Hello, tentacle fans. As you may have noticed, I have (sadly) been unable to update this blog as frequently as I would like. Today in Tentacles? More like Annually in Tentacles. And that has no ring to it at all.
I've decided to experiment with Tumblr, which makes it easier to upload images (blogger requires more clicks to deal with the spacing). We'll see how this goes.
Please adjust your RSS feeds to: TodayInTentacles.Tumblr.com!
20091016
20090513
Tentacle Pizza
No, really. They have a pizza with calamari on it. And I don't even eat calamari.
That's right, I do not dine upon tentacles.
Ignazio's Pizza in DUMBO, discovered by Chassy on a menu in our wacky office.
That's right, I do not dine upon tentacles.
Ignazio's Pizza in DUMBO, discovered by Chassy on a menu in our wacky office.
20090504
Tabular Tentacles
Chul An Kwak, a Korean designer, created these tables to inject more emotion into what he sees an otherwise static aspect of our lives. Which is kind of beautiful, actually.
I think these are the bees' knees. Or rather, the octopus' kneew.
At Boing Boing and Nerve.com and a bunch of other places. Sent in by @publichistorian and Jonathan Harford, because you all know me so very well.
20090430
Dumpling Tentacle
They call it a "dumpling squid." I kind of wish I were this squid. Although it's a bit smug.
From Redbubble.com, by James Peak. Found by my stupid friend Max, who was clearly making fun of me.
From Redbubble.com, by James Peak. Found by my stupid friend Max, who was clearly making fun of me.
20090427
Tentacle Terror!
More fabulous tentacle fashions, this time by Hogboy. Sometimes I feel as though I could wear tentacle threads head to toe, 365 days a year. Plus accessories and leap day!
Not a bad idea.
Via Threadless and thanks to Dan, who thinks I'm weird.
Not a bad idea.
Via Threadless and thanks to Dan, who thinks I'm weird.
20090425
Alma Mater Tentacles
Glass Sea Creatures Shatter Expectations of Harvard Museum Visitors
by Michelle Hunter
2/12/2009
CAMBRIDGE - The spineless sea creatures on display at the Harvard Museum of Natural History look as though they were once alive. They don't look like they were hand made, and crafted more than a century ago. Yet for the first time, Harvard is displaying its incredible collection of "Sea Creatures in Glass."
The collection of glass sea creatures by father and son duo, Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka, were acquired by Harvard University around 1878. Fifty-eight of Harvard's 429 glass sea creature models are on display at the museum's special exhibit, which is on until March 1.
"I never would have guessed that these models were over 100 years old," said Suet Wong, a Northeastern University student visiting the museum.
The intricacy of each jellyfish, amoeba and octopus model demonstrates the preciseness and complexity each one required to be made. But why glass? The glass models were preferred to real specimens, traditionally kept in formaldehyde, because they kept their color and would also never lose their shape - as specimens do when they sink to the bottom of the jars they're kept in, explained Blue Magruder, the museum's director of communications.
With tools that were big and awkward, nothing like modern technology that glass makers use today, the Blaschkas fused and glued glass together and created their own pigments by melting colored stone. They would also use copper wire for certain models for tentacles that were too fine to be made of glass.
"It's exciting that the models are both beautiful, exquisite works of glass art, as well as anatomically precise and scientifically valuable teaching models of marine creatures which can be so difficult to preserve and display," said Elisabeth Werby, the executive director of the museum.
This special exhibit also displays the original work station and tools the Blaschkas used to create these delicate models.
"These are the tools they used. These are tools you would pluck your eyebrows with. It was human skill," said Magruder.
The museum exhibit provides an extensive background on the Blaschka family, who had a long history of glassmaking. The family actually got its start in the business by making glass eyeballs. As the family business succeeded, Leopold Blaschka (1822-1895) the fourth generation and father to partner and son Rudolf (1857-1929), decided to create sculptures of living organisms that would document natural history, which was becoming a popular field at that time. The family commissioned invertebrate to museums and educational facilities throughout Europe.
"I can't believe that the museum had these special artifacts hidden away in the back," said Carly Yarbrow, a student at Quinnipiac University.
As museums and private collectors began to buy the Blaschkas' work, which also included replicas of plants and flowers, the glass works caught the attention of a botany professor at Harvard, George Lincoln Goodale. He thought that these may be an excellent way to teach the students about flowers because the glass would not lose its shape or color and would remain three dimensional.
"The Blaschkas made over 4,000 plant models for Harvard University," said Magruder. "It took them over 10 years to get some of the colors to be exactly of the real specimen's."
The plant exhibit has been permanently on at Harvard since 1893 and people have come from all over the world to see it.
As for the sea creatures, they are not permanently on display and will go back in to storage with the rest of the collection in March. However, works for a smaller, permanent installation of the sea creatures are being discussed, said Werby.
