Monthly Archives: May 2007

!Spamephemera!

Nexican Pharmacy Poster (detail) Dan Funderburgh from The Artist’s Guide to Making Money Male enhancement spam, cleverly recast as vintage advertising ephemera: Dan Funderburgh’s contribution to the The Artist’s Guide to Making Money (“Disclaimer: Do not expect any actual advice, … Continue reading

Posted in Artists & Art, Books | Comments Off

Recent blog buzz on anatomical models

Anatomical Venus Wax Model at the Semmelweiss Medical Museum by Curious Expeditions Some posts on one of my favorite topics: first, Curious Expeditions had a first-hand account of a visit to the Josephinum. Then, Proceedings of the Athanasius Kircher Society … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Destinations, Museum Lust, Science, Wonder Cabinets | 3 Comments

Why doesn’t honey need to be refrigerated?

image: honey in an istanbul market, from culiblog Why doesn’t honey need to be refrigerated? My mentor Tom (who taught me most of what I know about teaching) loved to ask this question on biology quizzes. It’s my favorite kind … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Science | 5 Comments

Brilliant but flawed (and unfortunately fictional)

This is so self-indulgent, I have to apologize in advance. But I couldn’t resist posting Lily Burana’s description of the redoubtable, delectable Hugh Laurie in House, M.D.: Constantly described as “brilliant but flawed,” House speaks to the part of us … Continue reading

Posted in Department of the Drama, Frivolity | Comments Off

Miss Piggy gets medieval on some orcs

You go, girlfriend. From a window display in a comic book store in Toronto. Go see the rest of the photos for the Middle-earth doppelgangers of Beaker, Animal, the Chef, etc. (warning: Muppet blood is involved). Via the essential Table … Continue reading

Posted in Frivolity | 1 Comment

Eschewing flying cats and cactus girls

You’ve probably heard the recent reports of a winged cat. The cat’s Chinese owner says the wings, which contain bones, make her pet look like a ‘cat angel’. Her explanation is that the cat sprouted the wings after being sexually … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Education, Science | 2 Comments

Spoiler Alert

I think this might be how Lost is going to end! (C’mon, like you have a better idea?) Original creator of this image unknown – found here.

Posted in Frivolity | 2 Comments

17 praeternatural Rabbits

Cunicularii engraving William Hogarth Here’s a gem of weirdness that I somehow missed, courtesy of Providentia: Towards the end of the year 1726, a rather astounding revelation involving a 25-year old maidservant named Mary Tofts came out. Contemporary sources described … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Frivolity | 3 Comments

Poem of the Week: You do not have to be good

You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves. from … Continue reading

Posted in Poetry | 5 Comments

Because you’re curious and smart and bored

Good advice. Sometimes I think I should give up trying to plan my life, and just do whatever xkcd says. See the full comic here.

Posted in Department of the Drama, Frivolity | 4 Comments