Good Things in the World

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

A Refurbished Bus Will Bring Showers to the Homeless in San Francisco

An old MUNI bus in San Francisco is getting a second life with a noble cause. Outfitted with toilets and showers, Lava Mae's refurbished bus will bring mobile bathrooms to homeless people around the city. The long-awaited bus will make its first rounds this weekend.

Homelessness in San Francisco is famously (and infamously) a growing concern. With thousands of homeless and just a handful of shower facilities for them, Lava Mae will be providing a much-needed service in the city. It'll park at various spots around San Francisco, drawing water from fire hydrants.

Doniece Sandoval, Lava Mae's founder, first got the idea two years ago. After securing an old bus from MUNI, she's raised money—through crowdfunding and corporate sponsors like Google—to outfit the bus with two full-service bathrooms. If all goes well, she hopes to have three more shower buses up and running.

For better or for worse, the fates of public sanitation and homelessness in San Francisco—and elsewhere—are intertwined. "For at least a decade, bathrooms have stood in for the city's anxieties about homelessness, public utilities, and the changing economy," wrote Rachel Swan in an excellent piece on public bathrooms in SF Weekly. That the city's shiny JCDecaux public toilets—with their futuristic-sounding self-cleaning cycles—have turned into dens of drug use and prostitution is a symptom of the city's problems.

Lava Mae isn't going to solve the root cause of homelessness, but it does very directly address a real issue faced by the homeless. And it's an idea San Franciscans who love to complain about smelly streets can certainly get behind it.

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/20...lava-mae-gives-homeless-a-place-to-get-clean/

Something like a shower can go a long way for some, this is definitely a good thing

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

Edible Wrappers Just Solved the Only Bad Thing About Cupcakes

Cupcakes could quite possibly be one of the world's most perfect foods—a tiny cake, just for you!—were it not for those annoying wrappers you have to peel away. But thanks to Dr. Oetker, those are now edible too.

There's no proof that the genius behind these edible cupcake wrappers is even an actual accredited doctor, but who cares? Made from a crispy wafer-like food material, these wrappers are bake stable, so not only will they survive a run through a hot oven, you also don't need to use a cupcake tray for support. That alone is a big selling feature.

The edible wrappers are also gluten free, so those jumping on the bandwagon or who actually suffer from Celiac disease can enjoy them. A pack of six will set you back just over four bucks, so they're obviously more expensive than paper wrappers. But while you can actually eat the paper versions (who hasn't accidentally, in a frosting frenzy?) these sound slightly more appetizing.

http://www.oetker.co.uk/uk-en/our-p...ing-cases/new-edible-wafer-cupcake-cases.html

Just when you thought cupcakes couldn't get more awesome. My only question is why did it take this long for someone to come up with this? Also it probably will take most people some getting used to

 

[OriginalMiles]

I already eat the cupcake wrappers.

That is an awesome idea though! Been waiting for something like that for a long time.

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

Harrier Has Stuck Nose Gear, Lands On A Stool, Pilot Is Awesome

They say Harrier pilots are some of the best in the world as the aircraft is notoriously hard to handle in hover. This video is further proof that this statement is true. Talk about nailing it!

Note to Lockheed Martin: Build custom nose stool for the F-35B!

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Just one more reason why military pilots are BAMFs!

 

[KevanG]

Edible cupcake wrappers is a genius idea and I'm surprised no one made them earlier.

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

Golden Gate Bridge to Become Suicide-Proof With $76 Million Steel Net

In a unanimous vote on Friday, it was decided by members of the Golden Gate Bridge's district in San Francisco that a massive steel net would be implemented on the bridge to prevent suicides. The project is to cost $76 million.

According to a report by the Associated Press, officials say that since it opened in 1937, over 1,400 people have jumped to their deaths from the iconic bridge, with a record number of suicides last year totaling 46. Seconds after the vote passed, a room full of supporters and family members of those who had jumped from the bridge, were reportedly in tears.

Bridge board member Janet Reilly told the room:

"The tragedy of today is that we can't go back in time, we can't save ... the people who jumped off the bridge. But the good thing, with this vote today, we can vote in their memory. . . . We will save many lives who have followed in their footsteps - and that's what so extraordinary about today."

The net idea had been talked about for decades before Friday's historic approval, but funding had been hard to come by. Barack Obama signed a bill into law recently that made federal funds available for the building of safety nets and protective barriers for bridges, which made the project easier on the state, who is providing $7 million in funds. Federal contribution to the project will reach $49 million and $20 million will come from the bridge, mostly in toll revenue.

Officials say that the net will not obstruct or mar the appearance of the bridge and it will stretch about 20 feet wide on either side. The construction of the net is supposed to start next year and is expected to be finished in 2018.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/storie...BARRIER?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Anything that saves lives is always a good thing

 

[Tanin]

They will just go to the Oakland Bay bridge instead. When one decides on suicide they will just pick another spot.

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

Here's a Dog Losing His Mind After Getting 100 Balls for His Birthday

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For his birthday, Maymo's owners decided to get him 100 bouncy, multicolored balls. Like a teenager who was just handed the keys to a new car, or a tween getting surprise One Direction tickets, this famous internet lemon beagle was about to have the best day of his life.

