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Some of my male brethren are, to put it mildly, a trial for many women, especially at night. We smell, snore, kick, toss and turn and after a certain age I hear we're up several times a night. How is a woman expected to get her beauty rest under those wartime-like conditions?

The wonderful folks at Deluxe Comfort have created The Boyfriend Pillow, a more restful alternative to living breathing males which when used properly provides all the cuddle without the annoying downsides of real human companionship.

It's like having a cat without the fur.

toad

Odds and Ends- End of Daylight Savings Edition

Does ANYONE, who is not an NHL employee, give a flying leap that the league is on strike against its players? Would anyone notice if they stayed gone?

My brother from a different mother ADG has long and certifiable Tom Wolfe adulation bonafides. Google has rewarded his admiration by using a photo from his blog as the face of Mr. Wolfe on their search page.

The post man brought these this week from Broadland Slippers. They have hardly left my feet since.

The best description I've ever read of the iconic Judy Garland Classic.

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Don't forget to set the clocks. Spring forward, fall back. It is now fall.

Toad

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From Literally Unbelievable

Toad

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In the US most television game shows, and "reality" series began life somewhere else, probably Britain. To mix the market up a bit, Chinese television is importing one of its more popular educational Saturday night programs to the UK, The Execution Factor. BBC2 will present it as part of a documentary soon. When it eventually arrives in the US, it's bound to be the greatest hit since Deal or No Deal.

In the Chinese version, Ms. Ding Yu (shown above) shows up at a prison to interview a death row inmate about his crime. She begins slowly, with a few innocuous questions, steadily building until she gets her guests to talk about their crimes, after which the perp sometimes apologizes to their victims or victims families and on a good day may even ask the forgiveness of their own family. You're thinking Connie Chung does this every week, what's the big deal.

Naturally, there's a catch, custom made for the law and order crowd. After Ms. Ding finishes the interview, her guest is taken out back and shot.

Dead Man Talking

And you said there was nothing on Saturday night. Bah

Toad

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Fubiz

Toad

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While trolling, I came across this ad.

Cute shoes, but their imagery bears no real likeness.

For my money, Cole Haan could have left well enough alone.

toad

Odds and Ends

Many thanks to all who made Paige's birthday special. When I called her after school, I was told she was at the movies. Who knew Justin had a movie? 3D at that. I do now.

From either the library, our local bookstore, Amazon and Alibris a book a day shows up around here. That number may change.

In honor of their 50th anniversary Penguin Classics UK has introduced the Mini Modern Classic. Fifty short fiction favorites.

According to their web site:

Introducing the Mini Modern Classics...

To celebrate our 50th anniversary we're publishing 50 Mini Modern Classics: the best short fiction by the greatest writers of the last century - from Beckett to Kafka, Nabokov to Saki and Updike to Wodehouse. Each little book is a quick literary hit, a satisfying shot of storytelling. And though they don't take long to read, they'll stay with you long after you turn the final page.

The US edition of Penguin Classics, nearing their 76th birthday, make no mention of Mini Classics, but I hope, suspect, wish, want a US version to appear soon.

II. Maybe-Maybe Not

Invented by a woman, made for a man.

You decide, many thanks to Neatorama

Toad

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Another in a series of mostly Saturday posts.

Why are the most items in our pantry so bland? How much could it cost to add a bit of humor, or style to everyday items? Would you pay extra for something that put a smile on your face?

Blue Q is betting you would.



This too is true. Although at $3 a pop for ramen, maybe not for long.

From If it's hip, it's here. Forgive his math, he knowth not what he does.

Toad

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Timely updates, fun facts, ponderings and amusements.

1. Student Debt: According to a recent news report issued by the Hartford Courant , for the first time ever, the total amount owed for school loans in the US exceeded that of credit card debt. Is your degree worth it?

2. Gossip Girl notwithstanding, did you see the NY magazine story highlighting how a group of Columbia University RA's are paying hard, cold, cash to students willing to actually speak to other students?

3. The Turducken of Desserts? Thanksgiving is on its way, and several of your offspring will risk life and limb attempting to deep fry their bird. To make certain they do it at their house, not yours, bribe them by promising to bring dessert.

To stay in the true spirit of the feast offer to bring Cherpumple, the turducken of desserts. Cherumple is a 3 layer cake (yellow, spice, white) with a pie baked in each layer (cherry, pumpkin, apple). Recipes are plentiful, look around, I won't help.

4. Apple 1 for sale: Wondering what to get the tech geek in your life for the holidays? A true believer would be interested in the Apple 1 heading to auction at Christies London, November 23. Estimates are north of the 100,000 GBP range.

5. Could this happen where you live? In the south west Chinese city of Changsha, workers constructed a 15 story hotel, built to withstand a magnitude 9 earthquake in 6 days. The story here. No word on the quality of the drywall.

Toad

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Boys and beer, eh?

48 year old, David Jonathan Winkelman, and his stepson, after hearing KORB radio station DJ in Davenport Iowa, jokingly offer a 6 figure payout to anyone who showed up with the station logo,“93 Rock, the Quad City Rocker", tattooed on their forehead, up and did it.

When they showed up at the station with their fresh tats, they were met by Foghorn Leghorn who told them,"It's a joke son, a joke". David, stepson and presumably David's wife were not amused.

Lawyers were retained, and the case dismissed.

To rub salt in Mr. Winkelman's wounds, KORB has since changed formats. No longer are they the heavy metal kings of Iowa. They are now an outpost of easy listening.

Toad

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give the video 40 seconds of your time, then decide.



Toad

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Recently renovated Michigan Stadium, the home of the University of Michigan football team, can seat the entire population of the US Virgin Islands.



True.

With seating for 109,901, on game day its the 7th largest city in Michigan, surpassing Ann Arbor, the village it's located in. By latest estimates, the USVI has a population of 109,000 give or take.

Toad