George R. R. Martin has risen to fame as the writer of hot-book-series-turned-TV-hit Game of Thrones, but years ago, he was just a regular Comic-Con fan. We spoke to George at last night's Entertainment Weekly party about getting recognized now, especially thanks to his trademark hat — he even took it off for us! — and how actresses are always asking him to be cast on the HBO show. Plus get the latest update on his next book and find out how he feels about killing off his characters.
The fully functional combat ready Cold Steel Warrior Series O Katana sword is expertly crafted , with attention paid to every detail , making the Warrior Series O Katana Sword by Cold Steel the ideal collector's choice.
Templar Knight Gold Sword by Marto of Toledo Spain
The Templars: Monks - Soldiers: Guardians of the Faith, Guardians of the Holy Land, and Guardians of the Pilgrims. The Templar order, of religious and military character, was founded in Jerusalem in the year 1118 by nine crusader knights. with the official denomination of "Order of the Poor Knight of Christ". Later they were known by the "Knight of Solomon's Temple" (Templar) denomination after establishing themselves in King Solomon's ancient temple. The Pope Inocencio II recognized the order of the Templar in the year 1139. The stamp of the Templar, emblem of the order; is two knights mounted on the same horse (representing the duel vocation of the order - religious and military) with the inscription in Latin "sigilum militum Xpisti" - (Stamp of Christ's militia).
The Templar Knight Gold Sword by Marto of Toledo Spain has a tempered steel blade with 24K Gold etchings on the upper third with the Templar cross in red. The very elaborate hilt is in 24K Gold plated cast metal with many figures in relief and some in Silver plated inlays, depicting templar symbols. The disk shaped pommel frames a red Templar cross, badge of the Order.
Stained glass is generally reserved for the windows of churches. But if you worship science fiction, video games, or other geeky pop culture icons, there are still plenty of stained glass pieces just for you.
1. Boba Fett Helmet
Not all stained glass belongs on a window. DeviantArt user Mclanesmemories proves it with a Tiffany-styled Boba Fett helmet light that was created to the exact dimensions of the actual helmet from the movie. This geekstrordinary masterpiece took years to complete. While the creator didn’t count the exact number of pieces he used, the green top of the helmet alone is comprised of over 200.
2. Church of Family Guy
While many of the designs on this list are only panels or window hangings, DeviantArt user Pac0daTac0’s “Church of Family Guy” is actually being used as a window at its creator’s home. Now that’s a superfan.
3. Dalek
After seeing the light pour through this wonderful Dalek design by Geek Stained Glass, I’d love to see a Tiffany-style lamp featuring a Dalek on one side and the TARDIS on the other. Now that’s a geek-classy way to light a home.
4. Dig Dug Console
The Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade in Portland is a template for what a great arcade should be. It features classic games, the largest pinball collection in the Pacific Northwest and a busy entertainment schedule. To show off their love of gaming, the business even added a stained glass window of a Dig Dug console to the building, as photographed by Flickr user matt lohkamp. And in case you were wondering, yes, they do have Dig Dug in their collection.
5. Yoda
While Etsy seller Terrazaglass has already sold this specific Yoda design, perhaps you could approach her and request a custom made Yoda if you were so inclined. She certainly did an excellent job accentuating each lumpy wrinkle on the Jedi master’s brow.
6. Star Wars
This design was specially requested by one of Etsy seller GeekyGlass’ clients. If you have any ideas for your own Star Wars stained glass pieces, you now know exactly where to turn.
7. Twilight
If you prefer brooding vampires over heroic space knights, then you might want to check out this great Twilight piece also by GeekyGlass. It changes colors and appearances throughout the day as the daylight passes, which seems quite appropriate given the subject matter.
8. Star Trek Logo
One thing that makes this creation unique is that the middle section contains no glass at all. The piece, by DeviantArt user Bigblued, is quite striking when seen in direct sunlight.
9. Cthulhu Jeebus
For those that worship at the temple of H.P. Lovecraft’s monsters, this Cthulhu Jeebus is a delightful dedication to The Dark One. You might notice that like the Family Guy design, this one is also being used as an actual window by its creator, DeviantArt user Future Vintage.
10, 11 & 12. Transformers
As you could probably guess from his name, DeviantArt user AutobotWonko likes the Transformers quite a bit. If you needed more proof, just take a look at these impressive stained glass recreations of Bumblebee, Optimus Prime and Galvatron. Each one took around 25 hours each.
