Author Archives: cicada

Why Women Aren’t Funny

Posted on December 17, 2006 by cicada

Vanity Fair: Christopher Hitchens On Why Women Aren’t Funny This piece is titled “Provocation.” So I’m not really offended. I mean, come on; it’s Christopher Hitchens, what do you expect? Over at Scienceblogs, some bloggers have responded about the science, … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Books, Science in culture & policy | Comments Off on Why Women Aren’t Funny

Let’s hit the pepper bar

Posted on December 17, 2006 by cicada

The Examining Room of Dr. Charles: A Cure for Diabetes? A very interesting blog entry (on a very interesting blog) about a Cell paper that’s gotten scant media attention. The paper implicates malfunctioning pancreatic neurons in autoimmune (Type I) diabetes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology | Comments Off on Let’s hit the pepper bar

Are those data real?

Posted on December 14, 2006 by cicada

John Wilkins at Evolving Thoughts has advice on how not to get your Cell paper retracted for improperly massaging images. This just happened to a group from Taiwan, and I don’t know the whole story, but Science is supposed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology | Comments Off on Are those data real?

Santa c/o ee cummings

Posted on December 14, 2006 by cicada

Inspired by McSweeney’s, my friend Sylvia “discovered” this previously unknown poem by ee cummings (who apparently had a foot fetish). 1225 stockings are hung lovingly (my love and i are bare foot & quietly wait for our stockings – gently … Continue reading →

Posted in Littademia, Poetry | Comments Off on Santa c/o ee cummings

Roast me some chicken!

Posted on December 13, 2006 by cicada

Which Historical Lunatic Are You? From the fecund loins of Rum and Monkey. What? I’m a lunatic I’ve never even heard of? You are William John Cavendish-Bentinck-Scott, the Fifth Duke of Portland! Sometime Marquis of Tichfield, Earl of Portland, Viscount … Continue reading →

Posted in Frivolity | 1 Comment

Don’t hurt the raccoon!

Posted on December 13, 2006 by cicada

To complement the disturbing stuffed animal theme of the previous post. . . the video for “Pretty Dress” from Seattle singer Rosie Thomas. Her new album, “These Friends of Mine,” was released yesterday. Perhaps it’s just that it’s 4 am, … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Video & Music, Frivolity | Comments Off on Don’t hurt the raccoon!

A Case of Curiosities

Posted on December 13, 2006 by cicada

Tia Resleure Winged Cat Mixed Media, 2002 A Case of Curiosities is a site to explore – if, like me, you find preserved specimens fascinating, not gross. (A cabinet of curiosities is one of my favorite things). The site includes … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Museum Lust, Wonder Cabinets | Comments Off on A Case of Curiosities

Beat until light, fluffy, and hypoallergenic

Posted on December 11, 2006 by cicada

The words that manufacturers use in product packaging can be a little ambiguous. In an earlier post, I noted that the FDA permits the adjective “light” to be used in reference to the texture or appearance of a food, for … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Words | 3 Comments

Santa, c/o Ginsberg, Plath and Poe

Posted on December 10, 2006 by cicada

The December McSweeney’s gives us: Poems That Were Considered and Rejected Before ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Was Established as “the Official American Christmas Poem.” I can’t decide which of the three I like best. But the faux-Poe perhaps best … Continue reading →

Posted in Frivolity, Littademia, Poetry | Comments Off on Santa, c/o Ginsberg, Plath and Poe

“Just find all your own faults and insult yourself.”

Posted on December 9, 2006 by cicada

Damn. I hate it when these things are mostly right! Almost Perfect- INFP 33% Extraversion, 80% Intuition, 46% Thinking, 26% Judging So, you want to make the world a better place? Too bad it’s never gonna happen. Of all the … Continue reading →

Posted in Frivolity | Comments Off on “Just find all your own faults and insult yourself.”