The summer has been good for the film project. Though I’ve not hit anywhere near the ridiculous goal I set myself, there has been lots of motion and development. Not only are things starting to take definite shape, but I can genuinely say I’m excited. Draft one of the first Ameviathan/ Suspension Invention script, “The Boggy Boogieman”, has been written. The only thing I can really say about the script is that it loosely has to do with the Delmarva Wetlands. And hey – thanks to Megan for alerting me to a recent article from the Associated Press about the good news for those wetlands!

In addition to the first screenplay, I’ve written up to the half-way point of the second script, “The Green Machine”. This leaves only one more script to write, and then the revision of the three. After the revisions, the second phase film (or rather video) project will begin.

But there can’t be good news without bad news. The good summer has taken its toll on my finances. They have finally run dry leaving the bills piled up (like that one from the dentist).

This means: I have to go back to work. This afternoon I begin working once again at Westminster’s Choir College’s Talbott Library in a temporary capacity as the Secretary. There is a chance that my temporary employment could turn into full time employment. Time will tell.

If this is the case, I’ll want to maintain momentum on the film project. In order to do this I’m going to implement a new regimen of waking up every morning at 4 AM and continuing to write.

I don’t figure it will be too easy. But, was anything ever easy.

Two weeks ago, a question came up in reference to the Squorty Tails, the Delmarva Fox Squirrel, post.

Megan asked,

Do squirrels actually have nipples and belly-buttons?

We wrote the Mad Science Network who were kind enough to provide an answer to Megan’s question. They confirmed that since squirrels were eutherian mammals, that they did have nipples and belly buttons. Their full answer to our question can be read here.

However, there was still a question if the belly button and nipples could be seen on an adult squirrel through the fur. We contacted the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Ask a Scientist resource with the question. They were unable to give us an answer, but suggested that we try asking The Wildlife Center of Virginia.

And now we have the answer!

According to The Wildlife Center of Virginia a squirrel’s belly button would not be visible through the fur. Unlike humans, when squirrels are born, their umbilical cords are not tied off like they are on human babies. It is this tying of the umbilical cord which actually causes the belly button indentation. Since no one ties off baby squirrels umbilical cords, with time, they rot and fall off. This only leaves a pale mark on the skin under the fur of the adult squirrel.

The Wildlife Center of Virginia indicated that the nipples were a different matter. It is possible that nipples would be visible through the fur, but only on a lactating female squirrel.

So what does this all mean for Squorty Tails, a boy squirrel, with a visible belly button and nipples? Well, his belly button is just a pale mark, and not like the indented human belly button. As for his nipples and pale-mark-belly-button both being visible, it is obvious that Squorty shaves. How else would he have gotten that well groomed beard?

Protozoic would like to extend special thanks to The Wildlife Center of Virginia, Ask a Scientist and Mad Science Network for helping us resolve these questions. And if you have similar questions – you now know who to ask!

Could this be the end of the Don and Mike Show?

Mad Science Network has answered the recent question that arose here on Protozoic as to whether or not squirrels had nipples and belly buttons.

Hi Michael – Squirrels are eutherian mammals, meaning they bear live young which are nourished in utero through a placenta.

The umbilical cord transports the fetal blood to the placenta, where it is nourished with oxygen and nutrients from the mother’s circulation. After birth, the remnant of the umbilical cord connection is the belly button, or umbilicus. Squirrels thus have a belly button.

Mammals also nurse their young through mammary glands which produce the milk. The milk in eutherian mammals is exuded through the nipples. Squirrels, being eutherian mammals, thus have nipples.

• Lynn Bry, MD/PhD, Dept. Pathology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School

Alternatively click here to read their answer to the question here.

Interestingly it would seem that Gerry had a similar question about dogs and cats having belly buttons.

Thanks Mad Science Network!

Additionally, The Worldwide Wildlife Fund has written me indicating that they have printed out Squorty Tails, the Delmarva Fox Squirrel, and hung him on their bulletin board. And if you ask me, that is almost as good as getting published!

While researching ways to counteract propaganda, I came across the Internet Archive, a fantastic resource that culls audio, video, text and computer programs that for whatever reason have fallen into public domain. In other words – PURE INFORMATION out the wazoo.

In the moving images section for example, you can download the complete versions of Killers from Space (1954), directed by W. Lee Wilder, a movie about atomic bombs and aliens, and the minor classic Big Trees (1952), directed by Felix E. Feist, starring Kirk Douglas as a timber baron planning to chop down old wood sequoias in a Quaker colony. Can it get any better than this? Yes, there are a slew of Max Fleischer-produced Superman cartoons, math lectures, newsreels, propaganda films and stuff that I haven’t even looked at in the text, audio and computer program sections.

Additionally, I strongly urge everyone to take a gander at the reason why I happened onto this site in the first place – the Fairbanks (Jerry) Productions, Brink of Disaster Part I and Part II (1972), directed by John Florea. No joke, Brink of Disaster, is about a revolutionary war hero who travels back in time to quell campus rebellion in the 1970s. From its whacked-out premise to its re-christening of “freedom of speech” to “freedom of filth”, Brink of Disaster is a must.

In conclusion, sites like the Internet Archive are all about what the Internet can be and should be.

Just thought I’d post a quick note to let everyone know that Dash Eight won the first round of the WRNR “Land Your Band” competition. The grand prize is a trip to Epic Records in N.Y.C. to meet with some guys about the small matter of a record contract. Big ups to Thom for coming out and representing the C.O.T. crew. Next round is in August- I’ll keep everyone updated. 🙂

For a long time I’ve been a fan of the Theology Girl website. The most recent posts concerning Denny the Electrician are must reads. Truly fantastic stuff. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

Click here to visit Theology Girl

DJ Webb, AKA Thom, now has his own photo blog. Check it out. Click here to go see Thom’s Travels.