A funny old world, isn't it? What will they think of next?

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The introduction of the new system was announced on Breakfast Television this morning. The beginning of April will see the arrival of this new security system at the College. The Hormonatron AP-FO™ (pictured) will be installed to coincide with the start of the month. On arrival, students will present their ID cards to the security guard on duty and this will then be swiped through the Hormonatron for biometric identification purposes. The next step of the process is for the student to take one pace in to the Hormonatron itself.

Here is a selection of websites featuring animation aimed mostly kids. This being said, the chances are that you will love them too! Give the rug rats a DVD and enjoy these for yourself.

Most are for younger children but you can also make your own superhero (see Webphemera, The Warrior Woman, left). Hours of fun, you will laugh until you stop.

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Move over, Nemo, the era of the Clown Fish is over. Take a look at these gorgeous specimens of fish-hood, the Angel Fish, heavenly denizens of the deep.

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The water world as we might all know is a paradise. The long lines of beautiful coral reefs and the great variety of fishes - big and small - embellish the aquatic heaven. Angel fishes, of brilliant and diverse coloration are among these adorable creatures that we could actually acquire as home pets for our lovely and cool aquariums.

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You may not have heard of seasteading but it is an idea that has been around for over ten years and it is fast gaining ground. This article - with the help of pictures that look straight out of a sci-fi film, looks at the movement and considers the likelihood of success.

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It may sound like something from a Jules Verne novel, but the idea of cities on the sea - or seasteading - is fast gaining ground and may soon become a reality.

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One of the wonderful things about planet earth is the huge amount of different cultures that makes up humanity. Of course, for each culture there are variations in the methods use to bury the dead. Some, like the local culture of Sagada, do not even choose burial. This is one of the more unusual ways of saying good-bye to loved ones that we have seen.

From the article:

In Sagada, Luzon, the loved ones of the dead, place the deceased in crevasses high atop mountainsides. For nearly two thousand years, this practice has taken place. While it may seem bizarre to tourists (or outsiders), the burial of the dead is considered to be a sacred honor.

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Never ones to ignore what is happening out there in the world, takes a look at explosions of lava. With the help of some stunning pictures, she takes us on a step by step guide as to what constitutes an explosion. Did you know that there are different types of lava? Read on...

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The explosive nature of these fascinating geological mountains provide us with a time line of earth's past, they create chains of living and breathing islands, and they cause deathly destruction to everything they touch.

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Although it is not considered safe for tourists at the moment, many look forward to being able to visit Afghanistan in the near future. Why? Take a look at some of the remarkable places you would be able to visit and decide for yourself. Would you take a vacation to Afghanistan?

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America really is an amazing place. Just when you think you have heard everything about the place something comes up to surprise and astonish. Imagine our surprise and astonishment to discover the existence of the Great Horned Jackalope - surely one of the most, er, bizarre creatures on the planet. elaborates.

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A cross between a hare and an antelope, this rare whimsical antlered creature is rarely seen by sober, upstanding citizens. It is elusive and exceedingly fast when frightened and can be extremely dangerous when cornered or provoked.

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Have you ever taken a photograph that seems to have a magical quality to it, because of the way in which the light has been captured in the shot? The chances are that you took the picture during the two times of day that photographers know as the golden hour.

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A look at the (very, very messy) Hindu Festival of Colors and how it is celebrated at home and abroad.

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Seen it all? Take a look at the Sea-Based X-Band Radar. Like something from a science-fiction novel, this floating Goliath has been designed to defend the USA from missile strikes. Not quite star wars but just as startling.

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We all assume that in the animal kingdom it is always the mother that makes the best parent. This isn't always true. As this fascinating article by shows, sometimes it is dad who does all the hard work.

Just in case you were beginning to think that articles on the creepier, crawlier side of life were beginning to disappear from Webphemera, here is one to reassure you!

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It is little wonder that many movie monster makers look to the alien world of insects for their inspiration. Here, with the aid of some amazing macrophotography, get up close and impersonal with some strange species that might not look too out of place in a sci-fi movie.

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Stones that change position? Well, it isn't going to be Keith Richard, probably, but these weird objects in Death Valley. They still elude proper scientific explanation, but Bren Parks puts her sun screen on and takes us for a tour of their home. My grandmother used to say 'stranger things happen at sea' but I am really not sure this time...

From the article:

In an area known as the "Racetrack playa" in Death Valley near the western border of Arizona

, there are an amazingly large number of stones, ranging in size from mere pebbles to half ton boulders that regularly travelby themselves and no one has ever been able to explain why!

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You would think that people would learn, but oh no. Not only do they go on these enormous rides once, they carry on and on and on. Oh, and on. Despite the fact that they are terrifyong, gut wrenching, heart stopping rides, people just can't resist the thrill. Here self-confessed coaster-holic explains their allur and introduces you to the biggest rides on the planet. And yes, that was a little innuendo for good measure.

