Archive for the 'I'm a Science Geek' Category

I Didn’t Barf, It’s Just Mr. Slime Mold.

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008

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Although called a slime mold, Physarum polycephalum is not a mold, because a mold is a fungus, and fungi don’t “eat,” or move. Yes this thing moves. And it has a memory. It also solves mazes. We’re like totally bff now.

Giant Model of the Moon from Disney Prop House is Cool

Friday, November 9th, 2007

It’s fiberglass, and around $4,500. I found it at T. L. Gurley Antiques in Pasadena. I have no idea what films it appeared in.

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The Shadow People Want to Merge with You

Wednesday, November 1st, 2006

Here’s a well done, totally creepy interactive experience from Adam Frank Incorporated. You enter a space that seems to contain a person who is casting shadows like yourself, but is invisible. If you stay still the shadow person will try to merge with you in a gesture emulating hugging/strangling. My suggestion, reverse the effect so you enter the space and then your shadow leaves your body - it’d be more “Peter Pan,” less “I want your soul.” It would also help if this was set somewhere other than what looks to be a prison courtyard.
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Rainbow Roses: They Arrive, I Geek Out

Friday, October 27th, 2006

So I picked up my order of Rainbow Roses from Mellano and Co. in downtownLA. (They are a special order and you will have to call them - the roses are not on their website.) They weren’t cheap - about $6 a stem retail. Here’s photos from the unpacking. I was told the dye was injected into the stem but that doesn’t appear correct. The stems were split into four pieces which, I’m guessing, were each placed in seperate dyes. When trimmed you can see how the dye was absorbed.

See also: Beyond Rainbow Roses - Rainbow Everything

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Galliano Watches Discovery Channel, Gets Inspired

Friday, July 7th, 2006

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ex·o·skel·e·ton n.

A hard outer structure, such as the shell of an insect or crustacean, that provides protection or support for an organism.
Surprisingly, fashion critics have yet to use the word when describing the Dior show - was anyone paying attention in 6th grade science class?

Full collection here

Amy Sedaris is Smarter than Me

Saturday, August 13th, 2005

Amy Sedaris answers my question about eggs, French onion soup, and thermodynamics in the August issue of The Believer.