Neatorama

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• The Defeat of Bagram Batman
• Unicorn Lover Magnetic Poetry
• No Cherry on Top: This Cafe Crowns Its Parfaits with Cake Slices
• Plants Talk to Each Other Using Underground Fungus Network
• The Modern Motorcycle Diaries
• Shoes Inspired by Disney Villains
• Cronut: Donut and Croissant Hybrid
• Kattenstoet: The Festival Of Cats
• 9 Film Frames
• Corgi-thulhu
• Human Fat Soap
• The Worst Movie Moms Ever
• Mini Moonshine Jar Shot Glass
• Teenager Develops App That Blocks TV Spoilers on Twitter
• How Sesame Street Got Its Name
• A More Effective CAPTCHA
• Is It Wrong to Eat Lion Taco?
• Homemade Popsicles
• Sketch of the Emancipation of Jefferson Davis's Slaves
• New York Guarded By Superheroes
• The Knight in Shining Armor Proposal
• Guinea Pig Wig
• This Week at Neatorama

The Defeat of Bagram Batman Posted: 12 May 2013 04:00 AM PDT We introduced you to Bagram Batman, the U.S. Army's training video character, last month. The Duffel Blog, a satirical site for American military personnel, gives us the story of the death of Bagram Batman at the hands of arch-enemy Badghis Bane. Darkness has fallen on Afghanistan’s largest Coalition base, as news has spread that the Bagram Batman is dead. The caped crusader — who shot to fame for providing friendly, if insufferable, safety tips to deployed personnel on Bagram Airfield — succumbed Friday to injuries incurred during a very unsafe brawl with the villain known as Badghis Bane. “I just can’t believe he’s gone,” said one grieving soldier, who Bagram Batman taught to properly lace and tie his boots. “Without him around, how will I know to protect myself from sun exposure and loud noises? How will I know ANYTHING?!” Indeed, Bagram Batman’s popular but incredibly patronizing online commercials advised service members on a range of fairly obvious topics, including ear protection, theft avoidance, and basic human decency. Yet for all the rules he espoused, the Dark Knight was unable to protect himself from Badghis Bane’s wicked backbreaker. Read the story of how it happened, and the reaction of Bagram Batman's few fans and the many who can't stand him. Link -Thanks, AN!

Unicorn Lover Magnetic Poetry Posted: 12 May 2013 02:00 AM PDT Unicorn Lover Magnetic Poetry Are you having trouble coming up with the words to convey and illustrate the mysterious and magical unicorn? Let the Unicorn Lover Magnetic Poetry kit from the NeatoShop help you smash away at your writers block and release unleash your inner writer. This spirited kit contains over 200 words to help you describe your favorite mythical creature.  Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Magnets and fantastic Unicorn items.  Link

No Cherry on Top: This Cafe Crowns Its Parfaits with Cake Slices Posted: 12 May 2013 02:00 AM PDT A parfait is traditionally topped with a strip of bacon cherry, but the MIOR cafe in Osaka, Japan turns the dessert into a full, balanced meal by adding a slice of strawberry cake. Pro tip: now add the cherry. Link

Plants Talk to Each Other Using Underground Fungus Network Posted: 12 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT If you think it's weird that plants can "talk" to one another, here's something even weirder: one way they talk to one another is via a network of underground fungus! Many plants have a chemical armoury that they deploy when aphids attack, with chemicals that both repel the aphids and attract parasitic wasps that are aphids' natural predators. The team grew sets of five broad bean plants, allowing three in each group to develop mycorrhizal networks, and preventing the networks' growth in the other two. To prevent any through-the-air chemical communication, the plants were covered with bags. As the researchers allowed single plants in the sets to be infested with aphids, they found that if the infested plant was connected to another by the mycorrhizae, the un-infested plant began to mount its chemical defence. Those unconnected by the networks appeared not to receive the signal of attack, and showed no chemical response. Link (Image: Microbe Wiki)

