Celebrity StupidBowl Picks! Bears or Colts? Colts or Bears? StupidBowl XLI is just about . . oh . . 49? Hours away! Yes, enjoy the predictions of celebrities such as John Travolta, Jimmy Buffet . . um, Okay I don't know who that is . . nnnope don't know them . . uh, some dude . . Anyway - What's your prediction??

It's Just a Plant: A Children's Story of Marijuana. Free .pdf available until Valentine's Day. In French and German as well as English, in case you're teaching your kids and want to work on some, uh, state-dependent learning. more inside

Curious George's birthweight. A very big baby was born in Mexico this week, tipping the scales at 14.1 pounds. How much did you weigh when you first showed up? What are your birth stats?

Curious Storytelling George I recently rejoined Toastmasters and one of the projects I have to do involves storytelling. Specifically, a 5 to 7 minute folktale before a live audience of about ten people. My folktale knowledge sucks. What would you recommend? Anything that is entertaining, novel, engaging and has a cool ending, would fit the bill...

It's a hot Texas Weiner tradition "In its simple, classic form, the Hot Texas Wiener is an all-beef hot dog "blanched" or par-cooked in 350-degree vegetable oil in a fry basket for a few minutes, cooked by another hot vegetable-oil bath in a tilted steel pan until done. . . more inside

Landmark American composer Gian Carlo Menotti has died aged 95. While searching for links I discovered the Database of Recorded American Music, an excellent audio resource which includes many works by Menotti. more inside

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to stand on his head and juggle ice cream. We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to replace the national anthem with 'Gold' by Spandau Ballet. (Personally, I'm with Billy Conolly, and holding out for the theme from the 'Archers'). more inside

North Korea Fights Famine With Flopsies via WaPo: "North Korean diplomats see a possible solution for their nation's endemic food shortage: an enormous bunny in every pot." Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail are not amused.

Bending Light is just one of one of many amazing sets by one of my Flickr favorites: reciprocity. Also of note: Taming light, twisting light, micro world, microscopy and close up on glass. more inside

Amusing Mailboxes

God on Facebook. God on MySpace. God on 43 People. (I am highly suspicious that all of these are, in fact, God.) Have you found God in unexpected places?

Citizendium pilot opens. Sometime last week, with not much fanfare, the first open pilot for Larry Sanger's Citizendium project (think: Wikipedia with standards) commenced. Unlike the earlier closed pilot, anyone can now register as an "author" at Citizendium without having to petition the cabal (subject to certain conditions, of course). more inside

A Molly Ivins tribute from her editor, on the occasion of her passing away due to cancer. (Links to some of her last columns on that page). She was loved by many in the US for her often humorous and irreverent political commentary and philosophy. As she says to Americans in one of her last columns: "We are the deciders."

[Curious George] Denver Pet Sitter & SF Tourist Attractions Jim T. and I will be in San Francisco for four days in March and we need 1) Recommendation for cat(s) sitter in Denver, 2) Some fun touristy things to do in San Francisco. more inside

Moonites Paralyze Boston A marketing stunt for cable channel TBS's Aqua Teen Hunger Force backfired hideously because the geniuses behind the stunt forgot to notify the Boston Police Department. They are very sorry, however. Bugmenot login/pass for boston.com

Police Eliminator Radar Detector Enforcement vehicles with speed measuring devices disappear just before you approach, then reappear after you pass. Officers are unharmed and unaware they have briefly visited a parallel universe. Enjoy your high speed riding in total security and confidence.

National Monkey Gorilla Suit Day
A damned dirty rip-off from that other place

Piesse's Smell Organ more inside

Oh no!

The Running Man [YouTube]? No, a Japanese game show. [via Emptyflower]