Watercolors

The rice paddy as canvas. Story here. More pictures here.


Thanks to Florence.

Today's Top Story

Law student, pageant princess -- and kidnapping suspect

From Marty, who would kill to be so described.

Snot Blaze Galore

[T]he biggest story in June, as well as the history of the universe, is the release of the Apple iPhone, which, in addition to enabling you to make phone calls, has all kinds of brilliant and innovative features, including AutoFondle, an application that enables the iPhone to fondle itself during those times when you are unable to fondle it manually because you're sleeping or undergoing surgery from wounds you sustained when friends or co-workers finally lost it and beat you senseless to make you shut up about your freaking iPhone already....

In his masterful recap, Dave Barry describes 2007 as "a year that strode boldly into the stall of human events and took a wide stance astride the porcelain bowl of history." Indeed.

Livin' Large

As the writers' strike enters its third month, the pickin's are slim, the TiVo cupboard bare. Our standards, consequently, have slipped.

In a momentary fit of delirium -- or desperation -- Dan recorded Reign of Fire, a cinematic triumph described thusly: "A brood of fire-breathing dragons emerges from the earth and begins setting fire to everything, establishing dominance over the planet." We lasted maybe five minutes; it was that bad.

Marty was over the other day, and as we scanned the listings, "The 750 Pound Man" jumped out. Naturally, we had to watch. Then we sucked down bowls of Ben & Jerry's. Things got heavier as the evening wore on: next up was "Half Ton Man," followed by "World's Heaviest Man" (1,225 lbs.).

There was nowhere to go after that, which pretty much sums up the current TV situation. Thank God for Netflix.

"Ignorance is a voluntary misfortune."

Nicholas Ling

Hillbilly Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia

If fewer than half of Americans believe in evolution, I guess this little item shouldn't surprise me. So why do I feel like banging my head against the wall until it stops hurting?

Thanks (?) to Riley, ever vigilant for signs of the beast.

Liar, Liar

The Mendacity of Hope

Scary Clown

Donatella Versace, though admittedly fascinating, has always scared the crap out of me. I think it has something to do with my aversion to clowns. And I can't see a picture of her without hearing Maya Rudolph's dead-on impersonation. I once watched an interview of her (Donatella, not Maya) that used subtitles -- even though she was speaking English. Ostensibly.

Rolling Thunder

Once again I feel compelled to declare that this was not me. Clearly I have many kindred spirits in the world.

Thanks to Christine, who is no stranger to misanthropes in wheelchairs.