The Modern Motorcycle Diaries Posted: 11 May 2013 11:00 PM PDT (YouTube link) Alex Chacon took a year and a half for a motorcycle ride. He left home in Texas, traveled to the southern tip of Argentina, and then back north to Alaska! In this video, you'll see him pass through 22 countries, travel over cliffside paths, rickety bridges, and salt flats, through floods, city traffic, tiny tunnels, snow, and fog, as he picks up hitchhikers, wrecks his bike, and records it all on video. The montage is edited stylistically instead of chronologically, and it is quite mesmerizing. -via Viral Viral Videos

Shoes Inspired by Disney Villains Posted: 11 May 2013 10:00 PM PDT Israeli fashion designer Kobi Levi makes brilliant shoes. We've previously featured his shoes that look like stuck gum and slides. His latest project was inspired by three female villains of classic Disney princess movies: Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty, the Evil Queen from Snow White and Ursula from The Little Mermaid. Link -via Fashionably Geek

Cronut: Donut and Croissant Hybrid Posted: 11 May 2013 09:00 PM PDT It's a marriage made in sugar heaven! The genius bakers over at Dominique Ansel Bakery have combined donut and croissant into a new culinary creation. Behold, the cronut (or if you want to appear more sophisticated, cwaahh-nut): Each one of these puppies is made from pastry dough that's been sheeted, laminated, proofed, then fried like a doughnut and rolled in flavored sugar. But that's not all: Cronuts-to-be are also filled with a not-so-sweet Tahitian vanilla cream, given a fresh coat of rose glaze, and bedazzled with rose sugar. Got it? Good. Let's briefly examine the sheer implausibility and engineering genius that goes into each one of these things. First off, call your friendly neighborhood pastry chef and ask him or her what happens when you try to fry croissant dough. It's not pretty. Even if the laminated layers don't separate instantly and part ways in the hot oil six ways to Sunday, chances are that yeast-leavened dough will have a lumpy, sad, and uneven ascent before it ever gets to the golden brown stage. Ansel says it took around ten recipes and adjustments to multiple variables of time and temperature before he found a special trick to sheeting the dough, then learning to fry it in grapeseed oil at one specific (and somewhat secret) temperature. Hugh Merwin of Grub Street New York has more on this new culinary marvel: Link

Kattenstoet: The Festival Of Cats Posted: 11 May 2013 08:00 PM PDT Ypres, Belgium, stages the Festival of Cats on the second Sunday of May every three years. The festival harkens back to a time in which cats were tortured and destroyed because they were believed to be witches or incarnations of the devil. However, the modern festival is instead a celebration of cats, and no live cats are involved. The centerpiece of the festival is the Cat Parade. The first parade was held in 1938 with music, a jester, and a bunch of altar boys carrying a bunch of plastic cats. They marched from the city hall to the belfry. Amid a concert of trumpet music and the carillon of bells, the jester climbed to the top of the belfry tower to throw the toy cats into the crowd below. This was based on how live cats were once thrown from the bell tower during the Middle Ages. These days it is soft plush cats that are tossed to the crowd below, perhaps mocking the awful brutality that is now thankfully left to the past. A mock witch burning also remains as a part of the festivities. Kattenstoet would have been this weekend, but the festival was held last year and the next one will be in 2015. See plenty of pictures and a video of the parade at PetsLady. Link -via the Presurfer (Image credit: Flickr user Cedric Dubois)

9 Film Frames Posted: 11 May 2013 07:00 PM PDT Inception Like it names implies, the tumblr blog 9 Film Frames aims to capture the gist of a movie in just 9 frames. See if you agree with their picks: Link - via PetaPixel 2001: A Space Odyssey There Will Be Blood

Corgi-thulhu Posted: 11 May 2013 06:00 PM PDT "In his house at R'lyeh, dead Cthulhu waits dreaming. Dreaming of belly rubs." But I'm scared of Jenny Fontana's monstrosity. Will I wake him from his slumber by petting him? Is that a risk worth taking? Link -via Ian Brooks

