You’ve seen what’s happening at your neighborhood Costco or Target. It’s not exactly armageddon-level rioting and lawlessness...but it ain’t exactly fun out there right now either. Just trying to stock up on all the meal staples you’re looking for is taking a little more hustle, ingenuity, and good old dumb luck than it used to.

Under the circumstances, it may be wise to start considering alternatives that’ll keep your necessary foods fresher longer. Did you know a piece of meat that could survive six months in the freezer will actually last up to 3 years if it's vacuum sealed? Cheeses that might normally last a week or two in a regular refrigerator will make it as long as eight months in vacuum-sealed packaging.

Getting your own vacuum sealer is definitely a smart option -- and they aren’t all that expensive. Check out these four vacuum sealers you can pick up right now, all available with an extra 15 percent off if you enter the code SPRINGSAVE15 during checkout.

'Seal The Deal' Bag Sealer - $15.29 after discount; originally $49.99

As an introduction to the bagging arts, this sealer is a great way to get started. While it’s extremely portable, the included suction cups and wall mount also make it convenient to put just about anywhere you need to fashion airtight sealed bags in seconds. Your food gets an extra lease on life, all with no leakage or spilling. With a fresh set of batteries, you can seal an average of 300 bags, more than enough to stockpile loads of essentials for the long haul. Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/24/these-vacuum-sealers-can-add-y.html

This is the creation of avant-garde fashion designer Arnold Putra, claimed to be made with an ethically-sourced human child spine and alligator tongue leather. Unfortunately, it's been memory holed since Twitter found it. Fortunately, the memory holers always forget about the Bing Cache.

The ARNOLD PUTRA alligator tongue and human spine bag has been ethically sourced and crafted in a multiple panel construction. With an emphasis on protruding scar stitching lacing the outer construction of the bag, each wearer is encouraged to sculpt a form of his/her own sentiment. The unique silhouette is complimented by the human spine handle and raw edge finishes. Technical in design and construction, this one off bag is an ideal statement piece.

Each piece of Arnold Putra is meticulously hand crafted in their atelier upon order, limited in availability and may take up to 14 days to arrive during busy periods.

FEATURES: - Limited to 1/1 - Alligator tongue and human spine bag with a unique pattern construction - Natural finish - Protruding scar stitching finishes - Large main compartment - Raw edge finishes - Limited in availability

COMPOSITION: - Shell: 100% Alligator tongue- Shell: 100% Human spine handle

If you're thinking of DIYing it, it turns out that ethically-sourced human child spines are not on Amazon, sadly, so you might have to wait three or more days to get the materials together.

(throws horror writing career out of window)

I got nothing on this reality. https://t.co/7IE25yx0GR

 Cassandra Khaw (@casskhaw) March 24, 2020

I messaged them on WhatsApp...

Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/24/basket-bag-made-from-ethical.html

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You don’t wanna miss *tomorrow’s post* it’ll be good. But for now this experimental piece inspired by John Cage. Been washing my hands so much in the basin—made me think of Water Music. My classic CR-78 and metal meets water. Our world, our habitat is a giant experiment! In geological time—-we’ve been here for the tiniest fraction. C’mon, let’s make it good. Everybody In. March 17,2020 #isolationjams

A post shared by Money Mark (@moneymarkofficial) on Mar 17, 2020 at 3:45pm PDT

My pal Money Mark, longtime key(board) collaborator with the Beastie Boys, is one of the most creative and inspiring music makers I've ever met. Since California's shelter-in-place order began, he's been sharing daily "Isolation Jams" on Instagram! The truly "experimental" music brings me great joy. See more below and @MoneyMarkOfficial. Here's what Mark told me:

Making Isolation jams is a daily meditation. I call them 'Song Poems’ or ‘Sound Poems,' an exercise I’ve kept for years. Only now, I realize, documenting them and posting the audio/video is helping others. Routine is power like the sun rising and setting.

