Viral video handed to insurers as evidence seemed to show a bear in a 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost in Lake Arrowhead on 28 January 2024. Similar claims were filed on the same date and location for two high-end Mercedes models. But biologists with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reviewed the footage and determined it showed a human in a bear suit.

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2026/04/insurance-fraud-fursona/feed/ 6 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2026/01/alcatraz-coyote/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2026/01/alcatraz-coyote/#comments Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:05:45 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/yk2i Coyote who swam to Alcatraz gets much fatter on prison island diet:

It's a 1.25-mile journey from Aquatic Park through frigid, current-swept waters to reach the tourist attraction. [...]

Aidan Moore, who works for Alcatraz City Cruises, said the coyote has been holed up near the parade grounds, where birds frequently nest. Bird carcasses have recently been found around the island, Moore said.

"He's certainly much fatter than when he arrived," said Moore. "We don't know how long he's going to be a resident here, because if he interferes with the nesting birds he might get relocated to the mainland." [...]

Kessler and a UC Berkeley researcher said the coyote likely left the mainland due to territorial pressure from the city's approximately 20 coyote family groups, each of which defends its turf against outsiders. With limited options for dispersing young coyotes -- about 30 are killed by cars in San Francisco each year -- this one apparently decided to strike out across the water.

Christopher Schell, an assistant professor at UC Berkeley who studies how carnivores adapt to urban environments, said coyotes rarely display this type of swimming endurance, but it's not unprecedented. He recalled reports of coyotes swimming up to three miles to islands from Seattle and Tacoma, Washington.

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2026/01/alcatraz-coyote/feed/ 9 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2025/10/protest-costumes/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2025/10/protest-costumes/#comments Sat, 11 Oct 2025 19:31:58 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/ykwX Brian McFadden:

Mick:

You ever think to yourself "but I am just one person, what can I do to make a difference?"

It turns out that "wear an inflatable frog costume and go downtown" is actually a really reasonable answer.

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2025/10/protest-costumes/feed/ 2 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2025/05/a-new-pope-2/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2025/05/a-new-pope-2/#comments Thu, 08 May 2025 19:28:05 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/yknW Time for a repost of this, I suppose.

A data privacy lawyer during the day, in the evening, Mead slips into his 6-foot tall, 7-foot-long luminous dinosaur costume and Dolores Park becomes Jurassic Park. "This is how I deal with my day, with my life choices that led me to become a lawyer," he said jokingly.

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2025/03/doloresaurus/feed/ 9 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2025/02/the-mouse-obeys-in-advance/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2025/02/the-mouse-obeys-in-advance/#comments Wed, 12 Feb 2025 22:31:44 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/ykiC Disney Changes Content Warnings Amid DEI "Strategy Shift"

Disney changed the wording in October 2020 to the longer content warning: "This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe."

Now it has reverted the content warning back to a version of the one inserted in 2019: "This program is presented as originally created and may contain stereotypes or negative depictions."

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2025/02/the-mouse-obeys-in-advance/feed/ 11 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2024/12/stamp/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2024/12/stamp/#comments Thu, 19 Dec 2024 00:57:33 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/ykez Pro tip! The United States Post Office will no longer sell you a stamp with a crossdressing furry on it, but you can still get them on eBay and they still work.

In these intolerant times, the least we can do is to purchase official US Government services using scrip featuring a cartoon that launched a billion sexual awakenings. We can't have the Tubman Twenty, but they can't take this pervert from us.

Previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2024/12/stamp/feed/ 7 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2024/11/the-vaticans-anime-mascot-is-now-an-ai-porn-sensation/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2024/11/the-vaticans-anime-mascot-is-now-an-ai-porn-sensation/#comments Thu, 07 Nov 2024 03:54:02 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/ykcX Meet Luce:

Last week, the Vatican unveiled Luce, a Japanese-style cartoon character that will serve as the Catholic Church's mascot for its upcoming jubilee year, as well as its Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the Vatican's chief organizer for the jubilee year who presented Luce to the world, said that the mascot was "created from the desire to enter into the world of pop culture, so beloved by our young people".

