Saturday, September 17, 2005

-by Tegan at 9:23 PM Seattle time - Permalink   

Sep 15-19 is "Holy Pasta Week"

Hubby-Eric made spaghetti last night. Tonight: Tortellini!

I was going to go into the beliefs of the Discovery Institute (the shame of Seattle) today, but after visiting their website I felt so icky I had to go take a bath. Let's just say they are utter morons and liars, and they call it "Intelligent Design" just as a way to avoid calling it "Forcing Science Teachers to Teach Christianity". Their whole goal is to sound so reasonable that you can't object to them, until they get their way, at which point their beliefs would be forced into the schools and you'd have prayers and holy song instead of learning the scientific method. I'd MUCH rather hear about the Flying Spaghetti Monster. At least seeing your science teacher in a pirate outfit would be entertaining. Arr. Ramen.

Time for the good old screw to get updated. What next, a high tech nail?

Stories from NOLA.

LEGO welcomes hacks of their programs, thus getting more people to notice it while making the program itself much better to use. This is a company that is taking full advantage of the new interactivity between customers and company, instead of trying to crush anything that doesn't fit their old model, like the recording industry is doing.

Another good quote.

Google explains Googlebombing.

Statler & Waldorf are at it again.

The most perfect design ever for A Powerstrip. I want one. It looks like a squid.

I think this is just a sign that people are stupid enough to accept just about anything. For the record, Dateline: Hollywood is a parody site, like the Onion.

Terry Fox.

Slashdot on Miyazaki.

-by Tegan at 4:41 PM Seattle time - Permalink   

Friday, September 16, 2005

Sep 15-19 is "Holy Pasta Week"

If you like your Flying Spaghetti Monster set to Kipling, check out Song of the FSM Side by Kate Gladstone.

And, for anyone who needs it, here's an Introduction to the Scientific Method. The difference between Science and ID is that Science looks at the facts and forms a hypotheses which is repeatedly tested and altered until it becomes a Theory, while ID starts with the "theory" and explains away the facts to fit it. ID is not science, by any stretch of the imagination, and thus only complete idiots would expect it to be taught in science classes. Arr. Ramen.

I was fascinated by the two letters linked to by The Leaky Cauldron from Nature.com: the first one proposes that you can teach genetics using Harry Potter, the second one argues that there isn't enough information in the books to make the case for genetics being responsible for Magic ability.

Trash Heap's brother is Scott Free (not my joke!). And John also reviews Local #1.

Why Aquaman is better than Namor. I could pull up some examples of Aquaman doing the same, but I think I'll just leave it be...

Someone else enjoyed the Aquaman post at Comic Treadmill.

Comic Book Urban Legends revealed! I knew about the Sub-Mariner crossover, but I didn't realize that Aquaman #57 became a story in Eerie. I'm going to have to seek it out one of these days.

TV Guide online has more about Aquaman's appearance in Smallville, including: "His agenda is all about the environment, and he's going to teach Clark that he needs to use his powers on a global level, and not just at a local level." Environmentalist Aquaman... hmmm...

How We Got Engaged! A love story by Dave Roman and Raina Telgemeier in comic art form.

Aaron points us to a bunch of cool links, like to a recipe for cake he found, and a blog about generators.

Brian Wood likes getting snailmail.

It's amazing when someone writes a review that completely sums up everything I was thinking about a book, but wasn't able to express in my own review.

John Byrne versus Wikipedia. When reality and rumor collide. The entry in question is here, and yes, some of the stuff that was there before is certainly worth deleting, but it's clear that Byrne himself jumped in without a clue as to what a Wiki is then got mad when it didn't do what he wanted it to.

Ah, too bad... I wanted this to be a good book. Now I know I don't need to hunt it down.

Johnny B does a Meme that's far too much effort for me to attempt right now.

The Beat tells us about an exhibition of LEGO artwork. Sort of. Artists recreated works in LEGO, then had a party with LEGO minifigs representing them. Check out Dali's Lobster Phone, and the original, as an example. Or just look at the whole list of works.

LEGO toy drive for hurricane relief.

Steven asks a strange question... if libraries hadn't existed in the past, and someone was trying to start one in today's super-copyrighted society, would libraries even be allowed to exist?

