Life, the Universe and Everything


Fox Talk: How Some Very Special Animals Helped Scientists Understand Communication by LE Carmichael Book Cover

The Internet = Embarrassing Oneself in Public

For everyone who went looking for the ebook edition of Fox Talk and couldn’t find it – first, thank you! Second, I am really sorry. The ebook was scheduled for release on October 5, but at the last minute, ... Read More  

domestic fox on a plane

Airplanes and the Eternal Question – Window or Aisle?

I love travel. I love exploring new places, eating new food, and meeting new people. I firmly believe that travel is the best means of broadening horizons, experiencing new ideas, and destroying preconceived and prejudicial notions that’s available to ... Read More  

Seriously?

Dear Phone Survey Company…

… when you call to inquire about my objections to offshore oil drilling in the Canadian Arctic, please do not ask me how to spell “habitat destruction.” What’s made you whip out the facepalm this week? And if this ... Read More  

Back to the Future 2

Lightning Under the Hood, Part 3 – From Cell Phones to Sports Cars

Missed the earlier instalments? Check out Part One – Riker’s Race, and Part Two – The Battery Revolution before reading today’s post.  Remember those brick-sized cell phones from movies in the 1980s? Lithium batteries are the reason we’re no longer carrying them. ... Read More  

Fox Talk: How Some Very Special Animals Helped Scientists Understand Communication by LE Carmichael Book Cover

Fox Talk – Enhanced Ebook Now Available!

Very excited to announce that Fox Talk is now available as an enhanced ebook! The ebook preserves the artwork and design of the paper edition, but comes with cool special features: – pop-up glossary definitions in the main text ... Read More  

cat on papers

Six Signs Your Cat Wants a Snuggle. Now. OK, How About Now? No Really, Now.

1) She stands next to your chair crying and tapping you with her paw. For an hour. 2) She does something impossibly cute, then shoots you a glance to see if you noticed. 3) Out of all the pieces ... Read More  

Raymond Gaston Planté

Lightning Under the Hood, Part 2 – The Battery Revolution

Did you miss Part One – Riker’s Race? Check it out before you read today’s post. Every battery has the same basic components: the anode (negative electrode); the cathode (positive electrode); and the electrolyte. There’s also a separator, which ... Read More  

agents of shield

Things I Love About Joss Whedon: Agents of SHIELD Edition

I love Joss Whedon’s work. I’m one of those people who’s still outraged over the cancelation of Firefly, and laughs hysterically whenever there’s a Malcom Reynolds joke on Castle. I can never be Team Edward, because I will always ... Read More  

Riker Electric Trap

Lightning Under the Hood, Part 1 – Riker’s Race

It’s September 7, 1896, at Narragansett Park in Rhode Island. The first car race ever held on a track in North America is about to begin.  These newfangled horseless carriages are the biggest draw of the State Fair, and ... Read More  

shopping cart

For the Love of Chocolate, Move Your Shopping Cart!

How many times has this happened to you? You’re on your way home after a long day when you suddenly realize you need a loaf of bread and a quart of milk and some brussels sprouts and a case ... Read More  

black bear

Having a Life: I’m Doing It Wrong

So my Dad has recently moved to the wilds of Vancouver Island, and a couple days ago I called him up for a chat: Dad: How was your weekend? Me: I spent the entire thing sorting out archived emails, ... Read More  

bean sprouts growing in the drain

Of Bean Sprouts and Frogosaurs: (Plant) Life Finds a Way

Remember that scene in Jurassic Park where Sam Neill discovers that the female frogosaurs have figured out how to change gender, leading to the production of baby frogosaurs, which will now endanger all of humanity because “Life finds a ... Read More  

Signing at Blackberry Cove

Images from the Road: A Book Tour in Pictures

The Alberta and British Columbia segments of my Fox Talk book tour are complete, and I’d like to thank everyone who hosted, supported, and came out to meet me. It was a great experience and I can’t wait to ... Read More  

Humpback Whale Migration by L.E. Carmichael - Front Cover

I’m Back and I Brought Whales!

Unfortunately, I did not personally see these whales, although Tech Support (now also known as “Book Tour Roadie”) saw a humpback one morning while I was sleeping in. Next time I visit Vancouver Island, I’ll try to spend less ... Read More  

written in stone

Random Acts of Irony – Volume 1

I have this theory that irony is a stronger force in the universe than gravity. It seems to crop up pretty regularly in my own life, at least, which might be why I tend to pick up on examples ... Read More  

baby tiger

Because Sometimes You Just Want a Picture of a Cute Cat

This is Ares. What do you think is going through his mind right now? Submit your captions in the comments, and I will blatantly pilfer my favorite to create a Facebook meme. Kidding – I will totally give you ... Read More  

digital fly

Evolution – Not Just for Carbon-Based Life Forms Anymore

For the last 20 years or so, scientists have been studying evolution using a new kind of life form – a digital one. Originally inspired by computer viruses, digital organisms (DOs) are programs designed to replicate their own code. ... Read More