All The News That Fits

-Took cat to the vet. He might have hyperthyroidism, but the vet's not sure. So, blood tests. I also picked up more Feliway. It might be snake oil, but at least I feel like I'm doing something. Also, one of the receptionists said she swore by it as a thing that keeps her cat from destroying her furniture. So hey, maybe it's not snake oil. ::shrug:: Either way, Morbo now has a very silly haircut because the vet had to buzz his bib to get at his thyroids.

-Via RM, Eredien points us at a blog produced by Tampax of a boy who wakes up one day and finds he has a vagina. And then gets his period. I don't know about you guys, but I had King Missle's "Detachable Penis" going through my head when I read this post. And the rest of the blog. I'm not sure where they're going with this, but it sure is bizarre.

-Flemco live blogged the Glenn Beck ridiculousness in DC. Good discussion happening in the comments thread.

-More commentary on Antoine Dodson: What's So Funny About Antoine Dodson?

-From Time.com: New Orleans, Five Years Later.

Yay Friday!

-The cat was terribly generous this morning and let Josh sleep until the princely hour of 5am. I am looking into vets and I'm going to see who's open tomorrow. This shit's gotta stop.

-In world news, the Society for Creative Anachronism has seized control of Russia.

-If you're doing Atkins/South Beach/low-carb, I recommend the blog Unbreaded. It's run by a blogger friend and her bff back home, and it's written with a level of respect and consideration you don't usually see in diet blogs. It's neither slavish in its adherence to the diets, nor is it wishy washy or silly. It's a real and honest take on food, dieting, and self-image, with a nice dose of humor and feminism. You guys know I'm not one to push diet ideology, I just like the way this blog is written.

-Chris Sims knows weird. So he brings us ten of the weirdest pieces of erotic superhero fan art.

-Mayor Bloomberg was on The Daily Show last night talking about the Cordoba Center. (Is it Cordoba Center or Cordoba House? I've seen both.)

-Mama, don't take my Kodachrome away! Fun fact: my grandmother's uncle helped found Eastman Kodak. Did she tell me this BEFORE I started going to the University of Rochester? Nope, that would have been too helpful. Apparently said grand-uncle was one of George Eastman's best friends. I never did get around to researching that side of the family when I lived up there. Alas.

-The NYTimes has an interesting article on a hoarder, today.

-An artist in New York needs an oven in which to bake a bread bed.

-OH MY GOD WHAT.

Thursday Roundup

-As I mentioned yesterday, it was my second anniversary with Josh. When he got home from work, there was a card stuck in our front door from our apartment complex...wishing him a happy birthday. (I got one on my birthday, too.) Seeing as his birthday is in April, we're not sure what happened there. My guess is they knew yesterday was somehow significant, and just took a stab in the dark.

-I knew all this obfuscation about what the Cordoba Center actually is would result in anti-Muslim hate crimes. I just didn't think it would happen this fast.

-Meanwhile, good hustle, Russell Simmons.

-Another day, another unnecessary photoshopping of Christina Hendricks.

-As linked around in other places, another high profile Republican has come out of the closet. Okay, look, Republicans. You do realize that we've come to the point where if you are loud and vocal about being anti-Gay, we're going to assume you've got a Platinum account at HotBoysInChaps.com. Because more often than not, we're right. Being gay isn't wrong, sinful, dirty, or a sign that they are immoral or want to corrupt your family. It's a sign that a person wants to have love and sex with other people similarly equipped as they are in the genitals. That's it. Sigh.

-The 1996 Doctor Who TV movie featuring Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor is now available on DVD in the US. Uh...brb.

-Tron-a-Sutra.

Mundries

-Weekend was lovely. Josh and I went to archery practice yesterday. My friend Katrina brought me a 20lb recurve that she doesn't use anymore to try out. OMG I LOVE THIS BOW. It's technically a kids' bow, and somehow even only at 20lb, has a hell of a punch behind it. A++, would shoot again! I also managed to forget to not hyperextend my elbow on my first shot, so now I have an awesome bruise on the inside of my elbow.

-Antoine Dodson will be on NPR this evening.

-For the three of you who hadn't heard, John Barrowman held a garage sale in Wales recently. was there.

-“Look, I’m sorry for blowing up earlier. It’s just…I can feel tequila…in my face.” Hungover Owls. Easily the best thing I've seen in days, sent to me by the awesome .

-There's a new Ask Morbo!

-ICYMI, I design nerded yesterday.