It's a Really Cute Computer Mouse. Via Shawn.

Fuel from dead cats. Not.

Augie has some good links, including a case for putting important stuff at the bottom of a webpage. Hmmm.

Science Fiction predicted it. An awful story with a link to a great short story.

5th graders reenact Devo's Whip It.

MetaFilter covers vat grown meat again, and an interesting moral issue is brushed up against. If lab grown meat is possible, would it be possible to make lab grown human meat? Eeek.

A collection of eBay Auctions for under $1 ending in less than an hour.

Google Earth threatens democracy. Huh.

Speaking of Google, BlogSearch.

I nominate this kid for the stupidist racist in the world award.

Myths about Katrina debunked.

TV Cameraman in NOLA. Read it.

Hrm. Amusing.

The international community responded to Katrina just like Americans respond to every international disaster. Now, if only the Bush Administration had let them into the country in a timely manner instead of claiming that help wasn't needed.

Senate Republicans refuse to let an independant commission look into the government's response to Katrina. The cover-up continues.

A solid Katrina Timeline, which has been recently updated to include more details.

You can only have power when the President is in town for another photo-op.

-by Tegan at 11:22 AM Seattle time - Permalink   

Thursday, September 15, 2005

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

Check out the Wikipedia entry on FSM, then check out the Discussion of FSM on Wikipedia and whether or not it's appropriate Wikipedia material, then check out the article on Uncyclopedia about FSM. What a contrast. Lots of good points are made therein.

Tonight, hubby-Eric will be treated to my mystery pasta dish! Even I don't know what it will be yet! Arr. Ramen.

-by Tegan at 1:04 PM Seattle time - Permalink   

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

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

Oooh, check out the Wikipedia entry on Pasta. Arr. Ramen.

The chances for a major earthquake in the Seattle area are up right now, as we're having an episodic tremor and slip (ETS), which happens every 14.5 months and lasts about two weeks. Thanks for the tip, Garrett. I still haven't forgotten the Nisqually Quake in Feb 2001.

Garg! I still need to order Flytrap so I don't miss out on it. More at Newsarama.

Narwain, a publisher I mentioned in my Flipping Through Previews... post, is doing a Katrina victims benefit book called New Orleans and Jazz.

H at Comic Treadmill does a review of Super DC Giant S-26: "In one of the stories in this issue, octopi attack an alien ship with hand grenades. There. I’ve said it. We’ve gotten it out of the way right from the start and I can move on and stop obsessing about octopi pulling pins and hurling grenades. Actually I can't stop obsessing about it. When the Aquaman movie is finally made, a scene like that better be in it."

Polite Scott gives us the uses of blood in comics.

Brian Wood is powerful. Scary stuff, kiddies.

Check out Trash Heap for the latest on John's Brother, who is being booted out of Australia.

Huh. I'm feeling net fatigue. I think I'll leave this for tonight.

-by Tegan at 9:36 PM Seattle time - Permalink   

-by Tegan at 7:33 AM Seattle time - Permalink   

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Noble Causes #13: I was a little confused at some of the characters in this one, but at least the back page has a list of who is who. Lots of set-up in this one, and lots of flashbacks that explain who is who and why there is so much hate involved. This is the best superhero soap opera out there. Wiki.

Oz: The Manga #3: The Kalidahs and the Queen of the Field Mice. I'm enjoying this book. I love the character designs, and the origins of the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. I don't have a lot more to say, really. This was good, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. I'm sure hubby-Eric and I will review the series over on the Oz Blog soon. Wiki.

Stardust Kid #2: "Book 2: The Woman": I want to like this book. It's just not drawing me in at all. I am following the story, but so far there is no emotional connection for me. Abadazad pulled me in from the first page, but this one seems to be flowing around in a different direction. We'll certainly keep getting it, but I hope it hooks me soon. Wiki.

-by Tegan at 10:22 PM Seattle time - Permalink   

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

Hubby-Eric and I were delighted to see that "The Secret Life Of..." on Food Network last night was devoted to pasta! And the weekly poll is also devoted to pasta! Arr! Ramen.

In case you haven't yet checked out it, The Spriggan Mirror is at Chapter 22 out of a probable 28. Only a few more weeks and it will be complete.