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2024/11/the-vaticans-anime-mascot-is-now-an-ai-porn-sensation/feed/ 25 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2024/10/dictionnaire-infernal-1818/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2024/10/dictionnaire-infernal-1818/#comments Sat, 26 Oct 2024 20:40:42 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/ykbv Amduscias, to whose voice the trees bow, and who commands twenty-nine legions:

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.

But apparently I found the version where David Lynch's kids are asking him why he asked The Brothers Quay to direct the elementary school Christmas pageant? This is some nightmare fuel. Posh, posh nightmare fuel for public school boys who will someday be Prime Minister.

Previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2024/08/mr-toad/feed/ 16 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2024/07/lifes-been-a-cabaret-long-dull-and-full-of-nazis/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2024/07/lifes-been-a-cabaret-long-dull-and-full-of-nazis/#comments Tue, 09 Jul 2024 08:51:49 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/ykWd

(I have been quoting this Howard the Duck line forever, and I finally got around to tracking down the source. Bizarre Adventures #34, February 1983.)

Previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2024/02/today-in-supermax-clubbing/feed/ 46 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2024/01/sic-semper-tyrannis/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2024/01/sic-semper-tyrannis/#comments Mon, 01 Jan 2024 21:25:39 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/ykIM Phineas:

Previously, previously, previously, previously.

Now, if you've heard anything about this, you've probably been told that Mickey isn't really entering the public domain. Between trademark claims and later copyrightable elements of Mickey's design, Mickey's status will be too complex to understand. That's totally wrong. [...]

The copyrightable status of a character used to be vague and complex, but several high-profile cases have brought clarity to the question. The big one is Les Klinger's case against the Arthur Conan Doyle estate over Sherlock Holmes. That case established that when a character appears in both public domain and copyrighted works, the character is in the public domain, and you are "free to copy story elements from the public domain works": [...]

Despite what you might have heard, there is no ambiguity here. Copyrights can't be extended through trademark. Period. Unanimous Supreme Court Decision. Boom. End of story. Done.

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2023/12/dark-rock-of-mothrir-unsealed-mickey-mouse-is-public-domain/feed/ 12 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2023/11/happy-four-seasons-total-landscaping-day-to-all-who-celebrate/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2023/11/happy-four-seasons-total-landscaping-day-to-all-who-celebrate/#comments Tue, 07 Nov 2023 19:07:22 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/ykF8

Such a claim has resonance in this area. In the 18th century, a man called George Lukins was dubbed the "Yatton daemoniac" for supposedly being possessed. An exorcism took place in 1788.

No exorcist was called for here. Instead, the police scrambled a dog unit and helicopter and a man was arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance. He was released on bail with conditions to remain home between 9pm and 6am. [...]

Judge Joanna Dickens [...] ordered Hunt not to wear any sort of mask or face covering unless required for medical reasons, and not to wear or be in possession of black all-in-one garments or tight-fitting black clothing while in a public place between 9pm and 6am.

Extraordinarily -- in what must have been a first for her and possibly for any judge -- she ordered him not to "crawl, wriggle or writhe on the ground wearing a full-body covering or mask".

Local 'gimp man' says Somerset gimp gives the whole gimp community a 'bad rep'

The Gimp Man of Essex, known widely in Colchester where he is often spotted doing his weekly supermarket shop wearing his suit, said he looks to use fetish for good by organising charity fundraisers. He told The I: "This guy has undone everything the gimp community is trying to do. It gives us all a bad rep.

"Jumping out on women, however you're dressed, isn't right. There are innocent guys like me who go out on walks in their gimp suits. This guy is hiding around in the dark at night and scaring people lifeless. [...] The Gimp Man of Essex said unlike his Somerset counterpart, he tried to be as normal as possible when he's out. He often shares his outings on social media.

