Marciepooh

We've seen the Tiki Dalek and lots of Dalek dresses — but this is the best Dalek costume ever. Just remember: Even though this Dalek looks sort of like a cute baby, it still aims to exterminate all life forms. So don't trust it!

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I found this vintage Valentine at a garage sale and I couldn’t stop looking at it because it seems weirdly and inappropriately sexual.   The woman running the garage sale disagreed with my assessment so I’m sharing it here so you can see if you’re as messed up as I am:

1.  Look at this girl’s feet.  She’s straddling a flaming bucket labeled “MY VALENTINE.”  Her vagina is literally on fire here.  That’s not healthy or appropriate.

2.  Why is she even burning valentines?  Was it an accident?  Does she like arson?  Is this how she lures firemen to her home?  So many questions.

3.  Sometimes a hose is not a hose.  Also, you’re not even aiming at the fire, sir.  It’s like you’ve never even had fire training.

4.  The hose seems to have a mind of its own and is spraying everywhere.  The entire place is a wet spot.  Plus, why does she look so excited that she’s about to get soaked?  Her only expression seems to be “AWESOME.  But not in my hair.”

5.  That hose isn’t even attached to anything.   It just winds back into the guy.  And the guy is like, “LOOK AT MY MAGNIFICENT HOSE” and the girl is all, “THAT HOSE IS SPECTACULAR.”   In fact, they’re both so “THIS HOSE IS EVERYTHING” that they are entirely distracted from the impending inferno and smell of burnt gingham.  I suspect this valentine was drawn by a man.

6.  Why is “fire” in quotes?  That’s not how quotes work.

7.  I realize it’s a cartoon, but that’s some mighty spermy looking water.

Conclusion:  This is the most subliminally sexual valentine I’ve ever seen in my life.  Or possibly it’s just me and I need to get my head out of the gutter.  Also, I just noticed that the boy’s hose is pointing to the words “PUT OUT”.  Yeah.  My work is done here.

Insects are fragile, and scientists researching them have to be very careful with their specimens. Unfortunately, the devices out there are expensive and size-specific. So a group of entomologists have turned to that most customizable of materials to serve their needs: Legos.

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This email was waiting for me when I got back from the JoCo Cruise:

Maybe it’s the fact that the boat is still moving, or the fact that I have real coffee in my veins for the first time in almost two weeks, or maybe it’s just because I’m easily amused, but here is my response:

Happy Monday, everyone! May all your emails today be amusing.

Counter to the fears of some parents, teen girls who are vaccinated against the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus do not go on to catch more STDs than their peers

-- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

It will soon be more difficult for consumers who prefer the taste of British-made chocolate to get their sweet-tooth fix. A new deal between Hershey’s and Let’s Buy British Imports essentially puts a stop to the import of many iconic British chocolate brands from overseas.

The New York Times reports the two parties agreed to stop the import of all British-produced Cadbury chocolate, as well as KitKat bars, Toffee Crisps and Yorkie chocolate bars after Hershey’s claimed the products infringed on its trademarks and trade dress licensing.

(Once again, don’t worry about not having a Cadbury Creme Egg this Easter. Hershey’s has a license agreement to manufacture Cadbury’s chocolate in the U.S., albeit with a different recipe.)

Officials with Hershey’s say that L.B.B. and other groups were importing the products that were never intended for sale in the United States.

The issue doesn’t come down to the chocolate itself, as chocolate made in Britain has a distinctly different recipe.

For example, the Times reports, British chocolate has a higher fat content; the first ingredient listed on a British Cadbury’s Dairy Milk (plain milk chocolate) is milk. In an American-made Cadbury’s bar, the first ingredient is sugar.

Instead the decision to stop importing the goods from overseas rests on the products’ packaging. Toffee Crisps comes in an orange packaging and yellow-lined brown script, which Hershey’s says too closely resembled that of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, while Yorkie bars could be considered an infringement on the York peppermint patty, the Times reports.

“It is important for Hershey to protect its trademark rights and to prevent consumers from being confused or misled when they see a product name or product package that is confusingly similar to a Hershey name or trade dress,” Jeff Beckman, a representative for Hershey’s tells the Times.