From the boring-sounding Journalism Students' Online News Service
by Michelle Hunter
2/12/2009
The collection of glass sea creatures by father and son duo, Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka, were acquired by Harvard University around 1878. Fifty-eight of Harvard's 429 glass sea creature models are on display at the museum's special exhibit, which is on until March 1.
"I never would have guessed that these models were over 100 years old," said Suet Wong, a Northeastern University student visiting the museum.
The intricacy of each jellyfish, amoeba and octopus model demonstrates the preciseness and complexity each one required to be made. But why glass? The glass models were preferred to real specimens, traditionally kept in formaldehyde, because they kept their color and would also never lose their shape - as specimens do when they sink to the bottom of the jars they're kept in, explained Blue Magruder, the museum's director of communications.
With tools that were big and awkward, nothing like modern technology that glass makers use today, the Blaschkas fused and glued glass together and created their own pigments by melting colored stone. They would also use copper wire for certain models for tentacles that were too fine to be made of glass.
"It's exciting that the models are both beautiful, exquisite works of glass art, as well as anatomically precise and scientifically valuable teaching models of marine creatures which can be so difficult to preserve and display," said Elisabeth Werby, the executive director of the museum.
This special exhibit also displays the original work station and tools the Blaschkas used to create these delicate models.
"These are the tools they used. These are tools you would pluck your eyebrows with. It was human skill," said Magruder.
The museum exhibit provides an extensive background on the Blaschka family, who had a long history of glassmaking. The family actually got its start in the business by making glass eyeballs. As the family business succeeded, Leopold Blaschka (1822-1895) the fourth generation and father to partner and son Rudolf (1857-1929), decided to create sculptures of living organisms that would document natural history, which was becoming a popular field at that time. The family commissioned invertebrate to museums and educational facilities throughout Europe.
"I can't believe that the museum had these special artifacts hidden away in the back," said Carly Yarbrow, a student at Quinnipiac University.
As museums and private collectors began to buy the Blaschkas' work, which also included replicas of plants and flowers, the glass works caught the attention of a botany professor at Harvard, George Lincoln Goodale. He thought that these may be an excellent way to teach the students about flowers because the glass would not lose its shape or color and would remain three dimensional.
"The Blaschkas made over 4,000 plant models for Harvard University," said Magruder. "It took them over 10 years to get some of the colors to be exactly of the real specimen's."
The plant exhibit has been permanently on at Harvard since 1893 and people have come from all over the world to see it.
As for the sea creatures, they are not permanently on display and will go back in to storage with the rest of the collection in March. However, works for a smaller, permanent installation of the sea creatures are being discussed, said Werby.
From the boring-sounding Journalism Students' Online News Service
20090412
High Art Tentacles
Yet another beautiful piece - this one by Sven Atema. I can't reproduce the images here, but click through to his website: http://www.svenatema.com/
Select sculpture, and feast your eyes on the first two images. They're two different views of a gorgeous bronze tentacle sculpture.
Select sculpture, and feast your eyes on the first two images. They're two different views of a gorgeous bronze tentacle sculpture.
20090411
Meaty Tentacles
The headline for this one is "Redneck Sushi." The best part about it is that it's made by a brilliant artist for himself - not for a child. I will admit that I could never cut hot dogs so delicately.
From SuperTouchArt, found by Tentacle fan Katherine
From SuperTouchArt, found by Tentacle fan Katherine
Poke-Twitter-Tentacles
I never followed Pokemon, but apparently many of the creatures are now on Twitter, including this guy - Tentacruel.
Tweet your tentacles away!
Tweet your tentacles away!
More Tentacles Than You Ever Imagined
The oh-so-necessary
Tentacle Flickr Pool
- officially entitled "Welcome, Squid Overlords."
Hours of squiddy fun!
Tentacle Flickr Pool
- officially entitled "Welcome, Squid Overlords."
Hours of squiddy fun!
iTentacles
Squid iphone case! Most tragically, it's already sold out.
Via Laughing Squid, as sold by Hine Mizushima.
Via Laughing Squid, as sold by Hine Mizushima.
20090329
Japanese Tentacle Advertisements
Things I like:
1. Advertising
2. Japan
3. Tentacles
1. Advertising
2. Japan
3. Tentacles
The city of Hakodate, Japan has been producing official tourism videos unlike any you’ve ever seen before — action-packed affairs starring famous landmarks as giant robots that battle a runaway mechanical squid hijacked by vengeful aliens.
The first video begins with an interesting factoid: According to a survey of 100 aliens, Hakodate is the number one city they would most like to invade.
Via Pink Tentacle20090325
Pretend Video Game Tentacles
I can't say I really understand this one, but the wacky video game octopuses/octopi/octopodes are *amazing. Yes, you must watch all 12 minutes. There's some good octopus action around the 3 minute mark, and plenty more where that came from.
Via Elliot. Because he's weird.
Via Elliot. Because he's weird.
20090324
Ancient Tentacle Games
Behold the greatness that is Utagawa Kuniyoshi, who has an exhibit at the Royal Academy (in the UK). They call him "Manga master of the 19th century."