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2023/10/the-somerset-gimp/feed/ 2 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2023/10/today-in-poopsie-slime-surprise-news/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2023/10/today-in-poopsie-slime-surprise-news/#comments Fri, 06 Oct 2023 00:03:54 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/ykE9

BMG's lawsuit notably did not refer to "My Poops" as a parody, as parody is technically protected under the First Amendment. The question over whether "My Poops" would've qualified as parody actually would've made the lawsuit an intriguing litmus test on current questions of parody, fair use, and copyright protections. Alas, the settlement pinched off and flushed away that possibility.

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2023/10/today-in-poopsie-slime-surprise-news/feed/ 2 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2023/09/t-rex-bite-my-shiny-metal-ass/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2023/09/t-rex-bite-my-shiny-metal-ass/#comments Sat, 23 Sep 2023 18:28:15 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/ykEZ The five-tonne, seven-metre-high statue was commissioned by the owner of a Penticton, B.C., vacation home.

Sculptor Kevin Stone said the project cost a total of about $395,000 in labour and materials.

Frank Schilling, who grew up in the Okanagan and currently lives in the Cayman Islands, commissioned the sculpture for his Penticton property.

"I've always liked dinosaurs and I thought, well, maybe it's time to build that giant dinosaur that I wanted," said Schilling.

Schilling said he collaborated with local officials to see if it could be placed on public property. When it was determined it could not, Schilling decided to place it on his own property in a way that is viewable to the public.

Ok, a few points here:

First: As someone who grew up on Land of the Lost, I immediately bristled at them naming it "Alice". Everyone knows that the T. rex was named Grumpy. Alice was the Allosaurus, duh. This dude is 54 so he absolutely should know better.

Second: You may be wondering what kind of person spends almost half a million dollars on custom lawn art just to piss off his neighborhood HOA. (A noble goal, I'll grant you.) You probably have already guessed from the "Cayman Islands" clue. He's a multimillionaire domain squatter who now owns a big chunk of the asinine new TLDs.

I will note that while there is a "dot horse", there is not yet a "dot dinosaur".

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2023/09/t-rex-bite-my-shiny-metal-ass/feed/ 16 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2023/05/red-hot-riding-hood/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2023/05/red-hot-riding-hood/#comments Mon, 08 May 2023 17:18:59 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/yj_q Happy 80th Anniversary to Tex Avery's Red Hot Riding Hood, released this day in 1943.

following the release of a new study which concludes that the tyrannosaurus rex, a massive bipedal carnivore that went extinct 66 million years ago, possessed soft, smoochable lips in addition to their absolute dump truck behinds.

"It's always been hypothesized that T-Rexes had ample junk in the trunk and a toothy grin, but aided by advanced computer modeling we can now conclusively say that they were indeed bottom-heavy sweeties with generous, lippy smiles," said Dr. John Mendez, head of Cretaceous Studies at the Royal Vancouver Museum.

"While it's common to depict T-Rexes as vicious predators with a mouth full of exposed teeth similar to that of an alligator or crocodile, our modeling suggests they actually would have been excellent kissers with a highly squeezable ass, if their tiny arms hadn't precluded the possibility of T-Rex-on-T-Rex ass squeezing."

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2023/03/paleontologists-theorize-the-t-rex-had-kissable-lips-and-an-ass-that-wont-quit/feed/ 7 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2023/02/soma-nature-walk-glue-factory/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2023/02/soma-nature-walk-glue-factory/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2023 01:07:11 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/yj9d

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2023/02/soma-nature-walk-glue-factory/feed/ 9 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2023/01/black-eyed-peas-v-pooping-unicorns/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2023/01/black-eyed-peas-v-pooping-unicorns/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2023 22:11:42 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/yj87

Poopsie Slime Surprise comes from MGA, who are responsible for the Bratz line of dolls. According to the lawsuit, "My Poops" plays on one of the dolls when you press a button on its belly, leading both to dance moves and to a less savory movement: the toys "excrete sparkling slime." [...]

"My poops, my poops my poops my poops," the unicorn sings. The lyrics continue, "Whatcha gonna do with all that poop, all that poop," and adds, "I drive my parents crazy, I do it every day."

