It’s finally Friday. It’s the final Friday of February!

I caught a cold or something last weekend. My work week has consisted of working and sleeping. I either take a couple of naps each day or go to sleep several hours earlier than usual then sleep like a log until the alarm goes of. Several co-workers have also either taken a few sick days or worked from home to keep from bringing their germs into the office. Fun.

Anyway, welcome to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: a disturbing story the crosses categories, the top five (IMHO) stories of the week, five stories about deplorable people, and five videos (plus a notable obituary and the one thing I’ve written).

Some stories sum up so much of what is going on:

ADL Report: Right-Wingers Committed Every 2018 Extremist Murder In US.

Stories of the Week:

Is the Insect Apocalypse Really Upon Us? — Claims that insects will disappear within a century are absurd, but the reality isn’t reassuring either.

Brain-Eating Zombie Deer Disease Will Likely Spread To Humans.

Feminism 101: What is Emotional Labor?

Mother Upset After Son Kicked Out of Class Over Pledge.

500 people attend drag queen story hour at California library, wildly outnumber protesters.

Awful, Deplorable People:

Portland cop under fire for texts with right-wing leader and Oregon official: texts show police-extremist collusion. This is crazy, the cop allowed the neo-nazis to put their own snipers atop a building, he frequently refers to armed members of the neo-Nazi group as fellow cops (they weren’t), took the neo-Nazi’s advice about when to go after the counter-protesters… If you ever doubted the truth of the old saying, “Cops and Klan, Hand-in-hand” reading the series of articles the Oregonian has put out about this will change your mind.

Trump Never Directed Disaster Officials To Cut Off Aid To California Wildfire Victims. If ever a headline needed a “yet” given that he’s said several times that he did…

Chris Hasson, U.S. Coast Guard officer arrested on gun charges, had hit list of prominent Democrats, feds say .

Roger Stone Sics His Winger Brigade On Judge Amy Berman Jackson.

Four Sentences: What the Legal System Has Said about the Suspect Loyalty of Trump’s Aides.

In Memoriam:

Peter Tork, beloved and offbeat member of the Monkees, dies at 77.

The Monkees’ Peter Tork Has Died.

Things I wrote:

One guy cried wolf—it doesn’t mean that wolves don’t exist.

Videos!

Rocketman (2019) – Official Trailer – Paramount Pictures:

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)

Kelly Clarkson Belts Cover of Lady Gaga’s ‘Shallow’ :

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The Sound of Silence – Pentatonix:

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Robyn – Send To Robin Immediately:

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Pinky And The Brain Theme – Postmodern Jukebox (ft. Emily Goglia, Rob Paulsen, Maurice LaMarche) – you won’t recognize the faces of the bartenders, but their voices may be familiar:

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)

It’s finally Friday. It’s the third Friday in February in a very cold and slushy February for Seattle.

We’ve been snowed in most of the week. We’re on track to have the one of the coldest Februaries on record. Our street is full of ice and slush that keeps refreezing every night.

Anyway, welcome to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: a special story of the week, the top five (IMHO) stories of the week, five stories about writing and reading, five stories about deplorable people, and five videos (plus a notable obituary and the things I’ve written).

Some stories are so awesome they deserve a heading to themselves:

My Wife and I Didn’t Tell Our Children About Her Cancer . Have some kleenex handy…

Stories of the Week:

Unclaimed Bodies From the Opioid Epidemic Are Crowding Morgues – No One Really Knows What to Do With All of America’s Unclaimed Corpses.

The Opportunity Rover and the Pain of Giving Up .

Plummeting insect numbers ‘threaten collapse of nature’ .

One Year After Parkland: First the Murder, Then the Robbery.

The Broken Hearts Club: Inside the making of the 2000 gay rom-com.

This week in Writing and Reading:

Charlie Jane Anders’ Ideas for Complex Characters of All Genders.

Oh No, She Didn’t: The Strong Female Character, Deconstructed.

‘Retcon’: How To Rewrite Details In An Ongoing Series.

An Easy Tip for Getting Unstuck in a Scene.

