CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-18 08:19:30 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Many thanks to ErnBird from the Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation Support Board for creating the graphic!  Hope to get some awareness out there for my fellow zebras :)

(The familiar medical axiom is "When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.”  Unfortunately for those of us with a rare disease, we need doctors to see a zebra sitting in front of them, even though that may not be what they'd expected to walk in through their office door.)  

More awareness among both doctors and laypeople would help a great deal -- you have no idea how many times a doctor has told me that I'm the first EDS patient they've seen, or that they haven't heard the name since they got a 30-minute presentation on it in medical school.  

The problem is that EDS isn't actually that rare -- they've probably had zebras sitting in that office chair before,but t... more »

2013-05-18 06:59:11 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Hey +Cod Codliness, guess who I saw at the supermarket?

Broccoli said to tell you "Hello!", and to let you know they've been thinking about you.  They'd love to get together for dinner sometime, so they can introduce you to their new significant other, Strawberry Marshmallow.

#TwoGreatTastesThatTasteGreatTogether

2013-05-18 05:10:17 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 8 +1s)

The upcoming prequel graphic novel presented by Guillermo del Toro and written by Travis Beacham.

2013-05-18 04:57:47 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

If you’re planning on going to see Star Trek: Into Darkness this weekend, there’s a good chance that you’ll see a special 30-second-long trailer during the previews called “Support Exploration: We Must Go.”

NASA is a government agency and thus not allowed to advertise, so others decided to do it for them. The Aerospace Industries Association partnered with the Challenger Center for Space Science Education to rekindle public support for space exploration. Over 1,700 people donated to make it possible to run the ad in 50 cities across the United States before the latest installment of Star Trek. 

If you can’t make it out to the movies this weekend or your city isn’t one featuring the trailer, you can view it here: http://bit.ly/10KThrE

More info: http://bit.ly/11LkT6p

#gospace   #scienceeveryday  

Note: If you were wondering, yes,it is narrated b... more »

2013-05-18 00:25:15 (6 comments, 2 reshares, 20 +1s)

2013-05-17 10:18:11 (11 comments, 2 reshares, 19 +1s)

2013-05-17 10:05:41 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 6 +1s)

Choose your own font for Google+

I recommend people try the new G+ for a day or two before modifying it, because you often get used to changes quickly and grow to like them. Or at least not care so much. But, since everyone seems to be creating Stylish scripts to "fix" things they hate about the new interface, I decided to join in and provide a fix for something that's bugged me for a long time about G+: their choice of font. It's a sans-serif font called Roboto, with Arial as a fallback. I'm not sure if I'm seeing Roboto or Arial, but whichever it is, I don't like it. I find the character spacing too narrow, giving text a cramped look, and making it hard on my eyes.

So this script -- a one-liner, simply removes the specific font names, leaving it to whatever you have set as the Sans default in your browser. Mine is Verdana, which I like better, but... more »

2013-05-17 07:57:43 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

where is the explore icon.. It is where I had all of the saved searches so i could look up everybody's name as I posted something.  I tried doing a search and couldn't find where to find the curators of each theme group.  HELP

2013-05-17 09:43:13 (6 comments, 2 reshares, 13 +1s)

I have to say, recent viewing has done Odd Things to my recommended viewing list.

This video is far better than the one promising to teach me how to eat garden snails (bleargh).

In other news, a mistake in math led me to try to create a 160gb tempdb. I'm really happy the partition it was on lacked the space and failed at 20gb.

Also, if anyone is familiar with diagnosing index issues even after rebuilds, or identifying when to be concerned over PAGEIOLATCH_SH and CXPACKET wait types, hit me up!
(Specifically, how to identify when it's procedural and when it's disk unhappiness.)

#Oopsie
#DataPorn

2013-05-17 05:26:13 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

May Theme-Thology Update

06/15/13  10:00 AM US Eastern: Theme-Thology Event!
ᴥ New Call for Authors for the second Theme-Thology. The topic will be revealed on that date. Sign-up will immediately follow the announcement. It is strongly suggested that you join the Theme-Thology community before the call goes out. Also, read this carefully:
https://plus.google.com/103407750015595312286/posts/XNrXFkqhLv1
ᴥ Theme-Thology: Invasion will close the submission process.
ᴥ Hangout on the Air with actual Theme-Thology authors! We will talk about the process of writing and our other projects.

