I Thought She Said Maple Leaves

GraphJam: graphs of the seemingly unquantifiable. (For instance "Odds that my Roommate Will be Going at it with Her Boyfriend.")

Globespotters on Mumbai Street Food. Maybe it wasn't "safe" but I ate street food (and pretty sketchy restaurant food) when I was in India and I never got sick. In fact, I felt a lot better than I do usually in the US, I think partially because I wasn't eating as much processed food or food with additives. Things may not have been the height of hygiene, but for the most part they were fresh, which I think counts for a lot....

Incredibly dreamy wallpaper....

R. Crumb takes on the Book of Genesis.

From the Huffington Post (which got a hilarious shout-out in last weeks 30 Rock): 8 Inspirational Activists You Won't Learn About in School.

R.I.P. John Mortimer, Creator of Rumpole, Dies at 85

Feminist Law Profs: “Women in poor nations are 300 times more likely to die in childbirth or from pregnancy complications than those in the developed world, UNICEF warns."

Andrew Wyeth, 1917-2009

Christina's World (1948)

New York Times: Andrew Wyeth

Introducing.....TinyFossil!

Please welcome guest blogger TinyFossil! My designated "science friend," TinyFossil also happens to be an avid biker, a serious music lover, and a total hottie. I hope you enjoy her additions to Yum & Yuk! xoxo Shorty

In the interest of injecting a little nerdery into Yum & Yuk, I'll be posting occasionally about science related issues, and probably other randomness as well. After all, it's up to us young whippersnappers to ensure that the division of science and the humanities decried in C.P. Snow's The Two Cultures is ended, or at least eroded. With global warming, ecosystem decline, ocean acidification, personal genomics, Mars exploration, and the energy crisis in our faces all day long it's worth it to pay a little attention, have a little background, and generally be a little nerdier…

OK up first – Life on Mars? (the illustrious N.Y. Times couldn't resist using the phrase "subsurface Martian cows" – priceless!)

Not so fast. The folks over at NASA and the myriad scientists who are associated with the various Mars missions are constantly trying to find reasons to claim that Mars is, or once was, hospitable to life. Some responsibility also lies in journalists' deep un-abiding love of over-reaching headlines.

This time around, I was conveniently able to go about 6 feet away from my desk to ask a resident Mars expert the skinny on the new findings. He gave me his usual "there they go AGAIN" look and reluctantly stopped Skyping with his girlfriend to tell me what was what. Dr. Perchlorate, as we will call him, confirmed my suspicion that the methane signal these scientists report could very easily come from volcanic activity underneath the surface of the planet, as opposed to being a byproduct of bacteria eating stuff. While no actual volcanic eruptions have ever been observed, there is evidence that the planet has been volcanically active within the last million years or so, a relatively short period of time for us geologist types, and short enough that it's a pretty sure bet there is still a lot of heat and activity going on under the planet's crust, activity that could very easily be responsible for the methane signal reported.

Oh well. There's always Roswell?

In other news: Monkeys know a good nutcracker when they see one.

I know who I'M inviting over to Thanksgiving next year.

A Thousand Tiny Pieces

From BoingBoing: Star Wars as retold by someone who hasn't seen it.  So good.

Yay, Damages is back!  The first season was one of the best things on television last year (or so I thought), and woefully under-watched. I hope that the second season can live up to that great debut.

And as I head out on a camping trip in North Florida this weekend, Alternet's "Is Florida Just One New Development Away From Environmental Ruin?"

Heartbreaking.  Kids reflect on how Prop 8 has hurt their families.

"Caring Less When Suffering’s Greater." I've always thought this was an interesting question....basically, why does the collective "we" get more worked up about a baby that has fallen down a well, when there's a genocide going on somewhere?  I think the answer is complex and multi-part, but this article by Shankar Vendantam has some very interesting insights: "Slovic's research suggests that the central reason the United States has not responded forcefully -- and quickly -- to crises ranging from the Holocaust to the Rwandan genocide, from the ethnic cleaning that occurred in the 1990s Balkan conflict to the present-day crisis in Sudan's Darfur region, is not that presidents are uncaring, or that Americans only value American lives, but that the human mind has been unintentionally designed to respond in perverse ways to large-scale suffering."

The Art of the Title Sequence

Wonderful idea, wonderful execution.  A page devoted to the art of the title sequence.

Hey Girl, Sorry My Shirt Fell Off

Sort of obsessed with this ridiculous blog, F**k Yeah, Ryan Gosling!  Ryan Gosling....swoon!

What's hanging over your head?

What part of Modern Loft Restoration in Florence is not to love?

Sad: bookstore sales go down.  Happy: library visits go up!  Via The Stranger.

From Current: Stan Lee to unveil world's first gay superhero.

A totally legitimate question: Why Must Steve Martin Suck? 