The Most Powerful Force – how John W. Campbell Jr. influenced and formed science fiction in the 1930s to 1950s and how the genre eventually grew beyond him.

Awful, Deplorable People:

The Wall Is in Their Hearts – “The wall is being built. It’ll continue. It’s going at a rapid pace.”.

20 years, 700 victims: Southern Baptist sexual abuse spreads as leaders resist reforms .

The most powerful moment of the Whitaker hearing had nothing to do with Mueller – Rep. Pramila Jayapal grilled the acting attorney general about family separation — and he had no answers.

Rep. Ilhan Omar Would Just Like To Know Which Massacre Elliott Abrams Is Proudest Of.

Texas Sec. Of State Apologizes For Bogus Voter List Upon Confirmation Vote Delay.

In Memoriam:

John Dingell Jr.: A Wonkpreciation!.

You’re Living in the America John Dingell Made. “There’s really nobody in America who isn’t impacted—often in ways they don’t understand—by his work in Washington.”

Patricia Nell Warren, The Front Runner Author, Dies at 82.

Patricia Nell Warren, Author of the Groundbreaking Gay Novel ‘The Front Runner’, Has Died at 82.

Author & all around wonderful woman Patricia Nell Warren finishes her race.

Paperback Pioneer Betty Ballantine Dead at 99.

Legendary editor and publisher Betty Ballantine (1919-2019).

RIP, Oppy the Mars Rover – After 15 years, the adventurous spacecraft has finally bit the dust..

Things I wrote:

Weekend Update 2/10/2019: Gruesome Killers and Unrepentant Ex-ex-gay Charlatans.

The unending struggle against thermal equilibrium, or, trying to get my coffee just right.

Definitely did not dodge the snow and ice.

Hate isn’t just a feeling: Attitudes and silence can cause as much harm as actions.

Videos!

Good Omens: Opening Title Sequence :

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The Real Black Panther – Black Leopard Spotted in Kenya:

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The Impossible Hugeness of Deep Time:

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Kacey Musgraves – Rainbow (Official Music Video):

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Ben Platt – “Ease My Mind” [Official Video]:

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)

It’s finally Friday. It’s the second Friday in February in a very weird February for Seattle.

After two months of warmer than normal weather, we’re suddenly having much colder than normal plus a lot more snow than usual. It’s just weird.

Anyway, welcome to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five (IMHO) stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about deplorable people, and five videos (plus a notable obituary and the things I’ve written).

Stories of the Week:

This Holocaust Survivor Had No Family. So 150 Strangers Attended His Funeral.

Hiding Homosexuality on the Cover of America’s Magazines a Century Ago. I will never pass up an opportunity to link to Joe Christian Leyendecker’s artwork.

Democrats Have Had It With Allegations Of Voter Fraud .

How growing up on the road expanded my definition of travel.

Astronomers Accidentally Discover a Hidden Galaxy Right Next Door

Queer stories of the Week:

To Christian Parents of Gay Children.

Kirsten Gillibrand Introduces Bill to Allow Transgender Military Service.

Mike Pence will never allow Trump’s HIV pledge to become reality .

The lesbian ‘blood sisters’ who cared for gay men when doctors were too scared to.

Children of Gay Couples Do Better In School: New Study

Awful, Deplorable People:

‘Gamergate’ Advocate Arrested on Allegations of Molesting Child.

‘They basically have nothing to do’: Trio of Republicans face life in exile – Duncan Hunter, Chris Collins and Steve King are on the sidelines after being stripped of their committee assignments.

Founder of Proud Boys sues over being labeled hate group.

Things go from bad to worse with new revelations in Virginia.

Mitch McConnell, Enemy of the Vote .

In Memoriam:

Carol Emshwiller (1921-2019) .

Julie Adams Dead: ‘Creature From the Black Lagoon’ Actress Was 92.

James Ingram, Grammy-winning R&B singer, dead at 66.

Kaye Ballard, boisterous singer and actress, dies at 93

Kaye Ballard, Star of ‘The Mothers-in-Law,’ Dies at 93.

R.I.P. Dick Miller, character actor legend from Gremlins, The Terminator, nearly 200 other movies.

