OSC has been running a workshop of the Bach B-Minor Mass and we're giving a free recital with the chorus and all the workshop participants on March 13th at the Oakland Cathedral.

More info on the OSC home page and at the cathedral's web site.

Since everyone is trying to revive the lost art of hand-written communication, I mentioned that someone could make a lot money by giving people the means to send more paper mail.

The V-Chip immediately suggested reviving the ancient tradition of the "You're Welcome" note - it's the classy response to any thank you note.

In discussion with The Committee, we came up with some more potential niches for stationary start-ups:

• "Wish I'd Been There"
• "Season's Farewells"
• "I'll Get Well Whenever I Damn Well Please"

No, no, you're welcome.

Regretsy is a blog that curates the worst of ETSY.

It started here:

http://www.regretsy.com/2009/12/18/attack-of-the-clonestamp/

and then it went here:

http://www.regretsy.com/2009/12/19/you-have-one-hour/
http://www.regretsy.com/2009/12/19/stop/

swallow your milk now or it's gonna come out your nose...

http://www.regretsy.com/2009/12/19/judging-has-commenced/
http://www.regretsy.com/2009/12/19/too-late/
http://www.regretsy.com/2009/12/19/great-minds/
http://www.regretsy.com/2009/12/19/level-3/
http://www.regretsy.com/2009/12/19/level-3-5/

I did this gross thing once...

http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/post/276292912/deviled-corndogs-corndog-hot...

The Oakland Symphony Chorus is caroling on the following dates:

• Friday, December 4, in Jack London Square for the Holiday Lighting Ceremony. 6:06 PM - 6:30 PM
• Saturday, December 5, in Jack London Square for the Lighted Yacht Parade. 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
• Thursday, December 10, at the Oakland Zoo/Flamingo Plaza for Zoo Lights. 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

NPR has been named to the EFF takedown hall of fame for leveling a bogus DMCA takedown notice against a political ad on YouTube.

In addition to ignoring the principles of fair use, and violating the law, the timing of the takedown was such that political debate was effectively stifled.

The Salvation Army won't give you toys at Christmas unless you can prove that you are a legal resident.

http://www.boingboing.net/2009/12/02/salvation-army-and-o.html

Way to go! I guess I will be donating my old stuff to Goodwill from now on.

This is Network for Bad because of the internal conflict between the Christian values this organization espouses and the uncharitable, divisive, and functionally racist nature of it's toy campaign.

This qualifies for my personal Network for Bad because it conflicts directly with my support of E4FC

The Oakland Symphony Chorus will be performing in the annual Break Bread concert at the Paramount on December, 13.

In keeping with our tradition, OSC is putting together an ecumenical potpourri of holiday songs for our set...

The Oakland East Bay Symphony opened their season with an opera medly on November 13.

I've found one review so far...

hi everyone.

my dad died last friday.

my first plan was to achieve maximum denial by not telling anyone about it. but then i realized that eventually we'd end up talking, and you'd say "how are you?" and i'd say "my father's dead", and that's no way to start a conversation (sorry, timmy)

he had been sick with a blood disorder for a number of years, and hadn't been doing very well for awhile, so it wasn't unexpected. and he died pretty peacefully.

i'm doing okay. i might not reply to you if you write back (again, with the denial).