 Guinness World Records Day was, according to GWR,  their biggest day of record-breaking ever, with more than 290000 people taking part in record attempts in 15 different countries. Kenichi Ito’s record attempt was part of this special day. He is just another example of Japanese with ‘super powers’. His ‘super power’ is to run with great speed on all fours. Kenichi Ito run 100m on all fours in 18.58 seconds. The Japanese set this record at Setagaya Kuritsu Sogo Undojyo, Tokyo, in 2008.

1. Heaviest weight pulled with eye sockets

Believe it or not, the heaviest weight pulled with eye sockets is 907 pounds (411.65 kilograms). This extreme record was set by Chayne Hultgren, also known as The Space Cowboy. The Australian achieved the record  in Milano on the set of “Lo Show Dei Record” in 2009.
Space Cowboy has won the Street Performance World Championship twice, in 2006 and 2007. One of the many acts that brought him large media coverage is when he swallowed 27 swords decorated with the flags of all European Union’s members. The record was set on the day when Ireland rejected the Lisbon Treaty on European Union reform.


Source: toptenz.net

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Pictures that are Amazingly Not Photoshopped

I Can’t Believe These Photos Are Not Fakes!

We like the use of Photoshop as much as the next guy.   I can always appreciate the skill it takes to use the program and make photos that couldn’t have been made otherwise.   However, there’s the realist in me that can always appreciate a great photograph.  One that’s taken at the perfect angle, with the perfect light, and with such precision that you might not even think it is in fact real.

Well it just so happens these are the exact kind of photos we’ll be sharing with you right here.

You won’t believe these photos aren’t photoshopped……

Believe it or not, these photos are real, not fakes. That's what the authors say. Excluding cropping or tone adjustments,none of these images have been Photoshopped (as in composed from many images or morphed or painted over). I look at them and I can believe them.

Hmmmm. I mean. Kind of. What do you think?

Some of the photos are just well staged. Some others are good optical illusions. There are a couple that are supposed to be just (very) happy coincidences, like the golf ball above. Or is it?

Staged in the sea while they waited for a wave and the surfer to be in the right position (patience!) or two photos merged in one (effortless)?

Intentional fall about to happen (painful) or man pasted on top with fake shadow (no hip broken)?

Car painted over in real life (expensive and complicated) or painted later in Photoshop (so easy and cheap)?

Staged in a stadium (lots of hard coordination here) or composed and sightly morphed later in Photoshop (no headaches)?

Happy coincidence to get this surreal reflection (magic!) or some crazy layer work (more magic!)?

A woman posing over a real miniature model of a street (building that is hard) or pasted on a tilt-shifted city landscape (masking and composing is so easy)?

check out the other pictures:

"click on image for full size"

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10 Most Expensive Restaurants in the World

I am sure everybody around here loves to eat. But do you love to eat fancy? If so, how fancy can you possibly get? This particular list talks of the most expensive restaurants in the world. Your everyday expensive restaurants are not even cute compared to these. I don’t exactly understand what it is about the food they cook that makes it so expensive. For most of the restaurants it is just the environment and ambience they offer. They charge you for sitting at their restaurant, not for eating their food per say so high-priced meals are a nice cover up. Nonetheless, I am sure you will have an amazing time in these places. Bon Appetit.

10. ALINEA, CHICAGO, UNITED STATES

At number ten we have a restaurant from Chicago in United States. The restaurant started the services on the 4^th May in year 2005. The owner of the place is Grant Achatz and he is also the head chef of the place. There are only two restaurants in Chicago to have received a rating of three stars from Michelin Guide; it is the highest rating, and Alilnea is one of those restaurants. It was reviewed by the critic Sam Sifton in the New York Times. The name of the restaurant comes from the symbol of the same name.

9. VARVARY, MOSCOW, RUSSIA

The restaurant was the idea of Chef Anatoly Komm. He always loved cooking and before he went on into this business, he was forty years old. He is a qualified geophysicist. He opened Versace and Ferre boutiques in Moscow. This particular restaurant of his is a complete hit in Moscow. If you are looking for good food, there is no place better but it comes at a cost. A good meal will cost you around $270 excluding the wine or any other drinks for that matter. You know how wine is, it can practically double or even triple the total check so do that math.

8. THE FAT DUCK, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND

This particular restaurant is the highest rated restaurant in Britain and of course that makes it the most expensive in Britain as well. The head chef around this place is Heston Blumenthal and his dishes are unique. The best part about this guy is that he learned everything all by himself. If you are looking for some good food and complete meals, expect to pay around $300 and that too without any wine. That will cost you extra, so your total check could very well exceed $700 easy.

7. MEZZALUNA, THE DOME AT LEBUA, BANGKOK, THAILAND

You will be able to find this restaurant atop the tallest building in Bangkok and it overlooks the Chao Praya River. Japanese Mackerel in Peppery Tomato Broth, Sweet-Tasting Rhone Lamb, Soulard Duck with Double-Fungus and Lobster with Beets, Pickled Onion and Salad Greens are the signature dishes at this place. You should know that if you are extremely hungry, you will really not be able to eat your fill and I am sure you can guess why that is. So either eat a little before you leave home for this place, or just keep ordering.