Dick Miller, ‘Gremlins’ and ‘Terminator’ Actor, Dies at 90.

RIP Rocket Raccoon’s Life Model, Mr. Oreo!

Things I wrote:

Weekend Update 2/2/2019: Self-loathing always spills out as harm to others.

We couldn’t dodge the snow and ice forever, I guess.

The viaduct is being demolished at last — good riddance.

Rabbit Holes, Wardrobes, and Magical Doors—escaping into better worlds with sf/f.

Videos!

Trump’s 2019 State of the Union Address: A Closer Look:

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)

Gay Asian Country Love Song:

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)

Sam Smith, Normani – Dancing With A Stranger:

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Ariana Grande “7 rings” | ASL VERSION with Nyle DiMarco:

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Pet Shop Boys – Give stupidity a chance (lyric video):

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)

It’s finally Friday. The first Friday of February. While much of the country has been buried under super-frigid air, Seattle just had the warmest January on record. Though the forecast is that temps are going to drop significantly.

I essentially sleep through three days after coming down with the latest virus running around. Every day this week when I logged in at work there were multiple messages from co-workers who were out sick for the day. There was more than one conference call when it seemed as everyone had the sniffles. So, there are definitely colds going around.

Anyway, welcome to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five (IMHO) stories of the week, five stories about deplorable people, five stories about hate crimes, and five videos (plus a notable obituary and the things I’ve written).

Stories of the Week:

‘Not Going to Be Any Wall Money’: Nancy Pelosi Just Held an Epic Press Conference That Did Not Disappoint.

Makers of at-home DNA test kits seek to help customers cope with surprising, life-changing results .

The science behind the polar vortex.

The Right would rather men died than admit any flaws in masculinity.

The Real Wall Isn’t at the Border

Awful, Deplorable People:

Mitch McConnell Admits That Republicans Lose When More People Vote.

Why Rudy Giuliani’s Bar Registration Should Be Revoked.

Why Mitch McConnell Doesn’t Want To Make Election Day A Holiday.

Texas Officials Begin Walking Back Allegations About Noncitizen Voters.

Kim Davis Must Pay $222,000 in Couples’ Legal Fees Says Governor Citing ‘Conduct That Violates Civil Rights’

Crimes, Hateful and Worse:

5 dead in multi-parish shooting spree in Louisiana; suspect identified.

FBI Finds No Motive In Las Vegas Shooting, Closes Investigation .

Armed Man Disrupts Houston Library During Drag Queen Storytime.

Man arrested in Indianapolis bar shooting that wounded 5.

‘Empire’ Star Jussie Smollett Beaten in Homophobic Attack By MAGA Supporters

In Memoriam:

Russell Baker, Pulitzer-Winning Times Columnist and Humorist, Dies at 93.

Things I wrote:

Weekend Update 1/26/2019: Trump’s losing streak continues.

Sunday Funnies Update: Mueller indicts a cartoon villain.

Get over it.

Lost Dreams and Wayward Worlds – or, more of why I love sf/f.

Videos!

Stephen Colbert – Other Things Written On John Bolton’s Notepad:

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)

How tax brackets actually work:

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)

Weekend Update: Pete Davidson & John Mulaney Review Clint Eastwood’s The Mule – SNL:

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)

The Donald Trump CELL BLOCK TANGO (Part One) – Randy Rainbow Song Parody:

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)

The Umbrella Academy | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix:

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)

Wow! Here we are. It’s the fourth Friday in 2019, (and in the month)!

It’s been another weird week. And I’m not just talking about the news. It’s more than a little worrying how many of my co-workers are sick, taking care of a sick kid at home, or (like me) still don’t feel fully recovered from being sick recently.

Anyway, welcome to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five (IMHO) stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five science stories, five stories about the shutdown and the deplorable people causing it, and five videos (plus things I’ve written).

Stories of the Week:

‘Does Israel Have A Right To Exist’ Is A Trick Question.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Noah Webster, the Inventor of American English .

The government’s secret UFO program has just been revealed, and it’s something out of a sci-fi movie.

Data Broker That Sold Phone Locations Used by Bounty Hunters Lobbied FCC to Scrap User Consent –.

