Saturday Review 12-20-08

Today’s your last chance to vote for your selections for the Book Bloggers’ Top 10 Books of 2008 at Literary Escapism!

New in Google Reader

Belle of the Books
Rose City Reader
Pop Culture Junkie
And speaking of pop culture: the national obsession returns in just a few weeks, and the LA Times has given American Idol its own blog. (Don’t judge me for adding it to my feeds! If they start one just for Lost, I’ll add that too. The DVR is going to explode in January, y’all.)

As seen around the blogiverse

Santa isn’t Jewish, and no matter how many times you hear “Happy Holidays,” this time of year is still “Christmastime.” On the other hand, the “reason for the season” just might depend on what season you’re celebrating. By the way, here’s how to tell if he’s not really Santa. (Don’t let the kids read that one…)

There’s the circle of life, and the circle of “re-gifting” – if you’re going to partake, here are a few basic rules. And think twice – or more – about these “reality-preparation” gifts for anyone on your list.

As your kids stop being “kids” any more, you realize some things no one tells you about parenthood. And when they’re young, please consider that there will probably be other people dining in the restaurant too…

Being laid off could save your life? Maybe, but before it happens, better save some money.

Thoughts on the demise of dating, or getting things backwards; also in the “demise” vein, the Scobberlotcher continues her quest for guest-blog domination with some thoughts on putting a “final spin” on things – that is, what would you want said about you in your eulogy? She also shared 10 tips on how NOT to write a novel.

You don’t have to be a “book blogger” to have a giant TBR stack on your nightstand

Re-tweeted: A few sources of Twitter annoyance – and oops, I’m guilty of some of them. Are you?

The one reason my husband would visit Atlanta

From the e-mail inbox: best (worst?) bad jokes of the week

Both of these came via my uncle (who also celebrated his birthday this week!)

A new supermarket has just opened in Polson, Montana .

It has an automatic water mister to keep the produce fresh. Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and the smell of fresh rain.

When you pass the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and you experience the scent of fresh mown hay.

In the meat department there is the aroma of charcoal grilled steaks with onions.

When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck and cackle, and the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs frying.

The bread department features the tantalizing smell of fresh baked bread & cookies.

I don’t buy toilet paper there any more.

A strong young man at a construction site was bragging that he could out do anyone in a feat of strength. He made a special case of making fun of one of the older workmen. After several minutes, the older worker had enough. “Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is?” he said. “I will bet a week’s wages that I can haul something in a wheelbarrow over to that building that you won’t be able to wheel back.”

“You’re on, old man,” the young braggart replied. “Let’s see you do it.”

The old man reached out and grabbed the wheelbarrow by the handles. Then, nodding to the young man, he said, “All right, Dumbass, get in.”

This may be the last official “Saturday Review” for this year. I suspect that activity in my Google Reader feeds will be slowing down during the next couple of weeks for various reasons – Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s, traveling, kids at home, the proverbial “need a break” – so there won’t be as much linkage out there to share. I’m also working on a few “Year in Review” posts, and will probably be devoting more of my link-gathering energy to putting those together.

Have a great weekend – hope you’re not having to do too much last-minute shopping!

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9 comments

  1. I’m already a big reader of MJ’s blog so of course I’ll be reading the new AI blog. 😉

    Can’t wait for the January TV goodness!! 🙂

  2. Alea – You’re welcome :-). I’ve finally caught up with everyone else!

    Amy – I’ve got a post in the works about all of my TV obsessions that will be starting back up in January. How many days till Lost returns :-)?

  3. April – I found Jeff’s blog via yours, actually, and just discovered Margaret and Helen a few weeks ago. I can’t believe it took me so long to find out about them – they rock!

  4. I just read that post about Twitter a few days ago. I don’t think I do any of those things. I hope. I didn’t understand one thing though. He said something about following popular people to get them to follow you. Maybe I read it wrong, I was at work, but I follow people that amuse me. I don’t expect to be followed back.

    Anyway, hope you had a good weekend.

  5. I’m glad I made your final review of the year. Whew… that was close!

    Thanks for the shout-out. YOU rock for saying so! 🙂

    Have a great Christmas!

  6. A new blog! I haven’t heard of Belle of the Books. I’ll have to check it out. I really enjoy Rose City Reader and Pop Culture Junkie. What’s this about American Idol having its own blog? Very tempting.

    That food chain friends toy is quite amusing. LOL Speaking from a completely adult perspective. I wouldn’t actually consider getting someething like that for a child. I enjoyed the links again this round, Florinda. 🙂

    Speaking of last minute shopping, I went out Friday, hoping to get a card for my husband for Christmas. I couldn’t find one I liked and so I figured maybe I should try the Hallmark store in the mall. After driving around the parking lot for half an hour looking for a parking spot, I decided to give up. Maybe I’ll make him a card this year . . . Other than that, all my Christmas shopping is done. I just have to get through the next three days at work and I can kick my feet up and relax a little.

  7. Mike – I think a lot of people use Twitter for self-marketing, and that’s why they want to follow, and be followed by, the “popular” Twitterers. I’m like you – I follow people who are interesting to me, and as long as I have SOME followers, I’m not too hung up on the number.

    Jeff – You almost made it twice, but I try not to link a blog more than once in my link-review posts :-). I don’t think that is my last link to your blog for 2008, though…stay tuned!

    Wendy (Literary Feline) – The LA Times decided to give American Idol its own blog rather than have it overwhelm its TV and pop-music blogs for the next five months. Probably a smart call :-).

    The food-chain toy IS pretty funny as a gag gift for an adult, but it’s NOT for children!

    We were at the mall on Saturday, which was an act of lunacy. Tall Paul is off from work all this week, and I’m in the office Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, hoping things will stay calm. Enjoy your holiday break once it gets here, Wendy!