-I want these boots. And maybe also these.

-Remember that NYTimes article last week once again bemoaning the extended adulthood of "kids today"? Apparently someone on Salon opened their yap and were even more tin-eared about the differences in how far a dollar goes today, as well as the skyrocketed cost of living. Pandagon has an excellent rejoinder.

-There was a pro- and anti-Cordoba Center rally in New York yesterday.

-NYers be aware: There will be F-16 Flyovers today.

-Fast Food False Advertising, via Yagathai

Saturdries

-Josh is at the office for some OT. I'm going to tidy, pick up my license plates, and hit a yoga class. GOSH WE'RE EXCITING.

-"We have collectively taken a pratfall on a moral whoopee cushion." -Dick Cavett on the furore over Cordoba Center

-Tom and Lorenzo at Project Runway always crack my shit up. Their takes on the Miss Universe 2010 National Costumes (part one and part two) are no exception.

-Remember all that stuff about cigarettes sold on Reservations and how they don't have to pay NY State taxes for it? Bloomberg opened his yap and said something profoundly stupid. The Seneca Nation has called him on it, but Bloomberg hasn't apologized. Now, the Oneida Nation has called him a Nazi (::facepalm and fail::), but are also calling for a rally against him. This one will probably only get uglier.

-I can't decide if these amuse or horrify me. I *will* be getting the Lando fragrance for my brother for Christmas. (I like to get him a silly "me" gift, as well as something a little more serious.) I'm curious about how they smell.

-More pinup RDJ.

Back to the Sundries

-Josh and I leave for Pennsic tonight. His friend Mike is flying in from Seattle to make the trip with us. I told you we were nuts.

-Emma Watson got a haircut. I think it's freaking adorable, and definitely a smart move to distance herself from a character known for long, wild hair. Bart Calendar has a savvy theory, however.

-Elizabeth Bear has made an ass of herself again. But that's not the important part. The important part is that Ephemere has written an excellent piece about the Bataan Death March, and why the term "death march" is uncool to use casually. She also learned me something about Imelda Marcos. Jokes about how I share a birthday with her and its correlation to my shoe collection are suddenly a lot less funny.

-The National Unemployment rate remains at 9.5%. That means almost ONE OUT OF EVERY TEN PEOPLE are out of work. That's not terrifying or anything. OH WAIT. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.

-Bitsyrant wrote this excellent piece on Seth McFarlane's transphobia. I really want to like you, Seth McFarlane. Why you gotta make it so hard?

-The Amityville Horror house has been sold.

-9GAG.com is my new timesuck. Heads' up: If you think you don't want to read the comments on any given item, go with that instinct. Also, usual internet trigger warning for occasional bigotry, NSFW content, etc. But generally, there's LULZ.

Wednesdries

-I did the gym again this morning, to slightly better results. Yay. My endurance is still worse than it's been in years. :-/ Upside? I made myself a breakfast taco! Mmm....

-My friend Dan is participating in the Echelon Gran Fondo Portland, a cycling event starting in Hood River, Oregon, supporting the LIVESTRONG Foundation and the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health and Science University, and is asking for donations.

-There was a post on Feministe yesterday about child-rearing, that, as these posts always do, ended up as a 300-comment behemoth about children screaming in restaurants. Karnythia wrote a fantastic response. (The essay is the same at both places, but naturally, the comments will be different.)

-This is fake, but fantastic and silly.

-Yo dawg...oh.

-Feeling down? Today's Picture Post Wednesday at SF_Drama is "Show us your pets!" themed. Yes, Morbo makes an appearance.

-When I was a kid, I watched the Flinstones, and I smoked Winston cigarettes. (via Liz Baillie)

Tuesdries

-Morbo seemed a little calmer last night. We got a diffuser with a calming agent that contains Feliway. (Also, hoshit, the stuff cost almost $50! Yikes!) We're still trying to figure out what's his damage. Josh thinks it may be because I'm leaving every day again, which he hasn't experienced in almost a year. You know, on top of all the other upheaval he's gone through since April.

-I got back on the workout wagon today. Let's not discuss how it went. That said, Populace in the Park (the weekly SCA gathering) is tonight, so I'll be doing fencing drills in the evening heat anyway. Whoo.

-Superstimuli and the Collapse of Western Civilization. An interesting read, for sure. I feel like the phrase "Western Civilization" is really ethnocentric and narrow-minded, especially since the issues discussed affect first-world countries, not just those in the West. (via )

- has an excellent essay on feminism and trusting women, and the ugly situations in which women aren't treated as full humans.

