stuff this week

It will stop raining in Vancouver, just not this week.

This is not a caterpillar...or is it. Just a little mind-fuck.

I've shared a link about what Jay-Z can teach us about the future of education, on this week's edition look at a corner store in Atlanta that translates Jay-Z's branding ethos to kale.

The (design) nerds and beauty obsessed have collaborated! PANTONE and Sephora team up to create a make-up line promoting 2012 colour of the year: Tangerine Tango.

The Darwin's Bark Spider was just discovered in 2009. They found this one with a web that spans a river 25 m wide. Oh best thing about it: its silk is 10x stronger than Kevlar. If you hate spiders, you can't even kill this one with a gun.

Pollinator bee population has been in a freefall and because of their importance in the ecosystem, long term effects could be devastating. Multiple studies show that insecticides are largley to blame.

The insecticides in question–a class called neonicotinoids–earn well over a billion dollars a year for their manufacturers. These insecticides are everywhere. Virtually all corn in the U.S. is treated with them, for example

It's a complex story. I encourage you to explore and be aware of this issue. Locally, the Land Conservancy of BC have some tips on how to help Bring Back the Bees.

And because bees just can't catch a break, there are also parasites that turn them into zombies with larvaes bursting out of their bodies. No, really.

stuff this week

Hellebores in bloom.

• Feel like judging, guessing, or learning about stuff you won't ever need to use? Then check this out: what's not allowed on China's version of Twitter, Weibo.
• The Zombie Apocalypse could happen at any moment. Start your family's survival strategy by choosing the best chicken breed to for the Zombie Apocalypse.
• The rare titan arum (Amorphophallus titanium) aka Corpse Flower at Cornell University should be blooming within the next few days. Watch it live! Fun fact: Amorphophallus titanium literally translates to giant misshapen penis. Go ahead, Google it.
• Chautauqua is a funny sounding name for a county. Even funnier? They have buggy drinking parties! Imagine this scenario as you read it: 

"As a patrol car arrived on the scene, one of the Amish buggies changed lanes, colliding with the police vehicle. The buggy flipped onto its side, causing minor injuries to one of the people on board. Police say several other buggies fled the scene."

• Monsanto is evil and owns Seminis. If you're a gardener who, like me, sometimes buy seeds or seedlings from a garden centre, please find out where your seeds truly come from. This list does not mean the cultivars are GMOs, some are even heirloom varieties. However, know that they are now owned by Monsanto and are likely selling them to big box stores under theirs or another distributor's name. If you love any of these varieties, buy them from reputable organic and open-pollinated seed stores*! Forewarned is forearmed.
• Free and Awesome. Let me teach you some learnings. Fool everyone and act like you know things by listening/watching lectures from top universities for free. Right now, I'm listening to Game Theory by Ben Polak from Yale.

*Visit my "seed list" page to see all organic and open-pollinated seed sellers I've supported.

stuff this week

Manneken Pis ensures my flower is well hydrated.

• The Hova's class is in session. What Jay-Z Can Teach Us About The Future Of Education.
• Start seeing Invisible Dogs! A great campaign for a great cause. Please adopt, don't buy or (knowingly or unknowingly) support backyard breeders
• A completely scientific, medical, legitimate study indicate that vampires have tricked us. They love garlic after all.
• Spam celebrates 75 yrs of delicious sodium packed & high-blood pressure inducing greatness. Introduces Sir-Can-A-Lot.
• Rush Limbaugh doesn't know how to apologize, at all. Dear Prudence breaks it down. Also related, is thoughtful opinion piece from Al Jazeera, Rush Limbaugh: Pill-popping sex tourists shouldn't throw stones.
• "Hi, How are you doing in hell?" and other demented children's drawings.
• The privileged masses became armchair activists via the Kony 2012 campaign. KikiPlanet.com has said how I feel about it much, much better than I can with Visible Exploitation.
• The worst about the Kony 2012 supporters that vehemently defended the viral campaign? They forgot to ask the people truly affected and have lived through it.

• This week's edition of Australia Wants to Kill You: Australasian spider flies. I bet it's already plotting to kill you.

stuff this week

Random toy squid found at the community garden.
Has nothing to do with stuff this week!

• Some cats are smart. Some cats are dumb. This one learned how to gamble.
• Snapshots of sacrifices and situations they encounter as photographers “in the field” for National Geographic.
• Swoon with me. Hey, Girl...The Garden Series.
• Spoiler: The dog is wearing a fat suit!
• John Fairfax was the most interesting man in the world. Really. 

"At 9, he settled a dispute with a pistol. At 13, he lit out for the Amazon jungle. At 20, he attempted suicide-by-jaguar. Afterward he was apprenticed to a pirate."

• I will never bow down to our saber-toothed-sausage overlords.
• So Google can't prove you're a delinquent, remove and turn off your web history.
• More proof Australia is trying to kill its people. This time with pinecones.
• In case you want to be frightened that you might witness someone break their neck, breath a sigh of relief, then pick up your jaw from the floor, and finally, feel inadequate. Watch this. (via brycepugh)
• Need moar cat? It'll make you squee! (via maddy)
• Meet Hank, the Virginia Cat Running for U.S. Senate. This week, his first attack ad is released! GASP!