Fascinating Nouns

The San Diego Chicken is the alter-ego of former KGB Radio intern Ted Giannoulas. Originally created for a radio promotion in the mid 70's, Ted managed to take a 2 week ad and make it last 43 years. Not only that, but Ted is credited as being the first professional sports mascot. Being first does not always translate to the best, but not only did Ted create a national phenomenon, but he became the...

You know of my love for zombies, and it turns out fungus are no exception. There are actually several types of fungi that are parasitic towards insects, but none more devious than the killer Cordyceps. This genus can manipulate the movements of the ant once infected! When the ant dies, the fungus reproduces by sprouting a large sporing column out of the back of the ants head!

I have been fascinated with fungus since I was a wee little tyke. I think it started with Egon Spangler cited collecting spores, molds, and fungus as his favorite hobby. My grandmother was notorious for cutting the mold off cheese and proclaiming "It's fine!". Well, it wasn't fine. Actually it was safe to eat, but what she didn't realize what that the mold had infiltrated the entirety of block of...

Mark Barbour over International Print Museum Mark Barbour is the Founding Curator and Executive Director of the International Print Museum in Carson, CA. He is also an incredibly gifted historian, one who has dedicated his life to the preservation of the greatest gift to humanity: The Printing Press. This device allowed the proliferation of knowledge through the world, and single-handedly ushered...

The printing press is considered the greatest invention in humanity's history. This man is a master of it. That alone would be amazing, but it should also be noted that this invention is over 500 years old. It is this antiqued method that Kevin Bradley has chosen as his medium for artistic expression. He calls himself "The Van Gogh of this shit". I call him the Pope of the Church of Type.

People closest to me know I only drape myself in the finest of fabrics. Obviously velvet is on the top of that list. This is a fabric so seductive, so often touched, that it is incessantly mislabeled "felt". Believe it or not, there is a better use for this silky textile besides feeling and wearing; as a canvas for the creation of stunning artwork. Carl Baldwin, along with his business partner Car...

Who hasn't, at some point, wanted to rule their own country? From the time we are kids, we are declaring our rooms off limits to both parents, and the opposite sex. We create vast pillow and blanket based infrastructure, culminating in the most grand fort ever built...with sofa cushions. There are of course those among the human race who become dictators by manipulating their country's political s...

The ancient art of Bonsai goes back generations. Some describe the art as requiring the delicate hands of a sculptor, one who knows that his creation will outlive him by generations. Others describe the practice as Machiavellian, whereby harmful tactics of manipulation are employed in order to force the miniature tree, and therefore nature itself, to bend to the master's will. Whichever side you f...

In this bonus episode, Caroline and I discuss the importance of tip protectors, pencil extenders, as well as the hazards of over-sharpening.

Caroline Weaver is to pencils what Hank Hill was to propane. Her appreciation of the a 400 year old technology is eclipsed only by her success in selling her niche wares. Her store CW Pencil Enterprise sells hundreds of pencils and pencil related accessories. We discussed the specifications of her life-sized pencil tattoo, the historical importance of the Blackwing 602 & the Mogul 482, and the def...

Most everyone in the world has heard of Tetris, the Cold War era video game imported into the United States from the Soviet Union. American Jonas Neubauer is the most prolific Tetris champion of all time, having won the Tetris Championship 5 times in the last 6 years. We discuss his training regimen, his "Unfair Advantages", a magical god-like man named Thor, and the "Lil Hyper Tap".

Taryn 2 crop Taryn Harper Wright is a force for right when it comes to exposing and busting internet hoaxes. She mainly stays focused on Cancer Catfishing, a term I totally just made up right now. There is a group of people out there that pretend to have Cancer, and create an elaborate cyberworld in order to gain sympathy from others. Taryn has a unique ability to sniff out the imposters, and shin...

If you love puppets, then I have a piece of history for you this week. The Bob Baker Marionette Theater is the longest running marionette theater in the United States. In 2009, The theater was deemed a historical land mark by the City of Los Angeles. How incredible is that? Mr. Bob Baker handcrafted thousands of puppets, and performed for over 8 decades. After his passing, Alex Evans took over as...