13. Spider-Man
Chris Roth is a professional artist who was asked to contribute a piece to the Stan Lee tribute show at Gallery 1988. Rather than creating one of his more traditional oil paintings, Roth opted to create a stained glass design featuring the first comic to include Spider-Man, Amazing Fantasy #15.
14. Link
Making the princess-saving elf from Zelda look tough isn’t an easy task, but Etsy seller Janreus took on the challenge and succeeded with flying colors. For those interested in bringing home their own hero, this piece goes for 99 Euros (about $140).
15. 8-Bit Mushroom
While it’s hard to bring pixels to life, it’s easy to incorporate them into stained glass. Etsy seller Radiant Art created this adorable dedication to the Super Mario Bros. It contains 80 pieces and was sold for $175. * * * * *
Do we have any stained glass artists out there? Have you ever displayed a stained glass masterpiece—geeky or otherwise—in your house?
A team of archaeologists from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History have entered a previously undisturbed tomb in Palenque. The fifteen hundred year old mortuary site is thought to possibly contain the remains of K’uk Bahlam I, the first sovereign ruler of Palenque, who was the creator of the dynastic line that would include famous Mayan governor Pakal.
The tomb is located nineteen feet under the top of the Mayan temple known as Temple XX. It is thought to have been sealed more than fifteen hundred years ago. The tomb was discovered in 1999. Because of the instability of the nearly sixty foot tall temple the tomb is located in it was believed until recently that the tomb was, and would remain, inaccessible to human exploration. On two previous occasions remote controlled cameras have been used to try and penetrate the tomb.
“Given the dates,” said Arnoldo Gonzalez, who is heading the investigation along with restorer Rogelio Rivero Chong. “We happen to be in face of the birth of the Palencan dynasty, in the year 400 after Christ. Even though we could be talking about the mortuary chambers of the founder of this dynasty, this doesn’t stop being mere speculation until we commence the archaeological exploration; this chamber could even be an antechamber since we don’t know if there is more below the ground.”
Temple XX in Palenque is the possible site of the burial tomb of K’uk Bahlam I
Photo credit:
National Institute of Anthropology and History
The initial finds of the archaeological team have been eleven vases, a few small pieces of jewelry, and some pieces of jade stone. The show stopper of the finds in the tomb so far is a red mural showing the Nine Lords of the underworld Xibalba in full head dresses that spans three sides of the room. It is similar to the murals found in the tomb of Pakal though this tomb pre-dates that of the Mayan governor.
It is hoped that a sarcophagus holding the remains of K’uk Bahlam I will be discovered in an anti-chamber to the room that archaeologists have already started to catalogue and explore. K’uk Bahlam I, the first of the dynasty that would later produce Pakal, was also known as Quetzal Jaguar. He is often depicted in ceremonial head dress and with jaguar ears. A team of restorers, photographers, chemists, and architects are on hand to try and preserve the previously unexplored tomb as much as possible. No further exploration will be done for at least three weeks while they try to stabilize the murals that were already discovered.
"What is important in tombs of that time, the Early Classic Period, is the painting,” said Gonzalez in a statement about the first foray into the tomb. “We're looking at one of the few examples of murals discovered in a funerary context in Palenque, which is why the work we're doing is so important.”
Activision Blizzard, the makers of Diablo 3, declined to be interviewed for this feature.
For players it acts as a cautionary tale, the kind of story mothers might tell their children to warn them off playing Nintendo DS beneath the sheets after lights out: 'Look what could happen to you if you play a video game for too long...'
For the tabloids it provides vindication of a generational distrust for this grubby entertainment medium that has been steadily infecting culture for over 30 years: 'I knew these video games were bad news. I just knew it.'
With their grim regularity, these stories have become part of the texture of modern reporting on video games. It has reached the point where their significance and sting have been lost in the routine.
And yet so many questions remain. Is it possible to die from playing a video game for too long? Should games carry health warnings, like cigarettes or rollercoasters? Why does playing games seem more lethal than watching films or reading books? Why is the phenomenon largely limited to one region of the world? Could it spread, like bird flu?
Are we all at risk of death by gaming?
Dr Ta-Chen Su is the attending physician and clinical associate professor at the Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital. While the number of cases of young men dying while playing games is too few to have inspired any specific research into the phenomenon, Su has a personal interest in the subject.
