The Kindness of Strangers

Maybe it's luck. Maybe it's the season. Maybe it's just that people are, on the whole, good at heart. Whatever the reason, I'm very pleased to report that the bag of gifts I left on the bus yesterday afternoon (doh!) was waiting for me at the Lost and Found office bright and early this morning. So thanks, fellow bus rider, for helping to make my holidays that much happier.

J.K. Rowling's Christmas gift to ME!

Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince is complete and has been delivered to her publisher. They're hoping to announce a publication date within 24 hours.

WAHOOOOOOOIE!

Thanks, JKR. I'm a happy, happy woman.

'Tis the Season

...for snowflakes! Though we don't see many of the real kind in Seattle, my sweetie forwarded me this VERY cool link that lets you make your own virtual one-of-a-kind work of art. Warning - it's addictive.

Make-A-Flake

Label Me Liberal

Are you tired of hearing people use the word "liberal" as a slur, as if the following is anything to be ashamed of:

lib•er•al
(adj.) favoring a political and/or social philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties; free from bigotry; largeness of spirit in giving, judging and acting; not bound by authoritarianism, dogmas, orthodoxy, or tradition

I believe that it's well past time to reclaim the word as the badge of honour that it is, to take a proud stand and let others know that "Hell yes, I'm a liberal!" And I'm not the only one who feels that way. Check out this site: Label Me Liberal and while you're there buy yourself a lovely little pin and out yourself to the world as the liberal you are. Nobody is making any money here; the pins are priced at cost. Wouldn't it be great if we started seeing these EVERYWHERE?