The Week: March 14, 2014

It is a shockingly stunning Friday here in Seattle. It’s warm outside, the sun is shining, and the window to my office is wide open, letting in a breeze. The air almost smells like spring.

Naturally, I am finding all of this kind of crazy distracting. It is very, very hard to stare at your computer screen when it’s positively glorious outside. While I struggle to get some work done, you enjoy these links.

—————

Perception is everything: when these photos of a polar bear playing with a dog were first released, people hated them. They thought they were faked, that the dog was terrified, that seconds after the photos stopped, the bear ate its supposed friend. Now, 13 years later, people have a very different view.

—————

Hal Douglas, who’s legendary voice narrated countless movie trailers, passed away last week. Here are six of his best trailers – plus the hilarious one he did for Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedian. (via The Guardian)

—————

Happy pi day, everyone! I’m gonna celebrate … with some cake (what? I always choose cake over pie. Sorry).

—————

The title really says everything: Watching a tortoise have sex is the most hilarious thing ever. (blame for this link goes to my friend Kristy)

—————

Travel blogger Candice Walsh writes about losing her grandfather while she’s on the road. It’s a beautiful tribute.

—————

The rare “My plane just crashed” selfie.

—————

And speaking of selfies, Turkish protesters are using the usually-pithy self-portraits to send a powerful message.

—————

It’s been a week since Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 vanished, with few clues as to its whereabouts. Slate explores whether or not the plane might have been stolen.

—————

Just reading this made me gasp for air: Competitive breath-holding, and the secret to how some divers can go 20 minutes without air.

—————

Rand and I are both still kind of giddy about the premiere of Cosmos. If you can’t wait until Sunday for your fill of Neil deGrasse Tyson, here are 20 of his best, most mind-blowiest tweets.

—————

Enjoy the weekend, everyone! I hope it’s full of sunshine and cake. Or pie.