BMG alleges that Poopsie Slime Surprise has made MGA tens of millions of dollars and that the company ignored cease-and-desist warnings. They are asking for a steaming $10 million in damages.

(This is of course not the first time a wide-eyed shitting unicorn has graced these pages.)

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2023/01/black-eyed-peas-v-pooping-unicorns/feed/ 7 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2022/10/karen-halloween-display-removed-after-a-karen-complained-to-city-hall/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2022/10/karen-halloween-display-removed-after-a-karen-complained-to-city-hall/#comments Fri, 21 Oct 2022 17:59:15 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/yj5x Some folks complained that the display was "offensive to certain type of women," and city hall was forced to take it down.

The display featured a scarecrow wearing a "Can I speak to the manager?" t-shirt and a "Karen" nametag.

Further, the city says the display was not a political statement, nor was it targeted at a specific individual or group, and that they have investigated the issue internally and did not find anyone who participated in the display intended malice.

Moving forward, the city says there will be staff trainings as to why this was "insensitive and offensive to their community."

(Time to bring back the "we're a culture not a costume" memes.)

Previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2022/10/karen-halloween-display-removed-after-a-karen-complained-to-city-hall/feed/ 7 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2022/09/krofft/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2022/09/krofft/#comments Wed, 21 Sep 2022 17:01:05 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/yj46 plagiarism and won. But today I learned that on Marty Krofft's office wall was a framed letter from McDonald's complaining about a $15,000 quote, alongside a copy of the judgment check for a million dollars:

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2022/08/rick-roar/feed/ 1 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2022/06/but-with-raptors/ Thu, 16 Jun 2022 22:55:58 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/yj2C But With Raptors

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://www.jwz.org/blog/2022/03/kool-aid-man-can-burst-through-walls-because-he-weighs-5-5-tons/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2022/03/kool-aid-man-can-burst-through-walls-because-he-weighs-5-5-tons/#comments Sat, 26 Mar 2022 20:01:30 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/yjy3

And here's a D&D character sheet, which envisions it as two symbiotic creatures, rather than one with an unfortunate trepanation situation and sloshing blood like a horseshoe crab.

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2022/03/kool-aid-man-can-burst-through-walls-because-he-weighs-5-5-tons/feed/ 3 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2022/01/monkey-dump/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2022/01/monkey-dump/#comments Sat, 22 Jan 2022 22:29:10 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/yjvj Truck with 100 monkeys crashes in PA, some of them missing:

DANVILLE, Pa. (AP) -- A truck carrying about 100 monkeys was involved in a crash Friday in Pennsylvania, state police said as authorities searched for at least three of the monkeys that appeared to have escaped the vehicle.

The truck carrying the animals crashed with a dump truck in the afternoon in Montour County. The truck had been on its way to a lab.

I have heard this story before, and the first time it was called Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.

But more importantly: are the fungible? ARE THEY FUNGIBLE??

CDC: All my apes are gone:

The shipment of monkeys was en route to a CDC-approved quarantine facility after arriving Friday morning at New York's Kennedy Airport from Mauritius, the agency said.

The location of the lab and the type of research for which the monkeys were destined weren't clear, but cynomolgus monkeys are often used in medical studies. A 2015 paper posted on the website of the National Center for Biotechnology Information referred to them as the most widely used primate in preclinical toxicology studies.

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2022/01/monkey-dump/feed/ 7 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2021/12/hobbyhorse/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2021/12/hobbyhorse/#comments Tue, 07 Dec 2021 22:09:51 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/yjt6

The Fantastical Hobbyhorse Universe in Finland

Hobbyhorse riding and competitions are a growing subculture among teenage girls in Finland, in which enthusiasts make, care for, and, of course, ride their make-believe horses. The horses -- stuffed heads on a long pole -- are painstakingly looked after, with some residing in their own makeshift stables. [...]

During the summer many girls attend summer camps around Finland where they can improve their dressage and jumping skills. [...]

