According to Chinese authorities, Hao Wu “committed a crime“, but his case is so “secret” no one will say anything more. Uh-huh.

Both Hans (R) and Elton (L) will be leaving me soon, unfortunately.

Kristen’s riding the MS150 again. Don’t forget to put in a donation, it’s a good cause.

The iVag. Hahahahahah. Thanks, Terry!

You may or may not have noticed a new archive drop down box over on the right hand side of the index page. I am giving putting ALL MY ARCHIVES online a go. It may take a while, because:

1. Damn, am I long winded.
2. I am as repetitive as a rabbit on heat.
3. Bloody Christ in heaven I’m boring.

Therefore this is of questionable benefit to you, dear reader. But here’s the good part. You get to snoop on the very questionable choices I made with regards to the conduct of my personal life (circa 2001 — the year is ultimately only notable for my purchase of a Dell laptop that I am still using). Wow, it is seriously embarrassing that I was so wilfully blind. But you know, I’ve grown from the experience. Ahem.

The paper of a map claimed to be copied from a 1418 Chinese original has been carbon dated to being from somewhere between 1640 and 1810. Geoff Wade thinks it’s still full of shite. The world continues to turn, unaware of these arguments over who got where first and how.

… watched a film called Mirrormask. We bought it on speculation, based on my recommendation that Neil Gaiman was a cool guy. What a visually shit-hot picture! I love movies that are so pretty. Another film that I love for the same reason is What Dreams May Come, I practically died with awe when the oil paintings / heaven interacted (got smooshed) with Robin Williams’ hands and feet.

I love pretty movies.

(Oh, we also watched Elizabethtown, were at The House for a bit on Saturday, and I crafted a bit this weekend.)

Texan law officers are now arresting people for being drunk WHILE THEY’RE IN A BAR.

Being in a bar does not exempt one from the state laws against public drunkeness, Beck said.

The goal, she said, was to detain drunks before they leave a bar and go do something dangerous like drive a car.

And I thought only Singapore got in the news for doing stupid things. Guess I was wrong.

Hans forwarded this link to The Langley Schools Music Project that plays tracks from Innocence and Despair. ‘Tis excellent. Thanks, Hans!

This I am posting for Kristen. I read the HP books so infrequently I didn’t even know the answer to the first question in this Wizard Challenge. Via e pur si muove.

No shit, sherlock: Asked when all U.S. forces would finally pull out of Iraq, Bush told a White House news conference: “That will be decided by future presidents and future governments of Iraq.” — Bush sees US in Iraq after his term

Yes. I agree. Ryan Reynolds is so pretty. Sigh.

I made a bag.

I sat down and hand-stitched a bag. I drew and cut out a pattern, and very carefully pinned things together, and sewed intermittently for three days (usually when we put on a DVD). Fuck me. I’ll be reading Martha Stewart or Better Homes and Gardens magazines for inspiration next.

Free Hao Wu is a website updating the world about Hao Wu, a filmmaker and blogger who has been detained by the Chinese authorities. Quite unsurprisingly, the site already is blocked (extra strength! Anonymous proxies don’t seem to be able to get through) in China. Update: an unblocked mirror page is available.

• ate at Tokyoto (we ordered so much in our first round we couldn’t make it to a second)
• had a coffee at Javaromas
• had a couple of drinks at The Londoner
• watched more Shameless
• watched more Arrested Development
• went to buy yarn for a craft swap
• went to a small home ‘concert’
• had an absolutely ace dinner in Huli (spicy roasted fish bubbling away in chilli oil… mmm!)
• had dessert at Javaromas
• had one drink at The Londoner (I’m starting to see a pattern forming)
• had lunch at Sun Dance
• went for a walk to buy something else I’m making for a craft swap
• had dinner at Havana (again, the vouchers)
• watched Syriana
• finished watching Shameless, season two
• finished one of my craft swap projects

A rape victim speaks: “I haven’t been able to truly live since these men sexually assaulted me. I wouldn’t be able to until I feel safe and secure that they are behind bars for numerous years. When you make a decision on the amount of time you’re going to sentence these men to, I would like to tell you a little bit the about the harassment, intimidation and torture these men have done to me these last three years. I guess assaulting me and videotaping it wasn’t enough for them. They had to continue to make my life and my family’s life a living hell since. I feel that instead of showing remorse for their crimes, they have continued to assault me since every day since July Fourth.” — OC Rape Survivor’s Statement

Cool. Frogs with ultrasonic croaking. In China!

This cat killer only got a three-month jail sentence despite evidence that he was a compulsive abuser. Singaporeans, please sign the petition calling for a stronger punishment.

It knows deep in its heart, I’m sure, that if it was violated in the dead of night against its owner’s will, then forced to marry the rapist (I just get the yucks thinking about a goat rapist), it will find itself a victim of spousal adultery. (Lorraine sent me this, but in its BBC News form.)