Ananka's Diary

This Will Be the Last Post on Ananka's Diary

2011-01-15T08:44:00.003-05:00

Hi Everyone! As you may have noticed, I have stopped posting on Ananka's Diary. Going forward, all new posts can be read at my new blog, Bank St. Irregular. (Why did I create a new blog? Click here for the explanation.)

A few of you have told me that you have a sentimental attachment to Ananka's Diary and its black template. So I'm going to find a way to preserve it somewhere on the Kiki Strike website. But it only serve as an archive of posts from 2006-2010.

I hope you all will join me over at Bank Irregular!

Kirsten

A Note to Russian Readers

2011-01-13T12:36:00.000-05:00

1. Have you ever seen a wild hamster?

2. Sorry about the video. I have a very good friend who speaks Russian, and I should have asked him to look at it before I posted.

3. Have you seen the Russian edition of The Empress's Tomb? I haven't seen the cover, and I can't find a pic online. If you can find a photo, please send it to kikistrike@gmail.com. I'm really curious to take a peek, since the Russian Kiki Strike had the best cover EVER!

Take a Look at the New Blog!

2011-01-13T11:16:00.000-05:00

It's still a work in progress, so let me know what you think! I haven't published all the old posts from Ananka's Diary yet, but I promise they'll be there soon.

What do you think?

I'll Have More to Say on the Subject of Hamsters Soon

2011-01-12T11:50:00.006-05:00

UPDATE #2: Even bigger thanks to deepasm for sending me a link to the crazy hamster video without the soundtrack! ENJOY!!!

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

UPDATE: Thanks to Russian-speaking reader deepasm, I have discovered that the video I posted here contains colorful language. To put it mildly. (I should have known.) If you listened closely, you might have learned every Russian curse word. Now I'll admit, I've also been known to curse when attacked by wild hamsters. But I hope no Russian readers were offended by the language in the video. (Which was apparently, really, REALLY colorful.) So I'm trying to do one of the following: disable audio on the original video, find a new video, or post screen shots. Back to you soon!

In the meantime, please enjoy my favorite poem.

(Thank you, deepasm!! I didn't post your translation for obvious reasons, but I am forever in your debt!)

But I wanted to post this video right away. One of the many great things about Russia? Wild hamsters.

I may be ready to share my blog improvements soon! Cross your fingers. My computer is about 100 years old, and it's very temperamental.

On a Lighter Note (Maybe)

2011-01-10T21:28:00.003-05:00

All I will say is this: I was truly touched by this video. And I wonder how many works of genius are hidden away in storage facilities across the US.

I Hate Snow

2011-01-10T21:01:00.004-05:00

(Above: A lighthouse in Ohio, completely encased in ice.)

I'm going on the record. Yeah, I know it's pretty (for a little while). But I'm sick to death of snow. Did you hear about the blizzard that hit New York the day after Christmas? (Yes, I know it hit other places, too.) It took THREE DAYS for the city to plow the street in front of my house. And thanks to Brooklyn's dog population, most of the snow was neon yellow by the time it was finally cleared away.

Now there's another snow storm headed in our direction. My parents, who live down south, just had 18 inches dumped on their doorstep. (I'm glad you're enjoying it, EQ.) I can't even imagine what's in store for New York.

OK, Canadians, this is your chance to tell me that I'm being a ninny. (Goodness knows I got enough grief when I posted about the Brooklyn tornado.)

Oh well, maybe I'll just go outside and make an "Oscar-worthy video" (see below).

Idiot With A Tripod from Gothamist on Vimeo.

Well Hello There!

2011-01-08T12:17:00.002-05:00

It's been a while, hasn't it? Some (but probably not all) of you may be wondering what I've been up to for the past few weeks. Well here's a little list (‘cause you know how much I love lists):

1. I've been working on Kiki 3, The Darkness Dwellers. It's almost finished. Every day I receive emails asking WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE OUT?!?!? I must admit that I don't know the release date yet, but I will post it on this blog THE SECOND I find out what it will be!

2. I finished the sequel to The Eternal Ones, which will (almost certainly) be called All You Desire. Right now, it's looking like it might be on shelves in August, but once again, I will post the release date when I have it.

3. I read the Hunger Games trilogy. I only intended to read the first book, but I devoured the entire series in four days. I thought it was amazing (and I hear I'm not alone).

4. I watched True Grit. I've always steered clear of westerns—whether movies or books—so I wasn't aware that the hero of True Grit is a fourteen-year-old girl. Smart, savvy, and a good shot, Mattie Ross is everything a girl should be. In fact, she reminded me of Luz Lopez (one of my seven favorite Irregulars). The movie is quite violent, (though The Hunger Games makes it look like Mary Poppins). If you're cool with blood and guts, I think you might enjoy it.

5. I’ve been contemplating some improvements to my blogs. (Yes, I have more than one. That’s the problem.) Over the next couple of weeks, you’ll start to see a few changes. Don’t worry, though. I’ll keep posting about all the weird and wonderful subjects that have captured my imagination. (And I’ll be posting MORE OFTEN than I have in the recent past.) But the blog’s name might change, and there will be more ways to access it. I’ll also be on Twitter, so you can follow me there (or on Facebook) if you prefer.

BTW, I have a new name in mind for the blog. But if any of you have a suggestion, feel free to post it in the comments!

So that’s about it. The next time I disappear for a few weeks, this is where I’ll be.

Vacation Time

2010-12-13T10:55:00.001-05:00

Hey everybody. I’m taking the rest of the year off. I’ll be back in 2011! So have a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, or Fabulous Festivus!

In the City on Sunday?

2010-12-11T12:53:00.003-05:00

If so, stop by the fabulous Books of Wonder store (18 W. 18th St.) tomorrow at noon. I will be there, participating in the Great Teen Novels event! Check out the other authors who will be there as well!

