Links

Using VLC to capture streaming video.

Awkward science stock photography by people who clearly have no clue what science is.

Johnny Carson and the toilet paper shortage of 1973.

A business leader who actually understands real capitalism, and cares about the people who work for him and the town he's based in.

Farewell, Jane Henson. More here.

Linky-Dinky-Do

A cheerful event by Improv Everywhere.

A complimentary review of Land of the Lost, the original show... not the movie. Thanks Joe, I needed to read this.

Observing the Earth change.

The musician in me wants to try playing this instrument.

Do Not Want. I swear, I'm going to LINUX as soon as XP gives out on me.

Science funding explained.

Men In Black Arrive when a construction crew hits a fiber-optic line that wasn't marked on maps.

School Lunch from Around the World.

Snopes takes on Bible Study story.

The wrong kind of praise can do lasting damage. It's better to admire the qualities that lead to success: hard work in particular. Brains does you no good if you do nothing with 'em.

Pug for the in-laws.

The four LOLCats of the Apocalypse. Someone could write a terribly funny essay/thesis on LOLCat Theology.

Thank Goodness It's A Linkdump

The AQ Test tries to determine if you are on the Autism-Spectrum. I scored 42 the first time I took it, and 43 the second.

Someone recently gave me some rationing coins as seen at Boing Boing here, and I wasn't sure what they were. Now I know.

Oh no! Phables is over. One of my favorite webcomics (I just wish someone would do the same with Seattle). I wish I had money to pre-order the book and make sure it happens.

Monty Python's YouTube Channel Boosted DVD Sales. Putting up free content helps sales.

Steampunk Cyclon Contest. Cylons are cool again!

Wow, a Warren Ellis entry I'm not afraid to link to. These are incredible photographs that combine WWII photos with modern photos of the same place.

Obama Inauguration Headlines.

Speaking of, I almost want the Obama action figure. But frankly, I'd rather have something tasteful and yet in my realm of "things I already collect". I need a LEGO Obama.

The Whitehouse has a blog. With RSS feeds (summary feed, not full-text like I prefer). This is a good way to keep up with the government, along with Obama's weekly "fireside" chats (which are nicely short yet still informative).

Scientists suddenly figure out that three fish are the same species! They wondered why they never saw mature examples of one type of fish, or males of another, or females of a third... well, now they know. All the same fish, but with remarkable differences in gender once they mature.

Ah, wartime urban legends are very Fortean. Investigations have sometimes revealed little pockets of truth in the tales, others (like perhaps the Angel of Mons) seem to be based on old fiction misremembered.

A Comcast repairman broke the power pole. He said Comcast would fix it. Another Comcast repairman said, no, it's owned by Commonwealth Edison, they have to fix it. The ComEd employee said, no, it's owned by the landowner, fix it yourself. Oh, and if you don't fix it in 30 days, we'll shut off your power. Homeowner tries to find a contractor to fix it, but the ground it too cold to put in a new pole. Burying the wires would cost $6000 that the homeowner doesn't have. Homeowner's insurance refuses to pay. In desperation, the homeowner contacts the Chicago Tribune Problem Solver who got Comcast to do the right thing, and ComEd to promise not to turn off the poor lady's power in the middle of winter. But good grief! Why does a person have to contact the media before a corporation will be responsible?

Pug for the in-laws.

And lastly, Coraline:

Linkdump, Finally

Comic Book Legends Revealed #179: Robin, Black Bat, and the Shroud.

Comic Book Legends Revealed Addendum: MLB Logo.

Final Opus Strip.

Vintage Seattle looks at Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, one of my favorite visits on the waterfront when I was a little girl.

Top Ten Immortals.

More Templesmith Doctor Who.

Wow, an urban legend that's actually true. Along with some good advice.

Sassy Pug for the in-laws.

Self-link: Don't Call Him Arthur!

These rings, they can't possibly be licensed. But they are pretty cool. Who wouldn't want a Legion Ring? Or a complete set of Lantern Rings?

I just thought you all might want a reminder of what Aqualad really looks like, instead of that dreadful rendition in Teen Titans: Year One. The artist must hate Aqualad with a passion to draw him so incredibly ugly.

Making Light has a bit on Making Your Own Fun. Too bad I almost never play games anymore.

What do they mean by "Canadian"?

Lea Hernandez tried to use WINE to install some Windows programs on Ubuntu. As a person who is pretty close to moving over to Ubuntu myself, I'm hoping by the time I need it, WINE will be robust enough to handle the handful of programs I want to run (most notably is CalorieKing).

Warning, a bit gory in places: What the ER would be like if all Urban Legends were real.

LIMERICKS!

Who cut the cables? Nobody knows, but we are assured that it's not a conspiracy. Boing Boing readers are betting on Cloverfield.

Invisible Ink Pens for voters?

Reduce your sodium. I wrote to Banquet after eating a crock pot meal that had WAY too much salt. They just sent me a coupon for another one. *sigh*

Danish Police don't recognize iMacs. Oops.

Ah, exercise!

A Bunch of Links

Care Bears vs Darkseid.

New Groo Preview.

Lorendiac's "Character Aliases That Marvel and DC Have Both Used" (2nd Draft).

The Simpsons: Star Wars (YouTube).

Self Portraits (click to go to the generators):

What good are internet filters? Not very good if a teenager can break an $84 million filter in a half hour. Instead of relying on technology, parents should be... well... parenting.

Holy Water is too dangerous for planes.

Woman Visits Her Own Heart.

Boys ruin school for girls. Simply by being boys. I think gender segregation might be a good idea to some extent, but I do wonder about the tongue-in-cheek writing in this article.

Self-checkout can be frustrating.

More studies are being done on tidal power, a source of energy I have great hopes for.

Caffeine comparison list at Boing Boing. I'd like to see a more comprehensive list with easy to compare units... one that includes foods like chocolate along with beverages. The closest to that list I could find was from a link in the comments to energy fiend. Be sure to check out energy fiend's Death by Caffeine meter to see how much of your favorite caffeine bearing food or drink will kill you. For me: 12626.25 Hershey's Kisses.

The Difficulty of Debunking. Why people continue to believe hoaxes and urban legends long after they've been disproved.

First female Beefeater begins her duties. Cool.

Pug for the in-laws.

Sep 15-19 is "Holy Pasta Week"
Plan your menus now.

Happy Friday The 13th

Triskaidekaphobia doesn't run in my family. If anything, 13 is a lucky number for me, and Friday the 13th is a lucky day. Here's to everyone having a great day today!

Thoughts

Captain Underpants Is Not An Acceptable Superhero to dress up as on Superhero Day. At least the principal didn't do this to the students.

Zombie Love.

More on the Aquaman Showcase volume.

Unshelved has a series of strips about graphic novels in libraries: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Looking forward to tomorrow's strip, too.

Kids in Vending Machines.

Sesame Street and how it emphasizes our commonalities.

No Vegemite Ban? What, I can't believe everything I read on teh internets?

A Steam Car. It could have been interesting if this had been developed.

Slashdot debates an article on how to hack the election.

Pets in Costumes. Yes, there's a pug for the in-laws.