Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year

It has been an enjoyable Christmas -- got to visit with family both here and in Pennsylvania, and have been able to rest and relax for a good portion of the holiday week. Santa did well by everyone -- favorite gifts include knights and castles, a red Cars bathrobe that has been worn everyone day since Christmas (earning our three-year old the nickname "Hawkeye"), and "crashing cars" -- toddler-sized bumper cars. Click here to see a video of them in action.

Christmas Videos Online

One of Star Wars better-known deceased aliens has thoughtfully compiled a page with links to 101 classic holiday videos: http://www.fanpop.com/spots/christmas/soapbox/64.

One Woman, Two Wombs, Three Babies

A 23 year-old British woman with two wombs gave birth to triplets in September - identical twins from one womb, and another baby from the second womb. Read more at http://www.wtop.com/?nid=383&sid=1013282.

You want a broadsword in your yearbook photo? You'll have to pay for it...

Citing a zero-tolerance weapons policy, a Rhode Island high school refused to let a student submit a yearbook photo of him wearing chainmail and posing with a broadsword, according to the New York Times.

However, the school did offer to let the student buy a yearbook ad which featured the photo. It's good to see that their well thought-out zero tolerance policy can't be compromised by a few greenbacks.

Ka-chow

A Merry Christmas to the Cars fanatics out there, from Lightning MacQueen.

Researchers Determine that the Bugs in Your Gut Can Affect Your Weight

Not only is the science interesting, but you've got to love an article that uses the phrases "gut bugs" and "gut flora."

Another picture test

Geek test

I can blog from the phone? How cool! Apropos of nothing, here is a photo of Barb at the York Fair.

Monks Gone Wild

Rebel monks used fire extinguishers and crowbars to attack a group of monks authorized to enter the monastery of Esphigmenou on Mt. Athos, resulting in seven injuries. According to CNN, the rebels oppose efforts to improve relations between the Orthodox and Catholic churches.

News of the Day

From the Criminals Are Stupid files:

Two Jailed in Frosty Attack - a homeonwer-installed video camera leads to the arrest of two men who skewered his twelve-foot snowman.

Women Tells Cop She Bought 'Bad Crack' - "A North Carolina woman was arrested after complaining to a police officer that the crack cocaine she had just purchased wasn't very good, authorities said." (full story at http://www.wtop.com/?nid=456&sid=1009463)