Art from Everything Octopus Reader, Nina Crittenden

I am continuously amazed at the incredible talent and creativity of Everything Octopus readers. Children's book artist, Nina Crittenden, recently shared her underwater illustration featuring a variety of sea creatures including one very handsome Daniel Day Octopus.

Nina even has a coloring book version available on her site, NinaCrittenden.com for kids to color in their own imaginative interpretations of the under-the-sea illustration as well as others.

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Do you have art, photogrpahy, tattoos, toys, or anything octofied to share with Everything Octopus readers? Please email it to EverythingOctopus@Gmail.com - Your submissions are most welcome!

The Octopus Unites the World at the Olympics Closing Ceremony!

It was such a delight to turn on the TV to watch the Olympics closing ceremony and be greeted by a giant glowing octopus! The octopus served as the symbol of unity, bringing together the many nations that competed in the 2012 Olympics in a huge, vibrant celebration.

Fiona Apple Wears Octopus Hat in New Video

Check out the tentacle spectacle in Fiona Apple's video for her new single, "Every Single Night".

8 Legged Entertainment

This is, by far, one of the most interesting sites I've seen in my search for everything octopus: It's Tako, the chef! "Deep Fried Live!", Tako's cooking show, claims to be the world's only cooking show hosted by an appetizer. Check out the video below to see what they mean...



"Deep Fried Live! is the ultimate culinary spectacle, offering cooking tips, in depoth food science, recipes, and links to the latest cookware & ingredients. It's also a thorough exploration of how much damage one octopus can do with an unlimited supply of kitchen artillery.

More cooking lessons, videos, and octoriffic goodness available at TakoTheOctopus.com and 8Legged.com

Squiddly Diddly Octopus Cartoon

A while back an Everything Octopus reader challenged me to find an old black and white octopus cartoon. In my search, I came across some unexpected and fun toons that I thought you might enjoy, including Hanna-Barbera's famous ceph, Squiddly Diddly.


Squiddly Diddly, who looks more octopus than squid, made his TV debut in 1965 on the Atom Ant/Secret Squirrel Show. An octopus after my own heart, Diddly is an aspiring musician who has the extraordinary ability to play multiple instruments at once. Diddly is confined to a life at Bubbleland, which is an amusement park similar to Sea World. In search of stardom, Diddly continually attempts to break out of Bubbleland, however his escapes are always foiled by the park's administrator, Chief Winchley.


Squiddly Diddly also made appearances on several other cartoons including Yogi's Gang, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, and Sealab 2021.

Queen Latifah as Ursala, the Evil Octopus

March 3, 2011
Posted by George Savvas on Disney Parks Blog

Today, we are unveiling some spectacular new images by acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz, who continues to lend her vision to the successful Disney Dream Portrait series we began just more than four years ago. Each portrait features well-known celebrities transformed into the role of famous Disney characters.

The three latest Disney Dream Portraits are the first new images in the series since 2009, and for the first time we’ve included a couple of the most wicked Disney villains ever!

I told you yesterday we were getting ready for something wild. I suppose you now know I actually meant “something Wilde!” There were so many great comments posted here on the Disney Parks Blog, Facebook and Twitter yesterday – congratulations to Alyssa and Shari for being among the first to correctly identify our celebrity, and what she is doing!

As the Evil Queen, Olivia Wilde joins Alec Baldwin as the spirit of the magic mirror from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” In the dark depths of her lair, the Queen has summoned the mirror’s spirit through wind and darkness to reveal the identity of a lovelier maid than she. The caption reads, “Where magic speaks, even when you’re not the fairest of them all.”

Penelope Cruz and Jeff Bridges appear as Belle and the transformed prince, recalling the final scene from “Beauty and the Beast.” The celebratory moment is captioned, “Where a moment of beauty lasts forever.”

Finally, coming ashore as Ursula from “The Little Mermaid” is none other than Queen Latifah. The caption reads, “Where memories take hold and never let go.”

You can find these stunning images and more as part of a special insert in the April issues of O – The Oprah Magazine, People En Español, Real Simple, Essence, and InStyle as well as the March 28 issue of People

Octopus Week at the Seattle Aquarium!

