Star Trek: The Menagerie

Just finished watching a two-part episode of classic Star Trek. I know all the old episodes backwards and forwards, since as a kid I made audiocassette tapes of the after-school reruns, and listened to them over and over. (The writers were never confident that the special effects would be any good, so a character always…

RT @THATCampPGH: @DennisJerz Registration is open…

RT @THATCampPGH: @DennisJerz Registration is open for #THATCamp #Pittsburgh! Spread the word…. Similar:Overheard at Quora: "Why after all these years is Moodle still so ugly?"Moodle is a free course-management tool …AcademiaIt's been nice knowing you, iPad3 It’s been nice knowing you, iPad3, but…TweetsMy Minecraft-obsessed tween made this blocky foam pig at art camp. Next up:…

13: The Musical Promo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40MbeApiXXI Here are some clips from a heartfelt, belty ballad that my daughter and her good friend will be singing this weekend in “13: The Musical.” They’ll each be playing the part of Patrice (the protagonist’s love interest) on different nights. The song is “The Lamest Place in the World.” We spent a fun afternoon…

How My Mom Killed Facebook

Lest you think this is just a complicated revenge scheme against my mom (which, let’s be clear, it is), it’s this exact phenomenon that keeps driving Facebook’s user engagement numbers down. Far more than the fears about future employment, more than the creepy coworker who “likes” all your bikini pictures, it is the fear of…

And Now for This Breaking News Report

“Police have cornered the suspect who reportedly put as many as 25 words on single line of this text. If caught, he faces… … a lengthy sentence.” Via Cheezburger Similar:The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (workshop premiere of a new musical by Greg Kerestan) I really enjoyed seeing the first work…CultureHow do you know when your…

National Dance Day

In the restaurant parking lot after dinner (thanks, Grandma Pat) I mentioned to Carolyn that today is National Dance Day. She rarely needs much encouragement to perform. Similar:Amenities are limited on a short range excursion craft, but we can still meet for tea in t…AestheticsNASA: No, The Eclipse Won't Blind Pets I once heard a…

“Peter, if black holes aren’t a good conversation starter…”

“Peter, if black holes aren’t a good conversation starter at the picnic, what else might you try?” “Superstring theory?” That’s my boy. Similar:Time Might Only Exist in Your Head. And Everyone Else'sTired brain can’t quite process this Wir…NatureToday's second 10sq cm of #steampunk control panel. Love those letter flip tiles. Maybe I'…AestheticsHighlighters and Intellectual Growth…

She doesn’t have keys or a phone or an ID. Why does my tween need a purse?

To stash her Lemonheads and Smarties. http://t.co/Fr1luEpZ2b Similar:Lie to Me: Fiction in the Post-Truth EraI’m trying to remember what it was like,…BooksFrom this station on the bridge, the exposition officer can relay whatever random bit of i…https://youtu.be/_E-3E7Q3LSs Get a lo…AestheticsFDR in AnnieI’ve accepted the role of FDR in the upc…CultureTexting? Pets? Millennials Are Flunking Job…