Equinox Edition

A Majority of Icelanders Believe in the Existence of Elves

 

A study conducted by the folklore department of the University of Iceland has found that a majority of inhabitants of the land of Eyjafjallajökull and Björk Guðmundsdóttir believe in the existence of elves. Go figure!
From Iceland Review:

"Icelanders seem much more open to phenomena like dreaming the future, forebodings, ghosts and elves than other nations," associate folklore professor Terry Gunnell said.
Only 13 percent of participants in the study said it is impossible that elves exist, 19 percent found it unlikely, 37 percent said elves possibly exist, 17 percent found their existence likely and eight percent definite. Five percent did not have an opinion on the existence of elves. (from Gawker.com)

 Iceland even has Elf School!! Check it out!  Icelandic Elf School

Outlaw Gang ‘The Amish Eight’ Jailed For Failing to Adhere to Basic Buggy Safety Laws

Here we have the booking photos of eight men from the Swartzentruber Amish sect, all of whom were ordered arrested and jailed on Monday by a Kentucky judge. Their crimes?
They refused to affix little orange safety triangles to their horse-drawn buggies, and then refused to pay the fines they'd accrued for repeatedly failing to do so.
Their stance was a religious one: Displaying bright colors runs against their laws (and, let's face it, kinda ruins the whole rustic, old-world motif they're going for). Then again, so does posing for photographs — mugshots included — but they were forced to do so at the Graves County jail, where the men spent anywhere from three to ten days. They were spared, however, from wearing the brightly colored orange jumpsuits that are typical prisoner issue. [The Smoking Gun, mugshot via TSG]
(from Gawker.com)

*As my friend Brian said... " Fuck 'da Police!"*

What It Feels Like to Fly Over Planet Earth

Flying over the Earth! (click here)

Here's a gorgeous time-lapse video constructed (by James Drake) out of 600 publicly-available photos taken from the International Space Station as it orbited around the Earth.

 Its time for Rootstalk! 

The Rootstalk Festival in Salem, Oregon September 22 - 25
Is shaping up to be a unique experience in the majestic old growth forests of Salem, Oregon. Wander the emerald woods by day to learn wilderness skills, plant identification, home herbalism, urban farming, DIY sustainability, and more from the country’s most dynamic teachers and experts. Then as the moon glows, enjoy herbal brew under the towering trees or stomp your feet to strumming banjos, singing fiddles, and ecstatic rhythms drumming into the starry night sky.
Rootstalk is an extraordinary celebration of skill sharing, plant folklore, artistic expression, scientific wonder, and spirited community.