For northwestern cephalophiles, the best week of the year is here! From February 19 - 27, the Seattle Aquarium will be celebrating the glory and mystery of the octopus with Octopus Week.

For the entire week, the aquarium will provide a fun learning experience about one of the coolest creatures in the Puget Sound. Events include hands-on activities, feedings, and talks. Check out SeattleAquarium.org for the full schedule of octorific events.

Voice of the Ocean: James Lipton Interviews Octopus About Toyota Prius

From USAToday.com
February 3, 2011



Toyota has enlisted interviewer James Lipton for some entertaining videos to try to drum up more interest in its campaign to pick the correct way of saying the plural of the Prius hybrid sedan. His interview with Randall -- "don't call me Randy" -- the talking octopus came up with, naturally, Prii. (Octopus, octopi, Prius ... we knew you'd get it.)

The deadpan Lipton is known from his gig as host of Inside the Actors Studio in which he interviews movie stars in front of an audience of acting students. The series runs on Bravo. You can see his Prius video above or by clicking here.

Actually, it's a whole series of videos in which Lipton's search takes him through a series of interviews, from William Shakespeare to a rapper to an octopus. The gag is that each interviewee picks their own favorite for the plural for saying the name of the nation's leading hybrid car. Toyota created the campaign to try to show off its permutations of the original Prius -- an all-electric version, a wagon and a smaller sporty model. All are due to hit showroom in the next year as part of the Prius "family" of vehicles.

Toyota invites votes on which version of the Prius plural is the most proper. It says it will use the most popular choice in its advertising. As of today, Prii was the favorite with 46% of the vote. You can see all the vote totals by clicking on the Toyota ad at right. Way to go, Randy, er, Randall!

Cool Films Handcrafted by Cephalopods

Everything Octopus reader, Ian, shared this very cool video with us that I think you'll all enjoy!

Have you ever heard an octopus speak? Neither had I until I watched this interview with Reg the Octopus. He just might be the hardest working Octopus in Hollywood. Wait till you hear his resume...

Reg The Octopus on VPoint.tv

Killer Octopus Films!

For those of us living in the City of Angels, we are not alone. An invasion of killer octopuses has threatened the existence of mankind as we know it. Swimming pools, toilet bowls, and even drinking glasses have become unsafe, because where there is water, the devilfish is close by. These malicious eight-armed power mongers take have been taking over the minds - and in some cases, taking the lives - of the citizens of Los Angeles.

Our only hope is two brave detectives, Kyle Monroe and Gal Hubeshi, who have committed their lives to saving our city from this hostile takeover. Please give them your support as they valiantly take on the most heinous villain this city has ever seen. With your help, we may be able to save our beloved city from the long-reaching arms of the KILLER OCTOPUS!!!!



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Everything Octopus reader, Andrea Monroe, has taken her love of the octopus to the internet in this fun and exciting video series about two detectives who are saving Los Angeles from an octopus invasion. The video above is the first in the series. Andrea & co. recently debuted the sixth installment in the Killer Octopus series, "Mama Mia", which can be viewed along with the other videos at KillerOctopusFilms.com.

Andrea was inspired to start Killer Octopus Films by her son and his adventurous imagination. She wrote a script based on his play acting, invited his best bud, shot it, edited it, and launched it into cyber space. Andrea encourages viewer participation, and even gives eager cephalophiles and cinephiles the opportunity to submit ideas and guest star in the series!

For more info, to contribute, or to watch the full series, please head over to KilleroctopusFilms.com.

Please share this with all your octo-loving friends and especially your kids!

Dragon Ball Octopapa

Everything Octopus reader, Michelle my Bell, alerted me to the dark and sinister Dragon Ball character that is OCTOPAPA!!!


Octopapa is a giant octopus Goku encounters in the pirate cave. He was mistook for a spider which got him angry and he wanted to eat Goku. Goku ends up frying him with a Kamehameha Wave and eating him. According to Goku he apparently tastes like chicken.

Thanks, Michelle!

Tonmocon III

For those who haven't discovered the glory that is TONMO.com, it is The Octopus News Magazine Online, and a wonderful resource for everything octopus (and squid, and nautilus, and cuttlefish).