Now that TV Tome was eaten by CNET and turned into something flashy and useless with slow-loading ads, a TV Wiki has been started. Like all Wikis, it's only as good as its contributors make it.

Another Hurricane story.

The man arrested at the so-called "Freedom" march speaks out.

Dissent is no longer allowed in America. If you don't have the opinion of the majority, you can be arrested. At least, Rick "man-on-dog" Santorum seems to think so. Never mind if they are your constituents, if they offend you, arrest them. As Bob Harris says, "Bizarre, how so many people define patriotism as the crushing of dissent."

All I have to say about this post is, amen. Just, amen.

Ah, so that's what The Ashes are.

-by Tegan at 12:32 PM Seattle time - Permalink   

Dorothy Gale: Journey to Oz #2 - AUG05 2832 - $7.99

-by Tegan at 8:23 AM Seattle time - Permalink   

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Monday, September 12, 2005

Flipping Through Previews...

Yes, it's that time again... time for "Things in Previews That Look Interesting But I Can't Afford To Get (with a list of things I am getting just for contrast)". I'm going to start with the bulk of the book, and then come back and cover the "big four" at the end. Please remember, I'm listing what looks interesting. My actual purchase list is going to be much smaller. The numbers after each title are usually the page number in Previews Magazine, so you can follow along at home.

Let's start with the covers. I have no problem with the back cover, of Superman sitting on a cloud from All Star Superman. But the front cover showing Witchblade is just embarrassing. I hate having it lying around the house.

On page 3 there is a full-page ad for Mercury Comics which is now publishing Atomika. I don't get the book, but the ad... nice logo with date (Dec 2005) against stark black background, stood out enough to notice.

Moving on, let's hit the Splash Page (8-9). Harlequin Romances are going Manga, says the first article. Now, if they can draw in the Harlequin crowd, that will be impressive. That's a fairly large chunk of the female reading public, sadly enough. Also of interest is Local, of which I've read and reviewed the first issue.

On page 12 and 13 there are "gift ideas", and on page 13 is a Justice League Aquaman paperweight. Gotta have it.

Ok, time to skip ahead in the book... past the "top four" and into the Wizard (190-197) section. Apparently the Twisted Toyfare Theatre collections are doing really really well, as they are now on volume six. Right.

Ok, into the Featured Items section (198-201). If there is enough money to get it, I'm getting Five Fists of Science from AiT/Planet Lar. No need to feature this one... More on that in a bit. The George Perez Art Book looks cool, but I'll have to pass. I originally intended to skip the new mini Angel: Old Friends, but the first mini is really very good, and I like Angel, so I may indulge after all. And, of course, there's no question that Local will make the list.

Page 202 is an ad for the Titans Companion which I would love to get, but I want the JLA one first.

On page 208 there's another cheer for Five Fists of Science, this time a Staff Pick. I don't think this book is being overpromoted. It looks like fun. I won't know for sure until I hold it in my hands, but it really looks like a LOT of fun. And on page 213 we finally get to the actual solicit for it, from AiT/Planet Lar. Mark Twain, Nikola Telsa, J.P. Morgan, and Thomas Edison battling it out in New York? I'm so there. I'm a little jolted by the price ($17.95), but I'm hoping we can swing this one this month. And, in case you weren't convinced by the promotion, there's some art samples on page 214.

Alias (214-221) has the usual sampling of books, but Lullaby #3 is the one that will make our list. I'm slightly interested in Ed's Terrestrials and Daniel, but not enough to spring for them.

Next up is Antarctic Press (225-229) and the can't-miss Oz: The Manga #6. An excellent series so far, I'm looking forward to seeing the rest.

We'll no doubt get Futurama Comics #22 from Bongo (246).

Checker Book Publishing (248-250) has Star Trek: The Key Collection Vol 5. I can't remember if we ordered the last one or not. *sigh* I would get it if the money allowed.

While I'm not interested in Classics Illustrated Jr's (250) slipcase sets, I will note that volume 2 apparently has the Wizard of Oz reprint in it.

Dementian Comics (258) has a vaguely interesting sounding book called Nothing Better. I'd want to see more of it before buying, but it might be worth checking out.