-Your Underdog Lovelorn Romantic May Be My Rapist, by Melissa McEwan over at Shakesville. Brutal and insidious, but definitely worth the read. (Major trigger warnings all over the post and the comments, btw.)

-Jailbroken phones now allowed. I'll still stick with my Droid, thanks.

- saw Joshua Jackson escorted out of SDCC for not having a badge. I admire Jackson's gumption, because undeterred, he hosted PaceyCon 2010! Dude, I totally would have attended.

Saturdries

-Today has been rad.

-Make a meal plan based on what's on sale in your area!

-NYC has a Johnny AppleWEED

-The storm in NYC last night! I recommend watching the video. It's fantastic.

-BP uses inmate labor for oil cleanup. What's sad is that I'd be more okay with this if it was above-the-board.

-Are cats and dogs ruining us?

TGI Sundries

-I have gone from dressing super girly to...jeans and a Shaun of the Dead t-shirt. My co-workers are going to be so confused. (There was a mid-point yesterday of jeans and a nice, plain black t-shirt with a v-neck. One of my co-workers actually didn't recognize me in the lobby.)

-Well done, nerds.

-This is my new favorite website.

-Of lovers and potato mashers.

-Darth Vader has hit some hard times.

-Charles Ragnel charged with ethics violations. Gosh, what a surprise!

-Dear Alan Moore: Shine on, you crazy diamond.

-A run-down of Thursday at SDCC.

-Dammit, Helen Mirren, I can only love you so much before it becomes creepy and weird.

-Women featured at SDCC

-SDCC is now Klingon-compliant

Lunch'n Sundries

-Day 2 at my new job!

-There's going to be a sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender. No, no, the show. Here's an interview with the shows' creators. Best quote? "We just don’t subscribe to the conventional wisdom that you can’t have an action series led by a female character. It’s kinda nonsense to us."

-Two more accusers of Al Gore step forward. The meta around this situation continues to spiral out of control. I still remain neutral.

-lolsob

-The Ten People You'll Meet at SDCC

-11 Awesome Celebrity Nerds

Kitty Krazy Sundries

-Morbo has the kitty krazies this morning.

-Oil Spill: Gulf Water Sample Explodes When Chemist Tests For Toxicity

-'Almost All of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Workers are Dead'

-Forever 21 is now selling maternity clothes. Aside from the fact that's a store that tends to market to teenagers (and owl-obsessed women in their late 20s), it's testing out its new line of maternity clothes in states that have high teen pregnancy rates. h/t Bart Calendar, who also has good commentary here.

-A lesson re-learned on gender and space. Nothing new to many of us, but a concept always worth a read.

-The Doctor Ditches the TARDIS to Work the Pole. It's a burlesque routine featuring a woman in 10 cosplay, and she knows her way around a stripper pole.

-The Goon! The animation looks gorgeous.

-Time Out New York has an article on bespoke suits and the 50 best cufflinks and tie clips. Yeah, all right.

Monday Sundries

-Those of you who follow me on Twitter and FB saw this the other day: 2+ weeks of bad sleep, continual heat exhaustion, and high stress have taken the inevitable toll: I have a cold. Ugh.

I spent all of yesterday on the couch playing Mass Effect 2, and I got a decent night's sleep last night. I actually feel better today than I've been feeling. My mom always said the cure to a summer cold was sunshine and salt water. I'll have to make due with sunshine and a poolside. Either way, the vitamin D can only help.

-Josh and I watched Black Dynamite last night. It's both very silly and very smart. It's also got some amazing one-liners, amazing costumes, and lots of pretty.

-Trans Job Discrimination in New York: Now with numbers!

-How the Media Should Treat the Sexual Assault Allegations Against Al Gore

-The photos in this post show great and rarely seen angles of the area around where I grew up.

-RM beat me to it, but it's too awesome to deny:
In a contest between Ben Franklin and Captain Jack Harkness, for shagging, charming, and being an all around bon vivant, who would win?

-There's an interview with John Barrowman at After Elton.

-Adam P. Knave gives us a delightful New York Tourists' Guide. DON'T BE A JERK AND YOU WON'T GET SENT TO QUEENS! (There's nothing wrong with Queens, but unless they're looking for the biergarten or the airports, tourists tend to not want to go there.)

-How to make a BLT.

