Ghost of a flea

Be seeing you

Prince Charles is concerned Britons are putting on pounds, saying, "We are perhaps not far behind our American cousins in the 'supersizing' epidemic." The answer? More pedestrian friendly town centres, apparently.

This goes some way to explaining the name of Prince Charles' planned community; Poundbury in Dorset. Some sort of Illuminati in-joke though I expect the locals just call it The Village.

Louis Bertignac et Carla Bruni: Les Froleuses

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.

Dos and Don'ts

In case there is anyone who is not familiar with Vice magazine's Dos and Don'ts column. The Dos are particularly good this month.

Beowulf

Ray Winstone, Angelina Jolie and Anthony Hopkins star in a new screen-adapation of Beowulf co-authored by Flea-fav Neil Gaiman. Grendel is scary. Grendel's Mum is scarier. Scariest? Anthony Hopkins naked.

More relationship advice from sex god Mark Steyn

Mark Steyn's obsessive fascination with gay sex continues with this Spectator article; ostensibly lessons for UK Tories from the recent limited success of their Canadian counterparts. The piece is, in fact, an attack on Liberal Democrat hypocrisy by way of Steyn's usual febrile adolescent innuendo. I do not generally draw attention to bathroom stall graffiti but for the occasional one-liner. This one is funny.

UNHCR

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Goodwill Ambassador, Angelina Jolie and arm candy Brad Pitt* took part in a confab at Davos, Switzerland. Just Jared has 22 minutes of video. Fair warning: video includes celebrity opinions.

*Rumoured to be a Goodwill Ambassador in the making himself.

Quod me nutrit me destruit Update: Jolie's latest tattoo comments to the effect that what nourishes her, destroys her. Blame Christopher Marlowe.

UNIFEM

Movies are not like real life, they say. But what do they know? Not much that's what. Take Nicole Kidman, for example. One minute I am watching her in The Interpreter hanging around the United Nations talking in a cute southern African accent and the next I am looking at pics of her at the United Nations talking in what I imagine is her usual cute Australian accent (via Egotastic!). I should admit I had not heard of UNIFEM but I am nevertheless certain Ms. Kidman does a bang-up job as Goodwill Ambassador for the outfit.

Kevin Federline: PopoZao

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance (blame INDC Journal).

Does this mean I had a shot with Britney Spears Update: K-Fed explains his struggles. Ain't nobody giving him a helping hand.

A thirst for knowledge

Google gulp! is the taste sensation I have been searching for.

"Restoration is a lie"

Few visitors to Stonehenge are informed about the heritage industry's century-long monument make-over. The information centre certainly gives the impression that visitors are witness to a primaeval vista; minus the motorway and carpark.

Fashion forward

With the Telegraph's Clare Coulson citing a move from "frothy femininity" to "crisp minimalism" in women's couture, I am pleased to report some movement toward more grown-up clothes for men. Take Christopher Bailey's work for Burberry Prorsum, for example. Yes, some of these guys look like they are on their way to work in the fashion camps but this is nothing a few weeks of World Health Organization minimum caloric intake diets could not put right.

The man worked for Donna Karan back in the day when their fabrics were both richer and plainer than the rest and it shows. Very new Who, if you ask me. Also good to see the good folks at Burberry attempt to take their brand back from the chavs (Burberry flag included). By contrast, Christian Dior sticks to their traditional Who alien motif. So last millennium.

Smoosh: La Pump

Music was banned long ago! There won't be any rocking here! Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.

Yarteries

Some things are too good to explain before you see them (hat tip to A Former Servant of Her Majesty).

Economics that matters

Would someone please explain "cost of living" and "labour laws" to Sarah McLaghlan. She is clearly a well-meaning soul but, in all seriousness, every needy person she cites would be much better off with responsible government, a trustworthy police force and a living wage than hand-outs from people who feel guilty that their hair and make-up cost US$5000 a day.

Maximum viscosity

While the promised monkey knife fight was never to materialize last night's blogstravaganza was still the best yet. While Flea-ish memories are slightly muddled due to the more rarified air east of Yonge Street (addressed at the time with a medicinal Boddington's) I have some recollection of hanging out with the cool girls from the mainstream media (who by pure coincidence also happened to be the smoking section). Organizations represented included TVOntario, CBC and a major newspaper daily which, for reasons of propriety, shall remain nameless. The topic at hand*: visible panty-lines. I realize some have chided me for my swerve from the political to the pop cultural but when in future I let these little barbs sting I shall turn to the mpeg of memory and the sight of thong underwear. So, thanks to the spirit of Kate Beckinsale for watching over me (nice one, Kate!). I now have it on good authority that for women Calvin Klein is best. Men should consider sticking to their Cake and Cigarette Diet™, or equivalent, a bit longer before attempting the same.

