Liftingfaces

In keeping with my farm animal theme yet again, here is a cool thesis animation from Nikolas Ilic, who recently graduated from Sheridan College in Canada.

This brilliant image courtesy Jonathan Mak.

Keeping my pig theme going, here’s a radical stop-motion short film set to Willie Nelson covering Coldplay. Directed by Johnny Kelly.

I almost cried. Almost.

Here’s the making of. Right up my alley…

This is what a 5.9 earthquake in Virginia looks like. God, I love the internet. Via jmckinley’s posterous.

To the delight of many a fan, Game of Thrones returns to HBO in the Spring of 2012 for its second season (where winter will still be coming to Westeros). We have some returning cast members, some dearly departed characters who sadly will not, and more importantly we get to meet some all new characters (and the actors they will play).

I will keep a running tally on the current state of casting here for all to enjoy, updating as frequently as the news comes in (or as close as I can get).

New Cast

Nonso Anozie is Xaro Xhoan Daxos

Simon Armstrong is Qhorin Halfhand

Andy Beckwith is Rorge

Nicholas Blane is The Spice King

Sam Callis is Gold Cloak

Gwendoline Christie is Brienne Tarth

Ben Crompton is Dolorous Edd Tollett

Steven Cole is Kovarro

Liam Cunningham is Davos Seaworth

Karl Davies is Alton Lannister

Oliver Ford Davies is Maester Cressen

Stephen Dillane is Stannis Baratheon

Edward Dogliani is Rattleshirt

Roy Dotrice is Hallyne

Simon Fisher-Becker is High Septon

Ian Hanmore is Pyat Pree

Ralph Ineson is Dagmer Cleftjaw

Gerard Jordan is Biter

Rose Leslie is Ygritte

Patrick Malahide is Balon Greyjoy

Michael McElhatton is Roose Bolton

Fintan McKeown is Ser Amory Lorch

Anthony Morris is The Tickler

Hannah Murray is Gilly

Lucian Msamati is Salladhor Saan œ

Daniel Portman is Podrick Payne

Robert Pugh is Craster

John Stahl is Rickard Karstark

Carice Van Houten is Melisandre of Asshai

Tony Way is Dontos Hollard

Gemma Whelan is Yara Greyjoy

Tom Wlaschiha is Jaqen H’ghar

Returning Lead Cast

Alfie Allen is Theon Greyjoy

Emilia Clarke is Daenerys Targaryen

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is Ser Jaime Lannister

Peter Dinklage is Tyrion Lannister

Michelle Fairley is Catelyn Stark

Aidan Gillen is Petyr Baelish

Jack Gleeson is Joffrey Baratheon

Iain Glen is Ser Jorah Mormont

Kit Harington is Jon Snow

Lena Headey is Cersei Baratheon

Isaac Hempstead-Wright is Bran Stark

Richard Madden is Robb Stark

Rory McCann is Sandor Clegane

Sophie Turner is Sansa Stark

Maisie Williams is Arya Stark

Returning Featured Cast

John Campbell-West is Samwell Tarly

Ron Donachie is Ser Rodrik Cassel

Jerome Flynn is Bronn

Conleth Hill is Varys

Donald Sumpter is Maester Luwin

Returning Guest Cast

Amrita Acharia is Irri

Roger Allam is Illyrio Mopatis

Josef Altin is Pyp

Gethin Anthony is Renly Baratheon

Esmé Bianco is Ros

David Bradley is Ser Walder Frey

Dominic Carter is Janos Slynt

Antonia Christophers is Mhaegen

James Cosmo is Jeor Mormont

Charles Dance is Tywin Lannister

Joseph Dempsie is Gendry

Kate Dickie is Lysa Arryn

Stephen Don is Stiv

Emun Elliot is Marillion

Lino Facioli is Robert (Sweetrobin) Arryn

Elyes Gabel is Rakharo

Ian Gelder is Ser Kevan Lannister

Julian Glover is Grand Maester Pycelle

Ben Hawkey is Hot Pie

Wilko Johnson is Ser Ilyn Payne

Sibel Kekilli is Shae

Susie Kelly is Masha Keddle

Mark Lewis Jones is Shagga

Francis Magee is Yoren

Clive Mantle is Greatjon Umber

Ian McElhinney is Ser Barristan Selmy

Luke McEwan is Rast

Roxanne McKee is Doreah

Kristian Nairn is Hodor

Art Parkinson is Rickon Stark

Aimee Richardson is Myrcella Baratheon

Dar Salim is Qotho

Eugene Simon is Ser Lancel Lannister

Mark Stanley is Grenn

Conan Stevens is Ser Gregor Clegane

Owen Teale is Ser Alliser Thorne

Peter Vaughan is Maester Aemon Targaryen

Natalia Tena is Osha

Eros Vlahos is Lommy Greenhands

Callum Wharry is Tommen Baratheon

Washington’s Javale McGee does the unthinkable to Wesley Matthews of the Trailblazers. How would a statistician log this play?

Thanks, Elz.

For the first time in the history of boxing, a boxer and a trainer are facing criminal charges and facing potential jail time. For the first time in the history of boxing, that boxer and trainer are related (uncle Roger and nephew Floyd Jr.). For the first time in the history of  boxing, both men are facing the same charge: beating up a woman.

I’m finding it harder and harder to defend the reasons why I love boxing so much. It is sad for the sport, and sad for my own passion as a boxing fan.