Activision Blizzard, the makers of Diablo 3, declined to be interviewed for this feature.
For players it acts as a cautionary tale, the kind of story mothers might tell their children to warn them off playing Nintendo DS beneath the sheets after lights out: 'Look what could happen to you if you play a video game for too long...'
For the tabloids it provides vindication of a generational distrust for this grubby entertainment medium that has been steadily infecting culture for over 30 years: 'I knew these video games were bad news. I just knew it.'
With their grim regularity, these stories have become part of the texture of modern reporting on video games. It has reached the point where their significance and sting have been lost in the routine.
And yet so many questions remain. Is it possible to die from playing a video game for too long? Should games carry health warnings, like cigarettes or rollercoasters? Why does playing games seem more lethal than watching films or reading books? Why is the phenomenon largely limited to one region of the world? Could it spread, like bird flu?
Are we all at risk of death by gaming?
Dr Ta-Chen Su is the attending physician and clinical associate professor at the Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital. While the number of cases of young men dying while playing games is too few to have inspired any specific research into the phenomenon, Su has a personal interest in the subject.
Parking map and instructions for Ellington Field access › View hi-res
The space shuttle Endeavour flies over the Johnson Space Center on Dec. 11, 2008. Credit: NASA › View hi-res
Space shuttle Endeavour lands June 1, 2011, at Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the final time. Credit: NASA › View hi-res
After evaluating the weather, managers are planning a Space Shuttle Endeavour Houston stopover on Wednesday, Sept. 19, weather permitting, with departure for California on Thursday, Sept. 20. Stay tuned to this website for updates regarding Endeavour's stop in Houston.
Endeavour will be available for public viewing Sept. 19 until 9 p.m. Endeavour will depart Ellington at sunrise Sept. 20 to continue on its way to Los Angeles for permanent display.
On Wednesday, the SCA/Endeavour combo is planned to fly approximately 1,500 feet above various areas of Houston, Clear Lake and Galveston - including JSC -- between about 9 and 10:30 a.m. as it arrives in Houston from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Endeavour's Landing at Ellington is set for about 10:45 a.m. The specific route and timing of Endeavour's flight will depend on weather and operational constraints.
NASA also will provide updates on Endeavour's cross-country flight via social media using the hashtags #SpotTheShuttle and #OV105. You can follow who sees Endeavour, and post your sighting, in real time at: http://twitter.com/#!/search/%23spottheshuttle
Although it is better to see in person, portions of Endeavour's flyover of JSC and the landing at Ellington will be broadcast live and can be viewed via several methods:
After landing at Ellington, Endeavour will come to a stop near the NASA Hangar 990 pedestrian gate. The public will be able to view the aircraft and Endeavour from as close as 100 feet away starting about 30 minutes after it is parked. Public viewing will continue until 9 p.m. Wednesday. Endeavour's departure from Ellington is planned for about sunrise on Thursday, Sept. 20.
JSC civil service employees are encouraged to participate in this NASA-sponsored activity as recognition for your many contributions to the Space Shuttle Program and incentive for safely and successfully furthering NASA's mission. Participation during your normal duty hours is considered work time recordable to your normal charge codes. This includes transit time between Ellington and your regular work site using a reasonably direct route. You must coordinate with your supervisor to discuss which day and hours are acceptable for participation, while ensuring that work deadlines and organizational objectives remain supported without resulting in overtime, premium pay, comp or credit time. JSC contractors are asked to check with their own company's policy. Employees and the general public may park at Ellington Field to witness the landing, view the shuttle or watch the takeoff (approximately 7 a.m. on Sept. 20). Please note: Hangar 990 itself will NOT be open to employees or the public during the viewing days.
Point of contact: JSC External Relations, Office of Communications and Public Affairs, x35111
If the flight must be postponed for any reason, an additional notice will be released.
For more information about NASA's transfer of space shuttles to museums, visit:
Roll play … the smartest dice in the room. Photograph: Eric Harshbarger
Not since the 1971 Luke Rhinehart novel The Dice Man has there been someone so enthusiastic about the possibilities of dice. Eric Harshbarger, a Lego sculptor from Auburn, Alabama, manufactures and sells dozens of types of dice, such as one that displays six different varieties of beverage, aimed at indecisive coffee shop customers.
Recently, however, one issue about dice really got him thinking.
When two or more people roll a die each in order to see who scores highest – what you do, for example, when deciding who goes first in a board game – there is always the chance of a tie.