*The less said about my hand the better.

The blogosphere will fact check your ass (and how) Update: Here is the thing. While I mentioned the effects of the rarified air east of Yonge on my fragile constitution I failed to mention I was still suffering some after-effects of said oxygen deprivation yesterday morning when I wrote this post. In fact, it took me the whole day to remember why the words "viscosity" and "ha!" were scribbled on a Post-It and attached to my monitor at some time in the small hours. I hope Flea-readers and any witnesses to the events described will forgive my error in reporting the benefits of Calvin Klein thongs for women.

In fact, Calvin's received a negative review. The clear choice as indicated by comment and private correspondence are from the No Panty Line, uhh, line by Jockey! I think. The matter may bear further investigation.

How to net a footballer

Victoria Beckham suggests high heels, tight jeans and slinky tops for women on the pull for a footballer of their own (not pictured above) (the outfit, that is... footballer as pictured). Probably sound advice though somewhat lacking in ideas for how to pull a former Spice Girl. In related news: South Asian Women's Forum reports Beckham made her catwalk debut in Milan for Roberto Cavalli. Beckham has been sighted drinking champagne and smoking cigars on the designer's yacht after agreeing to be the face of his women's range. Cavalli is reportedly possessive about the relationship.

Slut-O-Meter

I am a bit crestfallen at the Flea's risible Slut-O-Meter results.

Jezus: I Will Survive

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance (hat tip to everybody).

Sortie de voitures

Of everything I miss on British television, Top Gear is close to the top of the list (along with Pets Win Prizes, of course). Ensconced in the Northern Wastes and being unclear about BBC digital I am reduced to scouring "the internet" for clips. Like this one. Jeremy Clarkson and sidekick having difficulties with the ins and outs of French parking.

The difference between a cactus and a Camaro

Say what you will about Camaro drivers, I like the look of this Camaro concept. It has all the stupid that has made Camaro famous. Though its F-22 Raptor inspired design makes it is more "stealth stupid" than "retro stupid".

A burger by any other name

Tokyo's Shibuya district now hosts Mamido's Burger, a confectionary franchise that combines all the health benefits of sugar with the aesthetic appeal of greasy fast food.

Crotch-grabbing Fortune

To be, or not to be: INXS asked the question:
deciding it 'twas nobler for the band to hire
The stylings and gyres of crotch-grabbing Fortune.

Tattoo fund still at zero, btw. Fortunately, I am a patient man.

Bard of Avalon Update: How long must we wait for Rock Star Queen? I realize Freddie Mercury is irreplaceable but it would be something to see people try. Suzie McNeil could have another shot at Bohemian Rhapsody, for example.

Justin Alt: Tron vs Depeche Mode

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.

Peerflix paparazzi

The most red carpet fun I have had in ages (hat tip to Porchboy).

Scantily clad Israeli women

Many undergraduate essays in communication studies have informed me that "sex sells". Perhaps this marketing approach can work for Israel. Though I gather scantily clad women are are a point of controversy.

The latest from Bayswater Films

Harry Hutton corresponds with Garry Bushell regarding a television pilot project. While it is profoundly satisfying to read someone making a spirited rejoinder to one of Harry's epistles there are few details I may relate here due to the Flea's publishing conventions vis a vis vulgarity and so forth.

All candidates present and accounted for

Now the election is done I reflect on things I meant to write about and did not. My local all candidates meeting (Trinity-Spadina) renewed that faltering spark of faith in democracy I left lying around somewhere especially with the heckling and the carnivalesque and Olivia Chow's fetching lime-green jacket. The best line of the evening was an audience riposte to Nick Lin, local Marxist-Leninist at large, who claimed an actually existing Communist government would decriminalize marijuana use. This thanks to their commitment to non-interference in private life. "You're the Communists!", seems a pithy rejoinder.

Thankfully I do not have to recount the whole experience as political junkie and observer of the human condition, Chris Taylor does a much better job relating his Parkdale-High Park all candidates meeting. I am particularly impressed with his thinking vis a vis the Green Party.

Taylor's Green Party review for Scarborough Southwest is even better. Sorry to learn of the accidental aromatherapy.

Aston Martin DB5

James Bond's Aston Martin from Goldfinger and Thunderball would have made an ideal Fleamobile but for the price-tag. Christie's sale is still worth a look.

In related news, Bond's ride for Casino Royale is to be the Aston Martin DBS (rumoured to be a modified Vanquish), last featured in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

In semi-related news Update: The Flea is only one massive lottery win and short boat-ride away from Phing Kan island and a new base of operations. To the Bath-O-Sub! Black tie, dress uniform or national costume is a must but mind the pet rocks.

