February 2019

Is Family Guy Actually Any Good?

Can you believe that Family Guy is 20 years old? It's amazing that it's been around this long, but people are actually still wondering whether or not it's actually any good. Yes, it makes us laugh sometimes, but a lot of the jokes feel recycled or like an attempt to be "edgy" when they really just come off as annoying. The Simpsons have had the same issue in the past with some viewers, as has the show South Park.

Real Plants In Your Frog's Habitat

Many frog owners keep real plants in their frog habitat to give their frogs a more natural setting in which to live. Some opt for fake plants, which can be easier to care for, and there are pros and cons to both. Personally I've always preferred live plants, even though I can often kill them (sorry, plants!), and there are always so many aquatic ones to choose from that I've never felt limited in making a decision... until now.

Blink-182 as a Synthwave Band

Have you ever thought about what Blink-182 might sound like as a 1980s synthwave band? Okay, it's not THAT far out into space, and a fan has not only shown us what some songs might sound like, but also promised to provide more in the future. That got me thinking about what other bands or just singles should be reimagined in this light and I thought... holy cow, a lot of them. This could get really fun really quick!

Disabled Kitchen and Garden

One of the most beautiful things about the Internet is that it allows us access to more stories and walks of life than ever before, and the blog Disabled Kitchen and Garden gives us a glimpse at what it is like to cook and grow food while disabled. The blog, written by Jules Sherred, a gender noncomforming autistic disabled trans man, highlights how cooking and gardening are not only beneficial for people with disabilities, but gives many tips and tricks for people with disabilties to use in their daily lives.

Games As Science Teaching Tools

Gameschooling is the process of using games to teach. Simple enough, right? Many of the gameschoolers I know, from parents who teach at home to teachers who utilize games in the classroom, say that it engages students much better than many traditional teaching methods and helps them retain information longer. There are so many cool games developed for gameschooling that it's no wonder that it's gaining popularity.

Stuffed Flank Steak

Steak is one of those foods that so many people claim to love, yet it really has to be made to one's liking in order to be as delectable as it sounds. Many people prefer their steak almost red while others just want it to where the fat melts in your mouth. Still others prefer it to be jazzed up a bit beyond being just a piece of meat, which is where stuffed steak comes in.

Alpacas Are Here To Make You Smile

While many of us enjoy sharing cat, dog and other animal photos to help us get through the day (studies show that couples who look at cute animals together are happier!), there are plenty of other adorable critters to enjoy sharing pictures of, too. Personally sloths are my favorite to look at, but these alpacas are also adorable. Llamas seem to be the animal of the moment; I've even seen lots of stuffed llamas, llama stickers and other themed items at the store recently.

Literal Copycats

People often say that their pets mimic them in both the way they look as well as their own behavior, and I've found the sentiment to be true with many friends and family members. I'm not sure if it has merit across the board but I definitely know some people whose pets look and or even act like them, and this series of photos of pets who copy their owners reminds me of many of them! 

Akata Witch

Fantasy lovers, if you haven't yet read Akata Witch, put down whatever book you're reading right now and get to it. It is a gorgeously original and magical book that will steal your breath away. Full of adventure, peril, juju and just a hint of romance, it's by Nnedi Okorafor, the same brilliant author who wrote the Binti series that I'm also enjoying right now. (Go read Binti, too.

Dessert Teas

Having your cake, eating it and not suffering from the caloric consequences might seem like a tall order, but many companies are selling dessert teas now that make it much more possible. For a fraction of the sugar and calories, depending on how you prepare it, you can enjoy favorite treats like vanilla macaroons or lemon loaf in a cup. Hot or iced, it's totally up to you!

Private Israeli Company SpaceIL Getting Ready To Send Beresheet Lander To The Moon

Israeli Beresheet.jpg

Caption: 
Artist’s concept of the Israeli Beresheet Lunar Lander

        The race to explore the Moon is heating up. Major players such as the U.S. and China are talking about returning to the Moon to stay. A lunar lander was just sent by China to explore the far side of the Moon. In addition to national space agencies, private companies are getting into the game. Now an Israeli nonprofit company named SpaceIL is leading an effort to send a lander to the Moon.

Nuclear Reactors 653 - U.K. Nuclear Power Reactors Are Aging And Some May Not Survive For The Full Term Of Their Current Licenses Term - Part 1 of 2 Parts

Part 1 of 2 Parts
       The U.K. has eight nuclear power reactors. They provide about twenty percent of the electricity for the country. Seven of these plants utilize what is referred to an advanced gas reactor (AGR) design. The oldest of these reactors was built forty-three years ago and the youngest was built 30 years ago. They were intended to have a lifespan of about thirty-five years.

Pages