- Snake gives virgin birth to extraordinary babies – Okay, so the “virgin births” are just parthenogenesis, but, “…the genetic make-up of the baby snakes is unlike any previously recorded among vertebrates.” From Mark.
- Voters want more data on vaccine ingredients – “Experts say the question posed on the ballot falsely suggests that vaccinations are dangerous and includes misleading and scientifically inaccurate information. Moreover, the package inserts that list the ingredients and other information are already available to consumers who ask.” From Dave.
- I’m sorry I didn’t write a comedy piece – Wonderful piece on the whole “women aren’t funny” stupidity. Via Feministe.
- November blues or why I have a personal vendetta against Stephanie Meyer – One woman’s journey into Twilight addiction and back. From Sarah.
- Cute Animal Friday! I missed this one Jeff last week- adorable, chatty Shiba Inu puppy. I love the whiskers on this sea lion pup. And to top it off, a kitty freaking out at snow.
“Snake gives virgin birth to extraordinary babies…â€
Sounds like a headline from the Daily Prophet.
After I read the comedy piece, I started crying because my computer isn’t pink, and my intuition tells me that this makes me less feminine, and that no man will ever love me. Now I’m so depressed I have to go read Twilight in a bubble bath.
@Garbledina: Don’t forget to bring chocolate and wine with you to your bubble bath. Oh, and lots of tissues of course, since the twue wuv of Twilight will totes def make you weepy.
When reading Twilight in the bubble bath, can you use regular candles, or do they have to be special colored flame candles?
@weatherwax: I think either is appropriate, as long as they are scented. Preferably something like ‘Teaberry’ or ‘Tranquility’ (non-soy is acceptable if handmade by the Amish).
Forget Twilight. The proper cure for November: “Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street , and methodically knocking people’s hats off – then, I account it high time to get to sea again as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball.” – Melville.
@Buzz Parsec: I love that quote, especially since I’m of a mood to go knock people’s hats off lately.
The woman from the vaccine story is named Barbara Mullarkey.
Is Charles Dickens writing for the Tribune now?
The humor one was amusing, I guess.
Maybe I just don’t get this particular trend in comedy.
Step 1.) Mention random pop-cultural touchstone.
Step 2.) Wait.
Step 3.) No really. That’s it. Just wait.
Step 4.) No one is laughing? Quick, insert yourself INTO the reference.
Step 5.) Still not laughing? Say it louder, louder is better.
Step 6.) There must be something wrong with these people. This shit writes itself.
Step 7.) Am I right? Am I right? Someone say I’m fucking right. I’ve got all night.
Maybe there is something wrong with me. I need a joke, a funny situation, a witty pun, a pregnant pause, a double take, a pratfall, something. Do SOME work it’s your fucking comedy bit after all. Not everyone likes the Three Stooges but at least you can see there’s a there there.
This applies to Dane Cook, Seth McFarland, the lesser Wayans brothers, and the hipper-than-thou doofuses that think Vince Vaughn is Oscar material. I know comedy is subjective but put some effort into it. Please, pretty please, for the love of Abbott and Costello do something funny?
On a related topic.
The difference between The Simpsons and Family Guy;
THE SIMPSONS: While the scene plays out in the foreground Snoopy flies by on his doghouse. No mention is made of it. It just happens.
FAMILY GUY: (apropos of nothing) Hey Lois, remember when I flew a Sopwith Camel and shot down the Red Barron? (Cut to scene of Peter on top of a doghouse with a scarf and goggles on. That’s it, that’s all, end scene.)
No joke. Is that funny? Really?
Sorry, I’m in a pissy mood and bad comedy makes me want to chew on an anchor chain and spit out nails but I would end up spitting out my teeth ala Daffy Duck.
Rant over.
BTW – I think women can be hilarious, I just though this one was meh.
@Buzz Parsec
Funny, that’s how trying to read Melville makes me feel.
@ Mrmisconception: Thanks. I thought I was the only one that thought Emperor Family Guy had no clothes.
@Glow-Orb
You are not the only one. For me, Family Guy is painfully unfunny and boring. I have only laughed at one joke per episode or less. Which means that the other 23 minutes (out of 24) have been wasted.