Rebel Without a Cause poster On September 30, 1955, the world mourned the sudden and tragic death of 24-year-old actor James Dean. He died the same year he became famous, leaving behind only three starring roles. Even with such a short movie career, his role as a rebellious and misunderstood teenager in "Rebel Without a Cause" captured the heart and soul of so many teens in 1955 and will forever be his iconic image. History has shown that celebrities who die during the height of their career are remembered long after those who have lived a full life. Marilyn Monroe was a huge movie star, but her death -- and the ongoing controversy surrounding it -- bumped her up to legendary status. Elvis and John Lennon were already legends, but their untimely deaths made them immortal. So this begs the question: If James Dean were alive today at the age of 74, would he be as much of an icon to Hollywood as he was in 1955? Suggested Sites... James Dean Official Site - features photos, screen savers, and other goodies. IMDb: James Dean - filmography and his many TV credits are listed here. American Legends: James Dean - offers several essays and articles about the actor, as well as unusual photos of Dean and friends. The James Dean Gallery - museum exhibit located in James Dean's hometown and final resting place in Fairmount, Indiana. Wikipedia: James Dean - biography for the actor, with information about his upbringing and film career.

Directory categories: James Dean, Dead Celebrities, Classic Hollywood Actors

Archived under: Actors, Dead Celebrities, Death, Entertainment, Movies

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Art thieves making their getaway Armed, masked men stormed Oslo's Munch Museum on August 22, 2004, stealing two Edvard Munch paintings in broad daylight. The thieves' haul, including Munch's masterpiece "The Scream," was worth several million dollars. Not a bad take for a few minutes of work. If the idea of becoming an art thief sounds like fun, consider these points first: Art theft is a thriving industry -- along with money laundering, drugs, and arms trading, it's one of the world's largest international criminal enterprises -- so there's likely to be competition. But, if you are good, you can set your own hours, and being your own boss is priceless. What's the downside? For those who choose to steal art, enjoying the fruits of their labor can be difficult. It's hard to sell stolen art on the open market, and most auction houses have strict rules to ensure this doesn't happen. Keeping the art as a trophy is risky. Several thieves have been caught by showing off their loot. And while many of history's great art crimes are legendary, the most infamous criminals have been apprehended, so don't plan on basking in any glory. Given the pros and cons, the next time you are in a gallery or a museum, take a look around and ask yourself if you are indeed ready to take the plunge and become an art thief. Suggested Sites... Art Loss Register - formed from a partnership of industry professionals. Seeks to recover stolen and missing art and antiquities. Interpol: Stolen Works of Art - tracking art stolen around the world. FBI: Art Theft Program - the FBI Art Crime Team protects the nation's art treasures. SAZ Productions - contains lists of stolen works with reward amounts and pictures.

Directory categories: Stolen Art, Stolen Item Registries, Art Protection and Retrieval Services

Archived under: Arts, Crime, Law Enforcement

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(photo by derekb) Public nudity can inspire many different reactions -- shock, anger, embarrassment, titillation -- but it is certain to attract attention. Since the days of Lady Godiva, protesters around the world have bared it all in public to get some exposure, so to speak, for their causes. Some lock themselves in cages, wearing only whiskers, ears, and body paint, to protest the treatment of animals. Others gather in large groups to spell anti-war messages on the ground with their nude bodies or use their skin as a canvas for political statements. Like traditional protesters, these disrobed demonstrators are willing to face arrest in order to be seen, though their clothed counterparts might not have to worry as much about the elements. Suggested Sites... Baring Witness - protesters spelling messages of peace with their nude bodies. Running of the Nudes - naked humans race through the streets of Pamplona, Spain, to protest the Running of the Bulls. World Naked Bike Ride - worldwide nude bicycle rides protesting oil dependency and automotive pollution.

Directory categories: Nude Protesting, Activism Resources, Civil Disobedience

Archived under: Animal Rights, Politics, Protest, Society and Culture, War

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(photo by Broot) Adventurers come to the Appalachian Trail for the mountains, the rivers, the camaraderie, and the solitude. They come to challenge themselves to hike its entire 2,175 miles -- a walk through 14 states, from Georgia to Maine -- and to earn the honor of becoming a 2,000-miler. Protected diligently by volunteers and marked clearly by white paint blazes, the Appalachian Trail began in 1921 as the utopian vision of forester Benton MacKaye. Over 8,000 recorded thru-hikers and section-hikers have proudly completed its entire length. These dedicated souls have trod through elevations as high as 6,625 feet and as low as 124, ascended craggy peaks, and forded dangerous streams. Whether their journey took only one continuous thru-hiking season, or was a section hike that lasted months or years, these men, women, and children have followed in the footsteps of MacKaye's mythical giant. One boot in front of another, they have each gained a new identity, and left nothing behind but their thoughts. Suggested Sites... Appalachian Trail Conservancy - building and maintaining the trail for 80 years. Earl Shaffer's 1965 Appalachian Trail Journal - one of the originals. Hikers Currently Hiking - journals from hikers on the trail at this very moment. Appalachian Trail Terms and Slang - always HYOH (Hike Your Own Hike) and take lots of Vitamin I. Appalachian Trail Museum - drop in and donate your boots.

Directory categories: Appalachian Trail, Travelogues, Organizations, Hiking

Archived under: American History, Camping, Hiking, Outdoors, Parks

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Major K. When soldiers in Iraq write home these days, many have traded pen and paper for a laptop and a clever title like Ma Deuce Gunner or Major K. The result is a blog -- a nearly daily, first-hand look at the war and its effects on the soldiers and civilians caught in its midst. Most soldier blogs are about the experience of being in a war zone. On Boots in Baghdad, a 22-year-old self-proclaimed grunt records his yearlong tour of Iraq through words, photos, and video. Danjel Bout's 365 and a Wake Up chronicles both the daily grind and the constant danger of military combat. Other blogs, such as A Line In The Sand and Watch Your Six, add a bit of political commentary to their reflections on life in a war zone. Whatever the angle, these blogs provide a unique, personal, and honest glimpse into the lives of modern soldiers. Suggested Sites... Wired: The Blogs of War - article by John Hockenberry about the rise in soldier blogs. Finer on Soldiers and Blogging - video interview with journalist Jonathan Finer, who has written about military blogs in the Washington Post. War Letters - PBS documentary about soldiers' correspondence, from the American Revolution to the Gulf War.

Directory categories: Iraq War Blogs and Diaries, War in Iraq, Blogs

Archived under: Blogs, Government, Iraq, Journalism, Military, War

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