This work is entitled Octopus games, dating from 1840-42. Definitely better than Rudolph's reindeer games.
Photograph from the American Friends of the British Museum (The Arthur R Miller Collection)
Via the UK Guardian. Thanks to n8!
This work is entitled Octopus games, dating from 1840-42. Definitely better than Rudolph's reindeer games.
Photograph from the American Friends of the British Museum (The Arthur R Miller Collection)
Via the UK Guardian. Thanks to n8!
20090323
Baby Tentacles
Guest blogger Aaron Muszalski on Laughing Squid says it best when he writes:
American sculptor Daniel Edwards, best known for his often controversial depictions of celebrities and other figures from popular culture, has produced a sculpture inspired by Nadya Suleman, aka “OctoMom”, the California woman who recently gave birth to octuplets. The sculpture is entitled “String of Babies, holds a baby bottle upright” and depicts Ms. Suleman as a disembodied cephalopod, beatifically embracing her brood with her hot pink tentacles.
From the always-essential Laughing Squid
American sculptor Daniel Edwards, best known for his often controversial depictions of celebrities and other figures from popular culture, has produced a sculpture inspired by Nadya Suleman, aka “OctoMom”, the California woman who recently gave birth to octuplets. The sculpture is entitled “String of Babies, holds a baby bottle upright” and depicts Ms. Suleman as a disembodied cephalopod, beatifically embracing her brood with her hot pink tentacles.
From the always-essential Laughing Squid
20090317
Beware of Tentacles
Signs warning of poisonous jellyfish, ostensibly in Australia.
Read the full article about box jellyfish at The Gladstone Observer.
Don't Touch a Tentacle
Kiss a Jellyfish and Live to Tell About It!
March 14
Monica Bryant
Oceanic adventures abound from kitesurfing and windsurfing to snorkeling and scuba diving. But nothing puts a damper on a great adventure like getting stung by a jellyfish, unless, of course, you know how to handle one. Then jellyfish can become part of your adventure! For beachgoers, the possibility of a shark sighting may be on the minds of some, but chances are pretty slim that one will be spotted. Jellyfish sightings, on the other hand, are not so rare an occurrence.
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March 14
Monica Bryant
Oceanic adventures abound from kitesurfing and windsurfing to snorkeling and scuba diving. But nothing puts a damper on a great adventure like getting stung by a jellyfish, unless, of course, you know how to handle one. Then jellyfish can become part of your adventure! For beachgoers, the possibility of a shark sighting may be on the minds of some, but chances are pretty slim that one will be spotted. Jellyfish sightings, on the other hand, are not so rare an occurrence.
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Most people equate jellyfish with warnings like “Beware!” “Don’t step on it!” and “Touch it and you’ll be in the hospital!”. Rightly so. Jellyfish may be 95% water, but they can pack a painful and dangerous sting. The average person, though, has never heard how to safely handle a jellyfish. Before working a short stint at a local aquarium, I had never heard either. In fact, a recent internet search I did on the subject turned up little. So, consider yourself in an elite group.
Now that you're overcome with curiosity, here's the "fun fact" that few beachgoers are privy to: Only the tentacles of a jellyfish sting. The dome-shaped part of the jellyfish (called the bell or hood) can actually be touched. The president of the Lebanese Union of Divers, Mohammed al-Sarji, even goes so far as to kiss them! Personally, I like to keep my face a safe distance away. Jellyfish tentacles can be extremely long and they have a way of floating all over the place. (Apparently, the largest jellyfish can reach 8ft. in diameter with tentacles as long as half the length of a football field!)
Now before you set out to make “jellyfish-handling” the next great reality t.v. show, remember to exercise caution and common sense. This tidbit of information should not to be taken lightly. Picking up a jellyfish washed up on the shore is one thing. By the time you see one in the ocean, it’s tentacles may have already reached you. If you or someone you know has the misfortune of being stung by one, experts recommend washing off any tentacles with salt water or removing the tentacles with tweezers and then treating the affected area with vinegar to neutralize the toxin.
Now you've been informed and warned... so this summer when you want to impress your friends, you can courageously demonstrate how to handle a jellyfish and live to tell the tale!
From Examiner.com.
From Examiner.com.
Excellent Tentacle Taste
Via the messy web of the internet, I bring you another Octopus necklace.
On Flickr via the owner's Twitter account, as reposted by another who asked how to avoid tangled necklaces when traveling.
On Flickr via the owner's Twitter account, as reposted by another who asked how to avoid tangled necklaces when traveling.
20090312
Tentacles: High Art and Low Art
Tentacles can be found everywhere - not merely on octopodes (the plural of octopus) and squid. We've learned that they're all over Etsy.com can be found frequently in art galleries.
The latest tentacle sitings:
ATM ad on Allen Street in the Lower East Side - the text reads "GET MONEY! GET MONEY!"