Unfabulous: Bitter

Truly a depressing time of year. Best ignore it. Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.

Seconds from disaster

I cannot decide whether this Greenpeace ad is profoundly offensive or pointing out a serious problem (whatever their implied conclusion) or possibly both. Either way, it is a kick in the gut.

Firefly-Serenity Chinese Pinyinary

This Firefly-Serenity Chinese Pinyinary should come in handy for dealings with Alliance and Reaver alike. Well, perhaps not so handy with the gorram Reavers, dong le ma?

Joss means Luck Update: I imagine I am the last person to realize Joss Whedon himself performed the theme song for "Firefly". How cool is that?

Further etiquette for life in Japan

This Japan Tobacco ad should clear up any confusion about smoking etiquette in Japan. For example, a lit cigarette is carried at the height of a child's face. This is most sensible advice unless, of course, you are dealing with an unusually short/tall child in which case you must fall back upon your own judgement.

The rings of Earth

J-Track 3D is a NASA Java applet representing real-time tracking of 500 satellites. Sweet.

What's an ottowa?

INDCBill does not care about Canadian politics and yet he keeps writing about it. I am certain there is a psychoanalytic term for this sort of behaviour.

O Matrix, so much to answer for

The trailer for Mila Jovovich vehicle, Ultraviolet in now on-line. Oh yes. She hates humans, apparently.

Bif Naked: Nothing Else Matters

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance (QT file).

Colin Farrell's hero sword

For anyone who had been speculating whether the rumours were true, Colin Farrell's hero sword from The New World is for sale at auction by New Line Cinema. And a fine looking sword it is.

Venus unveiled

Don P. Mitchell rounds up the best available images of Venus both from space and from the Soviet Venera 9 landing. I am most struck by radar imagery showing Ishtar Terra, a continent-scale highland at Venus' north pole. It is all too easy to imagine a terraformed version with bays and oceans. Also, fjords.

A note to some of our friends in the American blogosphere

Of the many silly things I expect to read following Canada's federal election there are few sillier than then notion Captain Ed had anything to do with the outcome. Damian Brooks explains. Then he gets testy. You don't want to make him testy.

My own two cents are available in the comments at the Castle. Endangering the success of criminal proceedings as a rubber-necking thrill is dumb. Doing it for a spike in traffic is dumber. Claiming these hijinx have anything to do with my vote is dumberest.

Feeling a bit testy myself Update: Bob Tarantino points out "the Canadian electorate hivemind (including me) just doesn't have that long a memory." Some issues raised by the publication ban that our hivemind should spare a thought for include whether a Canadian resident in Canada but publishing a blog in the United States is still subject to the court order (that would be me) and whether linking to material subject to a publication ban, or naming an internet source for such materials, would be a violation of the court order (see Gen-X at 40 for thoughts on indexing). I realize this sounds less thrilling than taking to the blog barricades but we are going to have to sort this out or find ourselves in the same position again. I am also curious to learn whether any prosecutions have been undertaken against those Canadian bloggers who chose to violate the court order and if not, why not. Such would seem to put the lie to ill-informed charges of censorship.

Canadian missile defense

Rick Mercer explains Canadian policy on North American missile defense and reveals Canada's new stand alone approach (via The Tiger in Exile). I would have thought we would be safer to have everyone with missiles declare them at the Canadian Missile Registry. A nominal registration fee would help offset the C$2b I have costed the program out at and, of course, the C$10m or so the Flea will need to run a parallel promotional ad campaign.

Durex Update: With an incoming Conservative government we can scrap the Canadian Missile Registry and replace it with harsh minimum sentences for use of a missile in the course of a crime. Remember: missiles don't kill people. Rates of taxation that distort competition and discourage entrepreneurialism and investment kill people.

The other red, white and blue

I hope someone will be so good as to tell me why the United States Marines are having trouble identifying the British Union Flag? Perhaps this is a joke of some kind (via Zacht Ei).

Avast! Update: I would love to have been a fly on the wall for pirate conversation upon sighting guided missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill.

This is the highest step in the world

Ace of Spades HQ writes about Joe Kittinger. The man had balls of steel (via Dean's World).

990 kph, actually, but such is to quibble. This is a man I should have learned about in school and did not.

Sid Vicious: My Way

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.

Face it tiger...

So what is the logic of casting a blonde as Mary Jane Watson and a redhead as Gwen Stacy? Though I expect Bryce Dallas Howard will do as good a job as Kirsten Dunst.

A diamond in the rough

William Shatner has sold his kidney stone for charity.

This is Free Trader Firefly, calling anyone. . . Mayday, Mayday. . . we are under attack... Main drive is gone... Turret number one not responding... Mayday...