For the third year in a row, TONMO is hosting TONMOCON, a cephalopod convention bringing together cephalophiles form around the world! Here are the details for this year's event:

PLANNING TO GO? It's FREE -- but please let us know you're planing to go!

CAN'T MAKE IT? No worries -- we plan to broadcast at least some of it live!

Location:
Monterey Bay, CA. Conference room and group rates for overnight stay at Monterey Bay Travelodge. Area visits are still being planned (e.g., Monterey Bay Aquarium).

Cost of Event:
It's free!

Lodging (Group Rate):
Call and mention TONMO.com, get room for $99 per night -- specify single bed or double bed, and smoking preference

Presentations:
June 20th (Sat) in banquet room (seats up to 105) - room opens 10:45am, presentations begin at 11am

Agenda:

Friday, June 19:

Arrival / evening meet & greet (location TBD)

Saturday, June 20:

11am: Tony Morelli (tonmo) - Introduction

11:20am: Greg Barord (gjbarord) - new research (past two years) on cephalopod husbandry

11:40am: Richard Ross (Thales) -- O. chierchiae husbandry

12:00pm: Kevin Bylund (architeuthoceras) - Cephalopod Fossils

12:20pm: LUNCH / CUTTLE RACES

1:00pm Jim Cosgrove -- "No Mother Could Give More"

1:45pm: Stephanie Bush -- Deep sea squid defensive behaviors

2:15pm: Erich Orser -- topic TBD

2:45pm: Richard Ross, Mark Montague, others, plus Live Chat room -- Ethics round-table

3:15pm: Olaf Blaaw (OB) and his colossal squid experience

3:45pm: Kat Bolstad (Tintenfisch) -- topic TBD

4:15pm Lou Zeidberg -- Dosidicus gigas

Closing remarks (Tony Morelli)

...meet out for dinner / drinks

Sunday, June 21:

Aquarium visits - Monterey Bay and/or Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco.

Georgia Aquarium's "Coldwater Quest" to Expand Octopus Exhibit

Georgia Aquarium, the world's largest aquarium has announced that they are expanding their facilities, and one of the upgrades will include an additional octopus!

The aquarium currently has one Giant Pacific Octopus. It has not yet been reported what species will be joining him in Coldwater Quest.

For the full scoop, click here.

An Inconsolable Octopus: A Not-For-Children Book

I have found the most amazing thing! "What is the most amazing thing?", you wonder. It's a not-for-children story called "An Inconsolable Octopus"! This creepy yet delightful little tale tells the story of Jeffrey, a seemingly happy octopus leading a double life.

You must go to DeannaMolinaro.com and see for yourself!

(Of course, I selected one of the darker images to display)

"An Inconsolable Octopus" was written by Deanna Molinaro and illustrated by Aaron Thedford.

Celebrate Octopus Week at the Seattle Aquarium

It's the Ninth Annual Octopus Week at the Seattle Aquarium! Get out of the house during President's Day Weekend and mid-Winter break. Head on over to the Seattle Aquarium to learn about one of the coolest creatures in Puget Sound - the Octopus! Highlights include:

Ø Octopus Blind Date on Saturday, 2/14 at noon. Witness what happens when sixteen arms, six hearts (three hearts each) and two giant Pacific octopuses meet on Valentine’s Day. Aquarium biologists set the mood with decorative hearts, roses and romantic music at the Octopus Exhibit. But it’s up to the octopuses to decide whether or not love is in the water!

Ø Live octopus release on Sunday, 2/15 at noon

Ø Daily hands-on activities for kids, octopus feedings and talks

Ø Meet the Octopus Expert, Dr. Roland Anderson, on Wednesday, 2/18 at 11:00am

Ø Divers swimming with an octopus in the new Window on Washington Waters exhibit on 2/17, 2/19 & 2/21 at 11:30am

Ø Ninth annual giant Pacific octopus census 2/14-2/16. Puget Sound divers are asked to search for and report all octopus sightings to Aquarium staff over the three day weekend.

For a ceph-love like myself, this would be a very romantic Valentine's Day date spot!


Hubba, hubba, who wants some octopus lovin?

