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| Posted: 06 Jan 2009 03:39 AM CST The 2008 Hugo award nominations have opened -- if you were a member of the 2008 WorldCon in Denver, or have bought a membership to the 2009 WorldCon in Montreal, you're eligible to nominate. I'll be sending in my nominations this week, and just in case you were wondering, here's the stuff I wrote that's eligible for this year's ballot: * Best novel: Little Brother, Tor, 2008 No matter what you plan on nominate, I urge you to send in your form! Hugo participation seems to dwindle every year. The present form's just a PDF, but they're promising a web-based one shortly (I'll post again when it's live). |
| Posted: 06 Jan 2009 02:09 AM CST Redbeard sez, "With all of the recent postings on cephalopod oriented erotica (or tentacle porn, as it is coarsely called), I had wondered if you had not stumbled on this musing on why those fixated on tentacles really lack imagination, and how other invertebrate oriented erotica can be really really hot. Invertebrates are amazingly kinky, as pointed out in some lovely marine science blog The Oyster's Garter as it looks at the sex lives of tunicates, slugs, and more. So really, why can't we get beyond the tentacle, I ask?" Taking a step to the side, let us briefly consider phylum Mollusca class Bivalvia. Yes, bivalves at first seem boring - little sessile clam-like things that they are. However, bivalves engage in the one behavior that heretofore I think sounds like the most delightful sexual activity ever. Free spawning. I mean, seriously, think of it, you catch a sudden whif of the right scent, the right temperature, or a little shake, and then EXPLODE in pleasurable gamete release. I, myself, have had this happen right in my face in an orgy of mussel bukkake, but picture the potential for some nubile nymphet subjected to the experiments of a dastardly doctor in fusing the sexual needs of a scallop with the body of his scientific muse.A Brief Essay on the Sad Lack of Imagination in Invertebrate Oriented Erotica with Brief Notes on the Lascivious Nature of Both the Lophotrochozoa and Ecdysozoa, or, Getting Beyond "Hur hur! That Squid Tentacle Looks like Penis!" Previously: |
| Shanghai recreated in dice and poker chips Posted: 06 Jan 2009 02:05 AM CST ![]() Liu Jianhua recreated the Shanghai skyline from dice and poker-chips -- the gigantic piece was displayed at Galleria Continua in San Gimignano, Italy. The close-up detail view (shot by Flickr user cinghialino and licensed Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike) is spectacular. Liu Jianhua - Unreal Scene (2008), Liu Jianhua - Unreal Scene (2008) (detail view) (via Neatorama) |
| China treats "Internet Addicts" with boot-camp discipline and sex ed Posted: 06 Jan 2009 02:01 AM CST Thomas sez, "China's People's Liberation Army has made Sex education part of the detox methods for getting people over Internet addiction. They claim it works, but one woman under their care has acquired 68 virtual husbands." In an increasingly wired China, rehab for Internet addicts |
| Understanding Islam Through Virtual Worlds launch in NYC, Jan 29 Posted: 06 Jan 2009 01:59 AM CST My pals Rita King and Josh Fouts have just completed an ambitious public diplomacy report on using virtual worlds to create understanding between Islamic and western societies. The book itself is presented in Understanding-Comics-style graphic novel format. They're holding a public launch in New York this month and I expect the report will hit the web around the same time. Understanding Islam through Virtual Worlds report to release January 29 |
| JetBlue and TSA pay $240,000 to man refused boarding because of Arabic writing on shirt Posted: 06 Jan 2009 01:55 AM CST JetBlue and the TSA have settled a lawsuit brought by a man who was refused boarding on an airplane because he was wearing a shirt with Arabic writing on it (the TSA said that this was like "wearing a T-shirt at a bank stating, 'I am a robber.'"). They've paid him $240,000. Only 14 days until we get a change in administration. Maybe the new guys will appoint someone who understands that Arabic writing doesn't ake airplanes fall out of the sky. Kudos to the ACLU for kicking ass and taking names on this one. The lawsuit claimed Jarrar, 30, invoked the First Amendment but acquiesced after it became clear to him that he would not be allowed to fly if he did not cover his shirt with one given to him by JetBlue officials.TSA, JetBlue Pay $240,000 to Settle Discrimination Suit