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Isolation jams number 9. Feedback studies I did in the 90’s spawned over a dozen pieces inspired by #johncage ...@realkidkoala Kid Koala and I toured the world together and I would open the show by walking thru the crowd with a boom box and microphone; taped on the back, a small drum machine and an echo pedal. Jimi Hendrix made it popular and I thought I’d take it to the next level.

Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/24/check-out-money-marks-fantas.html

CNN spoke to psychologists to find out why some people refuse to practice physical distancing during an epidemic. They give 6 reasons:

They think they are invulnerable. "They aren't following social distancing because they believe they won't get sick, even though it could prevent more vulnerable people from becoming infected." They won't let a virus boss them around. "Exercising their defiance makes the virus seem smaller." They think it's not their problem. "People who live in communities where infection isn't widespread or officials haven't imposed lockdowns may be less willing to distance themselves from others." They're numbed by info overload. "When people's media diets, social media feeds and conversations with loved ones consist of nothing but Covid-19, they may become desensitized to its severity." They favor individual freedom over the good of society. " The Western world, and the US in particular, has long prized individual freedoms -- sometimes even over community benefit." They're lonely. "Human beings crave connection, and being denied social interaction for extended periods can sting."

Image: Twitter/@realkatiewilliams Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/24/six-reasons-why-some-people-re.html

Reverend William is looking for love.

I have no idea what he's a Reverend of, or if he's even ordained at all. In fact, as you progress through his "Republican Goddess" quiz, he doesn't seem to be a Christian of any kind, but more of a New Age Spiritualist Right Wing Conspiracy Theorist. I'm not sure what that ordination ceremony entails (but then, I am ordained in the Church of Latter-Day Dudes).

But either way: "Reverend William" has grown tired of those lonely LA nights, and has set up a website to help him find true happiness.

I'm a healthy 68. I'm looking for a woman born in any year from 1950–1995, who takes excellent care of herself.

I am a natural-born U.S. citizen residing in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. I will consider relocating within the United States but am unwilling to move to another country. If the woman I'm looking for lives outside the United States, she must be willing and legally able to move to the United States to marry me and to live with me here.

As you read through this website, you will notice that I'm an intense, complex man who thinks waaay "outside the box." If my intensity/complexity is too much for you, or if I think too far "outside the box" for you, well then, we are not a match. I seek a woman who is likewise intense and complex (not a mild or simple woman; nor a woman who thinks I wrote way too much here).

Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/24/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-b.html

Yale psychology professor Laurie Santos's course “Psychology and the Good Life" is the most popular class in the history of the university. Now it's available for anyone to take for free remotely through Coursera. The public online version of the class is called the "Science of Well-Being." From the description:

In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life.

More about the course: "‘The Science of Well Being’: Yale’s most popular class ever available via Coursera" (Yale) Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/24/yale-universitys-hugely-popu.html

Sunbathers at Galheta Beach in Brazil were treated to sandstorm created by helicopter police tasked with enforcing public distancing rules.

Image: YouTube Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/24/helicopter-cops-in-brazil-blow.html

I am currently sequestered with my parents.

I live on coffee.

The drip coffee maker died.

It will take several days for a new one to arrive, due to Trump's mismanagement of the United States response to the pandemic.

My mother and I are drinking Angel City from Groundwork, perhaps the last good pound of coffee in the house, via a French Press. It is wonderful.

My father prefers Taster's Choice. I had no idea you could still buy Taster's Choice.

Taster's Choice. Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/24/pandemic-reveals-continued-exi.html

I mean, at least folks caught up in The Cold War were allowed to head outside to buy building supplies without worrying about getting a ticket or falling ill. Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/24/1960s-civil-defense-movies-are.html

Shaetlan (or Shetlandic) is a dialect of Scots (not Scottish Gaelic). The Scots language is closely related to English, and Shaetlan is spoken in the Shetland isles between Scotland and Norway, where Norn echoes in place-names and fair whispers.

