Two tidbits from the news

The first one I read on the way to work and I had to bite my finger to keep from laughing hysterically and getting thrown off the bus.

In Spain, Human Rights for Apes

Now, there is obviously more to the story but that doesn't alter the impact of the headline. I'm pretty sure it's firmly connected to the whole evolution debate, and it will eventually just be ignored but the headline certainly catches the eye.

And then there's this one, that totally pissed me off.

Obama's Private Prayer 'Leaked'

One of the basic concepts behind leaving a prayer at the Western Wall in Jerusalem is that it's between you and the deity. It's similar to the concept of the Tibetan prayer flags. As the medium disintegrates, the prayer becomes part of the Cosmos. There's a considerable crossing of paths between orthodox Jewish mysticism and Buddhism. But that's neither here nor there. WTF is up with some "orthodox seminary student" grabbing it out of the Wall? Nothing in the rules says the prayers of non-Jews are unwelcome. And I hope this brat's teachers do something to make his life holy (and I do mean holy) hell for this. Now, that said, I did (of course) read the prayer and am deeply touched by it. Even were I cynic enough (and, btw, I am) to say that he left it hoping for it to be found and publicized, it remains a lovely sentiment.

Now, then, what do Joss Whedon and crocheting have in common?

I'm not sure but for some reason he seems to feel he needs to be interviewed by a crochet magazine.

Wired.com: To what do you attribute the far-flung coverage and buzz about Dr. Horrible, considering there's been little to no press for the series?

Whedon: Fact is, there's been some buzz, but it hasn't reached the places it would normally. Where's our write-up in Crocheting Monthly? (I did a very sexy shoot for that one.)

And the website Crochet Me has taken up the challenge.

I'm not sure what it is about Whedon's creations that inspire the geek knitters and crocheters but it's not JUST the Jayne hat.



There's GOT to be more to it than just that. I am thinking of all the Willow hats and crocheted Mr. Pointy-stakes and on and on and on (I can't find the picture of the River vest but I've seen it once before and it's lovely.)

So if you are so inclined, feel free to go to the link above which I'm repeating here, and add your name to the cry. If nothing else, it'll be funny as hell once Whedon finds out about it. If he hasn't already.

I still think he would make an awe-inspiring President, but he's doing some inspiring of awe as it is...

NY Times visits eastern Washington

It's not news. It's not Earth-shattering stuff. It probably doesn't even impact the upcoming election.

But the series of short video commentaries about a road trip along Washington State's Rte. 20 is really interesting and shows a piece of the Northwest that I didn't know existed but I'm glad I got to see a little of.

Add to the list of things that make me happy

I have two words.

Rainier Cherries.


(a picture is worth a thousand words.)

I got a lot of fun stuff at Uwajimaya on Friday but the Rainier cherries are the best part of the haul. (In second place I have to say is the pineapple bread stuffed with red bean paste.)

I didn't think it was Steampunk, I thought it was Alternate History

Your result for The Steampunk Archetype Test...

The Roguish Pirate

There is treasure on those airships flying back from the Imperial colonies and you can be found wherever there is treasure. Sometimes you don’t know what you prefer, having the loot or getting the loot. You have your own crew of engineers, bodgers, tinkerers and fians to keep your airship fast and powerful. Those lumbering cargo ships can’t withstand your assault after you fire off the grappling hooks. Oh there is always a fight, but that is part of the fun.

Take The Steampunk Archetype Test