September 8, 2009

Al Franken: Sharpie-ning His U.S. Geography Skills at the MN State Fair

Via Minnesota Public Radio (hat tip, Huffington Post), Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) demonstrates his ability to talk and draw at the same time, entertaining the audience at the Minnesota State Fair (video, set to music, is below). The 12-day annual fair, with concerts, talent shows, and educational programs — along with politicians galore — has been held pretty much every year since 1859. The 2009 fair, also featuring a MPR interview with Favorite Son Garrison Keillor, concluded today.

[video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0-FYyuvrRk&feature=channel_page]

 

September 7, 2009

Butterfly Blogging: Surprise Visitor to an Urban Deck

BF Tim caught this large and colorful butterfly feeding on some flowers on our Capitol Hill deck this weekend. It appears to be the female form of the Eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), according to Wikipedia.  This publication — A Beginner’s Guide to Butterfly Identification in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. — helped me crack the butterfly code.

Labor Day 2009: “The Way We Work” From NPR

From National Public Radio’s Planet Money, musings on “The Way We Work,” for Labor Day 2009.

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September 6, 2009

Girl Power: Rachel Alexandra Makes History

This New York Times columnist says it best: “The world’s best athlete is a girl with four legs.”

Other articles about this sensational athlete’s amazing victory at the Woodward in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., are here and here. Watch the race below, courtesy the New York Racing Authority.

[video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysO_Fhc8Fpw]

September 4, 2009

Science Friday: Frying Hollandaise

Whet your appetite below, or watch here

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