These announcements always seem self-important to me, but maybe people really do like to know... I just deleted about 20 journals from my friends list. Most of them were long, LONG dormant journals, but I also deleted journals from my list if I felt that we never connected, that we grew apart, or if we never commented to each other's posts. It's ( Read more... )

Studs Terkel, author, activist, historian, radio host, and one of my favourite people, has died. He was 96 years old.

If you intend to vote a straight ticket for any party in North Carolina, then you must still indicate your choice for president on your ballot. In other words, don't check the box for "straight ticket" and expect that your vote for president has been cast.

You should be told this when you're at the polling place - or it should at least be printed ( Read more... )

Oh Tricky, how I adore thee.

Knowle West Boy is out and I'm listening to it as I write this.

Best Buy had it for $9.99 (though the sticker said $12.99). It's also $9.99 at iTunes, but I figure a physical copy is worth 71 cents, at least. ;)

If you enjoy Tricky's music, then you probably already want to get it. I've been a fan ever since I saw him play ( Read more... )

Paul Newman died last night at home in Connecticut, aged 83. May he rest in peace and may his family and loved ones be comforted.

Alaska passed a law (please note article far pre-dates Sarah Palin's national fame, so this isn't some new attack) in 2000 forbidding the police from charging victims of sexual assault for forensic rape kits. During Palin's mayoral administration, Wasilla was charging the victims money and local politicians bitched about how it would cost taxpayers ( Read more... )

North Carolina has a couple of interesting statewide elections of its own going on this year, particularly the race for U.S. Senate (Republican incumbent Elizabeth Dole faces an unexpected level of challenge from NC General Assembly member Kay Hagan, a Democrat). I'm also happy to report that both major party candidates for U.S. Senate are women, ( Read more... )

Don LaFontaine, the famous movie trailer voiceover artist, has died of an unspecified illness at age 68.

Country singer/actor Jerry Reed has died of complications from emphysema at age 71. I grew up hearing his music, seeing him on Solid Gold and in movies like Smokey and the Bandit, and I'll always remember him fondly.

There's No Place Like 127.0.0.1

I need it because it's so cool, and so perfect for at least three reasons I can think of immediately (it's Oz, I'm very much about "there's no place like home," and I'm geeky enough to get the joke). :)