Digital Manga (269-271) has a book about Helen Keller in their new Edu-Manga line. Apparently Astro Boy helps readers learn about famous people in the new line. Your mileage may vary.

I mentioned Penguins on Ice from ibooks (286) when it was first solicited. And I'll mention it again even though I doubt I can afford it.

Ice Kunion (287-289) intrigues me. Antique Gift Shop sounds really good, but I'm not buying it without seeing some sample artwork. This is Manhwa, from Korea. The website loads very slowly, but has a few samples for their other books.

I keep coming back to IDW Publishing (291-297). I originally planned on not getting the second Angel mini, but now... well, it looks like this mini will tell us more of what happened at the end of the TV series, so I'll be getting it.

Hmm, another new player? Narwain Publishing (303-308) appears to have some good offerings. In addition to a preview book called, appropriately enough, Narwain, there is a strange book about criminals called Free Fall and another about a teenager called Jenna. The website has a little more information. This could be a good one, so watch this company.

Yes, hubby-Eric and I will continue to get The Tick: Days of Drama.

Oni Press (309-313) recently managed to get on my good side by sending me a copy of Local #1, which was excellent as I would expect it to be. Because the copy I got was not the finished product, I'll be ordering the book. I do recommend it. Now I'm curious about NorthWest Passage again, and wonder if I ought to order it.

Panini has another volume of Doctor Who strip reprints from Doctor Who magazine. I need to figure out which ones of these we've ordered...

Titan Publishing (329) stopped hubby-Eric when he flipped through Previews with Real Ghostbusters Volume 1. I'm not sure if he wants to get it, but it looks like a little bit of fun. I'm also intrigued by Charley's War on the same page, but without a lot more information I won't be ordering it.

As I mentioned, I would love to get The Titans Companion, but I think I want The Justice League Companion first, from TwoMorrows Publishing (354).

And lastly, for the comic book section, Zenescope (371-372) continues to provide some fodder for the imagination. We didn't end up buying the titles, but I think these are worth a second look. If anyone gets them, please tell me what you think.

And into the back of the book we go... tra-la-la-la-la...

Page 481: Justice League Aquaman Mini-Paperweight. Yup, gotta get it. I'm actually glad that there isn't a lot of Aquaman merchandise because if there were, I would never be able to get much of any of it.

WizKids Games (506-507) has a new Heroclix expansion, this time a Marvel one. I still need to get my hands on a Namor heroclix.

Two DVD leapt out at me on page 519. The first was Redwall: The Movie. I didn't realize a movie had been made. I wonder if it's any good? The second was the new Wallace & Gromit in Three Amazing Adventures DVD, which includes the Cracking Contraptions shorts. I wonder if Eric will want to get it?

The Wizard of Oz Collector's Edition DVD Set is listed on page 520. I happen to know Eric will be getting that one.

And that gets us through the comics and extras and sends us back to the front of the book to tackle the big four, and thus the bulk of our comic book order...

Dark Horse (17-52) gets to start us off today. Samurai Executioner is the first item I plan on getting. We'll also get Usagi Yojimbo #89. I'm only very mildly interested in Penny Arcade Vol 1, but only to see the original strips. Not enough to actually buy it. I'm also interested in The Perhapanauts. It looks like BRPD on drugs. We might get it. We will be getting Conan and Conan and the Demons of Khitai.

Image Comics (129-175): now that I've read about Colleen Doran, I'm curious about A Distant Soil Vol 4: Coda, but I think I'll rely on the library for the first few volumes and determine if I want to buy them after I've read them. We will be getting Noble Causes #16. But that will be all.

Marvel Comics (178): I dumped Amazing Spider-Man for the duration of the crossover, so I'm not getting that. Supreme Power splintered into two books, so I'm not getting that. In fact, the only thing I'm getting from Marvel this month is Powers #16, and I'd get that regardless of who published it.

And so I've reached the final publisher, the one that will get most of my money this month, as they do every month, DC Comics.

Batman (57-62): Nothing I'll be getting for myself.

Superman (63-67): Nothing I'll be getting for myself.

