Prepare To Have Your Mind Blown By A Tattoo

GeometryChaos posted a photo of this tattoo on Instagram a few months back.  The artist is Cory Ferguson, owner of Good Point Tattoos, on Oakville, Ontario, Canada.  He has a phenomenal portfolio of geometric and dot work tattoos.  But, this one takes the cake.  Keep in mind, this is all an optical illusion.  The man getting the tattoo has a perfectly normal (round) head.

I am consistently amazed at the advancements in both technique and artistry seen in the body art industry.  Unbelievable.

What New Disease Does Adam Have?

I was hoping to create a Buzzfeed survey, instead of writing here.  It would have been a fun way to tell everyone.  "I have _______, and I'm also apparently a smokey Gouda."

So....here goes.

Last week, I was diagnosed with Lupus.

No.  Seriously.  It's Lupus.

I'm not kidding.  

A couple of months ago, my health started taking another downhill turn.  I went to my primary physician, and had a crapload of blood work done.  Turns out, my C-Reactive Protein levels were through the roof.  CRP is an indicator of inflammation or infection in your system.  It shows up most often in the event of Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Another indicator for Lupus called a DNA antibody came back positive.  Since I tested negative for Rheumatoid, it leaves really only one possibility.

When I had some testing done a couple of years ago, it tested positive for Sjogren's.  I didn't realize until looking at the results again, that it was positive for SECONDARY Sjogren's.  That means that the Sjogren's is caused by another autoimmune disease or disorder.  Unfortunately, the rheumatologist I was seeing at the time never bothered to dig deeper to find the underlying cause.

I was expecting this diagnosis for some time.  It's a relief of sorts to know (albeit three years later) what is happening to me.  It's still a kick in the balls.  

I'm not ever going to get better.  I'll have the occasional period of remission, but the way I feel right now is pretty much as good as it's going to get.  I'm doing my best to keep a positive attitude about the whole thing.

Oh, in the event you were keeping track, I now have Tourette's, PTSD, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, small fiber neuropathy, radiculopathy, a Chiari Malformation, a massive cyst in my brain, three failed spinal surgeries, Sjogren's Syndrome, Type 1 Diabetes, and Lupus.  Fucking Lupus.

Oscar Predictions

I don't have much time, before I have to leave for the afternoon. So, this post is not going to have all of the bells and whistles.

Best Picture
Who should win?

Gravity.  Plain and simple.  No questions asked. Brilliant acting from Sandra Bullock, not to mention some revolutionary film making on the part of Alfonso Cuaron.

Who WILL win?

My guess is either Gravity or 12 Years a Slave.  I haven't had a chance to see 12 Years a Slave yet.  But, from what I understand, it is an outstanding film.

Best Director
Who should win?

Alfonso Cuaron.  End of discussion.  There are multiple scenes in the film lasting as long as 10 minutes or more, that were filmed in a single shot.  In my opinion, Gravity has changed the way films will be shot.

Who will win?

I'm thinking Cuaron.  Expect Gravity to also take Best Cinematography and Visual Effects.

Best Actor
Who should win?

Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street.  Saw it last night, and it is by far the best performance of his career.  It's also the best film of Scorsese's career.  If it weren't for a couple of really amazing releases in 2013, The Wolf of Wall Street would probably take everything tonight.

Who will win?

Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club.  The guy lost 40 pounds for the role. Played a guy with AIDS.  Awards ceremonies eat that shit up.  Look at Christian Bale in The Fighter or Charlize Theron in Monster.

Best Supporting Actor

Who should win and WILL win?

Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club.  

Best Actress

Who should win?

Sandra Bullock in Gravity.  It was such a bizarre role, and she carried what was practically a one woman show for 90 minutes.  Unbelievable performance.

Who will win?

I'm thinking Bullock, but a lot of critics are calling it for Cate Blanchett  in Blue Jasmine.

Best Supporting Actress

Who should win?

My bet is on Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle.

Who will win?

