A Million Things That Bug Me

Happy Independence Day

2008-07-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

Zappos tries robots on for size

2008-06-28T23:16:00.003-04:00

I buy all my sneakers (i.e. all my footwear) at Zappos, and now I have another reason to love them. According to CNET they use a "team of autonomous, stout, orange robots" to gather items to fill orders. I'd love to see a video of the little guys at work, but the company's site oddly restricts access to the demo.

Pachelbel Rant

2008-06-27T21:24:00.001-04:00

This is excellent.

Thanks to Jack for the link.

BTW, his first name is Johann.

Um, meow?

2008-06-22T22:28:00.001-04:00

more cat pictures

Exfoliating plastic beads actually sea life killing plastic

2008-06-21T23:19:00.002-04:00

You know, you recycle, use reusable bags when you shop, eat eggs from allegedly happy chickens, and then you find out that your body wash may be killing off marine life. You see those "exfoliating beads" are actually little bits of plastic, that don't biodegrade, and end up being consumed by all sorts of sea creatures, from "otters to octopi." Nice.

Black-Footed Ferret Born at National Zoo

2008-06-21T10:00:00.006-04:00

A single black-footed ferret kit was born yesterday at the National Zoo. The Zoo has a live cam set up where you can check in on Mom and her teeny, tiny baby. The cam is located here.

Update:
Some excellent footage from the web cam here:

Bonus points for the musical accompaniment.

Update #2:
Captured this screen shot this morning:

I want to work at Mahalo!

2008-06-20T20:37:00.001-04:00

There is something very compelling about a company that buys its employees a $700 iced tea machine.

Guantanamo Baywatch

2008-06-20T17:07:00.001-04:00

Gitmo. Oh my.

Christian Bale as Robin Hood?

2008-06-20T16:56:00.001-04:00

In the excellent casting rumor department, Cinematical is reporting that Christian Bale play Robin Hood in the upcoming film, Nottingham. As a bonus, it is going to be directed by Ridley Scott, and star, wait for it, Russell Crowe as the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Cops chase a UFO over Cardif

2008-06-20T11:02:00.002-04:00

In a story right out of Torchwood, the Sun is reporting that a police helicopter chased a UFO over Cardiff, Wales earlier this month. My favorite quote from the story: "The chopper is crammed with hi-tech cameras and surveillance gear, but the UFO somehow avoided being caught on film."

They also have an excellent story about a mother duck traveling over two miles to save her ducklings. I believe the duckling story. Make sure you check out the graphic detailing the duck's trip with little webbed footprints showing her route.

Update: Shockingly, there is an explanation for this that does not involve alien invasion. Sorry Captain Jack.

Ice. On Mars.

2008-06-19T23:12:00.003-04:00

NASA is reporting that the Phoenix Lander has found ice on Mars. Actual water ice. When the substance was first uncovered, it was speculated that it might be salt, but it sublimated, proving that it was ice. The Phoenix lander site has an excellent document explaining why this is such a big deal. (PDF warning.)

via Twitter

Update: Wired has an explanation of how they know it is water ice, and not C02, here.

Making Friends With Mountain Gorillas

2008-06-19T20:59:00.002-04:00

National Geographic has republished, both online and in print, a wonderful article by Dian Fossey from 1970. I remember reading this article in a well-worn copy of the magazine I had a kid. I wanted to runaway to Africa and help her save the gorillas. Her tragic death in 1985 stunned me, and was a huge loss to the wonderful creatures she fought so hard to protect. More information about protecting the gorillas can be found here.

Firefox 3 Easter Egg

2008-06-19T20:11:00.002-04:00

So, of course you downloaded Firefox 3 on download day, right? If not, go ahead. I'll wait. La la la... OK. Finished downloading and installing? Go the address bar (Now called the AwesomeBar. Really.) and type in about:robots. Share and enjoy!

Firefox 3 Download Day!

2008-06-17T00:01:00.001-04:00

Help set a new record and download Firefox 3. C'mon. You know you want to. Isn't the fox super cute? Plus, it's Firefox, so it will be great.

Stan Winston: 1946 - 2008

2008-06-16T23:25:00.000-04:00

According to Superhero Hype, legendary special effects wizard Stan Winston has passed away at the age of 62. This is truly a terrible loss for sci-fi film

Baby Beluga!

2008-06-15T11:13:00.003-04:00

No matter how many times I see a marine mammal being born, I am always in awe of the process. They immediately get up to surface and take that first breath, using their floppy little limbs. Amazing.
via Pharyngula

Update: You can watch a live cam of baby and mama here.

Battlestar Galactica vs. Star Trek

2008-06-15T10:39:00.001-04:00

Mental Floss has a good discussion of Battlestar Galactica vs. Star Trek. It doesn't fall into the "which is better" trap. (Read the comments on Digg if that's what you are looking for. I think of BSG as being the anti-Star Trek in a lot of ways, but that doesn't make me like Trek any less. Except Vovager, which was just lame.

BSG Finale- Do not read unless you are caught up!

2008-06-15T09:07:00.007-04:00

Highlight with your mouse to read (not you, Jack):
So, although there was no sign of the Statue of Liberty, I'm pretty sure they are in New York. Brooklyn, to be exact. Looking for a screen shot to support my cause...

Update: Ah ha! (via the comments on TV Squad.)

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Now playing on iTunes: Audra Heaslip, Chuck Cage, Sean O'Hara - GWC Podcast #104
via FoxyTunes

Awwwwww

2008-06-14T23:14:00.003-04:00

Before I get flamed, just let me say that I am opposed to state lotteries, as they are basically a tax on being poor and hopeless, but you've got to love this commercial. I don't know how much of this is special effects, but the penguin really seemed to be having fun. The chicken, on the other hand, just looks confused. That may just be because it's a chicken, though.

Food Myths: 10 Popular Food Myths Debunked

2008-05-29T22:40:00.000-04:00

From the Consumerist. My personal favorite:
"It's OK to eat boxed pizza out of the garbage.
Leftover pizza that hasn't been refrigerated within two hours after being served can be dangerous, whether or not it has been in the garbage."

Are there actually people who think this is OK?

People Don't Suck! Oh, wait...

2008-05-27T22:47:00.005-04:00

OK, so I saw this video earlier today:

I watched it and thought that perhaps I had misjudged people, and they could, in fact, be decent and good. Then I read about Alex Barton, a five year kindergarten student, whose teacher allowed his classmates to "vote him out" of class, Survivor-style. Each child was also asked why he or she didn't like Alex. Also, it appears he may have Asperger Syndrome. Nice.

Happy Towel Day!

2008-05-25T14:03:00.002-04:00

Indiana Jones

2008-05-22T23:57:00.004-04:00

It's good. Really good. As my friend the Flick Filosopher put it, "The didn't fuck it up," which was, of course, the fear of every red-blooded Indy fan. Roger Ebert summed it up, nicely, too in saying, "I can say that if you liked the other Indiana Jones movies, you will like this one, and that if you did not, there is no talking to you." It's very comfortable and familiar, and I mean that in the best possible way.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Countdown!

2008-03-22T11:53:00.002-04:00

I've got to put this in my blog template at some point, but here it is. Two months from today.

Watch the Trailer on Yahoo! Movies

Ray Park as Snake Eyes

2008-03-22T11:44:00.003-04:00

The Official Star Wars Blog has a great photo of Ray Park, AKA Darth Maul, as Snake Eyes from the upcoming GI Joe movie. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I'm kind of looking forward to this.