"Oprah had become my first of many code names" more inside

Curious Humbug! I'm probably going to skip Christmas with my family this year. (It's not going to be a pleasant one. Long story.) I just want to go somewhere -- anywhere in the world -- that will make me feel a sense of wonder or joy or delight. Bora Bora? Paris? NYC? ... Any suggestions? Where would YOU go and what would you do?

The Horror! The Horror! Dan Savage is running a bunch of loss-of-virginity horror stories this week, which is pretty funny, although it doesn't rival the classic edition with the Masturbation Horrors (I've never seen Mickey Mouse toothbrushes the same since). more inside

Have A Very Beatle Christmas! dig all of the lads' Christmas recordings, previously available only to fan club members. (Dig the green vinyl "Merry Xmas" 45 too!). But, in case you thought this Christmas season couldn't get any more special - Relive one of the most baffling specials of all time, the Star Wars Christmas special! more inside

Sweet, sweet tiger justice.

Black and white is the only logical choice, Captain. Who knew Mr. Spock was a photgrapher? I think Mr. Nimoy has captured some lovely images with his black and white photography. Some images NSFW.

Remo William Raccoon's homepage: a guide to raising raccoons, written from the raccoon's point of view. more inside

Newsfilter: Judge rules Intelligent Design not acceptable in Pa. Biology Curriculum Judge John E Jones described the Dover, Pa., school board policy requiring Year 9 Biology students to listen to a prepared statement that evolution is not a "fact" as being one of "breathtaking insanity." more inside

The Unofficial Stephen Jay Gould Archive A collection of articles, books and other writings by Stephen Jay Gould (and a few others). Mostly biology, but there are some history of science, religion/science, and other topical essays. The bibliography alone is astonishing. (Couldn't find full-text stuff on baseball, though.)

Newspaper prints picture of snow penis . Full story (Google cache)Some readers are not amused. Gives a whole new meaning to "police beat".

Star Wars Vs. Matrix Vs. Lord of the RIngs in a knock-down drag-out fight to see which trilogy has truly achieved Greatness. The author analyzes all three with regard to source material, character development and, perhaps most importantly, visual effects. more inside

The Nature of the Beast. (Flash preferable) Splendid Japanese depictions of beasts; traditional, real and imaginary (including, somewhat incongruously, Doraemon the cartoon robot cat). With a personality-based monster generator.

Curious George: New Year's Eve "Maybe it's much too early in the game / But I'd thought I'd ask you all just the same / What are you doing New Year's / New Year's Eve?"

NZ finds Black Cocks hard to swallow

Quand il est mort le poete... Au revoir, Sol.

Newsflash! UCLA study concludes American media has a liberal bias. Film at 11.

Bitter or funny Christmas songs Vixen's revenge - all I can say is Go Boy! Requires download ( I could not find a direct play version) more inside

ELF AVOIDS SANTA .. Elf expertise. Aim the snowball!

Gummy Bear Sex! Just for a laugh. NSFW. Don't even ask how I came across this. I have no idea.

Losing the War I'm not exactly sure what this article is about, I haven't finished reading it - but I thought it was worth an FPP because it's somehow excellent already. It's about war, Hitler, Wagner, the author's dad, and the American public's perception of combat overseas. more inside