It’s the first week in December. Wait! December!? Already? But there’s so much to do!

I managed to get the Christmas tree up and decorated last weekend, but I haven’t gotten the outdoor lights up, nor have I set up Pendleton the Christmas Otter. I also need to put lights in the front windows (the outdoor lights are on the veranda, which is on the back side of the apartment). If all goes well, I’ll get that done and finish most of the Christmas shopping this weekend. Wish me luck!

Meanwhile, welcome to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five stories of the week, five stories about sciecne, five stories about deplorable people, and five videos (plus notable obituaries and a some things I wrote).

Stories of the Week:

Billy Dee Williams identifies as gender fluid, reveals acceptance of multiple pronouns – Everything you’re about to read is true – the ‘Star Wars’ actor describes gender and his role in a 70s male ‘love story’ film.

Why the LDS Church Joined LGBTQ Advocates in Supporting Utah’s Conversion Therapy Ban. The article doesn’t give the actual answer: Public Relations. But it does show that the support isn’t exactly enthusiastic.

NY Lawmakers Want to Ban Virginity Checks After T.I. Interview.

NBA player Dwyane Wade defends his preteen son from anti-LGBTQ trolls.

The best science fiction and fantasy of 2019.

This Week in Science:

Great auk extinction: Humans wiped out giant seabird.

Scientists have discovered a ‘monster’ black hole that’s so big it shouldn’t exist.

Found Frozen and Almost Perfectly Preserved in Permafrost, this 18,000-Year-Old Puppy Could Be a Huge Deal.

Extinction: Humans played big role in demise of the cave bear.

Dabous Giraffes – These ancient giraffes are the largest known animal petroglyphs in the world.

This Week in Deplorable People:

Red-Caped Catholic Loons Petition Theater To Cancel Drag Queen Xmas Show As “Insult To Birth Of Christ”.

A Harlem School That Former Students Say Is Run Like ‘A Cult’ Faces New Scrutiny.

False Idol — Why the Christian Right Worships Donald Trump.

I Was Harassed After Being Outed By My Students. Then Something Amazing Happened.

Liberty Counsel Had A Bad Year and is Begging for Money so They can Promote More Hate.

In Memoriam:

‘Star Trek’ Writer D.C. Fontana Dies at 80.

D. C. Fontana (1939-2019).

Joan Staley, Actress in ‘The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,’ Dies at 79 – She also slapped Elvis Presley in ‘Roustabout,’ sang to Audie Murphy in ‘Gunpoint’ and played Shame sidekick Okie Annie on ‘Batman’.

Things I wrote:

To absent friends… 2019.

NaNoWriMo ’19 Retrospective.

Undying fiancées, melodramatic lab assistants, and monsters in the closet—more of why I love sf/f.

Videos!

Nancy Pelosi Asks For Articles of Impeachment for President Donald Trump:

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NO TIME TO DIE Trailer:

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A Holiday Reunion – Xfinity 2019:

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Adam Roberts – Glue:

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Darlene Love 2014 Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) The Late Show David Letterman [2014] {I pray that I look one-tenth as good and can sing a quarter as well when I’m 73…}:

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