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| Screamin' Jay Hawkins: "I Put A Spell On You" Posted: 06 Jan 2009 12:34 AM CST Here is an absolutely stupendous video of Screamin' Jay Hawkins in full witch doctor regalia performing "I Put A Spell On You". (Thanks, Kirsten Anderson!) |
| Posted: 05 Jan 2009 09:06 PM CST |
| Posted: 05 Jan 2009 07:14 PM CST Joshua Bearman wrote about the 2009 Nibbler Championship at the LA Weekly Blog. He says: Why is this so awesome? Nibbler, as I mentioned in a brief aside in my Harper's piece on Billy Mitchell, was an arcade game made by the jukebox company Rock-Ola in the early 1980s. Nibbler is mostly forgotten other than its historical appeal as the sole arcade machine whose counter had enough digits to display 999,999,999 and therefore turn over at 000,000,000, or one billion points. |
| Posted: 05 Jan 2009 06:14 PM CST ![]() I really enjoyed this interview with 97-year-old Chikabo Kumada, a botanical artist in Japan. His philosophy about life is every bit as lovely as his paintings. Here's a snip: Mr. Kumada, when did you start drawing illustrations of plants and insects? Sadly, the PingMagMAKE site where the interview was posted seems to have gone on an extended hiatus. I was sorry to read this, as I've enjoyed perusing their articles. --Shawn 97 Year Old Botanical Art Maestro(Shawn Connally and Bruce Stewart are guest bloggers) |
| 1970s humor mag predicts future Posted: 05 Jan 2009 05:48 PM CST Jerry Beck of Cartoon Brew says: I received several old issues of Cracked magazine over the holidays and noticed this article predicting life in the 21st Century had become surprisingly accurate.I've attached one image from it... but check the whole piece at Cartoon Brew. |
| Turning plastic crap into beautiful objects Posted: 05 Jan 2009 05:15 PM CST ![]() An inspiring how-to for turning an ugly plastic clock into a nice-looking wood-cased object. Inspiring! Turn a generic plastic gadget in to something a little more beautiful (Via MAKE blog) |
| Mall in China has McDnoald's and Bucksstar Coffee Posted: 05 Jan 2009 05:04 PM CST If you aren't in the mood for McDnoald's, how about Pizza Huh? Fake brands shopping center set to open in China (Via Michael Dolan) |
| Letter from Apple CEO Steve Jobs Posted: 05 Jan 2009 04:59 PM CST Posted to the Apple web site on January 5, 2009: Letter from Apple CEO Steve Jobs |
| The Collins Kids -- "Hoy Hoy Hoy" Posted: 05 Jan 2009 04:46 PM CST |
| Posted: 05 Jan 2009 04:16 PM CST |
| Kure Kure Takora - Amazing Japanese Kids Show from the '70s Posted: 05 Jan 2009 03:55 PM CST Delightful sets, characters, and music in this 1970s Japanese kids' show, Kure Kure Takora. From Wikipedia: Kure Kure Takora (クレクレタコラ, Kure Kure Takora? unofficial translation: "Gimme Gimme Octopus") is a tokusatsu children's comedy show from Japan. Produced by Toho Company Ltd., the show aired on Fuji TV and its subsidiaries from October 1, 1973 to September 27, 1974 with a total of 260 episodes. More excerpts available at Mt. Holly Mayor's Office: Kure Kure Takora - Amazing Japanese Kids Show from the '70s UPDATE: Jack found banned episode #220. He said it "Looks like a cartoon version of COPS." |
| Posted: 05 Jan 2009 03:33 PM CST Jeremy of ToyCyte writes: As part of our custoMONDAY series, we're giving away a custom made toy. Today's feature is Lana Crooks, who has a gallery on TOR, and does cephalopods. (Her tentacled plushes have been on BoingBoing before.) She's giving away a large handmade plush skull to the reader who can come up with the best name for her series of skulls."Win a Custom Skull Plush by Lana Crooks" |
| Posted: 05 Jan 2009 02:04 PM CST |
| Posted: 05 Jan 2009 01:06 PM CST Phenomenal artist James Jean has posted a slew of scans from his 2008 Moleskine sketchbooks. Jean has a show of new work opening at Jonathan LeVine Gallery on January 10 and the paintings are truly mind-blowing. I'll link to the online gallery once the show opens. (Some of the sketchbook pages may be NSFW.) James Jean (via DRAWN!) Previously: |