So much fun with the dvds. The first episode of Battlestar Galactica reveals a familiar ship coming in for a landing outside President Roslin's window (via Unbeknowst to Me).

I have my own sighting to report from the pages of Robert Heinlein's Citizen of the Galaxy where "Firefly" turns up as the name of a Free Trader ship. I gather a Firefly also appears in The Rolling Stones and "Space Jockey". It would not surprise me if any of these were an inspiration to Joss Whedon.

μολων λαβε

Frank Miller and Lynn Varley's 300 is in production as a feature film. The film's concept art looks extraordinarily faithful to the graphic novel.

Bummed out

Kate Beckinsale thinks her bum is fat and describes her body as "mis-shapen". Pshaw, I say! In all seriousness, this is a tragic thing to learn and yet more tragic for Beckinsale if it is true (hat tip to Gordo).

Rush: Subdivisions

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.

Tokyo (red pill and blue pill versions)

Project Gotham Racing 3 stands up well to "the real Tokyo". Though thanks to the limitations of weather and hand-held digital photography the game has more convincing lighting effects.

How to not vote

BlogTO offers a useful guide on how to not vote in Monday's federal election. Method 3 is probably the most important as it is the one of which most Canadians remain unaware. The Mother of the Flea having been a returning officer, I have known about the option of refusing a ballot and this might be the time I take the Elections Act up on the deal. It is not as if I do not have a speech ready.

Unwanted dead or alive

Katra resident, Raju Raghuvanshi returned from a short spell in jail only to discover his family and friends thought him dead. "Help! Ghost!", etc. they shouted. Now Raghvanshi struggles to prove he is among the living... I sense a sit-com!

(hat tip to Porchboy)

The story of the eye

With a nod to Darwin made unawares, Creationists often cite the eye as a problem for those espousing a theory of natural selection. It turns out that not only has the miracle of the eye evolved twice but it seems the cephalopods, having no "blind spot", are in possession of the superior model. Ia! Ia! Cthulhu ftagn!

(via Chapel Perilous)

Let them eat cake

Time for a piece of cake with that free ice cream and my quarterly notice about owing you something. Funny thing about "the internet": you just cannot please everybody. It turns out I am someone's biggest disappointment of (the second half of) 2005.

Let's see... of the almost 40 posts up on my main page at the time I write this I count between 4 and 7 posts that might fall into the Hollywood stars category depending on whether tv shows fit the bill. I see a post on an archaeological find at Hatteras Island, one about an 18th century Chinese carpentry grimoire, a piece on social network software and street traffic in Cambridge, a satirical piece on the new CBC logo (linked by the National Post's Andrew Coyne, thank you very much) and an homage to a '70s Japanese tv version of Spiderman. There is quite a bit about Kate Beckinsale's ass* but frankly if you do not share this little enthusiasm you should read elsewhere as I am unlikely to tire of it.

Oh yes, and a sidebar that used to have a link to someone who wrote and asked me to do him a favour by adding him to the blogroll. I did so despite the fact I get such requests all the time, did not know him and had never heard of his blog. This is a bit thin-skinned of me, I realize, but it is a bit much to go begging for a link then issue a public denunciation six months later. But then I have been told what happens when you do people favours: you get shat upon from a great height. Or a very small height as the case may be.

*Tomorrow's lead feature? Kate Beckinsale's ass.

Billy Goat Gruff Update: There are trolls and then there is the troll Fred Kiesche had to do with. Like, a super-troll or something.

The Cardingans: I need some fine wine and you, you need to be nicer

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.

Honda Civic

If this choir is not 100% made up of Flea-readers it certainly should be.

God bless Jeremy Clarkson

If you have never played Halo 2 you will not be familiar with the joy that is driving a Warthog while trying to avoid fire from an incoming Banshee. Of course, you could always take a Lotus Exige out on the track and try to avoid an Apache helicopter gunship instead.

Tatler Schools Guide

For Flea-readers who cannot wait for the latest Tatler Schools Guide they have an (perhaps not quite up to date) edition on-line. I expect things have not changed much at Harrow and I am still not holding my breath for word of Hogwarts fees.

Time traveller

Oskar Karlin attempts to redesign the London Underground map representing the distance between stations by the travel time instead of prioritizing distance or for the sake of simplicity. Neat. Though it reminds me rather forcefully that I am not in London.

Yet more Supaidaman

First I learned of its existence, then I found the title-sequence and now at long last I have seen the complete pilot episode of the amazing Supaidaman. Props to Toei: they do everything better in Japan. A Canadian version would have featured, like, beachcombing or something.

HINOI Team feat. Korikki: Night of Fire

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance (hat tip to PorchBoy).

