NOM and R.I.M., saving straight marriage one awkward acronym at a time.

First, do your research:
1. NOM ad about "the gathering storm" of gay marriage. And, the rainbow coalition of people gathering to "protect us from gay marriage:"

2. The audition videos for hilarious NOM video above:

And now, the main event:
3. Amazing. Thank you thank you gay actors, and straight actors. Thank you for your comedic literacy and perfect wit:

A Gaythering Storm from Jane Lynch

4. And finally, another little gem from Rachel Maddow:

Gay Slurs Lead to Child's Suicide

I found this tremendously important to watch and think about. Hearing this story too, makes me glad Austin has organizations like OutYouth, to help our young people with self-acceptance and raise the understanding, acceptance and celebration of diversity in Austin as well. There's so much further we could go, but at least we have resources to work with.

Susan Boyle

I just saw this clip from Britain's Got Talent and joyfully started crying at work.

Susan Boyle is a 48-year old Scottish woman who aspires to be a singer. After her performance on Britain's Got Talent it's clear that goal will become a reality soon. Enormous congratulations to her today.

Snuggie Pub Crawl

Maybe Austin needs one of these. The drawback is that you have to actually buy a Snuggie. Which is a HUGE drawback.

I prefer the mobile gay bar. But I do want to see pictures of this: Snuggie Pub Crawl, Chicago. 

The nice thing is the proceeds from tickets sales to the Snuggie Pub Crawl go to the AC-Orphanage in Tanzania, an orphanage that houses and supports children whose parents have died of HIV/AIDS or TB.

(Never heard of the Snuggie? See my old post about it here: Creepy Blankets).

Tara Mateik

Great video by Tara Mateik.

See more of his bright, smart, compelling work here.

Dartmouth's Next President, First Asian-American to Lead an Ivy-League

I am incredibly pleased with Dartmouth's choice of Dr. Jim Yong Kim as the next president of the college. His life work is inspiring and his presence luminous. Read NYTimes article about it here.

Ward Shelley, Living in a See-Saw Named Stability

Right now at the Lawrimore Project in Seattle, artists Ward Shelley and Alex Schweder are living in a weighty architectural sculpture for their piece "Stability."

The see-saw hangs from its middle in a large, empty, gallery space and tips up and down as its human inhabitants move about their temporary living quarters. The two artists speak of how they have learned to cooperate in this great short feature on NPR's All Things Considered: Listen here. Or watch an NPR video feature on it here.