Human Fat Soap Posted: 11 May 2013 05:00 PM PDT Photo: KarenCarvajal/Facebook It's like art imitating Fight Club. Miami-based artist Orestes de la Paz not only put his heart and soul into his latest artistic endeavor, but also his fat. Literally: Orestes de la Paz underwent a liposuction procedure in December of last year, and decided to turn the removed fat into soap to prevent it from going rancid. He came up with the idea for his art thesis after realizing that “clients are willing to try anything to feel and look beautiful, even to the extent of buying products with human elements in them (stem cells, placenta, semen; you name it, it’s out there.)” [...] Apart from coconut oil, organic vegetable shortening, lavender and tree tea oils, as well as other cosmetics ingredients, his unique soap bars are 25% human fat, which apparently leaves the user’s hands soft after washing. “There’s always a certain amount of blood, sweat, and tears that goes into any artwork. I just make it more explicit,” the artist said about his bizarre project. OddityCentral has more (including the video clip you shouldn't watch if you're squeamish): Link

The Worst Movie Moms Ever Posted: 11 May 2013 04:00 PM PDT (vimeo link) You'll probably see a lot of mushy videos about wonderful mothers this weekend for Mothers Day. How about a supercut of horrible moms that will make yours look saintly in comparison? Flavorwire put together such a video, culled from movies about crazy, evil, and just plain awful mothers. NSFW language. Link -via Holy Kaw!

Mini Moonshine Jar Shot Glass Posted: 11 May 2013 03:00 PM PDT Mini Moonshine Jar Shot Glass Are you exhausted from a hard day of clan feuding? Kick back and relax on the front porch with the Mini Moonshine Jar Shot Glass from the NeatoShop. This tiny mason jar is perfect for those who like their fighting clean and their moonshine in moderation.  Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Barware & Cocktail items.  Link

Teenager Develops App That Blocks TV Spoilers on Twitter Posted: 11 May 2013 03:00 PM PDT The best part of last night's episode of Downton Thrones was when Dexter fused with the TARDIS. RT if you agree!  Oh, you haven't seen it yet? Sorry for the spoilers. But now there's an app for that: Lamere is a 17-year-old high schooler who has developed a browser plug-in that will block tweets with TV spoilers. Twivo, a plug-in for Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browsers that will be available to everyone in a few weeks, blocks tweets if it detects keywords that may reveal important details about a show users may want to watch. After installing Twivo, users activate the plugin whenever one of their shows is going to come on. They also designate keywords, or tags, to tell Twivo which tweets to block. For example, a user could decide to block tweets that include a show's name, characters' names or even the names of the actors. Link -via Bit Rebels

How Sesame Street Got Its Name Posted: 11 May 2013 02:00 PM PDT The Childrens Television Workshop worked on a new show for a long time to ensure its quality before putting it on the air in 1969. Everything was finally in place, except the show still didn't have a name. A promo sketch shows Muppets mulling over possible titles, but the actual story was more frantic. The name Sesame Street was not dreamed up by Muppets in a boardroom but the promo sketch does reference the dilemma the Workshop had in finding a name for the show. As producer Jon Stone remembers, “the name was set at the 11th hour and fifty ninth minute.” Early promotional materials simply referred to the show as a “preschool educational television show.” In early spring of 1969, the press conference announcing the show neared and producers had still not made a decision. “We were just frantic for a title,” said Joan Ganz Cooney. “Our press and publicity people were going nuts. How were they going to promote a show that had no name?” But they managed to come up with the perfect name. Read what happened at the Sesame Workshop blog. Link -via Laughing Squid

A More Effective CAPTCHA Posted: 11 May 2013 01:00 PM PDT Well, that would do it. A spambot wouldn't have decided to major in philosophy or buy into that Jamba Juice franchise on credit. Link

