"Elite Fundementalism": This Fresh Air show on "The Family" scared me - which is good, I should be scared. "You may recognize these names from recent headlines: Sen. John Ensign, Rep. Bart Stupak and Rep. Joe Pitts. Stupak and Pitts have become familiar names through the media's health care overhaul coverage; their abortion funding amendment introduced an 11th-hour twist as the House of Representatives approached a vote on a landmark health care bill. . . The common factor among these political players is their involvement with the Family, a secretive fellowship of powerful Christian politicians that centers on a Washington, D.C., townhouse." Also, they support a Ugandan law that would penalize homosexuality with death.

An indie bookstore road trip across America, very cool.

Avett Brothers, "Murder in the City"

I've seen similar pairs of earrings in various stores, and always ALMOST get them...maybe it's time.

Image: source.

I'm currently reading "My Life In France" and it's the perfect book to curl up with in bed on a cold day. If you love food, France, or just feeling like you're talking to the coolest aunt ever, it would be hard not to enjoy this book. What a treat.

Going to see The Mountain Goats tonight - they always put on a great show. I love you, Phoebe Cohen!

These large black and gold "Cornelia" earrings would be great for a holiday outfit (Thanks KC).

I've finally gotten around to starting a book club! Our first meeting is not till January (I figured post-holiday would be best) but I'm looking forward to it - I want more books in my life, and more book-loving people and discussion around me! Our first choice: "The Elegance of the Hedgehog." It comes highly recommended by two people whose opinions I trust, plus it's out in paperback - two factors in my book choices. I'm hoping we eventually tackle both fiction and non-fiction, but we will see how it goes.

Image: source.

The sweetest ring ever? Maybe.

From the New Yorker, "Why We Use Cookbooks."

Awesome light made from reclaimed teak (thanks ELM!)

“Nothing can supply the place of books. They are cheering or soothing companions in solitude, illness, affliction. The wealth of both continents would not compensate for the good they impart.” - William Henry Channing

Oh, I'll have to check these out: Top 5 Burgers in Boston. I've been to Flat Patties and thought it was delicious. Also, I've heard generally good things about Craigie on Main, I'll have to try it out sometime.

I want this big green shower!

Leather feather earrings? Awesome.

Image: source.

Generally box sets are a little overwhelming, but I would love to hear some of this collection: "...Verve has just released “Twelve Nights in Hollywood,” a four-CD boxed set of Ella Fitzgerald singing 76 songs at the Crescendo, a small jazz club in Los Angeles, in 1961 and ’62 — and none of it has ever been released until now."

Really unique and colorful headbands from Etsy.

Patrick Stewart, "The Legacy of Domestic Violence"

30 behind-the-scenes movie moments.

Awesome melting "Love" ring.

Cat Power "Wonderwall" (Elements of Noise Remix)

Image: source.

Mother Jones interviews Jonathan Safran Foer.

The debate over hate crimes legislation continues (and probably will for a very long time).

Love the website My Parents Are Awesome.

Charlotte Gainsbourg & Beck, "Heaven Can Wait"

National Geographic's international photo competition - some amazing stuff.

Gonna see this tonight! The Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Ridiculously adorable Le Creuset blueberry casserole dish.

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” - Epicurus

From Salon, "We're 'stroller Nazis.' We're whiny 'breeders.' Why is there so much contempt for mothers these days?"

Beautiful agate, flower necklace.

Adorable nautical handkerchiefs, would be a sweet little gift.

Love all these bright tights and shoes from Kate Spade - colorful tights have been my saving grace this fall!

Left: support your local independent bookstore!

From Pop Matters: Bored New World: How the Zach Braff Prototype Is Slowly Killing American Music.

It's been said, but it needs to be said again, and again, and again: The Story of Your Body.

Kiki Smith keeps coming up recently, for some reason...

Amazing! Solar system quilt from 1876.

Love this bird cutout window curtain...

The world of ex libris art.

36 Hours in Rajasthan, India.

What makes a prison "state of the art"?

“Simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.”

- Laozi (Tao Te Ching

Adorable pencil case! Would be a perfect makeup case for me....