| Posted: 05 Jan 2009 12:44 PM CST ![]() We like both of these ABC sets for very different reasons. The modern design deck by Jen Renninger is hip, modern, retro, and old school, all at the same time. Love it! And the Star Wars characters set by Michael Fleming appeals to our sci-fi, geek sensibilities. Jen Renninger's Etsy Shop (Modern Design Deck via Whorange) Previously: (Shawn Connally and Bruce Stewart are guest bloggers) |
| Posted: 05 Jan 2009 12:44 PM CST Jetdaisuke performs symphonies with a gadget orchestra consisting of a DS Lite, iPod Touch, iPhone, and other assorted bits of gear and software. Brandon has video over at Boing Boing Offworld. "Jetdaisuke conducts the gadget orchestra" |
| Shantytowns as inspiration for urban developments Posted: 05 Jan 2009 12:37 PM CST Architext Teddy Cruz is planning low-income housing developments in San Ysidro, San Diego, California and Hudson, New York that are inspired by shantytowns in Tijuana, Mexico. From GOOD: Homes will be jammed together, with any leftover space commandeered by taco stands, market stalls, and gathering places...Shantytown, USA |
| Posted: 05 Jan 2009 12:08 PM CST Furries are a fave on BB. We appreciate the fun these folks have dressing up like stuffed animals. Bizarre's Tom Broadbent attended RBW 2008, billed as the "largest furry convention in the UK," and returned with an excellent gallery of photos. From his photo essay: There were loads of people there – from full fursuiters to tail-wearers. The selection of animals included fearsome wolves, big dogs, fuzzy foxes, a cool meerkat, a brilliant boar, a blinking dragon, an awesome lion and a few bears. It's surreal being in a room full of oversized animals playing musical chairs. One of the best things about the day was getting loads of hugs from furry folk.Furry Convention Previously:
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| Half-ton Rube Goldberg corkscrew Posted: 05 Jan 2009 12:07 PM CST Over on Boing Boing Gadgets, our Joel's spotted this half-ton Rube Goldberg corkscrew by artist Rob Higgs: The Corkscrew by Rob Higgs Discuss this at Boing Boing Gadgets |
| National Geographic's International Photo Contest 2008 Posted: 05 Jan 2009 11:52 AM CST National Geographic posted the winners of its 2008 International Photography Contest. All of the images are breathtaking. The photo above, by Silvia Martinez Dominguez of Spain, is an honorable mention winner in the Nature category. From the caption: Under a beautiful light, a monkey rests on the milennary stones of the Angkor temples, in Cambodia. The image talks about animal behavior, and about the very moving feeling of proximity between us and our nearest relatives in nature.International Photography Contest 2008 |
| Posted: 05 Jan 2009 11:41 AM CST Golfers using a certain kind of titanium clubs are apparently at risk of hearing loss. According to a study in the British Medical Journal, golfers using "thin-faced titanium drivers" should probably wear earplugs. The researchers from the Norfolks and Norwich University Hospital investigated the matter after seeing a patient whose hearing damage seems to have been caused by playing with one of the clubs three times a week for 18 months. The patient claims that when he hits the ball, it sounds "like a gun going off." Interestingly, the clubs may have be designed to produce the satisfying sonic boom. From the BBC News: "There has been a tendency to make booming clubs for drivers," (said sports equiipment engineering expert Dr Martin Strangwood at the University of Birmingham.) But if this were a problem it would be easy to remedy by filling the head of the club with foam to reduce the sound.""Playing golf can 'damage hearing'" |
| Posted: 05 Jan 2009 11:33 AM CST A man attempting to burglarize an Edinburgh, Scotland home fled when faced with Thor. The home belongs to Torvald Alexander, 38, who had returned from a New Year's party dressed as the Norse god of thunder and surprised the thief. From The Telegraph: Burglar scared off by Thor (via Fortean Times) |
