This was a comic TV moment for the ages. It was the natural culmination of what Colbert started on the baking show. The surprise and discomfort are part of the delight of it, and I thought it was up there with some of Johnny Carson's classic moments.

Fonda was being quite true to her feminist roots, showing the world that women don't lose their power once they pass a certain age. There was also a touch of masculine energy in her performance which I found quite sexy. As were Stephen's "Aw, Shucks" references to his home life, which betrayed a sweetness and loyalty that are traditionally more ascribed to the feminine.

I think this episode was a archetype-buster and I look forward to more.

I can't believe anyone thought that the "Lost" flash-forward is the actual future. It's what could happen, if the trajectory started by Jack contacting Naomi's people isn't interrupted or altered in some way, which of course it will be.

About all the occurs to me after reading about these dumb books and getting to see the covers is that Hillary has a profile made to grace a coin. May there be more than sufficient cause to do so down the road.

Such irony. I'm up late, feeling anxious about my financial situation. I've been jobless for various reasons for the past 2 years. I'm now deep in debt. And I have run out of resources.

I have a friend with money, who has helped me in the past. She could probably help me now. I've been tempted to call her before my bills start getting overdue, which is this week. But I don't think I'm going to.

I've had a tug-of-war all my adult life between two states: either I'm in an unfulfilling, demanding job with a steady paycheck and no energy left for my creative pursuits, or I'm in financial peril but my art is blossoming. I have many talents, many things I could do to bring in money, but I don't do them out of fear. Fear of rejection, fear of doing it wrong, fear of too little return on investment, fear of how my life might change if I actually do what I've always longed for - make an actual living from following my best creative impulses.

Now, I've run out of ways to distract myself and avoid doing what must be done. I have sent out resumes right and left, but rarely get a call back. I suspect I may now be actually unemployable. My options have essentially narrowed to where the only real option is to make a go of it as an artist, designer and craftswoman on my own.

If I get another unearned cash infusion, I'm afraid I'll just let it dissipate like I've done all of the other windfalls I've gotten in the past couple years, still unwilling to risk that dive into the deep end. Yet I know I have what it takes to do what I love and make money. If I have to face financial disaster to get to the other side of this at last, so be it.

Like my mom has always said, when you're uncomfortable enough, you'll change.

Soundtrack for this strip: Paula Cole's "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?"

From the "Clinton cleavage" article:

"The cleavage, however, is an exceptional kind of flourish. After all, it's not a matter of what she's wearing but rather what's being revealed. It's tempting to say that the cleavage stirs the same kind of discomfort that might be churned up after spotting Rudy Giuliani with his shirt unbuttoned just a smidge too far. No one wants to see that. But really, it was more like catching a man with his fly unzipped. Just look away!"

Oh, please. Much ado about nothing. Sounds like Robin Givhan is due for a claw-clipping.

It hurts to look at these. Take a sweet, cute child with an expressive face and essentially suck the life out of her for the sake of antiseptic perfection. This is the neurosis of our culture distilled to its essence. Of course, it's no different than what was done to Faith Hill recently. Might as well get 'em started early.

I suggest that everyone be very wary of what any pollster or pundit has to say about a candidate's electability. Do you think they don't have agendas? Karl Rove taught us that. Do your homework and make up your own minds. Vote for the one you want and to hell with the polls.

"You'll stand up and cheer!" (Something I've never seen happen, BTW.)

The WWN website is running a bunch of right wing ads. That speaks volumes.

There are a ridiculous number of reasons why nuclear power is not feasible. For just one, we can't even handle the waste we've generated to this point, not to mention the waste that would accumulate were nuclear power to expand to the point at which it'd make a dent. You cannot say you're for the environment and even consider nukes.

Another means of regression measurement is the pencil test. It's not as simple as, does the pencil stay in place under your breast? It's, how many can you stick under there without any falling? I'm up to ten.

But I want to read the rest of that last one!