In the event of a tie, of course, you roll again.
But then there is still the chance of a tie. And this can go on ad infinitum.
In other words, the process is not as efficient as it could be. Eric wondered if he could come up with a set of fair dice such that one roll of each die is enough to establish an absolute winner.
In devising a solution – and thus saving the board game players of the world hours and hours of lost time – Eric and a friend have made the greatest innovation in dice technology in recent years.
Their set of four "Go First" dice (pictured above) are such that when two, three or all four of the dice are rolled together:
1) no ties are possible.
2) each die has an equal chance of displaying the highest number.
Eric's friend is Robert Ford, a mathematics professor at Dalton State College, Georgia. Initially they were considering a set of eight cubic dice, but Robert worked out that it was impossible to have a set of cubic dice that satisfied the two conditions.
He then looked at a set of four dodecahedral dice – the 12-sided dice that are used in Dungeons & Dragons – and after a week found a solution, which include all the numbers from 1 to 48 with no repeats:
Die 1: 1, 8, 11, 14, 19, 22, 27, 30, 35, 38, 41, 48
Die 2: 2, 7, 10, 15, 18, 23, 26, 31, 34, 39, 42, 47
Die 3: 3, 6, 12, 13, 17, 24, 25, 32, 36, 37, 43, 46
Die 4: 4, 5, 9, 16, 20, 21, 28, 29, 33, 40, 44, 45
These dice satisfy Eric's requirements: if you roll any subset of them, each die has an equal chance of winning.
They also have the nice property that you can arrange each dice such that the sum of opposite sides is always 49, in the same way that in cubic dice the sum of opposite sides is always 7.
Yet the Go First dice have an even more mathematically pleasing – and useful – property.
When any three of the dice are rolled together, each die has an equal chance of being first, second or third, and when all four dice are rolled together each die has an equal chance of being first, second, third or fourth.
If you want to check, Eric has listed all possible outcomes of all possible combinations here.
This is neat. Now before playing a board game with four players, a single throw of each dice will give you a fair order of play.
In fact, in the many scenarios in life when you want to order four things randomly but fairly – such as organising a rota – the dice allow you to do so.
You can buy a set of Go First dice here.
The solution above is not unique. Eric has subsequently discovered another 7 sets of four dice that satisfy his initial conditions (and also the stricter conditions of an equal chance of coming second, third or fourth).
The total number of solutions, however, is still an open problem.
A healthier and simpler alternative to homemade French fries or chips, and the perfect side when there's a chicken or roast already in the oven.
Ingredients
1 1/4 pounds red-skinned potatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Place a rimmed baking sheet in the center rack of the oven and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Thinly slice the potatoes about 1/8-inch thick and toss with the oil, salt and pepper. Carefully spread the slices on the hot baking sheet in a single layer and roast until golden and crispy, turning with a metal spatula occasionally and spreading them out to cook evenly, 30 to 35 minutes.
It is a charge frequently lobbed at Hollywood and its various studios, particularly in comments sections after a sequel or prequel opens and disappoints. “There’s no creativity left in Hollywood!” readers will gripe. “Everything’s a sequel or reboot. Where are all of the fresh ideas?” Well, someone sat down and crunched the numbers and realized that there are existing facts that back up this claim. Looking at the Top 10 box office results from 1981-2011, this site showed that the number of original films has drastically decreased while the number of adaptations and sequels has quadrupled.
As you can see, while audiences had yet another Bond sequel and Superman II leading the box office in 1981, audiences in 2011 had to contend with a third Transformers film, a second Hangover, a fourth Pirates of the Caribbean and a fifth Fast & Furious film. That’s mind-blowing.
That stat about Bridesmaids also being the only original film in the Top 15 for 2011 is depressing as hell.
But here’s the thing about these stats: By singling out the box-office leaders, this infographic proves that audiences are coming out to support these sequels with the only “vote” that matters: The almighty dollar. Let’s stick with 2011 for the sake of this argument. Yes, that year produced an imbalanced number of sequels. But Super 8, Horrible Bosses, Crazy Stupid Love, Contagion and The Adjustment Bureau are just a handful of films that came out that year that were fresh, original and deserved a bigger audience. It’s a “chicken or the egg” debate. Do we come to sequels because that’s all Hollywood makes? Or does Hollywood make sequels because it’s all we support? Share your thoughts below.
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