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Three Lobed Schizocarp

Crown of Thorns w/ Brain
Originally uploaded by david.

Last week my favorite cactus began to develop a brain-like growth. For the last ten days I have been tortured by the questions "What the heck is that brain growing on my Crown of Thorns?" and "What do I do with it?"

A little googling led me to this report (PDF) produced by the University of Florida Miami-Dade.

Seeds can be used to propagate E. milii, but are mainly used for developing new cvs. In Florida plants rarely produce fruit (a three lobed schizocarp) without help from man. Pollen release & receptivity of the stigma usually do not coincide for a single plant, which in nature encourages out-crossing. So you need 2 or more plants, preferably of different cvs. Controlled pollination increases seed set, & is used by breeders to develop new cvs. Seedlings will bloom in 5-8 months.

At least I'm not crazy for thinking the growth was "brain-like," since the three lobes are well defined. I am worried though, that my window of life is closing on this thing. I still have no idea what to do. If you have any advice, I'd really appreciate it.

All-Time Best of CNN

We have a winner:


I can retire now. I don't think it will ever get better than this. Thanks, Reid, for the link.

Housesitting

While Jason's on vacation this week, I'll be posting remaindered links over at kottke.org. Anil is posting too, a return of sorts to the glory days of daily links.

Gmail Mouse Hack

Gmail Mouse Hack
Originally uploaded by david.

Lifeblog post

Unstoppable.

Burrito.

Done.

Adam.

Workbench and my Wire mania.

Rogers Cadenhead on popesquatting:

I can live without HBO until The Wire comes back next year.

Likewise.

I want my MP3

Russell Beattie, who works for Yahoo, comments on Yahoo music store's licensing of Microsoft's Playforsure:

This is exactly what I was talking about: one more service based on Microsoft's DRM. Urgh! We're just handing them the keys to the kingdom!

I feel the exact same way - I can't believe this isn't a bigger story. Competitors to Microsoft - especially head to head competitors like Real and Nokia are anchoring new media platforms in a proprietary system controlled soup to nuts by... Microsoft. They're the Avon Barksdale of closed technology.

In less than twelve months Real and Nokia are going to be selling iPod competitors (hidden in satellite radios and N-series phones) and in less than 24 months Microsoft's going to pull the rug out from all of them with the X-Box 360 mobile.

Distributed Museum Guides

A group call "Art Mobs" creating grassroots tours of the Museum of Modern Art, and inviting others to join in the fun. I absolutely love this idea. I wonder how many people will bring an iMic in to the MoMA with them, and dictate their experiences. When I go to the MoMA, I tend to race back to the Joseph Cornell boxes and linger for thirty minutes before I breeze past a few old favorites and retire to the café for an espresso.

I'm not sure sure this would make a good "podcast."

link via jason kottke.

Lifeblog post

Fri 13/05/2005 16:40 13052005(042)

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Fri 13/05/2005 16:38 13052005(041)

Finally got home to virginia.

On The Bus

We are on the bus down to Virginia for a wedding. If you ever want to take an on time bus, stay far away from me, I haven't had a good bus trip in five years.