And Frank Lloyd of the Frank Lloyd Gallery in Santa Monica, CA blogs about Cindy Kolodziejski's beautiful but unsettling sculptures:
The latest tentacle sitings:
ATM ad on Allen Street in the Lower East Side - the text reads "GET MONEY! GET MONEY!"
And Frank Lloyd of the Frank Lloyd Gallery in Santa Monica, CA blogs about Cindy Kolodziejski's beautiful but unsettling sculptures:
20090307
A "Favourite" Tentacle
Octopuses Given Rubik's Cubes to Find Out if They Have a Favourite Tentacle Via the Daily Mail. Special thanks to Suggested Donation, because sending us this sort of tentacle news DEFINES what we do here at TodayInTentacles.
By A Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 9:33 AM on 07th July 2008
Marine experts have given 25 octopuses a Rubik's Cube each in a study aimed at easing their stress levels in captivity.
Scientists believe the intelligent sea creatures have a preferred arm out of eight that they use to feed and investigate with.
They are now testing this theory with a month-long observation project in which the octopuses will be given food and toys to play with.
Experts have launched a study at sea life centres across Europe to find out if octopuses have a favourite tentacle
They will then record whether the creatures use a specific limb to pick up the object or if they are octidextrous.
It is hoped the results of the Sea Life Centre study will shed light on 'handiness' in the animal kingdom.
Claire Little, marine expert at the Sea Life Centre in Weymouth, Dorset, said the study could eventually help to reduce stress among octopuses.
She said: 'It will be very interesting to see the results.
'Uniquely, octopuses have more than half their nerves in their arms and have even been shown to partially think with their arms.
'We hope the study will help the overall well-being of octopuses. They are very susceptible to stress so if they do have a favourite side to be fed on, it could reduce risk to them."
The octopus research will take place in the 23 branches of the Sea Life Centre attractions Britain and Europe.
A diagram of an octopus will sit alongside the tanks with the arms on the right labelled R1, R2, R3 and R4 from front to back. The left arms will be numbered in the same way but with an L instead of an R.
Items such as a ball, a jam jar and lego bricks will be dropped into the water for the octopuses to play with.
Visitors will then be asked to note down which arm was closest to the object and which arm picked it up.
If the octopus uses several arms, they must write them all down but in the order they touched it.
Staff at the centre will also do the same during feeding time.
Miss Little said: 'Visitors will be handed a form asking them to participate in our study.
'We will add the results to all of the data that has already been collected about octopuses. It will also help towards solving the mystery of handiness in the animal kingdom.'
The results will be analysed by Sea Life Centre biologists and the results will be announced in the autumn.
20090303
Tentacle Cards
Fomato Cards not only has many nifty cards with critters on them, they organize their selection by creature. Meaning that you can skip the chaff and go straight to the tentacles!
Go straight to the octopus section at Fomato.com. Thanks Julie!
Go straight to the octopus section at Fomato.com. Thanks Julie!
20090301
Tentacle Link Dump
Periodically, I come across tentacle blogs and tentacle named - websites that either have nothing to do with tentacles or that have so much tentacle content, I can't even decide which post should appear here.
Presenting the latest and greatest -
The Cephalopodiatrist - A career out of squid? We can only hope.
The Celphalopod Tea Party - I think this blog may be doing similar things to what we do here at Today In Tentacles. I salute them!
Tentacle Studio - Amazing costume studio that made the Little Shop of Horrors Audrey II Broadway revival costume, some of the costumes for the Wicked Broadway musical, and many more.
Eff Likes to Play With Tentacles - Personal blog belonging to Eff. Slightly explicit, but nothing ridiculous. Not really tentacle related.
The Book of Tentacles - Forthcoming publication of sci fi/fantasy work.
Presenting the latest and greatest -
The Cephalopodiatrist - A career out of squid? We can only hope.
The Celphalopod Tea Party - I think this blog may be doing similar things to what we do here at Today In Tentacles. I salute them!
Tentacle Studio - Amazing costume studio that made the Little Shop of Horrors Audrey II Broadway revival costume, some of the costumes for the Wicked Broadway musical, and many more.
Eff Likes to Play With Tentacles - Personal blog belonging to Eff. Slightly explicit, but nothing ridiculous. Not really tentacle related.
The Book of Tentacles - Forthcoming publication of sci fi/fantasy work.
Tentacle Escape!
Octopus floods Santa Monica Pier Aquarium The mollusk diassembles a valve at the top of her tank, flooding the place with some 200 gallons of seawater
By Bob Pool
Los Angeles Times
February 27, 2009
It's not surprising that with eight arms and inquisitive nature, the two-spotted octopus is pretty handy around its tank at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium.
Still, those reporting for work Thursday at the popular beachfront attraction were caught by surprise when they were greeted by water lapping around the kelp forest display, the shark and ray tank and the rocky reef exhibit.
The guest of honor in the aquarium's Kids' Corner octopus tank had swum to the top of the enclosure and disassembled the recycling system's valve, flooding the place with some 200 gallons of seawater.
