6:39 faster than last year.

I'm glad you've brought that photo to our attention, Alison. It's very troubling. I mean, look: based on the angle of ascension, the man-plane hasn't even reached his cruising altitude -- they're still in takeoff! -- and the passenger is already on her fucking laptop. Jesus.

it's a woman, riding a man. ... as an airplane. ???

Penguins: draft 1st overall 2005, fire GM 2006, BAM! STANLEY CUP (2009)
Blackhawks: draft 1st overall 2007, fire GM 2009, BAM! STANLEY CUP (2010)
Oilers: draft 1st overall 2012 (and 2011, and 2010), fire GM 2013, BAM! STANLEY CUP?

See the description here.

It strikes me as likely that many in the group who read this particular board are familiar with the plan to send people to Mars and safely return them to Earth in 2018.

http://www.inspirationmars.com/

Now, consider the opportunity for such a mission to litterally put Russell's teapot into synchronus orbit half-way between Earth and Mars...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell's_teapot

Can you imagine the size of that particular collective nerdgasm?

Names of the Games:

Most people who play these games know little about what it is like to live in Catan and Carcassonne. I decided to visit and see for myself.

...

In Catan, I stay with Hex Hallaggen and her family. Hex, a common name in Catan, is the matriarch of a family comprising her husband, his mother, and their three children. Their family has lived on the island for at least six generations. They feel no need to count back any further. Their forebears immigrated to work as sheepherders for Catan Livestock Exports, the company holding the husbandry monopoly, and they have continued at it. Their village also makes brick and mines coal, which they ship out weekly on the company trucks that rumble through the village.

Hey you occasional TF2 players. Have you seen these? They're all worth the watch, but that one is particularly great.

Sad day: Roger Ebert, film critic, dies at 70

This is really cool: How Far is it to Mars? (spoiler alert: it's really far)