A Salon article on how many conservative Christian women are pressured into not going to college, and how some conservative Christian women are resisting: [link]

Perhaps Laura, a regular College Girl reader, puts it best: "Growing up ... I felt an almost overwhelming pressure to be a 'nice Christian girl' in ways that denied my true, God-given personality. My Christian high school even offered a Proverbs 31 Woman class, a sort of biblical home-ec," she writes in a recent post. "Not only was I not sweet and quiet and soft spoken, I was busy in pursuit of academic goals and ultimately degrees in the sciences. I tutored a lot of NCGs in high school and heard them say 'I don't need to do well in school, I just need to love Jesus' ... But God has graciously revealed to me that He didn't create me to be just like someone else. He is glorified when I use my heart, soul, and mind to love Him."

"I don't need to do well in school, I just need to love Jesus" - so, sorta like an Ms. degree to be a Bride of Christ?

First (and nearly the only) thing I said upon reaching the office this morning was, "Nobody better get between me and the coffee."

The coworker who'd asked how I was laughed. Nothing like the sound of clueless prey in the morning.

Uhg. I have to get on a plane in 25 hours. Have I packed? No. Do I have cash? No. Do I have enough gas in the car to get the the airport? No. Have I told the boarding place I'll be bringing the cat in a day earlier? No. Is the code working for blahblah? No. Does my neighbor have my housekey? No. Have I straightened out the rent stuff? No.

I *really* should not be at work the day before travel. It always makes me crazy.

Frank, I'm sorry. Does the project have a deadline?

Yes, but it's a highly unrealistic 12-31-05. Out choices seem to be we don't make the deadline, or put out an in all likelihood seriously flawed product, either of which will cause major headaches down the line.

Yes, but it's a highly unrealistic 12-31-05.

Just tell them you thought that meant 12-31-2105.

(There's a part in the Jewish daily prayer where you ask for health, and you can insert names of people who need health-improvement, for a more specific "hey, Mr. G-d, can you please look after these people extra carefully?". I don't care how mushy it is, I mention your name in my prayer.)

I didn't think it was possible to adore Nilly more than I already did, but -- this just increased the adoration levels beyond that which was considered the upper limit.

It's making me bitter because I still want the paul mccartney wonderful christmastime thingy song.

Oh my lord, I hate that song.

Yeah. Why Don't We Do It In The Road might be some burn-out goofyness, but Wonderful Christmastime is the beginning of the slippery slope that lead us to Freedom.

Sighhhhh Paul oh Paul oh Paul... still a wonderful performer, but you've got to write something decent and soon or I may never forgive you for marrying a not-me woman my age.

The OC is moving in January:

Starting Thursday, Jan. 12, "The O.C." will move to 9 p.m. ET Thursdays, with an hour's worth of "That '70s Show" preceding it (original episodes at 8 p.m. and repeats at 8:30). That's a change from the network's previously announced midseason plan, which kept "The O.C." at 8 and moved "That '70s Show" and its current Wednesday companion, "Stacked," to the 9 p.m. hour starting in March.

Oops. Sorry for the doublepost.

I don't know if this has been posted, but the Times has been printing a series about a boy named Justin who earned thousands and thousands of dollars on the net from the time he was 13, by selling images of himself to pedophiles on the net.

[link]

It's fascinating, in part because of the manipulation of the kids involved in these things, who seem to be aware of the power they have over these scumbags, but at the same time, don't have the maturity to be able to handle what is happening to them, and unaware that the pedophiles meet to discuss strategy for physically and mentally hurting them.

It's so fucked up. There's so many issues involved that I had to read it twice to pick up on all of it. It's an infuriating thing, but the reporting is excellent.