"It had grabbed the tube that pulls out the water and caused it to spray outside the tank," said aquarium education specialist Nick Fash. Judging by the size of the flood, Fash estimated that the water flowed for about 10 hours before the first staff member, Aaron Kind, showed up for work.
Kind issued an all-hands-on-deck call to summon co-workers to the pier with mops, water vacuums and fans. Even though the aquarium is built over the beach, it has no floor drain.
The tiny octopus, which is about the size of a human forearm when its appendages are extended, floated lazily in the water that remained in its tank.
It watched intently through glass walls and portholes as workers struggled to dry the place out in time for the day's first busload of schoolchildren to arrive on a 9:30 a.m. field trip.
Randi Parent, the aquarium's community outreach coordinator, said the only significant damage was to newly installed ecologically sensitive flooring in several offices. It consists of linseed-and-cork tiles that soaked up the seawater and squished beneath workers' feet the rest of the day.
The incident was reminiscent of a 1994 incident at San Pedro's Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in which an octopus named Octavia pulled a plastic pipe loose.
That giant Pacific octopus died when all of the water in her tank drained out.
Since octopuses are considered by many to be the most intelligent invertebrate -- and to have good memories -- Fash said he jury-rigged his octopus tank piping with clamps and tape in hopes of thwarting any further mischief by its occupant. "She would need tools," he said of his octopus, which until now had no name.
"Some people are suggesting we call her 'Flo,' " he said.
Via LA Times and the Huffington Post. Thanks to Matt for sending this story in!
By Bob Pool
Los Angeles Times
February 27, 2009
It's not surprising that with eight arms and inquisitive nature, the two-spotted octopus is pretty handy around its tank at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium.
Still, those reporting for work Thursday at the popular beachfront attraction were caught by surprise when they were greeted by water lapping around the kelp forest display, the shark and ray tank and the rocky reef exhibit.
The guest of honor in the aquarium's Kids' Corner octopus tank had swum to the top of the enclosure and disassembled the recycling system's valve, flooding the place with some 200 gallons of seawater.
"It had grabbed the tube that pulls out the water and caused it to spray outside the tank," said aquarium education specialist Nick Fash. Judging by the size of the flood, Fash estimated that the water flowed for about 10 hours before the first staff member, Aaron Kind, showed up for work.
Kind issued an all-hands-on-deck call to summon co-workers to the pier with mops, water vacuums and fans. Even though the aquarium is built over the beach, it has no floor drain.
The tiny octopus, which is about the size of a human forearm when its appendages are extended, floated lazily in the water that remained in its tank.
It watched intently through glass walls and portholes as workers struggled to dry the place out in time for the day's first busload of schoolchildren to arrive on a 9:30 a.m. field trip.
Randi Parent, the aquarium's community outreach coordinator, said the only significant damage was to newly installed ecologically sensitive flooring in several offices. It consists of linseed-and-cork tiles that soaked up the seawater and squished beneath workers' feet the rest of the day.
The incident was reminiscent of a 1994 incident at San Pedro's Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in which an octopus named Octavia pulled a plastic pipe loose.
That giant Pacific octopus died when all of the water in her tank drained out.
Since octopuses are considered by many to be the most intelligent invertebrate -- and to have good memories -- Fash said he jury-rigged his octopus tank piping with clamps and tape in hopes of thwarting any further mischief by its occupant. "She would need tools," he said of his octopus, which until now had no name.
"Some people are suggesting we call her 'Flo,' " he said.
Via LA Times and the Huffington Post. Thanks to Matt for sending this story in!
20090226
Tentacles No Longer in Stock
Why I did not buy a hundred of these when I first saw this product listing is beyond me. Gaia used to offer these great Tentacle Arms. I need to make a tentacle costume for an undersea themed art party I'm attending on Saturday and I wish I'd ordered some!
Spotted recently at Halloween Addict, originally at The Gaia Store Online (link says "no products found."
Spotted recently at Halloween Addict, originally at The Gaia Store Online (link says "no products found."
20090225
Interior Design Tentacles
Behold these illuminating tentacle chandeliers from the Jonathan Levine Gallery! Click through to their website, there are many more!
Via XStepsahead.LiveJournal.com, from the Jonathan Levine Gallery
Via XStepsahead.LiveJournal.com, from the Jonathan Levine Gallery
20090223
Hungry Hungry Tentacles
Laughing Squid's original title is too good not to post:
In Soviet Russia, Squid Eat You!
Check out this original art by Nancy "Dot" Dorsner posted on her Flickr from the Cephalopod Love set. Oh yes, Cephalopod Love set.
Happy belated Valentine's Day! Because Tentacles are for Hugging.
Originally via Laughing Squid.
In Soviet Russia, Squid Eat You!
Check out this original art by Nancy "Dot" Dorsner posted on her Flickr from the Cephalopod Love set. Oh yes, Cephalopod Love set.
