now posting regularly

NPR, how I adore thee. You've once again made me laugh, brought information to me first, and introduced stories that I never would have heard otherwise. Fun stuff this week!

• "Why We Tip"-- Ahh, tipping. The social practice that I'm consistently unsure about every single time I do it. Who am I supposed to tip? How much? Can I do the math in my head quick enough so as not to look like an idiot? This Planet Money piece is an interesting take on the reasons we pony up those extra dollars in the first place.

• "Feds Capture Fugitive James 'Whitey' Bulger In Calif."-- My favorite story of the week. I first heard Jon Stewart making fun of the FBI for advertising on daytime shows, and then the next day, voila. Caught. Holy cow. Hubby called up to me from the kitchen where he heard this Morning Edition story, and I had just started to catch on to what was being said on my alarm clock radio. Way to go, daytime TV audiences!!

• "Bill Clinton Plays Not My Job"-- Oh my. This is the definite funny pick of the week. Even without the giggles over Clinton's comment about being honest on Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!, this segment cracked me up because as soon as I heard the topic of the three questions they'd be posing to President Clinton, I KNEW I'd rock the quiz. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic? Yes, that is a show I know well!

• "The Sweet Summer Sound Of... Lawnmowers?"-- This essay from Weekend Edition Saturday is absolutely here for my dad, who will probably not see this, but most definitely understand the line about "Pretending our pleasure is our work." 

• "What Story Would You Tell On Jeopardy?"-- Back when I was still young enough to be hopeful about all the things I'd someday learn and do, I imagined what it would feel like to stand behind one of those podiums, little clicker button in hand. I worried that I would snap and yell at Alex if his mannerisms in person actually conveyed that cockiness I always sensed on TV. (You're holding all the answers on little cards, man, no need to sound high and mighty!!) Anywho. This All Things Considered story made me giggle. Not sure what story I'd tell... 

• "Russian Women Prove It's Hip To Be A Babushka"-- I didn't hear this on Morning Edition, but when I saw that headline go by on the Facebook feed, I just had to click. That word- babushka- always cracked me up as a child, after hearing it for the first time in a children's movie. (The one with the mouse, who's missing his family, who he sings "Somewhere, Out There" to while looking up at the moon- you know the one, right? Was the mouse called Feivel?) You gotta love the spirit behind this story- women who would be expected by their society to quietly sit by the roadside selling veggies are rocking out instead. Love it.

In love with my kitchen radio,