AncientScripts has rolled by on a weblog or two before, but I only just took a closer look (thanks to LarkFarm). The various categorizations of writing systems into types, families, and regions are especially enlightening. English always seems so simplistic compared to other writing, but I suppose that has its benefits.

I can’t believe I just willingly watched an online video about plastic wrap. But it was worth it. I’ve had a few plastic wrap, shall we say, “incidents” in the past week. First there was the Saran Wrap that just would not come off the roll in one piece. Then there was the slightly bent metal tear-strip on our generic brand wrap that refused to cooperate with me. Perhaps you can understand why I just paid a visit to the virtual home of Pat & Betty, the Reynolds Home Economists, to see how the new Reynolds Plastic Wrap with EZ Slide Cutter works. It looks pretty slick but now I want to know how much more I’m going to be paying for it.

Here are a few book suggestions for Chinese New Year (and any time of the year) yummies: for the wee ones, Yum Yum Dim Sum is a board book for ages 0-3. For the young reader, Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats has recipes and descriptions of many of the Chinese festivals. And for us slightly older readers, Dim Sum, The Art of Chinese Tea Lunch has charming watercolor illustrations.

At most awards ceremonies, a nameless, pretty model or two brings out the award statuettes and guides winners off the stage. At the Golden Globe Awards, which took place last night, that position is reserved for the son and/or daughter of a celebrity. Miss Golden Globe 2004 was Lily Costner, 17 year old daughter of Kevin Costner and Cindy Silva. In the past, the globes have been shuttled out by Freddie Prinze, Jr., Melanie Griffith, and Laura Dern. Some of the lesser known celebrity offspring who have recently held the position: Katie Flynn, daughter of Jane Seymour and David Flynn, Liza Huber, daughter of Susan Lucci and Helmut Huber, and Haley Giraldo, daughter of Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.

Some cats develop cancer at the location of their vaccination sites. In researching the incidence of vaccine-induced sarcoma in cats, I saw estimates ranging from 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 cats. And yet only one cat owner of several I spoke to had been warned about the dangers of vaccinating their pet. Of course the dangers of not having certain vaccines may often outweigh the risks of sarcoma. However, our vet in California has a policy to recommend against certain immunizations for indoor cats since they are less likely to come in contact with cats carrying disease. Cats who do receive vaccinations should not be vaccinated between their shoulder blades, as was the previous practice. The new recommendation is to vaccinate as far down the shoulders and back limbs as practical. Also, the vaccines are to be given in a recommended pattern (see the chart on the previous link), which could help narrow down, over time, which vaccines cause the most problems.

Give your kitties a periodic rubdown, behind the neck, down their shoulders and hips to check for lumps. Ours is getting a lump removed today. Needle aspirate tests came back benign, but it’s at an injection site so we are not taking any chances. And she won’t be getting any more vaccines unless there’s a life threatening reason.

I blame Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum for these maddening stories about Martha Stewart’s handbag selection. With the jury selection for Martha Stewart’s case taking place behind closed doors, the focus is squarely on Ms. Stewart’s clothing, accessories, lunch, and fan turnout. Is it absolutely necessary for The Washington Post to devote 834 words to the dissection of her choice of purses? Open the jury selection to the media Judge Cedarbaum! Save us! Save the media from itself!

If you’ve seen the Japanese film Totoro (and if you haven’t, you should), you know what the cat bus looks like. An interactive “nekobasu” is on display at the Seattle Children’s Museum. Their exhibit “Jump to Japan: Discovering Culture Through Popular Art” presents modern Japanese animation, manga (comic books and graphic novels) and traditional wood block and scroll prints.

I have never found room to put up my history of the chair poster which has altogether too many cool chairs across its ample expanse, but I think I’ve already found its best friend: the folding chairs history poster.

I held up the Seattle Times’ food section in front of my husband yesterday and said “we’re not in the Bay Area anymore.” He, nicely, did not say “duh.” I continued “there’s nothing about the Chinese New Year in here.” No reminiscences about sweets and auspicious foods. No recipes redolent with five-spice power. For New Year’s food coverage from a local paper, I need to head over to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer where their food writer Hsiao-Ching Chou has the perspective to wax nostalgic over Lunar New Years past spent within a vibrant Asian community.

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, it seems altogether appropriate to make a pilgrimage to the site of our favorite little terry cloth monkey. Join him in his preparations to celebrate the Year of the Monkey.