“There is little chance that meteorologists can solve the mysteries of weather until they gain an understanding of the mutual attraction of rain and weekends.”
~ Arnot Sheppard

Another hectic week, another near collapse…until Thursday when a reserve officer fell out of the sky (aka, the Sheriff’s Department) and took the front desk job! Praise Jupiter, Odin, and Quetzalcoatl! Already my life is substantially easier at work…although that doesn’t mean I got out of the office on time today. People do love to wait until five minutes until the end of the work week to get things done, don’t they? But at any rate, I have a pleasantly uneventful weekend lined with with research for the MP and a massively deep cleaning of the house. Here are your links, enjoy!

Even the greatest criminal mastermind can’t plan on everything.

If only I’d known, braiding my friends hair as a young teenager, that I could have tried this!  And now J.’s making “I liked your hair shorter” noises.  A history nerd can’t win.

This story is equal parts endearing and heartbreaking.

My stationary addiction continues without hope of cure.

Couture fashion fascinates me. You can say it’s over the top and impractical, and there are certainly designers who are, but haute clothes-making is an art that has dwindled in artisans to the point that couture houses are some of the few places you can find it. Not only that, but compare the massively priced but still cheap prom dresses of today to the creations of the House of Worth just a century ago – not even close. And those massive gowns were all done by hand; all the seams, the embroidery, the embellishment were individually created by someone without much use of machinery at all. We live in a world utterly removed from such work.  Here’s a short vid that shows, even briefly, the handcrafting that goes into a Chanel gown.

Still don’t want kids for a few years, baby enthusiasts stand down, but come on.  How adorable are these collections?! I had a whole Peter Rabbit tea set as a kid, bits and pieces of which are scattered about my parents’ house still, I’m sure. J.’s on the side of Pooh, I’m on the side of Potter – who shall win the battle to pick the decor of Someday Stormageddon’s nursey?  Now accepting bets.

Weekly sheep.  Seriously, I’m thinking of switching this thing up some, but I keep getting lazy.

“Well, look on the bright side, you know, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
“I’m allergic to citrus.”
“Well, look on the bright side, you know, when life gives you lemons, swell up and die.”
– Scott Adams, Dilbert

Sorry for the delay, well-beloved minions, but (as I might have mentioned) this week has been insane, and the Universe saved her biggest punch for the end.  We got some rather surprising news – J.’s start date has shifted until September.

You may imagine the series of emotional shocks we’ve weathered in the last 24 hours, our internal seismographs are shot.  We’re reeling a bit here at the Small Dog Headquarters, but already sneaky plans are formulating to combat the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.  I’ll admit to a full half hour of hysterics, but never fear, it passed (many thanks to Peregrine, Mum and Dad).  We’re bloody but unbowed.  I’ll keep you updated.  In the meantime, and in the spirit of Just Getting On With It, here are your links.  I’m spending the weekend working on the MP and scheming to restore equilibrium, what are you up to?

I approve of modern takes on classical art.

Welcome, our future canine overlords!

There is a reason I refuse to eat these!

I’m kind of excited that Jay Z is involved with the perpetually delayed Great Gatsby film, let’s celebrate by testing your knowledge of hip hop and the Jazz Age.

Here are two NYT Magazine articles I enjoyed this week.  Tell me your thoughts!  I particularly loved the second article, but it does come with a trigger warning for sexual crime.

Downton Abbey is back, and the drama is alive and well!  Here is the Evil Overlord himself in a fun interview where we get some insight into the inspiration behind Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham – aka, my spirit animal.

If you’re grumpy (and goodness know I am) have a look at the most cheerful thing on the planet.  Damn happiness…

Here’s the weekly sheep.  I dunno, I’m sort of getting bored with them, I think it might be time for a new creature for a new year?  What say you, minions?  Sound off in the comments!

“The really idle man gets nowhere.  The perpetually busy man does not get much further.”
– Sir Heneage Ogilvie

Just a quick batch of links for you this week, ducklings.  I’ve spent the past three days at work scrambling to get a multitude of projects done, and have yet more projects to do this weekend.  Farewell, vacation, we hardly new ye!

I am shocked.  Shocked!  And so are these guys.

How fun is this photo project?

What a great tour!

I’m rather baffled that this is a thing – the years I spent with my mouth being forcibly rearranged have not yet left my memory.  They say beauty is pain (I say they’re not doing it right, but whatever), but I still think this is a silly trend.

I’m also baffled that this is a thing too.  Granted I’ve spend time, energy, votes, and effort keeping a lot of people (politicians, total strangers with breeding opinions, etc.) out of my uterus.  So, throwing a party to give people a tour strikes me as a bit weird – but I’m not exactly child friendly.  What’s the verdict, kittens?

Inspiring story of an artist.

This weekly sheep…clearly doesn’t have the hang of it yet.

Fridays are not ‘pants optional.’
– Nancy Cartwright

I’m busy, but I’m on track to finish my whole To Do list by the end of the day.  Here, look at the shiny things and let Aunty C. work!

What’s that, minion?  You say you’re feeling a bit down and discouraged?  Allow me to help.

(Dad, skip this one.  In fact, anyone uncomfortable with anything have to do with, ah, conjugal activity, skip this one.  The more prurient of you read on in badly suppressed shame:)  A couple of years ago, J. and I were listening to NPR when a story came on about the Bad Sex Awards, a prize given for the worst depiction of – well, let’s keep it coy here – in a non-erotic work of fiction.  And they are hysterical.  Naturally, this is a British invention.  Seriously, this is too funny to me not to share but this is your last warning: if you plan on clicking through, do so in the privacy of your own home – if for no other reason to keep your friends and associates from hearing you howl in laughter at the awfulness.  (Sorry, Dad.)

A photographer’s fascinating project on the hijab.

Interesting article on the hard knock life of those who don’t make star status in the NFL.

I love puzzles and riddles but I’d have thrown my hands up over this one.  Tangentially, I think we need a secret Small Dog society now, don’t you?

This Etsy shop has been the source of much fun for me (and make wonderful presents, by the way).  This one is my current favorite.

A variation on the weekly sheep for your viewing pleasure.  I want an attack goat.