Gizmodo: Trump’s Social Media Pictures Are Often Manipulated to Make His Body Thinner and Fingers Longer

Queer stories of the Week:

Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa: ‘Black, gay experience isn’t often told’.

Veteran teacher: Karen Pence’s school erases LGBTQ people; that damages children .

Gay couple hospitalized following attack by a group of men in Austin.

Trump gives South Carolina foster agency the right to discriminate against LGBTQ & Jewish people.

Vehmently Anit-gay Rev. Ernest Angley Admitted Sexual Encounter with Another Man. Because of course he’s a self-loathing closet case—like all the others!

This Week in Science:

We may finally know what causes Alzheimer’s – and how to stop it.

See a rock smack the moon during the super blood wolf eclipse.

Did Supernovas Kill Off the Monster Shark Megalodon?

Warmest ever start for January in Seattle.

Is Sunscreen the New Margarine?- Current guidelines for sun exposure are unhealthy and unscientific, controversial new research suggests—and quite possibly even racist. How did we get it so wrong?

This Week in Government Shutdown News:

Dueling plans to reopen government both fail in Senate – Six Republicans Voted For Plan Offered By Democrats.

Aviation Unions Issue Dire Shutdown Warning: There’s No Telling When The Entire System Might Break Down.

Trump White House grows eager to escape losing shutdown fight – After a day of failed Senate action, Trump and his advisers realize they may never win over Democrats in a battle that is costing them dearly.

The Shutdown Is Not a Result of Partisan Bickering .

‘This is your fault’: Republican senators screamed at Mitch McConnell and Mike Pence about shutdown in closed-door meeting.

Things I wrote:

Weekend update 1/19/2019: is there a new Deep Throat?

What are you doing for others?

Carmeggeddon! Viadoom! (Or maybe not).

Videos!

Stephen Colbert – The State Of The State Of The Union:

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Seth Meyers – Cohen and Giuliani Cause Problems for Trump: A Closer Look:

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Stephen Colbert – Donald Trump Is On A Losing Streaking:

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SHAZAM! – In Theaters April 5:

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Spider-Man: Far From Home | Teaser Trailer:

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It’s the third Friday in 2019, (and in the month) and I am behind on all the things!

I freaked out just a little bit this week when I saw the Betty White was trending. Then I saw the actual tweets and posts and remembered it’s her birthday. Yay! She’s still with us!

Anyway, welcome to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: five stories about people celebrating birthdays this week, the top five (IMHO) stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about deplorable people, and five videos (plus notable obituaries and things I’ve written).

This Week in Birthday Girls:

Happy Birthday, Betty White!

Betty White looks sprightly as ever on stroll ahead of 97th birthday.

Betty White says the secret to her living long is vodka and hot dogs

Barack Obama Posts an Adorable Throwback Photo for Michelle’s Birthday.

Michelle Obama’s Birthday: See Her Most Gorgeous Looks Ever.

Stories of the Week:

The Knitted Radio .

Public transportation is 10 times safer, analysis shows.

No, Evolution Did Not Make Us Into Selfish Capitalists.

One month after controversial adult-content purge, far-right pages are thriving on Tumblr .

Violent crime in the U.S. has fallen sharply over the past quarter century

Queer stories of the Week:

LGBTQ-inclusive bullying laws associated with fewer teen suicide attempts, study says.

A pastor posted an anti-LGBTQ church sign so his congregation kicked him to the curb.

Colorado courthouse honored for issuing gay marriage licenses — in 1975.

Producers say ‘Family Guy’ to Phase Out Homophobic Jokes. Phase out? PHASE OUT? Why not just quit doing it? Is this a tacit admission that they are addicted to bigotry and so have to slowly wean themselves of it?

Leaked Emails Reveal Jesse Singal’s (Bigoted) Thoughts on Trans Issues

Awful, Deplorable People:

Referees Still Targeting Andrew Johnson.

Border Patrol agent who confessed to killing four women last year pleads not guilty.

No notes from Trump-Putin meetings: not just unusual, unprecedented.

Mitch McConnell could end the shutdown. But he’s sitting this one out.

