Abby Martin

"We reported way back in 2007 (right here) that Johnny Depp wanted to work on a film adaptation of cult US TV show Dark Shadows, a Gothic soap opera that Depp was apparently obsessed with as a child. Well, it's just moved that little bit closer: producer Richard D. Zanuck told Collider.com that it will be the next project for Tim Burton to direct, and will be starting next summer. The plot follows a governess who arrives at the Collins family mansion to discover that all is not quite normal - and that paterfamilias Barnabas is, in fact, a vampire. Cue 1,225 episodes of Goth-tastic drama in what was basically a soap with fangs. " - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

"Open up a newspaper or magazine these days, and you get the odd feeling of being transported back to the seventies. It's not so much the actual news that's giving us déjà vu, although there are some parallels: the endless, unpopular war, the city budget crisis, the coverage of Paul McCartney's love life. But most of all, it's the mustaches. Everyone has them again, from newly christened attorney general Eric Holder to Brad Pitt. Why? Are men feeling the chill of the Greatest Depression especially on their upper lips? Or is everyone just biting the style of stud-tacular Rep. Henry Waxman? We're not sure. Perhaps, after perusing our guide to the Mustaches of 2008, you can help us find the answer." - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

I AM NOT WEARING THE BELL BOTTOMS AGAIN. - Steven Perez

" A shy, artistic boy with a new mustache, Jermaine is one of tens of thousands of youngsters who lost not just all of their belongings to Hurricane Katrina, but a chunk of childhood itself. After more than three years of nomadic uncertainty, many of the children of Hurricane Katrina are behind in school, acting out and suffering from extraordinarily high rates of illness and mental health problems. Their parents, many still anxious or depressed themselves, are struggling to keep the lights on and the refrigerator stocked." - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

"A prime minister's request to temporarily suspend parliament had never been turned down, but nor had such a request been made when the government was certain to lose a confidence vote. "There is no precedent whatsoever in Canada and probably in the Commonwealth," constitutional expert Ned Franks told AP news agency. "We are in uncharted territory." The prime minister's manoeuvre comes at the end of a week of unprecedented political drama, says the BBC's Lee Carter in Toronto. The constitutional crisis was triggered last week after the Conservatives presented a fiscal update that was angrily rejected by the opposition parties for not including an economic stimulus package and for proposing cuts to the public financing of political parties. " - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

Remember when Canada was the sane part of North America? - Steven Perez

"A prorogation is the period between two sessions of a legislative body. When a legislature or parliament is prorogued, it is still constituted (that is, all members remain as members and a general election is not necessary), but all orders of the body (bills, motions, etc.) are expunged. (In the British parliament, this has now changed somewhat in that Public Bills can be carried over from one session to another.) In the British and Canadian parliamentary systems, this is usually due to the completion of the agenda set forth in the Speech from the Throne (in the UK, called the legislative programme, and also "the Queen's Speech"). Legislatures and parliaments, once prorogued, remain in recess until summoned again by the Queen, Governor General, or Lieutenant Governor, and a new session is begun with the State Opening of Parliament and the Speech from the Throne." - Abby Martin

The only people who lost in all this are the Canadian people. And apologies for mispelling prorogue in the original post. Should not type when upset. - Abby Martin

So, the Conservatives will try and convince the Canadian people that they are the best people to improve the Canadian economy while being unable to do anything about it. I believe that they refer to this kind of process as an election. - Stephen Pierzchala

Oh- and while I like typography, got tired of the cutesy "theme" titles for each new locale. - Abby Martin

I liked it - liked the disappearance of silly gadgets and cutesy remarks, but missed the heart of the 1st film. He was just a broken hearted machine in this one, relentless. Maybe that was the theme, but it left me wishing for more. - TStowers

It's not a keeper, imo - plot was just too spaghetti - Christopher Galtenberg

1) you're tearing up your muscles (which hurts - if it really hurts take Ibuprophen and have a cold bath 2) your workout is releasing all the toxins that have built up in your previously sleepy muscles. this is putting your body into shock 3) pre workout - have sports drink, post workout have protein (within one hour!) - V for Veselka

lol - that sounded SO wrong that it's right - Mark Wilson

I am quickly learning that a few rounds of yoga is necessary for your body to remain loose and property stretched out. I have learned the hard way. - Amani