Theme-thologist  +Timothy Hurley: 
ᴥ Shortstack, Timothy Hurley's collection of humorous short stories is due out in fall 2013 as ebook. Timothy is hard at work on stories and editing and blogs about it and other things athttp://thelu... more »

2013-05-17 03:48:12 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

Have you been wondering what #intersectionality is all about? Here's a helpful guide! 

#intersectional   #oppression   #kyriarchy   #patriarchy  #racism #sexism #homophobia #equality #equalityforall

2013-05-17 01:39:14 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

The age determination of a deep-drill core from the Pacific Ocean showed that the supernova explosion must have occurred about 2.2 million years ago, roughly around the time when the modern human developed. Isotopic inspection of bacterial fossils containing tiny crystals of magnetite (Fe3O4) show some iron isotopes that would have decayed by now if not caused by a very recent supernova. We know lots more about the (pre-Noah) past than some folks allow into their philosophy, alas.  In this case, it makes you envision our australopithecine forebears staring up, in wonder.  And changing.

http://www.tum.de/en/about-tum/news/press-releases/short/article/30832/

2013-05-17 00:54:17 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Chuck Wendig interview in Two Hours

Even though this interview is being done for the Urban Fantasy Fans community, most of the questions have a strong slant towards writing and craft related stuff.

The interview starts at 9 PM Eastern. It will be archived on YouTube if you miss the live version.

2013-05-17 00:39:34 (6 comments, 4 reshares, 23 +1s)

2013-05-17 00:08:22 (17 comments, 3 reshares, 36 +1s)

Stolen from +David Blunt.

Totally worthy.

2013-05-16 14:52:05 (16 comments, 0 reshares, 21 +1s)

Either I need better Google-Fu, or I need to start designing and making my own tiaras, because finding a tentacle/octopus/Cthulhu related tiara is blessedly impossible for me right now.

#Tentacthulhu  
#TentacthulhuTiarasShouldBeAThing  

2013-05-16 14:21:36 (17 comments, 1 reshares, 15 +1s)

+Vic Gundotra and +Yonatan Zunger I totally love the new layout but I have found a really big bug in it...

#newlayout   #bug   #bugs  

2013-05-16 12:14:21 (6 comments, 3 reshares, 25 +1s)

Love is...

I love finding new web comics.   This one is a tiny bit (or a lot) on the mushy side, but I couldn't help but like it.  Especially a certain few.  

Plus, this place could use some love.  You guys are too tense about these changes.  

Check out HJ-Story here:  http://www.hj-story.com/ or http://tapastic.com/series/393

h/t +Damian Sanchez for this post:  https://plus.google.com/u/0/103566917412789057719/posts/Bu5S1qXEkZj

2013-05-16 05:10:39 (33 comments, 0 reshares, 21 +1s)

Potentially Long Post of Thoughtiness Ahead

I've noticed this habit I have of occasionally spouting off in the voice of a 12 year old, and it often surprises me when I do.

Historically, this has led to a thought-chain about what mood I'm in, is how I'm feeling the reason? What am I doing? Is activity the reason? Tonight, however, when it surprised me to hear myself say goodnight and thank you to the bus driver in a child's not-quite-dulcet tone, my brain's pattern-matching routines finally obtained enough recent evidence to suggest a hypothesis.

It's not just dependent on mood, but also on perceived sleep-deprivation level, theoretical health (when I'm sick, I often sound like a kindergartener), and situation - that is to say, perceptually, do I feel in the presence of a parental-type power structure where I am not the... more »

2013-05-16 04:19:11 (14 comments, 2 reshares, 22 +1s)

En garde! Ha ha! Riposte! Ho ho!

I am actually posting for #GingerThursday!

Faint, ye heathens!

Artwork can be purchased here:
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/6714348#product

Courtesy of the gorgeous +Wenchkin, +Carolyn Curtis!

2013-05-16 03:39:35 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Hylargian World: name the reference without a search and win 42 Harble Points.

2013-05-16 02:12:17 (18 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Sample post with #Hashtaggery  

I'm not getting yet how they're gone, +Mat Brown?  Is it search issues?

2013-05-16 02:38:48 (11 comments, 2 reshares, 5 +1s)

I'm a big Girl Genius fan, so this is entirely in my interest -- I want the next book!

If they get backed high enough, they'll also do a bunch of reprints. This is less useful to me, since I have them all already, but a great chance for everyone who wants to get them.