DC Universe (68-88): Let's start off with Infinite Crisis #2. Power Girl, huh? We'll just have to see if this is any good. I'll get Aquaman #36, Birds of Prey #88, Green Lantern #7, Green Lantern Corps: Recharge #3, Green Arrow #56, JLA #122, JLA: Classified #14,JSA #79, JSA: Classified #5, Legion of Super-Heroes #12, Outsiders #30, and Plastic Man #19.

Things I'm thinking about for one reason or another: Jonah Hex #1 is a book I'm not likely to get, but I am curious about it. If it gets collected, maybe I'll check it out. Day of Vengeance is collected for $12.99. Let's see... I paid $2.50 an issue for the series, which works out to $15 for all six issues. If I had waited, I could have gotten two dollars off. Something to think about. The OMAC Project: I didn't get the mini. Is it worth getting the collection? And lastly, I think I've pretty much dropped Seven Soldiers, so I won't be getting Seven Soldiers: The Bulleteer #1 and Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein #1.

Johnny DC/DC Library/CMX (89-97): Justice League Unlimited #15 is the only thing I'll get.

Wildstorm (98-105): Nothing for me.

Vertigo (106-117): Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere #5. Yes, I'm reading the comic first, then I'll go check out the book and the DVD.

DC Direct (118-128): Remember what I said about being glad there isn't much Aquaman merchandise? HA. The JLA Classified Aquaman Action Figure just sucks me in, doesn't it? I don't know if we'll get the JLA Classified Green Lantern Action Figure or the JLA Classified #1 Poster.

And there it is... all of Previews. I'm finally all the way through. Huzzah. So that's it for this month's "Things in Previews That Look Interesting But I Can't Afford To Get (with a list of things I am getting just for contrast)". Comments? Questions? Did I miss any really cool books that you know about and would like to point out? Do you disagree with something I wrote, and want to correct me? There's the comments, right below. Post something. And, yes, I accept review copies. I'm willing to give almost anything a try.

Note: I've posted a mostly Oz-focused version of this at The Wonderful Blog of Oz.

Previous Flipping Through Previews:

• Aug/Oct 2005
  
• Jul/Sep 2005
  
• Jun/Aug 2005
  
• May/Jul 2005
  
• Apr/Jun 2005
  
• Rapid Reviews Index

-by Tegan at 4:00 PM Seattle time - Permalink   

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Random Thoughts

Fellow Comic Book Blogger Trash Heap's brother has been jailed in Australia and will be deported soon. His crime? Protesting. Non-violent, peaceful, protests against the war-profiteering of Halliburton. Apparently, non-violent and peaceful protests are now a "threat to national security" even in Australia. Looks like Bush has exported his twisted version of democracy to at least one country. Hang in there, John. Keep us updated on your brother's situation.

Speaking of neo-con style democracy, the NY Times covers the so-called "Freedom Walk", including this gem: One man who registered for the walk was detained by a Pentagon police officer after he slipped a black hood over his head and produced a sign that read, "Freedom?" The man was removed from the Pentagon registration area, handcuffed and taken away in a police car. Yeah, sure, "freedom". Bush style. Any dissent is removed immediately.

As long as we're talking about crimes, it appears that Yahoo is guilty of helping Chinese officials convict a dissident journalist who is going to prison for ten years.

Moving on to the less serious, the Webcomic Wiki is up and running, and has a lot of useful information. This is completely unrelated to the Comic Book Series Wiki that I started.

TangognaT tells us more about LibraryThing.

Only 3 more days to Holy Pasta Week:

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

And remember, Pastafarianism is about keeping ID out of science classrooms (or, if included in science classrooms, then FSM must be taught alongside ID). Don't lose sight of the goal while you are having fun.

365 Tomorrows will have a new piece of short fiction every day for a year. It started August 1st. There is an RSS feed if you prefer to keep up with it that way. Via Boing Boing.

Top Ten Things You Can Do To Get Blogged. This qualifies for comic book companies as well as tech companies. Via Scoble.

Hurricane Thoughts:

25 Mind-Numbingly Stupid Quotes About Hurricane Katrina And Its Aftermath. Particularly offensive are #2 and #13.

Worse Than Rathergate. What happens when reporters accept an easy-to-disprove lie from an "anonymous" source? Unless it's against Bush, nothing.

Political Wire points to two articles that give a pretty solid overview of the whole mess that was made of the hurricane relief efforts.

