Happy Frank Zappa's Birthday - All this talk of Zappa reminded me, he was born this day in 1940. Happa Zappa Day. Tis the season to be jello.

The infinite cat project. If you are catted and have a camera, you can help the ICP. more inside

Old fart curious George So I read that Harrison Ford is going to star in The Battle for Falluja. Does the USMC actually allow geriatrics in fighting units? What is the cut-off age?

Curious ethics from the NYTlink below: "honor among bloggers"? Where do you find that guidebook? With anyone having a blog or website being lumped in one big label, what would this be beyond anyone's personal sense of ethics? more inside

It's a Wonderful Life in 30 seconds and re-enacted by bunnies. For the fans of Angry Alien.

Are You A Happy Drunk? See...teaching ESL can be fun! more inside

Exquisite George: I am again clever and again invented a new game. more inside

It's a crowded market, but why not put your skills to work and become an intergalactic bounty hunter? Women, veterans and those with mysterious backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply. (my first FPP)

Joe Rashid: 95 year old violin maker, considered by some to make violins comparable to those of Antonio Stradivari. Something about this story make me very happy.

NSFTS: Not Safe For The Squeamish. This totally creeped my out in a fascinating sort of way. I've reading about these buggers for hours, now. more inside

Curious PC Fixer - yeah, I'm having some PC issues. I know you guys, like, just answered one of these sorts of things, but any help you could give me as to why my CD/DVD drive just stopped working would be greatly appreciated. more inside

Via NYTimes, welcome to the first nationally noted Bark-Mitzvah. The Admiral, as pictured in this article, wore a bib featuring Stars of David, and atop the piano was a chopped liver sculptured appetizer platter, shaped to look like a bone. (NYT logon: mefi1; password: mefi1 ...save for later use!) more inside

Can you escape... THE DARK ROOM? Cos I certainly bloody can't. more inside

Frank Zappa references on Mystery Science Theater 3000 - definitive list of references to Uncle Frank on MST3K.

Instant nostalgia: This years Top 10 Urban Legends, Fakes and News... of particular interest is the skeleton of a GIANT man! ARGHHHHH.... GOZIRA take over the world! oh, and what is this jelly bracelet bizness? and where do I get one?

DiaryPhone "was inspired by years of misplaced sticky-notes of fleeting moments hastily scribbled down shortly after the moment occurred. ... Now there is a solution to capture a moment as it occurs. You already have your mobile phone with you, now all you have to do is call the toll-free number, speak your thoughts and the moment is captured. Your diary entry will be transcribed and waiting for you." Yes, dictate YOUR DIARY into your phone. Your fellow commuters will love you for it. Not.

Let's Face It, Blogs Are Better Michael Kinsley in today's LA Times: Better than I thought, and maybe even better than what I do for a living. Registration required.

MS Subbulakshmi the 'doyen of Carnatic music' died last week and was cremated with full state honours. Carnatic music is the classical music of southern India. Not always easy on Western ears, so why bother with it? Carnatic music archive. If you're willing to risk the 'Trident' player, you could also try the MS Subbulakshmi's stuff from Music India on-line.

Little Gems

The Army that marches in its stomach... needs to do some laundry once in awhile. The new Laundry Advanced System (LADS) is capable of washing and drying 400 pounds of laundry an hour, and only produces 40 gallons of wastewater a day. more inside