2010 Challenges
Eliza Leigh and Humanoid Translator | January 6, 2010 | 4:00 pm

This year my human has signed up for a few blogging related challenges.  All without my permission.

“But Eliza, they are for you.”

Pshaw, I don’t want to go to State Parks in the middle of the winter to take pictures.  I’m an insect… we hibernate. What? Fine, I may not bulk up to stay warm like some but I’m from South Florida and it is cold outside.

“What about Project 52? You read about it on one of your favorite blogs, The Unexpected Twists and Turns, remember?”

Yeah, the post a week pledge.  I am pretty excited about it and Human I’m not counting the Weeklies.  Between the DCR Parks and Movies from Books segments I’m sure you’ll have more than enough to keep you busy.

Better get writing.


Doctor Who… begins anew
Eliza Leigh and Humanoid Translator | January 6, 2010 | 2:00 pm


Season 11 coming soon

Doctor Who’s amazing ability to regenerate has been a convenient tool for producers of the Doctor Who franchise.  When an actor wants to move on the can be seamlessly replaced by a new Doctor without a trite voice over so common in American soap operas at least, “Doctor Who will now be performed by…”.

That is not to say that the transition from one Doctor to the next is easy on the fans or the actors themselves but it isn’t impossible.  Let’s face it, not much in Doctor Who’s world is impossible.

The latest Doctor Who, David Tenet, has retired his badge and left the Tardis after three seasons and multiple specials.  The newest and youngest Doctor to date, Matt Smith, was introduced after regenerating and sending the Tardis into a swirling, fiery free fall headed for the recently saved Earth.  The Master, who sadly lost his ability to regenerate and the Time Lords were put in their respective places, death and eternal imprisonment.

Will the newest Doctor capture the heart and imagination of the young and old fans alike?  Will this latest Doctor Who series continue to grow in popularity?  Personally, I’d like to see a movie, with many of the doctors making an appearance.  In my opinion no movie would be complete without Doctor Donna.

Here are a few Doctor Who posts littered about the internet just waiting for you.

Looking for a preview of the next season?

Quote of the Week: Jim Rohn
Eliza Leigh and Humanoid Translator | January 6, 2010 | 6:00 am

If you don’t like how things are, change it!  You’re not a tree.
~Jim Rohn

2009 Reflections: Top Views on Flickr
Eliza Leigh and Humanoid Translator | December 31, 2009 | 3:00 pm

What will tomorrow bring?  Probably snow.

Top ten views

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Top ten commented

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Here are the top ten favorites…

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These aren’t necessarily the best of the bunch, heck a few are drive by  or cell phone shots but it must be the tags.   And they may be low stats… but they are my top tens.  Woo hoo!

2009 Reflections: 16 Opinionated Ant posts to read while bored
Eliza Leigh and Humanoid Translator | December 31, 2009 | 12:00 am

The year was full of surprises and challenges both good and different.  Our posting was sporadic at best but we’ve enjoyed every minute of it.   By the end of the year, my humanoid had a firmer grasp on what this blog is precisely and even a better tag line!

Two fictional characters blogging fictionalized facts.

Although, I’m not sure who the fictional characters are.  Hmm… anyways we also changed the look a few times and have started ruminating on a few new challenges for 2010.  Hope your 2009 was every bit as exciting as ours and share your 2009 round ups below. Read more »

Quote of the Week: Betty Reese take on insects
Eliza Leigh and Humanoid Translator | December 30, 2009 | 6:00 am

Mosquito circa 1940 in AlaskaIf you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.
~Betty Reese

Conversely, imagine the world taken over by mutant mosquitoes! Here is a series of photographs taken in the 1940’s giving humankind a dark glimpse into the grim possible future. Being eaten and ruled over by striped mosquitoes…

Mutant Mosquito… in action
Mutant Mosquito… faces human opposition
Mutant Mosquito… the conqueror

Photos courtesy of Bret Arnett on Flickr

Word of the Week: Quibbleism
Eliza Leigh and Humanoid Translator | December 28, 2009 | 6:00 am

Considered a lost word, quibbleism is just another excellent example of my humanoids behavior.  According to a lovely new site we stumbled across, The Phrontisrey, it seems the term quibbleism was used in 1836.

This one shouldn’t be too difficult to deduce since the root is quibble.

The practice of quibbling.

”Not to sound like I’m arguing, but I really must insist that it is you whom constantly quibbles about this and that.”

Readers, you see!  Doesn’t it sound like she is interjecting an inconsequential complaint?  Doesn’t that sound like a quibble to you?

This week add the word, not the deed please!

Video of the Week: Nota from Sing Off
Eliza Leigh and Humanoid Translator | December 23, 2009 | 6:00 am

Do I really need to say more?  They had so many great performances but ding-a-ling hitting those notes is not easy, especially a capella.  Believe me, as a gifted mutant ant even I struggle to- ahhh, stay alive!

“Why are you running away from me Eliza Leigh?  Come back it is only your medicine.”

*Update: Orginally I found a great clip of Nota on YouTube but then TheSingOff channel took them all down.  Waaa!  Ooh, but instead I found the jackpot uploaded from RickeyTVX aka Rickey.Org *

Reckless Photographers: Shouldn’t Cry When They Ruin Their Cameras
Eliza Leigh and Humanoid Translator | December 22, 2009 | 6:00 am

Trying to Wait it Out- a moment of clarityLast month while my human was neglecting me she was also neglecting her novel (no wonder she failed) and decided to snap some shots in a nearby park. After work, instead of feeding me she grabbed her point & shoot and headed out to take pictures of a partially demolished building. Did she see the gray skies? Yes. Did she bring a camera cover? No.  She doesn’t even have one unless you want to count a sandwich baggy.

Read more »

Word of the Week: Bablatrice
Eliza Leigh and Humanoid Translator | December 21, 2009 | 10:00 am

Bablatrice

It has been some time since my human has posted a Word of the Week.  Have you missed them too.  The interesting thing is she is what you might call a bablatrice.

Just what is a bablatrice you may be wondering.  Well it isn’t a technical term for a part of a castle, that is a buttress, nor is it an archaic synonym for genius.  Babla- might give you a clue, it pertains to babbling.  In fact-

A babbling female.

If there is one thing that my human excels in, it is talking nonstop, usually complete gibberish.  Now, pretend you are watching Pee-Wee Herman and instead of screaming when you hear the word, try to add it purposely into your everyday conversations. 

Liven up your language people!