Amazing Animal Street Art

dorkly.com

Amazing kids face paintings

More at daizydesign.com

Awesome 3-D printed guitars

It's been a long long while since I've posted something fun, and being a big fan of guitars in general I thought this was perfect and needed to be shared.

3-D printers just amaze me (even with the multitude of technological advancements we have today).


Check out some info on the making process @  http://www.buzzfeed.com/alanwhite/these-awesome-guitars-were-made-with-a-3d-printer

Singing is good for your health too!

Not only is singing a great way to raise money, research shows that it's also good for you.

Professor Graham Welch, Chair of Music Education at the Institute of Education, University of London, has studied developmental and medical aspects of singing for 30 years: "The health benefits of singing are both physical and psychological. Singing has physical benefits because it is an aerobic activity that increases oxygenation in the blood stream and exercises major muscle groups in the upper body, even when sitting. Singing has psychological benefits because of its normally positive effect in reducing stress levels through the action of the endocrine system which is linked to our sense of emotional well-being. Psychological benefits are also evident when people sing together as well as alone because of the increased sense of community, belonging and shared endeavour."

Regular exercising of the vocal cords can even prolong life, according to research done by leading vocal coach and singer Helen Astrid, from The Helen Astrid Singing Academy in London. "It’s a great way to keep in shape because you are exercising your lungs and heart. Not only that, your body produces ‘feel good’ hormones called endorphins, which rush around your body when you sing. It’s exactly the same when you eat a bar of chocolate. The good news with singing is that you don’t gain any calories! Not only can it increase lung capacity, it improves posture, clears respiratory tubes and sinuses, and can increase mental alertness through greater oxygenation. It even tones the muscles of your stomach and back, that is if you’re singing correctly."

Singing even helps you live longer according to the findings of a joint Harvard and Yale study which showed that choral singing increased the life expectancy of the population of New Haven, Connecticut. The report concluded that this was because singing promoted both a healthy heart and an enhanced mental state. Another study at the University of California has reported higher levels of immune system proteins in the saliva of choristers after performing a complex Beethoven masterwork.

heartresearch.org.uk

A while back I posted an article about the benefits of listening to music well, now it turns out singing along is beneficial too.  Who knew?!.

Music good for the soul and good for your health

Scientists have found that playing music, and listening to it, triggers neurological reactions that reduce anxiety – even in stressful situations like preparing for surgery.

In fact, the experts said, music can play a positive part in health care settings ranging from operating rooms to family clinics.  And the researchers, from McGill University in Montreal, found concrete evidence for why this is so.  Daniel J. Levitan, professor of psychology, said in a statement that  his team had documented “neurochemical mechanisms by which music has an effect in four domains: management of mood, stress, immunity and as an aid to social bonding.”

The research found that listening to music increased both the antibody immunoglobulin A, which plays a critical role in immunity of the mucous system, and cells that attack invading germs. They also found that listening to and playing music reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

To reach their conclusions, published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Science, the experts looked at 400 research papers analyzing the neurochemistry of music.

The study authors said future research could examine the effect of music compared with other media,  including comedy programs and audio books.

Personally I cannot imagine my life without music & now I know why.

thirdage.com

22 Unbelievable places in the world

 Bamboo Forrest, Japan

 Lavender Fields, UK & France

One of  World's Largest Mirrors, Bolivia

 Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan

 Red Beach, Panjin, China

Shibazakura Flowers, Takinoue Park, Japan

 Wisteria Flower Tunnel, Japan

 Tunnel of Love, Ukraine

 Black Forrest, Germany

World Largest Mirror, Bolivia

See all 22 places at boredpanda.com

Amazing cardboard creations

chrisgilmour.com via neatorama

Geek sleep pods

Staffers at some London data centers won’t be burdened with long commutes when the 2012 Olympics roll into town this summer and jam up city streets. Instead, they’ll have futuristic sleeping pods to crash in so they can never leave work.