Thing is, they're doing this fast, project closes June 2.

2013-05-15 20:15:58 (29 comments, 0 reshares, 26 +1s)

I'm rather quasi-certain I'll get glares and harrumphs from +Dirk Moeller over this, but he wanted rainbows, so...

On the other paw, I'm quite certain this will give someone out there a squee.  Especially once I add the Feline Glitter Inspection Team photos to the album.

#YouCanHazASquee  
#Glitterati  

I hearts you, you curmudgeon you, +Dirk Moeller!

2013-05-15 18:57:25 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

Blog post by Randy Blythe from Lamb of God. A really good read, even if you're not into metal.

2013-05-15 15:16:30 (9 comments, 2 reshares, 27 +1s)

My robot from my Draw Me A Robot interview yesterday.

2013-05-15 12:04:21 (11 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Something pretty for #humpday  
#breakfastclub  +Breakfast Club +Gemma Costa 
+Canon Users  #orchids   #orchidphotography  
#gardeningwednesday +GardeningWednesday curated by +Juliane Clausen , +Jan Aynes and +Grant Meyer
#orchidwednesday +Orchid Wednesday curated by +Christopher Prins
#vibrantwednesday #vividwednesday +#VibrantWednesday curated by +Ajay Hatti
#whateverwednesday +Whatever Wednesday!!! curated by +Cicely Robin Laing/posts

2013-05-15 06:19:46 (10 comments, 3 reshares, 42 +1s)

WolframAlpha + Monty Python =

2013-05-15 04:43:22 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

Considering setting up an Etsy shop for my tangle drawings and to make digital downloads of my images available.  Have any of you lovely folks done digital downloads on Etsy?  If so, how is it going for you?

2013-05-15 03:57:47 (12 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

http://www.notmyearthnotmyproblem.com/2013/05/secret-life-of-planets-14-flamer.html

#notmyearthnotmyproblem   #secretlifeofplanets  

2013-05-15 01:58:42 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

for +Mz Maau
because: #heffalumps  

2013-05-15 01:52:28 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Awesome solar photography and calcium filters from Kokehtz/Álvaro Ibanez.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kokehtz/8736492724/in/photostream

Light from singly-ionized calcium ions in the Sun’s upper photosphere and chromosphere (up to 2000 km altitude). Because the blue Calcium K Line (393.3 nm) is sensitive to magnetic fields, magnetically active structures show up in high contrast against the surrounding chromosphere. Places where moderate magnetic fields exist show up bright whereas images of high magnetic fields are dark.

In this CaK image, you typically see brightness along the edges of large convection cells called supergranules and in areas called plages. Dark sunspots are also visible.

Spots on the sun are areas of high magnetic field which appear dark to their surroundings (5,800K) due to their cooler temperature of around 3000-3500K. Spots consist of ada... more »

2013-05-14 16:01:42 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

On being #random, via +Mouse TC.

Source:
http://insanekitty.com/bibliocide/38.htm

2013-05-14 15:37:46 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

I think this makes a very good point. We're all human beings, and should treat each other with respect, regardless of each others' life choices... and especially regardless of those things that arent choices, such as biology.

(Oh, and on the side: the very last sentence in the comic <-- this! )

#genderequality #ethics #philosophy #genderidentity #gender #equality

2013-05-14 14:36:43 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Can someone please explain to me why Scrabble dictionaries do not recognize "zot" yet?

#TheZottingWillContinueUntilMoraleImproves

2013-05-14 08:47:44 (26 comments, 0 reshares, 15 +1s)

There is a gentlecritter, by the name of +Jake Kern, who has a special circle-share he refers to as the Golden Donut.

Now I'm kind of guessing on this one, but when I discovered that the Golden Donut was real, I had to take a (lousy) photo, in the hopes that it might give him a tiny little squee.

#YouCanHazASquee
#GoldenDonut

I also discovered that the brightness settings on the phone camera are impossible to properly evaluate in the desert sun.

2013-05-14 06:13:17 (13 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

Personally, I adore soy sauce.  I could put it on everything.  Maybe.  There's some chocolate cake in the kitchen.  Worth a go--

"John Dies at the End" (2013)

2013-05-14 02:10:00 (28 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Also, we dyed my hair so hard that 10 hours and two applications of bleach later (we had too, it's the only thing that helps with my rathery icky skin condition --well that. and it's an excuse to play with the hair afterwards) what remained was not pale blonde/white but instead a gentle shade of... of...

