How strong is your password?

(from xkcd)

"I love to smell like napalm in the morning"

OK, so it isn't exactly napalm-scented, but that was the best paraphrase of an olfactory-related movie quote I could come up with to introduce you to the military's new line of colognes. Manufactured by Parfumologie, The American Line features a unique, officially licensed fragrance for each branch of the armed forces.

Army: Patton
"Patton defines masculinity with a sensual, woodsy fragrance. A confident blend of sage, bergamot and cedar elicit feelings of majestic woodlands and endless horizons."

I'm guessing the best way to apply this is to have someone else slap some on your face while swearing at you and calling you a coward.

Marines: Devil Dog
"Intense and brave, Devil Dog is a finely crafted fusion of sandalwood, cedar, and citric spices. Classic yet modern, the undeniable sophistication stands as a proud reminder of honor and tradition."

Semper fi? More like semper fine!

Navy: Liberty
"An invigorating fragrance that knows no boundaries. Liberty harnesses the energy of the open waters with a rush of deep aquatic notes, merged with cool green leaf and anchored by hints of woody amber."

One whiff of this and you'll be wanting to "Gitmo" before supplies run out.

Air Force: Stealth
"Stealth evokes the freedom of the big blue sky. This lush combination of deep basil, warm spice and brushed suede defines casual elegance and exhilarates the sense with a blast of fresh air."

Sure, it has a refreshing scent, but how stealthy is it if they can smell you coming?

Coast Guard: Rip Tide
"Riptide conjures the elements of seas and wind in an unmistakably nautical fragrance. A cocktail of fresh citrus notes mingled with vibrant spices inspire confidence and remind that you are always ready."

One bottle will probably last longer than the NBC detective series of the same name. Plus, it doubles as a flotation device.

Accompanied version of Bach's Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1

Cool stuff!



(via St. Eutychus)

You are what you eat...especially if you're a translucent ant

Just some cool pictures of ants eating brightly colored drops of sugar:

(via Colossal)

Stealing bleachers for cash

Not too long ago we were seeing reports of copper wiring being stolen from homes and construction sites and sold for cash. Lately, thieves have been targeting aluminum bleachers to make a quick buck.

21-year-old Austin Zagaros of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, was arrested for stealing bleachers from a local park. He was caught dragging them down the street to his house. Police say he wanted to sell the aluminum for scrap to buy heroin.

Deep in the heart of Texas, Jeanette Nicole DeLaRosa, 18, and Elve Culliver, 42, have been charged in connection with the theft of bleachers from local high schools over the summer. One set of bleachers, valued at $2,400, had been sold to a recycling center for $152.

A resident in Royal Oak, Michigan, reported the theft of 172 feet of aluminum bleachers at a local middle school football field.

Seven bleacher seats and a foot rail were stolen from a ballpark in New Richmond, Wisconsin, several weeks ago, prompting police to keep a watchful eye on all city parks.

Back in June, two complete sections of bleachers went missing from a school in Apple Valley, California. Police have no leads, but residents have been warned to be alert and report anything suspicious, such as someone driving around with a truckload of bleachers.

Now, we can all agree that stealing is wrong. But you at least have to give these bleacher creatures points for originality.

The Shawshank Redemption prison

You may not be familiar with the Ohio State Reformatory, but once you see it you'll recognize it as the prison used in filming The Shawshank Redemption, one of the best movies ever made. This A.V. Club video takes you on a brief tour of the facility:

Free speech...

...within designated areas.

This "free speech zone" happens to be at the Muir Woods National Monument.

Cracking the credit card code

Have you thought much about those lengthy account numbers on your credit cards? Aside from indicating which specific company issued the card, they also let the informed observer know whether a particular card is real or fake. It involves math (something called the Luhn algorithm), which explains why I've never really had an interest:

(from Mint Life, via Wall Stats)

Intriguing optical illusions

These mind-boggling "Neil Illusions," named after their discoverer, Allan Neil, were presented in the April 1971 issue of New Scientist. Enjoy!

(via Ironic Sans)

FBI investigates a "credible" lead in the D. B. Cooper case

It has been four decades since a mysterious skyjacker known as D. B. Coooper bailed out of a 727 over the Pacific Northwest with $200,000 in cash. The case remains unsolved.

Kenny Christiansen was put forward as a possible suspect by New York Magazine in an October 21, 2007, article. That was around the time the FBI reopened the Cooper case, though the feds never seriously considered Christiansen as a prime suspect.

Not much has been learned since then, but the AP is reporting that the FBI is currently following up on a "credible" lead:

The recent tip provided to the FBI came from a law enforcement member who directed investigators to a person who might have helpful information on the suspect, FBI spokeswoman Ayn Sandalo Dietrich told The Seattle Times on Sunday. She called the new information the "most promising lead we have right now," but cautioned that investigators were not on the verge of breaking the case.

Authorities have followed up on 1,000 leads since the November 24, 1971, skyjacking.