Not so big in Japan

A comparison of box art for American and European videogames and their Japanese releases is informative if only because North Americans are so used to considering the version of a Japanese product that has been packaged for us. One hesitates to admit noticing such things but I think Sudeki has lost a bit of something in translation.

Unazukiya

While I am glad Tokyo TV has been duly castigated for making out someone to be an unazukiya I am more curious to learn how I can get a ¥10k gig nodding and pretending to listen to someone for a couple hours. In university teaching we calls these "office hours".

Superconducting Maglev Train

I am reasonably certain some government body or international consortium should pay my airfare to Japan, put me up in a couple nice hotels and send me for a ride on the Superconducting Maglev "Linear Motor Car" Train at the Yamanashi Test Line. This blog gig has yet to pay the dividends it should.

Superconductive Update: Google Video also hosts video of the Shanghai to Pudong International Airport maglev train. This is the fastest passenger train in the world at 400+kph.

Cherry Blossom KitKat

My weakness for KitKat is such that I try all the novelty flavours no matter how manifestly repellent. I am thus somewhat vexed to learn of this cherry blossom variety. Must do some Toronto exploration and see if anyone carries it. Meantime I must content myself with a maple syrup flavoured Caramilk bar.

Super voice girl in racy poses

I do not care what Liu Binjie, vice minister of the General Administration of Press and Publication, says. Doilies and fishnets, however fetching Ye Yiqian might make them, are inappropriate downhill skiing gear. Though I suppose she is skiing uphill in the above image so that might be all right then.

Ferry Corsten ft. Simon Le Bon: Fire

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.

Zing

I scored 3279 at Zing. Much better than Agent C will be able to manage given how much work she has to do.

Miami Vice

Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell star in Miami Vice. I am willing to give the remake a chance but Michael Mann is going to have to seriously juice up the trailer. It is missing jai alai and flamingos, for example. Small sidebar: I think Heat is one of the most over-rated films of all time.

My advice is to only date someone with common interests

Kate digs World of Warcraft and currently plays a 52nd level undead rogue. This would be the same Kate from Kate's Playground (nsfw), a website with which I am unfamiliar. She is right, of course; compared to undead rogues, undead priests are sucky and incredibly boring.

Two birds with one stone

You know you are in trouble when your pet parrot calls out another guy's name. Time to get rid of the girlfriend (and the parrot).

Kelly Clarkson: ungrateful wench

Kelly Clarkson has thus far refused to allow her songs to be sung by the incoming field of American Idol contestants. Tell it like it is, Simon:

Actually, I don't care either. I am much more anxious at how many times my American Idol viewing will be interrupted by Canadian Idol* host, Ben Mulroney asking who will be the next Melissa O'Neil.**

* Yes, the idea is laughable.
**We have never heard of her either.

VILF

Publicity for Kate Beckinsale's new vampire movie lives on as femalefirst recycles the story with the husband and the web-cam and the saucy superhero outfits. Though I was fascinated to learn Beckinsale twice won the W.H. Smith Young Writers' competition. I also find myself curious to learn more of the Beckinsale rules of life.

Hexstatic: L'Virata

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance. It's a short one so here is Chase Me as well.

Mario vs Master Chief

Ok, Halo is in some respects better than Donkey Kong. It is still wrong to diss him. Respect the ape, people. Respect the ape.

Simon Cowell

It is that special time again; that precious time at American Idol before the carnival is shown the door and the producers get down to the schmaltz that is their goal. My only wish regret is that the Simon Cowell we see on this side of the Atlantic is the watered down version.

Laguna Seca (red pill and blue pill version)

Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson asks if can you really learn your way around a racetrack on a Playstation thing. He decides to have a go with North America's most fearsome tracetrack: Laguna Seca with its corkscrew corner.

Volkswagen GX3

Combining crime-fighting with a night on the town has never been easier with the introduction of the Volkswagen GX3. Its twin-seat delivers you and your dazzling sidekick to black-tie event and scene of the crime alike.

The Last Sentinel

Katee Sackhoff stars in an independent science fiction film, The Last Sentinel, now going into production. Sackoff's Starbuck is already the coolest sf character since, like, Han Solo so it is a wonder to learn she thinks "Girl" will be a juiced up version.

Dev2.0: Whip It

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.

Aquaman

The WB is taking an Aquaman television series into production; the King of Atlantis to be played by a healthy looking chap named Will Toale. I gather he enjoys mangos.

Robot uprising

Daniel H. Wilson's primer on how to survive a robot uprising is sure to come in handy for those wishing to survive the first days of our coming war with the machines.

Porsche Design pipe

Flea-readers with recent lottery winnings might consider picking up this Porsche Design pipe for me. I am certain it would help concentrate my thoughts. The Porsche Design 907 or Porsche Design 909 would also do the trick.

