I love how monochromatic everything is in winter. I drove to Mason City for lunch and wished I could have taken a photo of the drive there. Everything was hazy white, with only road signs shining out in brilliant yellow. These photos of frost-covered branches in front of the building I work in will have to do for now. I’m glad I was able to capture them before the emerging sun fully got to them.

Mini Cooper is a supporter of the Rome Film Festival, and to show this, they’ve released ads as tributes to different memorable directors. The ones for Hitchcock (seen above) and Tarantino were my favorites. Found via eternallycool.net.

Find the rest and a story about them here.

I thought this video in support of the writer’s strike was beautifully done:

Also, here’s a great site in support with news, etc. I especially liked the counter for what the AMPTP’s refusal to negotiate is costing the LA economy.

Australia’s ABC News published their Year in Review of offbeat stories. I knew the end of the year was good for something.

Best birthday ever. *grin*

I found this at the grocery store yesterday:

Holiday Coke in retro bottles! Cool! It made braving the horrible crowds worthwhile. We’re saving them for Christmas day, but Derek and I each popped open one early. Why does Coke seem to taste so much better in a glass bottle?

The Japanese teach women the art of self-defense:

Derek: *ah-choo* “Ahhhhh…”

Rua: “You’re the only one I know who ‘Ahhhh…’s’ after sneezing.”

Derek: “What? It’s relaxing!”

Klaus is a total jerk: