Happy Things

Thank you Emily, for this post. These pandas are awesome (video embedded below), and totally do make me smile.



When working on this the other day, I found myself thinking about the Purple People Eater (yes, the one-eyed, one-horned, flying one). Which led me to the Wikipedia article, which has some really amusing things to say about it. And I quote:

One eternal question about the song is caused by an ambiguity in the English language: is the eponymous creature a one-eyed, one-horned flying purple creature that eats people, a creature that eats one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people, or somewhere in between? The lyrics clarify matters somewhat: the creature is described as having one eye and one horn, and it comes out of the sky (presumably by flying). However, it is also stated that the creature is a "purple people eater". There are two possible conclusion to be drawn from this information: either it is either a purple creature that eats people, or, it is a one-eyed, one-horned, flying creature that eats purple people. (The exact color of the creature is therefore open to debate, but most artwork assumes that it, too, is purple.) However, the lyrics also include "I said, Mr. Purple People Eater, what's your line? He said it's eatin' purple people and it sure is fine." Thus, the creature is described as eating purple people, but may or may not itself be purple. On the other hand, at least in the version sung by Deep Purple, the singer pleads to the Purple People Eater: "Mister Purple People Eater, don't eat me!", to which the Purple People Eater responds: "Well I wouldn't eat you, since you're so tough". Since it is a widely accepted fact that the singer is not purple and the monster does not consider this to be the most important reason not to eat him, this line does provide evidence that the creature itself is (also?) purple.

Ah yes, life's great questions.


Mark Morford wrote an interesting column about Laura Bush and women-leaders in general. It's pointed and opinionated, of course, but I thought it was pretty interesting (I know, I already said interesting...my writing is...not interesting. blame the sinusitis). I'm sure Emily would have something to say about it -- Emily?

And last but not least, I don't know if you've heard, but there's this new thing with iGoogle, where you can personalize your header with brand-new designs from real, famous artists! Click here to read the full story and check out the art...it's pretty cool, really. The art is gorgeous and diverse, and I think it's a nice idea. Personalize your homepage with awesome art!