Section 113

Under Section 113 of the "Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act" it is now a federal crime to annoy people on-line unless you do so under your actual name. As the Flea is published in the United States, I wonder if I will now have grounds for action against a variety of trolls. Probably not a good idea no matter how satisfying the thought.

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss

Porchboy's co-worker, Dr. Dolittle notes the CBC is changing its logo. Since it moved on from an '80s all blue logo in 1992, the CBC has sported the image above. The new look logo is featured below.

Dr. Dolittle points out a funny thing here: the Liberal party took power from the old Progressive Conservative party in 1993. It has been more than a decade since Canadians, and particularly Canadians working for the CBC's marketing department, have contemplated the strong possibility of a Conservative government. Non-Canadian Flea-readers may be astonished to learn the Liberal party colour is red while Conservative party colours are blue and red. Concidence? Hardly.

But le plus ce change? I think not.

There was a time when a CBC logo could have been slapped on the side of a freight-train, a .303 Vickers Gun or some sort of Soviet-scale nickel mining equipment and made them look more muscular. It was the kind of logo that built this beautiful, unforgiving country. The kind of logo that looked toward our frozen northern wastes, laughed and delivered a two-fisted blast of hydro-electric lightning. Let's bring back that logo.

Kent Brockman Update: All Things Canadian and Andrew Coyne drop hints that international Flea-readers, and those too young to remember, will not pick up. Yes, there was that shameful time (1966-1974, if you must know) when Canadians truly did welcome our insect overlords. But the shame... still too fresh... I cannot say more.

Dark Corners Of The Earth

The Flea's limited mastery of platform gaming will surely wax in puissant haxxortude with the revelation of The Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners Of The Earth for Xbox (and some other console). Game music is most promising while this Hexus review was clearly written by a Cultist who has laboured long laborious years to master Lovecraft's eldritch and preterite style. The game seems to have been an inspiration.

Otherwise Orange: Cthulhu

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance. Ia! Shub-Niggurath! The Black Goat with a Thousand Young!

Dear Cthulhu...

My column format does not sit easily with a handy form made available by the Armored Facilities Manager. Cultists should check in there for a job performance review.

The right to buried arms

400-years after it had been lost, archaeologist David Phelps uncovered the first evidence at Hatteras Island, the ancient kingdom of Croatoan, supporting a link to Sir Walter Raleigh's "Lost Colony" on Roanoke Island some fifty miles away. The evidence; a gold signet ring depicting "a lion, a symbol of English authority that would typically be worn by a nobleman."

Later investigation revealed the arms of the walking lion belonged to the Kendall family and presumably to "Master" Kendall, a colonist known to have been at Roanoke Island in 1585 to 1585. The trouble is David Phelps, now retired, took the ring to Florida and despite repeated pledges has yet to bring it back. But who could blame him? After what he has seen, with everything he now knows, I too would scramble after any touchstone as even now the stars wheel into alignment over Croatoan.

February 3 Update: The return of the ring.

Dealing with tissue gas

"Dealing with tissue gas" and other tips of the trade should come in handy for all your embalming needs.

Lu Pan Ching

As the title might suggest, Philip Kuhn's "Soulstealers: The Chinese Sorcery Scare of 1768" is a study of sorcery and society in eighteenth-century China. Men were in a panic at the idea of losing their queues (or women, their collars) to servants of sorcerers who might then steal their souls. Fascinating stuff and ripe for borrowing into a Call of Cthulhu campaign. But what I want to get my hands on is an English-language translation of the Lu Pan Ching (or Lu Ban Jing), a grimoire nominally attributed to Lu Pan, a Chinese god of carpentry. Not that I would ever open it, of course.

A fatal attraction to cuteness

Pleased not to be treated as "a celebrity wannabe fashion designer," Gwen Stefani was a style icon of 2005. Now "Gwen's big fantasy" continues with Harajuku Lovers, a fashion line inspired by her solo album. Let the cuteness begin!

Kawaii Update: The Village Voice finds a logic uniting Memoirs of a Geisha and Stefani's Harajuku Girls, "(at least one of whom is from California)". Any non-Germans seen having fun at Oktoberfest will be spanked! Green beer for Irish only! Everyone back in your box!

Super-kawaii Update Japanese Alice cosplay is theft! Lewis Carroll did not write in Engrish!

Mu: Paris Hilton

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.

Spoke too soon

10 hrs ago: happiness at Flea Towers as The Sun reports an all-clear for Kylie Minogue's breast cancer following treatment in Paris.

6 hrs ago: the Flea sleeps as the Sydney Morning Herald makes a sobering report; Kylie Minogue's Australian publicist says "There's no validity to this. It's not true."

Too soon to stop crossing fingers and toes then.