Oktapodi: Animated Short Film

Check out this very cute short film!


Oktapodi is a 2007 French computer-animated short film that originated as a Graduate Student Project from Gobelins L'Ecole de L'Image. The short is about a pair of love struck octopuses who through a series of comical events are separated and find each other. Oktapodi was directed by Julien Bocabeille, François-Xavier Chanioux, Olivier Delabarre, Thierry Marchand, Quentin Marmier, and Emud Mokhberi. Music was composed by Kenny Wood.

Oktapodi was well received, winning a number of awards, as well as an Oscar nomination for Best Short Film (Animated) for the 81st Academy Awards.

BBC's Planet Earth features Octopuses

I just finished watching the entire BBC Planet Earth series and all I can say is, "Wow!" The series explores all aspects of our planet with magnificent film footage, enjoyable and educational narration, and a beautiful orchestral score. It was absolutely incredible from start to finish!

One of the fascinating creatures that our planet houses is the ever-elusive octopus. The Planet Earth camera crew caught some great footage of our favorite little guys in the "Shallow Seas" and "Ocean Deep" episodes. Other cephs get lovin' too - the vampire squid, common squid, nautilus, and cuttlefish all got screen time.

The BBC website has fact pages about some of the octopuses featured in the series, the mysterious Dumbo Octopus and the Giant Pacific Octopus. Go check 'em out!

Because I'm still in awe and not truly doing the DVD justice, here's a spot-on review by Jeff Shannon found on Amazon.com:

As of its release in early 2007, Planet Earth is quite simply the greatest nature/wildlife series ever produced. Following the similarly monumental achievement of The Blue Planet: Seas of Life, this astonishing 11-part BBC series is brilliantly narrated by Sir David Attenborough and sensibly organized so that each 50-minute episode covers a specific geographical region and/or wildlife habitat (mountains, caves, deserts, shallow seas, seasonal forests, etc.) until the entire planet has been magnificently represented by the most astonishing sights and sounds you'll ever experience from the comforts of home. The premiere episode, "From Pole to Pole," serves as a primer for things to come, placing the entire series in proper context and giving a general overview of what to expect from each individual episode. Without being overtly political, the series maintains a consistent and subtle emphasis on the urgent need for ongoing conservation, best illustrated by the plight of polar bears whose very behavior is changing (to accommodate life-threatening changes in their fast-melting habitat) in the wake of global warming--a phenomenon that this series appropriately presents as scientific fact. With this harsh reality as subtext, the series proceeds to accentuate the positive, delivering a seemingly endless variety of natural wonders, from the spectacular mating displays of New Guinea's various birds of paradise to a rare encounter with Siberia's nearly-extinct Amur Leopards, of which only 30 remain in the wild.

That's just a hint of the marvels on display. Accompanied by majestic orchestral scores by George Fenton, every episode is packed with images so beautiful or so forcefully impressive (and so perfectly photographed by the BBC's tenacious high-definition camera crews) that you'll be rendered speechless by the splendor of it all. You'll see a seal struggling to out-maneuver a Great White Shark; swimming macaques in the Ganges delta; massive flocks of snow geese numbering in the hundreds of thousands; an awesome night-vision sequence of lions attacking an elephant; the Colugo (or "flying lemur"--not really a lemur!) of the Philippines; a hunting alliance of fish and snakes on Indonesia's magnificent coral reef; the bioluminescent "vampire squid" of the deep oceans... these are just a few of countless highlights, masterfully filmed from every conceivable angle, with frequent use of super-slow-motion and amazing motion-controlled time-lapse cinematography, and narrated by Attenborough with his trademark combination of observational wit and informative authority. The result is a hugely entertaining series that doesn't flinch from the predatory realities of nature (death is a constant presence, without being off-putting).


At a time when the multiple threats of global warming should be obvious to all, let's give Sir David the last word, from the closing of Planet Earth's final episode: "We can now destroy or we can cherish--the choice is ours." --Jeff Shannon

This series is a "must-have" for anyone who has an interest in nature, our planet, and the many diverse and intriguing creatures it is home to. This would make a great holiday present too! I bought mine used and saved about $20 - you can too: Follow the link to Amazon.com to get your copy today.