I've Seen the Future: Glowing Trees

2010-12-11T07:51:00.001-05:00

Scientists in Taiwan believe they may have discovered a way to turn ordinary trees into streetlamps. Injecting gold nanoparticles into their leaves could make entire trees glow red. And no electricity would be consumed!

Read more here.

Awesome Holiday Gifts, Part II

2010-12-09T07:46:00.001-05:00

Unfortunately, I can't figure out where to purchase them. UPDATE: Now I do, thanks to a Facebook friend!!!

A Unicorn Wouldn't Last Ten Minutes in New York

2010-12-07T07:39:00.000-05:00

You may have already seen this online. But I think it's a nice example of how one simple, cheap idea can make a million sullen New Yorkers laugh. (OK, "laugh" might be going too far. How about "consider laughing?" Still a remarkable accomplishment.)

Read more here.

Awesome Holiday Gifts, Part I

2010-12-05T08:30:00.000-05:00

Looking for a (relatively) cheap present for your favorite wannabe superhero? These webbed gloves are the perfect solution!

I Love, Love, Love This Site

2010-12-03T08:47:00.000-05:00

I can't believe I didn't find this site earlier. John Kenn is a Danish television director. In his spare time, he draws pictures on monsters on Post-Its. There are literally hundreds of monsters on his website. And all of them are unbelievably awesome.

The Ghost Boots of Central Park

2010-12-01T08:02:00.000-05:00

(Above: No, that's not Central Park. Click here for more info.)

For the past six years, New Yorkers who have ventured into Central Park at night have often come across an unsettling vision: A pair of large cowboy boots waiting by a park bench, with no owner in sight. Is Central Park haunted by a boot-wearing ghost? A New York Times blogger investigated and discovered that the truth is much, much weirder.

(Thanks for the tip, Kartoffel!)

National Library's Secret Chamber

2010-11-29T08:21:00.000-05:00

Sometimes an article is so awesome that I must quote it.

National Library [in the Indian city of Kolkata] has always been reputed to haunted. Now, here is a really eerie secret. A mysterious room has been discovered in the 250-year-old building a room that no one knew about and no one can enter because it seems to have no opening of kind, not even trapdoors.

The chamber has lain untouched for over two centuries. Wonder what secrets it holds. The archaeologists who discovered it have no clue either, their theories range from a torture chamber, or a sealed tomb for an unfortunate soul or the most favoured of all a treasure room. Some say they wouldn't be surprised if both skeletons and jewels tumble out of the secret room.

Read the rest here!

Can a Food Be So Gross That It's CRUEL to Serve It?

2010-11-28T09:34:00.001-05:00

American readers should be familiar with the Eighth Amendment to the US Constitution, which prohibits "cruel and unusual punishments."

When I think of the Eighth Amendment, I usually imagine torture techniques like drawing and quartering or being burnt at the stake. But there are some folks who believe there's a certain food that's so disgusting that feeding it to imprisoned criminals constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. It's not a toxic or rotten food. It's healthy and wholesome. Just unbelievably disgusting.

It's called Nutraloaf. According to this fascinating article, it's often served to prisoners who misuse food or bodily waste.

Want the recipe? (I'm talking to you, Remy.) Well here it is! Bon Appetit!

(I'm pretty sure my mother used to make this.)

Notice Anything Strange About This Subway Sign?

2010-11-27T16:57:00.002-05:00

No? Click here.

You Could Be Famous, Too!

2010-11-26T09:31:00.001-05:00

Meet Remy Mumby, ten-year-old star of the web series Food Oddities. The kid will eat anything. Dung beetles. Pickled pig lips. Scorpions. Anything. (Except pets. Gotta draw the line somewhere, I guess.)

But I have a little challenge for Remy. It's coming up in the very next post. (UPDATE: The post AFTER the next post.)

I'm Never Taking a Shower Again

2010-11-24T09:06:00.000-05:00

Scientists at MIT have developed a camera that can shoot pictures around corners. (Shown above.) According to Professor Ramesh Raskar, "It's like having x-ray vision without the x-rays. But we're going around the problem rather than going through it."

In honor of this great scientific development, I shall remain fully clothed for the rest of my life.

More here.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Little Red Riding Hood

2010-11-23T15:48:00.003-05:00

Slagsmålsklubben - Sponsored by destiny from Tomas Nilsson on Vimeo.

The music kinda drives me nuts, but otherwise this is pretty darn cool.

Mamika!

2010-11-22T08:55:00.000-05:00

Even Kiki Strike needs heroes. Meet Mamika. She's 91 years old. She survived WWII (and saved 10 people from the Nazis), communism, and the 1980s.

Now she fights the forces of evil with her grandson, French photographer Sacha Goldberger.

Find out more about Mamika (and see more photos) here!

Someday I'll Write About . . .

2010-11-21T08:17:00.000-05:00

Fredericka "Marm" Mandelbaum. One of the most notorious criminals in 19th century New York was a portly Prussian woman. She worked out of a store at 79 Clinton St. in Manhattan (the building still exists today). Marm made a living fencing stolen goods. She also planned and financed some of the most impressive capers in New York history. But Marm was no "common" criminal. She threw swanky dinner parties for the city's finest citizens. And she was said to be a stickler for good manners.

But what interests me most about good old Marm is the school she started. The Grand Street School was Manhattan's elite academy for young criminals. There were classes in pocket-picking, safe-cracking, blackmail, and confidence games. Children under the age of ten were welcome to apply and those who graduated at the top of their class were hired by Marm herself. Hmmm. Sounds like a Dickens novel, doesn't it?

Here's Marm's obituary from the New York Times. She led an interesting life.

