The Presurfer

2017-02-17T22:04:00.000+01:00

UPDATE 2

Dear readers,

Thanks again for the encouraging words in the comments.

Yesterday I had to go to hospital again. This time for a bronchoscopy. I didn't like that at all. It wasn't really painfull but because I have a shortness of breath, it was a real challenge. Anyway, the next meeting will be next week on Thursday for another consult with my lung doctor. So, all I can do now is wait.

Take care, Gerard.

UPDATE

2017-02-13T22:59:00.000+01:00

Dear readers,

First of all thanks for the nice and encouraging words in the comments.

This morning I had to go back to hospital for a CT scan. The provisional results were sent to my lung doctor. He told me it doesn't look good. There is indeed a spot on my right lung but I also have some metastases on he rest of my lungs.

I have to go back to hospital again on Thursday for a bronchoscopy where they put a flexible optical fiber instrument into my mouth or nose to examine my airways for abnormalities. It's something I'm not particularly looking forward to.

That's it for the moment. Next week, February 23, there's another visit planned to my lung doctor and by then we should know how things are.

Take care of yourselfs. Gerard.

No Post Today

2017-02-10T15:06:00.001+01:00

Dear readers,

For the second time in a short period, there will be no updates on The Presurfer. I had a short vacation a couple of weeks ago, this time is more serious. I've not been feeling well lateley. My breathing wasn't good enough and my staying power reduced. I also lost some weight.

So, yesterday I decided to call the family doctor. She immediately sent me to hospital for a more serious examination. There, a lung specialist took some photos and saw a small spot on my right lung.

This morning, I've been back to hospital for a blood test. I have to be back there again on Monday morning for a CT scan. After that we problaby will know a little bit more. Anyway, I need a break until I know what is wrong with me. In the meantime, let us hope for the best and thank you for your patience.

The Most Satisfying Video In The World

2017-02-09T14:38:00.003+01:00

Have you ever seen something that makes your skin tingle and for some unknown reason provides you with a sense of unbridled peace and happiness? Gears working in perfect synchronization, a cake frosted with absolute precision, marbles rolling so smoothly it hurts. Something that is just...satisfying?

YouTube link

The Places On Earth Where Nature Is Most Likely To Kill You

2017-02-09T14:37:00.001+01:00

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Most of us have been caught out by the weather, whether we got soaked to the skin in a storm or burned red by the sun. But there are places in the world where Mother Nature really goes in for the kill.

From deadly storms to volcanic eruptions, there are threats everywhere. Of all Earth's danger zones, which is the most deadly?

(via Nag on he Lake)

The Map Of Mathematics

2017-02-09T14:33:00.001+01:00

The entire field of mathematics summarised in a single map! This shows how pure mathematics and applied mathematics relate to each other and all of the sub-topics they are made from.

YouTube link

This Is How You Fold A Record-Breaking Paper Airplane

2017-02-09T14:31:00.001+01:00

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In 2012, designer John Collins constructed a paper airplane that flew an astonishing 226 feet, establishing a distance record that still stands. Collins has designed 75 different paper airplanes, and he's still coming up with new ideas. His ultimate goal is to create a novel design that shatters his current record for distance.

30 Second Sweepovav Demonstration

2017-02-09T14:28:00.003+01:00

Sweepovac is a new Kitchen Vacuum. It's a self-contained unit vacuum for your kitchen! Simply sweep, kick the switch, and the dirt is sucked away.

YouTube link

(thanks Cora)

The Story Of A Painting That Fought Fascism

2017-02-09T14:25:00.001+01:00

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On 26 April 1937, Nazi German and Italian bombers attacked the Basque city of Guernica. Over the course of three hours, they destroyed three-quarters of the ancient town, killing and wounding hundreds.

The raid was 'unparalleled in military history,' according to reports at the time- and it inspired one of the most famous anti-war paintings in history.

Sony's Newest Super Slow Motion Movie

2017-02-08T18:05:00.005+01:00

The Super Slow Motion Movie Taken by 3-layer Stacked CMOS Image Sensor with DRAM.

YouTube link

The Perfection Of The Paper Clip

2017-02-08T18:03:00.002+01:00

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Most everyday objects - like the key, or the book, or the phone - evolve over time in incremental ways, and the 20th century in particular revolutionized, or streamlined the vast majority of the things you hold in your hand over the course of an average day. But the paper clip - invented in 1899 hasn't been improved upon since.

