So there are databases of unclaimed property in every state, and that property is everything from insurance payouts to bank accounts and more. I used to think that I could be a valiant info-warrior and find money for people, but mostly people (perhaps with good reason) think you are trying to scam them. Perhaps I will post information on how to find this money along with the names of the people, in case they google themselves.

The Greyhound bus service is eliminating a bunch of stops from its routes. For people without the option to drive, this bites. As more of the population ages past the point where driving is a good idea, I hope we’ll remember why public (rather than privatized, who can trim unprofitable services) transportation is worth the cost-balancing it does between the high and low volume stops.

Unfortunately, we probably wouldn’t be able to tour it, but the Adult Swim Factory sounds like a cool place. I guess I’ll have to settle for watching its product, when I remember.
It’s a shame the reviewer is uninformed about things, though: since when does any network (much less Fox) have "24 hours of airtime to fill"? And, of course, he misspells Warner Bros., but so do a lot of folks. And how does this get by fact-checking: "Other networks, noticing the success of Adult Swim, have attempted to usurp its popularity by launching mature-themed programs of their own. Comedy Central jumped into the fray with 2003’s Kid Notorious…" Has he not heard of South Park?

It’s apparently possible to scam 419 scammers, including getting them to do silly things, and even send money(!).

But if I did need a new TV, I might shop around for one of these. I stumbled across these here, home of many interesting furnishing ideas.

The League of Women Voters is at it again: another handy tool for Washington voters.

What could be better than a Monty Python musical? A Python musical starring Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce, and Hank Azaria!

NYT reports “a precipitous downward trend in book consumption by Americans and a particular decline in the reading of fiction, poetry and drama,” citing a study finding that “fewer than half of Americans over 18 now read novels, short stories, plays or poetry.”

What the hell is wrong with reading non-fiction, short essays and instructional materials? My own feeling about most “literary” novels, short stories and especially modern poetry are probably in line with those of most USAnians, that they’re written so that a certain small portion of the country can feel superior about themselves for consuming it. Like Public Radio (except This American Life and Le Show). I prefer more actual entertainment for my entertainment.

The only citation I can find with a brief look is on the BBC’s Magazine, and it’s the quote of the day, so get it while it’s hot:

"I hope you feel satisfied by that."
–The Queen to Earl Spencer after paying tribute to Diana

Maybe I’m only imagining a certain tone of resentment there.

I got bored before finishing the article, but there could be some interesting findings in research showing that fooling your body by feeding it sweet things with no calories might make you prone to over-eat. Regardless, the most stunning breakthrough is pretty early in the piece: "Based on the research, Davidson and Swithers suggest paying more attention to calories consumed and engaging in regular exercise to battle the bulge."
What? Exercise and monitor caloric intake? Such radicals.