Author: Robert Coontz (Administrator)

January 2008 “Happy Birthday” Thread

Known Muser birthdays this month:*

01-01 Jadestone’s birthday (1992 – cerulean or green)
01-01 FrigidSymphony’s birthday (1991 – no color, but loud heavy metal music)
01-03 Kari’s birthday (1995)
01-03 Rebecca Lasley’s birthday
01-05 grnqween2011’s birthday (1994 – green)
01-06 Admiral Penguin’s birthday (1994 – gold, red, obsidian)
01-12 Faye Beauchamp’s birthday (1989)
01-13 Anonymous Coward’s birthday (1992)
01-13 penguini’s birthday (1993 – light blue-green)
01-13 Wingnut’s birthday (year? color?)
01-15 Kiara’s birthday (1993 – black, blue, purple)
01-16 Cedar’s birthday (1990)
01-17 The Insane Blue Sage’s birthday (1995 – black, silver, green, and red)
01-22 Veralidaine’s birthday (1992 – your school colors)
01-26 Glassboro’s birthday (1995 – black and whatever you like)
01-30 The Skipper Nancy’s birthday (1992 – yellow or sea-green)
01-31 Dandelions Are Wildflowers’ (::DAW::’s) birthday (1992)
01-31 Birthday of greekgurl the Latin speakin geek freak! (1994 – rainbow)

You turn 5,000 days old this month if you were born between April 25 and May 25, 1994.
You turn 6,000 days old this month if you were born between July 30 and August 29, 1991.

*Note: Listed MBers who have been inactive for several months won’t appear on next year’s birthday calendar unless they show up again.

Hot Soup, Part 1

In a break with tradition, the title of January’s random thread does not contain the name of the month. Instead, it refers to the peculiar fact that the United States Congress has declared this National Soup Month. Plunge on in! First, though…

(Users’ Manual: Obey The Rules. Consult The Guide. Have fun!)

In a break with tradition, the title of January’s random thread does not contain the name of the month. Instead, it refers to the peculiar fact that the United States Congress has declared this National Soup Month. Plunge on in! First, though, join us in singing the Muse Soup Song (to the tune of “Have a Pie” [to the tune of “Let It Be”]).

When I find myself all cold and cranky,
Mimi shows up on my stoop,
Speaking words of solace: “Have some soup!”
And when the hailstones pound the window
And my spirits start to droop,
I know what she’ll tell me: “Have some soup!”

CHORUS:
Have some soup, have some soup, have some soup, have some soup!
I know what she’ll tell me: Have some soup!

Users’ Manual: Obey The Rules. Consult The Guide. Have fun!

Welcome, Newcomers Neophytes! (January 2008)

Speak, Friend, and Enter! If you’re new to the blog, come on in for a little orientation and some pie.

Please read The Rules. You might also glance at The HG2MB (Hitchhiker’s Guide to MuseBlog), which contains helpful hints regarding local customs, lingo, and other peculiarities of the blog; smiley information included.

penguini’s Christmas Bunny Melée

She explains, “I was decorating my Christmas tree a few days ago… And I opened a box and out sprang an hpb. It made off with an ornament and unplugged the tree.” And adds: “The bunnies took me by suprise, hence the bad focus and weird angles.”

(Photos are below the fold.)

She explains, “I was decorating my Christmas tree a few days ago… And I opened a box and out sprang an hpb. It made off with an ornament and unplugged the tree.” And adds: “The bunnies took me by suprise, hence the bad focus and weird angles.”

(Photos are below the fold.)

New Names on the Q&A Column

You heard it here first: Starting in the January 2008 issue, Muse‘s Q&A page will have two new question-answerers slaving away to requite your curiosity. Details inside.

You heard it here first: Starting in the January 2008 issue, Muse‘s Q&A page will have two new question-answerers slaving away to requite your curiosity.

The new columnists are Ruth Flanagan and Andy Soth. Ruth is a science writer turned middle-school teacher. Andy is a TV producer, all-round jolly good fellow, and, not coincidentally, Ruth’s husband. They’re old buddies of Robert’s, and — well, we’d better get them on the blog to let them tell you for themselves.

Q. Why the change?

A. In a word, time. In three words, too little time. Rosanne’s day job and other activities were getting so demanding that she was having trouble keeping up with the column, as much as she enjoyed it. Pondering what to do next, Robert immediately thought of Ruth. He’d been a fan of articles she had written for magazines like Discover and New Scientist back in the Pleistocene Epoch and later had great fun working as her editor at Earth. Robert called and asked if she’d like to join the Great Muse Adventure. “Sure!” she said. “Can Andy help, too?” “Tell you what,” Robert said: “You two write the column together for a year, while I take a vacation.” And so far, everybody is living happily ever after. (Of course, technically the year hasn’t started yet, but never mind.)

We’ll haul Ruth and Andy over to MuseBlog soon to say hi and generally get an idea of what they’re in for. Meanwhile, if there are any questions… Yes? You, in the back?