+Mz Maau! This is all youir fault, somehow!

2013-05-14 00:46:27 (11 comments, 1 reshares, 12 +1s)

Contains swears

2013-05-13 18:24:57 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

On Budget Cuts At The National Institutes of Health

. . In aggregate, a 5% budget reduction, eliminating over 1,300 awards

.
#science   #scienceeveryday   #sciencesunday   #nihsequesterimpact   #nih  

2013-05-13 17:09:47 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 29 +1s)

Today, we're aiming for a different point of view.

Preferably with coffee.

If you dig this image, go check out Sanja's other works, you won't be disappointed, most likely!
http://sanja.deviantart.com/art/points-of-view-4670118

2013-05-13 16:26:17 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 2 +1s)

Okay, free stuff time!

Monday, I'll be releasing my new OSRIC module, SlaughterGrid. To celebrate, there'll be a contest over at Tenkar's Tavern.

What you'll do on Monday morning is, you'll mosey over there, and you'll post your nastiest character death -- tell us how he/she died! I'm looking for brutality, grotesquerie, humor, or preferably some combination of the three.

Three winners will get free books -- just pick a book from the list below and I'll mail you a copy. (I'll also email you the PDF.)
* Teratic Tome
* Roll XX
* Roll XX: Double Damage
* Spite
* ViewScream

Three other winners will be chosen at random! Same deal, you'll get a free print book (and PDF).

Not only that, but everyone else who participates will get a free PDF copy of Roll XX or Roll XX: Double Damage (your choice).... more »

2013-05-13 16:04:54 (3 comments, 2 reshares, 4 +1s)

Cephalopod comic wars, begin!

2013-05-14 12:00:50 (35 comments, 2 reshares, 29 +1s)

I do believe the cookie population is spiraling out of control.  For the good of humanity, I shall have to obtain a Cookie Hunting License and do my part to help reduce this population to a manageable number.

Cookie overpopulation is serious business, y'all.

#OmNomNom  
#ThingsThatMakeMeGiggle  
#BitsenWillEatThat  

Image Source, with Additional Instructional Photos for Edible Googly Eyes:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpolowin/2833911483/in/photostream/

2013-05-13 06:43:14 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

Contrary to what you might believe the young elephant needs lessons on how to use it’s trunk. The following 5 images illustrate such a scenario. Junior enters on stage holding Mom’s tail. He goes to the feeding station for a top-up. Mom wants to wean him and get him to use his trunk to eat grass. She shoves him into the trunk-tutoring position. The lesson proceeds but junior finds the pliable appendage is as easy as eating rice with a rubber band…….he leaves in a huff but is hastily restrained and later brought back to the teaching stage.

2013-05-13 06:09:23 (50 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

Sinbad Coming to SyFy

I've always been a fan of sword and sandal stories. I loved the Ray Harryhausen Sinbad movies.

I know this show has already aired in other countries. If you have seen it, can you let me know if it's any good?

2013-05-13 05:49:17 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Truly, a Space Oddity...

. . . an astronaut who is more than passable as a singer (and accompanist) performs Space Oddity as a farewell of sorts to his time ♫ ♫ "... floating in a tin can, far above the world..." ♫ ♫.  Commander Chris Hadfield recorded this aboard the International Space Station.

(tip of the hat to +Rajini Rao)

#scienceeveryday   #sciencesunday   #science  

2013-05-13 05:13:09 (17 comments, 0 reshares, 33 +1s)

#punday  

2013-05-13 01:09:26 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

30th April, 1970

On this day the filming of Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory began in Munich, Bavaria, West Germany (it was significantly cheaper than filming in the U.S. and the setting was conducive to Wonka's factory).

The author directed the screen play with the assistance of David Seltzer. Of course the most significant decision had already been taken, the casting of Richard Pryor in the lead role...

http://www.todayinah.co.uk/index.php?story=39795-M1e5e

2013-05-12 20:38:36 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

To All Mothers, I'd Like to Wish You : Happy Mother's Day

M is for the million things she gave me,
O means only that she's growing old,
T is for the tears she shed to save me,
H is for her heart of purest gold;
E is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
R means right, and right she'll always be,

Put them all together, they spell MOTHER, a word that means the world to me. - Howard Johnson (c. 1915)

#MothersDay