There’s something about photos of distant planets, like these taken by the Cassini-Huygens orbiter, that has always struck me as “fake” for lack of a better word. Amazing as they are, my first reaction to them is almost always that I am staring at scale models, the fishing line from which they are suspended from carefully airbrushed out. I suppose it is a by-product of these almost hyper-real, high definition images.

Cassini-Huygens Images [NASA] : The Big Picture

Last we’d heard from little Jimbles McGullohanie, our pint-sized paladin had departed on a noble quest to brutally rape all alien life in the universe. With a tragic legacy of abduction behind him, and an inability to distinguish one Un-Earthman from another ahead, our hero has made the terrifying resolution to spread his blanket of colonic revenge across the stars.

But let it never be said that forcing yourself on all the moist orificii that space has to offer is a thankless task. Having received a radio transmission from Mr. McGullohanie (and a postcard which screamed and burst into flame immediately after being read) I’m pleased to report that all is well! Here we see none other than the questionably moral anal-missionary himself, chatting up a denizen of one of the many exotic locales he’s traversed in his long journey.

Poor thing doesn’t even know what she’s in for.

Spaceboy [Hugo Strikes Back]

That’s My Home! [Gorilla Artfare]

Much to-do has been made about Space Funerals, the honoring of loved ones that have mastered the mortal-coil shuffle through launching their lifeless husks (or the ashes of their lifeless husks) into space. And to be perfectly honest, as an admitted science fiction and space nerd aficionado, the idea has a certain appeal. Just imagine it, your cremains orbiting the planet to bask in the majesty of our big blue mound of dirt and water, or resting on the lunar surface to lazily spin in orbit and take part in the tugging of tides, or even better, simply hurtling through the vastness of space.

Sounds pretty doesn’t it? Well of course it does! We were all raised on this stuff, although to be fair we were raised on the idea that we’d be doing all these things while still living, but considering the deplorable rate of advancement into space it’s no surprise people are simply taking what they can get.

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A Chinese website is claiming to have found photographic proof of aliens on Mars. The picture, found after thoroughly analyzing photos taken by NASA’S Mars Exploration Rover Spirit, seems to show a figure walking across the Martian landscape.

According to The Daily Mail, the internet has been “abuzz” with speculation as to what this may or may not be. Cries of “Proof!”, “Shopped!”, “Optical illusion!”, and “Bigfoot!” have been heard, echoing across the tubes. A larger, 43MB panoramic version can be found here.

Life on Mars? Amazing photos from Nasa probe reveal mystery figure on Red Planet [Daily Mail]

Mike DiPetrillo has been a good buddy of mine since I noticed his AIM name, listed on Threadless (where he was responsible for one of their most popular designs) was a line from an extremely obscure song by an extremely obscure band. We bonded instantly over our superior taste in music, then discovered we lived in the same city. One bubble tea and horror movie later, we were budskis.

But I only did it because I knew, one day, I’d be physically close enough to one of Mike’s exquisite paintings that I’d be able to grab it and run. He’d invite me over for a few rounds of Bomberman and hummus (this is what people do in Seattle for fun), and I’d burgle the shit out of him.

Those Ectomites in Seatown tonight will have their chance to make good on my threats. Mike is having some sort of psychedelic art show at a cafe in the University District. He is claiming that his paintings will actually glow in the haughty dimness of the venue. Observe:

Event Info
Name: STAR SHOW
Tagline: Sit around and look at glow in the dark paintings while being a fucking snob

Host: Mike DiPetrillo
Type: Music/Arts - Exhibit

Time and Place
Date: Friday, December 7, 2007
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Solstice Cafe
Street: 4116 University Way NE
City/Town: Seattle, WA

Contact Info
Phone: 425.941.3455
Email: mikeatron@gmail.com