I frickin’ love this guy and his video. Apparently, he holds the Guiness World Record for fastest clapping — 721 times in 1 minute. Watch, and prepare to be amazed, by his quick blurry hands!

He even has his own website, filled with tidbits about his unique ability.

I was very impressed with these photos of the new Hoover Dam bridge taking shape. It’s not due to be completed until next year, but R.J. Evans has a nice collection of photos spanning (sorry!) the life of the project. I especially like the images where you can see both sides reaching towards the as yet non-existing middle section. The bridge will have taken over 10 years to design and build, and these photos give some sense as to the breath-taking scope of this massive engineering project. I look forward to some day seeing in it in person.

This news item seems especially offensive after the recent shooting of a doctor in his church by a rabid anti-abortionist. The NYT published this article about a pastor in Kentucky who created a special day for his parishioners to bring their guns to church and presumably have a good ol’ time shooting at things. From the Times article:

Ken Pagano, the pastor of the New Bethel Church here, is passionate about gun rights. He shoots regularly at the local firing range, and his sermon two weeks ago was on “God, Guns, Gospel and Geometry.” And on Saturday night, he is inviting his congregation of 150 and others to wear or carry their firearms into the sanctuary to “celebrate our rights as Americans!” as a promotional flier for the “open carry celebration” puts it.

“God and guns were part of the foundation of this country,” Mr. Pagano, 49, said Wednesday in the small brick Assembly of God church, where a large wooden cross hung over the altar and two American flags jutted from side walls. “I don’t see any contradiction in this. Not every Christian denomination is pacifist.”

Pagano’s bring-your-gun-to-church event includes a raffle (for a gun, of course), firearms safety lessons and a picnic. Stories like this make me really glad I live in liberal, hippy-dippy, West Sonoma County.

Love this site spotted on the Makezine blog of “epic kludges and experiences in home ownership”. There, I Fixed It showcases photos of especially creative and McGyverish repair jobs. Some of these look downright dangerous, but of course that’s half the fun.