Michael, how would you like to owe me a favor?
Australian billionaire Clive Palmer has stated that he wants to rebuild a replica of the Titanic “…as close as possible to the original size,” according to him. The ship, dubbed the Titanic II, will retrace the route of the original liner from London to New York, albeit with modern safety equipment and navigation tools.
An interesting side note to this story comes from Palmer’s decision to use a Chinese shipyard to construct the ship, which will be designed from original schematics provided by Blue Star Ocean Liners, the Titanic’s designers back at the start of the 20th century. Not only that, but Palmer has indicated that the Chinese Navy was “welcome” to accompany the Titanic II on her maiden voyage.
Should make for an interesting voyage; a luxurious, top-class ocean cruise across the North Atlantic on a ship replicated off of the most infamous vessels in ocean history — while simultaneously being escorted by military ships of the Chinese Navy. What a vacation!
(Source: jazzmeat, via leslieminknope)
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A live version of Folsom Prison Blues by the one and only, Johnny Cash
My “holiday” suggestions…
On this most joyous of days, a day where you just sit around with friends and pass the times, here are my personal television suggestions. I am, of course, taking suggestions on this as well, I am not a huge TV fan so I only have a few series to choose from.
“Pier Pressure” and “Afternoon Delight” from Arrested Development, “Drug Testing” and “Safety Training” from The Office, the many Towlie episodes of South Park, any season 2-4 episode of Reno 911!, “High Anxiety” from King of the Hill, any movie from Will Ferrel or Adam Sandler, any episode off of Chappelle’s Show, anything from season 1-3 of Futurama, the Simpson’s episode where Homer smokes with Otto, anything from seasons 2-5 off of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, etc., etc.
EDIT: Completely forgot Archer, Squidbillies, The Drinky Crow Show and other AS programs that elude me at the moment.
My aunt may have bone marrow cancer…
and this is making me think. Days like today are why human beings invented alcohol. This is why shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia exist. This is why apathy, empathy and sympathy combine in our human environment.
My aunt may have received the worst news imaginable — the news that her life now has a time limit on it. She may have bone marrow cancer; and while this disease affects thousands more, the full impact of facing a terminal illness cannot be felt unless it reaches you on a personal level. I may have to have bone marrow drawn to see if I am a DNA match; while the pain aspect does not deter me in the slightest, it has made me think.
I sincerely hope (quite obviously) that my aunt’s biopsy is negative, but if the worst case becomes real I hope even more that I am a match to her. Even more so, the possibility of going through with this procedure has made me think about being a match to some stranger. Even if I cannot (potentially at this point) help my family, I may be able to help someone else.
Whatever the outcome, this whole situation has made me realize at least a small aspect of the point of human existence; if we are not here to help improve the lives of others, what is the point of us being here?
