This story puts a warm, fuzzy feeling in my heart *zing* because both Price and I are graduates of the NC State College of Engineering. Andrew Richards, a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering, has created a system to simulate the actual beating of a pig’s heart outside of the body. Note this does not mean the heart is beating on its own, just that the mechanics can now be observed free from a body.

The computer-controlled machine, which operates using pressurized saline solution, also allows researchers to film the interior workings of the pumping heart – enabling them to ascertain exactly which surgical technologies and techniques perform best for repairing heart valves.

None of that shit really matters. What matters is that there’s this awesome video of a beating pig’s heart in a tray.

Machine Keeps Heart Beating Outside of Body [via Neatorama]

If you’re in the New York or Connecticut area (I won’t mention tri-state, because I don’t think New Jersey is really a state) this weekend, then I think you have no other option than to check out Fangoria’s Weekend of Horrors. I knew this was coming up very soon, but hadn’t checked the guest list in quite some time. There are loads of good reasons for checking the show out, including Dario Argento and Doug Bradley. Yeah, that’s right, the mother fucking Pinhead himself is going to be there in person.

This is the perfect summer event to remind you that all is not lost in the sun and heat, that winter is just around the corner a bit. There should be loads of scantily clad women there. That is, if you can handle ones not on the internet. Kidding, but seriously, we all love finding excuses to spend our money in new and creative ways, and blowing loads on things you could otherwise find in stores and on the internet is so much more acceptable when you do it in the presence of thousands of others doing the same. Us horror lemmings, we’re great.

EDIT: Please don’t forget about or neglect the MoCCa show this weekend as well. I myself am a supporter/member of the fine organization, so I won’t be missing this.

I’ll just get it out of the way that I’m a fan of True Blood. That’s probably not a very big surprise, but it’s also not saying very much since it’s the only vampire show that’s out right now. It’s rare that any movie or television show with a vampire theme comes around and does anything but stink up the room with Cinemex-style sex and Silk Stockings-style acting. I really cannot think of any tv show, ever, that has involved vampires that I’ve remotely enjoyed.  YES, I remember Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and are you serious? That show was terrible and so was Angel, and if you disagree then I suggest you and your friends form a “Fans of the WB” club and wax romantic on Joss Whedon and at your local Borders Books. I’m kidding, I’m kidding. I very well know that you’re already doing so and you think I’m a rube.

Now that the haterade has been distributed to Buffy I will gladly admit that True Blood is not without it’s eye-rolling, embarrassing moments. The show suffers from some serious symptoms of WB-ness (I’m copyrighting that) that can make toleration a painful endeavor. Despite these symptoms I do think it’s a good show, and since the 2nd season begins in less than two weeks now is still a great time to hop on board and start talking about it. Don’t wait until it’s too late like I did with The Sopranos.

To kill time and to prepare you for season two, read along with me as I explain some (3) of the more awkward, ridiculous issues I have with my 3rd-favorite show:

(more…)

Chances are, if you read this site, your desk/office/bedroom is already covered in this kind of shit.  Am I right?  We’re all the same, but that’s ok! Now here’s one more awesome stupid thing to add to your already horribly embarrassing collection of bric-a-brac.  This beautifully crafted, 2009 statue by the artist Showtime features our favorite real-life superhero.

Dexter 7″ Action Figure [via Showtime store]