"And it is helpful for outside voices to diagnose us as well, for we cannot always recognize our own symptoms. Jonathan Raban in the recent New York Review of Books ( Read more... )

Um... this was supposed to be a pro-drug filmstrip, right?

My god. I was beginning to suspect these were just an urban legend. Ignore the sign and look closer: they're not selling cigarettes. (From a Japanese vending machine photo site; mostly safe for work.)

( Yay, I found my old textfile of cut-and-pasted reading lists. Might as well share! )

I'm sure I'm not the only one who could benefit from an entire family recipe box.

"Rich Lowry, the editor of National Review, told the young conservatives' gathering last month: 'You have to check out March of the Penguins. It is an amazing movie. And I have to say, penguins are the really ideal example of monogamy. These things - the dedication of these birds is just amazing.'" -- Jonathan Miller, in the September 13, 2005 New ( Read more... )

"Utopia is never more than what we are; the people in them will always be just like us." -- Jeremy Adam Smith, "The Ten Stupidest Utopias"

(Except for February 15-19, 2001. Those were the time for politics, but only if you first create a temporal paradox where Bush was inaugurated after February 20th. You know, same way the time for politics in Rome was 510 - 27 BC.)"I want you to know, Colonel Raney, I would have come back whether I won or lost. I fell in love with West Virginia ( Read more... )

World capitals quiz. I got 8/10. Just curious how other people fare...

Also, given my friends list, I know I can't be the only person who's been looking for a goodlist of Greek and Latin roots.

"Tell me where the line forms to ask hard questions. I yield back the balance of my time." -- Rep. Brad Miller (North Carolina, 13th District), regarding accountability for Katrina and other national crises

(quote and link courtesy of jica, via ktigerI'm still afraid of people not waiting for evidence before they make accusations. But I'm more afraid of ( Read more... )