The Week: August 13, 2012

Many of you are probably wondering why I am beginning the week with a round-up of links. After all, don’t I usually end the week with a round-up? Why on earth am I posting these on a Monday?

And to those folks I will say – nay, I will shout – OPEN YOUR MINDS! The world is not static. It is full of metamorphosis and change and it is an exciting and unpredictable place! Now let us all take off our shoes and run barefoot through the park!

Also, maybe I got kind distracted last Friday because it was really sunny and beautiful out (and I heard the ice cream man), so I neglected to finish this post. But here it is, and only three days late. Fear not: my blog has not fallen into a state of anarchy. Regular posting will resume momentarily, and in the order that you are used to: round-ups on Fridays, WTF Wednesday on Wednesdays, and lots of kissy-face photos on all the other days.

But in the meantime, please enjoy this rare installation of Monday-morning links.

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An answer to an age-old question: What’s up with those “Do Not Eat” packets inside of shoe boxes and pill bottles?

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Xkcd explores what happens if a glass suddenly became half empty.

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Oh, and here’s a little more magic from xkcd.

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An interesting look at what our web browsing habits say about our political preferences. (via my pal Nigel)

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A history of space exploration, as chronicled by TIME Magazine covers.

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Mars Rover Curiosity successfully landed on the surface of the red planet this week. In almost equally-important news, the Activity Lead for the mission, Bobak Ferdowsi, has a mohawk and is totally dishy. Check out my friend Courtney’s Tumblr blog dedicated to the NASA heartthrob.

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And if that’s not enough geekery for you, here’s a video of NASA astronaut Don Pettit practicing yo-yo … IN SPACE.

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CNN quoted my blog for an article! (Notice that they had to edit out all usage of the word “dick.”)

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A fascinating tale of four men who’ve been living together as roommates for nearly 20 years.

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When anyone mentions how well “we” did at the Olympics, I can’t help but think of this sketch from That Mitchell and Webb Look. Watch it. Believe me: it’s worth it.

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Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to locate my shoes … and some ice cream.