It's Buffy the Vampire Slayer's birthday - here's a list of her birthday catastrophes

One for you fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (wiki) and Angel (wiki) (and all things Joss Whedon (wiki):

Since her birthdays always sucked pretty badly, she probably wouldn't be celebrating even if the show was still around. Here are Buffy's birthday catastrophes, chronologically:

The loss of Angel's soul and the return of Angelus during her 17th (in the “Surprise”/“Innocence” (Season 2) episodes).

Buffy being stripped of her Slayer powers in preparation for the Cruciamentum during her 18th (in “Helpless”  (Season 3)).

Giles being transmogrified into a Fyarl demon by Ethan Rayne during her 19th (in “A New Man” (Season 4)).

Dawn Summers' discovery that she is the Key and subsequent identity crisis during Buffy's 20th (in “Blood Ties” (Season 5)).

All of the participants of Buffy's birthday party, including anyone else who entered the house, being trapped inside the Summers residence by Dawn's unwitting wish to Halfrek during her 21st (“Older and Far Away” (Season 6)).

Related links:

8 Connections Among the Works of Joss Whedon.

Here's an article on the theology of Angel.

A Buffy Episode Guide in Limerick Form.

On The Ethics of Vampire Slaying in Buffy.

The Buffy Thanksgiving episode: "Ritual sacrifice, with pie".

Definitely time to re-watch!

8 Connections Among the Works of Joss Whedon

Buffy and Angel are obvious - the rest seem to be connected via interlocking and overlapping shadowy government agencies.  Makes sense, for the most part (except for Toy Story - that's kinda out there).

Friday links

Grimm fairy tales, as told by Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Related: 12 Things We Learned About Buffy from Sarah Michelle Gellar's Reddit AMA.

Is Eating Your Boogers Good For You? Related: How does my nose produce so much snot so fast when I have a cold?
HD Video of Earth From Space Brings Maps to Life.


Early Explosives manual from 1530: rockets strapped to cats and birds?

Apparently "Goat Arousal Expert" is a real job.

30 Cats And Dogs Losing The Battle Against Human Furniture.

ICYMI, Wednesday's links are here, including French travel tips for visiting America and Dr. Seuss's nudes.