Home Sweet Sundries

-I am as bothered as most of my friends by the meme of "women who accuse men of sexual assault are liars," but the information emerging in the Al Gore case seems increasingly thin. If this turns out to be false, I'll be very angry.

-Goldman Sachs is to pay the $550 Million to Settle SEC Charges Related to Subprime Mortgage CDO Oh that's good. How many trillions have we lost since 2008?

-The exceptionally awesome comic book store, Rocketship, closed its doors. And that's terrible.

-The trailer for Social Network is far more interesting than I ever thought it could be. Bonus: Choral version of Radiohead's "Creep."

-Oh hey. BP was involved in the release of the Libyan terrorist involved in PanAm Flight 103. BRB, vomiting forever.

-Twattoos This is "new and noteworthy"? I've seen them before. Yes, in person. And not at all recently.

-The cap on the leak seems to be holding. I'VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU, LEAK CAP.

-An essay on the sweat shop labor involved in "Fast Fashion," and ensuing comments. Wow, that escalated quickly. I killed a guy! (comments closed, but still worth a peek.)

-So far, I've watched the new episodes of Leverage, White Collar, and Covert Affairs. All are good. RM said Covert Affairs was "exhausting for its relentless heteronormativity." I watched the first episode with that in mind, and my god, she's right. It seemed like every single motivation was inspired by heterosexual love or lust. I'll watch more--it has Christopher Gorham!--but if everything is so one-note as it is now? I'll stop. That said, I like Annie Walker's dialogue. She's got snark to her, not dissimilar to Buffy Summers or Veronica Mars.

Sundries-a-go-go

-Morbo (my kitty) and I are settling into our new home. If his incessant purring is any indication, he'll be happy here.

-Can this be real? I want it to be real.

-In yesterday's Fandom Secrets post, there was this secret. It was merely text which reads, "I might not be an expert on this type of thing, but not telling me you were a guy until after we met at the con was a BAD MOVE."

In the comments, many people defend the friend for protecting his gender identity, but the OP comes in and clarifies that no, he was a straight cis-male who'd passed himself off as female. Even after the OP clarifies, there's a goodly number of comments still suggesting the friend was trans. It's an interesting read. (Note: I have no idea what the truth is, I just think it's a fascinating intersection of gender identity online vs. the real world, as well as the risks we take when we meet friends from the internet.)

-The Old Spice ad campaign has blown straight past "advertising" and into art. They are now responding to Tweets in Youtube videos. If we're supposed to let our money talk, then I will never buy any other brand of soap ever again.

-Improv everywhere does it again.

-This is going to get worse before it gets better. If it gets better.

-If this is true, I may vomit.

Sundries 2: Electric Boogaloo

-AAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHH.

-More coherently, my plan for the day is this: Continue boxing and packing things, shower, take the boxes to FedEx (hooray granny cart!), hit Walgreen's for wee wee pads, and then CLEAN ALL THE THINGS.

Gee, when I put it like that, it seems almost doable. @_@

-A car full of people dressed as zombies crashed on Interstate 84 near downtown Portland on Friday, causing initial confusion by people who witnessed the crash (h/t Bart_Calendar)

-Being queer is not new. These pictures are amaaaazing. (h/t Supergee)

-There's a youtube vid in this link that I love. That is how you do a sexual violence prevention PSA.

-This essay, entitled "You people and your quaint little categories: Torchwood, Castle, Psych and modern male sexuality" is made of win, cheez-its, glitter, and awesome.

-I'd only seen the first image, but here are several photos of Lady Gaga in man drag. My love for her continues.

-Also, here is a
great essay about why she's great.

-Live near York, PA and in the market for a dog? I have it on good authority that she's a winner. OMG LOOKIT THAT FACE. She also has her Canine Good Citizen certification, so you know she'll be a good dog.

Sundries

-My boyfriend just informed me of this. OH MY GOD AWESOME. I recommend the videos of some of the recording sessions.

-No seriously. When I get a car, I'm totally getting a TomTom GPS.

-We've all seen this, yes? Okay, good.

-The UK Supreme Court has determined that gay, lesbian and bisexual asylum-seekers cannot be returned to countries where they would face persecution, today.

-I need to think about this. I agree with her complaint, and with the ruling. Hmm.

-PUT THE GD PHONE DOWN WHEN YOU DRIVE, PEOPLE.

-We've also all seen this, right?

-It looks like X-Men First Class will be rated W. For "What is this, I don't even?"