I’ll be with you in a moment…

from Adam magazine (July 1976)

(Via Randsom Signal Annex, via ERROR888, via Pulp International)

Once again, the various trials and tribulations of life have, of late, consumed my time/brain/blogging energy. I hope to get back to at lest a semi-regular blogging schedule very soon.

Thank you for bearing with me. Your patience will be rewarded.

Architeuthis Across America…and Beyond!

Today is 10/10/10, which of course means that today is International Squid Awareness Day (for a few minutes more, at least)! To celebrate, I am announcing my new project: Architeuthis Across America…and Beyond!

The goal of AAA…B is to identify as many locations as possible that have on display either A) a preserved specimen, B) a life-size replica/model, or C) a sculpture or mural of Architeuthis (or other large cephalopod). To this end I have created the Google Map you’ll find embedded below.

This is still very much a work in progress, but eventually each pin on the map will include notes describing what you can expect to find there, squid-wise, as well as the occassional helpful hint. Additionally, each location will get a write-up here on ISK, and because I haven’t personally been to most of these places, any reader input/travel tips will be greatly appreciated. I’d like this to be as comprehensive as possible, so drop me a line if I’ve left anything out!

Once the our little teuthic travel guide is complete, all that will be left to do is rent a Giant Squid U-Haul and hit the open road!

We’re experiencing technical difficulties. Please stand by.

I apologize for the lack of posts these past weeks. We’ve been having major issues with our home WiFi network, and it is taking much longer to diagnose and fix than should be permissible in polite society.

Also, I’ve been busy fighting an uppity squid, Nemo-style.

Yeah, that’s it…

The squid never stood a chance…

This amazing animation showing how Physeter macrocephalus uses echolocation to hunt, is from the Whales Tahora exhibit now at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. The Sperm Whale starts out hunting boring old fish, but don’t worry, he meets an delicious Architeuthis by the end of the clip!

(Via rhamphotheca)

“Bathysphere” silkscreen print by Phineas X. Jones

From Octophant.us:

In 1933 a bathysphere expedition intended to break the world record for ocean descent was lost under mysterious circumstances. The cause of the disaster was never determined and no three-toed sloth was ever put in command of a bathysphere again.

Hand-printed edition of 70. Signed and numbered.

This print was 11″ x 23″ and only cost $20, but, tragically, it is sold out (at least at the time of this writing).

Phineas’ site has many more pieces of cephalopod-themed art, and some are still available! Visit Octophant.us to find out more.

Currently Reading: Kraken by China Miéville

Here we have another of this year’s birthday presents, and I’ll be posting a full review eventually. China Miéville crafts staggeringly original and brilliantly twisted fantasy stories, and, so far, Kraken is continuing this trend.

The Story So Far: Billy Harrow is a curator (an expert mollusc preparator) at London’s Darwin Centre. When he discovers that the museum’s prize Architeuthis specimen has mysteriously vanished, Billy finds himself thrown into a secret world of myth and magic where a cult of squid worshipers are just one of many factions trying to own the impending apocalypse.

“Squid Attack” belt buckle by FluffyCo

This was a birthday present this year from my wife. I don’t typically wear belt buckles but, clearly, I need to start…at least on special occasions. As soon as my thumb heals enough to allow me to operate a belt again, I’ll be taking it for a spin.

Ryn picked this up at Light Years, a small local chain that specializes in jewelry and quirky gifts, but you can buy it directly from FluffyCo.

“Squid Attack” is described thusly…

Resin-coated digital print, set in a antiqued nickel tone round-cornered metal buckle. Standard sized to fit most belt leathers. Made with Neves in Oklahoma City. About 3 x 2”. $24

Sightings: the Honda del Squid

John says:

So, I have a friend who loves squid. She also loves her del Sol which recently needed some bodywork. When talking about how much she loves her car she mentioned it would only be better if it had a giant squid on it. Her husband and her brother-in-law latched on to this and decided to make it happen.

Thanks John!

Update: The del Squid has its own website. Check it out!

Sightings: The Squid and the Rail

Southern Rail is a restaurant smack dab in the middle of Carrboro, North Carolina. It is built in and between three converted train cars, and it is located right next to an active rail line. As you might expect, much of the decor is railroad-themed, which is why it’s so surprising to come face-to-face with a mural depicting a diver locked in mortal combat with a giant squid! The mural adorns a wall of the narrow corridor in one of the converted cars (you’ll see it on the way to the restroom)…so narrow that it was pretty much impossible to get a good shot of the entire thing.

While Giant Squid is not on the menu, they do serve the most delicious tater tots known to Man and Mollusc alike.

Southern Rail Restaurant and Bar
201-C East Main Street
Carrboro, North Carolina

Wednesday Comics: Nature abhors a fish man

©Dark Horse Comics

This is a panel detail from the mini-series Abe Sapien: The Drowning (Feburary-June, 2008), written by Mike Mignola with art by Jason Shawn Alexander. (Read a plot synopsis here.)

Abe Sapien is a central character from Mignola’s Hellboy comic and its subsequent spin-off title B.P.R.D.. He was originally a Victorian scientist named Langdon Everett Caull, a member of an occult society that revered the Babylonian deity Oannes. Caull was accidentally transformed into a fish man (“icthyo sapien”) in an arcane ritual gone terribly wrong. His comatose body was placed in a tube of water and sealed up beneath a Washington D.C. hospital at the outbreak of the Civil War. He remained in a state of suspended animation until being discovered in 1979. Having no memory of his previous life or identity, he adopted the name “Abraham Sapien” and was taken in by the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense. Abe would eventually become a top B.P.R.D. field agent and learn the secrets of his mysterious past.