Thursday, August 31, 2017

Hello! Here is your slightly random passel of links.

Twenty years ago, Princess Diana died. Bill Lucey asked several writers and journalists about their reactions and experiences. 

Hend Amry (who is great and should be followed on Twitter ASAP) put together some amazing examples of mistranslations. Who knew meatballs were part of the Paul Is Dead conspiracy theory?

Burning Man may be old hat these days, but the art and architecture that's being created there is still out of this world.

Far away from the playa, floods are hitting southeastern Asia much worse than they are in Houston. Here’s how to help.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

I am told Mercury is in retrograde, and that’s why everything is complicated. I hope so, because the retrograde ends next week.

Anyway. An enterprising duo has visited every single railway station in the UK! Huzzah!

In news that should not be too surprising, archaeologists have posited that the Ark of the Covenant may have been part of pagan worship at some point.

And if you’re looking for ways to help the flooded, Americares is a good resource.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Well, hello. Another unexpected day off yesterday. (It’s been that sort of month.)

If you’d like to help libraries affected by Hurricane Harvey, the Texas Library Association has suggestions. 

While everything else is falling apart, the KLF/Justified Ancients of Mu Mu are back after 23 years, taking over Liverpool and creating new art out of chaos. Hooray!

Friday, August 25, 2017

Hello! There was an unexpected day off yesterday, and now here we are at Friday.

Today’s Folderol is brought to you by Zazoo and Satori, who sent in some great links.

From Zazoo: “Brian Henson is directing a puppet thriller starring Maya Rudolf and Melissa McCarthy called the ‘Happytime Murders’."

Also from Zazoo: “There's a new behind-the-scenes Dark Crystal book coming out.”

Also also from Zazoo: Jane Wiedlin is back with a new band and a new video! 

From Satori: A vacant lot in Brooklyn, intended for a pre-school, may be the burial site of both Revolutionary War-era soldiers and of slaves. Satori’s comment: “If they move forward with the school, I know a GREAT ‘plot’ for a new Poltergeist movie.”

Have a safe and spiffy weekend, everyone. See you next week.

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Here’s another Ursula Vernon short story. I’m a big fan, obviously.

Do you remember Geedis, of the Land of Ta? No? Well, apparently not many people do. It’s a mystery!

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Happy Day After the Eclipse!

Today, I am just showing you links I got in my email, thanks to Changeist and Warren Ellis. The Impakt Festival is coming in September, and looks as intriguing as ever. Meanwhile, How to Future does what it says on the tin, as does the Time Capsule Retrieval Service. It’s good to have some positive thoughts about the future, in these not-so-positive times.

Friday, August 18, 2017

Well, we’ve made it through another week, just barely. This is such a strange time.

We’re taking next Monday off to (carefully) watch the eclipse. Cassandra sent an article about how some small towns in Kentucky are handling their moment in the (lack of) spotlight. I suggested one of them do a Wicker Man sort of thing, but I don’t think anyone’s taken me up on the idea.

From Zazoo: The best food truck name in NYC: Desperately Seeking Sandwich. Hee.

You can now wear your astrological sign on your sleeve, sort of. I admit I like the Capricorn offering.

Make Magazine looks back at the amazing Mold-A-Rama machines. 

In Alberta, one smart squirrel is preparing for winter by raiding campground outhouses. 

Have a safe and spiffy weekend (and eclipse), everyone. See you next week.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Bill Lucey asked several historians and writers about the Battle of Dunkirk, and got several fascinating answers. 

The Library of Congress has a Flickr set of great bookplates – I could have sworn I posted this before, but the archives tell me no. So voila.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

The ADL has an extensive site documenting hate symbols. It’s good to know.

 According to the Chicago Reader, there have been numerous sightings of flying humanoids this year. We can only hope they’re here to help.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

I don't think I've linked to The Chirurgeon's Apprentice for some time (if at all), so I will rectify that right now with this article on the fear of "premature burial." Go explore the site, it's wonderful.

Monday, August 14, 2017

This is…a very dark time.

Local (extraordinary) choir MUSE sang at a gathering yesterday for Charlottesville. It’s lovely. Give it a listen. 

As a moment of escapism, here are Muppets wearing Miu Miu. Even Sam the American Eagle gets into the act.

Friday, August 11, 2017

Getting to Friday these days feels like a major accomplishment. We’re all still here!

Today’s Google offering teaches you DJ hip hop turntable skills. It’s really fun.

