I mention this interest because of a short but informative article on the capitalization of the word "I":

i suggest that You try, as an experiment, to capitalize those whom You address while leaving yourselves in the lowercase. It may be a humbling experience. It was for me.

Incidentally, does anyone understand the header graphic for the article?

First, a new stick figure slideshow cleverly and succinctly describes the Sub-Prime Mortgage Disaster in the United States. I found the explanation reminiscent of XKCD as well as a fitting accompaniment to Liar's Poker, which I read at the beginning of the year.

After Kottke posted his list of single serving sites, someone meta'd the topic and made a single serving site listing all other single serving sites. I particularly enjoy Beth Cherry, who maintains a single page blog with no archives or apparent feed to which to subscribe. This blog philosophy reminds me of my drawing professor senior year, who recommended keeping a sketchbook in which one glues down the page after completing each drawing (but admitted personally to tearing out and saving particularly good ones).

Finally, art imitates life. And let's hope life will imitate art come November.

The Guardian has a full discussion of the Santos-Obama story.

Four days later, Fox announced that they would not be renewing the contract for Montel's show. In short, he appears to have been fired for standing up to Fox's poor journalistic ethics. Check out the coverage on Daily Kos.

Montel raises an interesting point regarding the lack of availability and relevancy to US citizens of information on casualties of the Iraq War. After some superficial searching, I identified iCasualties, which provides a wealth of information in an unfortunately bad interface. Alas, I cannot seem to answer Montel's question: what are the names of the US soldiers who died in Iraq today, if there were any. The site even has the names of those who died as recently as two days ago.

(Video link via Dan Phiffer)

I have had this post waiting in the wings for some time now. I keep trotting out this fantastical story to friends---it even came out at Thanksgiving. I figure the time is right to support my wild leporid tale with hard facts.

I first read of Karl Szmolinsky in an interview in Viceland. This champion breeder of giant rabbits outside of Berlin was informed by the North Korean embassy that Kim Jong Il was interested in Szmolinsky's humongous hares as a food source for the famine-stricken Hermit Kingdom. The good-natured and trusting man was happy, even proud, to support such a noble cause as feeding children. Regardless, the BBC profiled Szmolinsky soon after North Korea's request and labeled him a Communist, nostalgic for the old days before the Berlin Wall fell.

Szmolinsky sold 12 rabbits to the North Koreans, who sent the animals to a farm in Pyongyang. He also provided a book about breeding, feeding and raising them for maximum food production. Szmolinsky was optimistic for the program and understandably excited at the prospect of traveling to North Korea to further instruct in proper techniques.

The happy tale ends here. The disingenuous North Korean officials cut off all communication with Szmolinsky and their embassy in Berlin refused to speak to or see him. Plans for a local film feature were scrapped and the affable German became fearful for his rabbits' fate. He did not wait long for his fears to be confirmed: a London reporter returned to Europe with news for Szmolinsky. Kim Jong-il ate the rabbits as part of a special birthday feast.

In the interview in Viceland, Szmolinsky declares that "all politicians are bandits" and decries the now obvious scam. Regardless, he is negotiating with the Chinese government to broker a similar deal, trusting that country not to trick him similarly.

John Updike would likely counsel, "Rabbit, run!" What can I say? Only in Communist states do they take the Red pill and see how deep the rabbit-hole goes.

I hoped to read thirty or more books this year but I think I will have to settle with 24 or 25. Still, I am happy that I have been able to read two books per month, especially given how busy and social the last six months were.  Check out the drewd reading list.

After dinner, Trina and I went back out and I intended to show her the proper manner of inserting a key into a lock. What I found instead was a mangled mess of metal where my driver-side lock had formerly been. Minutes before Trina had stepped out to get her water, some punk had attempted to force my lock with a screwdriver. Sparkle Motion's silent, ignition-killing alarm had tripped and locked down the car. The punk had skedaddled and Trina came out to find a magnificently unresponsive machine. Minutes later (?) the car reset and I was able to click it open.

Did I mention that my laptop was in the backseat at the time? Yikes! I love you, Sparkle Motion!

The next day, my 25th birthday, was far better. Trina and I brunched with Amber and AC at Silence-Heart-Nest and then drove to IKEA to find me some birthday furniture. We returned to Wallingford, and Trina and I hopped the 26 to Belltown, where we met Julia, Ariana, Claire and Deirdre at Mama's Mexican Kitchen. The burrito and margarita was decent but the mojito was delicious. I want another, right now.

After dinner, we met Molly and Jesse for a beer a bit east of the Seattle Center and discussed clothing swaps and possible book clubs. Then, the original six meandered over to Key Arena, finally remembering the differences between the Superman, Batman, Indiana Jones, and Star Wars movie theme songs. It's hard: give it a try, I'll wait.

The final element of my birthday celebration was the Death Cab for Cutie concert, at which the oh so beautiful and talented Jenny Lewis was opening (with her Watson Twins). Death Cab was great; they rocked as expected. Jenny Lewis was simply divine. I need to see her headline, with Rilo Kiley or whatever project she next takes.

Trina and I must soon search for pickup down at Discovery Park. I have not even touched upon the ridiculous amounts of work I have completed of late or the havoc-wreaking wind storm of Thursday night. These weeks have been exhausting.

My fingers are firmly crossed for December improving all the way until a magnificent New Years in Maryland. Stay tuned!

Pickup in the mud and rain

A handful of handblocks at pickup this evening

Listening to a crazy old guy at Trader Joe's tell the employee trapped at the sample station about how Frodo is a chump and Sam is the real hero

Skying a much taller player twice to get blocks on hammers

Watching Brooke's dog, Mia, try to remove a loop of masking tape from the back of her neck

Pennsylvania Election results

The descendants of the genetic upper class would be tall, slim, healthy, attractive, intelligent, and creative and a far cry from the "underclass" humans who would have evolved into dim-witted, ugly, squat goblin-like creatures.

I am sure there are quite a few short, stocky computer nerds who would take issue with such a prediction. Oh, and please do not forget the entire population of Asia.