An astounding BBC documentary

Simply amazing.

I suspect that the penguins in question evolved this marvelous ability in order to escape the predations of the Hotheaded Naked Ice Borer.

And once you've finished watching the video, why not apply to be a Virgle pioneer? Ever yearned to journey to the stars? Now's your chance. :-)

Rocket Robin Hood

MTS TV, our local cable provider, revamped their channel selection today, including adding a few new channels to existing packages. We ended up getting Headline News (which we haven't had for ages), MuchMore Retro, and Teletoon Retro, which is da bomb, because they're running cartoons that I fondly remember from my childhood thirty years ago.

In particular, they're playing Rocket Robin Hood, which is one of the trippiest cartoons ever created. Just check out the opening credits if you don't believe me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MfisiGqtEM

And the end credits for some additional cool lyrics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1-OI0188Vo&

Rocket Robin Hood was a Canadian series, and as far as I know it didn't get much play in the USA. Which is a real pity.

*goes back to work, humming the opening tune*

Ha. *laughs* Ah-hahahaHA! Oh, my goodness...

NOW I remember why I used to love Headline News so much. It really IS the "OMG, look at all the stupid Americans!" channel.

(No offense intended to the many Americans reading this. I know that most of you are just as polite, intelligent, and thoughtful as most people in my own country. But honestly... you don't see this kind of stuff covered in the Canadian news. I know because I've compared the Canadian CNN equivalent to CNN itself and -- yeah, well. CNN covers things like terrorist threats, screaming pundits, and men being eaten by bears. The Canadian equivalent covers a butterfly collectors theft ring and exercise techniques for your overweight pet. Draw whatever conclusions you will.)

CNN just ran a story about a mother who neglected her 4-year-old child so badly that he weighs only 10 pounds and is covered in bedsores -- AND she lived with her parents. Oh, the stupid, it burns like napalm!

And another story about a plastic surgeon who frequently operated drunk -- with pictures of the aftereffects of his malpractice. One woman was so ill after he operated on her that she had to put off cancer treatments that could have saved her life.

And just now, dashboard-cam footage of law enforcement officials in South Carolina beating the shit out of someone they pulled over on the side of the road, after the guy had clearly lain down and surrendered. BOOT to the head! Again and again and again.

Ah, CNN. You make me interested, you make me laugh, you make me yell. What more could anyone ask of a TV station?

*eats a serving of crow*

Looking back on my last entry, I realize that I probably took too flippant a tone.

To clarify my position: I do think that CNN is a celebration of all that's wrong with the human condition. It also happens to be an American news source, which means that it's primarily American stupidity and crime that's showcased on it.

Also, there is definitely a difference in the way that Canadian media looks at such issues. Generally speaking, we don't seem to treat them as entertainment. Whether or not that constitutes whitewashing the news is open to debate.

However, again to clarify: As far as I can tell, Americans have roughly the same number of idiots per capita as Canadians, which is roughly the same percentage as any other country on Earth. It's just that in America, the idiots seem to have a much better chance at making it onto TV. I do apologize if anyone took offense to my jocular glee at regaining a channel that is very good at keeping me... well, I suppose that 'amused' is as good a term as any.

Ohhhhh... Note to Self...

*puts down fork and contemplates own distended belly*

Note to Self: Do NOT eat a whole quarter of an M&M Meat Shops two-pound lasagna, even if the dietary information on the label indicates that why, yes, that quarter of a lasagna DOES come in at under 60 g of carbs.

I used to be able to put away that much food without even blinking. But then I was diagnosed with diabetes and had to learn to think about food in a whole new way and practice strict portion control. Consequently my stomach is used to a lot less per meal now that it was, say, four years ago. In further consequence, my stomach now feels uncomfortably full.

Ah, well, it did taste good going down.

Time to go wake up George, who has elected to work the night shift of late. Perhaps a bit of fresh coffee will help me feel better.

(By the way, I can't recommend the Pepys' Diary website enough. It's really thought provoking to see diary entries from 1665 popping up daily on a website in 2008. I'm sure Samuel Pepys himself would have been fascinated with the Internet and confounded by all the silliness and stupidity that netizens get up to from time to time.

Check out the Story So Far link to catch up on who Pepys was and what he was doing prior to 1665.)