Three Things

First, can you believe I actually included this photo in a grant proposal last year?

These are college students playing a rousing game of Edward Forty-hands. I included this picture to demonstrate the need to address the dangerously high levels of binge drinking in my community. Also, because I laughed every time I looked at these boobs. Seriously. Who came up with this game? “Hey, I have a great idea! Let’s duct-tape forty ounce bottles of malt liquor to our hands and….uh….drink them!” The challenge, of course, is that you must finish your beverages before your bladder is in on the gag. As it’s difficult to successfully complete your bathroom mission with two giant glass bottles taped to the palm of each hand. GET IT? (I have no idea who gets credit for this photo, but I assume he or she had a good time.) If you have any such pictures of yourself, feel free to send them my way. I am currently writing a grant proposal requesting funds to reduce alcohol abuse in another community. In fact, I am working on it tonight. While sipping a New Glarus Fat Squirrel. Maybe. Or maybe not. But if I am, it's definitely not taped to my hand.

Second, do you find this picture as amusing as I do?

Never date an Oompa Loompa. Especially if he’s from New Jersey.

And last but not least, today is the paperback release of a terrific first novel, The Liar’s Diary, by a remarkable author named Patry Francis. Patry is currently focusing her energy on healing from an aggressive form of cancer, and has had to take a step back from promotion and marketing activities. So it is a very, very cool thing that a community of more than 300 authors and bloggers have joined together to help spread the word about her novel, which Publisher’s Weekly calls, “A quirky, well-written and well-constructed mystery with an edge.” For more backstory, click over to Susan Henderson’s LitPark. For more on Patry (or to wish her well), visit her website or blog. You can buy the book online at amazon, barnes & noble, powells, or you can also buy directly from Penguin to save 15% (enter the word PATRY in the coupon code field; click ‘update cart’ to activate the discount). Many thanks! (Ah, can’t you feel that good karma?)