Amp Up Your Test Scores

2010-11-19T08:50:00.000-05:00

A while back, I came across an article that listed a few study habits that are guaranteed to help a student improve her grades. For instance . . .

Don't study in the same place all the time. Get up and move around. It will help you absorb more information.

Don't focus on a single subject each time you sit down to study. Try to switch between a few related subjects. (Like math and physics. Or vocabulary and literature.)

A few short study sessions scheduled over the course of a week will help you learn much more than a single super-long study session.

Zapping your brain with electric current will work wonders on your math skills.

(Oh right. I found that last fact here. Do I need to say don't try it at home?)

Check the Band for Inscriptions!

2010-11-17T11:20:00.004-05:00

More here. (Why do all the pictures available of this ring have someone's eye in the background?)

Let the Debate Begin!

2010-11-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

According to a recent study conducted in Britain, children without brothers or sisters tend to be happier children. In fact, the more siblings a kid has, the more miserable he/she is.

Does this sound right to you? There were plenty of times in my youth when I wished I was an only child. But I was still pretty darn happy. And these days, I couldn't be more thrilled that I have a brother and sister. But who knows? Maybe I would have been SUPER happy if I had been the only kid in the family.

So what do you think? Does having siblings make a kid HAPPIER or MISERABLE?

Guerilla Gardening

2010-11-15T08:37:00.000-05:00

(Photos: Daniel Phillips)

Someday soon, you might just stumble upon one of the unusual vending machines shown above. But I wouldn't recommend chewing on the contents. Instead of gumballs, these machines dispense seed bombs. Pop in a quarter, and you'll receive a ball made of of clay, compost, and seeds. Toss it into any crack, crevice, or abandoned lot, and soon tiny plants will begin to sprout. Each seed bomb is guaranteed to make the world a little bit greener.

Interested? You can find vending machine sites here!

Happy Birthday, Claudia!

2010-11-12T18:20:00.003-05:00

Remember: You're never too old to be dangerous!

Visit a Secret Subway Stop!

2010-11-11T15:48:00.004-05:00

The City Hall subway station has been closed for 65 years. And for 65 years, New Yorkers have broken every rule trying to get a glimpse of one of the city's lost treasures. Why? Because City Hall may be the most beautiful subway station in Manhattan, with arched ceilings, chandeliers, and fabulous skylights.

Until recently, one of the only ways to see the station (aside from infrequent tours) was to sneak onto a downtown #6 subway at the last stop on the line (Brooklyn Bridge). The #6 trains use the City Hall stop to turn back uptown, but passengers haven't been allowed to go along for the ride.

But now they've decided to stop kicking people off the trains! Just stay on the downtown #6 after the last official stop, and you can ride through City Hall station without getting in trouble. And no one wants to get in trouble. Right?

(Thanks Nathaniel and Paige!)

Test Your Detective Skills

2010-11-08T18:20:00.004-05:00

Can you spot a fake smile? Most people can't. There's a great test on the BBC website that will let you see if you've got what it takes. For the record, I scored 17 out of 20. Yeah, I'm bragging. See if you can beat me. Click here.

Public Service Announcement

2010-11-05T09:38:00.002-04:00

Wondering how to improve your SAT scores? One New York high school student recently uncovered a few helpful tricks. So what does this say about SAT scores? Hmmmm.

The Strangest Beach in the World

2010-11-05T09:26:00.002-04:00

See the beautiful little beach in the photo above? It's nowhere near the shore. Gulpiyuri Beach is completely inland. Yet it has sand, waves, even seaweed.

How is this possible? Read more here.

The Greatest Job in the World

2010-11-05T09:04:00.004-04:00

(Above: A New York City street in 1893.)

Robin Nagle has my dream job. She's an anthropologist who works with the New York City Department of Sanitation. What does that mean? It means she gets to study the relationship between people and their trash.

I've long been fascinated by sewers, garbage collection, plumbing, and all of the things that make modern life relatively sanitary. It wasn't long ago that the world was a filthy, disgusting place. And New York City may have been one of the nastiest cities on earth.

Here's Ms. Nagle describing the average New York City neighborhood in the late 19th century:

Imagine, on your own block, that you can’t cross the street, even at the corner, without paying a street kid with a broom to clear a path for you, because the streets were layered in this sludge of manure, rotting vegetables, ash, broken up furniture, debris of all kind. It was called “corporation pudding” after the city government. And it was deep -- in some cases knee-deep.

Wow. The rest of Ms. Nagle's interview with onearth can be found here!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T13:58:00.001-04:00

Any Halloween stories you'd like to share?

Here's one. It's a bright, sunny day here in Brooklyn. I'm sitting on my couch in the living room, writing this post. I can hear someone upstairs. S/he's walking around in my bedroom. The only problem? I'm alone in the house. No. I'm not joking.

Was a Time Traveler Captured on Film?

2010-10-28T19:03:00.003-04:00

A man in Belfast claims to have discovered something rather remarkable in some old movie footage from 1928. A woman appears to be speaking into a cell phone. (And no, there weren't any cell phones in 1928.)

Check out the footage below. It's clear that she's clutching something small and rectangular in her hand. And she seems to be speaking into it. (Watch the whole video for slow-mo and stills.)

Here's my question. OK, let's say she's a time traveler. Who's on the other end of the phone?

I think an obvious explanation has been ignored. She's an alien.

Ever Wonder Why Squirrels Are Evil?

2010-10-26T19:57:00.002-04:00

We must have done something really, really bad to them at some point in the past.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTANA IRREGULAR!

2010-10-26T12:27:00.004-04:00

I'm sorry I'm a day late!

Be Careful! The Animals Are Up to Something

2010-10-23T08:18:00.006-04:00

(Above: Coming to get you?)

An English florist discovered a deadly South American poison dart frog in a batch of tropical foliage.

