Afternoon Tea (7/31/19)

Wow, this is wild: Who Gets to Be the Next Poet Laureate of New Hampshire?

Here’s to Lizzo: Patron Saint of Radical Self-Love and Badass Flute Solos

A question for conservatives: what if the left was right on race?

Hahaha: Thank You for Calling the Writer Envy Helpline

Marvellous monsters

Afternoon Tea (2/4/19)

When the Suffrage Movement Sold Out to White Supremacy

Climate Signs

The White Flight from Football

St. Brigid and the Coming of Spring

12 Boarding School Books That Will Make You Wish You Went

Afternoon Tea (8/10/18)

I love this piece: How World War One Gave Rise to the Traditional Mystery

Why a Belgian sourdough librarian flew to Canada for yeast

Myths, monsters and the maze: how writers fell in love with the labyrinth

Worshiping the False Idols of Wellness

Viking Women: Weaving History and Progress

Afternoon Tea (7/3/18)

How Social-Media Trolls Turned U.C. Berkeley Into a Free-Speech Circus

I loved this from novelist Alisha Rai: The 4 Stages of Life and Debt

Interesting: We Timed Every Game. World Cup Stoppage Time Is Wildly Inaccurate.

I love them: The Paris Review Recommends Anti-Beach Reads

Ooh, fascinating: Making a Monster

Afternoon Tea (6/25/18)

Todd VanDerWerff, great as always: Donald Trump paints the border as a lawless hellhole. But so does American pop culture.

Tesla workers say they pay the price for Elon Musk's big promises

The Serious Business of the Literary Party

Overlooked No More: Fannie Farmer, Modern Cookery’s Pioneer

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (the Ancient Roman version)

Morning Coffee (5/25/18)

There is SO MUCH NEWS but it is Friday and so we have happy links, darn it.

Perhaps your Friday needs the Fug Girls' royal wedding coverage: Happily Ever After: A One-Stop Guide to Our Coverage of Meghan & Harry’s Royal Wedding

Whoa: USPS Is Issuing Its First Scratch-and-Sniff Stamps This Summer

Are rom-coms coming back? Please say rom-coms are coming back: Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder are adorably awkward in Destination Wedding trailer

! Idris Elba to Tackle 'Hunchback of Notre Dame' for Netflix

!! 'The Baby-Sitters Club' Series Being Shopped for TV Adaptation

The Beatles get onboard in exclusive trailer for Yellow Submarine graphic novel

Hee: Scientists to lead DNA hunt for Loch Ness monster

Haunting Timelapse Shows Hawaii’s Glowing Kilauea Volcano From Above

Huh: Jennifer Beals-Inspired YA Novel Set for 2019

I don't swim enough to justify buying this, but it's cool: These Cargo ‘Swimmables’ Matte Liquid Lipsticks Will Hold Up To A Dip In The Pool

Afternoon Tea (5/2/18)

Whoa, rediscovered Zora Neale Hurston nonfiction: The Last Slave

This piece on Ovid is fascinating: Rape, Lost in Translation

The Gripping Stories, and Political Allegories, of China’s Best-Selling Author

The Whisky Chronicles

When Your Workwear Doubles As Armor

Afternoon Tea (4/30/18)

Wow: Framed for Murder By His Own DNA

The Encoded Racist Messages of Skin Care Marketing

How We Solved Fake News the First Time

All hail the mighty balloon lobby

Restoring Power to the Women of Ancient Myth

Afternoon Tea (4/26/18)

This was fascinating: Who Picks Out the Playlists You Hear While Shopping?

And this story is WILD: Monsieur Bébé: The Brief, Strange Life of Raymond Radiguet

From Yoga Teacher to Cult Leader (Helena Blavatsky is involved, AS YOU'D EXPECT.)

1968: When the Communist Party Stopped a French Revolution

Lover, sorceress, demon: Circe's transformations

Afternoon Tea (11/28/17)

This is heartbreaking and important: Every Parent Wants to Protect Their Child. I Never Got the Chance.

Interesting: Cocktails Only a Local Could Love

Inside The Brothels Of Final Fantasy XIV

The Original Hermione

Don’t lose a finger: The 200-year evolution of the can opener

Morning Coffee (7/10/16)

Trump Suggests He Might Quit Immediately After Being Elected ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

"Sanford said Trump's lack of knowledge about how many articles [of the Constitution] exist, gave him 'a little pause.'"

This is an important read in light of the Trump/Jared Kushner stuff.

And Kushner's family isn't happy: "But for the sake of the family name, which may have no meaning to you but still has meaning to others, please don't invoke our grandparents in vain just so you can sleep better at night. It is self serving and disgusting."

Barney Frank on Sanders: “It’s not simply a refusal to compromise. It’s a focus on being almost morally superior to everyone else. Eschewing compromise is part of that.”

Would Elizabeth Warren as vice president really be good for liberals?