In the past month, a London company called PodTime has sold 19 pods at £1,375 ($2,190) a pop to three collocation facilities, including a data center operated by Interxion, says Jon Gray, the founder of the 1-year-old company.

Gray, who thought up the pod business one drowsy afternoon while working as a project manager for Merrill Lynch, was surprised when Interxion — which operates 28 data centers across Europe — approached him in February, looking to buy pods. They quickly struck a deal and Interxion had its first pods within a month.

Until then, Gray thought his target market was overworked financial staffers, airport travelers, and youth hostels. “To be honest, it was not an application for the pods that we’d ever though of,” he says. “We thought we’d come up with everything we could think of, but Interxion were the first [data center].”


Soon other London data centers were calling. Gray wasn’t at liberty to say who else has bought the pods, but one company bought four of them. A third company bought five.


The pods come complete with lockable doors, a magazine rack, a shelf power supply, LED lights and the special kind of burrowing thrills you can usually only get from an MRI. All in a 4x4x6.5-foot package.


In a press release, Interxion said that it bought the pods so that engineering staff could stay onsite for 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the games. “Interxion realized the need to take its resilience that extra mile to ensure that its facilities … were not hindered,” the company said.


How bad will traffic be? On some days, London’s underground subway system, the Tube, is expected to carry more passengers than it’s ever handled in the past — 4.6 million travelers per day. Local transit officials are encouraging businesses to let employees work from home, and they’re encouraging employees to be ready to juggle their travel plans in the event that transit systems are overwhelmed. 

wired.com  

These look like a lot of fun, although I imagine they're definitely not for claustorphobics.  The site also includes a demonstrative video.

Awesome eye-popping graffiti by TSF Crew

flickr official site via collossal

A ring collection that would make Gollum jealous!

High-tech, brilliant and just plain bizarre, these 31 rings aren’t exactly your standard precious gemstone set in a valuable metal band.

Sterilized human teeth, living plants, replicas of food and creepily realistic representations of body parts challenge notions of beauty in jewelry while tiny projectors, pillows, books and programmed end dates provide unusual functions.

Teeth Rings by Polly van der Glas

(images via: vanderglas.com.au)

Outfit your fingers with four human teeth – complete with cavities and amalgam fillings – or go a little more subtle with three incisors or a single statement-making molar. These bizarre handmade creations by Australian artist Polly van der Glas are made with donated, sterilized teeth set onto silver rings. The artist (who also makes jewelry with human hair) says,

“When attached to the body, we praise hair and teeth that adhere to the rules. They are key sites where body beauty is defined. Yet when they are shed, their meaning and value undergoes a dramatic transformation.  Polly’s work explores this transformation in meaning, and uses it to destabilise ideas about beauty.”

Projector Ring

(image via: lukejerram.com)

In a darkened room, shine a light through this incredible one-of-a-kind ring by Luke Jerram and jeweler Tamrakar and it will project a selection of miniature slides onto a surface like a wall or a piece of paper. Jerram, who created it as a wedding ring for his own wife, explains, “The ring was my first prototype and was made by hacking apart disposal cameras to find the right lens I needed.”

Unfortunately, the ring was stolen, but Jerram replaced it with an equally beautiful and unusual ring. The Talking Ring has a 20 second recorded message – Jerram’s proposal – etched onto its surface. The message can be played back with a miniature record player.

Crayon Rings by Timothy Liles

(image via: timothyliles.com)

They look like simple, colorful plastic rings, but they’re even more fun than that. Brooklyn-based designer Timothy Liles produced these ‘crayon rings’, which are actual functioning washable crayons sold in packs of eight.

Cactus Rings by Barbara Uderzo

(images via: alternatives.it)

These organic rings by Barbara Uderzo are planters in which beautiful, prickly succulents are planted. They’d certainly make a punch more painful.