| Fables: War and Pieces -- a fitting resolution to a marvellous graphic novel series Posted: 05 Jan 2009 10:03 AM CST Update:: OK, I'm an idiot. This sure seemed like the ending of the story, but apparently, they're only halfway through. Eek! One of the most rewarding moments of my winter holiday was the morning I found to read the final installment in Fables, Bill Willingham (and company)'s long-running, brilliant graphic novel series. Over 11 volumes (plus a few very fine spin-offs), Fables has treated us to a cracking story about the exiled community of mythological creatures living in secret in Manhattan -- a motley cadre of legendary figures who were chased from their homeland by an evil emporer bent on multiversal conquest. From Sleeping Beauty to Little Boy Blue and the Big Bad Wolf, the legends have lurked in our human society, mingling with us, sometimes acting as our friends and sometimes as our enemies. Building from a series of clever little vignettes to an epic tale of war and betrayal, revolution and politics, Legends became one of my favorite graphic novel reads. The authors rarely strayed into the realm of the silly, playing their Big Idea as straight as a ruler, drawing me into the lives of these vividly realized, striving people who struggled to get along -- and get home. On the way, the authors fluidly change comic styles, flipping from simplistic children's comics to elaborate oil-paintings to stylized manga, choosing the style that suits the present storyline best. With the final installment, the Fables go to war, and adopts the conventions of war comics. The story is big -- huge -- and the battles are nail-biters. Things don't go the way you'd expect, and the ending is... Well, it's just goddamned great, tying up the loose ends, resolving the emotional tension, honoring the years I'd put into following these adventures. I won't drop any spoilers here, but I will note that the resolution leaves things open for some additional spinoff books and storylines, which I'll be looking forward to. In the meantime, if you're the kind of person who likes to banquet on a whole epic story in one setting, now's the time -- all the books are in print and available for your perusal. And if you, like me, have been following the story for years, rejoice for the end is at hand, and what an end it is. Fables, Vol. 11: War and Pieces List of all Fables collections Previously: |
| Free, legal downloads of every Beatles song Posted: 05 Jan 2009 08:59 AM CST ![]() Oyvind sez, "Some weeks ago, NRK - Norwegian Broadcasting - signed a deal with music rights holder organisation TONO in Norway. The new deal gives NRK right to publish podcasts of all previously broadcasted radio- and tv-programs that contains less then 70% music. Podcast containing music may be up for four weeks, while our podcast without music stay up on our server forever. One result of this deal, is that we now can publish 'Vår daglige Beatles' - 'Our Daily Beatles' in English - as a podcast. In this series from 2001, journalists Finn Tokvam og Bård Ose tells the story of every single Beatles tracks ever made, chronologically. Each episode contains a 3 minute story about each track (sadly for our international visitors - in Norwegian) and the actual Beatles tune. This is - as far as we know - the first time you can download the Beatles' music legally. Neither iTunes nor Amazon have The Beatles in their music stores." Last ned alt av "The Beatles" - og historien om hver enkelt låt (Thanks, Oyvind!) |
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The 2008 Hugo award nominations have opened -- if you were a member of the 2008 WorldCon in Denver, or have bought a membership to the 2009 WorldCon in Montreal, you're eligible to nominate. I'll be sending in my nominations this week, and just in case you were wondering, here's the stuff I wrote that's eligible for this year's ballot: 
Here, in addition to military-style discipline, some 60-odd patients at his center undergo a three-month regimen of counseling, confidence-building activities, sex education, and in about 60 percent of the cases, medication. The treatment is designed to address underlying family and psychological problems, and boost their self-confidence. 





Mr Alexander said: "As soon as he saw me his eyes went wide with terror.
Update:: OK, I'm an idiot. This sure seemed like the ending of the story, but apparently, they're only halfway through. Eek! 
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