At first it sounds like she's speaking English with an lilting accent; then the shrooms kick in. Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/24/woman-speaking-shaetlan.html

We're sheltering in place with my sister-in-law's family while COVID-19 continues to rip humanity a new asshole. I love my family, but my nine year old nephew, who's been home from school for two weeks, is driving me insane. He's watched every episode of Captain Underpants at least twenty times. I've given up on wondering why anyone's cool with nearly naked middle-aged man hanging out with a couple of kids and have started reciting lines from the show.

I've been desperate for something, anything to fill the air while my noise-cancelling headphones recharge. Happily, Jeff Bezos has answered my prayers.

From TechCrunch:

Amazon is making a selection of family-friendly and programming for kids available for free streaming on Prime Video as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis, which has people trapped at home. The content is available to all Amazon customers, and includes a mix of Amazon Original kid and family shows as well as select third-party family movies and TV series licensed from studio partners.

Amazon says it’s continuing to work with content partners to widen the selection over time.

While we apparently can't expect the world's wealthiest man to pay his front line employees a decent wage (although Amazon will soon pay a premium for its employees to continue to risk their ass) or guarantee their income if they get sick serving the rest of us,  but hey: free cartoons.

Image via Wikipedia Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/24/stream-movies-for-free-from-am.html

French artist Albert Uderzo, co-creator of legendary comic book characters Asterix and Obelix with writer Ren'e Goscinny, died at home ‘from a heart attack unrelated to the coronavirus.’ He was 92 years old.

One of the best-loved characters in French popular culture, with more than 370m albums sold worldwide, 11 films and an Asterix theme park, the small-statured Asterix is a warrior from Roman-occupied ancient Gaul, who together with his best friend Obelix and dog Dogmatix – Id'efix in the French original – takes pleasure in outwitting Roman legionnaires. Fortunately for Asterix, Obelix fell into a cauldron of magic potion as a child, making him invincibly strong.

Photo: Christian Koehn (CC BY 2.5) Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/24/asterix-co-creator-albert-uder.html

John J. King is a playwright and all-around awesome and clever dude; we were playwriting fellows together at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston, and I also contributed some music to his Hamlet/James Bond mashup From Denmark With Love.

Now John has decided to share his work-from-home tips, in the form of a fun, dance-y music video (clothing optional). Enjoy! Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/24/this-groovy-tune-will-help-you.html

On their website, the Arizona medical group, Banner Health, is reporting that a man has died in their care after self-medicating against COVID-19 using an anti-malaria drug that Dear Leader had mentioned during one of his campaign rallies briefings in recent days.

A man has died and his wife is under critical care after the couple, both in their 60s, ingested chloroquine phosphate, an additive commonly used at aquariums to clean fish tanks. Within thirty minutes of ingestion, the couple experienced immediate effects requiring admittance to a nearby Banner Health hospital.

Read the rest of the brief announcement here.

NBC News correspondent Vaughn Hillyard spoke to the wife by phone from her hospital bed. She had this to say:

we saw Trump on TV--every channel--and all his buddies--saying that this was safe. Trump kept saying it was pretty much a cure."

[...] Don't believe anything the President says and his people because they don't know what they're talking about. And don't take anything -- be so careful and call your doctor. This is a heart ache I'll never get over.

Yet another reason why these "briefings" should not be televised live, but should only be summarized by responsible adults.

Photo by camilo jimenez on Unsplash Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/24/man-dead-wife-in-hospital-aft.html

Even if you’ve never been germaphobic, events in recent weeks have probably made you a lot more conscious of bacteria, airborne viruses, and contaminants of every size, shape, and variety. From countertops to sofas, beds to carpets, even those beloved stuffed animals, they’re all likely chock full of more microscopic creepy crawlies and pathogens than we ever realize.

Before you start panicking that everything is contagious or dangerous to the health of your household, there are steps you can take to calm the fears. One valid approach would be to confront the germs head-on — and the Rockubot Sterilizing Robot can be one heck of a soldier in your war against the unclean.

