There was a zombie flashmob (one of the first, I think) that stormed a medieval battle reenactment on Mont Royal in Montreal. Hysterical. The reenactors seemed to have a great time playing along.

From the pictures, I'm pretty sure that those weren't re-enactors, but LARPers. I'm quite doubtful that it was SCA as bloggers reported from the look of the gear (cardboard props, etc.)

If it was SCA then there should have been a bunch of duct tape.

You know, it's too bad the Kingdome isn't still up, or else the refugees could have experienced the trifecta of butt-ugly 1960s and 70s domed stadia.

I heard somewhere that this is the first time there's been a full, long-term evacuation of a major US city since Sherman burned Atlanta.

Jeez.

Then there was the Zombie Dance Party held at a McDonalds in July: [link]

It sounds like this is where the medieval battle reenactment zombies went afterwards.

Could you pass 8th-grade math? [link]

Nearly all U.S. states have set new standards for academic achievement in their schools. To help ensure that "no child is left behind," states now periodically test students to see if they meet these standards. Most kids are not amused. What are today's kids expected to know? Get a hint by taking this sample of the Illinois State Board of Education's math test for 8th-graders. We promise you won't have to repeat a grade.

10 out of 10 for me. Considering all the math I've had, I would have been very disapointed if I had gotten any wrong.

You know, it's too bad the Kingdome isn't still up, or else the refugees could have experienced the trifecta of butt-ugly 1960s and 70s domed stadia.

Well, it's a bit of a trek for the refugees, but we do have an attractive late '90s roofed stadium we won't be using in another months or so....

From the pictures, I'm pretty sure that those weren't re-enactors, but LARPers. I'm quite doubtful that it was SCA as bloggers reported from the look of the gear (cardboard props, etc.)

Since I don't know the difference, I'll bow to your greater wisdom.

A new reason to be in Iraq:

''If Zarqawi and [Osama] bin Laden gain control of Iraq, they would create a new training ground for future terrorist attacks," Bush said. ''They'd seize oil fields to fund their ambitions. They could recruit more terrorists by claiming a historic victory over the United States and our coalition."

So we need to be in Iraq to product the oil in Iraq from the situation that we created by invading Iraq.

Definitely LARP, in Montreal.

I've just heard that my NO family is driving (sans extra clothes or anything) up to NY where the rest of their immediate family is living. They're safe, they're lucky considering, and I really can't bear to think about it.

I haven't even asked about family friends yet. I'm just assuming that if it had been extra bad, I'd have heard by now.