Just in case its escaped your attention, there is a rather special wedding occuring this week. That's right, my mates Steve and Gayle are getting married on Sunday. Congratulations!
Aside from that all you mon-anarchists may be sufficiently aware that the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton is also this weekend - gladly there is an up-side; we have the opportunity for good old prince Phillip to say something which sets international relationships back a couple of decades. Although it is something to behold, as it will be etched into the public history and memory, and the frequency of having a member of royalty who is not only batting for the right team, but actually marrying their loved one is so rare you have more chance of seeing Haley's comet than a royal wedding.
So what are the punters saying at Ladbrokes? If you’ve not been caught up in all the Royal Wedding fever then you may have sympathy with Prince Phillip – he’s 10/1 to fall asleep during the service. You can back things to get off to the worst possible start by backing Prince Harry to forget the wedding ring. He’s been known to make the odd mistake in the past and a Royal Wedding bet on him to forget the ring is a very tempting 100/1. Even if Prince Harry does manage to get the ring to the alter there is still plenty that can go wrong. If you fancy nerves to get the better of Prince William, then he can be backed to drop the wedding ring at 20/1. 
The Archbishop of Canterbury has a rather big role in the day and there is plenty that go wrong for him if he stumbles his lines. It’s 100/1 for him to refer to Kate at William’s ‘awful wedded wife’ and exactly the same price for him to say ‘in the name of the Father, and of the Son and the Holy Goat!’. In honour of this auspicious occasion we have a couple of items about the addage accompanying any half decent wedding. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.
OLD:
Dr. Tobias Owen, who is now professor of astronomy at the University of Hawaii, identified the Face on Mars on Viking frame 35A72 (pictured). The same frame, covering approximately 34 by 31 miles - also shows many other features that could be artificial. These cluster around latitude 40 degrees north in the region of Mars known to astronomers as Cydonia, and were photographed from an altitude of more than 1,000 miles with relatively poor resolution.
A casual glance reveals only a jumble of hills, craters and escarpments. Gradually, however, as though a veil is being lifted, the blurred scene begins to feel organized and structured - too intelligent to be the result of random natural processes. Although the scale is grander, it looks the way some archaeological sites on Earth might look if photographed from 1,000 miles up. The more closely you examine it, the more it is apparent that it really could be an ensemble of enormous ruined monuments on the surface of Mars. For a long while after the 1976 Viking photographs, NASA and other scientific authorities continued to disseminate what one researcher calls "the bogus claim that the Face is a trick of light and shadow". This notion began to be challenged seriously only when Vincent Di Pietro, a computer scientist and former NASA consultant, discovered another image of the Face on frame 70A13. This second image, which had been acquired 35 Martian days later than the first one and under different lighting conditions, made possible comparative views and detailed measurements of the Face.
Complete with its distinctive Sphinx-like headdress, it is now known to be almost 1.6 miles long from crown to chin, 1.2 miles wide and just less than 2,000 ft.. high. Image analysts say the bilateral symmetry of the Face, which has a natural, almost human appearance, is most unlikely to have come about by chance. This impression is confirmed by other characteristics that have subsequently been identified under computer enhancement. These include 'teeth' in the mouth, bilaterally crossed lines above the eyes, and regular lateral stripes on the headpiece - suggestive, to some researchers at least, of the headdress of ancient Egyptian pharaohs. According to Dr. Mark Carlotto, an expert in image processing, all 'these features appear in both the Viking images, and are coherent shapes structurally integral to the object. Thus random interference or artifacts of the image restoration and enhancement process could not have caused them.'
The same is also true for the 'D&M Pyramid' (named after Di Pietro and his associate Gregory Molenaar, also a former NASA contractor, who discovered it). This five-sided structure stands about ten miles from the Face and, like the Great Pyramid of Egypt, is aligned virtually north south towards the spin axis of the planet. Its shortest side is a mile, its long axis extends to almost two miles and it is half a mile high. Commenting on the proximity of the Face and the D&M Pyramid, American researcher Richard Hoagland asks a pointed question: 'What are the odds against two terrestrial-like monuments on such an alien planet and in essentially the same location?' Hoagland has made his own detailed study of Frame 35A72 and has identified additional, possibly artificial, features.