6. FRENCH LAUNDRY, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

If you are looking for a table at this place you are going to have to wait for a very long time. The reservations are made two months in advance, so if you plan to go their today, it is not going to happen until at least two months. The average check you get for eating at this place is a whopping $957. Usually however, it will cost $270 per person. Also, you should know that this place has a dress code and a very strict one at that so if you are not wearing the proper clothes, you can say goodbye to your table.

5. SOLO PER DUE, UMBRIA, ITALY

This is the smallest restaurant in the country and it is the most expensive restaurant of the country too. It will cost you around $300 for regional cooking. It offers local sheep’s cheese, Abruzzo sausage, wild mushrooms and berries; a meat, fish or vegetable entrée and homemade bread. All of this is complimented with delicious wines from the cellar. You can have yourself entertained by a private firework display as well; that’s something new.

4. ALAIN DUCASSE AU PLAZA ATHENEE, PARIS, FRANCE

This is a very old-school building, full of lights and amazing architecture. What do you expect from the most romantic city in the world? This place will literally empty you for starters, you are going to have to pay around $250 for the starter that is langoustines with caviar. The usual check per head is about $500 and this price does not include any wine and they have around 35,000 bottles of wine in the cellar.

3. MASA, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

The chef Masa Takayama came to the Big Apple with the idea of this particular restaurant. According to the New York Magazine ‘a meal of the highest quality is worth almost any price’. Now, I do not really agree with that, but most people do which is why they are happy to pay around $400 per person to eat in this place. You should know that the per head cost mentioned above does not include tax, tip or sake.

2. ITHAA, MALDIVES

This is the best in the world when it comes to underwater restaurants. It has been constructed around five meters below the sea level and it will over you such amazing views of the aqua life as you enjoy your food. It cost around $5 million to build. The interesting bit is that the restaurant only has fourteen seats. The menu at this place will cost you around $300 per person but people pay if happily for the offered Western cuisine and rich seafood. Now this is one place I would love to go to.

1. ARAGAWA, TOKYO, JAPAN

I am not a very big fan of Japanese food but that does not change the facts. Aragawa, located in Tokyo is the most expensive restaurant in the world. The restaurant only serves one entrée; steak. That particular steak can and will cost you around $600 per person. For the past three years, this place has been the most expensive restaurant. To be quite honest, I would not go this place even if I had that kind of money for one simple reason – I do not like Japanese food.

Source: smashinglists.com

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10 Scariest Rides in the World

How many of you have been to amusement parks and love them? How many of you like to be scared by mere rides? How many of you are into thrill? I am sure most of you out there are complete fans of amusement parks as am I. It is summer ladies and gentlemen and there is no better way to blow of some steam than taking a trip to an amusement park and have your mind blown. Listed below are ten of the scariest rides in the world. Of course, if you live in the United States you are lucky because majority of the rides discussed are located there. You can share you experiences with us in the comments and let us know if we missed any. Enjoy the read.

10. SUPERMAN RIDE OF STEEL, SIX FLAGS NEW ENGLAND AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS

The first one is the Superman Ride of Steel. There are around three different versions of this particular ride in all of United States and this particular one is the best of all. It drops you off into a tunnel from a height of 221 feet at speeds exceeding 77 miles an hour. There are two bunny hills, ten seconds of zero gravity and three camel backs. The ride has won several awards so you better just try this one.

9. MAVERICK, CEDAR POINT AMUSEMENT PARK SANDUSKY, OHIO

Cedar Point is the self-proclaimed home of the rollercoasters. I would vouch for it because it offers around 17 different rollercoaster rides. Maverick was built in the year 2007. It might not be the highest or the fastest but it definitely is one of the best. The total trip takes around 2.5 minutes (which is more than enough) and if offers several twists and turns. There is also a surprise element about this one, but I am not going to mention it. It is a surprise for a reason right?

8. EXPEDITION GEFORCE, HOLIDAY PARK HABLOCH, RHINELAND-PALATINATE, GERMANY

This happens to be one of the largest rollercoasters in all of Europe. It offers a lot of satisfaction as well because the track is quite long. It takes you to a height of 203 feet and lets you go at speeds exceeding 74 miles an hour. This ride offers seven moments where you feel you are flying and that your weight has vanished; zero gravity. I was in Germany a few months back and experienced this one. It is a bad, bad ride. You’ll love it.

7. TOWER OF TERROR, DREAMWORLD GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA

Yeah, I know it is far away but I am not suggesting you to actually go to Australia just to experience this ride. There’s plenty more in the world. This is the fourth fastest ride in the world at around 100 miles an hour. It takes you to a height of 38 stories and then you are in for a zero gravity drop. The drop takes around 6.5 seconds. You know the moment when it is most scary is the second it reaches the top, because you know that THIS IS IT!

6. EEJANAIKA, FUJI-Q HIGHLAND FUJIYOSHIA, JAPAN

This particular name should translate into something like ‘Hey, What the Hell?’. This is the second fourth-dimensional coaster in the world (the first one is discussed below). There are a few differences though, the track is longer and the height is a wee bit taller at 250 feet. When it comes to height, this ride is the seventh in standing. You can also grab a quick and short view of Mount Fuji once you reach the top, but that will not last for long. Enjoy it while you can.

