Information Nation: October 2009

Friday, October 30, 2009

Air Supply: What were we thinking?

Thursday, October 29, 2009

If Halloween was in the summer, would we be defacing watermelons?

October is drawing to a close, and as the 31st rolls around, that can mean only one thing: time to celebrate Increase Your Psychic Powers Day! But somehow you already knew that, didn't you? Of course you did. Just like you successfully predict the winning Lotto numbers week after week...

Hmmm, it seems though there might be some other obscure holiday around the same time. Wonder what that could be... Ah, yes! This so-called "Hallow's Evening" or something similar.

As usual, we visit the go-to site for all things having to do with mutilated gourds, ExtremePumpkins.com for a bit of inspiration.

Worm Infested Pumpkin

In this article they called him "Stay Puff", but every Ghostbusterphile knows him as Mr. Stay Puft a/k/a The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Only in this case he's made out of pumpkins, of course.

The Ravenous Baby-Eating Jack-o-lantern (not to be confused with a certain Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal)

Technorati tags: halloween, extreme, pumpkins, Stay Puft, Hitchhikers, Guide

I hope you know that this is will go down on your permanent record

You know the economy is hurting everyone these days when burglars can't even afford the basic tools of the trade, namely ski masks. Two would-be Iowan burglars were arrested, their faces blackened with permanent marker. The third member of their gang, Joey "The Highlighter" McConnell, remains at large.

Technorati tags: dumb, criminals

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Saturday Night Quizzes

Sporcle has tons and tons of timed quizzes:

Name the rock band that was the subject of these rockumentaries (I got a 15/24)

Things with "Blue" in the title (30/40)

Name the movie from its initials (15/30 -- note: spelling COUNTS)

Presidential first names (38/43)

Looking at a world map, name the mountain ranges around the world (I didn't even attempt)

Technorati tags: quiz

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Everything looks better...

.... in slow motion. Well, almost everything. (via Blog on a Toothpick)

Technorati tags: running, slow, motion

Is that the Brawny Paper Towel Guy in there??

If Paper Towels Could Talk - A series of paper towel art from Marc Johns

Technorati tags: Marc, Johns, paper, towels

Sunday, October 18, 2009

So I'm thinking my sheet with eyeholes isn't gonna make the cut...

25 Clever Costume Ideas (via The Presurfer)

Technorati tags: Halloween, creative, costume

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Here Comes Science

I've been hearing They Might Be Giants interviews and appearances all over NPR recently in connection with their newest release, Here Comes Science. True, the album is built to encourage kids to get interested in science, but I would be lying to say I didn't thoroughly love this album and the videos for each of the 19 songs on the accompanying DVD.

Here are four of my favorites, but really, practically every single one of the songs and videos is equal parts entertaining, ear-wormy and educational. But don't tell my boys that last bit; they're too busy sing-shouting "I Am A Paleontologist".

Here Comes Science on Amazon

"I Am A Paleontologist", with vocals from TMBG bassist Danny Weinkauf.

"Put It To The Test" in all its 8-bit goodness. And you don't even need to insert a quarter to play it.

"Electric Car", with Robin Goldwasser. Beautiful animation. Adorable overload.

"Meet The Elements". Did you know that elephants are made of elements?

Technorati tags: TMBG, Here, Comes, Science

Friday, October 16, 2009

Taking the blue pill

I don't know about you, but me, I've had a stressful last couple of days (work-related stuff), so I am self-prescribing this video of the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan. Gonna put it on HD and full-screen and just chill out a bit. (via Pharyngula)

Technorati tags: aquarium, aaahhhhh

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

When Bears Go Soft

A Brief History of Gummy Bears

Molten potassium chlorate is a strong oxidizing agent that reacts violently with sugar. Lucky for us, Gummy Bears have lots of sugar in them.

Aaaaand in this corner, disturbingly wearing no trunks whatsoever and weighing in at a whopping 5 pounds and 12,600 calories, the Sugar Coma from Oklahoma, the Leader of the Nation of Cavity Formation, the Treat to Lead Us to Diabeetus, won't you please put your hands together for... The World's Largest Gummy Bear!!

There is much more at Vat19's Gummy Bear site, including the semi-disgusting video these shots were captured from.

Technorati tags: Gummy, Bears

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Have You Seen Me?

12 Most Bizarre Police Sketches Ever (via Look At This...)

I've mentioned this long ago, but hey, it's still a fun way to kill time: be your own police sketch artist with Ultimate Flash Face. I made this random guy, who, now that I look at him, looks a lot like... Hey, Moe!

Technorati tags: police, sketch, bizarre

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Two Wheels Good

Circular Bike:

Just Plain Strange Bike:

Forkless Bike:

Our friends at Crookedbrains have collected a fantastic set of links to unusual/ crazy-ass bike designs from around the world. Below are but a few, so make with the clicky already to see the whole shebang. I do want to call attention to one of the entries, the incredibly awkward-looking Sideways Bike. See video below to have your mind blown.

Technorati tags: strange, bikes

Saturday, October 03, 2009

No fatties, please

Creepy 80's video dating montage. (via Monkeys For Helping)

Technorati tags: creepy, dating

Friday, October 02, 2009

Looks like someone needs a (face)hug(ger)

Dead sexy and yet... so disturbing. Alien Furniture offers creepy chairs, coffee tables and bar stools. Start at their main page or just jump right into the good stuff with the slide show (if you dare).