I didn't know if they'd televise it today. I TiVo the FX Buffy reruns, in case I'm in the mood for a Buffy, and too lazy to pick through the DVDs. When an episode I'm in the mood to see pops up in my Buffy folder, it seems to mean more than when I go to the DVDs and pull the appropriate disc. It's like hearing a song on the radio, instead of playing your CD or iTunes file, or whatever.

Anyhow, I never thought to look what FX had on the schedule for today, once I confirmed (last night) that they were still airing season 2. Now I'm kind of bummed I missed the televised airing.

Chris wants to know if he draws pictures, will animals recognize the subject. I told him that I didn't think they had that sort of ability to reason. I said I suspect if, for example, he drew a tree (no matter how accurate and detailed it was), an animal would not recognize that it was a representation of a tree.

Was I (only) talking out my arse? Are there any animals (I'm thinking something apely) that we think recognize symbols as representations of actual objects? I know that Koko (? that gorilla) does some sign language, but I'd always thought of that as more of a conditioned response, than actual decoding.

Anyone?

Okay, back to the Frankenbuddha bane crack puzzle. If there's anybody around who can help, out of the three left-most columns, I am only missing four things -- In earth sciences, I am missing the item directly to the left, the one that's below Google Earth. I am also missing three items in automobile, the items linking car and go-karts and the single item up and to the right from train.

The two right hand columns have lots of little spots empty, but hopefully I'll fill in more of that later. SO. CLOSE. TO. DONE.

Sean, I can't help with the first, since I am not that far along, but for the first of the three in automobiles, it's what Cass and Trudy talk about a lot.

In that box, what connects Wolfenstein, tanks, and hovercraft ?

This is just effed up, yo: [link]

In that box, what connects

Heh. I'm amazed you got that far without the one you're missing. I only got Wolfenstein by googling Germany, wolf, and the one your missing. But to aid you -- it's a combination of two words you already have, basically a floating war machine.

I got one of the two things I was missing in that square, but the two-word clue between racing and go-karts eludes me still. I've tried lots of stuff related to those two things, but nothing's worked so far.

Anyone?

Although I know elephants can recognize their reflection as a reflection not another elephant. Some primates and maybe dolphins can do the same, IIRC.

There are also some studies with parrots that seem to indicate that they can grok symbols, so that if you ask them to pick out a blue block, when they've never been challenged on such a combination before (having been asked to pick out blue objects and blocks separately) can get it right.

Well, that is certainly more than I can do before I've had coffee some days.

Now I'm wondering if turkeys are considered kosher.

According to "Romancing the Bird" (very first Good Eats Thanksgiving ep ever!), Israel consumes more turkey per capita than any other nation on earth.

Basically, it depends on how you kill it -- poultry in general is kosher, but it has to be processed properly. Kosher turkeys are a fantastic if slightly expensive alternative to brining because the koshering process (which involves salting to draw out the blood) works like a dry brine. They also tend to be a higher quality bird than your average grocery store turkey, since they're produced in smaller quantities.

Hey, speaking of Good Eats, this has been a fun week on the Food network. S and I really enjoyed the Food Network Foodies Cook Thanksgiving Dinner show. Many, many things cracked me up about that show, notably, Emeril busting out the high-quality booze to make granitas, and Emeril being so very admiring of Alton's turkey carving technique. Then, after showing off his fine skills, watching Alton just grab a leg and wave it around before eating it.

We were also loving the Cranberry Battle on Iron Chef America. Mo Rocca being all cute and Mo Rocca, and I think I may be developing a crush on Rachel Ray. It was clear that ICA was shot in a completely different style from 30 Minute Meals, and Rachel was a little self-conscious (when she wasn't too busy cooking). And I'm now a huge Mario Batali fanboy.