The newest entry from “Symphony of Science:”

Incidentally, you can now purchase a 7″ vinyl record (remember those?) of the original “A Glorious Dawn” remix.

(via Discoblog)

The director of The Empire Strikes Back, amongst much else, has passed away.

Well, poop.

The star of Forbidden Planet and about a gazillion other things has passed away from complications from pneumonia.

Bummer.

Star Trek Potholders – Free knitting pattern.

The Blinkybug Kit – Simple kit for making electronic insects; suitable for kids.

Hipster Hitler – A webcomic whose name describes exactly what it’s about. I…um…yeah.

Indiana Jones Room – Cute themed kid’s room, done fairly inexpensively.

The Indifference Engine – Steampunk British comedy hip-hop by Professor Elemental. It’s…niche.

The Padawan’s Guide – Everything you wanted to know about making Star Wars costumes.

This is the title of a typical incendiary blog post – It’s funny because it’s true. Be sure to read the comments as well.

ETOMB – Prototype for a bluetooth-wired headstone. We all know it’s going to happen eventually.

TARDIS Socks – Free knitting pattern.

The Ultimate Photobomb – Yes, it’s ‘shopped, but it’s still funny.

1. Voltaire is perhaps most famous for his story Candide, but in 1751 he published a short story in which a colossal traveler from a planet orbiting the star Sirius visits Earth with his Saturnian companion. Name it.
2. Robert Heinlein wrote a series of stories based around the premise that longetivity is genetic, and that selective breeding could create humans living far beyond a normal life span. What novel tells the story of the longest lived of these children of Methusaleh, Lazarus Long?
   A) For Us, the Living
   B) I Will Fear No Evil
   C) The Door Into Summer
   D) Time Enough for Love
   E) Starship Troopers
3. Who played the monster in the 1974 film Young Frankenstein?
4. The author L. Sprague DeCamp is closely associated with which of the following characters; Conan, Flash Gordon or Aquaman?
5. What was the name of the starship that visited Altair IV in search of a lost colony ship in Forbidden Planet?
6. In this 50′s movie, the aliens are vanquished by being surrounded by teenagers, who vaporize them (along with their spaceship) by shining the headlights of hotrods on them.
7. With which of the following authors did Roger Zelazny NOT
   collaborate?
   A) Fred Saberhagen
   B) Robert Sheckley
   C) Philip K. Dick
   D) Frederik Pohl
   E) Alfred Bester
8. Which crew member taught Commander Data to dance on the holodeck?
9. In the final scene of Blade Runner what origami animal is made by Detective Gaff?
10. Name the Mesklinite trading ship in Hal Clement’s Mission of Gravity.

(Answers below the fold)

Read the rest of this entry »

I hope everyone’s holiday tomorrow is lovely.

(I don’t have an image credit for this; if anyone knows where it came from, let me know in the comments.)

Food blogger justJENN is a huge Star Wars fan, and when Foodbuzz asked her to design a kid’s party, she had just the theme.

Her party food included blue milk, Sarlacc pit dip, pretzel light sabers, and even Han Solo encased in carbonite jello.

She includes photos and recipes, so if you’re looking for a child’s birthday party theme (or a grownup party theme, ya big nerd), this might be just the ticket.

(via Dabbled)

Sculptor Paul Pape, who creates “general geekery” like wedding cake toppers shaped like World of Warcraft characters and Coraline-esque button eyes, is now offering Custom Carbonites: Supply him with a photo and he will sculpt a customized image (face, clothing, and pose) “encased in carbonite.” All for a surprisingly reasonable $50.

The sculptures aren’t edible, but I expect you could use them to create candy molds if you were so inclined.

He had an original run of 200 planned and promised them in time for Christmas, but since he was BoingBoinged he’s apparently already hit that cap. He’s lifting the numeric restriction, but can’t promise that they’ll be ready for the holidays.

I’m sure they’ll be ready by Life Day.

(via BoingBoing)

…you need to go over to Portrait of an Adoption.

Katie is a first-grader who loves Star Wars, but after taking her prized Star Wars water bottle to school for a few days, she began to have second thoughts.

She wailed, “The first grade boys are teasing me at lunch because I have a Star Wars water bottle. They say it’s only for boys. Every day they make fun of me for drinking out of it. I want them to stop, so I’ll just bring a pink water bottle.”

Her mom is asking female fans to leave a comment reassuring Katie that fandom is definitely not boys-only. Head on over and show your support!

1. Darth Vader’s title was Dark Lord of the…?
2. In Daniel Keyes’ 1966 novel Flowers For Algernon, who is Algernon?
3. What was Molecule Man’s real name?
   A) Jack Vance
   B) Owen Reece
   C) George Wayne
   D) John Stark
   E) Hal Jordon
4. Woody Woodpecker is alluded to, or can be seen, in almost every post-1950 film made by what noted producer of SF classics?
5. What is the name of the spacecraft which the HAL 9000 controlled?
6. Which actor was the original choice to play Dr. Zaius in Planet of the Apes?
7. Around what planet does Babylon 5 orbit?
8. Who wrote Space Chantey, a 1968 version of The Odyssey?
9. By what title is Poul & Kornbluth’s novel Gravy Planet more commonly known?
10. Name Martin Landau’s character on Space:1999.

(Answers below the fold)

Read the rest of this entry »