Is It Wrong to Eat Lion Taco? Posted: 11 May 2013 12:00 PM PDT Taco Fusion sure knows how to create a roaring controversy, and they ain't lyin'! The Tampa, Florida eatery is offering tacos with (perfectly legal) exotic meats in their "Safari" menu like bison, shark, ostrich, octopus, gator, gazelle, rabbit, duck, camel and even kangaroo. But the "mane" attraction? Lion meat. And that has got critics pouncing, as ABC Good Morning America reports [self-starting video]: Since Taco Fusion, a Mexican restaurant known to offer unusual game meats like ostrich, camel, and bison in its tacos, added lion meat to its menu of "Safari Tacos" on May 2, the restaurant has had to field hostile calls from critics who are up in arms over the menu choice. "[People have been] coming into the establishment and throwing punches," the restaurant's manager Brad Barnett told "Good Morning America." "They say they are going to bomb us, burn us down, blow us up." "They threatened to kidnap Brad [Barnett] and the owner," another manager, Bayardo Alvarez, told ABC News. But Taco Fusion is fighting back: Fast forward to 2013: Paranoia has set in as some folks have had their reality challenged. They say that we’ve “crossed the line” by serving Lion. But let me ask you this, did you cross the line when you ate Beef, chicken, or Pork this week? [...] How is a cow that is injected with hormones, crammed in a dark pen it’s whole life, and then unceremoniously slaughtered any better than a hormone free- free range animal that was raised for meat consumption? One is “majestic” and the other is overweight? One is a fierce predator, the other is a weak link? What exactly is the criteria for which animal has more importance? [...] Who decides which animals are worthy? If the argument is that a Lion is “Majestic” so you shouldn’t breed them for meat consumption- then what is the lesson here That only the majestic pretty girls get treated well and the ugly ones go to the slaughter pen? How pompous and idiotic does that sound? POLL: So, what do you think, Neatoramanauts? Is it wrong to eat lions? Yes - It's wrong to eat lions No - Why are lions any different than other animals that we eat? I don't know! Just show me the poll results!

Homemade Popsicles Posted: 11 May 2013 11:00 AM PDT Here's a list you might want to bookmark for the hot months ahead: 33 Super-Cool Popsicles To Make This Summer. Shown is the Grapefruit And Strawberry Greyhound Poptail, made from grapefruit juice, strawberries, and vodka. There are other cocktail popsicle recipes, plus fruity concoctions, dessert popsicles, and even vegan ices, with links to the recipes. Sure beats freezing Kool-Ade in an ice tray! Link -via mental_floss

Sketch of the Emancipation of Jefferson Davis's Slaves Posted: 11 May 2013 10:00 AM PDT Jefferson Davis, the first and last President of the Confederate States of America, advocated a paternalistic approach to slaveholding. He believed that white rule over black slaves was beneficial and benevolent toward blacks. Davis claimed that this was how he managed his own plantation. This lie was exposed to the world when US troops raided his plantation in Mississippi in 1863. Davis's slaves happily embraced their freedom. This sketch by Frederick B. Schell, an illustrator for Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, captured the scene: Because of this very public point of view, a sketch of Davis’ slaves arriving in the Union camp was doubly significant: it was proof that the Union soldiers’ enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation had reached even to Davis’ domain, and it was evidence that his slaves wanted nothing to do with him. The Illustrated’s editors, in the text that accompanied the published engraving made from this sketch, mused that the scene “seemed in itself the doom of slavery.” Link (Photo: New York Historical Society)

New York Guarded By Superheroes Posted: 11 May 2013 09:00 AM PDT As the Sun sets in New York City, a group of real life superheroes takes to the streets. These costumed crime fighters go by names of Dark Guardian, Spyder, Spector, and Snipe.  They patrol the gritty streets with hybrid skateboard / shields, in search of danger. When they are out at night searching the subways and scaling walls, looking for trouble, the superheroes protect themselves with non-traditional body armor made from plastic and metal.  The group is called New York Initiative and they take their commitment to doing good very seriously.  CBS New York has more: Link