Either Lawrence or Lupita Nyong'o in 12 Years a Slave.



You can pretty much guarantee Frozen to take Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for Let it Go.  I'm thinking The Act of Killing will win Best Documentary.  Best Foreign Film is a toughy, but I'm guessing The Hunt will take the award tonight.  Very haunting movie.

Today's New Releases On The Pirate Bay

Things have been pretty quiet for the last week or two on The Pirate Bay.  The torrents that have been uploaded haven't been all that spectacular.  In the last day or two however, a number of movies which previously had their awards screeners leaked have shown up with the legitimate DVD/Blu Ray copy.  Saving Mr. Banks, Inside Llewyn Davis, American Hustle, 12 Years a Slave, The Book Thief, Gravity, and Frozen are now available without those annoying watermarks.  I imagine that the 3D copies of Frozen and Gravity should also be available in the upcoming week.

The DVD of Kill Your Darlings is now available, starring Daniel Radcliffe as Allen Ginsberg.  From what I've read, it's worth your time.  On the other hand, I, Frankenstein has had its DVD leaked.  It stars Aaron Eckhart as Frankenstein, and received quite a few lackluster reviews.

The Art of the Steal became available to download a couple of weeks ago.  It's an Ocean's Eleven style crime movie starring Kurt Russell, Matt Dillon, and Terence Stamp.  Initially, I passed it over.  It was a direct to iTunes release and, more often than not, straight to web films aren't worth your time.  This one seems to be the exception.  It has been receiving some pretty stellar reviews, with many critics questioning why this movie wasn't released in theaters.  It might be worth taking a few minutes to check it out.  Here's the preview:

W̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ ̶Y̶o̶u̶ ̶L̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶T̶o̶ ̶B̶u̶i̶l̶d̶ ̶A̶ ̶S̶n̶o̶w̶m̶a̶n̶?̶ Will You Help Me Hide A Body?

A little something to help get you through the 42nd time watching Frozen.

Tweet Of The Day

Oh, snap!

Quiz: Ukrainian Presidential Palace or Neverland Ranch

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was removed from power on February 22nd, after days of violent protests.  He is now considered a fugitive, fleeing Kiev after being charged with over 80 counts of murder, for ordering military snipers to fire on protesters.

To the public, Yanukovych was the image of a "man of the people".  That couldn't be further from the truth.  Ukrainian citizens gathered en masse at the gates of Yanukovych's multiple estates, and were dumbfounded at what they saw.

The following images were taken of either Yanukovych's presidential palace, or Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch.  Can you tell them apart?  Answers after the break.

Photo Of The Day - Oh Nein You Didn't

So, this unfortunately timed photo is of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pointing to a spot across the room, and inadvertently creating a shadow on the face of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.  I can't stop cringing.

Quote Of The Day - Gay Marriage Is Like WHAT?!

"The government should not force us to ever use our business and use our talents, to go against what we fundamentally believe in.  For example, we would not force a Muslim to participate in a Koran-burning ceremony. We wouldn't ask a black photographer, and force them to go take a picture of KKK event. This is America. And in America, we should be able to live freely and not be forced to support or endorse ideas."

- Kellie Fiedorek from Alliance Defending Freedom, speaking on CNN.

The Alliance Defending Freedom is a Scottsdale, Arizona group of 44 lawyers. While not yet technically an SPLC certified hate group, they have many board members that are affiliated with hate organizations.  Alliance has been getting a lot of media attention recently, because they're the group that drafted Arizona's SB 1062.  SB 1062 is the bill that allows businesses to deny service to individuals (gay folk), based on someone's "sincerely held beliefs".

MINI RANT

Every interview that I have read or seen with someone supporting this bill, the person being interviewed has repeated the term "sincerely held beliefs".  It's almost as if it has become some kind of catchphrase that Conservatives use instead of "homophobic".

Okay.  Mini rant over.