Mark Evanier praises the one government department that got everything right in the hurricane. Remember this? That was that department trying desperately to warn the nation.

LEGO fans can give donations to the Red Cross that will be matched by LEGO.

-by Tegan at 12:32 PM Seattle time - Permalink   

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Entourage

In episode eleven (officially Episode 19) Vince and Mandy are outed as an item by Page Six, a daily gossip column in the New York Post. This leads to concerns that Aquaman will be known as a home-wrecker, since Mandy was engaged to be married in only three weeks and broke off the engagement. Eric's new job is keeping Mandy and Vince apart when photographers might be around. Except for the worry that rumors will sink the movie, not much Aquaman in this one.

That's the seventeenth whale you've killed today!

Lots of fun in episode twelve (Episode 20). When Vince is late for his physical, and makes Mandy late as well, the agents have a major meeting to determine what to do. Meanwhile, Turtle "discovers" a new singer and goes to see if he can help the guy sell his song. The fun part of this episode for Aquaman fans is the appearance of a mechanical harpoon which Vince is practicing with in one scene.

This thing is impossible.

Everything falls apart in episode thirteen (Episode 21) when Mandy admits she doesn't love Vince and Ari stages a failed takeover of the agency. Not much of anything Aquaman in this one... except for the bit that Vince is quitting the series because he can't bear to work with Mandy when his heart is broken.

The thing about Aquaman is, there's a vulnerability to him... Aquaman is the voice of the Ocean.

The finale of the season, episode fourteen (Episode 22), shows everyone trying to convince Vince to stay with Aquaman, which nobody can do. But Vince's meeting with James Cameron turns him around. The final shot is of the Aquaman poster, so you know it was a happy moment for me. We also got to see Aquaman's outfit on the Aquaman action figure that Cameron gave to Vince, and we got to hear Cameron explain some of his ideas for Aquaman. Listening to him made me want to see this movie.

He already had these made.

Overall, the treatment of Aquaman in this series was surprisingly respectful. True, Aquaman is a plot point more than anything else, but the way they portray Aquaman is good. There are no "Aquaman is lame" jokes, and very little negative at all. And apparently, looking at the action figure, Aquaman will be blond... What will Vince look like blond?

I'd like to see the Aquaman logo unobstructed. And I hope we get to see something of the film in the third season of the show.

And lastly, here are some other thoughts about the finale: Maringuy predicts that Aquaman will bomb. From a narrative point of view, it makes a lot of sense, and Maringuy has some good points. But we're talking about a movie directed by James Cameron, and written by Andrew Kevin Walker. I have my doubts that it would be set up to fail. And The Swift Chancellor Report thinks we won't see any shooting of Aquaman. Agreed. I think the next season will pick up after the movie is done. Entourage is about the times between jobs, since actors work HARD during movies.

• Episode One
  
• Episode Two and Three
  
• Episode Four
  
• Episodes Five through Ten

-by Tegan at 7:34 AM Seattle time - Permalink   

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Sunday, September 11, 2005

Mini-Blogaround

In the spirit of my original Blogaround Challenge, I've decided to attempt mini-blogarounds (five new blogs) every month or so. Here's the first of my continued efforts...

• Dance of the Puppets is a blog I ran across just because the name was so interesting. The rest of the blog is, as well. I particularly enjoyed Seven Ways To Kill The Comics Industry. Go check it out.
  
• The Silent Accomplice looks like another standard contribution to the comic book blogosphere. There are some good convention images and a bit of a Previews preview.
  
• Pop Culture Wake-Up Call makes the list because of the Aquaman villians quiz. It's pretty much all quizzes. Go check it out and give 'im some answers.
  
• Mae Mai looks to be a fascinating read. This is one that I'm surprised I missed, as it's got a lot of commentary that I find intriguing. Definitely one to come back to and look at again.
  
• Savage Chickens defies description. It's a couple of chickens. And they savage popular culture. Including Aquaman. Very odd.

And, since I can... here are the Blogarounds I've heard about since I posted my last final update:

• The Comic Treadmill's Blogaround.
  
• Comic Book Commentary's Blogaround.
  
• Gumpop's Blogaround.

