NerdlyNews

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No one’s ever satisfied with what they have. If you’re given a piece of cake, chances are, you’d be happy with another helping. You’ve got a job, but you’d like a better one. You can enjoy the view from the valley, but the scenery would be better at the top of the mountain.

Canada has legal cannabis. Now the cops are worried about Canadians making their own hash oil using dangerous methods.

From the Kelowna Daily Courier:

Alberta law enforcement officials say they are worried that the legalization of marijuana could lead to potentially explosive consequences for users taking a do-it-yourself approach to making cannabis derivatives at home.

Just over a month ago, Canadians were given the right to purchase dried and fresh cannabis and unconcentrated forms of cannabis oil.

It is likely to be another year before concentrates will be legalized.

“What’s going to happen — and this is just my prediction — is that people are going to do a butane hash extraction at home and they’re going to blow themselves up,” said Sgt. Guy Pilon, clandestine lab co-ordinator with the Edmonton Police Service.

“We’ve had a number of those in the recent past. People blow themselves up trying to make this weed oil.”

According to Sgt. Pilon, in the days before dope was legalized in Canada, the Edmonton Police Service dealt with only a handful of homemade lab setups designed to extract oil hash oil, using butane. The oil extracted is wicked potent. Unfortunately, using butane to extract it is wicked dangerous: a single spark with butane in the air will ensure you have a bad day. Read the rest

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To show kids that she was just a nice person playing a wicked witch, Wizard of Oz actress Margaret Hamilton dropped by Mister Rogers’ neighborhood in 1975. Hamilton, a former kindergarten teacher, talked with Rogers about how she dreamed of being a witch when she was a girl and was “thrilled” when the part was offered to her as an adult.

“Sometimes, Mister Rogers, I’m a little unhappy because lots of children are quite scared by her and that always makes me feel a little sad.”

(Rusty’s Electric Dreams) Read the rest

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Enjoy this trippy kaleidoscopic ultra-HD short film posted by Michael Shainblum.

I am proud to share my latest abstract mirror timelapse video “The Wormhole”. I knew after creating Mirror city I wanted to keep exploring the idea of kaleidoscopic imagery in timelapse. This time I wanted to expand upon the idea, creating scenes that feel like new worlds in alternate universes. I utilized camera techniques such as hyperlapse and aerial video to further showcase the surrealism in the video. Cities showcased in this video are Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, Dubai, Doha, Singapore, Shanghai. I really hope you enjoy the video!

Read the rest

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Werner Herzog is responsible for many strange, wonderful things. Everything he’s involved in is kissed by a brutal beauty–even that first Jack Reacher movie, starring Tom Cruise.

In this video from Future States, Mr. Herzog gives voice to the odyssey of a plastic bag: once loved and then discarded by its maker. For a video that runs just under 19 minutes, it runs through a full gauntlet of emotions, weirdness and existential questions. Read the rest

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The key to learning any new language is feedback. When you’re immersed in conversation, it’s easy to pick up key phrases and pronunciation, but not all of us have the means to jet off to Spain, France or wherever we can learn to speak like a local. The next best thing: The Mondly app.

Mondly is packed with thorough dictionaries and verb conjugators for 33 languages, plus lessons that will have you picking up basic conversation fast. Plus, it acts as your private tutor, correcting your pronunciation through speech recognition. Combine that with examples from a roster of professional voice actors, and it’s like having a new international friend to show you the ropes.

Why not learn a new language today? Your excuses are dwindling: The price has just dropped on a one, three or five language lifetime subscription to Mondly.

Mondly: Lifetime Subscription (1 Language): $19.99 (normally $39.99)
Mondly: Lifetime Subscription (3 Languages): $39.99 (normally $59.99)
Mondly: Lifetime Subscription (5 Languages): $49.99 (normally $69.99) Read the rest

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Editor’s note: We love this one-stop spreadsheet of women-led businesses created by Krystal Plomatos, and encourage you to share it with friends and family. Give women your money, this holiday season and beyond.

I SPEND A LOT OF TIME OBSESSING about two things: how more women can get more money and power, and brands. I’m a brand strategist by day. “Give Women Your Money” is my way of making it easier for women to find, shop, and help scale women-led businesses. It’s a “shoppable spreadsheet” with more than a hundred companies I’ve identified and collected here, with a simple form that anyone else can use to make suggestions.

Give Women Your Money is also for the fellas!

A lot of men are looking for ways to be a productive ally. Nudging them to shop from women anytime they need to get a gift for a significant other, mom, sister, friend, niece, etc., is one easy way they contribute towards the push for a more equitable business environment. (And some of the companies on the spreadsheet make unisex products, as well.)

The numbers associated with women’s economic impact are staggering in terms of raw purchasing power (estimated at $7 trillion+ in the US), our dominance in gift-buying decisions (68%), our influence on entire household purchase choices (90%).

When you take a moment to reflect on just how much power we collectively wield, it becomes exciting to actively shift your spending so it can benefit women from different backgrounds. At this point there is almost always a woman-led option for every category; from deodorants, to toothpaste, skincare and beauty, handbags, shoes, jewelry and, of course, clothes. Read the rest