How to spot a Jap (1942), an example of the propaganda pushed on our soldiers during WWII. While being incredibly offensive to us nowadays, it's an important look into the past.

This is a time blog, prepared earlier and set off today. Laura is currently off on vacation.

I'm at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, California. Two days of driving, plus another hour this morning. We stayed in the Redwoods the first night, after driving from Seattle to a bit South of Portland, Oregon to pick up friends. The second day we wove our way through the Redwoods... and the road construction, then rested overnight near Santa Cruz. The next two nights we'll be in Asilomar, then it's back up the road home to Seattle, but this time via I-5 most of the way, so it should be a little bit faster.

If you haven't checked out Damn Interesting, you maybe ought to. It's got a range of articles on things that are just... well... Interesting.

This is a time blog, prepared earlier and set off today. Laura is currently off finding interesting things.

Boing Boing links to a comic book about "Ugly Americans" and our bad habits when touring other countries. It's quite a read, with some well-known names in cartooning contributing.

This is a time blog, prepared earlier and set off today. Laura is currently off on vacation.

"Hi there! Artie here to tell you that Laura and Eric are off on an Adventure for the next few days. You may see nothing here for a day or two, or a guest blogger blogging away."

I've also set up some "time blogs" to be set off by my house-sitter/guest blogger Lisa as she finds time to do so.

Here's an article that might lift your day a little. Update: Readers respond with their own stories.

Slowly, slowly catching up...


52 Week Six: "China Syndrome": More with Black Adam's new political drive, and a big long fight with the Green Lanterns. Vastly more interesting to me is Booster visiting Rip Hunter's home and finding that fascinating chalkboard with lots of clues on it. And, of course, the nifty cliffhanger. This is a step down from the last issue for most of it, but that chalkboard makes up for a lot.

Checkmate #3: "The Game of Kings Part 3": The intrigue builds as the real reason China is fighting to get rid of Checkmate is revealed. This is a twisted kind of book that makes sense when you read it, but is difficult to follow when you try to recall what you just read. Or maybe that's my memory finally going. Anyway, it's got Alan and Mister Terrific, so we'll continue to get it.

Green Arrow #63: "Busted!": Fun to see Deathstroke do the unexpected. Like Ollie, I would have expected him to fight. Nice cliffhanger, too. Not a bad issue overall.

Green Lantern Corps #1: "To Be A Lantern": The only character I really care about is Soranik Natu, the new and reluctant Green Lantern. The rest of the characters could go ... um. I don't really care about any of the others. Good thing the focus in this first issue is on Natu, right?

JLA Classified #22: "A Game of Chance Part One: Deal": Steel's history in those first couple of pages makes you wonder if the pain he refers to is physical or emotional. Nice appearance of the Royal Flush Gang, or at least... one of them. And Aquaman shows up for a bit, too. Not a great book, but fun.

Superman #653: "Up in the Sky": An ancient Kryptonian warship, lots of violence, and an unexpected by standard ending. Maybe standard. Depends on how the final part goes, I guess. Not too bad, but I kind of wanted more.

Squadron Supreme #4: "Blood and Sand": Ah, a line up with the names of the whole team. Useful. Emil is a really nasty dude, isn't he? And the concept of world domination first comes up. I guess the story is moving forward, but I'm hoping it picks up the pace a little now. We'll have to see.

Wolverine Origins #3: "Born in Blood Part Three": More flashbacks, and nasty ones at that. And Wolverine was the cause of a lot of it? It's all intense, but very strange. I still don't know what is happening. We'll have to see if I stick with it. But if it were up to me, I'd already have dropped it.

Supernatural Law #1: "With a Silver Bullet": If you haven't noticed that this comic is now on the web every Monday and Thursday, usually with two or three new "pages", then you need to check it out. This issue features two stories both happening at the same time. It's a fun little adventure, with lots of clever bits. The writing is really what makes this series excellent, although the artwork is also excellent. Anyway, check out the web version, and if you like it, go get the print version as well. As for me? It's recommended.

Now I'm only two weeks behind... And going on vacation tomorrow, so I'll be three weeks behind when I get back. *sigh*

The Beautiful Game, presented by Warren Ellis. BBC Sport has a bit more on what may have caused that headbutt. The comments at Warren Ellis' site also have some lovely links, including a flash game in which you can headbutt Italians if you'd like.

Chug-a-Pug. This one is for the in-laws.

The Paperclip House.

Did Ken Lay fake his own death?

The Beat review Pirates, and she's not nice about it.

Now, that's what I call a Flash Mob.