Terry Gilliam's Christmas Card

(via Dangerous Minds)

And Now...

A message from five years ago from Ze Frank talking about ten years ago (or another five years from his perspective). Oh, how I miss The Show.

The Royal Wedding

Congratulations!

I'm sure we'll be seeing more of these two nice young people sooner or later.

White Wine in the Sun

Tim Minchin



(via Neil)

Christmas Wars and Pagan Trees

Obsidian Wings traces the DNA of modern Christmas, by way of Washington crossing the Delaware and a lot of pagan celebrations:

To have a green tree in the house, filled with light, in the darkest and coldest time of year, as we feel the year turn from old to new -- how can that not be numinous? When we decorate with green branches and red berries, this isn't from Christian iconography --

"I remember hearing," said Susan distantly, "that the idea of the Hogfather wearing a red and white outfit was invented quite recently."

NO. IT WAS REMEMBERED.

(from Hogfather, by Terry Pratchett).

The rising of the sun and the running of the deer, seeing our families and having enough to eat: all of these things are worth celebrating. Such celebrations don't have to be either secular or religious, in the usual sense: they are pagan in the sense of "rustic, countrified, what the common people do". Human, in other words.

So we do have a Yule Tree in our house, and at its top is the sun

Digital Nativity

Nicholas Was...

39 Degrees North: Christmas Card 2010 from 39 Degrees North on Vimeo.

A new adaptation of Neil Gaiman's short short story.

Ho. Ho. Ho.

Happy Fourth

That's Americana.
Got a big dog? You're in the parade.
Got an old car? You're in the parade.
Dressed up funny? Part of a group?
Have a talent? Just outgoing? You're in.


The only bad parades are the ones right after a war starts, when the drumbeat's still going, and the price is still in the future.

This one was one of the nice ones, on the best day of the year to be in Upper Arlington.

Happy Towel Day!

In honor of Douglas Adams, today is Towel Day. Don't forget your towel!

Links for Later

Saras Sarasvathy's theory of effectual reasoning & entrepreneurship.

Pogo: "Gardyn," a song for Mother's Day

Happy Festivus!

For the rest of us.

And now, the airing of the grievances.

First Sighting

While out driving, I noticed an older couple coming out of their house near the local high school. Both of them were dressed in red and white velvet, with long stocking caps on their heads. He had a smart-looking white beard and little gold reading glasses and carried a large red bag stuffed with toys. Mr. and Mrs. Claus smiled big smiles and waved as they climber into their car, which I am pleased to note was a Prius. Santa rolls environment friendly.

The sight just made my day.

Alice's Restaurant

Arlo Guthrie live.


As an interesting side note, I once shared a transatlantic flight with a speed metal band called Implements of Destruction. Nice guys, actually.

Gifties

Coilhouse is really on a roll this week. They've got a roundup of great indie Christmas/{insert your holiday here} gifts.



Will Wheaton's selling "Tea, Earl Grey, Hot" mugs, and his brother Jeremy's got dancing seal mugs.



Weta's got rayguns.



And Tom Gauld has a new print of "Characters for an Epic Tale".

So, now you know what to get me

Alowine

Peter Mayle on the holiday that invaded France and spoiled all the pumpkin recipes.

Happy Towel Day

In honor of Douglas Adams, May 25th is Towel Day. Keep your towel with you. It is both handy and impressive.