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I have iambic pentameter on the brain these days, so here’s a little sonnet in honoring one of my favorite places in Portlandia.

He’s not supposed to rise from the sunken city of R’lyeh until the stars are properly aligned. But ever since “Call of Cthulhu” debuted in Weird Tales magazine 85 years ago this month, Lovecraft’s famous horror icon has certainly kept his tentacled face in the public eye. Trying to catalog all of the Dread One’s appearances would likely destroy your soul and your sanity. But in honor of his 85 years of literate existence, here are ten notable sightings of Cthulhu and his fellow things-that-should-not-exist.

“I have never listened to anyone who criticized my taste in space travel, sideshows or gorillas. When this occurs, I pack up my dinosaurs and leave the room.”

On Friday, May 4th I have an excuse to talk about planetary alignments, otherworldly tornadoes of Mars, and the marvel of black holes. Space Day, which falls on the first Friday of May, is an annual celebration of human space flight. Around the globe, students and educators gather to discuss space exploration, life cycles of stars, Hubble discoveries, and so much more.

I think of Ray Bradbury on Space Day. His book ideas, insane imagination, influence on moon crater names, and his unmatched career in science fantasy make him a fine literary figure to look up to on this holiday of sorts. After all, it is Bradbury who said, “It is good to renew one’s wonder. Space travel has again made children of us all.”

In light of this year’s space celebration here are several more inspiring quotes from Mr. Bradbury that encourage creativity, wonder, and moon habitation!

* “We were put here as witnesses to the miracle of life. We see the stars, and we want them. We are beholden to give back to the universe… If we make landfall on another star system, we become immortal.” – Speech to National School Board Association, 1995

* “We’re all fools… all the time. It’s just we’re a different kind each day. We think, I’m not a fool today. I’ve learned my lesson. I was a fool yesterday but not this morning. Then tomorrow we find out that, yes, we were a fool today too. I think the only way we can grow and get on in this world is to accept the fact we’re not perfect and live accordingly.” – The Illustrated Man

{C}

“I have never listened to anyone who criticized my taste in space travel, sideshows or gorillas. When this occurs, I pack up my dinosaurs and leave the room.”

On Friday, May 4th I have an excuse to talk about planetary alignments, otherworldly tornadoes of Mars, and the marvel of black holes. Space Day, which falls on the first Friday of May, is an annual celebration of human space flight. Around the globe, students and educators gather to discuss space exploration, life cycles of stars, Hubble discoveries, and so much more.

I think of Ray Bradbury on Space Day. His book ideas, insane imagination, influence on moon crater names, and his unmatched career in science fantasy make him a fine literary figure to look up to on this holiday of sorts. After all, it is Bradbury who said, “It is good to renew one’s wonder. Space travel has again made children of us all.”

In light of this year’s space celebration here are several more inspiring quotes from Mr. Bradbury that encourage creativity, wonder, and moon habitation!

* “We were put here as witnesses to the miracle of life. We see the stars, and we want them. We are beholden to give back to the universe… If we make landfall on another star system, we become immortal.” – Speech to National School Board Association, 1995

* “We’re all fools… all the time. It’s just we’re a different kind each day. We think, I’m not a fool today. I’ve learned my lesson. I was a fool yesterday but not this morning. Then tomorrow we find out that, yes, we were a fool today too. I think the only way we can grow and get on in this world is to accept the fact we’re not perfect and live accordingly.” – The Illustrated Man

{C}

Ah! I am absolutley smitten with these amigurumi custom crochets of Star Trek: The Next Generation's characters by Deviant Art user Smapte! Everyone is rocking a precious smiling face, all except for Worf. Perhaps these dolls are made to mimic Star Trek: Insurrection, and he's currently experiencing jak’tahla.

Thanks for the tip, Mikey!

Lil' Trekkies: Star Trek TNG Amigurimi [DeviantArt]