Two monkeys have been made station masters at a train station in Japan. They don't look terribly competent if you ask me.

You say they're "pets?" Tell that to the neighbors, lady.

There's an animal that is able to clone itself. We must stop them before they take over the world!

Earlier this year, a stalker pheasant was terrorizing England, and an escaped hippo was roaming free in Montenegro.

Painting with maggots.

Ah the Wonders of Science

2010-10-21T10:09:00.003-04:00

Veruca Salt: Will Violet always be a blueberry?
Willy Wonka: No. Maybe. I dunno. But that's what you get from chewing gum all day, it's just disgusting.
Mike Teavee: If you hate gum so much, why do you make it?
Willy Wonka: Once again you really shouldn't mumble, 'cause it's kinda starting to bum me out.

I was in kindergarten the first time I saw Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (that's the original version). I recall being rather intrigued by two things in particular. Everlasting gobstoppers. And the "three course meal gum." Now, researchers may have made flavor-changing gum a reality. Let's just hope they've managed to get rid of the unfortunate side effects.

I Know Where Batman Lives

2010-10-20T11:56:00.003-04:00

Now you do, too. If I ever win the lottery, (come on, universe, throw me one!), I'm going to do something similar with the Irregulars' logo. (Perhaps a little something involving topiary.)

Good to Know

2010-10-19T09:03:00.003-04:00

Need to ask your dad, brother, uncle, or grandfather for something? (Karate lessons? Bail money? A kidney? A place to hide while you're on the run from the law/gangsters/CIA?) According to a study conducted by a major pharmaceutical manufacturer (I'm going to let that fact go without comment for now), men are more likely to grant the wishes of a female loved one at 6PM.

Gee, I wish all studies funded by major pharmaceutical manufacturers were this practical!

Zombie Barbies

2010-10-18T11:40:00.006-04:00

One of the things I love about Brooklyn is that people here go ALL OUT on Halloween. Half the houses on my block are already decorated for the holiday, and the creativity on display is pretty astounding. (I should really take some pictures.)

I probably won't have the opportunity to decorate my own house this year, but I may have found my theme for next Halloween. I recently came across a guide to building a Zombie Barbie Garden. (What are you supposed to do with all those mangy old Barbies, anyway?) I love it!

Adventures in Texas

2010-10-18T10:32:00.003-04:00

I just got back from my second favorite city in the world--Austin, Texas! I always love going to the book festival down there. Not only is it a chance to meet some wonderful authors, it's often my last chance to experience a little good weather before it gets dreadfully cold here in New York.

This year, there was a big bonus: The chance to participate in a panel that was held in one of the coolest settings ever. (See above.) The room was in the Texas State Capitol Building. I have no idea what kind of business usually takes place there, but I felt very, very powerful. Ha. And the panel itself was pretty amazing. That's me (trying to look tough) with authors Mary Mancusi (Gamer Girl, Bad Blood, Girls That Growl), Andrea Cremer (Nightshade) and Heather Brewer (The Chronicles of Vladamir Tod). And a big thanks to Soren for stopping by!

I'd also like to thank the lovely ladies from Amarillo who saved my butt later in the evening. (And Andrea's and Heather's.) We were stranded at an event. No taxis in sight. Then six heroines appeared in a minivan and offered us a ride to our hotel. If only I could think of a way to repay you . . . (And I WILL repay you. I never forget a good deed.)

(SECRET MESSAGE FOR "ANONYMOUS." I RECEIVED YOUR NOTE, BUT DIDN'T PUBLISH IT. CONSIDER IT DONE. CHECK BACK IN EXACTLY ONE WEEK.)

I Might Just Get an Eye Patch

2010-10-13T09:08:00.003-04:00

(Above: Yes, I know that's not a pirate.)

The other day, I was reading about pirates (as I'm wont to do), and I came across an interesting "fact." Some pirate experts (can you imagine a better job?) claim that sailors may not have worn eye patches to look tough or to cover up injuries. Instead, the eye patch might have been a trade secret of sorts. If a sailor always kept one eye in the dark, that eye wouldn't need time to adjust when the sailor went below deck.

Interesting, right? (Perhaps you already knew?) Anyway, I was thinking that this might have a few practical applications for those of us who don't spend our days on the high seas. Perhaps you have some suggestions?

WHAT????

2010-10-11T15:56:00.006-04:00

A bomb was just discovered in the Marble Cemetery! I'm not making this up. Check out the news report here!

Here's a little message for the person responsible. Soon, you will wake up in the middle of the night to find a pale, elfin girl with colorless hair staring down at you. Don't bother to beg for mercy.

(And I would just like to state for the record that I wrote the previous post long before I heard about this. What a bizarre coincidence!)

UPDATE: This report from the New York Times leads me to believe that the device was discovered at the OTHER Marble Cemetery. (Yes, there are two of them. They're about a block apart, and people tend to get them confused.)

It's Monday. Let's Take a Moment to Blow Some Stuff Up

2010-10-11T08:21:00.002-04:00

(Thanks, Emily!)

What the Heck Is Happening in Upper Michigan?

2010-10-09T16:30:00.002-04:00

Earlier this week, residents of upper Michigan reported hearing the sound of an explosion in the woods. When they investigated, they discovered a mysterious crevice had suddenly appeared. The crack was over 600 feet long and up to five feet deep in places. And it's growing. There have been no earthquakes in the area. So what do you suppose could have caused the fissure?

Anyone out there in Michigan feel like doing a little investigative reporting for Ananka's Diary?

Who Knew Carrots Could Be So Interesting?

2010-10-06T10:19:00.005-04:00

I live in New York. I know nothing about horticulture or farming. So maybe you guys are already aware of the facts I plan to put forth in this post. But I gotta say, I just had my mind blown. By carrots.

