Biomes Blog

Entry #414

The voices behind The Simpsons visit Conan.

Here are the six opening Star Wars crawls.

The Oswald/Ruby jam session.

A little piece of Dylan: Shooting Star (1989).

Take the AARP’s drivers IQ test. 6 out of 10, yikes.

Albino Monday: Shrew.

Entry #413

Oolong the bunny.

Happy Birthday Ellen (9), Eric (7), Derrick (6) and Paul (8). Paul's group will be starring in some of Graham's new Biomes movies for our website. He took the rough footage today and we should have them up in a few weeks. Click to see his first batch done last year.

Do-wop horses.
(Can anybody see this? I think my flash player is broken.)

Did you know there is a Disney Blog?

Cool Site of the Week: Toilygraphs. Drip dyes in toilet, flush, snap photo.

Hey, I’m dancin’. Check out my groove.

Entry #412

How observant are you? Play this Sherlock Holmes game. It’s tough.

Dept. of Educashun: Armadillo Online. This is a huge site dedicated to this dasypodid.

You know all those silly “what kind of ______ are you?” type quizzes? This one is awesome. (Click on “what dog are you” on the right side of the page.)
I’m an Ibizan Hound.

Timewaster of the Week: The 555 phone directory..

Classic artwork by Norman Roswell.

Entry #411

My 15 year old son, Graham, asked if he could guest blog today.  At the risk of damaging my hard-earned reputation as a dignified and tasteful blogger, I decided to hand him the reigns for one day. Hold on to your hat. 

Chomp, chomp, chomp, zap, bap, ka-boom!
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Today we are going to United Skates of America, but I'm not going to skate. I'm going to eat and play video games the whole time. I hope they have Pac-Man, I'm going to eat and play Pac-Man. Last time I was there they had a cool Star Wars game, I hope they still have that. There should be a United Skate-dom, or Great Skate-in, honestly, people in America are so anti-british, and anti-european! Hey, I think I'll write about that!

Brits and other Europeans are soooo much cooler than us stupid Americans! Our problem is we are so selfish. We think that Europeans owe us. Maybe they do, maybe they don't, but that dosen't mean that they have to support EVERY thing we do. For example, France didn't support the war in Iraq. They're probably the smarter ones (Afterall, they don't have a leader like Bush). France knew that the war was wrong, so they didn't support it. Oh my god, that must be evil-ness! (That was sarcasm.) I just hate the American attitude, it's the "We're the best bloody country in the world" attitude. We must be the best country because we have the smartest leader ever, who never does anything wrong! (that was more sarcasm.) Another American attitude is "Any country who dosen't support us must be a product of Satan, or some other evil force". That must mean France is a land of Satan. (even more sarcasm.) It just kills me how we think this way. It's so stupid! "Land of the free, and the home of the strange", that's what I say.

Another attitude is "We are the holy country of God". I am not religious, but I do respect religion, but this is just the stupidest thing ever (along with Harry Potter being evil). Which brings me to part 3 of my entry: "Why Harry Potter is not evil" First let's say why Harry Potter is considered evil. In many religions magic, witches, etc. are considered Satanical. The reason why is beyond me. Now let's say why it is not evil. Let us take the main villian, Voldemort, for example. Voldemort is an evil, foul, non-human thing, wizards don't even speak his name. He is portrayed as such, in a negative way. Harry Potter, and the wizards at Hogwarts, are considered to be good, not evil, totally human. (except for the fact that they're magical). They are portrayed as such, in a positive way. So JK Rowling portrays evil as evil and good as good. Therefore Harry Potter can't possibly be evil. Now, for every one who thinks Harry Potter is evil, read the bloody books for God's sake! Wait, was that a statement of irony? Why would you read a book that's evil for the sake of God?  Because it's not evil, you fools. Thank you for your attention.

Best ironic headline not found in The Onion:

Entry #410

Doing a little work around the house. I put fake brick wallpaper over a real brick wall, just so I'd be the only one who knew. When people come over I'm gonna say, "Go ahead, touch it...it feels real." -- Steven Wright

Yay. I’m a slight loser. Via Amy, who is less of a loser than I am.

Here are some world leaders photographed with halos. Including, of course, our own saintly flightsuit boy.

