That's Gneiss! #156 ~ Straight out of X-Files
Plus: calming waves, and the filthy language of Paleontologists
Hello friends!
Today marks an anniversary of sorts. I have sent a newsletter every Sunday for three full years! Remarkable. Thank you all who have been with me since the beginning and who have joined in along the way. I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have. I’m thinking about ways to mix things up a bit as I head into the fourth year - if there’s something you’ve really enjoyed in the newsletters let me know!
We’re in the last week before Halloween, and the last two weeks before the election. I think we can all agree that it’s pretty stressful. On top of that there’s that pesky pandemic that just won’t go away!
Pssst - wear your mask and stay the hell home.
Here in the northwest corner of the U.S. we have another thing on our minds…
MURDER HORNETS!
You may have heard (unless you live in a cave) that biologists have been trying to find the nest of these elusive, invasive creatures. After several failed attempts to attach transmitters to captured specimens with dental floss they finally succeeded and found the nest near Blaine.
A complex removal operation soon followed.
The photos look like something straight out of X-Files. Can you imagine taking your pup on an evening walk and stumbling across this sight?
They look like they’re sucking some alien larvae out of the tree.
Witness this scene and some night soon men in dark suits will visit your house and we’ll never see you again.
The aliens are cleverly disguised as oversized hornets. This one has been caught in the act of stabbing holes in the leaf with a stick.
Have you ever seen such a look of guilt? Have you?
There is only one solution to the menace of the Asian Giant Hornet…
Domestication!
The next time you see me I’ll be out walking our new pet. All I need is some jam to lure one in, and a tiny leash. What should I name it?
For a not-at-all sensationalized story about the murder hornet extraction, go here:
Murder hornets from the first nest in the US are SUCKED out and destroyed after their tree was filled with foam and covered in plastic wrap by experts in bio-hazard suits
(all photos were borrowed from that article, as was the video that I was able to trim to make the gif)
How about a palate cleanser after that? Look at these pretty waves...
Photographer Spends Hours in the Ocean Capturing the Different “Moods” of Waves
These are some really amazing photos. Makes me want to go to the ocean - TOO BAD THERE’S A PANDEMIC GOING ON.
I hope you enjoy all the lovely wave photos as much as I did. They reminded me of some of the drawings I’ve been doing.
It’s time to go - I must ready our house for the new pet. I’m sure we’ll catch one soon!
Tidbits
Check how your state is doing with early voting statistics - as of this writing 41.7% of Washington voters have returned their ballots!
Overzealous “naughty word detecting” software causes annoyance to Paleontologists trying to chat during an online conference - you’ve all heard of the **** Creek Formation, haven’t you?
Satirist Tom Lehrer has put all of his songs and lyrics into the public domain - do with them what you will!
Kamala versus Daenerys: Names, Mayflower mouth, and the politics of mispronunciation and dispronunciation
Making: I went on a painting frenzy and made a bunch of squares with indigo and white paint. They’re starting to come together, but I’ll need to make a lot more!
Recently eaten: we had that bloody good egg drop curry again!
Reading: starting to really get into The Lacuna now.
Eye Candy Corner
Do you ever use a word or phrase for a while, then wonder about the origin or meaning? I’ve been looking up a lot of things lately and in almost every case I find that there’s something problematic about the words I’ve been using. Words have power, and can hurt others without us realizing it.
I decided to look up “eye candy” this morning and I don’t really care for the meaning when my intent is to share the work of talented artists with you.
“visual images that are superficially attractive and entertaining but intellectually undemanding.”
Definitely not what I’m aiming for. They lost me at “superficially attractive” and “intellectually undemanding.” Count this in as part of the reworking of the newsletter - there has to be a better name. The pictures may be pretty, but the work of the artists is hardly superficial or vapid.
This week please look at the wave photos shared above. You’ll feel better for it.
Videos of the Week
The commentary on this clip is delightful. They ARE kind of cute…
And now something completely different… a spooky Russian psychobilly tune for you! Messur Chups, as far as I can tell is pretty much the same band as the Bonecollectors.
Current Temperature: 46.0 F (7.8 C)
Current Humidity: 59%
Wind (max gust): 8.1 mph
Precipitation: 0.0 in
Air Quality Index: 60 (!)
Congrats on 3 years!!! 🎈
I Cannot. Believe. Those. Hornet. Extractor. Photos!!! I had to zoom in - I thought you were kidding!!! They look like marshmallow costumes.
Oh I was going to say I've never had that connotation with the word "eye-candy" - I've always thought of it as "eye-catching" or "alluring" or "fetching". Lots to work with out there if you're looking for a substitute tho!
Happy snappy 3rd Anniversary! Thank you for a welcome diversion of delights and weirdness and wonder! xoxo