Are you aware that carrots were purple before the 17th century? Yeah. Purple. Apparently the Dutch are responsible for their current color. (Did they breed orange carrots because they were tastier? Or to celebrate the powerful House of Orange? Who knows? The Dutch work in mysterious ways.)

Among the other things I recently learned about carrots. (All taken from this enlightening post.)

1. Carrot seeds are they key ingredient in an ancient concoction proven to counteract the effects of poison.

2. The Romans believed carrots were aphrodisiacs. Everyone in ancient Rome grew them.

3. That whole "carrots improve your eyesight" thing? It's an urban legend cooked up by the British government.

Reading Tomorrow!

2010-10-05T16:46:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow evening, I’ll be reading from my new book, The Eternal Ones, at the Jefferson Market Library in Manhattan. So if you’re in town, come say hi. (And be sure to check out the other authors who will also be reading. See the list below!)

(6-7:30, Jefferson Market Branch of NYPL, 425 6th Ave, at 10th St.)

Maria Boyd, Will
Matt de la Pena, I Will Save You
Kirsten Miller, The Eternal Ones
Lauren Oliver, Before I Fall
Samantha Schutz, You Are Not Here
Suzanne Weyn, Empty
Lizabeth Zindel, A Girl, A Ghost, and the Hollywood Hills

So What Do You Think?

2010-09-28T16:05:00.001-04:00

Does this guy get paid to scratch giant rodents--or is he a little eccentric?

Ninjabread Men

2010-09-28T15:52:00.003-04:00

Do you like cookies? Do you like ninjas? Of COURSE you do! Who doesn't? Thankfully, a genius over at Instructables has come up with a handy guide for creating your own ninjabread men cookie cutters!

Just in time for the holidays!!! (Helpful hint: Why not make them ninjabread GIRL cookies? Or hey, why not IRREGULAR cookies? Just a thought.)

Anyone Up for a Visit to the Marble Cemetery?

2010-09-27T12:52:00.002-04:00

I just realized that Manhattan's secret Marble Cemetery (you know the one!) is holding its annual open house on October 9th and 10th! Anyone interested in joining me for a visit? Send an email to kikistrike@gmail.com!

Book Recommendation!

2010-09-22T11:54:00.003-04:00

(Above: How awesome is that cover?)

By the way, if any of you guys are looking for a super-scary book, I recommend The Replacement! Check out my review, plus a Q&A with the author, here at my Eternal Ones Blog!

I'm gonna start recommending books more often now, I think. So if there are any I should check out, let me know!

The Strange Face in the Mirror

2010-09-20T11:40:00.004-04:00

(Above: What do you think she saw?)

Here's a fun experiment. All you need is a mirror and a dimly-lit room. Sit with your face about a foot and a half from the mirror. Stare at your own reflection. In about a minute, you may begin to see something unusual.

Here's what other people have reported seeing:

Strange changes to one's own face
A parent's face
The face of an unknown person
The face of an animal
The face of a monstrous being

Creepy! So try it, and report back! (More information available here!)

I Survived a Tornado!

2010-09-17T09:13:00.004-04:00

That's right. I don't care what the National Weather Service says. (They haven't reached any conclusions yet.) I am 100% positive that a tornado passed over or near my house last night!

I grew up in North Carolina, where the storms can be extremely fierce. (And, after Florida, NC leads the nation in lightening-related deaths.) But I have NEVER seen anything like the storm that hit New York City last night. The wind and hail were battering my building with such force that I was certain my skylights would be destroyed.

See some pictures on the New York Times website.

Places to Avoid: Shijiao

2010-09-16T09:52:00.001-04:00

"Residents of a township in southwest China have been running scared after more than 160 cobras escaped from an illegal breeding laboratory, state media said Thursday.

People in Shijiao township in the huge Chongqing municipality have found the deadly snakes in outdoor toilets, kitchens and on the streets since they escaped earlier this month."

More here.

Octopus Cake and a Video

2010-09-14T17:17:00.004-04:00

(Above: The work of master baker Karen Portaleo)

Last night I was on This Week in Books! Check out my interview here!

I've Seen the Future: Poo-Powered Street Lights!

2010-09-14T09:30:00.002-04:00

If you've got a dog, you've got poo. The question is: What should you do with it? There are many, many options available to you. (All of which I will leave to the imagination for now.) However, if you're ecologically-minded, you might try using it as fuel.

A dog park in Cambridge, MA, has recently installed a "methane digester," which takes unwanted pooch poo and uses it to power street lights, a tea cart, and a popcorn machine. (Not sure how I feel about that last one.)

Apparently it's a pretty easy process turning poo into power. (You can read more about it here.) Which makes me think . . .

This Is the First and the Last Time I Will Say This: OMG!

2010-09-08T18:27:00.003-04:00

(Above: May I have a glass of that, please?)

There are SHRIMP in New York City's drinking water! Tiny, microscopic crustaceans! The clear-thinking folks at National Geographic have tried their best to assure the water-drinking public that the wee beasties aren't dangerous (and they ARE kosher). But OMG! There are SHRIMP in New York City's drinking water. I LOVE shrimp!

Well Hello There!

2010-09-07T12:56:00.003-04:00

So I'm back in Brooklyn after a week in Georgia. I had a fabulous time at the Decatur Book Festival. The highlight? Meeting blog regular EQ! Thanks so much for coming, EQ. You're every bit as dangerous as I expected you to be!

(By the way, I'll post a full list of my trips soon. And yes, I will be in Chicago in the near future!)

Now back to business. I've been meaning to post about the ring shown above. It was made from a copy of Sherlock Holmes! (Not sure which book, though.) Artist Jeremy May has been fashioning rings from a wide range of classic novels. (See them here.) Now if only I could get my hands on a Kiki Strike ring. (Which should come with a secret compartment for hiding poisons, small documents, or Liquid Roadkill.)