While you would often be hard-pressed to find a British-made chocolate bar in the aisle of your local supermarket, many small, independently owned speciality stores regularly stocked the items.

One British goods retailer tells the Times that the ban on importing the treats will likely put her out of business.

“Cadbury’s is about half of my business,” she says, “and more than that at Christmas. I don’t know how we’ll survive.”

After a Deal, British Chocolates Won’t Cross the Pond [The New York Times]

Tumblr user Ivanova-is-god posted this adorable kitten Leia! We would rescue her from a billion Admiral Tarkins.

Morning Roundup brings you tales of the aquatic god Momoa; a look at the loneliness of the long distance mathematician; and an oral history of Area X!

[Um, phrasing?]

Read the full article

With the dawn comes an age old dilemma — do you make coffee first thing in the morning or take a shower to greet the day? If only those two things could happen at the same time! Maybe they can, but it won’t come in the form of the Bathe & Brew Coffee Maker + Soap Dispenser.

Consumerist reader Brandon wrote in to share a photo his wife Stacey snapped at a Birmingham, AL Walmart, writing that she came across “this genius invention” while browsing for party supplies. Nothing says party like coffee in the shower, that’s for sure.

Indeed, at first glance, Bathe & Brew promises to be the answer to a yawner’s dreams, pledging to “Cut your morning routine in half!” and bragging, “Stainless housing stands up to even the harshest dandruff shampoos!”

Alas, upon further investigation, the Bathe & Brew has revealed itself to be nothing more than a prank box, artfully designed for gift givers to dupe recipients into thinking their soapiest prayers had been answered. It’s basically a way to break someone’s heart.

Here it is as sold by PrankPack.com, as one of a series of “genuine fake gift boxes.” It even has its own fake commercial:

Guess this means I’ll have to go back to taking the travel mug into the shower.

When I was little, I read The Enormous Egg, a book about a chicken that laid a triceratops egg, and all the adventures the dinosaur had with its kid.

(By The Cake Geek)

I've secretly wanted a dinosaur ever since.

 

Mind you, not one of the ferocious ones that will eat your neighbors.

(By Vina of Mionette Cakes)

Although he's actually a real cupcake...
Sort of.

 

Still, it would probably be a good idea to stick with an herbivore.

(By Sweet Love Cake Couture)

Plus, I'd never have to trim the bushes again!

 

Yup, I want a sweet dinosaur.

One who stops to smell the flowers...

(By Experimental Cakes)

...before she eats them.

 

One who likes to gather mushrooms for dinner:

(By Little Cottage Cupcakes)

 

One who waves when I come home:

(By Cakes Decor member Laura e Virna)

 

...and one who likes to play fetch!

(By Sweet As Sugar Cakes)

(Although maybe we should stick with sticks after this. o.0)

 

Hmmm, maybe my dino will be tall enough to help me reach those high places...

(By Sugarland)

(Don't worry. He assures me he's a vegetarian.)

 

I'm sure my dino will have lots of friends.

(By Karen Dodenbier of Dutch Cakes)

 

And we'll go on fun adventures!

(By Zeph's Cakes)

 

I'll just have to keep an eye on Betty while we're out:

(By Michelle Sugar Art)

Sweet kid, but she's a real dodo.
(No, really!)

Yup, I want a sweet dinosaur, but I know I can't really have one.
Except in cake.
And I guess that's Sweet enough. For now. ;)

 

*****

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You know what's absolutely impossible? A system going from chaos to order. You know what cells do? Turn a chaotic universe into organized, channeled motion, again and again and again. How can that be?

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Here now is a practical demonstration on impulsive tension, and why a large force applied for a very short period of time is bad for tow hooks.

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Realizing I hardly ever post anything in this blog. Probably nobody checks it much any more. Penguins penguins penguins penguins penguins.

PS.  I put this on twitter a long time ago but people keep asking why it’s not on the blog.  So now it is.  It’s sort of a rerun if you follow me on twitter, but it’s still good, solid advice.

These aren't the first pieces of Lego to break the surly bonds of gravity, but they're some of the coolest - as part of New Year celebrations aboard the ISS, the current crew of station were gifted three custom-made Astronaut figures.

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