"When Veronica Mars hit the airwaves of the UPN network in September 2004, many of us small-screen connoisseurs figured we had finally found ourselves a plucky, blonde, mystery-solving heroine who could take up the mantle that Buffy Summers left behind. Unfortunately, after a lackluster second season and a botched relaunch by the then-fledgling CW, the show found itself unceremoniously canceled. In the ensuing years, fans of the show have subsisted on DVDs and rumors of a silver-screen resurrection, but now it appears that Mars creator Rob Thomas is just too darn busy to get his big-screen treatment finished. "I thought I had the idea broken," he tells EW scoopmeister Michael Ausiello, "but I've hit a wall in the final act that I haven't quite figured out. I'm hopeful that I can find the time to figure it out over the Christmas holidays." Pinkie swear?" - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

Big Veronica Mars Fan. The father is one of my favorite actors. She's have a terrible time making sense of her "HERO" script so maybe she can still succeed in the movies... - Anthony Farrior

She would have been better in the Lost role she turned down, but she had friends in the Heroes cast and did not want to move to Hawaii; based on last week's episode I don't know if we will see her much on Heroes anymore - RAPatton

"André Shepherd is the first American GI to have applied for political asylum in Germany. Shepherd, who deserted to avoid going back to fight in Iraq, argues that the war there is in violation of international law." - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

"A curious blend of fact and fiction, In The Hand Of Dante weaves two stories: in the 14th century, Dante Aligheri writes the legendary The Divine Comedy. In the 21st century, the manuscript, long thought lost, turns up and attracts the nefarious interest of the Mob. Enter Tosches himself, brought in to authenticate the manuscript… but he has his own plans for it. A mixture of thriller, lecture and self-reflexive satire, In The Hand Of Dante sounds like it could certainly be right up Depp’s alley. If he commits to starring, he would play Tosches." - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

"As Canadians live through the current political uproar in Ottawa it is important that they understand the constitutional rules of our parliamentary democracy. The first rule is that when we hold an election we do not directly elect a prime minister. We elect a House of Commons. It is this elected chamber of Parliament that decides who governs the country. The second rule of parliamentary government is that it is the leaders of the party or coalition of parties that have the confidence of a majority in the House of Commons who have the right to govern." - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

" Welcome to NORAD Tracks Santa A glimpse from last year….NORAD tracking Santa around the world! All the preparations for this year are in place! Return on Christmas Eve to track St. Nick on his magical flight around the world! Until then, come back each day to receive updates from the North Pole and to discover new surprises in the Kids' Countdown." - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

Only if Harper persists in running a government that ignores the fact that Canadians did not give his party a majority! That's the antidemocratic coup that's being attempted! - Scott from Canada

Michael - Recession? Tell that to the thousands of people I saw shopping over the weekend! But I get your point, though, believe me, the Government, has billions of dollars. Billions! The economic situation is bleak, I know, I've been unemployed for months. I just want the government do what we elected it to do - Govern! - David

Not a coup at all. THe Amercan Republic has its forms of checks and balances. Under the Canadian Parliamentary system our primary checks and balances consist of Cabinet Minister Accountability and honour (resign when a question of honour occurs) - which Harper and other governments have weakened beyond recognition - and on the government having the confidence of the majority of members of the House. Harper deliberately chose to attack when he didn't need to, he could have been in for 2 years at least. - David HC Soul

"As if it weren't bad enough that Vulture buddy Nikki Finke has begun to label the underperforming Australia as "Rupert's folly," Nicole Kidman now finds herself on the receiving end of scorn from social-networking miscreants. Australian native Brendan Shanahan (not to be confused with the former New York Ranger) has started a Facebook group called "Am I Taking Crazy Pills or is Nicole Kidman the Worst Actress in the World?," a group which boasts at press time a (less than impressive) total of 246 members. Although Vulture tips its cap to the founder for incorporating a Zoolander reference into the group's name, we will go to our beds tonight fearful that the rogue actions of this collective might just be enough to persuade Nicole Kidman to finally quit Hollywood once and for all." - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