Hitting the Road

2010-09-03T08:13:00.004-04:00

So if any of you come to Decatur on Sunday, I will be INCREDIBLY THRILLED. But don't think I'm neglecting the rest of the country! I'm going to be traveling a lot over the next six months, and there's a very good chance I'll be visiting a town near YOU!

Next stops . . .

The Brooklyn Book Festival on September 12th
The Texas Book Festival in Austin (my second-favorite city)

Heaven, I'm in Heaven

2010-09-03T07:50:00.007-04:00

I just came across a sweet little shop selling some interesting stuff.

There are special drops that will temporarily turn a person's teeth a terrible yellow if added to hot liquids like coffee. (Love that one.) Powders that can set off a sneezing fit. Mists so foul-smelling they can knock your enemy off her feet. And of course . . . "Liquid Roadkill."

While I REALLY don't recommend trying these out in real life (and I doubt you can purchase them if you're under 18), it IS nice to dream.

On the Road

2010-08-30T14:09:00.003-04:00

Any of you guys live near Decatur, Georgia? If so, come on down to the Decatur Book Festival this weekend! I'll be there on Sunday, September 5th, talking about my many butt-kicking heroines.

Hmmm. I Wonder Where These Girls Got the Idea

2010-08-26T14:22:00.008-04:00

Two Swedish schoolgirls were recently fined $270 when it was discovered they had bugged the teachers' lounge at their school. Figuring a little insider information might come in handy some day, they planned to listen in on a conference in which students' grades were decided.

Too bad one of them had the brilliant idea of posting the details of their plot on Facebook.

I hope the rest of you use your powers for good--not evil! Ha.

I Can't Help Myself

2010-08-25T17:06:00.002-04:00

Not only are they faster than us, they're cleaner, too.

Our Ancestors Sure Were Tacky

2010-08-24T13:42:00.007-04:00

(Above: The color-reconstructed Alexander Sarcophagus. Below: The "original.")

Okay, they're not my ancestors, and they're probably not yours. But you get the idea.

So all those beautiful white Greek and Roman statues you see in museums? They weren't always so classy. No, back in the day, they were garishly painted. (So were all those lovely temples, I'm afraid.) This isn't news to me, and it may not be news for you. But it's still a bit shocking to see color reconstructions of ancient artworks.

Or maybe it's just me. What do you think?

See more examples here

Watch Out, Laura!

2010-08-23T11:11:00.002-04:00

Apparently squid can FLY! This is a truly terrifying turn of events. (Thanks, RL!!)

Laura Dekker Sails!

2010-08-23T10:57:00.002-04:00

Fourteen-year-old Laura Dekker may soon be the youngest person to sail solo around the world! As many of you know, the Dutch government tried to prevent Laura from living her dream. (And let's be honest, it is pretty darn risky.) For months she was forced to live under the guardianship of Dutch child protective agencies. But now she's free, and her boat, the Guppy, set sail from Gibraltar on Saturday!

You can read more here, and FOLLOW THE GUPPY on its way around the world on Laura's website!

Bon voyage, Laura! The Irregulars are with you in spirit!

Thanks to everyone who sent me links and updates on Laura!

Humans vs Rats

2010-08-21T20:02:00.001-04:00

Horseshoe Crabs Freak Me Out

2010-08-20T09:49:00.006-04:00

OK, so this is the National Geographic photo of the day, and they'll probably hunt me down and riddle my body with elephant tranquilizer darts if they find out I posted it.

But I just had to ask . . . Do you find horseshoe crabs as creepy as I do?

I've heard hundreds of thousands of them swarm certain beaches in New York Harbor every spring. I gotta go see that sometime.

The Eternal Ones is Out in the UK and Australia!

2010-08-19T16:42:00.002-04:00

Yay! That is an emu, isn't it?

Thirteen-Year-Old Conquers the Fashion World

2010-08-19T10:22:00.006-04:00

Here's something I've been meaning to write about for ages. Did you know that one of the most popular and influential fashion blogs on the Internet is written by a thirteen-year-old girl?

Her name is Tavi Gevinson, and she started The Style Rookie when she was eleven. Today, her blog is read by designers, magazine editors, and anyone else who takes fashion seriously. (I like to think of her as a real-life Betty Bent.)

When The Style Rookie first began attracting tens of thousands of readers, many accused Tavi of being a fraud. The observations and writing were too sophisticated and clever to be the musings of a young girl, they said. ("They" being people who hadn't met many thirteen-year-old girls.)

These days, the diva who describes herself as a "tiny 13-year-old dork that sits inside all day wearing awkward jackets and pretty hats" can be seen on the front row of many a fashion show. And she's proof of just how much can be accomplished if you ignore all the naysayers and just do what you love!

Read more about Tavi here.

New York Times Best Seller!

2010-08-18T17:43:00.002-04:00

Oh wow. The Eternal Ones just made the New York Times Best Sellers List! (Week of 8/29)

I can't quite believe it! Thanks to everyone who bought the book!

Late At Night, He Practices Without the Gym Mats and Safety Gear

2010-08-18T13:09:00.002-04:00

Thirteen-year-old Hibiki Kono lives in Cambridge, England. In this video, he demonstrates the use of his latest invention. Going by all the safety gear on display, I'm guessing the film was made at Hibiki's school.

Here's my question: So where does Hibiki go when no one is watching?

Public Service Announcement

2010-08-16T12:18:00.002-04:00

Think your school day starts way too early? You may be right! Take this article to your principal!

Am I Sick, or Is This Funny?

2010-08-16T11:57:00.003-04:00

Google Street View is a never-ending source of entertainment. And TERROR! Recently, people viewing the English town of Worcester were horrified to see the motionless body of a girl lying face-down in the road! Had the Google Street Van captured the evidence of a terrible crime/accident?

