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.
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
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
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
There is a saying in football: Offense sells tickets but defense wins championships. In the divisional round, two predominantly defensive teams overcame some high-powered offenses. The Giants went into Lambeau and dominated the Packers. The Niners beat the Saints in a 4th quarter shootout (wait what?). The Patriots handed the Broncos their asses in a blowout and the Ravens escaped with a victory over a very game (but inexperienced) Texans team. Continue reading
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could find restaurants in New York City that are simultaneously good and inexpensive? Wouldn’t it also be nice if someone else did the work of tasting the food to make sure it’s good and then cataloging it for you? Well you, my friend, are in luck. The foodies at Real Cheap Eats have put together their Winter 2012 list of cheap and good places to eat in NYC. Continue reading
It’s FRIDAY. Continue reading
It’s time for our weekly ritual of drinking by ourselves and pretending it’s OK because we’re totally, like, talking to people on the Internet about things! (Hahahaha weekly.) Tonight’s episode of Project Runway All Stars will have the inestimable Miss Piggy as a guest judge. Is it gimmicky? Sure. Does that mean it’s going to suck? Not necessarily! Look at how fashionable the U.S.’s greatest pig looks in this Prada gown (though I really think she could do without that hat)!
I’m sorry, there really is another one of these tonight. We are down to four people who want to get beaten by Barack Obama. Let’s see what happens shall we? We’re on CNN Continue reading