Glossy Ibis Slow-Motion Aerial Combat

2017-02-08T17:59:00.001+01:00

Glossy Ibis slow-motion aerial combat.

Vimeo link

(thanks Cora)

An Underwater City For The Dead

2017-02-08T17:57:00.004+01:00

The Neptune Memorial Reef is an eternal resting place for ocean lovers that's entirely underwater. Cremated remains are mixed with cement and formed into placements that are added to the underwater city. The Reef is open to the public so families can dive down to visit their loved ones on the sea bottom.

YouTube link

(thanks Cora)

The Stories Behind The Most Famous Slogans

2017-02-08T17:56:00.001+01:00

M2OnHold has created an infographic that explores the stories behind some of the most famous brand slogans. Find out how popular slogans like Nike's 'Just Do It,' or Apple's 'Think Different' were conceived.

The Evolution Of Tap Dance

2017-02-07T14:24:00.003+01:00

Scott Bradlee and his Postmodern Jukebox take us through the history of tap dancing in the past 115 years, with dancer and choreographer Sarah Reich shuffling and tapping her way through various songs, from 1899's Maple Leaf Rag to 2014's Uptown Funk.

YouTube link

(thanks Cora)

Why Do We Feel Hot And Cold As Pain

2017-02-07T14:23:00.001+01:00

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On the face of things, a hot waffle iron wouldn't seem to have all that much in common with a block of ice. But the two objects share the same capacity to inflict pain. Extreme heat and extreme cold are both able to deliver a nasty blow to human skin, and it turns out that the brain monitors these thermal extremes in similar ways.

The Banana Republics

2017-02-07T14:20:00.006+01:00

Banana republic is a political science term used originally for politically unstable countries in Latin America whose economies are largely dependent on exporting a limited-resource product, e.g. bananas.

It typically has stratified social classes, including a large, impoverished working class and a ruling plutocracy of business, political, and military elites.
This politico-economic oligarchy controls the primary-sector productions to exploit the country's economy.

YouTube link

(via Neatorama)

15 Bizarre Flags From Around The World

2017-02-07T14:19:00.000+01:00

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Infographic by UK Feather Flags (www.uk-featherflags.co.uk/). A collection of some of the most unusual and unique flags that we have been able to find around the internet. Check out high quality, high resolution pictures of some of the most bizarre flags that have been made along with information about each one for you to enjoy.

How Model Trains Transformed From Cutting-Edge To Quaint

2017-02-07T14:16:00.003+01:00

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In the 19th century, the railroad was the Internet of its day, connecting people with one another and moving merchandise and raw materials across great distances. Naturally, children were eager to play with pint-size versions of this new technology, and 19th-century toymakers obliged, cranking out model trains in wood, cast iron, and tin.

But they are tough to sell the idea of model trains to children today. They find trains are noisy, antiquated, and irredeemably boring. The average age of a model railroader is 40-plus.

Why Cartoon Characters Wear Gloves

2017-02-06T13:01:00.005+01:00

Animators had a few tricks up their slee.... err gloves.

YouTube link

Fresh Caught Canandians

2017-02-06T12:59:00.001+01:00

All Sizes!

(via Bad Newspaper)

Secrets Of The Centenarians

2017-02-06T12:56:00.001+01:00

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If you make it to the ripe old age of 100, hardly a day will go by that someone won't ask you what's the secret of living to such a ripe old age.

There's only about a 1 in 1,000 chance that a 100-year-old person will become a 'supercentenarian' - live to see their 110th birthday. So how did these folks make it that far?

Return Of The Bison

2017-02-06T12:53:00.002+01:00

Since 2007 a group of European bison's (Wisent) has been brought back into a nature area in the dunes of the Nehtherlands. They live a wild but secluded nature area. Outside of the breeding season you can wander around to find them grazing.

Vimeo link

(thanks Cora)

Phnom Penh's No 1 Ladies Taxi Scooter Agency

2017-02-06T12:51:00.003+01:00

In Cambodia's capital, motorbike taxis are everywhere - but it's extremely rare to see women drivers transporting tourists. Those who do are judged harshly. Meet the young entrepreneur trying to change that.

Why Are There Statues Of Beavers On Top Of This Oxford Street Shop?

2017-02-06T12:49:00.002+01:00

There's plenty to catch your eye on Oxford Street; even more if you raise your gaze above shop level. If you glance up at the top of 105 to 109 Oxford Street, you'll see a strange quartet of creatures decorating the roof. Four beavers, the top one holding a scroll, have been peering down on Oxford Street shoppers for 130 years. Why is that?