Coming out of retirement to bring you this late breaking news...

The Pixies in concert are completely... underwhelming. I literally just left their show at D.A.R. Constitution Hall. They played Doolittle in its entirety and the show sounded exactly like the album... almost note for note. Kim Deal told us all exactly where we were in the album ("The first half is over!") like she couldn't wait to be done. I've seen introverted software developers in my office show more feeling than the Pixies did during that entire show.

Bottom line: If I had played the album really loud in my apartment, I could have saved myself 50 bucks. That said, the Pixies must be really hard up for cash to get up onstage and go through the motions of playing a good show. I hope that my contribution helps them to survive this recession. After all, they have written some amazing songs, including the one that I named this very blog after. It's just a shame that they have taken something that I loved so much and made it absolutely forgettable.

National treasure

I've been carrying around a scrap of paper for nearly 9 months. My plan was to put the information on the scrap onto this here blog. What does the scrap of paper say?

"You are a national treasure."

My grandpa said that about me. Awwww shucks. That's awfully nice. :)

Obama will name Duncan as his education secretary

From the New York Times: Schools Chief From Chicago Is Obama’s Choice for Education

In the next four years, education reform is going to be kicked into overdrive! Obama, you have made an excellent choice.

OBAMA!!!!!

Elise --

I'm about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.

We just made history.

And I don't want you to forget how we did it.

You made history every single day during this campaign -- every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it's time for change.

I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign.

We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I'll be in touch soon about what comes next.

But I want to be very clear about one thing...

All of this happened because of you.

Thank you,
Barack

YES WE CAN!

VOTE!

Empowerment through nail polish

Yes I Can Can! by Opi

I'm feeling festive

and I match my couch!

This is when the dork in me comes out

I think it's really hot that there's a cologne called Pi.

You wrote me a love letter?

It must have gotten lost in the mail.

Katz draws his favorite animal eating his favorite food.

From The New Yorker's "Cartoon-Off: XKCD"