The gifts come slowly at first, then all at once, sending Maymo into hiding around the corner while he ponders the bounty that's just rained down upon him. Then, he's back out, joyously frolicking in a sea of yellow, blue, orange. Finally, he gets tired, like all pooches do, and lays down for a nap.

This is an awesome birthday present for any dog

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

Hero Rips Open Door of Burning Car and Saves Man from Fiery Death

Robert Renning, a Minnesota Air National Guardsman, is being hailed as a hero for saving a man trapped in his burning car by—like a human Jaws of Life—bending the door and pulling him through shattered the glass.

Renning noticed flames coming out of the back of Michael Johannes' car while driving on Interstate 35 near Minneapolis. He managed to flag Johannes down and they both pulled over. But after Johannes put his car in park, Minnesota Public Radio reports, his vehicle's locks and windows stopped working and he became trapped inside. That's when Renning made his daring rescue. From Minnesota State Patrol's report:

Johannes' vehicle immediately became engulfed in smoke and the electronic locks and windows failed. The frantic driver unsuccessfully tried to kick out the windows. Renning ran to the car and — with his bare hands — bent the locked door in half from the top down. The glass shattered and Renning reached in and pulled Johannes to safety.

"It had to have been adrenaline. I don't know how I did it. I truly don't," Renning told WCCO. "I didn't do anything anyone else wouldn't have done at the time. It was all timing."

Johannes has a wife and one daughter, and said that he plans to take Renning out for a beer to thank him. From the flames of one man's car, a friendship is born.

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2014/06/30/good-samaritan-saves-man-from-burning-car-in-new-brighton/

Wow that's crazy. I've always wondered how we humans can pull off such feats when the adrenaline is going and a life is on the line. Pretty amazing

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

Artist draws incredible illustrations with no prior sketching whatsoever

Kim Jung Gi is one of those rare illustrators that can conjure up any scene he wants out of thin air, without any sketching and in record time. There are no tricks here, just an amazing visual memory, raw imagination, and a perfect command of the medium. Watching these videos of him working is a real pleasure.

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Kim Jung Gi is a South Korean artist born in 1975. He studied fine arts at the Dong-Eui University of Busan and served in the army' special forces section during more than 2 years, which allowed him to memorize an amazing number of vehicles and weapons. He's a professional illustrator and comic book artist.

http://www.kimjunggius.com/

To be able to freehand like that is astounding. He is a very talented man

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

Canadians Make Us Look Bad by Building Nicer Benches for the Homeless

The homeless have it hard lately, what with all the anti-homeless measures municipalities have implemented to keep them off benches and sculptures and sidewalks. Except in Vancouver, where one charity is building "pop-up" shelters that invite the weary in.

It's a timely show of altruism in a summer of fear and loathing, marked by a London supermarket's recent implementation of "anti-homeless spikes":

As the Guardian pointed out, the spikes were but the most recent—and controversial—manifestations of a grand movement in public architecture that's hostile to transient huddled masses.

RainCity Housing, however, made good use of the public controversy with its new series of urban shelters in Canada. Via Mic.com:

The company specializes in accommodation and support services for the homeless in Vancouver. They used designs that feature welcoming slogans on the bench backboard. During the daytime, the benches are places to wait for a bus or sit. At night, they convert into usable shelters where the backboard lifts up to provide shelter.

The daytime city bench uses UV rays from sunlight, so the bench reads, "This is a bench." Then at night, glow-in-the-dark wording appears, saying, "This is a bedroom," and drives people to the RainCity website.

Leave it to the Canadians to make the rest of us look like uncharitable oafs. This is a country where even the shirtless dudes yelling at politicians on the street are nicer than most Americans.

http://mic.com/articles/92463/here-s-how-vancouver-responded-to-london-s-anti-homeless-spikes

Good to see some folks still have kindness in their hearts. Maybe the good old US of A could learn a thing or two from our northern neighbors

 

[Teelie]

I try to think of how it would feel to be in their situation and people act like this towards them. Blaming them for being homeless, assuming it's their fault or their choice. That somehow they find living on the streets preferable to living in a home.

Then you have some ******* decide that sticking spikes in the ground to deter the homeless like they were vermin is a good idea. What happens when someone who isn't homeless falls on them? Or is pushed? What if they kill a person? At least there isn't some homeless bum there!

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

A Lamp That Looks Exactly Like Sneakers Tossed Over Power Lines

If you're on the hunt for a truly unique lamp to accessorize your living room, Etsy is a far better place to start than Ikea. Because that's the only place you'll be able to buy this illuminating creation from Ricochet Studio that looks like a pair of shoes tossed over a power line.

Those shoes, however, are made from porcelain with halogen bulbs hidden inside. But while the sneakers are fake, the power lines aren't. They actually carry electricity to the shoes via their laces, and the sneakers can be adjusted and repositioned however you want them to hang.

There's only one of the Shoe Toss lamps left, though, and if you want to string it up in your home you'll have to scrounge up $2,000 and find a place where you're not going to be constantly clotheslined by the cables.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/67469837/shoe-toss

That would be cool to have for my room

 

[Teelie]

While it's weird or tech related, I'm not quite sure how it falls under good things.

