Category Archives: Frivolity

Procrastination is important to a well-balanced mind.

Happy microbiolidays!

Posted on December 16, 2007 by cicada

Reader/medical student Niall Hamilton, photographer of microorganisms, sent me this oh-so-seasonal Christmas petri dish: Niall says, “the black is a yeast species often found around bathroom sinks, and the snow is another yeast species (a pretty unremarkable environmental one).” Looking … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Frivolity | 1 Comment

Last Call: Christmas Gifts for Mad Scientists

Posted on December 11, 2007 by cicada

Still frantically shopping? How about this anatomically accurate tee, from the musically named autumnomatopoeia (“legos, livers, and more. Oh my!”)? Here’s an excellent gift idea list from Heather at Cabinet of Wonders. See also my gift idea list. And Vanessa’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Conspicuous consumption, Frivolity | 2 Comments

Sometimes a teapot is just a teapot

Posted on November 17, 2007 by cicada

Designed by Kathleen Walsh, from Walteria Living: a Rorschach blot teapot! Actually, it’s not a Rorschach. According to the website, the teapot (and matching plates) are based on a much earlier pastime: a Victorian parlor game called Blotto, in which … Continue reading →

Posted in Frivolity, Museum Lust | 3 Comments

Christmas gifts! for the creative, picky, or perverse

Posted on November 10, 2007 by cicada

I’ve been running across an unusually large number of things I covet lately, and it occurred to me that if you are reading my blog, you (or your friends/family) might have similar tastes. So I thought I’d post a list … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Books, Conspicuous consumption, Frivolity | 2 Comments

The Five Living Poets Challenge

Posted on October 31, 2007 by cicada

Over at his blog, Jeff Prucher has challenged readers to think of five major LIVING poets. Can you do it? No cheating, no Googling, no looking at your bookshelf or New Yorkers! For verisimilitude, pretend Alex Trebek is staring smugly … Continue reading →

Posted in Frivolity, Littademia, Poetry | 4 Comments

I’m a fro-elly-what-what?

Posted on October 18, 2007 by cicada

Jason at Cephalopodcast.com challenged me to visit this site, sponsored by the New York Zoo, to create my “wild self.” It’s like one of those flip books where you mix and match body parts. As a biologist, such egregious phylogenetic … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Blogs and Blogging, Education, Frivolity | 2 Comments

I know you are, but what am I?

Posted on October 3, 2007 by cicada

New from Made with Molecules artist Raven Hanna, creator of the serotonin necklace: protein jewelry! This is incredibly clever, because the single-letter protein code is a language most biologists speak. You stand a pretty good chance of running into a … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Frivolity | 2 Comments

How to look perky while blowing things up

Posted on September 12, 2007 by cicada

CONELRAD: Atomic Secrets | The girl, the men, and the atom From the November 18, 1957 LIFE magazine, a full page ad sponsored by America’s Independent Electric Light and Power Companies. CONELRAD is just too much fun.

Posted in Ephemera, Frivolity, Retrotechnology, Science in culture & policy | Comments Off

Paper wings

Posted on September 9, 2007 by cicada

The cephalofabulous Pink Tentacle Blog uncovers paper artist Taketori’s origami creations: Kiri-origami artist Taketori cuts and folds paper to make realistic-looking insects. Each critter is crafted from a single sheet, without glue, and paint is often used to add to … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Frivolity | Comments Off

Party in your tummy?

Posted on September 4, 2007 by cicada

The most anatomically inaccurate depiction of digestion, EVER. At least it promotes eating your veggies. But if I ever experience that going on in my tummy, I’m taking calcium carbonate.

Posted in Biology, Film, Video & Music, Frivolity | 5 Comments