Friday, June 5, 2026

[Intro]

Item 1: a link

Some engineers might be satisfied with their train not sounding like a grade schooler learning to play an Otamatone. But not these engineers:

The power converters have to adapt the current from the overhead line to convert it to the three-phase motors of the locomotive, and that generates a rising tone. The engineers decided to change the logic to increment the tone in precise few steps resembling a musical scale, rather than allowing it to rise continuously.

Here at Wolmania we appreciate and encourage this kind of attention to detail.

Item 2: a list

Lizards of Madagascar, Ranked:

1. Labord’s Chameleon
2. Brookesia Bekolosy
3. Jewelled Chameleon
4. Antsingy Leaf Chameleon
5. Globe-Horned Chameleon
6. Furcifer Verrucosus (aka warty chameleon, spiny chameleon, or crocodile chameleon)
7. Brookesia Stumpffi (aka plated leaf chameleon)
8. Panther Chameleon
9. Montagne d’Ambre Leaf Chameleon
10. Lesser Chameleon
11. Iaraka River Leaf Chameleon
12. Angel’s Chameleon
13. Brown Leaf Chameleon
14. Parson’s Chameleon
15. Calumma Andringitraense
16. Two-Banded Chameleon
17. Malagasy Giant Chameleon
18. Brookesia Ebenaui (aka northern leaf chameleon or Ebenau’s leaf chameleon)
19. Brookesia Valerieae
20. Brookesia Therezieni (aka Perinet leaf chameleon)
21. Brookesia Thieli (aka Domergue’s leaf chameleon or Thiel’s pygmy chameleon)
22. Vences’ Chameleon (shouldn’t it be “Vences’s Chameleon”?)
23. Antakarana Leaf Chameleon
24. Brookesia Minima (aka dwarf chameleon, the Madagascan dwarf chameleon, the minute leaf chameleon, or the Nosy Be pygmy leaf chameleon)
25. Brookesia Decaryi
26. Brookesia Peyrierasi

Item 3: a media recommendation

Item 4: word of the week

Haruspex

The haruspex took her blade and, with the practiced flick of a wrist, disemboweled the goat. She peered carefully at the entrails splayed across the cave floor, then closed her eyes and let the gods speak through her mouth.

"Knicks in 6."

Item 5: an image

See ya!

[Outro]