bluegargantua

...the "secret masters of the world" thing was just a front for some gay BDSM. They seemed especially fond of electrical play.

later
Tom

Hi,

For those of you interested in all things Steampunk, you might really enjoy:

Brass Goggles

If you enjoy (war)gaming in Steampunk or Sci-Fi Victorian modes, you might also enjoy:

Yours in a White Wine Sauce! [Warning! Serious productivity killer!]

Yes, this does have something to do with my future gaming plans, but only tangentially.

later
Tom

Here's what it all comes down to:

Ask a stupid question, get a highly detailed explanation.

To wit:

How much sunlight would it take to throw a dude into a wall? (pdf file)

Dr. Light fans should take notice -- that mofo has some serious power at his disposal.

later
Tom

Hey,

I sure hope wikipedia isn't spoofing me.

Because this is the greatest Christmas tradition of all time!

I totally want a tronca next year. I also want to sing Sweedish drinking songs and chug back some aqua vite. It'll be a mult-ethnic Christmas!

heh
Tom

You can stack dice...in a wild new way.

later
Tom

Hi,

OK, so here's a study done to try and determine how kids perceive fantasy and reality. Specifically, how well kids perceive multiple fantasy worlds:

http://scienceblogs.com/cognitivedaily/2006/10/halloween_special_does_batman.php

The basic gist being if Batman and Spongebob are both fictional, does Batman think of Spongebob as real or fictional. And basically, adults said, "both are fictional, but in Batman's world, Batman is real and Spongebob is fictional and vice versa".

[an aside to my Amber homies: Are really real fake Batmans more heroic than fake real Batmans?]

The initial study suggested that not only did kids think that Batman thought Spongebob wasn't real, Batman thought Robin wasn't real either.

The scientists did a follow-up study and tried to formulate the questions in a better way. This time, it seemed that both kids and adults had the same general concept of multiple fantasy worlds.

But I think the coolest idea to come out of this is in the first study:

Batman doens't think Robin is real!

This would explain so much. Why does Batman run around with a pre-teen kid? Why does he have him chase down psychotic and dangerous villians? How is this not child abuse?

Easy -- Robin doesn't really exist! Or at least, Batman doesn't think so.

And it doesn't matter which way it goes -- maybe Batman thinks Robin isn't real and Robin is, in fact, a figment but he's got this Tyler Durden kind of thing going. Or maybe Batman thinks Robin isn't real, but he is and Bats is just in denial.

Either way, so much fun to think about!

I'm Batman! And this is Robin.
What? There's no one there.
Are you calling me a liar?
N-no, sir.
That's right.
Tom

Hey,

So here's a link to a Smithsonian article about one of the last remaining Cargo Cults in the world. In brief, these guys were totally dumbfounded at the material majesty of WWII military forces who set up bases in the Pacific and so they formed cults to try and bring back the planes with their boxes of coca-cola and chocolate and shiny distractions.

I want to be a complete bastard. I want to load up a DC3 with stuff and just fly in during one of their ceremonies. It's completely unethical and I'd likely be denounced as a fraud by the threatened priesthood, but how often do you get to be a god?

"Please, a strong bowl or three of kava is all I ask in sacrifice...oh and maybe those two unmarried hotties over there...actually, no, just the kava, thanks."
Tom

Hi,

Two things today.

First, did you ever see this show on Saturday mornings? If you did...you're probably very, very old...like me. *sigh* I totally had a thing for Glamor Gal. Sadly the picture quality on this clip is pretty bad, but it probably comes from a VCR tape that's over 20 years old. I seriously doubt anyone will ever release a DVD of this show which is too bad because...y'know...Glamor Gal.

Second, on a casual stroll last night with the lovely and talented (and quite tall) methanopyrus we came across a pair of odd, but neat looking little cars. They looked like Super-Deformed anime cars.

They were a pair of Smart fourtwo cars. Very slick looking automobiles. If I could fit behind the wheel (and I might be able to), this would be my ultimate city driving machine. They're only "sorta" available in the US, but there appears to be a NH dealer who works with Zap motors (the unoffical US importer). Supposedly they'll be more available in late 2006-2007.

ah well, back to work
Tom

Heh,

The Dark Ages never happened. And Charlemange never existed.

later
Tom

...I'd also build a giant mechanical elephant and storm London with it.

And I'd ship it over by cannonball spaceship.

Man, I wish I was in London now for this event.

later
Tom