A group of German scientists published in this week’s Science their discovery of fungus preserved in Cretaceous Period amber that used a unique means of trapping its prey. This fungus used what essentially looks like a hyphal lasso to rope in its prey of choice, a species of roundworm (see the image to the right). [...]
Archive for December, 2007
Top 10 Albums of 2007: No. 4 Jason Isbell – “Sirens Of The Ditch”
“His daughter was a looker but five’ll get you ten.
He dressed her like a hooker and she smelled like sin.
She had a ragtop car. She made good grades.
She didn’t like her daddy ’cause he wouldn’t let her date.
She was trouble, but ain’t we all. Trouble, but ain’t we all.”
-Jason Isbell – “Down In A Hole”
Just [...]
Television Man
“When the world crashes in into my living room
Television man made me what I am
People like to put the television down
But we are just good friends
(I’m a) television man…”
-Talking Heads – “Television Man”
As soon as we found out that Dr O’C was pregnant, I began a long series of decrees and pronouncements about parenting – there will [...]
Top 10 Albums of 2007: No. 5 Spoon – “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga”
“Memphis comes creeping down my back
Somehow this place tastes just like an attack
A hundred-yard-stare of a kiss
Lord, I know I’ll never miss it…”
-Spoon – “Finer Feelings”
Just a reminder of where we are in the countdown:
10. M.I.A. – “Kala”
9. Modest Mouse – “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank”
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Wordless Wednesday: O Tannenbaum
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Science Tuesday: Once bitten… twice bitten… thrice bitten… d’oh!
“You didn’t know how rock-n-roll looked
Until you caught your sister with the guys from the group
Halfway home in the parking lot
By the look in her eye she was giving what she got
My my my, once bitten, twice shy babe…”
Great White – “Once Bitten, Twice Shy”
Somewhere, a science reporter is missing a lead: “Scientists discover the [...]
Top 10 Albums of 2007: No. 6 Bruce Springsteen- “Magic”
“Sister Mary sits with your colors, but Johnny’s drunk and gone
This old town’s been rousted, which side you on?
They would march up over the hill, this old fools parade
Shouting victory for the righteous for you must hear the grace
Ain’t nobody talkin’, but just waiting on the phone
Gypsy biker coming home…”
-Bruce Springsteen – “Gypsy Biker”
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Z’s Music Monday: Maria Callas
“Vissi d’arte,vissi d’amore,
non feci mai male ad anima viva!”*
-Puccini – “Tosca”
I am not really a fan of “classical” music and I don’t believe that it is any better for kids to listen to than any other music. However, there is something very special about opera. It may be the mixture of music and (melo)drama, it [...]
Top 10 Albums of 2007: No. 7 Wilco – “Sky Blue Sky”
“The drunks were ricocheting
The old buildings downtown
Empty so long ago
Windows broken and dreaming
So happy to leave what was my home…”
-Wilco – “Sky Blue Sky”
Just a reminder of where we are in the countdown:
10. M.I.A. – “Kala”
9. Modest Mouse – “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank”
8. Frank Turner – “Sleep Is For The Week”
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River
“It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on…”
-Joni Mitchell – “River”
Christmas is creeping closer and brings with it the music of the season. I’ve never really been able to sink my teeth into the ersatz jollity of [...]
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