2 + 2 = 5

1) Thunderstorms (force of nature).

See, in the land of California there is very little rain. When there is rain, there is neven thunder and/or lightening. In the Midwest (especially in July) there are lots of thunderstorms. And there is nothing better than falling asleep during an intense storm.

2) Our little blogisphere.

It's nice to be back in the land of interweb connections, where I can see that my friends are still way too into drinking in the afternoon and post-structuralist/post-Zionist feminists. There's no place like home.

3) Britney's post-op leg.

If Crash just doesn't float your boat anymore, this just might.



4) Shirley Jones' press release re: the death of Marlon Brando (via Defamer).

I was out of the blogisphere when news of Marlon Brando's death rocked the world, so I'm not going to belatedly pontificate on the meaning of the Brando. Besides, Josh has taken care of it beautifully.
Instead, I'll share with you this thoughtful and deeply touching release from Academy Award winning friend of Brando, Shirley Jones.

"To:Entertainment News Desks/News Desks
The Death of Marlon Brando

Shirley Jones, Oscar winning actress and currently starring on Broadway in the musical '42nd Street', is saddened by the death of her co-star Marlon Brando in the hit comedy motion picture 'Bedtime Story' (1964).

Shirley can be reached for interviews through the following numbers: 310-xxx-xxxx or 310-xxx-xxxx for interviews concerning the death of her friend and co-star Marlon Brando."


5) Chuck Klosterman on Star Wars (from the essay "Sulking with Lisa Loeb on the Ice Planet Hoth" in Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs).

I don't know why it took me so goddam long to read this collection of essays, 'cause they're really outstanding... Just pages and pages of hilarious riffing on/dissection of pop culture. For whatever reason, I literally laughed out loud when I read this passage:

"It's become cool to like Star Wars, which actually means it's totally uncool to like Star Wars. I think you know what I mean by this: There was a time in our very recent history when it was "interesting" to be a Star Wars fan. It was sort of like admitting you masturbate twice a day, or that your favorite band was They Might Be Giants. Star Wars was something everyone of a certain age secretly loved, but never openly recognized."