The Rev. Al Sharpton on gay marraige, Prop 8, and the role of churches: "It amazes me when I looked at California and saw churches that had nothing to say about police brutality, nothing to say when a young black boy was shot while he was wearing police handcuffs, nothing to say when the they overturned affirmative action, nothing to say when people were being delegated into poverty, yet they were organizing and mobilizing to stop consenting adults from choosing their life partners. There is something immoral and sick about using all of that power to not end brutality and poverty, but to break into people's bedrooms and claim that God sent you."

Am I Less Of A Lady If I Don't Wear Pantyhose?*

As most of you know, I'm pretty low maintenance (well, at least appearance wise.  Emotionally, I'm pretty high maintenance...but anyways).  However, the last year or two has seen me start to pay more attention to appearance and upkeep and the wild world of PRODUCT.  I think some of that comes from entering a more professional working world, and realizing that while I think letting my hair grow and grow for years without ever seeing a brush looks "rock and roll," it doesn't translate quite the same way when you are asking people to take you seriously.  And pay you.  I don't think I'll ever be a big makeup devotee (it still makes me feel like I'm in drag when I have it on), but I have become a fan of things that keep the basics - hair and skin - in good shape so that makeup isn't really needed.  Towards that end (and after this first year of experimentation), here are my favorites.  I've split them up by high-end (Sephora) and low-end (the drug store).  Enjoy!

The Mecca of all things good-smelling and magic-working, Sephora:

• Fekkai Glossing Cream.  This stuff gets a lot of love from people.  I'm not quite as enthused as everyone else, but I have found its great for when my hair is dry and needs to be both tamed and also re-plumped up.  You only need a little (or your hair gets greasy), but it's a good standby for when I don't have time to wash my hair in the morning (hey, it happens).
• Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment.  I tried to deny my love for this product for a long time, because it's so overpriced....but the delicious lemon smell and its smoothing, hydrating effects finally wore me down.  Fine, I love you, Fresh Sugar Lips!
  
• Philosophy Hope In A Jar.  This is another crowd favorite over at Sephora.  Because of the high cost, I put off tryiing it, but I got a sample from Sephora with my last order and it really has been pretty amazing.  It's super hydrating (stopping just short of being too rich) and my skin feels (and looks) great after only three days of using it.
  
• MD Skincare Alpha Beta Peel.  This is the pricey one, and the super duper one.  I went into the Sephora here in South Beach and confessed my lack of a skin care routine, my complete laziness, and my lack of interest in makeup to the woman there.  She showed me this product and said, use it and you won't need makeup.  And she was right.  This two part system couldn't be easier - wipe your face with a Step 1 Pad, let it dry, and then wipe it with a Step 2 Pad.  Voila.  You WILL see effects right away.  The only downsides - its somewhat intense so if you have super sensitive skin, beware.  Also, it's really pricey.  So what I do (and would recommend) is use the system every other day (or every third day) and just wash with a basic cleanser (see below) the rest of the time.
• I have pretty dark lashes so never really saw the point of mascara, etc.  But I do have to say that having given into the hype, when I use the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler and then finish off with Dior Show Mascara, those lashes are lookin' pretty sweet.

Your neighborhood drug store:

• Matrix Biolage.  I think this hair line is great.  In addition to their shampoos and conditioners, I would be lost without their leave in detangler.  I put it in my hair while wet and it not only detangles, but softens.  Great stuff.
  
• Blistex Silk&Shine.  This is Blistex's fancy version.  It's got no color and a little shine and is a great cheap alternative/filler to the expensive glosses that are out there.
  
• Neutrogena Liquid Face Wash.  This is my stand-by in between MD Peel treatments.  A great basic.
  
• Cocoa Butter.  Cocoa butter in every form!  I feel in love with Cocoa Butter while living in Puerto Rico and now depend on it as a moisturizer, fragrance, and mood lifter.  Can't be beat.
  
• Pantene Pro-V.  I still think Pantene is a great conditioner and shampoo.  Cheap but reliable.
  

* India Arie and her never-fail feel-good song "Video."

Painting: "Girl Before A Mirror" by Pablo Picasso

We Must Find New Ways To Speak For Peace*

From the Center for the Study of Political Graphics.

* Quotes from MLK on non-violence.

Quick As A Cricket

You Don't Gotta

For those of you who have never gotten to experience the Northern Lights (or those who just want a reminder), great timelapse photography of the Aurora Borealis.

Pretty funny.  The Heavy Metal Band Name Chart.

I heart it.  We Heart It.

Wallpaper Magazine's Desk Job Retrospective.  Drool.

Ugh.  "Supreme Court Eases Limits on Evidence."

A victory from Florida (and the FJI!).  "Gassing mentally ill inmates is out."

Just what it says.  The Photographic Dictionary.

Wonderful, simple clothing: AftonRiver.

Remind Yourself

Remind Yourself. Occasionally trite? Yes. Sometimes just what you need? Maybe.

