Yeah, "Scientist"

This Fox News story gave me a couple of chuckles today:

Russian Scientist: UFO Crashed Into Meteorite to Save Earth
Did a UFO deliberately crash into a meteor to save Earth 100 years ago? That's what one Russian scientist is claiming.

My first response, after catching my breath, was to think that I would have put quotation marks around the word "scientist" wherever it appeared in the story. And when I actually read the second paragraph, and at where the "scientist" works, my "crank sensor alert" was confirmed: Tunguska Spatial Phenomenon Foundation. Yes, I'm sure his booth at any of the paranormal society conventions is the same size as all the sasquatch folks. Of course, it is not exactly zero percent that an alien craft did collide with the Tunguska meteor above the earth, but how one leaps to deliberate alien sacrificial intentions based on some quartz rocks, well... sheesh - there goes that crank sensor again!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It's been a while since I drank any green beer, (block party in San Francisco in the 90's...) so I've come around to Frazz's take on the quality of beer that can actually show the green color:

Instead, I wear the green bike jersey!

And bonus, green beer label, instead of cheap green beer. Also, happy birthday wishes to my internet friend Fatwa Arbuckle, whose girlfriend claims he's older than dirt... Hmm, I'm sure there's some silica lying around that doesn't look a day over 45!

National Anthems, European Style

Well, as explained by the inimitable Bucky T. Katt...

Pikachu is Real!

If you've ever wondered if the electrified hamster known as Pikachu from the Pokemon animated universe was based on something real, now you have your answer.

AP

Side by side comparison of the pika with Pikachu.

Allegedly, the pika's numbers aren't so hot in the Pacific Northwest, so, of course, some conservationist group wants to put them on the endangered species list. The reason: nebulous bugaboo global warming. Can we go back to the days when evil loggers caused all these cute, furry animals to leave their oh-so stable ecosystems and become so stressed out they couldn't make babies anymore? Here, the claim is that the poor pika's fur is so thick, it can't survive if temperatures hit above 80 degrees. Just how long in the future is this alleged endangerment supposed to be? Cuz, last I checked, the Pacific Northwest had more snow than they could handle this last winter, and even global warming predictions don't have North America approaching an 80 degrees average until 1000 years from now. Go figure on that one...

Well, maybe the little pika can adapt by electrifying itself so it can power some air conditioning for its rocky nests.

Tent City Construction at Rose Bowl for Tour of California

Tent City Construction at Rose Bowl for Tour of California, originally uploaded by joeschmo1of3.

Just took a little visit to the Bowl to test out the new bike seat, and saw that the crews are out to make Lot K the wandering cycle oasis that is following the Amgen Tour of California. I also saw Pasadena's finest practicing their motorcycle maneuvers for when the peloton lands in Crown City tomorrow afternoon. Thankfully, the weather is going to be way nicer than last year!

Strap On Fruit?

Wait, what did that headline say?

Bikers strap on fruit, pots to dodge helmet law
KANO, Nigeria - Police in Nigeria have arrested scores of motorcycle taxi riders with dried fruit shells, pots or pieces of rubber tire tied to their heads with string to avoid a new law requiring them to wear helmets.

Oh... that's what they meant! Still, not good for bike safety.

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had as safe and successful 2008 as possible, and here's hoping 2009 is an even better year. Also, here's hoping my two favorite anime have successful online distributions and don't screw over the fansubbers who keep the global fans from waiting longer than a week to watch these great shows.