Happy belated Valentine's Day! Because Tentacles are for Hugging.
Originally via Laughing Squid.
20090222
Tentacle Death Match
Meet the mantis shrimp, an animal so feisty that in Japan, they pit it against other creatures... like the octopus!
Reminds me of the great "Octopus vs. Shark" video that circulated a few years ago. Behold:
Mantis Shrimp Death Match via Japan Probe (last video). Octopus vs. Shark on Youtube.
Reminds me of the great "Octopus vs. Shark" video that circulated a few years ago. Behold:
Mantis Shrimp Death Match via Japan Probe (last video). Octopus vs. Shark on Youtube.
Bejeweled Tentacles
Well, this is fancy. Platinum! Check out the rest of the jewelry in the slide show - it's all beautiful.
From FashionAndRunway.com. Exact Image here.
From FashionAndRunway.com. Exact Image here.
Stiched Tentacles
Manic Mansion Green Tentacle Crosstitch (Ed. Note - I don't really know what that means, but I do love the arms attached to the tentacle that he's using to play the piano.)
"kimberly sent in this sweet maniac mansion cross stitch. Before you get up in arms, she knows that the green tentacle played the drums…she just happens to know that the green tentacle is actually proficient in many instruments. and, to back her up, I happen to know that he is quite a singer…"
Originally via SpriteStitch
"kimberly sent in this sweet maniac mansion cross stitch. Before you get up in arms, she knows that the green tentacle played the drums…she just happens to know that the green tentacle is actually proficient in many instruments. and, to back her up, I happen to know that he is quite a singer…"
Originally via SpriteStitch
Robotic, Imaginary Tentacles
While I'm not convinced these are tentacles, they're close enough.
If you ever wondered what the colorful creations born of EA's Spore gaming universe might look like in real-life robotic form, you need look no further than Yoichiro Kawaguchi's prototype robots designed to mimic the organic forms found in nature.
If you ever wondered what the colorful creations born of EA's Spore gaming universe might look like in real-life robotic form, you need look no further than Yoichiro Kawaguchi's prototype robots designed to mimic the organic forms found in nature.
Far different from the geometrically sterile robots we're used to, Kawaguchi's robots are meant to function on a primitive/intuitive level, with biomimetic actuators like tentacles and claws used to move the robots through the real world. The current models are just the beginning, Kawaguchi's team hopes to have fully functional versions of these robots working in about two years.
Originally via Dvice.com
20090221
Tentacle Costumes
Next Saturday, I shall be attending an undersea/nautical themed party on a boat. I must devise some sort of tentacle costume, quickly! My friend Daniela spotted this lovely ensemble, but somehow I don't think it'll fit -
Originally at BoingBoing.net
Originally at BoingBoing.net
20090216
TENTACULO ESPECTACULO!
I can only guess these squid belong at a restaurant in Buenos Aires, as that's where the friend who sent me them is currently vacationing. The caption, recaptured here in the blog headline, really makes the photo.
TENTACULO ESPECTACULO!
See the original on Flickr
TENTACULO ESPECTACULO!
See the original on Flickr
20090213
20090211
High-Fashion Retail Tentacles
The display in Bloomingdale's in New York, sent to me by a friend.
Thanks, Amanda G!
Thanks, Amanda G!
Alien Tentacles
I've written about Dark Roasted Blend's report of the mimic octopus before, but they included too many new and nifty photos of weird octopi for me to ignore. The piece is entitled "Cephalopods rom Outer Space," and, well. wow. Here's a sample image, click through to the link for more tantalizing tentacles.
Via Dark Roasted Blend.
Via Dark Roasted Blend.
Crafty Tentacles
Two tentacle projects from the Craftzine Blog: A Squid cake and a knitted octopus.
Squid Cake here, Knitted Octopus here. Thanks to Polina for finding these cuddly and tasty tentacles!
Squid Cake here, Knitted Octopus here. Thanks to Polina for finding these cuddly and tasty tentacles!
20090210
Non Newtonian Tentacles
The essential Laughing Squid has all kinds of tentacle appropriate content. Check out what happens to everyone's favorite cornstarch and water colloid, otherwise known as Oobleck, on top of a subwoofer of sorts. Hint: It appears to grow tentacles.
Watch our new cornstarch tentacle overlords here at Laughing Squid.
And here's a glossy photo of some oobleck out at Burning Man, at my theme camp that goes by the same name.
Photo from Loupiote's Flickr and thanks to Walter (a fellow Ooblecker) for pointing out the Laughing Squid link.
Watch our new cornstarch tentacle overlords here at Laughing Squid.
And here's a glossy photo of some oobleck out at Burning Man, at my theme camp that goes by the same name.
Photo from Loupiote's Flickr and thanks to Walter (a fellow Ooblecker) for pointing out the Laughing Squid link.
Superbowl Tentacles
Hulu.com presented a rather amusing ad, featuring Alec Baldwin as an alien.
