Curious George: baby footwear. Just before the holidays, Sister Renault announced she was going to sprog, some time in June. In order to keep a longstanding promise/threat, and to annoy my brother-in-law, I need to find baby Docs. more inside

Gerald Ford, dead at 93. Former president Gerald R. Ford, who told an uneasy nation that "our long national nightmare is over" after assuming the presidency from Richard Nixon in 1974, was the only politician who served as vice president and president but was never elected to either office. He will be missed as a source of both laughs and a bit of an inspiration for integrity. (Even if he did let Tricky Dick off the hook.) And on a totally crass note, Ford is number two in the celebrity trifecta, who will be the third?

Otakon 2006!

Curious, George: Soooooooo...Watdja git for Christmas? (Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, etc) more inside

BEES! Man vs bee in an epic battle. Or: guys burn stuff for fun. (Warning: photo heavy.) more inside

Free monkeys on the NHS! Err, sorry, no more inside

Mall Santa was meningitis carrier Ohio health officials say a shopping mall Santa Claus tested positive for carrying a bacteria that causes meningitis. And if that's not bad enough, "across the pond" A man dressed as Santa collapsed and died as he handed out presents at a children's Christmas party.

James Brown has left the building. (PS Merry Christmas to all the monkeys.)

Religious popular music from Upper Egypt The munshidin (en français) of upper Egypt. Just one of the many music resources at bolingo.

Santa Claus website problems.

TomTom? or DumbDumb (Tiny URL used as original exceeds 140 characters. Page is Reuters article) Drivers following the directions of their satnavs or GPS systems, are more prone to turn off their brains, and dispense with common sense in lieu of their gadget. more inside

Questions Couples Should Ask (Or Wish They Had) Before Marrying

Festivus turns 40 this year. The holiday was invented by the father of Daniel O’Keefe, a future Seinfeld writer. Many find it to be a simple family celebration, free of marketing corruption of Christmas. Traditions include the aluminum pole, the airing of grievances, and feats of strength. Meat loaf or spaghetti in a red sauce is traditional, but the writer Allen Salkin recommends a hearty beer, rum, bourbon, or wine. Now, I've got some problems with you people...

Lost-and-Found Tiwari For 60 years Raja Ram Tiwari has been reuniting people separated from each other during Hindu festivals. more inside

SMOKE SIGNALS. "The third most-used drug in this country after alcohol and cigarettes, it is often claimed that cannabis is less harmful to your health. However, a review of major health studies by the Mental Health Council of Australia has debunked this view, finding that cannabis can increase the risk of mental illness in a small number of people and is addictive. The study concludes that cannabis use can bring on schizophrenia in people who have a family history of mental illness."

The City Desk covers a non-existent city This first link is via MeFi, but it got me thinking... there are all kinds of wacky imaginary worlds out there. Let's go exploring!

Population mortality and football results "On days when the local professional football team lost at home, mortality attributable to acute myocardial infarction and stroke increased significantly in men... No increase was observed in women." Via

The future agent cat "What surfaced was that our cat actually is one of many agents from the future, sent here to spy on 'historical persons' as the cat herself put it" I just love that blog.

First Time Evar! Giant Squid Captured Live on Camera! squidfilter?

CuriousGeorge: Why are taxicabs so expensive? I'm trying to wrap my mind around the math that results in me paying $10 to go 3 miles. more inside