-by Tegan at 9:44 PM Seattle time - Permalink   

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Cleaning Out My Links Random Thoughts

Aquaman Villains Quiz. I had trouble remembering the names of some of the characters, although I recognized all of them.

Phil Foglio writes An Appreciation of Penny Arcade. Heh.

I forgot to mention in my review of Local #1 that there's A Local Blog. Go check it out.

TangognaT directs us to a Manga sale I wish I could take advantage of. For one thing, I'd get myself the rest of Hikaru No Go... then I might try out some other stuff as well.

When Boing Boing got annoyed at LEGO trying to protect their trademark, Jake McKee responded on his blog. I'm on LEGO's side with this one... heh.

Max got doored. Ouch.

I just got a haircut, and while she cut my hair, I converted my hairdresser to Pastafarianism. The T-Shirt helped. Arr. Ramen.

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

Play the FSM game! Convert people with His Noodly Appendage! HINT: watch the shadow.

What exactly would liquid oxygen do to your face?

Terrifying promotion. Yikes!

Sound from images and images from sound.

Trust and Computing.

Trash Heap has some... frightening news. Hey, there are worse things a brother could go to jail for...

WWII Photos on Flickr. This photoset is just cool. Via Boing Boing.

Wallace and Gromit.

Google saves lives?

I, personally, think this is a bad idea. Far too much possibility for stupidity to take over.

Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues. Each week, ol' Ben would concentrate on one virtue while marking transgressions against all 13 virtues in a book. Not a bad plan of self-improvement. Via MetaFilter. The MeFi's pan the plan.

Slashdot links to 20 things the tech industry doesn't want you to know.

Hmmm, do I want to watch Surface, or not?

Hurricane Thoughts:

Polite Scott describes helping victims of Katrina.

More benefits to help victims of the hurricane. And Bendis is auctioning off the first Powers cover as well.

A volunteer's story. Via Garrett.

A survivor's story. Via This Modern World.

Visiting New Orleans.

Helping out their guests.

Stories through e-mail.

An amazing slideshow of photos from NOLA before and after the hurricane. Watch this one all the way through, it's worth it for the perspective it gives.

The New Orleans talking blues. Via Making Light.

Boing Boing has a picture of Floodweiser.

Stuart Hughes directs us to a lesson about how to write captions for TV news.

The Seattle Weekly weighs in on the disaster.

The conspiracy theories have already started. The Museum of Hoaxes has one about Yakuza causing the hurricane.

Insurance companies might try to claim that damage in NOLA wasn't a hurricane to keep from paying out.

Aquarium survivors are airlifted.

Snopes takes on a neo-con talking point about the Katrina disaster.

Fafblog has do-it-yourself disaster remedies.

ExxonMobil made $10 billion this quarter. And people want the states to cut taxes on gasoline. How about the oil companies be punished for profiteering, instead? How much more money does the oil industry stand to make on the Katrina disaster? And, if you read the article, you'll see that Bush just gave ExxonMobil a tax break. Lovely. Bush just adds insult to injury. Via Mah Two Cents.

Good-bye, second amendment.

And forget about the first admendment, too. (ok, I admit, this is less a first admendment issue than a stupid bureaucracy issue, but the segue was to good to pass up).

The Red Cross wouldn't go into NOLA, and the people in the city weren't allowed to leave. More here.

The Red Cross can't get into New Orleans, but mercenaries can.

Compassionate Conservative.

The folks of Southern Louisiana introduce themselves.

One of these men is not like the others.

The man who told Cheney to "Go Cheney himself" was detained. He had lost everything in the hurricane, and says he was only throwing Cheney's own words back at him. Via C&L.

And lastly: Those were the days. Via MetaFilter.

-by Tegan at 4:29 PM Seattle time - Permalink   

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Four Years Later

Four years on, and we have clear proof of just how little the current administration has done to prepare for another disaster in the United States. This is a day of mourning, not only for the victims of September 11th, but for the victims of Katrina and the dead in Iraq (which still has nothing to do with 9/11) and for the future unfortunates caught up in events that Dubya and his club of indifferent scumbags are sure to ignore or make worse.

My only wish for today is that those responsible for 9/11 are punished.

-by Tegan at 8:42 AM Seattle time - Permalink   

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