After listening to a This American Life show on Last Words, I picked up the book metioned in the show, The Black Box: All New Cockpit Voice Recorder Accounts of In-Flight Accidents. It is gripping human drama, perhaps too gripping to read near the holidays. I mentioned the book to Ursula, who told me about a web site (NTSB Aviation Accident Reports) with lots more of the same. I will have to pace myself. Each accident is like what a poem should be: capturing the essence of a moment and the feelings within it.

For those who are tired of upstart religions co-opting a sacred event, some Solstice celebration tips.

Yes, Pirate Supplies. Yes, Dave Eggers. Yes, a student writing center.

I sometimes regret posting about something before I’ve finished reading all the content, but 5ives deserves a spot in the FP pantheon for “They were all out of penises.”

From BoingBoing, which really is a Directory of Wonderful Things. Have I mentioned there will be a new Bruce Sterling book? And Cory Doctorow seems to have excellent taste in culture and coolness. Both of those guys must be added to our list of People I Would Gladly Buy a Beer. And speaking of beer, how about some chips? Hooray!

I’ve been wanting to do research into luck for a long time now, so I’m pleased that some wise guy (er, Prof Wiseman, I mean) has done it. It sounds like lucky people are less superstitious than I would have expected, and simply keep their eyes and minds open to opportunities. His results also indicate luck can be learned, if you can stand having a positive attitude all the time. Now I know I’ll win the Lotto.

In yet another opportunity for our readers to compose their own cheap jokes, those rascally researchers have more news on the mental health effects on men and women of relationships and marriage (highlights: women do best to avoid entanglements altogether; but once entangled, are happier with a ring. Men do best when co-habiting. More failed relationships are worse for everybody. Women take longer than men to get over a break-up). As with all "women be different from men" results, I wonder about the assumptions (beyond the apparent assumption that everybody’s straight). I suspect the actual study is more illuminating than popular press summaries.

Sarah Vowell understands the deep and beautiful essence of the nerd:
“Being a nerd, which is to say going too far and caring too much about a subject, is the best way to make friends I know.”
from “The Nerd Voice” in Partly Cloudy Patriot

The American Family Assn, an organization supporting religious political extremism, has a poll on one of its sites, asking people how they feel about gay marriage and/or civil unions. The URL is http://www.afa.net/petitions/marriagepoll.asp (not linked because I’d just as soon not show up in their referrer logs). As amusing as I find the notion of their promised report to Congress showing widespread support for extending the benefits of a state-sanctioned committed relationship, equal rights is not an issue that should be subject to popular opinion. Still, I voted (in favor of gay marriage), and I even used my real name.

Make your own motorcycle, from things you have around the house (paper).

In unsavory regional news, people are dumping their shit (and urine) on the side of the road. My favorite quote: "I don’t know what the answer is. People are getting more out of control."