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There was a time when I was child that I was terrified of these wooden and metal beasts. My Dad made me ride the Gemini at Cedar Point when I was barely tall enough to ride. On the way down the first hill, I started to lift out of my seat and the bar started to come loose. I started to scream bloody murder, and for the rest of the day, I couldn't even look at another ride. You would think that this one moment would keep me from riding any more roller coasters, but how wrong you are.

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OK, so it goes like this. Big cosmos so, therefore a great chance that there are some highly evolved and technologically advanced species out there? So, why haven't we any rock solid evidence to, for once and for all, prove their existence? Is it because they don't exist? Here, takes a very close look at some of Fermi's assumptions.

From the article:
Fermi's Paradox embraces a number of invalid assumptions. It therefore has irreconcilable problems, putting it in conflict with reality. Some misguided individuals attempt to use Fermi's Paradox as if it were proof that Earth is the only home of intelligent life in the Universe. They are erroneous as much as was Fermi.

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There are times when even we at Webphemera are silenced by the beauty of something. Take a look at this wonderful flower, as described by .

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Dicentra spectabilis, more commonly known as bleeding heart is a shade loving perennial native to Japan. This species can grow up to 36 inches tall with its green fern-like ternate leaves (having three leaflets projecting from the same point).

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The Irish are well known for having a way with words. Less well known perhaps is their habit of erecting statues, notably in the capital city of Dublin - then quickly giving them nicknames so memorable that they are often adopted in preference to the original title. With Irish tongue often firmly in cheek, these are the statues of Dublin - and their numerous (often quite naughty) nicknames.

From the article:
Dublin is filled with statues. It seems close to a national obsession in Ireland to erect them. Perhaps not far behind is the predilection of the inhabitants of this fair city to give them nicknames. And what nicknames. In time for St Patrick's Day, take a quick tour of some of the notable nicknamed statues of Dublin.

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Sometimes people are born with a talent that is inexplicable, other times it can be explained through science and medicine. Here is the strange story of Ruby Helder, who became a star in Edwardian times because she sounded like a man. More than a little Victor, Victoria going on here - who knows, perhaps she was the inspiration!

From the article:

Ruby Helder was born in the UK in March 1890. As a young child she showed signs of a musical talent and her parents encouraged her to learn the piano and sing. She displayed a natural singing talent and had a deep tone.

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Carnival! When asked to name one, most people would say Rio in the blink of an eye. Not so here at Webphemera where we eschew the exotic for the rather more bizarre. Here, takes us on a colourful guided tour of the Aalst carnival in Belgium. If you want wierd, ladies and gentlemen, head to Europe!

From the article:

All the world loves a party and what better way to party is there than a carnival. Especially if you are a cross dresser living in Belgium and can take to the streets as Voil Jeannetten or Dirty Jenny. This well-kept secret is a brilliant example of a spirit that the Belgians keep well hidden. Introverts should strictly stay away!

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Here is a real WTF moment for you. The mole cricket - but not a cricket you will hear and discover chirping outside your window. These creatures are dwellers of the underground and are notoriously shy and nocturnal. Little wonder when you realize that in some countries they are fried up and served as meals - to humans.

From the article:

No, it’s just a “mole cricket,” a common subterranean insect that most people have just never seen before. I wish I had known about these (and knew how to acquire them in the quantities I needed) back when I used to raise omnivorous reptiles.

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You may not necessarily want to know what goes on in the hidden world of viruses. Well, shame on you! takes a close, close, close look at viruses. Don't have nightmares!

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Viruses are more than a hundred times smaller than bacteria and they infect all cellular structures, whether animal, plant, or human. There is a fascinating unseen microscopic world evolving around us all the time.

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You either love them or hate them, but men with mustaches hold a strange fascination for many. What is it about them that elicits such a range of emotion from people? takes a look at a variety of famous men with mustaches - or is that mustaches with famous men? Either way this interesting and enjoyable read turns the spotlight on the lip rats of the famous.

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From the article:

A mustache is not for everyone. In fact, some women dislike them so much that they forbid the men they're with to have one. In the media though, throughout the centuries, powerful and famous men emerged wearing these very obvious blocks of facial hair.

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Robots! Take a look at some that you may not have seen before. But be careful! The more you think about these elctronic beasties, the more likely it is that you will see them all around you! Not that Webphemera regular is paranoid about androids. No, surely not!



From the article:

I was looking at sites that show robots of today and tomorrow and was shocked to see more than a passing similarity to the Terminator, C-3PO and even the Cybermen of the Doctor Who series. What ever happened to the design attributes of "classic" robots of long ago?

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From the article:

Greta oto may sound like the name of a silent movie star from Eastern Europe but is, in fact, the scientific name for one of the most exquisite - and little known - species of butterfly on the planet. This butterfly's claim to fame is that its wings, spanning up to six centimeters, are almost completely transparent. That's right, you can see just about right through them.

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You may have a dirty mind but great minds think alike. Yes, these buildings really do look like what you think they look like. Take a look, you know you want to.

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