Behind the scenes...

... at Adult Swim's Robot Chicken

Current mood: Awake

Good read...

... about the Jena 6 case.

Current mood: Nervous
Current music: GDMFSOB / UNKLE

Tree-hugger spreading the word

Consider supporting the Local Guy -- and good health -- by having fresh organic produce delivered to your door weekly or biweekly. And while I'm at it, here's an environmentally-conscious and cheaper alternative to auto lobby AAA. I've been a member for two years, and the mail-in gas coupons they give you almost pay for the cost of membership.

Current mood: Wired

9/11's legacy

Much of the best analysis of the Iraq War doesn't even originate from our own U.S. media.

Current mood: Lethargic

Take that, productivity

I am addicted to Wikipedia. It's a nerd's dream. I can't count the number of hours I will never get back while reading about thylacines, Apple Records, Laika (sniff), the Battle of Thermopylae or Yukio Mishima, just to name a few.

It's almost as much of a time-killer as WoW, but at least I'm learning something.

Current mood: Anxious
Current music: All in My Mind / Love and Rockets

Made in China

Could the now-weekly Chinese toy recalls be getting out of hand? I'm beginning to think they're being instituted not out of a concern for children but more out of a fear of litigation.

When you and I grew up, we played with roughly those same toys, and we seemed to have grown up relatively sane and healthy. (OK, you can stop laughing now.) Our parents also came out fine, for the most part, and I'd have to guess the lead levels they were exposed to were higher than they are now. And they presumably had to deal with arsenic at their playgrounds. And the lead paint that lined their homes. And so forth and so forth.

I'm not trying to dismiss a matter of safety. Obviously, I do think there should be watchdogs over the manufacture of anything a child would handle. But something tells me these recalls aren't out of a genuine concern for kids' safety but more of a fear of lawsuits. A sign of the times, I guess.

Current mood: Reflective
Current music: Searchin' / Cabaret Voltaire