Love this Paris tote - can't wait to return to the city someday, hopefully for a month or two.

Image: source.

Fifty Practical Tips to Save Half a Lifetime: some of these are great! Favorites include, "There’s usually a reason why friendless people lack friends. Non-ferrous metals don’t trigger most security scanners, so don’t bother to empty your pockets of change. Never kid yourself you can make something of somebody; instead, find someone who’s making something of themselves, and help them, otherwise years can be expended trying to push the human equivalent of a wet end of spaghetti up a wall. If milk’s even a bit off, it’s off. Wasps really don’t sting unless attacked. Coffee grounds get everywhere. Be brutal about wedding invitations: there are only so many Saturdays in your lif e. . . Nothing in politics is more than 85 per cent certain."

An essay of ideas entirely out of leaves! Love love it.

Awesome song: La Roux, "Bulletproof"

Rooftop pool in Spain? Yes, please!

Moomin movie!

Love this image: left.

Dotted tights are everywhere right now, glad I just ordered these!

Great Lucky deal of the day - classic and beautiful diamond studs for like half-off! Swoon.

9th Cir: Kozinski on Benefits for Same Sex Federal Judicial Employees: "Two days ago it was Judge Stephen Reinhardt. Now 9th Circuit Chief Judge Alex Kozinski takes another step beyond Reinhardt’s order for compensatory relief, and orders OPM to stop interfering with his orders, and directs Blue Cross/Blue Shield to enroll the federal judicial employee’s same-sex spouse in the health plan." (via Alaska Employment Law blog)

More gorgeous jewelry from Erie Basin.

Awesome asymmetrical hoodie.

A renewed push to lift the travel ban to Cuba - I have dreamed of going there since I was 15! Still holding out hope....

Forbes ranks America's best city parks.

Image: source.

Another gorgeous bag from Valhalla.

Beautiful! Building with whole trees.

What a dreamy farmhouse!

A stunning tattoo.

Agate is all over these days, loving these rings.

Eating Animals is next up on my reading list, although I know full well it will likely be what finally pushes me back into vegetarianism....

Lynne Stewart reports to jail.

Etsy jewelry loves of the day: this big copper "O" necklace and this purple "lace" necklace.

Oh, I like this use of drawers as shelves!

Someday I will have an iPhone and on that day, I will buy this as a case.

Awesome movie posters from the '70s.

Went to the annual InsideOut show at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts today - there were some great pieces, especially some amazing jewelry by a recent teacher that I have to track down! Go check it out if you are looking for unique holiday gifts or have the budget for some great art.

Image: source.

Love these pinhole lampshades, totally seem like a potential DIY.

"Judge Stephen Reinhardt has ordered the Federal Public Defenders Office to compensate an employee for the health benefits denied to the employee’s same sex spouse (married under California law). He declined to order the agency to negotiate new insurance contracts that would have provided the benefits." (via Alaska Employment Law Blog)

The Globe omits hate-speech element in assault reporting

My best friend wrote this letter to the Editor of the Globe - I hope they publish it. Want to join in? Shoot an email to: letter@globe.com

To The Editor:

"Jogger Attacked on Tufts Campus" AND SHE WAS CALLED A "DYKE"

I write in response to today's reporting on the assault against the female jogger at Tufts University. As a SMFA/Tuft's student, I received notice about the assault yesterday. In comparing the Tufts Daily report to yours, there appears to be a very curious and irresponsible omission from your reporting. TUPD reports that the suspect called the woman a "dyke" as he punched her in the face. As a female, a homosexual, a student of Tufts, and a Boston citizen I find this element to be critical in understanding my own safety on and around the Tufts campus and Boston in general. Why on earth would this be omitted from your reporting? I hardly think this information is tangential. It is, in fact, critical.

Thank you,
Lisette Murphy

A friend sent me this article, with the accompanying text. It's undeniably a difficult issue, but I appreciate her comments and agree with her conclusions:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/11/18/sex_offender_ban_sought_for_homeless_shelters/

"Today, the MA Senate is considering a bill to ban high level sex offenders from homeless shelters all across the state. This has been done in very few states, one of which is Florida. You may have read the news about the problems that have persisted there as a result, including a sizable group of sex offenders living under one specific bridge, with no other place to go
(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23028345/).