Shocked good Samaritans all over the world insisted on an investigation.

Here's what they uncovered . . . the body belonged to a 10-year-old girl named Azura Beebeejaun. And she couldn't be more alive. Here's what she told a British newspaper . . .

"I fell over while I was playing with my friend and thought it would be funny to play dead. I'm quite chuffed I'm on the Internet."

And a STAR! Azura, you deserve to be in show biz!

See the image that started the controversy here. And be sure to check out the other amazing Google Street View finds listed at the bottom of the article. My favorite? The Man in White.

The Eternal Ones Comes Out TOMORROW!

2010-08-09T09:15:00.007-04:00

Wow. It's hard to believe that the day is finally here! It feels like The Eternal Ones has been in the works for ages. And now it will be on bookstore shelves. I'm thrilled and terrified! (Forget that. I'm not scared of ANYTHING! Ha.)

I would like to thank my Kiki Strike blog readers. I'm sure you're all eager for The Darkness Dwellers (Kiki 3), but you should know that you help make ALL of my books possible. Writing can be a very lonely profession, but I've always been able to stop by Ananka's Diary for a visit with a few hundred of my closest friends. (And yes, I do consider you all friends!) Your support is incredibly important to me--both personally and professionally.

As for the few of you who have been with the blog since its early days (Kitty, Falcon, Jin Ai, BL--sorry if I've missed anyone), I just want you guys to know that I'm truly in your debt.

So thanks again, everyone!

Insect Sushi

2010-08-09T08:55:00.004-04:00

(Photos of more tasty treats here!)

Got a dinner party coming up? Interested in learning how to craft such culinary delights for your friends and family? Check out Japanese author Shoichi Uchiyama's book of 79 insect recipes. According to the Telegraph . . .

The onset of autumn in Japan means that spiders are presently Shoichi Uchiyama's preferred insect dish, gently boiled and served on a bed of rice. The meat, he said, is soft and reminiscent of simmered soy beans.

"Domestic spiders are large at this time of year and the females are carrying their young in their stomachs, so they're both tasty and healthy."

You know, I find insects and spiders as unappetizing as most Americans. But I have a feeling we'll all be eating them in the future. They're cheap, plentiful, and packed with nutrients. And farming insects would be much easier on the environment than raising cattle, pigs, or poultry.

So all I can say is **holding nose** bon appetit!

Monstrous Wildlife

2010-08-06T12:29:00.000-04:00

Monstrous Wildlife from Frank Robnik on Vimeo.

Stay out of Nevada!

Possum Pedicure

2010-08-06T12:19:00.001-04:00

Words fail me. Thanks, Kitty!

I've Finally Found the Perfect Sport

2010-08-04T14:57:00.003-04:00

I'm happy to hear that competitive lockpicking (called "locksport") is becoming more and more popular . . .

Locksport fans compete in several formats, including head-to-head contests that determine the fastest lock picker. In the so-called Locksport Wizard, each contestant is given a burlap sack containing an identical set of locks and is required to blindly pick them using only tools they have put in the sack.

In other challenges, participants have to pick their way out of handcuffs before attempting to defeat a set of locks. There also are competitions to disassemble locks and reassemble them properly.

This sounds like just the kind of exercise I've been looking for! Maybe I should start my own club.

Read more here.

Adorable . . . or Disgusting?

2010-08-01T07:56:00.003-04:00

Baby tarantulas!

From Tunedbeat, who has some amazing spider photos.

Here's something else I just found . . .

A Question of Courage

2010-07-30T13:52:00.003-04:00

(Photo by Julia Fullerton-Batten)

The fabulous ladies over at Readergirlz have been thinking about "courage" all month. Here are some of my thoughts on the subject! (And if you aren't familiar with the Bildungsroman blog, you should definitely check it out, too! It's one of my favorites!)

Contraband!

2010-07-30T08:02:00.005-04:00

(Above: Now you, too, can smuggle items through customs! How exciting!)

Every time I fly into the US from another country, I always see people having their luggage inspected by customs officials, and I can't help but think, "What the heck have they got in there??"

Now I know.

Artist Taryn Simon spent five days photographing contraband smuggled into the US via Kennedy Airport. Bush meat, BBQ guinea pig, drugs, and (my favorite) unidentifiable animal fat are just a few of the fascinating objects removed from people's luggage. 40 of Ms. Simon's photos can now be seen at the NY Times website. Check 'em out and vote for your favorite!

Britain Invaded By Tarantulas!

2010-07-28T09:19:00.002-04:00

Oh dear. We've had similar posts in the past. Big, hairy spiders appear to be taking over the planet. (BTW, there's an enormous, bright orange spider hanging outside my office window as I write. I've never seen anything like it.)

Here's the latest story. Two rare Chilean Rose tarantulas have recently been discovered in gardens in the north of England. The gardens in question are only two miles apart, and the spiders are the same age and breed, which has led some experts to suggest that the two probably aren't alone.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. The Chilean Rose tarantula spits hairs that can blind humans. Have a nice day!

Read more here.

What's Cuter?

2010-07-26T07:51:00.000-04:00

Super-tiny octopus?

or . . .

A two-headed bearded dragon with six legs? (Video here.)

Mexico City's Sewer Divers

2010-07-24T16:52:00.007-04:00

Julio Camara (shown above) earns about $500 a month diving into Mexico City's sewage system to make repairs and clear blockages. Spinning pump blades, deadly diseases, and noxious gases are just three of the countless dangers he faces each day. And there's always a chance he'll come face-to-face with a cadaver. Maybe it is the world's worst job. But Julio claims he loves every minute of it. And I think he's awesome.

Read more here.

