News of the Day

1) I just saw the obituary for Thomas Disch. I'm not sure why it wasn't published (at least in the Washington Post) until today, since he apparently committed suicide on the 4th. He was depressed over his health and over financial issues. The latter is particularly distressing seeing that he was fairly successful as writers go. The obit mentioned some of his best known works (The Brave Little Toaster, Camp Concentration) but failed to name the two wonderful horror novels he wrote, The M.D. and The Businessman.

2) There are now female crash test dummies. However, they are 4'8 and weigh 108 pounds, so hardly the typical American female. (If I recall correctly, average is 5'4 and 135 pounds.) My real question is about proportions since a major issue with seat belt safety is that shoulder belts are not designed to accommodate breasts very well.

3) Through some rather complicated links, I stumbled across the crochet coral reef. Which will be on exhibit in London the day I have a 9 hour layover there. I think I know what I am going to do with that time.

4) I think I have now figured out what to do with all of my vacation time through 2010.

5) I'm not supposed to mention a particular person's birthday because he is entirely unreasonable about such things. Face it, hon, you're old :)

Two Dumb Things

1) Why did anybody bother to do a poll correlating pet ownership with opinions about presidential candidates? Are dog owners a real voting bloc or is this just more non-news? I think the latter.

2) The Red Sox are auctioning off the opportunity to play Guitar Hero with Dustin Pedroia. Actually, he will only play against people aged 5 to 15, so you have to give that opportunity away. The connection between fake guitars and 2nd base seems dubious. As for the age limits, well, he is about 16 himself, right?