Culture shock

Consider that, in 2008, there still are people in Eugene, Ore., who look like this:


My parents arrived in the United States in 1968, and Eugene was their first stop. I've always wondered what went through their minds when they arrived. (Add in that their next stop was Pittsburgh, and you have a couple of huge, uh, transitions to make in the space of a year.)

It also reinforces my belief that anyone who willingly, as an adult, decides to uproot himself or herself and move halfway around the world is a lot braver than I am.

They're media professionals

Whenever you move to a new city, you kinda hope the local TV news will be better than it was where you moved from. But it's not. In fact, it's pretty much the same everywhere. The graphics are just prettier and the wardrobes fancier.

But the local NBC affiliate came up with a gem the other night (via Break)


News Anchor Cant Stop Laughing At Model - Watch more free videos

Wow ... just wow

I always feel a little bad when I complain that I'm "busy," because I'm usually not. In fact, I have a decent amount of free time, though I do devote a lot of it to sleep.

But these two guys have a ton of free time, as evidenced by their "Seven Minute Sopranos."

The New York Times has the backstory.

Urf

I've always wanted to have a dog, but for various reasons -- small apartments, house with no yard, odd working hours -- have never been able to bring myself to go and get one.

Anyway, it's Westminster Dog Show time again, which means it's time for everyone to trot out their dog-related features. And, actually, there have been some good ones this year:

* Why we love dogs. [Slate]

* The case of the missing show dog, with a really fun animated package. [ESPN]

* An inside look at Westminster. [Deadspin]

* There's also a good story from a couple of weeks ago on designer dogs. But it's not free. [The New York Times]

But my favorite thing about Westminster (that is, other than immature giggling at hearing "bitch" used frequently on the telecast)? I can watch it in HD.