Here is the most adorable news story ever: 'Mummy, can I fly a Red Arrow now?': Inside Prince George's first official UK engagement

Keep Norwegian Weird

How could I not click on something with this title? The Indispensable Guide to Early American Murder

Paintings Of The Torture Of Prometheus Where It Actually Looks Like The Eagle Assigned To Tear Out His Liver Is His New Boyfriend

Morning Coffee (1/30/16)

Reminder! I'm going to see four Oscar nominees today and writing up a little diary of it as a Patreon exclusive. Sign up by tonight to get it!

ICYMI, yesterday's Oscar Project post was about the delightfully feminist Creed.

Gilmore Girls is OFFICIALLY BACK and that link has some details.

I am totally fine with Coca-Cola product placement in Grease! Live, when I think about it. It fits so well. And to the other point in that article, it's certainly worth noting that "Did she put up a fight?" is still considered an acceptable lyric, but what a lot of the stories about this seem to be missing is that the lyrics that are being changed ("The chicks'll cream" to "scream," etc.) are frequently changed in stage productions, including (according to Seth Rudetsky) on Broadway. So it's not Fox suddenly doing this without precedent. And REGARDLESS, the actor does not seem the correct person to ask about this. It's not up to HIM.

Hillary Clinton and the audacity of political realism (Bill Clinton said on Snapchat [!] yesterday that Hillary makes him rearrange their furniture every three months, and when she is done being president HGTV should really give them a show. Imagine: Two former presidents show up at your house and tell you what's wrong with the layout of your living room! GOLD.)

Speaking of: How “House Hunters” became the most unstoppable juggernaut on TV

Bernie Sanders' Campaign Is Concerned About the 'Berniebro,' As They Maybe Should Be

When A Country Without Abortion Tells Women To Not Get Pregnant

I was happy to read this non-terrible review of The Finest Hours, given what I was saying yesterday about wanting to watch Chris Pine be soaking wet for two hours act.

Interesting: 32 Top Network Execs Dish on the Shows They Really Want

From Pickup Artist to Pariah

Perseus Rescuing Andromeda, In Order Of Rescuing

Morning Coffee (1/29/16)

Tomorrow! I'm going to go to an independent theater in Boston and do a mini-marathon of some of the more obscure Oscar nominees - four features. I'll post normal movie posts about the titles next week, but I'm also going to write up a little diary of the day as a Patreon exclusive. (Are the audiences driving me nuts? Can I stay awake/focused for four movies? How much caffeine will I need?) You can get it with any pledge (starting at $1/month) if you sign up by Saturday night. Right this way! (If you're already a patron I LOVE YOU and of course you will be getting this post as well.)

ICYMI: TWO Oscar Project posts yesterday, on Star Wars and Ex Machina.

Okay, Friday! Happy links!

Since Friday is for happy links the only one I will give you about the primary is Gail Collins, as she is hilarious in addition to being very smart. (And, I think gets at the basic Sanders/Clinton divide: "Vote for Bernie: Send a message. Vote for Hillary: She knows how to make things work.")

Barbie has new body types! Here's Time's very interesting cover story. (Touching on something they get into there: even when Barbies all looked more similar, as a child, the thing that most confused me about them was that almost all the dolls were supposed to be the same character. So why did they exist in the same world [i.e. my bedroom]??? I found this highly disturbing.)

Fox is showing Grease! Live on Sunday and Vanity Fair has a fascinating story about the making of the 1978 movie that will probably make you want to go rewatch it immediately. (They liken Newton-John's casting to if someone cast Taylor Swift in the role today and now I WANT THAT MORE THAN ANYTHING.)

Today in Things You Should Be Watching: The 100’s Clarke Is Sci-fi’s Best Teen Heroine

And if you ARE watching, you should check out new podcast The Ark 100 FM from my friends Holly and Bailey. (Rumor has it I may fill in for an episode next month when Bailey's on vacation. I'll keep you posted.)

Ben Whishaw Is Even Better Than You Think is both the truest headline ever written and a very interesting interview with the creator of London Spy.

I cannot handle this even a little bit: Chris Pine sings school closings to the tune of 'Let It Snow' (I know it's an unpopular opinion but you can keep Hemsworth and Evans and Pratt; Pine is my favorite of The Chrises and I am greatly looking forward to that Coast Guard movie that seems to consist of him speaking in a terrible Boston accent while people throw buckets of water at him for two hours.)

My friend Chris - ACTUALLY my favorite Chris, obvs - tweeted this link and I may never forgive him: 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' As An Anime Opening Works Way Too Well

Honest Wedding Website Admits There Jack Shit For Guests To Do While In Town

"ZEUS: look, I have produced a daughter from mine own head
this is Athena
HERA: like fuck you did"

Morning Coffee (11/3/15)

Happy Election Day!

Heads up, New Haven area: Police to Take Valuables from Unlocked Cars to Stop Break-Ins

We're getting a new Star Trek show! On CBS All Access, so . . . I'm really curious to see how that works, as a business decision.

Party Victory in Turkey Bolsters Erdogan’s Pursuit of Power

Whoa: The New York Times Will Have a New Publisher Within Two Years

Step-by-Step: How to Make a Perfect Apple Pie (My friend Carrie and I are going to do this and tweet about it on Sunday. Join us!)

