Events

Anne writes: I told the credit card woman that it was because I was boycotting J. Crew because they sell fur. She actually had the nerve to say, "I can assure you that the fur that we sell comes from reputable breeders and not from animal destruction." I think that was off-script, huh? I just said, "I think by definition it comes from animal destruction." I encourage everyone who is getting J. Crew's catalogs to call (800) 562-0258 and ask to be taken off their lists--and be sure to tell them why. I...

I just finished Garbage Land, leaving only about a dozen books on my reading stack right now. Highlights: Why is this in the Software category? Because better wetware means better software. It's important to read widely in order to write better, whether your language is English or C#. Read as much as you can, about anything that interests you. Limit your professional reading to 50% of your total no matter what (but shoot for 25%). The more you know about things outside your profession, the more you can...

The owners of this property in Carmel, Calif., wanted to build a starter castle. The California Coastal Commission generally doesn't allow new building in coastal communities, especially ugly starter castles. So the dude decided to "remodel" his existing home: Apparently, this fits the definition of "remodeling" in Monterey County, believe it or not. The CCC, however, required him to take 4 m (12.5 ft) off the top of his proposed refit, so it will wind up being only 3 stories tall. Gotta draw the line...

What I'm reading right now (and what Anne can't wait to borrow):

It appears we're finally going to have an impartial, thorough investigation into the run-up to the Iraq war, conducted by an governmental organization with the power and motivation to do it right: the U.K. House of Commons. That's what happens when you have a 36% approval rating.

Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn writes today that we should move Thanksgiving into October: Major holidays, like meals and vacations from work and school, should be as neatly spaced as practical. As it is, Thanksgiving both crowds the Christmas season and creates a long slog of days for most of us from early September until the end of November. Thanksgiving in October would mean no need to surf the Web fretfully on Saturday evening wondering if you'll make it back home the next day or if you'll...

Yesterday in Chicago: Today in Carmel, California: I should also point out the current weather in both locations: Chicago: -8°C (18°F) but the 52 km/h (33 mph) wind gusts make it fee colder than -18°C (-1°F) Carmel: 11°C (51°F) but the gentle onshore breeze makes it a little foggy at the ocean This is why I love traveling.

It looks like we've gotten about 12mm (1/2 inch) of snow overnight in Chicago.

"When your IQ reaches 50, you should sell." —Guest blogger Anne

I'm glad someone agrees with me. :) From today's Chicago Tribune: "The president could take the politics out of Iraq once and for all if he would simply go on television and say to the American people: 'Yes, we made mistakes. Yes, there are things that I would have done differently. But now that I'm here, I'm going to work with both Republicans and Democrats to find the most responsible way out,'" [Illinois U.S. Senator Barack] Obama said. "Imagine if he did that, how it would transform the politics of...