The Cutty Sark is ablaze. Right now. You've heard of the Cutty Sark, right?

Lloyd Alexander died a few days ago. Washingon Post obituary, NY Times. The author of many books, I kept my (well thumbed) set of The Chronicles of Prydain alongside my Narnia series. more inside

The Napkin Drawings

Peach pit carving. The pit heads, from cherry, plum and other fruit pits. A carved elephant peach pit on a base. More complex carving.

Crocheted Shween (Somewhat NSFW) I'm not too sure what to make of this. And as far as <>

No Pine Tar Incident This time it's much more serious, and George Brett's not involved. This time it's about the right to pee without cooties lurking nearby. (and I thought Billy was dead.)

Al Gore book excerpt: The Assault on Reason. Also, a look at Gore as a stealth candidate in the 2008 presidential race.

Steely Dan - The Making of "Peg" Y'know I'm starting to see the benefit of this whole U-2be thing. Here's a great 10 minute video with solo'ed tracks and commentary from the Steelers about the making of one of the hippest "13-bar blues" songs, "Peg". Also, The Dissection of "Deacon Blues". via Fagenfilter more inside

Pursue the Passion - Three recent college graduates dealt with the post-college "What now?" freak out by touring the country and interviewing professionals who are passionate about what they do. more inside

Rudy Giuliani. Yankees fan. Selfish (and possibly criminal) hypocrite. Back in the days after 9/11, many seemed to think he walked on water. This, even though he had a long history of pecadillos. While folks are now looking at Giuliani's 9/11 performance more critically, he continues to lean on the "Rudy Giuliani, 9/11 hero" spin.

I HAS A NETI POT
Allergy season is here in the worst way and I recently was hit hard enough that I had to stay out of work for a day to recuperate. I've been miserable for four days and a visit to the doctor offered the same remedies as it always does: antiallergins, steroids to lower swelling and a promise of antibiotics when the inevitable sinus infection comes. I'm making an appointment to get an allergist and I will take the battery of medicines but it's time for something new.... something... neti... more inside

Do we "coddle" the severely mentally ill? (The New Republic, free registration req'd)

Change your color

Gravitas - Supercomputer generated simulations of intergalactic interactions. Looks like it could be quite a ride.

Tiny, gothic Japanese girl throws mighty chokeslams
Please to be excusing and deleting if I am double posting. I'm sorta new here. Again.

Oh, that poor ottoman... Aah, bless the internets, for bringing such hilarity into our lives. WARNING: Video is of such awesomeness it shouldn't be watched without the occasional pause to prevent gut rupture. Possibly NSFW. (Via Defective Yeti, others.) Merry Christmas.

A Real Christian Lion Unfortunately this one is dead, too. But what a swinging life he had, between King's Road in the swinging 60s, and Nairobi in the go-go 70s.

The Rev. Jerry Falwell found dead in university office. Cause uncertain. DEVELOPING... [newsfilter]

Phew! TV Station uses homebrew rinkydink fake IDs to board planes. But is the threat to us coming from the TSAs ineptitude? Or is it something more sinister more inside

Genesis 19: Total Insanity (video)