gq:

Because Certain Congressional Reps Could Use a Reminder

Sloane Crosley’s piece on how to send a cock shot, the right way:

Penis. Penis! PENIS!!

That’s how the game is played, right? Whoever can shout it the loudest without caving to embarrassment wins. Oh, but who needs a larynx when you have a cell phone? More to the point, when you have Brett Favre’s cell phone. To Favre’s credit, it’s not as if the man invented naughty-picture messaging two years ago when he reportedly sent then 24-year-old Playboy model and Jets game-day hostess Jenn Sterger shots of his junk. He may have been the longest in the tooth to do this, but let us not forget the Cleveland Indians’ aptly named Grady Sizemore or the Portland Trail Blazers’ Greg Oden and his formidable anatomy, which he clearly rented from Equine ‘n’ Things. Fame aside, the question is—okay, so there are a lot of questions—but the first one is: How can men be so clueless? What, exactly, do they think is going to happen?

nprfreshair:

Do you ever read an atlas for pleasure? If you go to a new city, can you imagine not knowing which way is north? Is it hard for you to imagine life without a map?

Then you might be a maphead, says trivia buff Ken Jennings.

Philadelphia rail map - 1972 (by rjwhite)

nypl:

Fourth of July weekend is ALMOST here! Time to get out the swim suits and go to the beach, just like these fine people, captured in a print by artist Jan Van Beers. The print is from 1888 and currently located in our Mid-Manhattan Picture Collection. Come on, lady. Jump in! Come on, long weekend. Get here!

soundcloud:

thenycnomad:

Last week, I walked the streets of Carroll Gardens to find the most interesting person in the neighborhood, Vinny Tallercio.  Vinny owns the Smith Union Market which has been operating in the same location since 1945.  

In my search, I talked to the Italians, a couple of cafe owners, my wonderful hosts, and Sam at the laundromat.  You can listen to all of these characters in the podcast.

Is there an interesting person in your neighborhood?  Interview them and I will post it on on my blog and the City Stories map!  You can submit the link here

Great find!

ourpresidents:

Enjoy the fireworks and happy July 4th from the Presidential Libraries and Museums!

Here’s an image from the Truman Library.  Fireworks lighting up the night sky overlooking the Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pool, during President Truman’s Inaugural celebration.  January 20, 1949.

fromme-toyou:

Is it impossible? Not anymore.

In 2009 Polaroid shut down their instant film production plant. On that day the Impossible Project was born to save this beautiful and important resource so artists can continue to express themselves with this medium and people like you and me can capture…

theeconomist:

Daily Chart: attacks attributed to al-Qaeda. Our comprehensive briefing explains what the death of Osama bin Laden means for al-Qaeda, Pakistan, Afghanistan - and the West.

texturism:

good morning! a voice note from me to you - with an update on my voice project and some great news from tumblr and soundcloud. take a listen. talk more soon, maura 

ourpresidents:

Today, we’re opening over 45,000 pages of new material related to Harry and Bess Truman at the Truman Presidential Library.  Included among these new items are receipts for all sorts of events.  Some of the receipts are for important things like insurance payments, home repairs, and taxes.  But some are a bit more fun and still tell interesting stories.  From 1942-1946, the Truman’s daughter Margaret attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she earned a degree in history.  Above is the receipt for her tuition payment for the fall 1945 semester.

For comparison, George Washington University  tuition today would cost over $44,000 per year.

In 1947, Margaret Truman was a maid of honor in the wedding of her best friend, Mary Shaw. The wedding took place on April 12, 1947, and Margaret did not arrive in Kansas City until April 8. Notice the date on which she bought her maid of honor dress – April 11! The first thought that many bridesmaids would have is “Great – less than $50 for a dress AND alterations!” However, when you look at the tuition bill for George Washington University just the year before, you realize that Margaret’s bridesmaid dress cost a little less than half of what an entire semester of college cost. Either college was cheap back then, or it was a really fancy dress.

As Mrs. Truman got older, she did less shopping. Her housekeeper and home care nurses would often do shopping for her and saved their receipts. The third image in our photo set above is a receipt for one of the local grocery stores from April 1982.

Today, a Duncan Hines brownie mix costs $2.29; Del Monte sliced peaches cost $1.89; Campbell’s mushroom soup costs $1.39; a large head of lettuce costs $2.49.

From the Truman Presidential Library in Independence, MO.