Friday, November 30, 2012

Songs in a Dying Language

Today is St. Andrew's Day.







Julie Fowlis's USA Spring Tour kicks off in Virginia in April. She'll be at Strathmore April 15th.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Modern Love (awww!)

The gloves come off in the fight for marriage equality:



There's always dissent...

Rachael! Dancing! 2 of Leamur's fav things!

Rachael with the DWTS Guru, Tony Dovolani:


With Paula Deen!


With Emmitt Smith!


And cooking (sort of, it's guac) with John Salley!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Saturday, November 24, 2012

OMG, Leia is a Disney Princess now!







Stitch will finally have a princess pal!

Friday, November 23, 2012

"Anyway, I had this incredible fantasy life."

We saw this (live, the musical, not the movie). I think it was 1983 in New York...



No video uploaded to utube alas, and Amazon doesn't have the DVD (dammit), but here's the song At the Ballet:


In case you had forgotten that Trisha Yearwood is awesome (sadly, I had):

My eyes are not dry. Miss you, Mom.



Thursday, November 22, 2012

TMI: Leamur is thankful for Public Service Announcements

What a hairdryer is for:


Proper zombie-killing technique:


Avoiding the hazard of unimaginative cosplay:


Everyone should know: Satan's got perfectly toned abs and rocks a C-cup.

And, no, you don't. Not even close.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Ready for Thanksgiving?

Wednesday was ready:


MC-Hammer-as-a-Turkey was ready:


The Minions are ready:

(Yes, I know you think that had nothing to do with Thanksgiving. But what about the part about all being engineered fromt he same strand of mutant DNA? That part's like Thanksgiving, right?)

Johnny Carson and Doc Severinsen were ready in 1979:


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

"Dont give up on the poor kids, because you never know what's going to happen."

Bill Strickland tells an inspiring story -- with Herbie Hancock's accompaniment -- of how he's paid it forward, beautifully:


He is up to 5 of these centers now.


Monday, November 19, 2012

"Margaret Thatcher was my mother."

"It's kind of easy to patronize the past to forgo our responsibilities in the present."



Saturday, November 17, 2012

100,000 Children in Foster Care in the US

Today is National Adoption Day: "a collective national effort to raise awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families."

The POTUS's proclamation of National Adoption Month:
NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH, 2012

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

As a Nation that believes all children deserve the chance to reach their full potential, we have a fundamental responsibility to ensure each of them grows up knowing the love and protection of a permanent family. During National Adoption Month, we give voice to children who are still waiting for that opportunity, celebrate the bond that unites adoptive parents with their sons and daughters, and recommit to providing every child with the care and security that will nurture their development and well-being.

Later this month, many Americans will also mark National Adoption Day by completing a foster care adoption and embracing a new member of their family. Driven by reasons unique to their households but united by the spirit of compassion that moves all who choose to adopt, these parents will take up our country's most important task -- the work of raising our sons and daughters. As we celebrate the contributions of adoptive parents across our Nation, let us also strive to eliminate discriminatory barriers that would separate foster children from a loving family. Adoptive families come in many forms, and it is essential that all qualified adults have the opportunity to care for a child in need.

My Administration remains committed to helping every child find a loving home. We have partnered with faith-based and community organizations across America to help connect children with adoptive parents, and we continue to work with State, local, and tribal governments to improve child outcomes; enhance safety, permanency, and well-being; and support adoptive families. I was proud to sign the Affordable Care Act and the International Adoption Simplification Act, which have made it easier for families to adopt, as well as the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act, which will help reduce the length of time young children are without families. We have built on those efforts as part of the National Adoption Campaign, which continues to bring adoption and foster care into our national conversation.

Thousands of children living in America hope for the comfort and safety of a loving family. This month, we pay tribute to the dedicated professionals who help make those children's dreams a reality, sharpen our resolve to find a permanent home for every child, and celebrate the stories of all whose lives have been touched by adoption.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2012 as National Adoption Month. I encourage all Americans to observe this month by answering the call to find a permanent and caring family for every child in need, and by supporting the families who care for them.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA


Hear from the kids:

Friday, November 16, 2012

Not Karma, just Cool

This one's gorgeous (but sad):


Twisted (but...well, no, really just twisted):

Not Karma:


Just...Cold:



This is Cool Karma:

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Interview with Louise Erdrich

Luoise Erdrich talks with PBS Newshour host Jeffrey Brown about her National-Book-Award-nominated "The Round House":

Watch Conversation: Louise Erdrich, Author of 'The Round House' on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.



Reading a clip from the book:

Watch Louise Erdrich Reads From Her Novel 'The Round House' on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Make Cheesecake, Not War

In the Busken vs Frisch Pumpkin Pie War, the Busken brothers prank a Frisch's Big Boy:


To stay out of the pumpkin pie wars, here's a demonstration of how to make "punkin" cheesecake, with crushed ginger-cookie crust:

(watching this lady gives me such kitchen-envy!)

Friday, November 9, 2012

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Wayback Machine: The Kids in the Hall

The Head Crusher!


The Doctor!


The Chicken Lady! (in a strip club, so NSFW)


On America:


Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Saturday, November 3, 2012

FRONTLINE: Big Sky, Big Money

In case you missed it this week. Not to be missed:

Watch Big Sky, Big Money on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE.


Friday, November 2, 2012

Karma-nimation







We don't actually get to see this one get his comeuppance, but it's got to be coming, right? Right?!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Descendants

Beautiful (& haunting!) animated short: