10. And then...

This being, for many folks, the last day of poking around the internet before we're elbow deep in flour, up to our wheel bases in traffic, or in a triptophan coma I thought I'd give you some other things to read.

1. Perhaps you've read about Savita Halappanavar? She was living in Ireland when she discovered that her pregnancy wasn't viable. Ireland has strict laws against abortion. None. Ever. None of the time. After a few days of continuing and increasing pain, knowing the fetus was dying or dead, she begged doctors (Hippocratic Oath anyone?) for an abortion. In the absence of one, she died. This story, this woman, this pregnancy are why I am adamant about the use of the term anti-choice. Pro-life doesn't mean what people want you to think it means.

2. Chookooloonks is doing some Thanksgiving posting and she wrote about her lovely daughter's deep-seated aversion to change. My heart goes out to Alex. I feel exactly the same.

3. Just a quote about what things are considered "career-ending" and what are not. Dead people? We'll give you a second chance. Adultery? Where'd I put my flaming torch?

4. I don't know enough about Gaza to be clear where to stand. Well, I think I know that it's fucking intensely complicated and therefore there are an infinite number of places to stand and you're never going to agree with everyone, or maybe even a majority but that's it and it's not terribly helpful. Here are some facts, though. I think they're a decent place to start our research.

5. Did you know how the Nancy Drew mysteries (and the Hardy Boys and the Bobbsey Twins) were made? James Patterson models some of his production on this now. I actually did know but mercifully discovered it after my Nancy Drew phase had come to a close. I'd still go back and read them, though.

6. Here are some thoughts about how to help Sandy victims over Thanksgiving. There are options whether you're near or far from the destruction. Just an aside here, the coverage is probably dying down if you don't live near the affected areas, that doesn't mean that the problem is solved. A lot of people (a whole fucking lot) still don't have power, heat, transportation, food, and homes to name but a few things. Consider trying to demolish or rinse your possessions in cold water and returning at sundown to lock yourself in your dark, cold home with only a cold sandwich for dinner. Recovery efforts continue. We hope the support will also.

7. I've followed Steven Falk for a long time. Partly because of his general awesomeness and partly because I really think I went to college with him but I'm not certain and have not yet found confirmation. Anyway, he had a great success that was canceled before we all got to see the results and he writes about it in a lovely way. I especially like his post script about staffing his writers' room.

8. You know how simple stuff can be the funniest stuff? Well, Schmutzie did something simply hilarious. You'll probably want to click through to the link that explains where it came from. That's funny, too.

9. Do you have any photoshop skills? There's a movement afoot to restore family photos and keepsakes that were ruined in the storm surge. If you have the talents you can help.

10. It'd be nice to end on a high note, right? This comic from The Oatmeal about creating things on the web for a living is pretty awesome even if you don't do that. I especially like the panels about reading comments. In my life recently it also applies to neighbors. 1000 awesome neighbors and I love everything about where I live and how the community functions and I want to tongue kiss the masses. 1000 awesome neighbors and one bastard and I'm inconsolable and hate everything about everyone, even the cat.

High note. Right. A THOUSAND AWESOME NEIGHBORS! I HAZ THEM.