On Monday, a steady stream of jellyfish undulated in the olive-colored water of the Hudson River between 79th and 98th Streets, where the swimmers had encountered them the day before. Their centers shifting up and down with the light tide, they were about six inches in diameter and looked like large floating paper cupcake wrappers stained in the center with red icing.

I love how the description of the water is “olive-colored” and the jellyfish are compared to cupcakes wrappers with icing.  Comparing bad things to food make them seem less menacing, especially good food like olive oil and cupcakes.  Mmmm...cupcakes.

#

The fast-food chain is also developing what it calls BK Fresh Apple Fries. The red apples are cut to resemble french fries and are served in the same containers as fries, but they are not fried and are served skinless and cold.

How sad is it that we have to make healthy foods look like unhealthy foods to appeal to kids?

#

#

As I was walking home, I began to think about what the pizza shop gets for using advertising on their boxes...most likely, free boxes.  That made me think that the pizza should cost a little less since they don’t have to pay for the boxes anymore, but then I remembered that costs get passed on to the consumer, not savings.  I guess it really doesn’t matter that there is advertising on the boxes, other than it’s just another example of us being bombarded by advertising.

And the worst part...Verizon FiOS isn’t even available to me.

Update: Looks like I might be able to get FiOS sooner than I thought.

Related:

• Advertisement on Eggs
• Advertising Everywhere Is Getting Annoying

I guess someone copied and pasted code from the Music Store and never made the change?

“I keep thinking how could I have not known it was there?” Miss Hawkins said. “I will certainly be checking my bras every morning from now on.”

Nominee for Facepalm Moment of the Year.

#

You can see the maker’s website, and Jim Walsh has an article about the people behind it.

Favorite moment...in Paris when one of the participants slips and falls on the run in.

Note: I linked to the Vimeo HD version (because YouTube quality sucks); turn it off if it’s too jerky on your computer.

#

#

In contrast, the first published collection of the plays of one William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon is generally known as the “First Folio”. It was published in 1623 and of the roughly 1,000 copies produced, about 230 are known to be in existence. In 2001, Christie’s auctioned one of the two still in private collections for over $6 million. Next to the Gutenberg Bible, it’s probably the most famous printed book in history. The NY Public Library has a copy, but access to it is limited to researchers “who demonstrate a need to use this irreplaceable material”, which is why I would probably never be able to see it. However, thanks to the University of Victoria, a scanned copy of a First Folio can be browsed online, in all it’s glory; and unlike the printed facsimiles available in bookstores, the resolution of the web copy at the large size is very, very good, and you certainly can’t beat the price.

No, “The Love Guru” is downright antifunny, an experience that makes you wonder if you will ever laugh again.

#

How Sunday mornings should start.

LaJean Lawson, a former professor of exercise science at Oregon State University:

“It’s just a matter of finding the sweet spot, between reducing motion to the point where it’s comfortable but still allowing enough motion to power your iPod.”

Lawson further explains:

“Let’s face it—if you’re a double-A marathoner, you’re probably not going to get that iPod up and running.”

#

I really hope PBS replays all his “Thomas the Tank Engine” episodes.

Update: NBC will be showing the first episode of Saturday Night Live, which Carlin hosted.

#

#

Since today was a sort of rainy Sunday, I decided to make something new for dinner.  I didn’t go crazy and experiment with something complicated like Chicken Kiev, but I hadn’t made chicken piccata before, so it’s new to me.  I love chicken piccata because of the light lemony flavored sauce, which is perfect for summer.

“The idea was to make this as inconspicuous as possible,” said Ute Wartenberg Kagan, executive director of the American Numismatic Society. “It had to resemble a totally ordinary office move.”

Uh huh.  Ordinary office moves usually have a police escort.  Sure.

The Times also has a slideshow of the move.

#

Are you ready to celebrate? Well, get ready: We have ICE!!!!! Yes, ICE, *WATER ICE* on Mars! w00t!!! Best day ever!!

After digging in a spot, several crumbs of material disappeared, melted, indicating water based ice.  Precisely what Phoenix was looking for.

P. S. Yes, the lander said, “w00t”.

#

The best thing about this meal is that it takes about 15 minutes to make.

One downside is that I have to try to time things properly, and when you have to use the same saucepan to make the rice and steam the broccoli, it can be a little touch-and-go there at the end.  Another downside is that the George Foreman grill cooks both sides at the same time, and sears them both, so the salmon doesn’t flake off as nicely as it does if you pan sear it or truly grill it.  Those are both minor downsides that the ease of cooking relegates to nothing.