Colombiana

The Flea: for all the latest in gratuitous hot Colombian women. This post comes with a shout out to all the Canadian Taliban typing out feverish little screeds to me every time I write about Kate Beckinsale. Hell, Beckinsale is not even Columbian.* If you do not enjoy an appreciation of beauty you need to read some Nietzsche, buy a sense of humour or do the rest of us a favour by putting yourself out of your misery.

Meanwhile, I think we can all applaud Zuan's entirely sensible hobby.

*If the Wookie don't fit.

Micro Fashion Network

Burak Arikan and Ben Dalton set up a camera and deployed custom software to track colours worn by people moving through Cambridge. The result is a visual representation of a "micro fashion network". A video clarifies what is otherwise inevitably obscure 60s French semiotics.

I would like to see one of these images conjured up using cameras pointed at different Toronto intersections; the grey/blue cluster around Bay and King W., a black nexus at Queen W and Spadina and some weaving project mess hovering over Annexia.

Zoom in and watch attack ships on fire

NASA scopes out the Orion Nebula. No word yet on the latest in C-beam research.

Moving Here

Moving Here explores communities that have immigrated to the United Kingdom over the last two centuries. An ecclectic collection of stories include a World War II Dutch Resistance fighter, a black RAF officer from Guyana and the more recent troubles of a Nigerian woman whose "future is known to God". This is stirring, haunting stuff; a kind of contemporary Mass Observation project. A wide-ranging gallery is a great addition.

Nizlopi: My JCB

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.

Splitting the lost cause vote

A Former Servant of Her Majesty pointed me to an ad for the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) at the Rick Mercer Report. No direct link; it is about half-way down the page. An amusing spoof especially as we all understand the Marxist-so-called-Leninist Party of Canada advocates a false-flag Stalinism whose vanguardist activity is limited to "socialism in one country" thinking and objectively in opposition to the task of permanent revolution. Splitters!

People's Front of Judea Update: Also from A Former Servant of Her Majesty comes a direct link to this Rick Mercer Report ad.

HMS Belfast

The on-line presence of HMS Belfast, famed for her role in the Battle of North Cape, includes a virtual tour.

Travellers through London may take advantage of the Commonwealth Navies Exhibition on-board through March 31. The exhibition features WWII photographs and artifacts including this messdeck scene from Canadian destroyer HMCS Niagara, formerly USS Thatcher.

Bend it like Beckinsale

The Flea's unflagging commitment to Kate Beckinsale coverage, and news about Kate Beckinsale, compels me to point to the latest in latex reportage (via A Socialite's Life).

Metallica: The Unforgiven

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.

What ho, Hermione!

Beautiful Atrocities reports from the trenches of the Potter Wars. The Death Eaters are out in force and out to get Emma Watson as Hermione Granger. The blighters!

I also talk shoes

Is murderball a tender thing? It is too rough, too rude, too boist'rous; and it pricks like thorn. Antonia, consider me thoroughly chastised.

Lady-bazzers sighted

Jonathan Rhys-Meyers is a Flea-fav from feel good "Bend It Like Beckham", feel bad "Titus" and feel a little funny "Gormenghast". Recently rubbishing reports of a contretemps with his girlfriend, Rhys-Meyers now admits to "sneaking a peek" at the breasts of his Match Point co-star, Scarlett Johansson (Church of England Newsletter film review here). Well, the man is hardly made of stone; Irish, etc.

Or, as MegaStar reported the incident, "Scarlett asked Rhys-Meyers not to cop a gawp at her lady-bazzers but, hey, what’s a man to do?" Quite right. A sad note for dandies everywhere is news Johansson has confessed she holds no romantic interest in Rhys-Meyers despite his being "intense, gorgeous and funny", with a working interest in shoes and gossip.

That first C in Celtic sounds like a K Update: Given his surname, I had assumed Rhys-Meyers' accent was a RADA-ish, marble-mouthed Welsh and was surprised to learn the chap is a Dubliner. I now find he was born Jonathan Michael Francis O'Keeffe and chose a Welsh-sounding name when he went into acting. It is somewhat hard to fathom just why. As someone once uncharitably observed to me; taking two undistinguished names and slapping them together with a hyphen does not make them posh.

For modesty's sake, let's turn our attention elsewhere

Chris Sims reviews World's Finest Comics #289 and believes he has spotted a homerotic subtext. What, in a Batman comic? Of course, one wonders why he and his buddy Chad feel compelled to read to each other about Batman and Superman's night together over and over again (hat tip to the Flea's HR Office).

Kathleen Edwards: In State

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.

Kabbalah

Until recently, Emily Stern starred in "Kabbalah", an off-Broadway production, sporting a bright yellow cone bra. This right here is the problem with what we call "art" (nsfw).