I think ScarJo is both beautiful and an actress. :) - Nation Hahn

I thought Nicole Kidman was fine in To Die For. - Flitcraft

Interesting list but GARY UNMARRIED? Really? - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

Liked for Dexter and 30 Rock - Pete Delucchi

Hate to admit I watch so much TV but I watch about half of these and they really are good. Gary unmarried is one I Tivo. Didn't think I would laugh so hard. - Adriana

yum. - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

He is so happy knowing the outcome and reveling in the mistakes he knows are coming. I'm going to back away slowly and go in the other room. - Abby Martin

"Toronto shoppers will start paying five cents for throw-away plastic shopping bags starting June 1, Toronto council has decided. And despite a determined lobby from bottled water companies to block the measure, councillors voted to ban the sale or distribution of bottled water immediately at City Hall and the city's civic centres where contracts permit. Bottled water at other city-owned facilities such as arenas and theatres will be banned by the end of 2011. The final vote wasn't close: 30 in favour of the bag and bottle measures, and 13 against. " - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

"As the nights draw in, we need some comfort to get us through the greyness. And as it is now only one month until Christmas, it is officially time to get into the spirit with some festive flicks. But when is the right time to start watching those warm and fuzzy, jingle bell ringin’ classics?" - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

This film can be watched any time of year IMHO- Love this flick! - Abby Martin

What a clever little monkey my kid is! - Abby Martin

Just give her some Gelt (nasty Chanukah candy - shaped like gold coins) and she will never pester you again :P - Nadine Schaeffer

I NEVER got 8 presents. This is a myth! - Sarah Roger

"Run, Kris Kringle, Krampus Is Coming! In Austria, Santa keeps track of who's been naughty and nice -- and unleases a 7-foot-tall horned devil on the naughty. He's called the Krampus, and he's unlike any Christmas tradition you've ever seen." - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

Super creepy! - Abby Martin

"The State of Hawaii and the Hawaiian Electric Company on Tuesday endorsed an effort to build an alternative transportation infrastructure based on electric vehicles with swappable batteries and an “intelligent” battery recharging network. The plan, the brainchild of the former Silicon Valley software executive Shai Agassi, is an attempt to overcome the major hurdles to electric cars — slow battery recharging and limited availability. By using existing electric car technologies, coupled with an Internet-connected web of tens of thousands of recharging stations, he thinks his company, Better Place LLC of Palo Alto, Calif., will make all-electric vehicles feasible." - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

those who are stairclimbing salute you! - RAPatton

Good for you--really! Something I've been pondering to do myself! - Kelly W.

You can do it Kelly! Believe me- if an overtired, cranky gal like myself can brave the Canadian winter to go work out- you can do it! - Abby Martin

Woah- MAJOR news in Canada. Wonder what that will mean for the telecommunications market up here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's all from your Canadian correspondent. Good morning and Good luck, eh. - Abby Martin

It's major news here in Buffalo since he was the one who wanted the Bills to play some games in Toronto. Very sad news indeed. :( - Molly, the Merry Maker

Abby, at this point I don't know if the monopoly between Bell & Rogers can be broken. I'd love to see it happen though. - Mark Wilson

The Plaxico Burress segment for my fellow Canadian residents. Funny video! - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

[I can't see this in Canada but I think everyone in the US can.] - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

brought his loaded weapon into the club in the waistband of his sweat-pants... yes it is - Richard Walker via twhirl

Yes, it is funny. I'll post a Canadian-viewable version for the folks up here too. - Abby Martin

Hee - Abby Martin via Bookmarklet

I love Wallace and Gromit. - Jason Huebel

I had to watch it a second time *griN* - Michael W. May

I thought this was hilarious. :) - Abby Martin

Next time you husband gets on your case about politics, let me know, and I'll unleash some poly-sci whoop ass on him. Have a good evening! :D - Helen Sventitsky

Heather- you are so right, and now I must work so I'd better take flight! [Y'all are awesome- A Seussian thread? What a great way to put a smile on one's face on a wintry day.] - Abby Martin

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the rhymes are so delightful! -