I am strongly opposed to this legislation, which is an amendment tucked into a larger crime bill. From my work with homeless and incarcerated sex offenders, I have seen from experience as well as research that the likelihood of recidivism grows substantially if one is untethered and essentially banished from lawfully staying anywhere.

Equally important to me is that a person who has served his or her time in prison should be allowed to try to change and move forward. As many sex offenders already face numerous restrictions on where they can live, and are generally unable to find work that would enable them to pay rent, this ban would make that already hard-to-reach goal virtually unattainable. And the end result does not benefit anyone.

If you share in my opposition to this amendment, please consider calling both your state senator and representative (which you can find at wheredoivotema.com)."

Jewelry crush of the day: this necklace.

Horrible: a female is assaulted in an anti-gay attack at Tufts: "The incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. last night when a woman who is not a Tufts student was jogging in the area. An individual approached her, called her a “dyke” and punched her under her left eye."

The Magnetic Fields are coming to Boston for two shows!

These routinely make the blog rounds, but I love 'em every time.

Adorable day of the week undies, Stella for Gap.

Love this run-down of the "other woman" in pop music (which does not mean I will stop listening to "You Belong With Me," however).

Who wants to buy me a big, cozy $200 scarf? Ok, yes, $200 is ridiculous. But these are gorgeous and I love me a well-designed website.

Cool: Sharpie drawn coffee cups.

Image: source.

An Arkansas 10 year old refuses to say the Pledge of Allegiance until equal rights are extended to all. Truly an unusually smart and articulate child, with a genuine concern for justice.

Image: source.

Love this video of someone drawing a life sized chalk drawing of Where The Wild Things Are.

Adorable cloud brooch!

Image: source.

Cool: minimalist TV show posters.

Yet another great illustrated Missed Connections. Beautiful.

Wishing I had a house of my own....and the money to decorate it: Love the look of this dresser and this yellow striped rug.

New issue of New Yorker devoted to food, can't wait to read it!

Have a huge crush on this ring.

Mad love for Max Fisher!

Oh, Marc by Marc computer sleeve - a Marc bag I could actually afford!

Thought this article was interesting: Addicted to Cute: "America has been flooded by a tsunami of cute–we’re drowning in puppies and kittens and bunnies and cupcakes–that is transforming marketing (the geico Gecko), automobiles (the Smart car), and movies (Up). But is the world bound to sour on all this sweetness?"

Tina Fey's 10 Favorite 30 Rock moments.

A little hit or miss, but with moments of awesomeness: Smart, Pretty, Awkward.

Love this cozy plaid jacket - somewhere between a coat and a cardigan...

Image: source.

Jezebel: If you were 13, would you love Edward Cullen too? Loved that this article gave pre- and teenaged girls a little credit...and reminded us that our crushes (cough, Jordan Catalano, cough) weren't so perfect either.

Awesome Polaroid collages.

Free (or cheap) Paris museums....can't wait to get back someday.

So stylish.

Gorgeous necklace from Anthropologie. Love it.

Love this. Jak & Jil.

Some more great jewelry from Etsy, this black heart necklace and earrings, these simple gold earrings, this curved necklace, and these funky "rustic glam" earrings.

Is Stupak unconstitutional? On professors arguments.

Saw Where The Wild Things Are a few nights ago and enjoyed it (although "enjoy" may not be the right word, given that the first 10 minutes constitute one of the most heartbreakingly accurate portrayals of childhood I've seen). As this article points out, however, children's book adaptations for the screen are not always successful.

Image: source.

Yay! New Sarah Haskins.

Next movie I'm waiting to see: The Fantastic Mr. Fox. Love these shots of Wes Anderson acting out every scene.

This (NK approved) look is getting even more love! Love that bag (and tights)

Oooooh, food-centric walking tours of LA...I'm listening....

Slate: Can a prisoner request anything for a last meal?

