March 29, 2007

So the bathroom renovated itself.



At least I wasn't the one sitting directly underneath when the ceiling fell off.

posted by Leah @ 10:31 PM 1 comments

Especially if the services have good music.

My rational mind knows full well that organized religion exists mainly to promote the systematic oppression of women, but there is still a part of me that fears I'll suffer a lapse in judgment some weekend morning and join up with whichever one has the weirdest hats.

posted by Leah @ 9:55 AM 3 comments

March 22, 2007

Oh right, I have a blog.

Things have been going on and said things have been pretty exciting, but it looks like I am going to continue forgetting I have a blog, and do so for long periods filled with Tuesday night rock shows and internal monologues conducted entirely in my native tongue, yelling. Therefore, my blog remains empty. A digital breeze sweeps a pixelated tumbleweed across the screen as you refresh the page and give up to go read "Cat and Girl."

Oh screw it, as the kids say, it's a bird, it's a plane, IT'S THE CEPHALOPOD UPDATE!





Remember that colossal squid I mentioned a while back? They are going to microwave it.

THEY ARE GOING TO M*********ING MICROWAVE IT.

I'm not making this up:



Microwave plan for colossal squid

An industrial-scale microwave oven may have to be used to defrost a colossal squid caught in the Antarctic last month, scientists say.

They are pondering how to thaw out the half-tonne squid in a way that makes sure none of it rots before other parts have defrosted.

The squid has been kept frozen since it was caught by New Zealand fisherman in deep Antarctic waters in February.

Scientists want to preserve the unique specimen for detailed study.

Squid expert Steve O'Shea said the Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni measured 10 metres (33ft) in length.

It weighed 495kgs (1,089lbs), heavier than an initial estimate of 450kgs (990lbs).

Mr O'Shea said it would take days for the colossal squid to defrost at room temperature - meaning its outer flesh could have rotted by the time the centre thawed.

He said a massive microwave was one option.

"There are certain microwave equivalents that are used by industry, for treating timber and the like, that we could probably fit this thing into," Mr O'Shea, of Auckland University of Technology, said.

Museum display

The fishermen were fishing for Patagonian toothfish in deep Antarctic waters when the squid - which was eating a toothfish - was caught in mid-February.

It took them two hours to reel in the huge creature.

The squid was frozen in the ship's hull and brought back to New Zealand for examination.

Scientists believe it is by far the largest specimen of the colossal squid ever caught.

At the time of its arrival, Mr O'Shea said calamari rings made from it would be like tractor tyres - although would taste of ammonia.

The squid is currently being kept at New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, in Wellington.

Museum officials hope to embalm the squid and put it on display, while giving scientists access to study it.



Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/6478801.stm

Published: 2007/03/22 10:42:10 GMT

© BBC MMVII

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posted by Leah @ 10:24 PM 4 comments

March 10, 2007

Spring thing

It's finally spring and now that I'm out of hibernation and excited to actually leave the house and run around the outside world, I've got to say: damn, I really haven't been working on making friends here. Hmm. Bizarre. I think I'll get to work on that.

Especially now that there's a European film festival at the Siskel Center all this month.

But enough of this internet business - I'm going for a walk.

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posted by Leah @ 11:44 AM 2 comments

March 02, 2007

The Burninator goes to work

...and the best way to start the workday award goes to:

A very young Robert DeNiro lookalike spotting the obscure webcomic character embroidered on your messenger bag and serenading you with its theme song as you wait for the elevator.

posted by Leah @ 9:11 PM 4 comments