These include the so-called Fort, with its two distinctive straight edges, and the City, which he describes as 'a remarkably rectilinear arrangement of massive structures interspersed with several smaller pyramids'. Hoagland also points out another striking fact about the City: it seems to have been sited in such a way that the inhabitants would have enjoyed a perfect, almost ceremonial, view of the Face. The impression of a great ritual center, shrouded under the dust of ages, is enhanced by other features of Cydonia, such as the Tholus, a massive mound similar to Britain's Silbury Hill, and the City Square, a grouping of four mounds centered on a fifth, smaller mound. This configuration, so suggestive of cross hairs, turns out to be located at the exact lateral center of the City.In addition, a group of British researchers based in Glasgow have recently identified what looks like a massive four-sided pyramid, the so called NK Pyramid, 25 miles west of the Face and on the same latitude (40.8 degrees north) as the D&M Pyramid. In the same general area is a feature called the Bowl, approached by a tapered ram that has been likened to the stairway of a Mexican pyramid. 'Looking at the whole of Cydonia," says Chris O'Kane of the Mars Project UK, 'my gut feeling is that these structures have to be artificial.' O'Kane's hunch is strengthened by the fact that 'many of the structures are non fractal'. In plain English this means that their contours have been scanned and assessed as artificial by highly sophisticated computers. 'What we have, therefore,' sums up O'Kane, 'is an improbable assortment of anomalies. They have alignments, they're grouped, and they're non-fractal.' Nor is Cydonia the only site on Mars to have yielded photographic evidence of unusual and apparently artificial structures. Pyramids have been identified elsewhere, notably in the region known as Elysium, on the opposite side of the planet where , as early as 1971, NASA's Mariner 9 spacecraft photographed a group of mile-high three-sided structures. Other Martian features that are decidedly non-fractal include a straight line more than three miles long defined by a row of small pyramids, extensive rhomboidal enclosures in the south polar region, and a weird, castle-like edifice rising to a steeple more than 2,000 ft. high.
WHAT HAPPENED?
If there was a civilization on Mars capable of creating such monuments, then what might have happened to it? A geological cataclysm is a possibility. Analysis of the Martian meteorite suggests the Red Planet was warm and wet - an environment that is likely to have been hospitable to life. Today, it is permanently frozen. The change may have been caused by a very large and rapid slippage of Mars's outer crust, a phenomenon that has also been cited as a possible cause of the cataclysmic end of Earth's last Ice Age 13,000 years ago. Evidence reported in Scientific American magazine in 1985 confirms that Mars did at some unknown stage in its history, suffer a catastrophic crustal displacement. If this had happened during the planet's warm and wet phase, any civilization present at that time would almost certainly have been wiped out in the ensuing global floods and earthquakes, leaving behind only whatever scattered ruins and monuments were massive and stable enough to survive. The pyramids and the sphinx on Mars seem to fit the bill. And if they are artificial, then the implications for our idea of ourselves and our place in the universe are shattering.MARS - EARTH CONNECTION
A striking characteristic of the pyramids and Sphinx of Giza is the way in which they are integrated into a grand architectural plan, based on mathematical and astronomical data. There is no evidence that the pyramids were used as tombs. What is certain is that two narrow shafts emanating from inside the Great Pyramid were directed to two specific stars: Zeta Orionis, one of the three stars in Orion's belt, and Sirius, in the constellation of Canis Major.
It is certain, too, that the principal Giza monuments form an accurate terrestrial 'map' of the three stars of Orion's belt as these constellations appeared in 10,500 BC. (see above) Who could have been observing the skies over Giza in 10,500 BC and who, at that date, could have had the technical capacity to realize such monumental works as the Sphinx and the pyramids? Egyptologists assert there was no civilization on Earth at that time, let alone one capable of planning and building such immense, well engineered structures. If they are right, why do the alignments of Giza so plainly and repetitively mirror the skies of the 11th millennium BC?Former NASA consultant Richard Hoagland is convinced there may be a 'terrestrial connection' between Giza and Cydonia - the region of Mars where the mysterious structures are located - perhaps a common source that imparted the same legacy of knowledge and symbolism on both worlds. Hoagland's interest in Giza began when he met Dr. Lambert Dolphin, a scientist from the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) who had conducted radar and seismographic research to locate hidden chambers near and under the Great Sphinx. Dr. Dolphin was captivated by Hoagland's idea of a 'Martian Sphinx' - the Face - and , in 1983, was instrumental in helping Hoagland set up the Independent Mars Investigation Project under the aegis of SRI. Hoagland argues that the Face on Mars is 'not merely the image of an terrestrial hominid...lying where it has no business being. One half (the right) is also the perfect image of a cat; specifically a lion - the king of beasts. So the Martian sphinx is in truth the combination of two "families": hominid...and ...feline.'
