I was just looking through the usage statistics for this site, and once again the most popular search phrases are hilarious:
I swear I'm not making this up. People actually come here specifically to find these things. Oh, to peer into the complex mind of a Global Spin reader...
Just you wait 'til Ben is old enough...
Science Toys You Can Make With Your Kids
According to an article in New Scientist, Mars may have a frozen underground sea right near the equator. If it's there, it's just under the surface, is about 45m (145ft) deep, and covers thousands of square kilometers, about the size of the North Sea.
In related news, I just finished reading Red Thunder, John Varley's recent novel about plucky youngsters launching a mission to Mars. It's a fantastic read, the kind of book that would be written by the mutant prodigy love-child of Varley, Robert Heinlein, Carl Hiaasen, Spider Robinson, Douglas Coupland, Neal Stephenson, and Carl Sagan.
A recent Guardian story provides insight into what our new US exurbs look like to the UK:
"As US towns sprawl into the countryside, creating anonymous zones dominated by soulless malls, one of Britain's leading historians asks if it could happen here..."
Scariest quote:
"After a closely fought referendum, Phoenix, a city of 3.5 million (roughly half the population of London), has only just agreed to a light-rail system."
OK, so let me get this straight. We're spending $9 billion a year on a 'missile defense' which a) doesn't stop missiles even in simple testing and b) wouldn't deter anyone from developing or deploying missiles. If that's the case, I have a "bullet defense" here that consists of waving a pen vaguely in the direction of a loaded gun. How much is that worth? Do I get extra points if having the pen constitutes a treaty violation?
Gives new meaning to "any port in a storm."
Not that any of you know this new kid or her parents (friends of mine from high school) but the family web page with the music is just so cute that I had to share!
A good reason to visit the Midwest this June? Thanks to Glen for sending me the link.
AP (via CBS) has a wonderful analysis of why New York's same-sex marriage ruling is different. Worth a read.
Oddly enough, Mayor Bloomberg is appealing the ruling because he's an ardent supporter of it. Apparently he's been advised that it might not stand on its own, and only the Court of Appeals can make it stick. Or something.
I may be the only one really interested in this, but I'm kind of fascinated with this site, which has various lists of things like the religious affiliations of various sci fi authors, mentions of religion in various sci fi books, etc.
As I was fixing my Hobbit breakfast (four waffles, cream cheese, banana, and tea), I thought once again about Bag End. Each time I see the Bag End scenes from "Fellowship of the Rings", I think, "I want to live there." Today, I thought, "Has anyone tried to build a house like that?"
The answer, sayeth Google, is yes. And yes. Oh my, yes. Just thought I'd share.
UPDATE: If your budget is more modest, perhaps a Bag End dollhouse would be more manageable.
Actually, it's called Language Log but if they can do alliteration, so can I. I have decided to list this under "Language" since "Blog" is in my title.
You know, I was looking for that special something for that special someone... something that said, "I was thinking of YOU!" and I found, well, this.
Don't worry, special someone. You will not be receiving this anytime soon.
Maybe if it was covered with feathers? Or had a head? Or was something else entirely?
You see, I believe that every blog can aspire to some Bad Knitting content.
Ever get the feeling that you're living the same day over and over, powerless to stop its reoccurrence unless you discover the true meaning of joy and place?
No? Nah, me either.