So many amazing boots I don't know where to start!

Image: source.

I love everyone of these bright pieces.

Gay marriage - good for kids? (Thanks, LL!)

Gender parity in law firm partnerships remain a long way off.

Gorgeous wallpaper.

A modern guide to monograms - don't know why, but I love me some monogram action.

This guide to London bookshop cafes reminds me I need to take another trip with my Dad soon.

A great shot of Boston

36 hours in Nashville - I wanna go!

Need a burst of visual art in your day? Check out these experiments with animation.

The Microphones, "I Felt Your Shape"

Image: source.

This Etsy shop has some great vintage.

NOW founder Alice S. Rossi dies.

Some gorgeous Art Nouveau jewelry.

Paul Farmer speaks out on the rights and futures of juvenile offenders. (Thanks, LL)

Portia and Ellen give their first interview as a couple, to Oprah. Wonderful.

From Feministing: Trans Students Rights Are About More Than Dress Code: "Seeing women's and feminist issues relegated to the "Styles" section of The New York Times is nothing new. And while I was glad to see students' rights and gender taken up in the NYT, presenting the continued harassment of trans students (by peers and educators) as a mere dress code problem is incredibly problematic."

Image: source

Feministing takes on Stupak. And a breakdown of the basics of the House health-reform bill.

I like this unique wrap-around bracelet (or necklace!).

One of my favorite fashionista NK and I both loved this look, left.

From NPR: "Tomorrow, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments about whether sentencing a juvenile to life in prison without parole is unconstitutional because it constitutes cruel and unusual punishment."

Such a sweet little ring.

I was in North Carolina for work last week, and a local recommended that we check out Acme in Carrborro - it turned out to be one of the best meals I've had in months. Pecan encrusted fried chicken with mashed potatoes, pulled pork on top of mac and cheese...mmmmm. If you are headed to the area, I would urge you to stop by.

Some gorgeous images of islands seen from above.

I really enjoyed this recent article in the New Yorker. As my interest in cooking increases, so does my desire to read about food: "For nearly twenty-five years, Jonathan Gold, the high-low priest of the L.A. food scene, has been chronicling the city’s carts and stands and dives and holes-in-mini-malls; its Peruvian, Korean, Uzbek, Isaan Thai, and Islamic Chinese restaurants; the places that serve innards, insects, and extremities."

The lost art of the mixtape.

RIP Claude Levi-Strauss.

Folk covers of punk classics.

Image: source.

Rachel Bilson always seems to get it right - love these studded boots and this amazing bag.

Love this guys look.

Wu Tang as done by Blue Note.

When does ineffective assistance become malpractice?

Yet another great Etsy shop! From Tangelweeds, awesome suede earrings and an awesome tangled chain necklace.

Painting gets pulled from the White House following furor.

I read this article about Vermont Cheeses in Martha Stewart this month, and then happened to catch her show about the same farms this morning on tv while getting ready for work. Fascinating stuff, especially inspiring to me are the couples who have done this as a second mid-life career (artists and lawyers!).

Loving Michelle Chang's jewelry, especially these earrings, these earrings, this ring, and this necklace.

From the New York Review of Books, Can Our Shameful Prisons Be Reformed?

M. Ward and Okkervil River on Austin City Limits.

Yay! Hulu remains free.

Image: source.

I love these photos of County Clare, they perfectly remind me of the blustery green roughness of the countryside.

Since winter is quickly approaching and I'm still looking for ways to comfort myself in the wake of my Bar failure, I've taken to the kitchen - cooking is one of my new favorite activities. I've made a great Mac and Cheese, roughly based on this recipe (last time I added little pieces of bacon and some frozen peas - taking away some of the healthiness of the original recipe, but adding some deliciousness...), as well as a lasagna made sans recipe! Last night I made another favorite, Chicken and Root Vegetable Pot Pie. I tweak the recipe a bit - instead of the veggies listed I sauté a red onion, chop up a few potatoes, and use frozen veggies for the rest. Also I use more broth than recommended, since it thickens up pretty quickly. Next up, I want to try a pot roast recipe, maybe this one....