From Julie: A nine-year-old offered NASA their services as Planetary Protection Officer, and NASA replied! (They told him to stay in school, but keep in touch.)

Also from Julie: Conspiracy theorists are saying the upcoming eclipse is the harbinger of the end of the world. Maybe we should send the nine-year-old to deal with them.

From Cassandra: Before the eclipse, it’s the Pleiades! Here’s when and how to watch the meteors this weekend. 

From Zazoo: “Someone had the brilliant idea of collecting the Smash Hits interviews of Bananarama and asking them the same questions 30 years later!” 

Have a safe and spiffy weekend, everyone. See you next week.

Thursday, August 10, 2017

There are days when I’m super tired after work, which is crazy because, these days, librarianship is mostly computer work (with notable exceptions, like moving shelves of books). But lo, it’s not so crazy after all; it's my brain using up all the energy!

Speaking of librarianship, my alma mater had photos of Depression-era Kentucky “bookmobiles” (i.e. librarians on horseback) all over the library because, well, it was in Kentucky and horses are rather popular. The Smithsonian weblog has rediscovered the photos. 

Speaking of rediscovery, it’s always a little weird to say that archaeologists have “rediscovered” places. Fortunately, many archaeologists agree: ‘It’s not what you find, it’s what you find out.’ 

Speaking of…well, hm. I can’t really make this segue work, but Merriam-Webster has a list of words you may be pronouncing wrong. (Waistcoat? Really? I had no idea!)

Wednesday, August 09, 2017

Well. So. Um. Hey, let’s look at space via the live feeds from Slooh and not think about our planet for a while.

If you insist on staying grounded, here’s a story about an Irish politician who believes fairies are damaging the roads. (Well, who knows?)

Also, the journeymen (and women) of Europe are still around, with amazing clothes and a wonderful culture.

Tuesday, August 08, 2017

I love stories about number stations. Here’s an in-depth look at "The Buzzer."

In other “who exactly is running the show here” news, Virginians thought they saw a self-driving car over the weekend, but the truth was…something a little stranger. 

Danilo Correale’s “No More Sleep No More” looks at the effects of postmodern society on sleeping patterns. (More details at We Make Money Not Art.)

Want to help fund a steampunk documentary? Sure you do! 

Monday, August 07, 2017

Hello! It’s Monday. Here are some good reads about our various senses.

Smell: Why does a certain aroma transport you back in time? It’s about sensory integration. 

Hearing: Did you know there’s a standardization system for musical notes? 

Sight: The Greeks did not describe the sea or the sky as blue. So what gives? Well, it’s complicated. 

Not really a sense, except perhaps a sixth sense of terror: Archaeologists have discovered Tenochtitlan’s tower of skulls.

Friday, August 04, 2017

Friday!

This weekend, we will be exploring the World’s Longest Yard Sale. For a few miles, anyway. If you see us, say hi!

From Cassandra: What really happened to the Canaanites? Now we know, thanks to DNA testing! 

I am all about the Tom Collins drink, but apparently it should really be labeled a John Collins. Hm. 

Science Resistance, take heart – there’s now 314 Action, a STEM-based nonprofit working to bring more scientists into politics.

The true identity of LA icon Angelyne has been discovered. It’s a fascinating story, but she’s very unhappy about being outed, so proceed with caution.

Have a safe and spiffy weekend, everyone. See you next week.

Thursday, August 03, 2017

If you look now, Boeing is flying an airplane in a route that looks like an airplane. On purpose!

Other dashboard trackers of interest include the brand new U.S. Press Freedom Tracker and the (also brand new) Securing Democracy tracker, which monitors Russian Twitter propaganda. Very interesting.

Sideways Dictionary is a resource that explains technical jargon through the use of analogies, which can be very helpful.

I still use RSS feeds and love them, but they’re falling out of favor. Fortunately, the How-To Geek demonstrates how to create a feed when needed.

Wednesday, August 02, 2017

The Magic Weather account is my kind of forecast.

Did you know Canada has minted coins that glow in the dark? Be on the lookout!

In these erratic times, it may be a good plan to have an Elder Sign pendant as protection. (All of Cthulhu Jewellery’s offerings are lovely, though. in a darkly elegant way.)

Tuesday, August 01, 2017

Happy Lughnasadh! And happy Eclipse month, which will take up more and more attention in the upcoming days.

I am stunned that I’d never read about Maillardet's Automaton until now. It sounds absolutely incredible. 

And speaking of steampunk things…La Machine just concluded their show in Ottawa. Jaw-dropping. Amazing. Just go and see.