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

Well I like it so I put it in here.

 

[KevanG]

It's his thread so if he says it's good, it's good. Capisce?

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

Eh it ain't like that Kev, I welcome everyone to post anything they feel fits in any of my threads. I'm not really even sure why I put it here honestly. I guess I thought a lamp was a bit low tech for the tech thread and really couldn't think of any other place to post it. I'm sure people from NY and other urban areas would dig it though

 

[KevanG]

Shaddupa yo face, Capisce?

 

[HeyZeus]

Eh it ain't like that Kev, I welcome everyone to post anything they feel fits in any of my threads. I'm not really even sure why I put it here honestly. I guess I thought a lamp was a bit low tech for the tech thread and really couldn't think of any other place to post it. I'm sure people from NY and other urban areas would dig it though

Why don't you start a blog?

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

Um I don't want to? I prefer posting on the Hype were people can interact and comment on things

 

[HeyZeus]

You can interact and comment on blogs too.

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

And you also have to pay for web hosting, build a site and tons of other crap I don't want to deal with. Therefore I just post on the Hype and people can either check it out and comment or ignore it and enjoy the rest of the site.

Do you find me so intriguing that I would warrant a blog so that you can peer into my mind on a daily basis?

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

Nice Guy Paul Rudd Stars in Couple's Pregnancy Announcement

Beloved comic actor and man-bro Paul Rudd proved once again that "the chillest dude" isn't just a movie role to him—it's a way of life. Okay, pregnant couple: You want a supporting actor from Knocked Up to announce your impending baby to the world? You got Paul Rudd! He doesn't mind one bit.

Rudd is also reportedly a pleasure to work with on movies, not just spontaneous Facebook posts about pregnancy.

If you aspire to be the kind of person that absolutely everyone would bang for just $1, just study Rudd-sensei and do as he does. Don't be a rock. Be the water. The water is so chill.

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/29lzoa/paul_rudd_helped_us_out_with_our_pregnancy/

Just one more reason Paul is such an awesome dude. I really hope Ant-Man takes off because he deserves every movie he's in to be a smash hit

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

You can actually play Tetris on this electronic t-shirt

This is not your normal Tetris fanboy t-shirt, you can play the classic block game on it for real. Mark Kerger designed it and programmed it as a 30th anniversary tribute. It might not be the most comfortable way to play but it is really quite fun to watch.

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Pretty awesome way to celebrate an awesome game

 

[Alex_Spider]

http://www.trueactivist.com/watch-these-zambian-children-getting-clean-water-for-the-first-time-their-reaction-will-humble-you/

Watch These Zambian Children Getting Clean Water For The First Time. Their Reaction Will Humble You

Imagine if you had to walk two miles to get drinking water for your family everyday. That’s what many of these children in Zambia have to do three times a day. They have dreams of going to school. Watch what happens when their village gets clean water for the first time. To learn more about how you can help the people of Zambia get clean water, visit World Vision.

This makes me so grateful that I have a roof over my head, running water, and food in my fridge. Please share this post with your friends and family.

Every child deserves clean, safe drinking water.
More children die from diseases caused by unsafe water than HIV/AIDS and malaria combined. It’s tragic that 1,600 children die every day from diarrhea because they lack something as simple as clean water.

Scarce, dirty water also locks people into poverty. Clean water not only gives life, it makes it possible for kids to attend school, for families to provide adequate nutrition, and for communities to prosper.

For the first time in history, we have the technology and resources to bring clean water to every child. I firmly believe we can solve the global water crisis within our lifetimes. It is an opportunity and a challenge that my colleagues and I refuse to ignore. That’s why we’re launching one of the most ambitious water campaigns ever, and we need you to join us.

1. Historic Impact - World Vision is already reaching more people with clean drinking water than any other non-governmental organization—an amazing one new person every 30 seconds.

We believe we can provide clean water to an additional 5 million people in the next 3 years. It may sound impossible, but it’s already happening. With help from private donors who have made an unprecedented commitment to match every dollar donated, this mission is absolutely possible.

Together, we will transform entire communities for generations, unleashing them to reach their God-given potential. It will be a major blow against poverty and set the stage for completing the job in the coming years.

2. A Lasting Solution - We partner closely with each community to provide clean water access and improved sanitation and hygiene solutions that meet their specific situation. This approach ensures communities feel ownership of their water points and are able to maintain and repair them. Because of this, we’ve seen that water continues to flow from water points built by World Vision for decades after they’re built.

Plus, every water project is a part of a larger community involvement model, built over 60 years, that focuses on a full solution to address health, education and employment challenges.

3. Total Transparency - You will always know where your donation is going. You will hear directly from the amazing people running the projects and see the faces of the children you’re helping.

As far as we’re concerned, we’re all in this together. We’ll pull back the curtain in every way we can think of, so you’ll always know what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.

Join us.I hope you’ll take up this challenge, give a little more of yourself, and demand much more from us.

We’re just getting started and there is much to do.

Dr. Greg Allgood
Vice President, World Vision