The Knight in Shining Armor Proposal Posted: 11 May 2013 08:00 AM PDT (YouTube link) Mark Crayford of Swindon, Wiltshire, England, went for an elaborate proposal plan to ask Tracey Badenski to marry him. He bought a ring, ordered a suit of armor from Germany, and practiced riding a horse over the course of six months. Then the big day came, and it didn't go quite as planned. Oh no, she didn't turn him down, that would be the worst. But he should have practiced dismounting in the armor a bit more. Link -via Arbroath

Guinea Pig Wig Posted: 11 May 2013 07:00 AM PDT Like it said on the tin, Guinea Pig Fashion is a website where you can buy haute couture for your cavy. We can't wait till they make a teeny runway for these cute rodents to strut their stuff! Link - via The Cut

This Week at Neatorama Posted: 11 May 2013 06:00 AM PDT If you've been paying attention, you probably know that Mother's Day is tomorrow. If not, HEY! MOTHERS DAY IS TOMORROW! It would be a bit embarrassing if you forgot, and your mom would know, because mothers always just know. So do something nice for your mother, if you are lucky enough to still have one. You should also find some time to catch up on what's been happening at Neatorama this week. Eddie Deezen wrote a Mothers Day article on Gladys Presley, the Mother Elvis Presley Worshiped. We had two new books featured in articles this week. The first was Vertical Horizon, from Romain Jacquet-Lagrèze. His stunning photographs are in on the Spotlight blog, where you can see them in the larger format they deserve.   We also had a guest post from Jessica Hagy: How to be Interesting on Facebook, which is an excerpt from her book How to Be Interesting: (In 10 Simple Steps).   The Pee-Mobile was a contribution from Uncle John's Bathroom Reader. The Annals of Improbable Research gave us Pringles in Your Ear. And 50 Shades of Prey: Poison Dart Frogs came from mental_floss magazine. We only had one BRI Brainteaser this week, Book on the Floor. We'll have more if I can find some really good ones. Have you been over to our sub-blog Lifestyles of the Cute and Cuddly lately? Our featured pets from Neatoramanauts this week include Trekker and the siblings Buster and Stella (shown). Your dog, cat, goat, bunny, or other pet can be the featured pet, too: just send us a picture at tips@neatorama.com and then watch for your sweetie on Lifestyles of the Cute and Cuddly! In the What Is It Game, the mystery object is a rock, but despite many guesses, the What Is It? blog was never able to ascertain anything else about it, which means there is no correct answer this week. So… we decided to pick two of the funniest answers! StilesJM declared it to be C-3PO's kidney stone, which is certainly good for a t-shirt! And Anthony Zaragoza told a great story that's a winner: A deadline was fast approaching for Clark Kent. But during his speed-typing, the IBM Selectric typewriter ball had a meltdown from the friction. The story that would have exposed the insidious 4-H organization was never published. See the answers to the rest of the mystery items of the week at the What Is It? blog. The post with the most comments this week was (by far) Abercrombie & Fitch: No Fat Women, Please! It was followed by Your State's Highest-Paid Employee and Robinsons Ad. The comments of the week have to go to the folks who visit at the Neatoramanauts Facebook page. You were asked to identify the place in this picture. Great comments ensued! Bill Hunt said, "The seldom visited island of Photoshoppio." Other folks said it was Photoshop Island, Photopia, Palm of Palms, Ray Harryhausen's house, and "a handy place to live." The most popular post of the week was Vertical Horizon. Coming in second was Mystery of the Atacama Humanoid Solved, and Words That Survived Since the Ice Age was third. The most emailed post was Science-Based 7 Minute Exercise, which set some kind of record, I think. Then there was a three-way tie between Bluth's Original Frozen Banana Stand, The Colorful Life of Antonia Larroux and Beth for second place. The post with the most ♥s was Hyperbole and A Half Returns (no surprise there), followed by Riker Sits Down and Adorable Baby Duck Trying to Stay Awake. May I remind you that the NeatoShop is the perfect place to find gifts for graduates? Get him or her something that will commemorate this auspicious occasion in a way they'll always remember! And if you want to stock up on gifts for future occasions, the NeatoShop has a Clearance Sale going on right now!

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