If you have a REALLY strong stomach, (and I mean really strong), here's a short National Geographic video.

This Is the First Thing I Clicked on This Morning

2010-07-21T07:45:00.001-04:00

I think it's going to be an interesting day. Just a hunch.

Even Better Than a Capybara

2010-07-19T18:28:00.003-04:00

If you're looking for a rodent companion, why not try a porcupine? Sure, you'll need gloves to pet it, but (in my humble opinion) it's the cutest little herbivore around.

Dumpster Diving!

2010-07-17T17:09:00.003-04:00

If you're visiting New York this August, you may have the chance to do a little dumpster diving. Literally. Pools made from dumpsters will be lined up on Park Avenue between 40th and 41st Streets. Each pool will be eight feet wide, five and a half feet deep, and twenty-two feet long. (Those are some big dumpsters.) There will even be lifeguards, changing rooms and portable showers!

I gotta say, this sounds pretty awesome. Though that particular stretch of street is literally the last place on earth that I'd want to be spotted in a bathing suit. (I used to work around there.)

Read more here!

Do You Expect the Unexpected?

2010-07-13T15:43:00.005-04:00

According to a new study (actually a twist on a very old study), people who "expect the unexpected" aren't necessarily more likely to SPOT the unexpected.

Here's the scenario. Study volunteers are told to watch two groups (one group in white shirts, and one in black) pass a basketball from person to person. The volunteers are asked to count how many times the people in white pass the ball.

At some point, while everyone is counting, a person in a gorilla suit walks right through the action. The volunteers are so focused on counting that only half notice the gorilla.

Simple enough, right? Well what if volunteers are TOLD a gorilla might be stopping by? Then things get interesting.

First, test your own skills with the video below. Then click here to read more.

(This should be mandatory training for all future Irregulars.)

Ninja Monkeys!

2010-07-10T08:07:00.003-04:00

(Illustration: CS Jennings)

"The monkeys made their bid for freedom [from a Japanese research facility] by using tree branches to fling themselves one by one over the high voltage electric fence located nearly three metres away.

However, despite the intelligence shown in their great escape, the primates appeared unsure as to what to do with their newfound freedom: the monkeys remained by the gates of the research centre and were lured back into captivity by scientists armed with peanuts."

If there is a fourth Kiki Strike, these monkeys will definitely have a role. Mark my words.

More here. Thanks for the tip, Big K.

Bloodcicles and Frozen Insects

2010-07-08T15:42:00.004-04:00

These are just a few of the ways zoo creatures here are beating the heat. Want to see a panda eat a popsicle? Your wish is my command.

Washington DC Covered in Vomit-Smelling Goop

2010-07-08T08:01:00.006-04:00

The East Coast is sweltering. It's been over 100 degrees for a few days now. So what do we need to make our lives even less pleasant? How about vomit-smelling goop.

According to this article, a truck carrying restaurant oil sprang a leak sometime on Wednesday morning. Soon, U Street was coated with rancid grease. What kind of rancid grease, you ask?

"In some areas, the goop had the texture of what's left in the bottom of the pan when you fry chicken." Mmmmmm!

Cars, pedestrians, and bicycles were sliding all over the street. People who'd fallen were covered in muck.

As nasty as that sounds, I bet it was pretty amazing to see. You can't tell me some foreign government isn't responsible. I blame Liechtenstein.

I've Seen the Future, and It Is Awesome

2010-07-06T17:44:00.003-04:00

This video is meant to show some of the things that can be done with 3-D projections onto buildings. Oh my is it awesome. (The water projection! I love it!) It's just a demo video, but some of the actual projections have been videotaped and are pretty durn cool as well.

Who Is Horse Boy?

2010-07-04T09:53:00.006-04:00

A man with the head of a horse has been popping up on Google Street View. He wanders the streets of Aberdeen, Scotland, and everyone there has a theory about who he might be. But to this day, nobody knows for sure. And that's the way it should stay.

Read more here.

P.S.: Happy Fourth of July everyone!

A Personal Invitation to Teens and Adults

2010-07-01T18:03:00.006-04:00

I'm going to be spending a lot of time over at the blog for my new book, The Eternal Ones, which comes out on August 10th! So please drop by, and I'll be happy to tell you who you were in a previous life! (It's a little nuts but a lot of fun.)

The new book and the blog are not intended for anyone under 14. Those of you who haven't quite reached that mark, hold tight. I'll still be posting here regularly, and there will be a new Kiki Strike book soon!

What Should You Do With Your Old Books?

2010-06-28T21:48:00.003-04:00

Artist Nick Georgiou creates these amazing sculptures out of newspapers and books and puts them in public places. I'd love to have one crafted out of gently-worn copies of Kiki Strike.

Fresh Stone Age Meat

2010-06-25T09:53:00.005-04:00

I try to avoid the world of advertising on this blog. But I doubt any of you are in the market for a European refrigeration system, so I figured I'd go ahead and share a clever ad with you.

The Bosch company wanted to show just how long its cooling technology kept food fresh, so they decided to "sell" Stone Age meat. They wrapped up "dinosaur legs" and "saber-tooth fillets," and placed them in the meat aisles of supermarkets for people to discover. (Though I doubt dinosaurs were around in the Stone Age, but we won't get too nit-picky here.)

I think it would be rather fun to find something like that while browsing the ground chuck. I wonder if anyone tried to buy it.

The Psychic Octopus

2010-06-23T12:14:00.006-04:00

(Art by Kozyndan)

Apparently an octopus in Germany has been correctly predicting the outcome of World Cup games. (Even the upsets.) Check it out here.

Did the octopus see the US winning its group this afternoon? If so, he's better than some England fans I've met, who informed me we didn't stand a chance.

Pride goeth before second place, as they say. (Sorry, couldn't help myself.)