Pilo-Pilo Cushioned Ring

(image via: pilopilo.com)

Have you ever rested your head on your hand only to find that your knuckles are uncomfortably sharp? No? Well, the makers of the Pilo-Pilo Ring think that you could use some extra padding when you’re “thinking, daydreaming… falling asleep” or perhaps some comfort “when you got stood up on a date.” So basically, it’s like a miniature boyfriend pillow?

Digitus Ring by Charles Widlin

(images via: yanko design)

This concept by Charles Widlin holds 1,400 magnetic spheres which rotate into place according to micro computer circuitry, displaying letters or numbers without the use of LCD screens. Widlin imagines that the Digitus Ring could be used to display the time, or an important date.

Sculptural Flower Rings by Alidra Alic

(images via: alidraalic.com)

This is more than just jewelry – it’s a wearable sculpture. Alidra Alic creates stunningly complex floral jewelry created using a plastic technique in conjunction with sterling silver and semi-precious gemstones. “Furthermore I work with themes of illusion and lack of function in order to awake my viewers’ curiosity and to show jewelry in new value contexts,” says the artist.

Love Letter Ring by Colleen Baran

(images via: colleenbaran)

Leave a loved one a special message whenever the mood strikes with one of jeweler Colleen Baran’s ‘Love Letter’ Rings, which print messages like ‘I miss you the second you leave’ when use with water-based inks.

Sound Wave Wedding Bands

(images via: sakura koshimizu)

Preserve your words in a highly unusual piece of jewelry with Sakura Koshimizu’s Sound Wave wedding bands. The artist turns a short sound clip into sound waves which are laser-etched into gold, silver or steel.

Belly Button Ring… For Your Finger

(images via: yuyen chang)

No, it’s not a ring that you put in a navel piercing – it’s a disturbingly realistic recreation of a naval, on a ring. Metalsmith Yuyen Chang has designed an entire line of ‘orifice jewelry’ including brooches and pendants, in case you’re eager to buy a matching set.

Remember Ring Won’t Let You Forget

(image via: alaska jewelry)

If you buy the Remember Ring, you’ll never forget your anniversary again – because your finger will gradually get hotter and hotter until you’re physically uncomfortable. The ring uses a ‘micro thermopile’ to convert the heat from your hand into electricity.

You specify your anniversary date, which is programmed into the ring. 24 hours before your special day, the ring will gradually heat up, “but not hot enough to burn,” so say the jewelers.

Architecture Rings by Philippe Tournaire

(images via: phillipetournaire.com)

Wear your love for architecture on your finger with platinum or gold diamond rings shaped like buildings. Parisian jeweler Philippe Tournaire recreates structures from around the world including his home city, Moscow, New York and more, and has even made replicas of entire city blocks.

Mmm… Miniature Food Replica Rings

(images via: souzou creations)

As if you needed another reason to daydream about lunch until noon rolls around, these rings by SouZou Creations will have you salivating over cupcakes, pizza, spaghetti and pie. These quirky kawaii-style creations made of plastic, glass, metal and ceramic are the work of Sofia, a Canadian living in Japan.

Book Ring by Ana Cardim

(images via: anacardim.com)

Ever wish you always had some paper at your fingertips, so you could write things down whenever the mood strikes, no matter where you are? This miniature notebook ring by Ana Cardim makes that possible, though you’ll have to think of another way to carry a pen.

Pimple Popper – Grossest Ring Ever?

(images via: artbywinona)

Who hasn’t looked down at their finger and wished that what they saw there was a disgusting pustule about to pop? An Etsy seller called ArtbyWinona makes that dream (or nightmare, depending on your perspective) come true with this ring made of sterling silver, freshwater pearl, copper and enamel.

Says the artist, “I am just going to come out and say it…..I like popping pimples, zits, black heads, white heads, you name it I like to pick at it! Disgusting I know, but I have a feeling I am not alone. I am just one of the few that will admit it and come out of the closet.”

weburbanist.com via neatorama