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Showing posts from June, 2015

The Surena 84–52 BC

The Surena (a general) was born into the Surena family who had, for generations, protected the Kings of Parthia (found in Modern day Iran), but it was the general who cemented the family name in the books of history. By all accounts he was the hottest guy in town, the strongest, the manliest and the deadliest – and was obviously such a badass that he is known only as THE Surena. When King Hydrodes was overthrown and expelled from Parthia, the Surena led the mission to recapture the Kingdom. He also had a huge harem of concubines, which took two hundred wagons to transport, that travelled with him everywhere – including on military campaigns. When Crassus stupidly decided to take over the Parthian Empire at the battle of Carrhae, he was brutally put down in one of the most embarrassing trounces of the Roman Army ever, by the Surena and his men. When offered the chance to surrender, Crassus told his men to flee and consequently sent them all to their deaths as the Surena chased them

Incredible Pictures to Tickle your Funny Bone

ello friends, today I have brought a treat for all you guys. Something apart from your everyday resources list or creative showcases, just to refresh you and to take you along a wonderful ride. The list I’m talking about is about some unbelievable moments caught on camera. In this list there are few very unique moments to put you in awe and some very funny things to make you laugh, captured by the lenses. So, why waste anymore time, let’s begin our journey and have some fun. Do share your views and thoughts.

Lame Celebrity Dolls Get Incredible Makeovers Thanks To One Talented Artist

Jennifer Lawrence | Katniss Everdeen The first doll looks like it's straight out of The Hunger LAMES. The second one kind of looks like a Jewel/J-Law combo, but is hella better than the original.  Voldemort | Voldemort All right so it's really Ralph Fiennes but come on, Ralph Fiennes has a nose and let's be honest, I don't think he'd mind if we called him Voldemort. Way tougher-sounding that "Ralph." Harry Potter | Daniel Radcliffe Harry started off looking like a female North Korean news anchor and ended up looking like everyone's favorite spectacle-wearing, owl-toting, teen Wizard. Hermione Granger | Emma Watson It looks like this artist started with a Kerri Russell from Felicity doll, and then just painted it to look like the real protagonist from the Harry Potter series.  Sheldon Cooper | Jim Parsons The original looks more like Helena Bonham Carter in the Tim Burton Planet of the Apes , and t

Approaching the blue glacier

his is about 20km into our backpacking. The fertile soil from recent glaciation sprang colorful life everywhere, even as the valley was changing colors for autumn. Little streams trickled here and there and fell into larger streams. Fording some of these was always a little sketchy when carrying a bunch of expensive camera equipment, but it was always worth it. I can’t explain how often I stopped to take photos along this hike! I am sure it took about 4x as long as needed, but that was the point of the whole trip, after all…

Agustina of Aragon March 4, 1786 – May 29, 1857

Agustina de Aragón was a Spanish heroine who defended Spain during the Spanish War of Independence, first as a civilian and later as a professional officer in the Spanish Army. So badass were her actions that she became known as “the Spanish Joan of Arc”. When war broke out in 1808, in her small Spanish town, she took a basket of apples to feed the gunners. When she arrived she saw the Spanish soldiers take heavy losses to the French army, causing the Spaniards to flee. Instead of running away, Agustina ran to the cannons and began to defend the town on her own. The sight of her doing this gave the Spaniards the courage to return and help. After a bloody struggle, the French gave up the assault on Zaragosa and abandoned their siege for a few short weeks, before returning to fight their way into the city, house-by-house which ultimately won them the town. After being captured by the French, she was imprisoned but she subsequently mounted a daring escape and became a low-level rebel

10 Hobbies You Can Take Up That Also Involve Walking

Walking is an excellent hobby within itself, full of incredible health benefits and low risk of injury. We know it’s great for us, and we know we should do it, but some people find simply walking is not interesting enough to be a full-blown hobby. Here are ten hobbies you can take up that will sneak in your daily walking regimen while keeping you engaged and interested in your health, even if you don’t realize it. Gathering Many people these days find it to be an enjoyable hobby to forage and gather herbs, mushrooms, and fruits. Not only does this activity provide you with nourishing additions to your diet, but also it is a great way to add in some walking steps in the great outdoors. Make sure you have a good understanding for what you’re looking for so you don’t accidentally find something poisonous. There are plenty of foraging groups you can join for this purpose while you learn. Hiking and camping Hiking is basically a more intense version of walking, but you can

History from a different angle

The Hoover Dam before it was flooded Wilbur Wright flies around the Statue of Liberty The Tank Man in Tiananmen Square FIlming the MGM lion Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech Jackie Kennedy watching her husband debate Richard Nixon Aftermath of the Victory over Japan Day celebrations in New York City Iranian soldiers looks at the burning Iraqi oil fields JFK giving his famous "Ich bin ein berliner" speech in Berlin, Germany Spectators watch the signing of the Treaty of Versailles Crowds at the original Woodstock Music Festival

Churchill War Rooms tour, London

Imagine it. Air raid sirens blaring and bombs dropping from the sky. Across the city, residents seek shelter from the attacks while fires break out indiscriminately. Nowhere is safe because anywhere could be the next target. For 57 consecutive days or nights in 1940, the Germans bombed London relentlessly. Through it all, the man trying to win the war for Britain was working furiously underground. Winston Churchill – the new Prime Minister brought to power by a wave of desperation and hope, ultimately justified – had set up a secret headquarters from where he mounted his plans to defeat Adolf Hitler. This bunker under the buildings of Whitehall is now open to the public and a visit is a journey back in time. I’m struck immediately by the size of it. Technically it’s called the “Churchill War Rooms’ and I had expected a few rooms where meetings were held. In fact, there is a mini city here underground. Hundred of people lived here – sometimes for days on end – and so

Chandragupta Maurya 340 BC – 298 BC

Chandragupta Maurya, born in Bihar, Eastern India, was an orphaned commoner who changed the face of India and forever altered its history, by clawing his way from the slums to forging one of the most expansive Empires in India’s history. Not only did he command nine thousand war elephants, fifty million people and an army of thirty-six thousand – he also had one of the most badass (and awesome) bodyguard units ever. His personal bodyguard unit was made of up more than five hundred Greek and Indian warrior women. In order to destroy the Nanda empire, Maurya simply grabbed a bronze sword and singlehandedly stormed the palace. He was captured and jailed, but escaped – further cementing his place in history as a badass. Ultimately, he went on to destroy the ruling dynasty and put into place the long lasting Maurya dynasty.

French Phrases

When you want a character to sound pretentious, nothing beats a nice turn of French. Somehow, American writers (and readers) associate all things French with money, pretense, and culture. It’s quite the mix of responses, a “love-hate” relationship with France. If you want a character with class, or one completely without class, French is a wonderful tool. – Words and Phrases – affaire de coeur - love affair au contraire - to the contrary au fait - possessing practical knowledge of a thing au revoir - until we meet again autre temps, autres moeurs - other times, other customs avec plaisir - with pleasure bête noire - a thing especially disliked bon jour - good day; hello bon soir - goodnight bourgeoisie - middle-class, materialistic c’est-à-dire - that is to say c’est la vie - such is life chacun à son goût - each to his own taste coup de grâce - death blow coûte que coûte - c

The Most Beautiful Words In The English Language

I asked Twitter for their favourite words. Here are some of the suggestions, along with some of mine…