Cake or Death!

G-Tuck recently posted a few Lego animations of hilarious Eddie Izzard bits, including one of my favorites:




YouTube user Thorn2200 created these animations, and he's got a bunch of classic Izzard bits, including Do You Have a Flag? and Death Star Canteen.

blowing snow

neighbor snowblowing
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian

So while K is at work, I decided that I needed to get out and get a first round of snowblowing in. The snow is supposed to continue to fall and draft, so I'm sure it won't be the end of the process, but it's a start at least. The snowblower and I do not get along. The handle (which has to be squeezed at all times when the machine is running) is awkwardly tall for me and it's a real challenge for me to pull the ignition cord while reaching over that handle (the electric starter has never functioned properly). Of course you have to pull the cord about six thousand times before it'll actually start, so I always end up with a sore armpit from hitting the handle repeatedly.

Today was the first day this season that we've needed the snowblower, so of course it was all out of practice and didn't want to behave. It took me an hour to get the fucker started and of course I ended up with gasoline stink permeating me and everything I was wearing. Bleh! I did at least get the driveway and sidewalk finished, though as I mentioned before it may not be very apparent after a few hours. Bah humbug!

On the upside, K will be home in only a couple of hours and I have two adorably snoring (asnorable?) dogs to keep me company. :)

snowstorm

view from the front door 8:30am
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian

We got our first big snow overnight. Some areas of southeast Michigan got up to 8 inches, but when I stuck a yardstick outside the front door this morning, we've got between 5 and 6 here in Canton.

K had to work early this morning but was able to make it safely to the mall before very many people were out on the roads. ClickOnDetroit is reporting that there are at least three accidents or issues at the Ford Road ramps to 275 at present, so I'm very glad that we don't need to be on the highway today.

I was happy to get a call with the news that the Canton Public Library is close today, so I hope that everyone I work with will be able to stay home and avoid the roads.

The snow has slowed down to flurries now, but the wind is still blowing quite a lot, so I'm sure there will be plenty of drifting. I'd like to get out and snowblow the driveway before K gets home from work, but I'm going to try to wait until the wind dies down a bit or it won't make much difference.

Welcome to Wampville!

Check out Wampville! You can make your own MiniCity, too. Wampville is pretty sad right now, but if you visit it, it'll grow and prosper and be happy. Then everyone will be happy! Or I will, anyway. :)

If you create a town, leave your link in the comments and I'll visit you.

via Neatorama

w00t!

woot!
Originally uploaded by camflan

Check it out - Merriam-Webster has named "w00t" as the 2007 Word of the Year. Thanks to Ang for pointing this out to me.

ENTJ as per usual

Harry Potter Personality Quiz by Pirate Monkeys Inc.


via Bookshelves of Doom

a few picture books

I've been reading like mad for the Cybils, which means that the time I usually spend with picture books has been dedicated to reading young adult fiction instead. Since I'm in full-on holy-crap reading mode (we have 123 books on our list of nominations!), I'm going to throw this post together quickly. Here are a few picture books I've enjoyed recently.

Punk Farm on Tour by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
--If you liked the original, you'll love this one, and any rock-n-roller will definitely dig seeing Sheep, Cow, Chicken, Goat, and Pig rocking out on the road. The endpaper illustrations are also a highlight.

Leaves by David Ezra Stein
--Stein's bamboo pen and watercolor illustrations perfectly represent the newness and confusion of bear's world along with his struggle to understand what's happening around him.

Other highlights:

The Fabulous Bouncing Chowder by Peter Brown
The Jewel Box Ballerinas by Monique de Varennes & Ana Juan
The Crow by Alison Paul

scarves

Luscious Reds Neck Wrap
Originally uploaded by annethelibrarian

I've been busy making lots of scarves, keeping my hands busy while we watch TV or movies. I just posted another five items to the AnneArchy Etsy shop. Hurray!

Make your own reusable Swiffer duster!

MAKE YOUR OWN swiffer duster instructions
Originally uploaded by merwing

Crafty gal Merwing has a terrific pattern for making your own reusable Swiffer duster. How cool is this?! I love the ease of Swiffers but I hate throwing away crap that I know was made unsustainably in the first place. I'm definitely going to make one of these and revel in the fact that I only have to pay for it once AND that I can just throw it in the wash when it's icky. Thanks, merwing!