Critter News Roundup Vol.3

I do love the critters of the world. And they really seem unable to keep themselves out of the news.

  • Japan Whaling On Choppy Seas – FEB 6, 2013 11:08 AM ET // BY KIERAN MULVANEY
    Japan has been whaling “for science” for a long time now, and other nations are finally getting truly sick of it, just like their people are. Australia demanded the removal of Shonan Maru No.2, a Japanese whaling vessel, from their waters in the in the Souther Ocean. They have, apprently, in the past communicated their desires for no whaling in their waters, and this is the first formal public complaint and demand that they have made on the subject. Good on ya’, Austrailia! Even better, New Zealand has joined the legal action they have filed. hopefully they’ll put an end to the “science” whaling that’s being done: Japan has yet to explain why they’re whaling and what research they are preforming.
  • Puppy ‘Klondike’ Born from Frozen Embryo – FEB 5, 2013 02:32 PM ET // BY JENNIFER VIEGAS
    I didn’t realize that this had never been done in dogs, because they’ve done it in cattle and a few other species for so long. There are theories that this technology could be used to increase the numbers of rare breeds, but I’m more interested in the implications for wild canines that are critically endangered, such as the African Wild Dogs.
  • How Smart Is Your Dog? Find Out with ‘Dognition’ – FEB 5, 2013 11:25 AM ET // BY TECHNEWSDAILY
    This is an app. Which personally I have no plans to use. Much like a doting mother, I have no intention learning that either of my babies are anything but brilliant. No, it’s not really a canine IQ test, and chances are I’ll be checking out it when it launches. It’s really a study, wrapped up in an app. Dog owners answer questions about their furry friends.

New Roundup Special Edition: Crap that surprises Kitsu

This roundup is made up of news that Kitsu can’t believe someone had to report. Not because of ridiculousness, but rather because it’s happening at all.

  • How Cocaine and Controversy Mixed With Soda – FEB 4, 2013 08:44 AM ET // BY ROSSELLA LORENZI
    I didn’t watch the superbowl commercials, but apparently their were accusations of discrimination based entirely on a story-based decision, and no one seemed to consider beforehand that there would be a story-based reason in the final commercial for why you couldn’t just vote whatever way you wanted all willy-nilly. Way to assume the worst, people.
  • Women in Paris Can Now Wear Pants – FEB 4, 2013 01:30 PM ET // BY AMANDA ONION
    It’s mindblowing in the modern world that this law, while invalidated by other laws and accepted cultural changes, is still on the books at all. And this news story does not report the removal of the law, only a public statement that the law has been invalidated. Or rather “the implicit abrogation of the order”, because plain language isn’t french enough, apprently.
  • What Causes Early Puberty in Girls? – FEB 8, 2013 09:00 AM ET // BY SHEILA M. ELDRED
    First off, how did I not catch something before now that the new ages for early onset puberty is 6-7 (variation is based on race)? And, how did I miss the story about the nine year old who got raped and ended up giving birth. Just… Holy crap. As if the idea of being a parent wasn’t scary enough… Now you have to worry about pregnant pre-teens?

And down here are a few bonus stories that are too cool to just delete from my feeds, but are edging towards out of date:

On Products I Can’t Believe Exist…

First off, a shout out to Shelly. Who made me aware of this shocking substance.

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You can bask in the awesomeness that is that photograph for awhile. I’m going to go see what the Internet has to say about this… It might be the second coming, afterall.

Well, the internet has failed me. While people fawn over the ideal of this product, it’s a can of lies.

You may return to your regularly scheduled life now.

Year of the Snake

The year of the snake has just come upon us. In celebration, I present some snakes.

pimg-1093546753-208174 This is a Reticulated Python. They’re freakin’ big. At least some of them are. They live in Southeast Asia and are the longest snakes in existence, some growing to be over 28 feet in length! Also: They can eat people if the people aren’t careful.

r8c8auNow we have the Barbados Threadsnake. These guys are freakin’ tiny. All of them. They measure just shy of 4 inches long and were only discovered 4 years go on Barbados. Threadsnakes are pretty damned adorable, IMO.

 

4282956-3x2-940x627Then it’s on to the Inland Taipan. These guys are really freakin’ poisonous. Like, kill everything poisonous. It really shouldn’t be a surprise, though, since the Taipan is from Australia, where I’m pretty sure even the dogs exude deadly substances from their skin.

Inspirations for this article were drawn from: Top 12 Most Amazing Snakes – FEB 8, 2013 12:30 PM ET // BY JENNIFER VIEGAS

DM’s Reading List

I’m a loyal subscriber to D&D Insider. This may or may not be a regular feature, as I’m a 4e player, and we’re on a timer for new materials.

  • When Stuff Happens, What’s a DM to Do? By Ed Greenwood
    I love the unforseen moment, however complicated they can make life. Ed Greenwood goes over some ways to deal with those moments, giving advise on dealing with the twists that you didn’t manage to plan for.
  • Wandering Monsters: Chosen of Bahamut By James Wyatt
    I’ve got a thing for dragons. Really, I do. This installment of wandering monsters is focused on  dragonkind. Including the Dragonturtle. Because everyone needs a dragonturtle.

This one is short, but I do recomned reading both of them and finding a way to use them in your advature!

News Dump Vol.4

I got distracted by a number of stories that I wanted to talk specifically about, so some interesting stories are getting backlogged. In the interest of getting them to you in some sort of a timely matter, here they are!

Photo News Roundup

You know me. I love rounding up some news for you! This roundup features photos!