Jill Harness's Blog Posts
McSweeney's has a fantastic compilation of childrens' letters to Obama. Some of them are so adorably fantastic. It seems to be kids between 5 and 12 mostly. Even if you don't like Obama, you still can appreciate the innocence of their words.
Dear President Obama,
When you are president, don't eat junk food. Junk food makes you fat. Your family shouldn't eat junk food, either, because it is not healthy. Obama, you rock.
Amy Ramirez, age 8
San Francisco
Dear President Obama, Are you going to be pictured on our money? How do you get in the White House? Do you like Abraham Lincoln? Do you have a big backyard? Martin Luther King Jr. had big fans. How many fans do you have? You could help us by giving us food. I am Luis Ramirez. I go to school at Mayberry. I like to play video games.
Luis Ramirez, age 8
Los Angeles
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/books/thanksandhavefunrunningthecountry/
There's not much to say about this video of a kitty cleaning itself on top of a subwoofer, other than "it's pretty darn funny."
Whether you are a conspiracy theorist or just like the crazy animals they believe in, you'll love these cryptozoology toys. Featured creatures include Nessie the Lock Ness monster, Bigfoot, the chupacabra, the mothman and The Jersey Devil (who was new to me). But where's the abominable snowman?
Link Via Boing Boing
Ever wondered what it would be like to travel in a jet-powered porta-potty? Me neither. Seeing someone else doing it still is interesting though. It's every ten year old boy's dream come true -a whole collection of jet and rocket powered vehicles, including fire trucks, recliners, tractors and more. Plenty of speed record holders here kiddos, so click the link and have fun exploring the speedy side of life.
Link
In a strange traditional ceremony, two 7 year-old girls in Tamil Nadu, India were married off to two frogs.
The ceremony, an annual feature during the Pongal (harvest) festival, is conducted "to prevent the outbreak of mysterious diseases in the village''.
The girls, Vigneswari and Masiakanni, dressed up in traditional bridal finery -- gilded sarees and gold jewelery -- married the frog 'princes' in separate, elaborate ceremonies at two different temples in the presence of hundreds of villagers.
These are two frogs that will not be turning into fairytale princes, they actually got released back into temple ponds after the ceremony. I wonder if the girls are still allowed to get married when they grow up.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Two_minor_girls_married_off_to_frogs_in_Tamil_Nadu/rssarticleshow/3994895.cms Image Via Somegl [Flickr]
Who needs a present when you have an awesome box wrapped in paper to hide in? That's certainly how this cute kitty thinks. I wish my life were so easily filled.
Link Via Giggle Sugar
"I certainly respect the Constitution," Melton said, "but we have some issues that are much bigger than the Constitution."
I know Neatorama tries to stay unpolitical, but it is crucial for all of us to stand up and declare our rights to sag our pants.
Link Via Boing Boing
"Vast in scale, collective in construction, exquisitely detailed, the Crochet Reef is an unprecedented, hybridic, handicraft invocation of a natural wonder that has become, in itself, a new kind of wonder spawned from tens of thousands of hours of labor."
Link Via Boing Boing
This little man's snoring and sleeping position are just irresistible. It's like a growling leaf blower. Plus, he's unwake-able.
Link Via Giggle Sugar
We know America is obsessed with bacon, so it's a good thing everyone is going out of the way to create all kinds of great new meat products. Here's a new one, the bacon cupcake. Something about these is disturbing yet strangely appetizing.
http://www.aldenteblog.com/2009/01/bacon-cupcakes.htmlLink
"The website says the "dad" will help the children with their homework. He will sort out problems with the neighbors. He will take the kids to a barbecue or to a park. He could also appear at the daunting interview with a nursery school head teacher which parents are required to endure in order to persuade the principal to give their child a good start in life."
While one hopes they check all the actors to make sure they aren't sex offenders, I think there's a much bigger concern here. Have our lives really gotten so empty that we must rent relationships rather than forging our own? And how long until this service comes to the states? I've really wanted to have a family reunion, but don't feel like actually contacting all of my distant relatives.
Link Via TokyoMango
You know someone's a hardcore Mario fan when they actually design a whole mosaic of Mario art on their wall using push pins. This must have killed their thumbs. I love how the art looks like it's in pixels. This wonderful display can be found at the Student Computing Center at the University of Fraser Valley...good to know they spend their time studying over there.
Link Via YesButNoButYes