Nicole Cliffe on funding indie media is so important: "'How did those two plucky women with no business sense start a successful site of art history jokes?' - hedge. fund. money. from. a. man."

A female Van Helsing show? I'm listening, Syfy.

Huh! Berries show ancient Fortingall yew tree is 'changing sex'

Fascinating: Beneath the Frills at Ruffle Con

"ARACHNE: haha
I guess you could say I weave like Athena herself
ATHENA [appearing suddenly in the fireplace]: the fuck did you just say"

Morning Coffee (6/2/15)

For the next few weeks - and, honestly, most of the summer - I've got a bunch of travel and other stuff going on, so links will probably not appear every day for a while. I'll try to post a few times a week! Thanks for understanding.

Me elsewhere: This week's TV news.

Joe Biden: “By focusing on my sons, I found my redemption”

Aww: Bethlehem senior class gives trip money to principal battling cancer

Addy Walker, American Girl

I'm not particularly into Mailer or Buckley, but this review of a book about their friendship was SO GOOD.

"While the Bergen Dispatch reviews its options we have confirmed that Bergen County does currently remain part of the State of New Jersey and that currently New Jersey is still part of the Union of states that is governed by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights."

Interesting read on baby name regret.

If you laugh at this map, it means you're a huge map nerd

Under the Spell of the Gods: 11 Tales for Fans of Classical Mythology

Morning Coffee (3/24/15)

Well. George Zimmerman: Killing Trayvon was God’s plan, and wishing he lived is ‘almost blasphemous’

Serial’s Adnan Syed Sets Out His Case for a New Trial

This whole situation with the Game of Thrones book/show timelines and spoilers is just . . . unfortunate. (Says the girl currently reading book four. Whatever.)

Ooh, you can vote to name the surface features of Pluto and Charon!

Syfy's upcoming Greek mythology drama Olympus looks potentially terrible in a fun way.

Argentine archaeologists probe 'Nazi hide-out' for clues

There's a new Muse song, if such things interest you. It's . . . Muse-y. (Video potentially NSFW.)

Very curious to see what the new Lisbeth Salander book is like.

Morning Coffee (1/7/15)

Ooooh: Tomb of unknown queen discovered in Egypt

Here's What Earth Looked Like at the Start of the New Year

BBC Radio 4 is doing a Magna Carta series hosted by Melvyn Bragg!!

Saudi Arabia’s Succession Time Bomb

This Is The Video CNN Will Play When The World Ends

Sarah MacLean, the Romance Writer Who Will Surprise You Every Time

This Is The Mad Tea Party Of Disney-Themed Weddings

i know im not wearing any pants
im a GOD
like from OLYMPUS
you think i cant tell if ive got pants on me?
dont be stuck up

Morning Coffee (1/5/15)

2014: The Year in Emoji

Monsters in America: a cryptozoological map of the USA

Snowflakes come in 35 different shapes. And some of them are really odd.

I generally don't have any interest in smart watches, but to do lists are a nifty functionality for them.

Navy Develops ‘GhostSwimmer’ Drone That Looks Like a Shark

These Beautiful Women in Science Art Prints Feature Rad As Heck Ladies

Interesting: The 10 must-read German books of 2014

“God-night, Rune”: An Old English Translation

Morning Coffee (12/17/14)

Please check out this very important op-ed by my mother and her colleagues: Connecticut is dismantling its system of mental health care for children

Sorry, But You Can't Wear Your Pats Jersey To The Aaron Hernandez Trial

Whoa. SUPPOSEDLY Comcast is going to let Roku have the HBO and Showtime apps. I'll believe it when I see it, but this would be awesome.

This piece about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees is interesting. I didn't know there was DISCO CONTROVERSY.

Worth hours of fun: Google's year in search.

Huh: The fastest-growing job in each state

Sarah Wendell of the great romance fiction site Smart Bitches, Trashy Books has a new Hanukkah romance out and it's only 99 cents.

THESEUS: OH
Stringy
the, the helping girl
no I
I had a vision from the gods
they told me to leave her here
for god reasons

Morning Coffee (11/17/14)

Me elsewhere: TV news, Haven recap, Bones review.

Every year, my friend Beck writes a hilarious review of the Oprah's gift guide. Here's this year's.

This potential New Yorker documentary series sounds interesting.

Jude Law as an Arthurian villain? Yes please.

So, on New Year's Eve, Ryan Seacrest's show will have Taylor Swift in New York and now Harry Styles in Hollywood. Hee. I hope she plays "Style."

Huh. Greg Berlanti is writing the Oscars.

Fascinating: Some Guy Scooped The Baseball Media On The Biggest MLB Contract Ever

This cannot actually be efficient: Westminster gardener ordered to remove autumn leaves one by one

you guys didnt have to do this!
i honestly would have been fine with just like half a dozen putti
and three or four handmaidens
like a dozen handmaidens max would have been FINE honestly