John Farrier's Blog Posts

Fathers, Daughters, and Public Restrooms

Emily Yoffe writes an advice column for Slate called "Dear Prudence." Recently, one father asked her how he should deal with taking his young daughter into a public restroom. Should he use the men's or the women's? Yoffe wrote:

Dad, you need to get out of the ladies' room. It is cleaner and nicer, but even though you're accompanied by your little girls, you are going to freak people out. I also agree the men's room is not ideal. But you can quickly glance inside, make sure there is no one at a visible urinal, and whisk the girls into a stall with you. Ideally, you should get in the habit of anticipating toilet needs so that before it's an emergency, you have a chance to see if you can locate single-stall facilities that allow you to lock the door. Sometimes there are special handicapped or family toilets at museums, etc., that would work. In a year or so, when you feel your older daughter shouldn't be entering the men's room at all, you can stand outside and wait for a mother and child and ask the mother if she will keep an eye on your little girl while she does her business. And thank you for a toilet question that does not involve the country-dividing issue of toilet seat up or down.


What do you think the fathers of young daughters should do in this situation?

Link | Image: EPA

Golden Books That Aren't for Children



Little Golden Books are a series of classic American children's picture books, first published in the 1940s by Simon and Schuster. Pixar artist Josh Cooley has created a series of illustrations in the classic style of these books consisting of scenes from movies that are hilariously inappropriate for children. Pictured above is a scene from the 1996 movie The Professional about a young girl who befriends a hitman.

Link via Kotaku (where there's a gallery)

Toddler Has Argument with Himself in Mirror


(YouTube link)

Courtesy of YouTube user dulie100, this little boy is having a fight with his parents. It spills over to include this other angry-looking kid in the mirror. -via The Corner

Prisoner Escapes Jail by Mailing Himself out in a Box

A prisoner in a German jail remains at large after placing himself inside a box destined for courier pickup. Trucks arrive at this jail weekly to pick up products made in its workshop, and the prisoner apparently took advantage of this security breach.

Link via Ace


Alphabet Blocks for Young Mad Scientists



Xylocopa addresses a serious deficiency in mad science education today:

Like many of you, we are concerned about the state of science education in the public school system, especially in the lower grades. Specifically, we have noticed that there is absolutely no training in the K-6 grades that prepares students to become mad scientists. In this competitive 21st-century world, the need for mad scientists will only increase, but the lack of basic education in primary school leaves us concerned that there will be no future students capable of leading in this illustrious field.

Fortunately, we have a solution - a first step, if you will, along the path to mad science proficiency. We are pleased to announce the release of our Young Mad Scientist's First Alphabet Blocks. These lovely blocks contain many carefully engraved illustrations of the equipment, training, and activities that a budding mad scientist will require, combined with a clever alphabetic introduction to the concept depicted.


T is for Tentacles, O is for Organs, H is for Henchmen.

http://www.xylocopa.com/product/mad-science-alphabet-blocks via Popped Culture

RC Helicopter With a .45 Pistol Attached



(Video Link)


The pilot of this radio controlled helicopter is a good shot.

I can immediately think of several ways that I could use this toy, none of which are legal.

Via Geekologie


Top 10 Countries by Robot Population Density



The above chart shows Japan in a commanding lead with 295 industrial robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers. However, given that robots tend to regard human flesh as bacon, skyrocketing robot insurance premiums, and the risk of interplanetary exile by the Robot Council, I'd say that Japan is only setting itself up for future problems.

Link

It's Like Interpretive Dance, But Focused on Marital Bickering


(Video Link)

At least, that is the way that I would describe this hilarious 1954 clip from Sid Caesar's variety show, in which Caesar and an actress silently argue to the rhythm of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Run time: 6 minutes.

Via TigerHawk

6-Wheeled Car Enters Production



The Covini Six Wheeler, its designers argue, has superior steering and braking capability due to its extra set of wheels. It will be available to buyers starting in 2009.

Follow the link for more pictures and a video of the Covini driving around a racetrack.

Link

A Graphic Representation of Immigration to the United States, 1820-1970

No, this is not a political post. It's just a cool video graphically showing streams of immigration from different parts of the world to the U.S. Nice swirly colors.

(Video Link)


Via Glenn Reynolds

10 Weirdest USB-Powered Accessories for Your Computer

Fosfor Gadgets has a list of the ten weirdest USB-powered accessories available for your computer, including a functional George Foreman grill and heated slippers. My personal favorite, though, is the self-destruct device depicted on the left. I'd love to re-enact the self-destruct scene from the classic Star Trek episode "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield."

Link via Double Plus Undead

The Chainsaw Bayonet

I'm not a fan of chainsaws as anti-zombie weapons, despite their use by the great Ash. But this variant of the chainsaw intrigues me. It's a small chainsaw mounted on a semi-automatic rifle as a bayonet. It would make the rifle absurdly heavy, but it would also provide some safety in the event that a zombie gets within four or five feet -- when the rifle would become ineffective.



(Video Link)

I'm rethinking the Max Brooks-endorsed M1 carbine as my anti-zombie weapon of choice. .30 carbine ammo is rather unusual, and in the event of a Stage 4 zombie apocalypse, I wouldn't want to be scrounging around for it in vain.

Neatorama readers, what is your preferred anti-zombie weapon?

Via Confederate Yankee


Cat Haiku

Will Braden, the writer behind the short film Henri, recently featured on Neatorama, is also a composer of cat-themed haiku. Here are a few samples:

oh, I scratched the couch

does that upset you? you mad?

you had me neutered

I love to eat grass

though it makes me sick each time

like you and vodka

I lounge in the sun

savoring the morning scents

have fun at your job

Link


How To Cook on Your Car Engine While Driving



(Video Link)


Howcast shows you how to bake a meal on your car engine while driving. At the end of a long workday, you can wrap a few ingredients in tin foil, toss it on your radiator, and have a hot meal waiting you when you arrive home. Run time: 2.5 minutes.

Via Bits & Pieces

50' Tall Lava Lamp Planned for Soap Lake, Washington

With the approval of the city council, Soap Lake, Washington is planning to build a giant lava lamp in the center of town in order to draw tourists. The lava lamp, proponents argue, stands for Soap Lake's unique geologic history. Also, it would be totally cool.

Link via Urlesque


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Profile for John Farrier

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