Transformers, Zeitgeist, music festivals, Wimbledon
Today I have eight random things to mention: 1. I went to see Transformers on Thursday night, hoping to reengage with one of my favorite childhood cartoons. I’m not even sure how to articulate the live-action movie experience. I did write a 15-word review for Filmometer, but it doesn’t really capture how hilarious (both unintentional […]
Beaver baseball National Champions again (and pepino)
Congratulations to the Oregon State baseball team! The Beavers swept through the College World Series, winning all five of their games. In the best-of-three finals, they beat the North Carolina Tar Heels for the second straight season. OK, you know how I love random trivia, so here are some CWS facts: The Beavers (49-18) trailed […]
Robotic BEAR, badgers, American Zoetrope, French Open
Today is the birthday of two of my friends. Happy Birthday to everyone born today! As usual, I have a number of random things to share. Let’s do this newspaper-style, using three sections: Science & Technology Ever imagined dying in the arms of a robotic teddy bear? Soon this may become a reality for wounded […]
Creationism: Noah saved dinosaurs from flood
Have you heard? The Creation Museum in Kentucky is open! And it sounds more fantastic than Disneyland! Here’s a quote from today’s “New museum says dinosaurs were on Noah’s Ark” article at Reuters.com: While the $27 million museum near Cincinnati has drawn snickers from media and condemnation from U.S. scientists, those who believe God created […]
A Fair(y) Use Tale, Smashing Pumpkins, NBA lottery
Today I have five things to mention: 1. Eric Faden, an assistant professor of English and film studies at Bucknell University, created a 10-minute video called “A Fair(y) Use Tale” using 400 cuts from 27 different Disney films to mock copyright law (and Disney). It’s certainly worth checking out. As you may know, Disney has […]
Abraham Lincoln’s death (and Tecumseh’s Curse)
Once again I am awake at a ridiculous hour on Monday morning. What have I learned? That President Abraham Lincoln might have survived if today’s medical technology had existed when he was shot in the back of his head in 1865. Last week medical experts took on the case of Abraham Lincoln at the 13th […]
Conspiratorial ramblings: Fanta, Coke, Big Pharma and Monsanto
What makes for good Friday night conversation among friends? Some MSG-laden take-out Chinese and a few cans of orange Fanta. Here’s a summary of some bits of yesterday’s conversation and associated (plagiarized) Internet research: Q. Wasn’t Fanta invented by Nazis? Isn’t this a Nazi drink? A. No, but kind of. Fanta was invented in Nazi […]
Fighting off ninjas. Easy.
Earlier today a coworker told me about a new ninja-themed MythBusters episode, due to premiere on Wednesday, April 25, 2007. Here’s the official episode description: Episode 78: Walking on Water It’s “East Meets West” in this episode of MythBusters. Shrouded in secrecy and mythology, not to mention cult popularity, ninjas are perfect fodder for the […]
Earth Day 2007 equals Grindhouse
So, we were thinking about playing tennis or going for a hike, you know, to recognize that today is Earth Day and all . . . but then the sky clouded up and it started sprinkling. Which pretty much gave us no recourse but to spend 3 1/2 hours in Regal Santiam 11 watching Grindhouse. […]
Funny or Die! (and psychotropic strawberries)
I have three random things to mention: 1. Will Ferrell has a new video-based website called Funny or Die! You should really check out his comedy skit called “The Landlord.” There’s quite a bit of good stuff on the site and it isn’t even a week old. For example, YouTube celebrity LisaNova is already posting […]