"Being gay is a gift from God"*

Dr. Phil discusses transgendered youth.  I haven't seen the show, but happy to hear that he seems to have handled it....not terribly (wow, what low standards I have at this point....): "It is true that Dr. Phil wasn't a saint during this program, insisting on using the words, "gender-confused children" occasionally. Overall, he stayed neutral. He even said in the beginning that this was not an area he had any expertise in. We, as a community, like it when we can complain about something that doesn't go our way. I was highly skeptical when I heard of the subject matter of this program. But after seeing Toni defending her child against NARTH and Focus on the Family, you have to love it. Thank you, Dr. Phil, for showing us this topic in this wonderful manner."

The third season of Big Love arrives!  From Salon.

The history of sex on television - landmark moments like the first interracial kiss and the first condom commercial.

The end of the Grissom Era!  I can't help it, I've always loved CSI....I'm sad to see Grissom go.  Even if Slate does call him "dumpy."

* The quote of the week.  -Rev. Ed Bacon.  From Oprah.com: "Another hot-button issue that sent viewers straight to our message boards was a comment made by the Rev. Ed Bacon during a discussion on spirituality. After hearing from Sedrick, who says he had a tough adolescence growing up as a gay teen in rural Alabama, the Rev. Bacon said something Oprah says she has never heard a minister say. "Being gay is a gift from God," the Rev. Bacon said. "But our culture doesn't understand that. And consequently, the culture sends messages that you ought to isolate. And isolation is the antithesis of what all of us need." To further explain his comment, the Rev. Bacon joins Oprah via satellite. "I meant exactly what I said," he says. "It is so important for every human being to understand that he or she is a gift from God.""

If Something In The Deli Aisle Makes You Cry

More beauty from The Sartorialist.

The Journey

One day you finally knew

what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice—
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do—
determined to save
the only life you could save.

- Mary Oliver

* Photo by the talented, and much loved, John Murphy.

You're Gonna Make Me Give Myself A Good Talkin' To

"You play the hand you’re dealt. I think the game’s worthwhile."*

Left: What is obviously the most awesome cupcake ever.

A surprisingly satisfying round-up of side tables (or maybe I'm just weird).

Next up, Maine? 

I, like everyone else, am excited about Orla Kiely's home goods collection for Target.

Jalopnick: 2010 Toyota Prius Vs 2010 Honda Insight. (Although I'll take either, if someone would like to gift me one...)

Yikes.  Reminds all us bloggers (especially law students) to keep confidentiality in mind...always.  Law.com: Intern Blog Alleges Racial Bias: "Do you know where your interns blog? A blog written by a former intern to the San Francisco Public Defender's office has prompted the San Francisco Superior Court to look into whether a PD used peremptory challenges to dismiss potential jurors solely because of race or ethnicity."

Alternet: "Five Essential Things We Must Do to Stop America's Idiotic War on Drugs"

I've totally discussed this theory with friends before, but had no idea a name had been coined.  Penultamour it is! Freakonomics: "A few months ago, we coined a new word on this blog: "penultamour," defined as 'the last person to date another person before that other person took up with his/her eventual spouse.'"

* C.S. Lewis

Some Things You Do For Money, Some You'll Do For Fun

I Love The Newness of the Morning

The King of Carrot Flowers

To the left: I'm love love loving those shelves/drawers to the left of the bed.  As always, Apartment Therapy doesn't disappoint.

Big news: "When immigrants face possible deportation, they don't have the right to a state-appointed attorney. Now, the Bush administration says this means they also don't have the right to a new hearing if the lawyer they hire turns out to be incompetent or a fraud." Listen on NPR.

The next round of albums to get the 33 1/3 treatment! But first, pick up the new release, Flying Burrito Brothers' the Gilded Palace of Sin, by the handsome and talented Bob Proehl (why doncha buy two copies while you're at it?)

A site that's helping me start the new year (I do love new beginnings) with a good attitude...and many reminders to slow down - Zen Habits.

Obama tries to backpedal/please 'em all....Towelroad: "Gay Bishop Gene Robinson to Deliver Invocation at Inaugural Opening." I'm still pissed about Rick Warren, nice try though. Politico reports: "The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, who became the Episcopal Church’s first openly gay bishop in 2003 and last year entered into a civil union with his gay partner, will deliver the invocation for Sunday’s kickoff inaugural event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, with President-elect Obama in attendance. The event is free and open to the public. An Obama source: 'Robinson was in the plans before the complaints about Rick Warren. Many skeptics will read this as a direct reaction to the Warren criticism – but it’s just not so.' Robinson has been referred to as 'the most controversial Christian in the world.'"

And on that note, Bilerico reports "Indiana's marriage amendment: Now with more anti-gay feeling."

A question that interests me: "Can Businesses Do Well and Do Good?"

I thought this article was interesting and long overdue - the Sikh community is much understood and ignored in the United States.  WSJ Law Blog: "The Kirpan: A Dangerous Weapon? Or More Like a Star of David?" Take this opportunity to educate yourself on Sikhism. 

From Racialicious, the death of Oscar Grant continues to have impacts throughout the country.

And last, but not least, an ABSOLUTELY beautiful animation.  Via NOTCOT.