Trump Separated ‘Thousands’ More Migrant Families and Children Than It Previously Revealed: Federal Audit

In Memoriam:

Marriage Equality activist Diane Olson dies at 65.

Carol Channing, Iconic Broadway Star of Hello, Dolly!, Dies at 97.

Carol Channing’s Colorful Life, In 47 Stunning Photos.

Carol Channing Is Dead.

Things I wrote:

Weekend Update 1/12/2019: The wheels of justice may grind slowly, but Alex Jones, they grind on you!

Sunday Update 1/13/2019: This is not a sci fi movie.

This isn’t a political post, but this image was too funny not to share.

Confessions of an information junkie.

Sometimes someone needs an explanation

Misleading notions my teachers taught, Part 1: Democracy’s Not What You Think.

Videos!

Grimace Puts Trump On The Hot Seat:

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)

Trump Is Losing the Shutdown Fight: A Closer Look:

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Now Apocalypse | Official Trailer:

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Steve Carell To Star in Netflix Comedy ‘Space Force’:

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Cub Sport – Party Pill (Official Video):

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It’s Friday! It’s the first Friday in 2019. I am typing the year correctly most of the time, now, so that’s an improvement.

I have reached the end of the anti-biotics and most of the related medications, and while I feel less sick, I don’t yet feel well. But no one is feeling great right now, so I’m in good company.

Anyway, welcome to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five (IMHO) stories of the week, five stories about things that should need proving or explaining, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five stories about science, five stories about the government shutdown and five videos (plus notable obituaries and things I’ve written).

Stories of the Week:

Cyntoia Brown Is Granted Clemency After 15 Years in Prison.

Black farmers were deliberately sold ‘fake seeds’ in scheme to steal their land.

Four Best Friends Were Buried Under ‘FRIENDS’ Tombstone.

The Daily Caller Bewildered to Learn Obama Has Secret Service Protection.

Gavin McInnes, Hate Group Founder, Writes Letters to Neighbors to Take Down Anti-Hate Signs.

This Week in Water is Wet and Other Revelations:

Fake news on Facebook is more likely to be spread by people over 65.

Millennials Didn’t Kill the Economy. The Economy Killed Millennials. “The American system has thrown them into debt, depressed their wages, kept them from buying homes—and then blamed them for everything.”

American Psychological Association links ‘masculinity ideology’ to homophobia, misogyny. Yes, we’ve been calling this phenomenon toxic masculinity for years.

There Is No Crisis At The Border – And DHS Stats Prove It.

Samuel L. Jackson: ‘Calling that Muthafukkah a Motherfu**er is not an issue, calling that Muthaffuqah President Is’.

Queer stories of the Week:

Queer Films Won Big at the Globes — But Queer Representation Did Not.

This Transgender Woman Says a Message From Her Doctor’s Office Turned Into a Transphobic Tirade.

Evangelicals Think LGBT People Shouldn’t Be Protected From Lynching and just hours later: Liberty Counsel Tries To Backpedal On Lynching LGBTs.

“Death To Gays” Pastor Apologizes For Fucking Hookers But Wants You To Know He Still Hates Gays.

3 in 10 California youth have been mocked by family for being LGBTI – Half have been bullied at school.

This Week in Science:

Zero is just 1,500 years old. Before it, there was nothing.

This Professor Teaches Advance Mathematics Through Knitting.

Milky Way to face a one-two punch of galaxy collisions.

Edinburgh scientists discover mammoth secret in ivory DNA.

New Report On HIV Viral Load and Transmissibility of HIV Infection Supports Undetectable Equals Untransmittable.

This Week in Government Shutdown News:

Trump Walks Out of ‘Waste of Time’ Meeting with Democrats: Shutdown Update.

TSA union says airport screeners are quitting as government shutdown continues.

HUD instructed landlords to use reserve funds during shutdown – not knowing federal program had expired.

FBI Agents Warn Shutdown Hampers Anti-Terror Work.

Common Saw Easily Cuts Through Wall Prototype.

In Memoriam:

Norman Gimbel, Oscar-winning lyricist of ‘Happy Days’ theme, ‘Wonder Woman’ TV series theme, and ‘Girl From Ipanema,’ dies at 91 .