The description also fits the lion-bodied, human headed Egyptian Sphinx. Another coincidence is that the ancient Egyptians called the Sphinx Hor-em-Akhet, meaning 'Horus in the Horizon'. Horus - the hawk-god, the divine child of Isis and Osiris - is a name derived from the Egyptian word Heru, which translates a s 'face'. Helped by a mathematician, Erol Torun, Hoagland has also identified a number of intriguing mathematical and geographical connections between Cydonia and Giza. Torun was among the first to realize that one of the large; 'pyramids' on Mars, the D&M Pyramid, contains a variety of functions and constants used in a sophisticated mathematical system known as tetrahedral geometry. Evidence of such high mathematics in supposedly natural structures is strongly suggestive of a conscious design.The most important recurring feature found in the mathematics of Cydonia is the value 0.865 - derived from the ratio of 'e' (an important mathematical constant equal to 2.7) and pi (the mathematical constant of 3.142 used to work out the properties of spheres and circles). This Hoagland terms the 'message of Cydonia' A trigonometrical function, the arc tangent of 'e'/pi, gives the value of 40.8 that is the Mars latitude on which both the D&M Pyramid and the NK Pyramid are sited. Amazingly, another trigonometrical function, the cosine of 'e'/pi, gives the value 30 - the exact geographical latitude of the pyramids of Giza on Earth. Hoagland has demonstrated that the Great Pyramid of Giza contains 'tetrahedral' functions identical to those of the D&M Pyramid on Mars, and Torun has shown that the positioning of the Great Sphinx, relative to the pyramids, expresses the 'Cydonian ratio 'e'/pi. 'The odds of such correlation happening by coincidence on two neighboring planets are somewhere in the region of one in 7,000, says Hoagland. What makes coincidence look even less likely is a bizarre link to another ancient site on Earth. One of the key angles of Cydonia, repeated again and again, is 19.5 degrees. this is precisely the latitude (19.5) degrees north. Which is also the exact latitude of the pathfinder-landing site.
IS THE TRUTH BEING KEPT FROM US?The space agency's almost unbelievable lack of interest since photographic Frame 35A72 was taken by the Mars orbiting Viking craft in 1976, and its obstinate disregard for calls from other scientists to investigate the Cydonia mystery further, have raised suspicions of a cover-up. And why not? We know that our governments selectively censor potentially traumatic or destabilizing information. If something has been found with the potential to upset established social values and religious beliefs, then it is reasonable to suppose we might not have been told about it yet. What makes this seem more probable is the fact that NASA's probe, Mars Observer, scheduled to rephotograph Cydonia in 1993 in response to growing pressure, failed to do so due to alleged technical problems (the orbiter was 'lost' by mission control at the crucial moment).
Also noteworthy is the fact that NASA's constitution authorizes it to co-operate with agencies directly concerned with national defense and specifically obliges it to withhold from the public information classified to protect national security'. It is; therefore, by no means impossible that information has been withheld. If NASA really does have a secret interest in the Monuments of Mars, it would be expected that such an interest would also have been manifested here on Earth, in particularly, the three great pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza in Egypt.
In March 1995, a German scientific team discovered a mysterious 'door', with handles made of an unknown metal, lies at the end of a narrow (8 in. x 8 in.) 200 ft. shaft which cuts through the body of the pyramid from the south wall of the so-called Queen's Chamber. A proposal to put a fiber - optic camera under the door was mysteriously shelved on the pretext that nothing of importance would be found. However, in March this year, Egyptian scientist Farouk El Baz, a former NASA consultant, was chosen to lead a team scheduled to start work next month with equipment designed by Spar Aerospace. Which builds the hydraulic arms used by NASA Space Shuttles. Information was leaked to the U.S. media that nine further chambers and tunnels had been identified and that the sensors had picked up indications in all of them, the presence of metallic objects.
NEW:
So whats going to be new for this year, or indeed the next? If you subscribe to certain theories you may not think that the human race will make it passed the 21st December, and if that is the case you mayt need one of these inventions for surviving doomsday.
- BedBunker In a post-apocalyptic world, you'll want to keep a weapon at arm's length at all times to fend off scavengers and thieves. People laughed when you bought a 1,300-pound BedBunker with two 140-pound, 1/4-inch-thick, 10-gauge steel doors. People got a little scared and called you a paranoid maniac when you filled that BedBunker with enough weapons to outfit an entire army — but who's laughing now? $2,200-$4,200 — BedBunkerCourtesy of Nerd Approved
Related post: Guess who will still be in business after the apocalypse?
