Rapunzel's Hair Again as Rapunzel Week Reboots

This video from ScienceFriday.com (courtesy of Disney) was NPR's Video Pick of the Week. I tried to start Rapunzel Week last week with a discussion of the possible science in the story and then was consumed by other projects as the week progressed. So I'm rebooting with this video and short discussion of Rapunzel's hair animation in Tangled. (And, no, this week will not be all about Tangled. I discussed the movie in short detail last night. Most of this week will be about literary and illustrated Rapunzels.)

More from NPR's interview for the video:

LICHTMAN: Speaking with Kelly Ward, she said, you know, you want it to look real like it's real hair. But if Rapunzel was for real - you know, she has 70 feet of hair in this film - she'd be carrying a lot. That'd be like 80 pounds...

FLATOW: Wow.

LICHTMAN: ...that she'd be towing behind her. I mean, she would not be...

FLATOW: Or headache.

LICHTMAN: ...doing summersaults and...

FLATOW: Right.

LICHTMAN: ...back flips like she does in this movie. She'd be her neck would be strained and she...

FLATOW: Right. They had to fudge it a little bit about what real hair would how much it would weigh and how you could fool around with it.

LICHTMAN: Yeah. It was interesting. It was sort of making the physics look real in some ways and then, you know, giving it weight so it looks like a real object, but not too much weight...

And, to comment on last Sunday's comments on that hair post: No, this isn't about overthinking the fairy tale. We all know it is a fantasy. However, it provides a learning impetus for children (and adults) to learn about real hair, biology and physics, for it brings the topics into an interesting context. I'm not trying to ruin the fairy tale, but to encourage learning across disciplines. After all, I was once a physics major and still have some of that scientist personality buried within me. Science is still such a mystery to so many kids that if using fairy tales helps them learn more in a fun way, I'm all for it.

Cinderella Bespoke: Dresses For Children

Luxury gifts for kids always fascinate me, so here's the latest...Custom Princess Gowns from Cinderella Bespoke. Usually these gifts are furniture which I've featured a few times.

Create a custom princess gown for your young daughter. Made in the USA, each dress is unique and custom-made for your little Cinderella, Snow White or Sleeping Beauty. More than a Disney princess costume, your princess gown is hand-made by children's book illustrator and designer Alison Relyea and her Wisconsin seamstresses, using the best fabrics, textures and accessories -- and all green, of course. In collaboration with you, each dress is truly one of a kind and designed specifically for your little princess. If you dream it, we can create it.

After you place your order, you will have a personal consultation with Alison. From beginning to end, the process to create your daughter's princess gown takes 3-4 weeks. For Christmas delivery, it is best to place your Cinderella Bespoke order immediately, as our schedule is limited and does fill up.

And yes, the price makes these a luxury item. Not that Alison doesn't earn her money designing and sewing them. I'm married to a creative who has to earn a living with art, too. The hours and materials spent on the dress make it reasonable when considered by its parts. But I can imagine many people balking at the price of the dress for a child. I'm not criticizing, in other words, just trying to be fair before the comments fill up with "Insane, for a girl who will quickly outgrow it!" etc. There is a very specific audience for this service and I hope they find Alison if they desire something like this. And I can imagine some flower girl dresses for Renaissance themed weddings, can't you?

Here's a video, too:

kajal Agarwal latest images

kajal agarwal latest most cute looking stills in traditional salwar suit more images after the break...

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Paris Hilton in Beverly Hills - Nov 23

Paris Hilton filming her new reality show in Beverly Hills - Nov 23, More images after the break...

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Mosque of Sheikh Zayd

Mosque of Sheikh Zayd - one of the six largest mosques in the world, is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital of United Arab Emirates. Named in honor of Sheikh Zaid ibn Sultan al-Nahyan - the founder and first president of the United Arab Emirates. Next he is buried. The mosque was officially opened in the month of Ramadan in 2007. Like all of the Emirates, this mosque is also very-very - it is the largest carpet and the world's largest chandelier. This is one of the most beautiful mosques in which I visited. 53 More images after the break...

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Crazy Guys — Video

Top 10 Fastest Bikes 2010

Top 10 fastest bikes, hopefully we’ll be impressing the boys with this post. Here is an exhaustive list of top 10 fastest superbikes. We have tried our level best to gather information from various sources, and inter-tallied them. This seems to be a viable answer. Top speed would be considered here under testing driving conditions. If you’re about own anyone please do let us know how it feels to ride them. Here goes top 10 fastest bikes in the world.

10. Ducati 848

 Engine: 849 cc (51.8 cu in), 4 valves per cylinder desmodromic liquid cooled L-twin

Top speed: 159 miles per hour (256km/h)
Power: 100 kW (134 hp) @ 10,000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed, wet clutch

Replacing the Ducati 749, the 848 weighs 370 pounds and was announced in 2007. The 2009 model was available in Red and Pearl White color. The 848 shares more features with 1198 than its predecessor, the 749, like single-sided swingarm, same rake and trail and same valve angles among many. 09 more after the break...

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