Can you handle the cute?

I've had a crappy month -- and a migraine since some time early this morning. (I am a human barometer. If you want to know when a big storm is coming, just ask me.) So cute videos are about all I can handle today. That and getting my washing machine repaired. (You know how they say that laughter is the best medicine? Well cuteness -- and Rizatriptan Benzoate -- are a close second.)

First up, predicting which team -- the Baltimore Ravens or the San Francisco 49ers -- will win Super Bowl XLVII, using adorable golden retriever puppies!



I don't know what the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon crew put in those bowls, but I think the Puppy Predictor was rigged. (We are rooting for the San Francisco 49ers.)

Next, "Baby Panda Diagnosed with Acute Cuteness," courtesy of the San Diego Zoo. (Apparently Advanced Tickling is now a required course at veterinary school.)



I can't believe Xiao Liwu is six months old! Panda cubs, they grow up so fast.

And I'm not sure this last video, "Jedi Kitten with the Force," falls under "cute" or "disturbing," but I decided to include it anyway.


May the cute with you!

Jimmy Fallon, Brian Williams slow jam the debt ceiling

Only Jimmy Fallon and Brian Williams (aka Brilly Willy and Honey Bri Bri) could make singing about the debt ceiling sexy. Ooooh yeah.



Among my favorite lines in "Slow Jam the News: Fiscal Cliff*":

"Ain't nothing worse than a soft Boehner."

"Our economy could really use a shot in the arm. Sounds like a job for Lance Armstrong."

"How was third grade for you, Jimmy?"

"Fifty shades of Brian Williams."

Though they are not nearly as funny taken out of context.

For another amusing (albeit non-sexual) explanation of the debt ceiling, check out my post titled "Everything you need to know about the debt ceiling... clearly explained in just over three minutes."


*Just curious: Is this Fiscal Cliff any relation to Jimmy Cliff? ;-)

Winter SUCKS

You would think that having spent my entire life in the Northeast and the Midwest I would be used to winter by now, perhaps even enjoy winter.

But you would be WRONG!

I hate the cold -- and am always cold. And I miss being able to bike and take long walks. I miss the sun.

Sure, snow is pretty. You want to come over here and shovel a foot of the stuff?
















And do not get me started about snow days.

Oh wait. That was the phone. It just started to snow, again, so the superintendent of schools has called for early dismissal. This after I just dropped my daughter off at school 90 minutes ago.

Have I mentioned I hate winter? But I'm not sure what the alternative is.

I have already announced to the spouse that we are either moving or spending the winter someplace warm after the teenager goes to college. But where to go?

While I detest the cold, I'm not sure I'd fit in in Florida. And I want to live someplace with some form of culture (museums, shows) and a National League Baseball team (so I could occasionally see my Mets) as well as a football team (though the latter is not as important as long as we can watch Giants games -- and Jets games, if the Jets don't totally suck). And I want to live someplace near a beach. (My favorite activity? Taking long walks on the beach just before sunset, when it's still warm out.) Where I can also walk to shops.

Does such a place exist? I have no idea. But if you do, please let me know via a comment.

All I have left to say is, that groundhog better not see its shadow on Saturday.

It's time for another '80s music blog post!

One of the blogs I follow has a habit of using lyrics from 1980s technopop songs as post titles. And earlier this evening I saw the title/lyric "Riding on the range, I've got my hat on," which any '80s New Wave music aficionado knows is from "I wanna be a cowboy" sung by Boys Don't Cry.

Of course, that got me to head on over to YouTube, so I could watch the video. Which led me to The Vapors' "Turning Japanese."



No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women, no fun, no sin, no you, no wonder it's dark.

That led me to the Pet Shop Boys' "Opportunities (Let's make lots of money)."



I've got the brains, you've got the looks, let's make lots of money.

Which got me thinking about the Kinks' "Destroyer," which holds a special place in my heart (which only my friend T. would understand).



Feelin' guilty, feelin' scared, hidden cameras everywhere! Stop. Hold on. Stay in control.

Which naturally led to "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood.



I could go on, but instead I'll save it for another 1980s music blog post.

(To see past '80s music blog posts, click on the "1980s" label, below.)

You know what turns me on?

An organized closet.

What turns me on even more? A guy with an organized closet.

(Alternate title to this blog post: Every girl's crazy 'bout an organized man.)

I don't know about other women, but there is something incredibly appealing -- and, yes, even sexy -- about a guy who doesn't leave his shit all over the bedroom and/or the rest of the house (consciously or unconsciously expecting you -- or "the elves" -- to pick or clean it up) but puts things away where they belong.

Sure, sure, looks, brains, and success are all fine and good, but a guy who keeps his closet and office tidy? Priceless.

Call me an organization addict (or, okay, a neat freak), but I had a hard time not shouting out "yes, YES, YES!!!" while watching this segment featuring organizer extraordinaire Peter Walsh on the Rachael Ray Show yesterday. (For the record, Rachael Ray was also very excited.)



That said, while I am all for order (and detest chaos), I would not want to be married to this guy (though I would never put a record back in the wrong place).

Everything you need to know about the debt ceiling...

clearly explained in just over three minutes.



And people wonder why "Congress somewhere below cockroaches, traffic jams, and Nickelback in Americans' esteem." (Actually, I don't think a lot of people are wondering, but work with me, people.)

If only cutting the budget was this simple....



Seriously, are there any accountants in Congress? Anyone? Anyone?

I may have to rent the movie Dave.

BREAKING NEWS! Congress just approved suspending the debt limit until May 18. But before you get too excited, and start thinking that the 113th Congress is actually going to get anything substantive done, remember who we are dealing with -- and that this is just a delaying tactic. Though on the plus side, the stock market should have another up day.

More proof that cats are smarter than humans

While some of you may think that cats are dumb and/or lazy, think about this: Who is that feeds them, waters them, cleans their litter box, and buys them toys and treats while they lay around the house napping 14 hours a day? Uh huh. See, cats aren't so dumb or lazy after all.

Need more proof? Check out this video of Kido the cat playing the shell game.



I now hear Kido's owner is teaching him to play blackjack. Vegas, you have been warned.

[H/T to friend of the blog RS for sending me that video, which has since gone viral. Hey RS, let me know how the shell game training is working out with your kitties.]

And if that wasn't impressive enough, how about the orange tabby cat who beat out a team of professional stock pickers to win the Observer newspaper's portfolio challenge?

As Jimmy Kimmel illustrates in this video titled "Cats Better Than Experts at Picking Stocks," maybe it's time that financial advisors tried a more feline approach to picking stocks.



Reliable. Innovative. Adorable. Yup.