Have you seen the hubbub in the press over the new Star Wars film?

You know, Facsimile II: Attempt of the Clone. I think it starts off with the ethically challenged and psychologically unstable (i.e. evil) Darth Rael appearing on the FOX Intergalactic News Channel with Brigitte Boisselier-Fett to discuss the creation of Boba Eve (who for some unexplained reason we never get to see). Next, Rael is backed up by his deluded shock troops when he arrives on the whacked out planet Clonaid. Unfortunately, the story gets a bit muddled after that; kind of like what happened to Facsimile I: The Bleating Ovis.

(Clonaid. Isn't that one of those charity music events Bono or Geldof or Willie Nelson put on every year? Do clones really need financial aid of this sort?)

Jay over at A Voyage to Arcturus (an appropriately named place to initiate a discussion on this) is proclaiming this the Junk Science Story of the Year, and notes the whole thing is as ridiculous as the cold fusion hullabaloo from some years back. I have to part ways with Jay on the last point. Cold Fusion was bad science. This is bad science fiction.

As Master Yoda would say, "Begun, this Clone War has."

 
According to what's in the news, a fight broke out between NZ and India cricket fans, merely because of boredom.

I'd expect far more spectator skirmishes if boredom was really the cause.

 
Blogs I've Noticed - Just (and I mean 'just') found readme.blog sitting quietly among the Salon blogscape (I spend far too much time browsing).

Anyway, it was the Mr. Lopez post that pushed it into the final BIN spot for the week. This thankfully means I no longer have to wait.

 
The publishing equivalent of a rim shot.

Kafkaesquí commentary: I've read better.

 
I've been saying this for years: Barney the Dinosaur, purveyor of smut.

 
Those volunteer charity Santas sure come up with some unique ways of collecting. I'm impressed.

 
Blogs I've Noticed - I wasn't sure how I felt about How loose is your Goose?* until I read Dan's last post (the slightly long one dated today). Deep.

There's a picture of Dan there, but what blog is perfect? However, the name does make it sound like a game show. So a mark in Dan's favor.

* Yes, another BIN with a question for a title. Yes, another BIN on blog*spot. I don't plan these things, you know. Actually, I don't plan much of anything.

 
I must admit the following:

I have officially become addicted to Trading Spaces. I sat through more than two-thirds of TLC's marathon broadcast (15-hours worth) of it yesterday. Now I can't take in enough of Paige Davis when she gets all cute and perky about some cheap, nonsensical faux surfacing trick. I have fun with Vern Yip's name. I'd like a little of what Genevieve Gorder is on. And I wish they'd arrange for Amy Wynn and Ty to go out for a beer together, just so they can finally meet.

But mainly, I really want to punch out Douglas Wilson. I admit it is an unusual sort of addiction.

 
I'm submitting something for next year's Best Slightly-Erotic Poem award. The name of my poem? Openly Orgasmic and Very Sticky. I'll work on it.

 
In remembrance of the peasant servant class, Happy Boxing Day. Anyone know a good Boxing Day carol?

 

I get it. They're opening xmas presents. Yeah, very cute.

What's with the penguin hanging out with a rabbit, a bear, and a beaver? Feels like that Sesame Street song/game "One of these things is not like the other." Is someone heavily into the E this holiday over at Google? Anyway, you can check out the running banner storyline, if you're so inclined to see how it'll all end. I'm filled with anticipation... well, I'm filled with something.

 
Some of us have our own way of celebrating the holiday. I guess it could be considered a gift to oneself.

 
Blogs I've Noticed - Maru Soze asks WTF Is It Now?? - which I think is a most excellent question to ask about nearly everything. A pretty good name for a blog, as well. It's a bit heavy on xmas image postings, but whatever.

 
Bethlehem Gets Christmas Respite
With Israel Army Out of Sight

No, it's not the start of a new politically charged xmas poem. Actually, it's a New York Times headline. Some festive copy editor sort must be slipping stuff through for a bit of holiday amusement.

 
How many xmas carols have I painfully endured listened to this season? None. Not an absolutootingly single one of them. I hope you understand how proud of this accomplishment I am right now.

 
Blogs I've Noticed - For our xmas eve BIN, we have the women over at Girls In the Bag. Don't ask me why they call themselves girls, or what kind of bag they're in, or how they're even able to post to their blog from within it. Just go and read.

And as Emmie puts it, they do it for free. So do I.

 
Um, har har. The funniest *piece* I found in this attempt at comedy is at the end, where it says "Oscar Gonzalez is a lawyer and writer of satire..."

(An unwarranted attack perhaps, but I was in a mood for a bit of humor this morning, and all I keep coming across is stuff like this. Now, I'm just peeved.)

 

This blog is now a no xmas tree zone. Please, no caroling, and remember that friends don't let friends decorate drunk. Or stoned. Or with really thick mittens.

 
OK, but kevlar makes for more impressive breast protection.

 
Blogs I've Noticed - Kristen William's More Than Donuts is definitely truth in advertising. And a lot of fun, to boot.

Coffee with that?

 
I'll be running through another five Blogs I've Noticed ( BIN ) this week - that is, one each weekday. For those who are unaware (probably most of you), this is all about highlighting, for no particular reason, a blog which recently caught my attention.

The anticipation has me aglow with the xmas spirit. That, or the rum I poured in my coffee is kicking in.

 
Hey Congressman Ballenger, if you painted all the black people white, would that solve the problem? "Yep."

(A fresh coat from Talking Points Memo.)

 
This is how I'd set up the calendar week (if I was in charge of such things): Monday, Saturday Unus, Tuesday, Saturday Duo, Saturday Tres, Wednesday, Saturday Quartuor, Thursday, Saturday Quinque, Saturday Sex (!), Friday, Saturday Primus, Sunday.

Thirteen days in a week? You bet - it breaks down to 28 weeks a year plus one extra day, which I'd call Saturday Supernus. If we implement it and the work ethic goes to hell, I take no responsibility.