Daily Archives: January 20, 2012

13 posts

The Rumor Mill: Kardashian Paternity Crisis, Chris Brown’s Dating Philosophy, and Marky Mark Fights For His Right To Say Stupid Things!

It’s time to get back into the gossip, Crasstalkers. Yes, of course you need to hear about the meaty, crazy, super important things celebrities say and do, because well, hearing about their lives is better than baseball! Well, everything is better than baseball. Now that we’ve come to an understanding about that, who’s been making a mess of themselves? What kind of debauched no-no’s have these A-list, B-list, and David Hasselhoffian-list celebrities, and those who just play them on television, gotten themselves into? Come, sit by Crasstalk, we have scoop, honey chile.

Is Khloe Kardashian a Secret Celebrity Lovechild?

Trying to keep track of all the Kardashian fodder is like trying to ride an avalanche to hell. Simply can’t be done. Regardless, it just keeps coming and coming like a garbage scow full of toxic waste. Continue reading

Laura Dekker Defies Sea, Dutch Legal System to Become Youngest Solo Around-the-World Sailor


In May 2010, a few days short of her 17th birthday, Australian girl Jessica Watson became the youngest person (male or female) to sail around the world solo and unassisted. Concerns about encouraging young people from attempting this incredibly arduous achievement had already led the Guinness Book of Records to stop recognizing “youngest” attempts at sailing around the world, and the World Sailing Speed Record Council to stop accepting any records from sailors under 18. Watson did it anyway. Continue reading

How Now Crasstalk COW

Good Friday to you, Crasstalkers! It was an eventful week. On Sunday some of you watched the Golden Globes. Monday was Martin Luther King Day; some Crasstalkers had to work, some of you had off and all of you wondered why this holiday was an occasion to have a sale. The GOP traveling circus continued to be an endless source of amusement. On Wednesday you supported the protesting of SOPA. You cringed as the details of the Costa Concordia shipwreck came into focus. Through it all, you brought the funny. Let’s examine the evidence, shall we? Continue reading

SOPA and PIPA Defeated… For Now

SOPA and PIPA have been put on hold (e.g. Harry Reid, Lamar Smith and associates have realised the bills won’t pass if they call a vote).  Rejoice, but remain vigilant. You know they’ll try again in a few months with a new version of the law with some superficial changes. But for now, success!  A very impressive example of people power driven by the Internet.

Hat tip to CBS News, where at time of writing the poll asking whether Congress should pass the SOPA/PIPA bills was running at 97% no.

Ghost Writers at the Library of Congress

Wilde, Oscar, 1854-1900 (Spirit),
Oscar Wilde from purgatory, 1926.
OCLC Connexion (Library of Congress authority file)

Recently I started a job that requires me to do some work with the Library of Congress database, using a program called OCLC Connexion. While generally as efficient as it is grey and austere, I was delighted to learn about one of its features that is not readily known to the general public.

Did you know that the Library of Congress (LC), which sets the standard of all library catalogs across the land, has a classification for ghost writers? And when I say “ghost writers,” I don’t mean your typical words-for-cash ghost writer, I mean actual ghosts! Continue reading

British ‘Spy Rock’ Actually a True Story

Back in 2006, Russian state-run TV aired accusations against the UK that sounded like they were stolen from “Get Smart”. According to the Russians, the Brits planted a “spy rock” filled with electronic gadgetry in a Moscow park. They broadcast pictures and X-Rays of the allegedly captured “spy rock” and grainy surveillance footage showing alleged British agents interacting with the rock. Continue reading

QOTD: Are You a Brand Loyalist?

I've been using Crest Extra Whitening for as long as I can remember.
I ran out of toothpaste earlier this week and when I made a quick trip to Target to get some more, I could not find my brand. I stood in the toothpaste aisle like an idiot for 5 minutes looking for my brand and flavor. I could not find it and bought some other crappy flavor that made me not want to ever brush my teeth again. Thankfully, I was able to order a 6 month supply of the toothpaste I love. Continue reading

Project Runway All Stars Season One: Running On Empty

This week, Ke$ha walks out on the runway and starts pimping the designer’s next client. Famous Fashionista. Turns Heads. She has worn Burberry and Prada. Is it Madonna? Is it J-Lo? Who? Who is she? It’s none other than Miss Piggy!

In shock and surprise, Austin’s moustachio falls off. Miss Sugarbaker’s mouth forms a round capital “O” and simply will not close. Jerrell loses another pound. Michael The Victim squeals quietly, then re-thinks his reaction.

One small detail before Ke$ha passes out at 10 am — the designers have the rest of the day to complete their design, and their models will walk the next morning. This is not a lot of time to design, shop, sew and finish a garment. As always, there are spoilers inside, so please, think of the children before reading on. Continue reading