For years, this practice of the Finnish subculture has been considered a secret community subjected to stigma and bullying. Many of the girls lead a double life where their practice is a big secret they don't like to share.

Previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2021/12/hobbyhorse/feed/ 5 https://www.jwz.org/blog/2021/11/chucky/ https://www.jwz.org/blog/2021/11/chucky/#comments Fri, 05 Nov 2021 03:12:13 +0000 https://jwz.org/b/yjsu I have been loving the new Chucky TV series, so that inspired me to rewatch all 7 movies. In a row. Yeah I white-knuckled the whole thing in one night and I have no regrets. Ok, here we go:

1. Child's Play (1988):
   This is extremely 80s, but holds up pretty well. The end of the first act drags a bit but nobody wastes any time in denial. Once someone sees him walking around they're all, "Yup, that's a talking doll. Kill it with fire." B+.

2. Child's Play 2 (1990):
   I like that it just picks right up a couple of weeks after the first movie ends. Mom is in an asylum and the kid is in foster care, like you do. The Chucky resurrection is contrived but consistent, I guess. Plot wise, it's the first movie again, but annoyingly there are some kills that were just counterproductive to Chucky's goals. I know that he does just love killin', but he's also smart, so that bothered me. The third act goes extremely surreal and Willy Wonka / 5000 Fingers, and the most unrealistic part is that in this universe industrial manufacturing facilities still exist in the US. B-.

3. Child's Play 3: Look Who's Stalking (1991):
   Well first of all the timeline is wrong. Andy is 16 but should only be 9. Is this a 1991 movie set in the far future of 1998? This is like 20% Chucky movie and 80% on the theme, "military school is vile and full of bullies" and wow, who gives a shit. Also, brief appearance by Uncle Frank from Hellraiser as a deranged barber. D+. No wonder there was such a gap before the next one.

4. Bride of Chucky (1998):
   Ok now we're off to the races! After a 7 year gap, this one is an absolute gem. It's still very gory but this one is more of a comedy than the earlier installments. This movie is really the Jennifer Tilly show, and I forgot how hilarious she is. The banter, the murder oneupsmanship. It's so romantic. And the puppets are so expressive. A+.

5. Seed of Chucky (2004):
   This is the wall-breaking self-referential one of the series, the "New Nightmare". Jennifer Tilly is playing herself, there is a John Waters cameo. There is a kinda cringey trans subplot and ironic fat jokes. It's set in "Hollywood" and like all such, it's the writers licking their own assholes. It is... less funny. I give it a B- if I'm being generous.

6. Curse of Chucky (2013):
   And I guess Seed didn't go over very well, given the 9 year gap. Very different tone on this one! It's played totally straight and it's basically a Victorian haunted house story. Chucky is Chekhov's Gun until at least halfway through. The cinematography is beautiful and it is genuinely scary. And I love it that it's now a dynasty, starring Fiona Dourif, daughter of Brad, the voice of Chucky. A++.

7. Cult of Chucky (2017):
   Nica (Fiona) is in the loony bin, so this is the "Dream Warriors" of the series. Also Andy's back! And he's got some fuckin' issues. (One of the things that I love about this series is that as the characters return they have been played by the same actors, even if it's 30 years later -- with the notable exception of Child's Play 3.) This one also is a straight horror movie rather than a comedy, though not quite as dark as Curse was. One of my favorite scenes is when Chucky briefly possesses Nica because at that point Fiona is doing an impression of her real-life dad and it's just gloriously inappropriate. There are some weird but promising, and largely unexplored, expansions to the mythology that were really begging for a follow-up that hasn't happened yet. A.

So, they also did a remake of the first one, and I hadn't realized that it was actually released in 2019. I haven't seen it. It has a good cast on paper, but neither Don Mancini nor the Dourifs are involved, so that sounds like some bullshit to me.

I would like to see Chucky Invades and Chucky's Vacation Slides, anyone got a torrent for them?

Previously, previously, previously.]]> https://cdn.jwz.org/blog/2021/11/chucky/feed/ 4