So, let me see if I understand this correctly.  Having to bake a cake or provide flowers for this:

is akin to participating in this:

Or this:

What kind of fucked up world do you live in, where these are the first two examples that come to mind?  Koran burning and Klan rallies? Why on earth would anyone even do these horrible things to begin with?  Why would anyone force any of their employees, regardless of what their religion or ethnicity is, to participate in something like this?

That would be like....well...forcing one of your gay or lesbian employees to refuse service to a gay customer.

Unfinished/Unsent

Recently, I was transferring my documents from one laptop to another.  I found a document called "Hi", written in January of 2009.  Had no idea what it could be.

I forgot that I wrote a letter to my mom.  Well, was writing a letter to my mom, at least.  The last conversation the two of us had, I told my mother that I had a number of serious doubts about the things I was taught as a Jehovah's Witness.  She asked for specifics, and I said that it was too much to bring up at that time.

That night, I started writing her a letter.  Five hours and 4200 words later, I saved the document and went to bed.  I didn't even begin to explain my objections to a lot of the doctrine I had previously believed.  Had no chance to get into the blood issue, or anything concerning 1914 or 607 B.C.  I very quickly realized that finishing the letter was pointless.  My mother probably would have never read it anyway.  What was the point in writing the apostate equivalent of War and Peace?

Considering my state of mind at the time, I'm surprised at how logical I was with my writing.  Didn't curse even once.  Read for yourself, after the jump.

*Interesting footnote:  Spell check programs do not recognize the words disfellowshipped and disfellowshipping.  Interesting....

tl;dr They're Crazy

The last couple of years, it seems that the majority of "genuine" comments I've received on this blog have been genuinely crazy. Recently, I don't hear anything for weeks, then a gem like this shows up.  Keep in mind, this was a comment left on a post about The Pirate Bay.

"THE TRUTH IS OFFENSIVE!

Some believers in Christ honestly believe that that truth is so offensive that Christians should only proclaim that God is love. Example: Only preach and teach that God loves everyone. Simply repeat John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV)

The problem is even John 3:16 offends many people.

Those who reject God's truth find part or all of it offensive.

GOD'S TRUTH THAT OFFENDS

1. Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.(NKJV)

Mark 16:16 offends those who believe that water baptism is not essential for salvation.

2. John 16:23 "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.(NKJV) 

John 16:23 offends those who want to pray to the Virgin Mary and other dead saints. 

3. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.(NKJV) 

Titus 2:11 offends those who believe God's grace is only offered to a predetermined select few. 

4. Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame. (NKJV) 

Hebrews 6:4-6 offend those who believe in once in grace always in grace.


THE NEW COVENANT TERMS FOR PARDON.

1. Faith: John 3:16
2. Confession: Romans 10:9
3. Repentance: Acts 3:19
4. Water Baptism: Acts 2:38 

The terms for pardon offend those who reject the terms. 

GOD LOVES EVERYONE, HOWEVER, SALVATION IS CONDITIONAL."    

GIF Of The Day - Prince 1978-2013

25+ albums.....4 of them decent.

Bigoted Asshole Headline Of The Day

From Matt Barber.

The particularly disgusting quote from the piece:

"It’s a shame that Ann (Heche) wasn’t younger, she could’ve waited ‘til now when coming out as gay goes viral on the Internet and you become untouchable by anyone and everything."

And, this doesn't even compare to some of the shit he's said......

Ridiculously Hilarious Headline Of The Day

Tea Party To Celebrate Five Years Of Racism And Hilariously Misspelled Signs

Details

Today's New Releases On The Pirate Bay

Late last night, Spike Lee's Oldboy was uploaded to the site.  I was really excited when I read that Lee would be doing a remake of the iconic 2003 Korean film. But, after reading a number of reviews, I decided to skip it.  The 2013 remake only has a 41% favorable rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

My advice:  Watch the original.  But, don't watch it on Netflix.  For some reason, the Netflix version is dubbed and has a weird aspect ratio.  It totally ruins the experience.  If my memory is correct, Hulu has the original unedited version available for its members.