“Being Irish, he had an abiding sense of tragedy, which sustained him through temporary periods of joy.” 
― W.B. Yeats

Oh hi, kittens. Where have I been, you ask? Well, first Dublin, then turning 29, then working on a project I can’t talk about, and then working 14+ hour days this week on another project I can’t even talk about. You see my difficulty in communications, yes?

No? I am in disgrace? Very well, I shall try to begin making it up to you immediately. My first offering is an extra long Friday Links post for your delectation. Tell me what you’re getting up to this weekend, or offer your harshest abuse at my neglect, in the comments!

Where is everybody? An astrophysicist ponders Fermi’s paradox.

Why Addy matters.

Sensationalism of the Duggar case aside, sexual crime is so, so much more common than people thing. Sexual crime against children, horrifyingly so. And it hits far closer to home than most are willing to recognize.

This woman sounds like someone I’d like to have a long lunch with and just listen to talk.

Since I occasionally dabble in Mormon news, this story caught my attention.

Stop.

I have so many thoughts about this story, it may have to form its own blog post, but I’m curious as to how US-based minions are thinking about it. Weigh in in the comments for me, please.

Let’s fight about this! Ranked wrong, right, or totally off base.

Jerks.

Tumblr find of the week. A writers life for me.

Seen Mad Max: Fury Road? Read these reviews.

Grace over at Culture Life talks language!

Marian Keyes says the term “chick-lit” needs to go. Since she’s written one of my favorite novels, I think she may be right.

Woof… No further commentary.

Kate Beaton is on the Mary Sue! Make haste!

Moral of the story: “Wear comfortable shoes, square your shoulders, and walk like you’ve been sent to murder Captain America.”

And speaking of Avengers, Mark Ruffalo takes on the “I’m not a feminist” crowd, with some help from Libby Ann Bruce. One of my particular pet peeves is any phrase that begins, “I’m not a feminist, but…” and then goes on to make some point about parity of opportunity, education, and rights. Hate to break it to you…