lots of links

* i'm psyched...in about 45 minutes, the best version of "a christmas carol" is going to be on tv. i saw this one in high school, and have been in love with it ever since. when i was in college, i would check dickens out of the library every december and read "a christmas carol" ~ i can still see the green cover of that book...how odd! anyways, this version contains what may be the best line from a movie, ever (the ghost of christmas present says to scrooge): It may well be that, in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than MILLIONS like this poor man's child. what a lesson in humility.

* one of my favorite photo blogs is joe's nyc. probably because someday i hope to conquer my distaste for traveling and actually visit new york. check out his work. it's fantastic. this shot from a couple of weeks ago is classic, as is this, and with some, you just have to take sit back and take in the whole thing.

* interestingly enough, joe's wife is the co-author of a book which was recently released in paperback, titled "the case against homework". i'd like to check that out, seeing as how i'm not a big fan of the stuff...which probably seems ironic, seeing as how i'm a teacher and all.

* i was reading entertainment weekly and saw a story about will ferrell and adam mckay's website called "funny or die". the videos are funny, but some are a little raunchy. you've been warned.

* okay, so y'all have probably heard about this already, but just in case you didn't know...santa can't say "hohoho" no mo' in australia (mate). and in london, he can't be "fat". geesh. oh yeah, and pat robertson says that holiday wreaths and christmas trees (or "family trees", as Lowe's calls them) are pagan relics. give me a break. who thinks up this crap?

* my beloved sesame street is under attack. as it turns out...oscar is too grouchy and sets a bad example for children. cookie monster eats too many cookies, and other things in a "monsterpiece theater" segment, and sets a bad example for children. don't watch this clip on youtube, lest ye be doomed forever...

* farmers get depressed too. i never really thought about it, but boy...they're ripe for it (no pun intended).

* for a grin before you leave, check out one of my favorite "reno 911" clips ever. dangle's new boot goofin'...