The Rockubot is equipped with ultraviolet (UV-C) lights that kill 99.9 percent of all bacteria and germs as well as ultrasonic wave emitters that dust mites hiding deep in materials at a microscopic level. Just set the Rockubot down on your bed, furniture or chosen surface and it gets to work, using its 24 sensors to smart-map the area and avoid obstacles and cliffs while methodically eliminating all allergens and irritants in its path as it disinfects and sterilizes.

The unit also has a manual mode to allow for handheld cleaning of virtually any item. It’s perfect for any mom or dad who wants to make sure all their kids' pillows, blankets, clothes, toys and more are safe and cootie-free.

The compact Rockubot weighs in at just about a pound, so it slides easily into a suitcase or travel bag for any road trips. Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/24/rockubot-is-the-sterilizing-ro.html

With the spooky times that we're living in, chances are pretty good that you're staying at home as often as your responsibilities and level of health allow.

14 days ago, I had to head into the hospital: blood was coming outta places where blood's supposed to stay put. The only thing that's kept me from going insane wondering whether or not I may have been infected with COVID-19 while my bits were being inspected, has been good music. One of the new-to-me-acts I stumbled upon while I was losing sleep over the past two weeks is Ryan McNally. Raised in rural Quebec and, from what I gather, now based out of northwestern Canada, McNally's sound is a delightful mishmash of influences that I could listen to for hours at a time.

If you dig what you hear, you can show McNally some love by plunking down a few bucks for one of his two albums, over at Bandcamp. Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/24/shut-in-sounds-ryan-mcnally.html

Today, there’s no shortage of ways for consumers to live a socially conscious lifestyle. They now have access to vehicles with improved fuel economy, a wide selection of organic groceries and manufacturers are increasing the amount of recycled materials they use in their products.

Despite these widespread shifts, the financial services sector hasn’t kept pace. Consider this. In 2018, the world’s largest banks lent approximately $654 billion to finance businesses in the fossil fuel industry. Much of those funds were backed by consumer funds, without their consent.

Aspiration is a financial institution that is built from the ground up on a socially conscious business model. They guarantee that 100% of customer deposits will not be used to fund harmful industries such as: fossil fuels, private prisons, firearm manufacturers, and political entities/campaigns.

Their business model also is built on fairness. Rather than nickel and diming their users, Aspiration follows a “pay what you think is fair model.” Users choose their monthly account fees, even if it is zero. Aspiration accounts also have zero required fees. Overdrafts, check deposits, and inactive accounts, all fall under that umbrella.

If you’re ready to pay it forward, learn more about Aspiration, here. Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/23/this-cash-management-account-h.html

Adult Swim has released all episodes of their crazed, headbanger animated comedy, Metalocalypse, for free during the coronavirus pandemic.

Adult Swim has made all four seasons and the Klok Opera movie available for free streaming on their website and app.

You can watch all the episodes of Metalocalypse here.

Non-US fans of the dumb and the restless are reporting that they can't view the streams. But hey, that's what VPNs are for.

Image: Screengrab Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/23/adult-swim-posts-all-episodes.html

In this cute Physics Girl video, Diane shows you 20 simple, fun, and educational kitchen experiments you can do with your kids.

To make the video more exciting, Diane turns her demo into a race against the clock, trying to conduct all of the experiments within five minutes. You and your kids can take your time.

Image: YouTube

***

BTW: Did you now that our very own Mark Fraunfelder wrote and illustrated a book of these sorts of kitchen counter science experiments, called Mad Professor? You might want that right about now.

Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/23/physics-girl-shows-you-and-you.html

Washington Post captured the empty streets of Los Angeles by drone.

As one commenter puts it, "On the bright side, we have lots of new B-roll footage for future apocalypse movies."

screengrab via Washington Post/YouTube Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/03/23/a-drone-video-of-a-sheltered-i.html