Pet Corner: Here’s where you can purchase your very own pet glob of fat.

Vanity plate contest winners (answers at the bottom).

This is Sammy, the Biomes Center’s cat. Here is his bio (scroll down).
Play with Sammy here.

Entry #409

Animal of the Week: Red-Bellied Slider.
This species is not native to New England, although they can sometimes be found in local ponds. These are pet turtles that have been released and managed to survive the winter. Please don't do this. Non-native pet animals should never be released into the wild. It's cruel to the pet since it will rarely survive long, and if they do survive and breed they can wreak havoc among local populations. Our slider (pictured above) was obtained when one of our staff talked someone out of releasing it and he donated it to Biomes instead. We've had him for two years but have yet to name him.
Here's a good site on the effects of introducing non-native animals. If you have a pet turtle, learn to properly care for it at sites like this and this.

Stuff You Should Know: The correct term for a group of cats.

This guy gets paid to impersonate Sean Connery even though he doesn’t look anything like him.

Movie Review: The Hunting of the President.
Based on the book by Conason and Lyons, this documentary details the ins and outs of Whitewater and the witch hunt that followed. I only made it through 3/4 of the film, it disgusted me so much. I can’t rate it yet, but so far it’s highly recommended if you can stomach the moral depths which wingnuts can sink to.

Abe Vigoda update.

Now we’re cookin’: Edible books.

Check out this Washington Mutual Bank ad, with barcoded humans.

Entry #408

Just say no to Gonzales. Read about it here.

Moore and the Razzies: The 25th annual Golden Raspberry Award nominations have been released. F 9/11 gets several “worst of the year” noms. Check them out. Heh.

Try out the “drag and drop bone challenge”. Human vs Turtle.

Dept. of Educashun: Britney’s Guide to Semiconductor Physics.

Here's another excuse you can use to explain why you were late for work:

Search Results: Someone found the Biomes Blog by Yahooing “Seminole indian biomes”. It brought them here.

Welcome to The Church of Spock and Latter-Day Science Officers

Bonus Comic: (click it.)

Entry #407

Stuff You Should Know: Crab anatomy.

Check out the world sunlight map.

Today in History: On this day in 1848 gold was discovered in Sutter's Creek, CA, resulting in the California gold rush and the quick destruction of the western frontier.

What planet are you from? Take the quiz.
My results: I’m from the moon, which is sort of like a planet, but not really.

You're in touch with your emotions and intuition. You possess a great, unmatched imagination - and an infinite memory. Ultra-sensitive, you feel at home anywhere (or with anyone).

Seven items that didn't make the cut as Wonders of the Ancient World.

A little piece of Dylan: Man of Peace (1983).

Welcome to Jammin’ Johns toilet seats.

Albino Monday: H2O.

Entry #406

Cool Site of the Week: Save the Plankton.

Who knew Lieberman had a sense of humor? Thanks again to the great work of Norm at Onegoodmove. I still hope some Connecticut Dem crushes Joe when he’s up for reelection.

So, now that Buy Blue tells me I need to patronize Starbucks, I had to find a site to translate all their foolish terms. I ask for a “large” coffee. Simple enough, right? No, I had to spend five minutes trying to distinguish between a “Tall” a “Grande” and a “Venti”. “I just want a freakin’ large coffee”, he says in his best Cartman voice.

If you are thinking about getting a pet tortoise, this site is an absolute must.

For those tasteful sites blogrolling me under my older, longer and uncut URL, please update your links to www.biomesblog.typepad.com. Thanks.

Entry #405

Happy Birthday Alexander (5).

Baby Queen sings “We're Out of Pampers”.

Huge thanks to reader abbri for buying me this from my Amazon wish list.

Jib-Jab's latest is kind of lame compared to their “This Land” effort (which can also be seen at this site). Second Term.

Timewaster of the Week: Guitar Boy.

Nothing says “I love you” like the gift of a fantasy coffin. I want this stylin’ fish one.

Entry #404

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The history of Entry Error 404.

Now revealed in this amazing interview is the genius behind the idiocy.