Things I wrote:

Weekend Update 1/5/2019: It’s ugly, oh, so ugly….

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, or Undecorating on Three Kings’ Day.

Public Service Announcement: How to Delete Online Accounts You No Longer Need.

Truth.

Fighting toward the light at the end of the tunnel—or why hope is important in sf/f.

Sometimes Extinction Arrives on Wheels — more of why I love sf/f.

Videos!

Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel | Special Look:

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Stephen Colbert Trump Just Wants To Be On Primetime TV:

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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – Trump: It’s My Right ‘To Do National Emergency’:

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Trump’s Wall Has Changed a Lot: A Closer Look:

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Troye Sivan – Lucky Strike:

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It’s Friday! It’s the first Friday in 2019. I have to type the date a lot at work (I’m working on planning documents and such right now) and I keep typing 2109 as the year. I’m apparently ready to skip to the next century!

Since my cough was getting worse, I went to see the doctor and next thing I know I was at the pharmacy picking up five prescriptions: antibiotic, steroid, prescription cough tablets for daytime, codeine cough syrup for nighttime, and a new kind of inhaler. Apparently the doctor was not happy with what he heard through the stethoscope when he asked to to take a deep breath and I had another coughing fit.

Anyway, welcome to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five (IMHO) stories of the week, five stories about writing and reading, five stories about deplorable people, and five videos (plus notable obituaries and things I’ve written).

Stories of the Week:

Gifting Burdens.

New Horizons images bring Ultima Thule into sharper focus, revealing snowman-like structure.

Ike’s Mystery Man review: astonishing tale of a gay White House aide.

The nation’s first two Muslim congresswomen are sworn in, surrounded by the women they inspired.

Under Speaker Pelosi House Passes Spending Bills to Reopen Governmen.

This week in Writing and Reading:

The Christmas Specials that Never Were – in which the blogger describes Doctor Who Christmas Specials that could had been if they’d done them for the first several doctors.

Speculative Fiction Links of the Week for December 28, 2018. I should start doing a special category of linking to one of Cora Buhlert’s awesome book/publishing/sf weekly round ups.

Edward Gorey and the Power of the Ineffable.

In the era of Trump and apocalyptic change, Hopepunk is a storytelling template for #resistance — and hanging onto your humanity at all costs.

Public Domain Day Is Finally Here!: Copyrighted Works Have Entered the Public Domain Today for the First Time in 21 Years.

Best LGBTQ+ Books of 2018: The Coil Staff Picks.

Awful, Deplorable People:

Sarah Sanders has ‘struggled’ to find a new job as the White House press office becomes ‘Night of the living dead’: report.

Gowdy: ‘I Will Not Be On The Ballot Ever Again’.

GOPer In NC Election Fraud Probe Asks Court To Declare Him The Winner.

Former Trump Tax Attorney Busted on Federal Extortion Charges.

Members of Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Cult Arrested for Kidnapping NY Kids.

In Memoriam:

Hector Xtravaganza, ‘Grandfather’ of House of Xtravaganza, Dies at 60.

Absolutely Fabulous Star June Whitfield Has Died.

June Whitfield, ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ and ‘Terry and June’ Actress, Dies at 93.

Daryl Dragon, “Captain” of music duo The Captain and Tennille, dies at 76.

Things I wrote:

Weekend Update 12/29/2018: Empty Seat in District 9, First Kisses, and Double Dads.

Sunday Funnies, part 32.

New Year’s Eve Links, or, News from the Dead of Winte.

My New Year’s Wish for You, 2019.

It’s the first day of your arbitrary time demarcation—embrace it.

Thoughts on a book recommendation list.

Hitchers, and Reapers, and Phantom Riders—more of why I love sf/f.

Videos!

Panic! At The Disco Performs “Hey Look Ma, I Made It” and “High Hopes” – The Voice 2018 Live Final:

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Behind The Track: No Matter What With Calum Scott | Sound Bites:

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Calum Scott – What I Miss Most (Official Video):

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Eli Lieb – Chemical Love:

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Sam Smith – Fire On Fire:

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It’s Friday! It’s the final Friday in 2018, and I’m not quite ready for the new year to begin.

