RelentlesslyOptimistic

Absurd Groceries, episode II

Naturally fat free!

It may be addictive, it may be bad for your teeth, but by God sugar naturally has no fat, and they just want you to know that.

Google in China

From The Joy of Tech

Radical, Militant Librarians!

The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom is offering this button to let librarians show their support for intellectual freedom, privacy, and civil liberties. The design came from a phrase in a series of emails obtained from the FBI under the Freedom of Information Act in which agents complained about Radical, Militant Librarians.

Thank your librarian today!

Plush handcuffs for Valentine's Day?

Heidi at me, my life   infrastructure: recommended for ages...?. found these in the cereal aisle at the local grocery store. As she says:

"I really don't think I would want to have to have the conversation with a grade school kid in the grocery store explaining why Cupid would want to cuff a favorite valentine..."

The Mischievious Boys

I don't understand what it is about these, but they make me smile. From Joe. My. God.

"I'm not sure what exactly, if anything, it says about pop culture when a group of shirtless gay boys can gain a little internet notoriety by posting videos of themselves lipsyncing to the dance versions of hit singles by female vocalists, but I do know this: I don't hate it.

The Mischievious Boys are a bit of a fledging internet juggernaut. They have a website, a group blog, a fan club, a Yahoo discussion group, an apparel sponsor, and a brand new video: here."

Sperm Protest

A City Council member in Bogota proposed that everyone over the age of 14 be required to carry a condom at all times. I'm not sure whether the protesters are for or against, but I sure would have liked to see it.

Via monochrom

TV News: Then and now

I subscribe to a feed for Calvin and Hobbes which provides the strip from ten years ago that day. Here's today's:

©Bill Watterson by Universal Press Syndicate

Homeland Security opening mail, too

Following the news that the NSA has been conducting warrantless eavesdropping on US citizens comes the revelation that the Customs Department, a part of the Department of Homeland Security, opens and reads people's mail.

This CNN story included a claim from an 81-year-old retired history professor that a letter he received from another retired history professor in the Philippines was opened. It's possible to justify opening some packages for customs screenings, but letters? Does DHS think that the terrorists have switched from email to snail mail?

Image from leedberg.com

Because God "certainly needs to be involved" in the Supreme Court confirmation process

According to the Wall Street Journal, three Christian Ministers anointed chairs and the doors of the room in which Alito hearing will be held with oil. They claimed that they weren't taking sides in the Alito debate, but said that "God…is interested in what goes on" in the nomination hearing, and that God "certainly needs to be involved" in the Supreme Court confirmation process.

Via Americablog

Best rumor ever! Clinton to become President - of Microsoft!

Via Good Morning Silicon Valley: a rumor based on not much that says that Bill Clinton will become the next President of Microsoft.

Photo from BBC.

Earn money at home using crochet!

Eyebeam reBlog pointed to monochrom, "an art-technology-philosophy group of basket weaving enthusiasts" where you can order your very own custom-crocheted laptop sleeve. I want one in sea grass.

For midwestern New Year's

From the farmers wife