Calling all cars

I am absolutely wild about this Beyonce video.  Don't know how much I actually love the song, but damn if that girl can move!  I would pay obscene amounts of money to have the ability to dance like that...So much fun!

They have started to release cut out scenes from new episodes of The Office - what a great set of actors!  That said, I am starting to get frustrated by the story lines.  Angela is just seeming evil (rather than torn between two men, or misunderstood) and Michael is just depressing since loosing Holly.  Thank god that Jim and Pam are finally in the same place - the long-distance drama was such a downer.  I could be biased though - who wants to watch a long-distance relationship when you are in one??

Wanda Sykes comes out and speaks out: "Wanda Sykes was at a gay rights rally in Las Vegas on Saturday; she told the crowd: 'You know, I don't really talk about my sexual orientation. I didn't feel like I had to. I was just living my life, not necessarily in the closet, but I was living my life. Everybody that knows me personally they know I'm gay. But that's the way people should be able to live their lives.' But, Sykes said, Prop 8 made her feel like she was being attacked. 'Now, I gotta get in their face," she said. "I'm proud to be a woman. I'm proud to be a black woman, and I'm proud to be gay.'"

I am loving the blue room pictured to the left.  I love the color and I also have a huge weak spot for attic rooms - I think it's because my mom's room during my childhood was the attic room and it always seemed so grown up and mysterious to me.  Also, I love cozy spaces and having the roof sloping over you really appeals to me.  From Design*Sponge, of course!  

In  honor of the new film (which I might get to see tonight!) the 10 Coolest James Bond Cars Ever from Wired.com.

p.s. YAY for the NYTimes recognizing Talent, OR in this weekends Travel Magazine.  Although I hate to see secret places told to the world, I also appreciate seeing my beloved Rogue Valley acknowledged.  Can't wait to go home for Christmas!

Rocket man

To the left: by artist Jonathan Horowitz.

The United States' first openly transgender mayor....in Oregon!  Yay, Oregon!  I don't know much about Mayor Rasmussen or his policies (he continues to identify as male, hence my use of "he") but I'm excited that the town elected him into office and hopeful about what this means.

NYMag.com: Can the Daily Show Survive The Barack Obama Presidency?

Curvy Girl Daisy Lowe Lands Marc by Marc Jacobs Campaign.  This headline made me pretty excited since I love Marc Jacobs and, like most people I know, are horrified by what passes as a healthy model these days....however, when I actually clicked on the photos and saw what "curvy" looks like in this context any excitement I had was completely deflated.  This model is probably, seriously, 10 pounds more than any other stick-skin model.  Big deal.  Fashion is so unimaginative sometimes.

This may seem silly but I totally relate: Facing Facebook: How Facebook Status Updates Are Ruining Your Post-Election Social Life.

The post-election coverage celebrating our country's alleged triumph over racism is absurd.  Of course I'm happy that Obama was elected and hopeful about what it means, but since he became President Elect I have heard some incredible racism.  The morning after the election I was getting coffee at Dunkin Donuts and it was completely silent as the Greek Orthodox cashiers rang me up and a black man next to me placed his order.  Out of nowhere he looked up and said "Obama?" with a smile on his face.  All the women behind the counter, and I, looked up and all said "Obama!"  It was like something out of an ad, but felt so wonderful.  And then I sat down to eat and over the radio some guys were talking about the election.  They played a clip of Whoopie Goldberg speaking movingly, or so I thought, about finally being able to "put [her] suitcase down" and be an American.  The radio idiots thought this was hilarious and made repeated comments about her acting like she "just got her chains off yesterday."  It was horrifying.  And this on a mainstream morning show.  In a Democratic state.  This country is just barely beginning to address our history, and present, of racism.  

With arms outstretched

Two Law Profs In The White House (first time ever!  Plus, a darned smart Ms. JD as first lady).

The Onion: Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters to Realize How Empty Their Lives Are.

Oh, I am coveting these Penguin Classics (spines to the left) (h/t Design*Sponge).  Not only do I love the design, and the books they chose, but I'm so thrilled that they don't have book jackets - I hate book jackets!  I can't seem to find the complete list of titles - I am crossing my fingers that they included The Portrait of a Lady.....

Listening to Furnace Room Lullaby right now.  Definitely one of my top 25 albums ever.

The Magic of the Modern World.  Totally mesmerizing.

I'm in Miami for the weekend (a vacation, interrupted only by the MPRE tomorrow....stupid ethics!).  It's taken me almost a dozen visits but I think I'm finally loving this city.  I'll be living here soon enough, so I'll know for sure one way or another, but today the things I'm loving about Miami are (1) the variety (I've heard Spanish, of course, but also Portuguese, French, and Russian - just this morning); (2) the ridiculous number of happenings (I swear, there is an outdoor festival for everything!); (3) the food; (4) the weather; (5) the weather; and (6) oh yes, the weather!  I cannot overstate how amazed I am by the effect of sun on my mood.  I may have been born in Alaska, but I might just be a sun baby at heart...