5. KINGDA KA, SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE JACKSON, NEW JERSEY

This happens to be the father of all the roller coasters in the world. You are taken up around 456 feet; that is about 45 stories of a building. How you go to that height is another exciting story. You are launched by a catapult which accelerates the coaster to 128 miles an hour in just 3.5 seconds. Your heart stops once you reach the top. While going down, there is a 270 foot spiral as well. Imagine the thrust it would produce. You will experience both negative and positive G Force so brace yourselves.

4. COLOSSUS, THORPE PARK, CHERTSEY, SURREY, UNITED KINGDOM

This is perhaps the scariest ride in all of United Kingdom. It was built in the year 2002 and it holds the record for the number of inversions which amounts to a total of ten. An exact replica of this ride was built in China in the year 2006 so if you are in China, you can still enjoy this ride. You will not be able to feel your head after you sit this one out; there’s too much spinning you would say. I am sure the picture is a better explanation of the ride.

3. INSANITY STRATOSPHERE HOTEL AND CASINO, LAS VEGAS

If you think that for a ride to be scary, it has to be a rollercoaster, boy you are wrong like anything. Go to the top of the tower and take this ride; it will blow you away. It extends around 64 feet over the north edge and it spins at around 40 miles an hour. You sit in a couple and you face the ground at an angle of 70 degrees. That’s not scary? Well, you should know that you are 900 feet above the ground. It might not sound that scary but you have to sit the ride and then say it. For the people who are afraid of heights, you better stay away from this bad boy.

2. FAHRENHEIT HERSHEYPARK HERSHEY, PENNSYLVANIA

This particular ride opened up in the May of 2008. The place is known as the sweetest place on Earth; I am sure you guessed that by the name. But this ride is everything but sweet. It takes you up around 121 feet and then drops you off at a 97 degree angle. That’s not all this ride has to offer. After the initial drop, you will have to bear the 107-foot inverted loop, corkscrew roll, cobra element, airborne S-roll and another corkscrew. The ride still doesn’t finish. The funny thing is that it happens in a mere 85 seconds and those seconds are as thrilling as you can possibly imagine.

1. SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN

At the number one spot we have the Magic Mountain. This particular ride opened up in the year 2002 and it claimed to be the world’s first fourth-dimensional ride as well. The seats rotate a full 360 degree and it gives you facedown and headfirst drops. The ride closed down in 2007 and it re-opened in May later. It has become scarier than ever. There really is no explaining what the ride can do to you but it is definitely not for the faint hearted. You may find video views from the seats of this ride on YouTube. Watch them and try this ride out if you dare.

Source: smashinglists.com

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10 Weird and Strange Syndromes

When we get ill, majority of us think this is the worst illness we’re going through RIGHT? I used to think this way too before finding about many of the weird syndromes that have to live with throughout their lives. And the sad part is that most of the syndromes have NO CURE AT ALL!

Here is a list of 10 weird and strange syndromes. I’m sure you’d be shocked and surprised after reading about them.

Sexsomnia Syndrome

It is a sleep disorder in which the sufferer engages in sexual acts while sound asleep. Similar to sleep walking and talking. It was introduced officially in 2003 and has been accepted as defense against rape cases.

Exploding Head Syndrome

A disorder in which the sufferer hears loud, noisy, exploding-like sounds. Occurs after falling asleep. They don’t feel any kind of pain but it scares the hell out of them. Nobody knows why this happens.

Fatal Familial Insomnia

Genetic sleep order which causes sleeplessness. Starts at the age of 50 normally. Causesmental illness, panic attacks due to less and less sleep.

Walking Corpse Syndrome

Sufferers believe that they are dead or have lost some body parts or internal organs. Some of them believe that they do not even exist. Occurs due to mental illness or brain damage.

Busy Life Syndrome

Majority of the people are having this syndrome now a days. Sufferers forget things due to busy life and load of work. It is believed that the information overloads in your brain thus you forget things.

Moebius Syndrome

The most weird syndrome. People suffering from this syndrome are unable to move their facial expressions like laugh, smile, frown or blinking eyes. It’s a neurological disorder that is present at birth.

Congenital Insensitivity to Pain

People with this syndrome are unable to feel physical pain. It might sound interesting but trust me it’s really bad. Caused by the mutation of a specific gene that is responsible for the pain in body. They mostly die of trauma due to the fact that they are unaware of any bone damage.

Alien Hand Syndrome

Sufferers believe that their hand has its own brain and cannot be controlled by them. They believe that their hand does things on its own like unbuttoning, waving etc. they often do not know what their hand is doing unless they are told to give attention to it.

Medical Students’ Syndrome

This syndrome emerges in medical students. Sufferers begin to believe that they are suffering from many diseases they learned about.

Stendhal Syndrome

A name given to a feeling of anxiety, dizziness, confusion, rapid heartbeat upon seeing beautiful works of art. The sufferer sometimes faint due to the overwhelming sensation.

Source: listphobia.com

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