It's a good ad, but the kicker comes at the end, when Baldwin reveals his SECRET ALIEN TENTACLES. I'm so thrilled.
Ads are rather proprietary, so I can't embed it for you. Check out the entire ad on Youtube.
Still from the ad via SlashFilm.
It's a good ad, but the kicker comes at the end, when Baldwin reveals his SECRET ALIEN TENTACLES. I'm so thrilled.
Ads are rather proprietary, so I can't embed it for you. Check out the entire ad on Youtube.
Still from the ad via SlashFilm.
Inaugural Tentacles
From an artsy inaugural party that I attended on January 19, the eve of Hope and Change.
Via the Costume Network.
Via the Costume Network.
20090130
More Blogs with the name Tentacles
More blogs with the name tentacles in them that don't particularly feature tentacles. Continue to marvel!
Lucid tentacles test 'n sleeved
Alternative Tentacles (a cool record label)
Nuclear Tentacles (WARNING this one is depictions of nude female humans. NSFW. It's not even tentacle in nature - although as you may recall, this blog does not cover that, as I have pointed out before.)
Lucid tentacles test 'n sleeved
Alternative Tentacles (a cool record label)
Nuclear Tentacles (WARNING this one is depictions of nude female humans. NSFW. It's not even tentacle in nature - although as you may recall, this blog does not cover that, as I have pointed out before.)
20090127
20090126
Too many and too few tentacles
"It is very rare in nature to find octopuses with extra tentacles, but in December 1998, a common octopus was captured in Matoya Bay, Japan, which had a whopping 96 tentacles.
The unusual octopus had the normal 8 appendages attached to the body, but each one of those branched out to form the extra tentacles. The specimen survived for five months after its capture, and even laid eggs, which hatched into normal 8 tentacled octopi. Upon its death, the 96-tentacled octopus was preserved and now remains on permanent display at the Shima Marineland Aquarium in Shima, Japan.
This was not the first instance of an over-tentacled octopus specimen being displayed in Japan...."
Read more - and see more photos! - at Cryptomundo.com
Harryhausen producer Charles Schneer dies
Bloomy Tentacles
Jellyfish Swarms Invade Ecosystems out of Balance
ARLINGTON, Virginia, December 16, 2008 (ENS) - Jellyfish blooms are ruining some of the world's most beautiful vacation spots, according to a new online report by the National Science Foundation on massive jellyfish swarms in U.S. waters and around the world.
In the Gulf of Mexico's densest jellyfish swarms there are more jellyfish than there is water - 100 jellyfish can occupy each cubic meter of water.
ARLINGTON, Virginia, December 16, 2008 (ENS) - Jellyfish blooms are ruining some of the world's most beautiful vacation spots, according to a new online report by the National Science Foundation on massive jellyfish swarms in U.S. waters and around the world.
At least 150 million people around the world are exposed to jellyfish every year, the report says. Swarms of stinging jellyfish and jellyfish-like animals are transforming many world-class fisheries and tourist destinations into "jellytoriums" that are intermittently jammed with the pulsating, gelatinous creatures.
This is happening in U.S. waters from Hawaii to the Chesapeake Bay, where 500,000 people are stung by jellyfish every year.
Another 200,000 people are stung every year in Florida, and 10,000 are stung in Australia by the deadly Portuguese man-of-war, according to the report.
These jellyfish explosions are generated by human activities, some scientists believe. Possible causes include pollution, climate change, introductions of non-native species, overfishing and the presence of artificial structures, such as oil and gas rigs.
Jellyfish swarms have damaged fisheries, fish farms, seabed mining operations, desalination plants and large ships, and they have disabled nuclear power plants by clogging intake pipes.
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Dense jellyfish swarm in the Gulf of Mexico (Photo by Monty Graham) |
"I'm often asked whether a single, overarching condition is triggering jellyfish swarms in diverse locations," says Monty Graham of Alabama's Dauphin Island Sea Lab on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico. Graham says the abnormally large, dense or frequent jellyfish swarms are "a symptom of an ecosystem that has been tipped off balance by environmental stresses."
"The exact nature of such balance-tipping environmental stresses may vary from place to place and usually involve unique interactions with local ecology," Graham explains. "But such stresses are often caused by people."
So, just as a weakened person is vulnerable to opportunistic diseases, stressed ecosystems are vulnerable to infestations of jellyfish.
"There is clear, clean evidence that certain types of human-caused environmental stresses are triggering jellyfish swarms in some locations," William Hamner of the University of California at Los Angeles says in the report.
These stresses include the introduction of jellyfish species into non-native habitats by ships; the formation of ultra-polluted areas, known as Dead Zones, where jellyfish face few predators and competitors; and increases in water temperatures, which accelerate the growth and reproduction of many jellyfish species.
As prey, jellyfish are eaten by seabirds, salmon, sun fish, turtles and other gelatinous creatures.
