Shamon

I was surprised by how sad I was the night Michael Jackson died. I wouldn't have called myself a fan prior to Thursday night, but after his death I felt a strong desire to listen to his whole discography again. I blame MTV. It took Jackson's death for them to start playing music videos again, and the night he died they did nothing but replay old MJ videos. All of a sudden I was transported back to my childhood, singing along to Billie Jean and PYT. Soon I found myself searching through closets and boxes of old tapes hunting for my copy of Bad or Thriller. I found neither - but after pouring $16.99 down the iTunes drain to buy songs I know I already own, somewhere, all the old MJ classics are back in my life.

Many aspects of his life were disturbing, and I'm not one of those people that's ready to put that aside now that he's passed on - but I'm willing to admit that in elementary/junior high school I was a fan and his music added context to many of my formative years. If that doesn't deserve my respect as a fan, it at least deserves $16.99. Shamon, MJ. Shamon.

Poop Expert

Yes, that's what I said. I'm a Poop Expert, duly certified by the fine folks at the Minnesota Zoo. Jealous? There's no need to be, because you too can become a Poop Expert. Head on over to the Minnesota Zoo's new "educational" site called "Who Pooped" and see how well you can match up animals to their dung. There are plenty of visuals, real and animated, as well as sound effects galore. Have you ever heard an ostrich break wind? Well...here's your chance. Enjoy!