Lila Higgins is an entomology expert at the National History Museum in Los Angeles. She is also a soldier with, Zombee Watch: A citizen scientist organization who's purpose is to track the Apocephalus borealis AKA the Zombie Fly. We discuss The zombie fly in depth, as well as Vorroa mites and tracheal mites. These critters are akin to a sci-fi horror movie, so listen with caution!

President Keith Roberts of The Valley Hive is the top guy at the Los Angeles County Beekeepers Association. Here is their action statement: Our primary purpose is the care and welfare of the honeybee. We achieve this through education of ourselves and the general public, supporting honeybee research, and practicing responsible beekeeping in an urban environment. I have been looking forward to this...

Groundhog day is my absolute favorite holiday. There really isn't anything like it. Despite it's German history, it is a truly American holiday. Every Febuary 2nd., Pres. Deeley walks up to Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney PA, knocks on Phil's door with his magical cane, and then Phil gives The Proclamation: Either an Early Spring, or 6 more weeks of winter. Why Pres. Deeley? Well, Punxsutawney Phil...

Sean Williams, the Prof. of Competitive Response, is a born and raised Brooklynite who fell in love with sneakers at the age of 13. By age 16, with a few years of work experience under his belt he began buying sneakers with his own money (no longer asking mom for the latest and freshest kicks). Having purchased thousands of pairs of sneakers over the years his love of sneakers has never completely...

In this bonus episode, Karla discusses some of the incredible animals she has saved. We also talk about invasive species, and how they are more dangerous then you would think.

A native San Diegan, Karla grew up within shouting distance of the world famous San Diego Zoo and San Diego Wild Animal Park. Both animal conservation organizations influenced Karla's dreams of working with animals. Karla had horses as a child and was lucky enough to have some of the greatest inspiring mentors, Bud Brennick and Dr. David Zanders DVM, who encouraged her to dream big. Dr. Zanders hi...

Cheesemonger. This sounds like a middle school insult, but in fact it is not. I had no idea what one was until I met Nick Bayne, New York's Cheese prodigy. If you don't know what one is, you should immediately listen to this episode. *Spoiler Alert* It involves Cheese. Listen as we discuss cheese as old as a mummy (and just as preserved), Wisconsin Pilgrimages, and cheese that smells like death. *...

It is a little known fact that I LOVE magic. It is truly one of the last remaining things on Earth that can consistently and repeatedly make me feel like a kid again. Kayla is one of this generation's most promising magicians. She was Boston's Magician of the Year in 2013, and she won the David Copperfield "The Next Great Magician" award. I now bring this talented woman to you. We sat down and dis...

There are many Matt Munson's out in the world, all with varying degrees of success. I have chosen to interview not the senator, not the buff Ponzi Scheme one, not even the critically acclaimed photographer. No I have chosen the Billionaire playboy, prop making superstar, jewel of the R2D2 builder's club. When the first snap-hiss of Luke Skywalkers lightsaber hit the eyes and ears of a young and im...

If you recall my interview with Dr. Barry Taff, hopefully you will remember the discussion we had about the major geological anomaly that exists just 150 feet away from the infamous Sharon Tate murders, and of course the house that was built on it. Dr. Taff called it the crowning achievement of his career. This is that house. The Oman House is named after David Oman, the sole human inhabitant (but...

Randy Peterson calls him "A Bad Mammal", his fans call him "Belmo", I call him the greatest professional bowler on the planet. His name is Jason Belmonte. As many of you know, Belmo is the master of the Two-Handed approach, which means he throws his ball with, yep you guessed it, two hands. Recent scientific study has proven that this style creates more force and revolutions, which has translated...

If for some reason you are unfamilar with the World of Magnamund, you should buy the above book. If you can't find it, then you should definitely listen to Joe Dever explain his fantasy world, including the Kai Lords, the Giaks language, Vonotar, Darklords and The Sommerswerd.