I’ve been on vacation all week, and that will continue until after New Year’s Day… but I’ve also been sick since Tuesday, so it hasn’t exactly been all fun and frolics. But we had a nice quiet Christmas at home and we’ve cooked some fancier meals than usual, so it’s all good.

Anyway, welcome to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five (IMHO) stories of the week and five videos (plus notable obituaries and things I’ve written).

Stories of the Week:

Many Stories Are Told Through the Typography in Science Fiction Films.

Why I Buried My Siblings Alive. This is actually a story about how child abuse survivors deal with adulthood.

Markets stage one of worst Christmas Eves ever, closing down more than 600 points as Trump blames Fed for stock losses in a tweet.

A push for compromise on LGBTQ protections may tear evangelicals apart. I feel as if I’ve read this headline many times before, and so far, no.

Merry Christmas, the Seahawks Are in the Playoffs.

In Memoriam:

Donald Moffat, Commander Garry in John Carpenter’s The Thing, passes away at 87.

Larry Eisenberg, 99, Dead; His Limericks Were Very Well Read.

Things I wrote:

On the first day of Christmas Vacation, I drove into Trump Country….

Three Considerations On the Third Day of Christmas Vacation (or the Eve of Christmas Eve).

Christmas time is here, have some Christmas cheer—and jingle until you’re upsot.

Rainbow Christmas – Ho! Ho! Ho!.

Santa Baby, just slip a sable under the tree for me….

Embracing many realities, or why sf/f is about more than just ideas.

Videos!

This Beautiful Rendition Of Cher’s “Believe” Is Adam Lambert’s Gift To Us All:

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The Modern Strangers – Red Strip Lights:

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Temptation // All Hail The Silence:

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Leland – Middle Of A Heartbreak (Official Video):

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O’Leary Car Ride: Showtunes 2018:

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It’s Friday! It is both the final Friday before Christmas and the Winter Solstice! Wow!

It was a month of insane deadlines at work, so I worked very long hours last week and this. In fact, it is actually in the wee small hours of Friday morning that I’m typing this, because it took my past midnight to finish the things that had to be done before I could leave for my Christmas vacation.

Enough of that. Welcome to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: the top five (IMHO) stories of the week, five stories about awful people, and five videos (plus notable obituaries).

Stories of the Week:

Neighbors Are Saying This Woman’s Christmas Dragon Decorations Are Inappropriate, So She ‘Fixes’ It.

Ursula K Le Guin remembered by her son Theo Downes-Le Guin .

How young is too young to talk about LGBTQ stuff?

Top of mind: ‘Justice’ is Merriam-Webster’s word of the year.

Bumblebee Review: For the First Time in Over 30 Years, Playing with Transformers Is Fun.

Awful, Deplorable People:

What happens when the No. 1 cable news channel is steeped in white nationalist rhetoric?

The stock market is on pace for its worst December since the Great Depression.

Investors seeking tax breaks skip poverty-stricken areas.

Suspected White Supremacist Arrested in King County.

The study found that black, mixed-race, Asian, and Latina women were mentioned in abusive or problematic tweets 34% more often than white women, while black women specifically were targeted 84% more often than white women.

In Memoriam:

Penny Marshall, ‘Laverne & Shirley’ Star, Director, Dies at 75.

Rosie, Madonna Mourn Penny Marshall.

Penny Marshall, Beloved Sitcom Star and A League of Their Own Director, Dies at 75.

Things I wrote:

A season of light and love in my queer taoist/wiccan household.

It’s time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough….

Need a little angel sitting on my shoulder… or, save me from the well-meaning enablers.

Mixing up some festive tunes… or, how else do you think I manage 2538 Christmas songs?

Videos!

Brandon Stansell: Hometown [Official Music Video]:

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Stephen Colbert Destroys Fox News’ Tucker Carlson: ‘The Little Racist Who Could’:

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Package Thief vs. Glitter Bomb Trap:

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Def Leppard – We All Need Christmas:

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White Wine In The Sun by Tim Minchin – A sentimental song about Christmas:

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