steve barrett

I’m not sure why I don’t remember this show since I’m sure I was the prime marketing target for this type of thing. I suppose that could be the reason it was canceled after 1 season; though watching the trailer leads me to believe otherwise. For one, this was created by the same group that introduced us to Baywatch. I have a feeling the older audience was either still busy watching Baywatch or simply getting tired of the pathetic excuses to show women in Bikinis on TV. Not to mention Terry “Hulk” Hogan, whom we’re somehow lead to believe became the sole proprietor of the most bad ass boat known to man.

I guess its rather easy to see why Thunder in Paradise was canceled.

Step 1. Take your shirt off.

Step 2. Stand in front of the dartboard

Step 3. Give the darts to someone who hates you

Step 4.

Step 5. PROFIT

Split tongues are nothing new. The first known, or first photographed, split tongue was in 1996. Shortly after the Lizardman, who’s well known in pop culture, split his tongue in 1997.

I wonder how much control each has over the body.

Look, obviously these cops must be aware they all have dash cams nowadays. You would think they’d be able to use a little bit of critical thinking and get off camera before doing their beating. I don’t mean to scrutinize; this is no doubt excessive, but the guy was obviously resisting and probably deserved a good shot to the face, but if you’re gonna knock him silly and kick him while he’s down, at least have the foresight to cover your ass.

[embedded video taken down]

I guess with a million cops around the world this shit’s going to happen. In 2008 if it happens at all it happens on camera.

Poor giraffe

First of all, this is real. Well, it’s an illustration of a real disorder called Harlequin Ichthyosis. It’s essentially dry skin but it also affects the development of the eyes, mouth, nose, and limbs.

This video creeped me out. I could feel this thing peering deep into my soul and terrorizing me from the inside out. I cannot imagine a birth defect as horrible as this. According to wikipedia most babies borth with Harlequin Ichthyosis die within hours or days, but occasionally one will make it to adulthood.

Meet Ryan González, once a harlequin baby Ryan has become a harlequin man and triathlete. He has to apply lotion to his entire body up to 7 times a day and eats a large amount of food to compensate for all the skin he sheds.

Ryan isn’t the only one; a girl named Lucy from somewhere in Europe has also survived Harlequin Ichthyosis into adulthood. DNA samples and heavy research into the disorder has traced it back to a genetic disorder that causes a specific protein to not function.

You have to somehow wonder how these people find the courage to carry on with such a dabilitating disorder, although I’m sure if you were to ask one of them how they do it they would shrug you off as though it’s a dumb question. I suppose it is, what other option do you have, and what other life have you known when this is how you are and how you’ve always been. It’s who you are. Regardless, I have endless respect.

update: August 31, 2008

Caught this on liveleak. A baby was bord with Harlequin Icthyosis in Turkey.

I don’t like war. I do, however, soak up the images and video that spawn from it. It really is true what they say about war becoming a video game - the thermal imagery strips those on the ground of their identities and turns them into just another target. It is not for me to say whether anyone in this video had a right to do what they’ve done or even whether or not those on the bad end of the boom deserved what they got. I know I’m not interested in participating and thats why I’m not in the armed forces, but here’s some video for you to watch and perhaps enjoy at the expense of about 500 billion American taxpayer’s dollars and countless lives.

You’re looking at the face of Huang Chuncai. A Chinese peasant suffering from a rare case of neurofibroma, which is a tumor with roots buried deep within the nerves. Huang’s tumor only became apparent around the age of 4. The tumor now weighs nearly 15 lbs.

Huang underwent facial reconstructive and tumor amputation surgery in July of 2007. Due to his low income the hospital agreed to lower costs and run some fund raisers for him. Unfortunately the surgery wound up being the first in a series that over the next couple of years should greatly reduce the mass of his tumors and allow him to integrate with society on a level he hasn’t been capable of since his youth.

If you’re ever feeling sad or lonely, think of Huang Chuncai.