- Blast Boxers If you are a guy who can only afford one piece of body armor to protect your body from gunfire and explosions, make it these Blast Boxers. A pair is stuffed with enough Kevlar to protect what's really important — plus it's comfortable and odor resistant thanks to Aramid fabric and a breathable mesh. It may be worth noting that it's probably a good idea to wear these while sleeping on top of your BedBunker, just in case any of the explosive devices you have stuffed in there go off in the middle of the night. Sure, the rest of your body will probably be vaporized, but the groin will remain in mint condition. Pricing Not Available — Blast Boxers via Fashionably GeekCourtesy of Nerd Approved
- Wenger 'Giant' Swiss Army knife A good knife and a nice set of tools are what a survivor can really use when faced with the collapse of civilization, which is why you'll want this oversized Wenger Swiss Army knife. It holds the Guinness record for most multifunctional pen-knife, thanks to its 87-tool capacity. Seriously, if MacGyver was the last man standing, he could use this to build a rocketship to Earth-like planets in other solar systems. $999 — ThinkGeekWenger
Related post: Be prepared for zombie attacks at all times
- BioLite camp stove You are going to need a way to cook your meals without modern appliances. This BioLite stove not only uses wood for fuel, it also has the added benefit of a thermoelectric generator that will turn the heat from the flame into electricity that can be transferred to your portable gadgets via a USB port. That's perfect for small radios, GPS units or the iPod you filled with songs from Glee, just before you realized that it would be the only music you would listen to for the rest of your life. $80 — BioLite via Nerd ApprovedCourtesy of Nerd Approved
- Tactical bacon Now that you have a means of cooking your food quickly, you are going to need to stock up on non-perishable food items like this "tactical" canned bacon. It lasts for 10 years in the can and holds up to 18 servings. Let's face it, if most of us were given a choice to bring just one type of food along into the post-apocalyptic living hell that will be Earth, bacon would probably be it. $15.99 — ThinkGeek via Nerd ApprovedCourtesy of Nerd Approved
Related post: Coming to the U.S.: Zombie Jerky
- MusucBag wearable sleeping bag Needless to say, a wearable sleeping bag might come in handy on those cold nights spent huddled in a bomb shelter or boarded up in an abandoned house on the outskirts of town. It keeps you warm and mobile — and it's thick enough to put a little distance between your flesh and the infectious bite of a zombie. $140 — LippiselkbagCourtesy of Nerd Approved
Related post: Gas masks perfect for the perfect doomsday look
- Soular Powers backpack Obviously, a bag of some sort will come in handy while wandering the barren landscape looking for a community of survivors willing to take you in. The Soular Powers line of backpacks is a little more practical than most because it uses a solar panel to collect energy that can be transferred to your portable gadgets. Of course, it won't be of much use in a nuclear winter scenario that blots out the sun. $119 — Scratch Tracks via Fashionably GeekCourtesy of Nerd Approved
- Lifesaver jerrycan Access to potable water is going to be the single most important factor in your ability to survive. The Lifesaver jerrycan can hold 5 gallons of water after treating it with a filtration system that removes bacteria, viruses, cysts, parasites, fungi and other pathogens — and it can process more than 5,000 gallons of water during its lifecycle. There's even a handheld bottle version for added portability. Just steer clear of any green water that's glowing. I'm not sure if the Lifesaver is equipped to handle nuclear waste. $150 to $400 — LifesaverCourtesy of Nerd Approved
- GorillaTorch Blade A flashlight is another one of those indispensable tools that no survivor can do without. However, the GorillaTorch Blade goes above and beyond traditional flashlights thanks to bendable, wrapable legs with magnetic feet that allow you to get hands-free light where you need it most. Plus it can be recharged via USB (something you can handle thanks to your BioLite stove and Soular Powers backpack). Hands-free is always good — especially since you'll need both arms to fight off mutants and zombies. $59.95 — JobyCourtesy of Nerd Approved
- Knight XV armored SUV Anyone who has seen the Mad Max series knows that you are going to need a capable vehicle to survive in an inhospitable wasteland. The Knight XV is certainly more capable than most in this scenario with features like a 6.8-liter, bio-fuel powered, 400-horsepower V-10 engine, a fully armored exterior and undercarriage, ballistic glass, built-in oxygen survival kit and an onboard black box system. Plus, the interior is more plush than most high-end luxury cars — just because it's the end of civilization doesn't mean you can't be civilized. Of course, it probably doesn't do very well on fuel economy, so if gasoline is hard to come by, it may just end up being a bomb shelter. One that costs upward of $400,000. — Conquest Vehicles via Nerd ApprovedCourtesy of Nerd Approved
BLUE:
There are loads of sitesw who will better cater for this angle. So go forth and monofy!
SOMETHING ELSE:
Here are a few of millions of clips on YouTube which are tagged as wedding and fail. Unfortunately there were none of the royal wedding itself! Enjoy!
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS VISITED TEN THIS WEEK AND MADE IT THE TOP VENUE IT IS!
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