Stonehenge Demystified

From planetsave.com:

Researchers working at Stonehenge have concluded, after ten years of archaeological investigation at the site, that it was built as a monument to unify the peoples of Britain after a long period of conflict and regional differences.

The researchers theorize that the stones symbolize the ancestors of different groups of people. The origins of the different stones are from completely different parts of the country, some coming from southern England and others from as far away as western Wales.

“When Stonehenge was built”, said Professor Mike Parker Pearson of the University of Sheffield, “there was a growing island-wide culture – the same styles of houses, pottery and other material forms were used from Orkney to the south coast. This was very different to the regionalism of previous centuries. Stonehenge itself was a massive undertaking, requiring the labour of thousands to move stones from as far away as west Wales, shaping them and erecting them. Just the work itself, requiring everyone literally to pull together, would have been an act of unification.”

Fascinating.  So Stonehenge was the original lyrics to Kumbaya. 

The Origin of the Taco

From Smithsonian.com:

The origins of the taco are really unknown. My theory is that it dates from the 18th century and the silver mines in Mexico, because in those mines the word “taco” referred to the little charges they would use to excavate the ore. These were pieces of paper that they would wrap around gunpowder and insert into the holes they carved in the rock face. When you think about it, a chicken taquito with a good hot sauce is really a lot like a stick of dynamite. The first references [to the taco] in any sort of archive or dictionary come from the end of the 19th century. And one of the first types of tacos described is called tacos de minero—miner’s tacos. So the taco is not necessarily this age-old cultural expression; it’s not a food that goes back to time immemorial.

Fascinating article on the origin of a food that I once despised, but now one of only three foods that I could eat almost every day and not get tired of it (pizza and barbecue are the other two.)

I also never knew the origin of Taco Bell.  That alone is worth sharing this article.

Why Can't We Walk Straight?

A Mystery: Why Can't We Walk Straight? from NPR on Vimeo.

Time Spiral

From Wikimedia

My Mecca

My new goal in life is to visit this place - and this guy - before either of us dies. It's nice to see another true soft drink connoisseur.

Last Day Dream

Very cool short film. Beautiful pacing and great looking footage.

Last Day Dream [HD] from Chris Milk on Vimeo.

Bayou City History

Interesting blog on the Houston Chronicle site that deals with the history of Houston. If you're a Houstonian, this is worth a look. I spent a lot more time than I expected just reading an article and the comments about the Goodyear blimp and its former base in Spring.