Movie Review: Monster.
Based on a true story, this film was extremely well done. However they mistakenly credit Charlize Theron in the starring role of serial killer and messed-up chick, Aileen Wuornos. That was not Charlize. But Not-Charlize was brilliant and I can’t believe she was passed over for an Oscar. Not-Bruce did a good job as well in a minor role. 4.2 starfish out of 5

Play! The Stupid Mouse Click Game. Scored 32. Beat that.

Friday Echinoderm Blogging: Humungous sea star.

Entry #403

For my birthday I got a humidifier and a de-humidifier...I put them in the same room and let them fight it out. -- Steven Wright

A Chip Off the Old Block
In honor of the emperor's coronation, the boy made this today with photoshop. He calls it "Darth Bush". You know your son is going to turn out ok when he recognizes fascism at the age of 15.

Movie Review: Hands on a Hard Body.
I love documentaries and this one is top notch. 23 Texas yokels compete for a new Nissan pickup by standing next to the truck with one hand on it at all times. No leaning, squatting or sleeping. Five minute breaks every hour. The last person standing drives that baby home. For the record, I picked the winner from the beginning. Yay for me. 4.4 starfish out of 5.

This year’s five dumbest criminal awards.

Pet Corner: Pets in uniform. Just $19.99.

This is a deer lamp. It signals the end of civilization as we know it.

[UPDATE:] I know I'm always kicking poor Fox News, but how pathetic are they? Watch the meltdown of the anchor on the left side of the screen when she gets blindsided by someone with common sense (thanks Oliver Willis).

Entry #402

Animal of the Week: Summer Flounder.
It's hard to tell from this picture, but our five year old summer flounder is close to two feet long (click for full size view). They are fairly common but this individual has an interesting story behind it. Back in 1999 a group of aquaculturists in Massachusetts decided to take advantage of a food fad in Japan where you go into a restaurant and pick out the live fish you want for dinner. It's killed and cooked right at your table and costs a bundle.
So these folks rounded up investors, rented out a huge warehouse and stocked it with thousands of gallons of sea water tanks. They obtained about 40,000 summer flounder fry (about 1/2 inch long). Their plan was to raise these fish in captivity until they were about a foot long and then move them to a fenced-in estuary on Long Island, NY (leased from the state) to mature in a more natural setting. When they reached three feet in length the plan was then to net them out individually, pack them in styrofoam with oxygen enriched water and ship them overnight to Japan. Each fish would net approximately $60 a piece.
Anyway, I visited one of their holding facilities when they first got started and they were nice enough to give me a little two inch specimen for the Biomes Center. About a month later a viral disease wiped out all 40,000 of the little one year old fish and my friends and their financiers lost their collective shirts. Sad story, but the little guy in the picture above is the lone survivor of that experiment.

Remember, tomorrow is Not One Damn Dime Day (Thanks Patty).

Now we’re cookin’: Sauerkraut Recipes.

Wow. South Carolina sure has a lot of mobile homes.

Ask the Mystic Pig.

Entry #401

yes

Here’s the “Camelot” scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Done with Legos.

Today’s long read: You know, when an atheist knows more about the bible than three quarters of Americans... Here’s the killer quote that had me rolling: 12% of american adults believe that Noah’s wife was Joan of Arc.
Make them stop.

Search Results: Someone found the Biomes Blog by Yahooing “rusty the narcoleptic dog”. It brought them here.

Check out Strangely Believable but Untrue. Another “lie of the day” site.

Bonus Comic: The Comics I Don’t Understand page. Pretty funny in this context, but you don’t get Doonsebury? Dude, what do you just sit around watching Fox all day?

Entry #400

Pharyngula has a post on tool-using New Caladonian crows. He argues that tool use in these birds may not be instinctive, but may in fact involve some level of abstract reasoning. Be sure to watch the short video and see for yourself. I vote for at least some component of abstract reasoning being involved here. Like the ravens in Canada I posted about last year that learned to turn on street lamps during the day for warmth.

A little piece of Dylan: Black Diamond Bay (1976).

Here’s another website designed to induce seizures in my dog.

Watch the short film “Hiccup 101”.

I’ve heard about this but have never actually heard/seen it. Excuse me while I lift my jaw off the floor.
Morford, as usual, nails it.

Enjoying the beach post-tsunami, or people you’d like to slap.

Albino Monday: Sanderling.