Open that bottle

Do you have a special bottle of wine waiting for a special occasion, but there never seems to be a day significant enough to uncork it? As luck would have it, this Saturday is the tenth annual Open That Bottle Night! Join sentimentalists everywhere and finally enjoy that bottle that longs to breathe.

Yeah

Well, heck, why wouldn't ya, it bein' Oscar night and all?

Barbie turns 50

As much as I generally eschew the Barbie empire, it is a landmark year for Her Plasticness. The fashion world's take on this injection-mold diva is inspired.

As for Kidlet? I don't think she's been exposed yet, but my childhood dolls (and a couple of Nana's) have been secured in an undisclosed location...

From the silver screen to your needles

You may recall last spring when I posted the teeny tiny knitwear by Althea Crome. Well, the BugKnits creator has gone Hollywood - she knitted the sweater and gloves worn by the heroine of Tim Burton's excessively handmade creation, Coraline.

And if you long for a vehicle by which your knitting world and geeky proclivities may cross, here are life-sized patterns to make your own starry sweater and stripey gloves.

He doesn't look a day over 183

Today was the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. Many people have written of his greatness, highlighting the way our recent election has drawn his work full circle. I'd like to share the end of his first inaugural address - one of my favorite Lincoln moments.

I am loth to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stre[t]ching from every battle-field, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.

The man could write.

Warning: Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear.

Bowling to the beat of his own drummer (?).

I don't know about you, but he puts my average to shame.

Stormy weather

In Minnesota, if you don't like the weather, just wait a day.

At the tone the time will be 11:00 pm.
Current temperature is 44F.

Above zero.

And more rain is forecast for tomorrow. It's a struggle to know what to dress for some days.

The bonds of love

Again, the Squab has her finger on the pulse of the blogosphere. She posted this video tonight, and it bears repeating. LOUD repeating, all over this nation and world.

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo

Please share this video with everyone. And thanks, Elise.

Initial meme

The guidelines: Copy to your own blog/FB note/what-have-you, erase my answers, enter yours, and tag 10 people. Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following questions. Your responses should be real; you'll receive no points for excessive "creativity"! If the person before you had the same first initial, you must use different answers. You cannot use any word twice and you can't use your own name for #3 or #4. Enjoy!

1. What is your name: Angie
2. A four letter word: arse
3. A boy's name: Andrew
4. A girl's name: Amalia
5. An occupation: anthropologist
7. Something you wear: argyle socks
8. A food: artichokes
9. Something found in the bathroom: astringent
10. A place: Antwerp
11. A reason for being: artistry
12. Something you shout: Ahoy!
13. A movie title: A Room with a View
14. Something you drink: absinthe
15. A musical group: ABBA
16. An animal: antelope
17. A street name: Aldrich
18. A type of car: Audi
19. A song title: Anything You Can Do
20. A verb: anticipate

In deference to the wise and expectant Squab (from whom I've shamelessly lifted this posting idea), consider yourself tagged. Now go!

Think spring

If you're not from Minnesota, you may not have been dealing with the persistent bitter cold we have this season. Are you ready for warmer weather and growing things? Follow this link and click anywhere on the black screen.

Thanks, Mom & Dad!

Hail to the Secretary

Yesterday Hillary Rodham Clinton was officially sworn in as Secretary of State by Vice President Biden, and upon taking her oath thanked her family at the ceremony:

"I could not be standing here today, without the three people standing here on this stage. It's literally true, I wouldn't be here without my mother... [acknowledgement of Chelsea] ...And finally to my husband, who understands too well the awesome responsibilities resting on the shoulders of President Obama....I am so grateful to him for a lifetime of all kinds of experiences."

He's not going to be able allowed to forget any time soon, is he?

Shift-eyed little rodent... can't be trusted...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

"Hear ye! Hear ye!
On Gobbler’s Knob this glorious Groundhog Day,
February 2nd, 2009,
Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers,
Prognosticator of all Prognosticators,
Awoke to the call of President Bill Cooper
And greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John Griffiths.
After casting a joyful eye towards thousands of his faithful followers,
Phil proclaimed that his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers were World Champions one more time...
And a bright sky above me
Showed my shadow beside me,
So 6 more weeks of winter it will be."

Dammit.

Can TiVo just record the ads?

I love it when, every year, the advertising industry pours on the creativity for 30 seconds at a time. Check out this year's parade of Super Bowl commercials here. They're counting votes for best ad until Wednesday.

What - there was a game, too?