Kate Linnea Welsh

Monday, December 16, 2013

Happy Monday! Christmas is somehow suddenly NEXT WEEK. How did that happen?

Peter O'Toole and Joan Fontaine have died. Time for viewings of The Lion in Winter and Rebecca, I think. At least one of them is seasonal.

Colin Donnell - a.k.a Tommy from Arrow - and Patti Murin recorded a thoroughly delightful cover of "All I Want for Christmas."

In case anyone other than me and my brother still cares, here's some information on season four of The Killing.

A Ten-Month-Old's Letter to Santa

Oops: Pupils' Christmas 'ruined' by vicar's Santa Claus origins story

This piece on How to Name a Baby has some fascinating naming statistics and would probably also be useful for writers naming characters.

Dallas fans, this holiday greeting from the Ewings is great.

The Onion: 30-Year-Old Has Earned $11 More Than He Would Have Without College Education

Heartbreaking and important: Invisible Child

Eleanor Parker, who played the Baroness in The Sound of Music, has died at 91.

Women Writers on Reading Literature's "Midcentury Misogynists"

If you're in New York, make sure you check out the Downton Abbey tea truck.

As someone who can barely tolerate needles over size six, arm knitting sounds nightmarish to me. But, um, I hope they have fun?

Period piece showdown: Mr. Collins vs. Mr. Collins

Whoa: Watch a Lego re-creation of The Blues Brothers’ mall chase scene

As always, Go Fug Yourself's gift guide is delightful.

Happy Friday!

I usually wouldn't think I'd link to an obituary from THE ONION, but this is kind of great: Nelson Mandela Becomes First Politician To Be Missed

I can't believe I never knew about the Beatles' Christmas recordings.

My friend Nicole has some great advice for minimizing holiday stress.

Wow. Check out Christmas cats TV.

In 1930, people were very concerned about the dangerous crossword puzzle habit.

Hee: Do you 'ship absurd fictional couples? This music video is for you.

Whoa, they've digitally reconstructed the tombs planned for Henry Fitzroy and Thomas Howard.

Malinda Lo's Adaptation keeps showing up on Elementary.

Heads up, marshmallows: The Veronica Mars movie will be in theaters nationwide on March 14th.

Whoa: Newsweek is bringing back its print edition.

How Junk Science and Anti-Lesbian Prejudice Got Four Women Sent to Prison for More Than a Decade

Make sure you check out NPR's awesome 2013 Book Concierge.

And why they're taking a break from lists.

Time, on the other hand, has top ten lists for everything.

I had no idea some of these phrases were New England specific.

I very rarely say "I want that accessory Katy Perry has," but LOOK AT THIS PURSE.

Well, this is shocking: The MBTA is trying out late-night weekend service next year.

The year's top baby names: Sophia and Jackson.

Some serious things: You should read Jamelle Bouie on that GOP Rosa Parks tweet and how racism is still a big problem.

And relatedly, my friend Hannah on Zwarte Piet.

Why the "Rape Girls" Are Speaking Out

And the DC Metro's ad aimed at women: "Can't we just talk about shoes?"

Linda Holmes has good things to say about Internet hoaxes.

Okay, something fun to reward you for getting through all that: bookish wedding cakes!

Make sure you check out today's Maria Callas Google doodle.

How the U.S. Media Would Cover Thanksgiving If It Were in Another Country

The BBC is making a Borgen radio spinoff!!!

Prince William sang with Bon Jovi and Taylor Swift. Heeee.

Here are the Times's 100 Notable Books of 2013. I've read . . . one so far. Oops. I do have another three on my Christmas list already . . .

To go along with the reverse one a few days ago: Americans Try to Place European Countries on a Map

Are You My Mother?

2013 Gift Guide for TV Lovers