But as marine turtles have disappeared, jellyfish have proliferated. All seven species of sea turtles eat jellyfish and all seven species are endangered. Their survival is threatened by fishing lines that trap them, pollution, beach development, climate change and sales of turtles and turtle parts.
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Box jellyfish in Hawaii (Photo courtesy Waikiki Aquarium) |
Jellyfish are not all bad - scientists are identifying ecological services provided by the gelatinous creatures. For instance, recent studies show that the tentacles dangling from the Bering Sea's large jellyfish provide hiding places for young pollock that are pursued by other predators but have grown too big for the jellyfish to eat.
Most species of jellyfish and jellyfish-like animals are not harmful to people, according to the National Science Foundation report. But it warns that all true jellyfish and some species of jellyfish-like creatures sting - and a single stinging tentacle may be studded with thousands of stingers.
Stinging gelatinous creatures cause various reactions in people, ranging from no noticeable sensation to rashes, and some cases, death.
Australia's beaches host many types of toxic gelatinous animals, including the Portuguese man-of-war and the world's most venomous animal, the Chironex fleckeri, which can kill a person in under three minutes. In addition, the potentially deadly Irukandji jellyfish, currently increasing in number, are small enough to slip through nets that protect Australia's beaches from the larger Chironex.
Beware, warns the report. Gelatinous creatures that are harmful to people live in every ocean.
Click here to view the report, "Jellyfish Gone Wild: Environmental Change and Jellyfish Swarms."
Originally via Environment News Service
Fishing for Tentacles
Up for grabs with an octopus
Ed Walker, St. Petersburg Times Correspondent
In Print: Saturday, January 17, 2009
The subtle tug on the other end of the line did not feel like the grouper we had been reeling up.
"Maybe a grunt," I mentioned to my fishing partners. As I reeled the mysterious thing up from the bottom 60 feet below, it stopped pulling back altogether.
"What ever it was it is gone now," I mistakenly uttered.
As my rig came to the surface, I saw that there was indeed something attached to the hook — an octopus.
I lifted it into the boat and grabbed it behind the head. Immediately the tentacles wrapped around my arm and the creepy suction cups latched onto my hand, wrist and arm. Knowing that the beak in the center of all those legs can inflict a nasty bite I tried to pull it off, but it was too late.
He had me; his suction cups were locked on and lining me up for a bite. Just as the beak was getting near my skin I managed to rip him off and drop him on the floor of the boat. There he began slithering around, climbing the walls. Soon he simply walked himself up and out of the boat, which was okay by me.
During most years this encounter is relatively unusual; however, this has been one of the cyclical seasons during which large numbers of octopus appear over shallow shelves off West Florida.
It is the thing commercial stone crab trappers fear most. According to them, the octopus show up en masse every seven years or so and wipe out the fishery. When this happens, the marauding eight-legged creatures gobble up a good portion of all the stone crabs in the area.
Not only do they eat the wild crabs, they are adept at entering stone crab traps, eating the crustaceans inside then moving on to the next trap. The only evidence of what has happened to the would-be catch is a large number of crab shells and pieces in the bottom of the trap. Usually the stealthy creatures depart before the traps can be hauled aboard the boat.
Over the past few months the commercial crab catch has plummeted. Trappers generally describe their catch in the average poundage of crabs per trap among all the traps they pull in a day.
In late October many Nature Coast trappers were enjoying a 1 pound or better average over 300 to 400 traps per day. Then came the octopus. Now the catch has plummeted to as low as 15 pounds of claws total for the day out of the same number of traps. Many of the larger operators are hauling their gear in and hoping for a better season next year. In a recent visit to Pelican Point Seafood in Tarpon Springs I witnessed large commercial crab boats unloading their catch for the day, which consisted of more octopus than crab, a bad sign.
For the angler
For the most part, octopuses do not have an impact on hook and line fishing. They seldom prey on fish so the fish do not seem to mind them much. The one way octopus can benefit anglers is as bait. When the tentacles are cut off they make appealing yet tough bait for grouper, particularly red grouper.
Another bizarre benefit is that the tentacles will continue to move around for as long as 30 minutes after they are trimmed from the animal and placed on the hook.
Several years ago we used a piece of octopus to make one of the strangest catches ever. The bait had been on the bottom only for few minutes and the rod tip began to bounce. John Peppe reeled a struggling fish to the surface to find a good sized triggerfish that was not even on the hook. The suction cups on the piece of octopus had latched onto the raspy skin of the triggerfish and held onto him all the way into the boat.
On the table
Although octopus is one of the most popular items on the menus of greek restaurants in Tarpon Springs, cooking them yourself, at least in my case, has proved somewhat difficult. On several occasions I have tried, and no matter how much tenderizing I do they come out tough and chewy. Pounding with a tenderizing hammer or marinating to break down the toughness is what the pros recommend, but my fishing friends and I who have caught octopus have not had much luck.
For now, I'll stick with using them for bait and visit the sponge docks when I have a taste for grilled octopus.
Originally via the St. Petersburg Times
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