Geek Gorgeous

The "women of technology" Geek Gorgeous 2006 Wall Calendar addresses both an important market niche and an underserved style tribe.

Take Neta, for example: "Neta conducts her experiments by writing applications in Macromedia Flash using ActionScript 2.0, an object-oriented ECMA scripting language whose event listener model and data binding classes allow for an implementation of robust Model-View-Controller architecture." Object-oriented ECMA scripting language... so hot.

Ross 128 in 80 days

The United States Air Force Z Machine, capable of generating intense magnetic fields, is being harnessed in a study of an hyperspace engine capable of a three-hour trip to Mars or an 11 light year trip in 80 days. That is only a 30 day trip to Proxima Centauri...

Facing facts

This face recognition software finds an uncanny resemblence amongst George Soros, Fidel Castro, Pervez Musharraf, Audrey Tautou and the Flea. It would appear that for the moment I am secure from tracking by security cameras and a not-quite-clever-enough AI. Though I am happy to accept even a far-fetched Raymond Chandler comparison.

Zu (feat. Okapi) vs. Dälek: Spiritual Healing

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance (massive QT file but worth a look).

Bandwidth congestion update: Ok, that is taking forever to load. Here is a Depeche Mode cover instead: It Dies Today, "Enjoy the Silence".

Ali G in the country

Ali G reports on countryside concerns (nsfw ads and content).

Unknown Pleasures

Beyond the Implode appreciates Joy Division's "Unknown Pleasures". Beautiful (via k-punk).

Five weird things about meme

The blogosphere was struck by a pernicious case of "five weird things about me" over the weekend. Your humble correspondent was tagged by Mike Campbell, Jay Currie and Bob Tarantino; a fact which suggests my earlier renunciation of these things has not stuck. But even the rocky soil that is my heart cannot fail to be touched by so many expressions of interest in my habits and so, without further etc. and so forth:

i - This is deuced difficult, actually. I do not consider any of my habits or lifeways particularly weird. Oh, here's something: someone once told me she would not want to be the mother of my children because I would teach them to say weird words like "Cthulhu". As any reasonable person would know that word cannot be pronounced with a human vocal apparatus it strikes me to be more of a moot point than a potential source of weird behaviour. So you see my problem.

ii - I was exorcised by an evangelical congregation. Not that I felt anything at the time or knew anything about it until someone told me several years after the fact. Though I think that suggests something weirder about the congregation than it does about me.

iii - I am not joking about about Paris Hilton as Übermensch. Other people seem to find this weird whereas to me it is the only conclusion of an impartial, calculating logic. Such is to dance along the tightrope.

iv - I enjoy doing the dishes and will often sing or otherwise comment as I do them:
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.

v - I have a pet peeve: while it is useful for these little blog games to be called something I wish they had not been called "memes". The word meme, as used by Richard Dawkins and elaborated most notably by Susan Blackmore, is a useful term in neo-Darwinian discussion of biology and natural selection. Not only that, thinking in terms of memes opens up a new approach to cultural ecology, economics and marketing; in fact, almost any social science problem involving cultural change. But thanks to Grant Morrison and that sentient meme gag, or possibly Dawkins' own clumsy "earworm" metaphor, people are reduced to a retarded usage. The word "meme" is a meme. The letter "m" is a meme. The convention of leaving spaces between words in this sentence is a meme. I would not mind so much if use of the word sparked interest in Dawkins' work but, much as "postmodern" and "deconstruction" do not inspire fashion journalists to read Baudrillard or Derrida, I expect people will cheerfully continue to use the word without knowing what it meant to the people who coined it. Such is the expression of a meme.

Following a "why should I suffer alone" logic; I hereby tag Beautiful Atrocities, Dean's World, Knowledge is Power, Spirit Fingers, White Peril.

When Canadians go bad

Living up to a variety of stereotypes Canadians hold about themselves*, J.D. Fortune admits he was a jerk on "Rockstar INXS" thereby negating any hard won bad-boy points he had built up what with the "I love INXS more than they do" and the tattoos and the cake.

Which reminds me; my tattoo fund remains at zero. Time to start work on making this the blog of choice to performance art funding bodies, the super-rich or possibly tattoo artists with too much time on their hands.

*These stereotypes are rarely held by non-Canadians who, having more than one neighbour, rarely find Canadia interesting enough to merit any prejudices one way or the other.

Wax Tailor: Our Dance

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.

Renova Black

Renova Black addresses all your gothic toilet paper needs. Though considering the lack of sunlight which is a goth fashion hazard I cannot see it catching on with the bronzed, square-jawed nude model Renova set (via Yummy Wakame).

Here be monsters

National Geographic features ancient sea monsters. Once again the words "tempura" and "genetic engineering" go hand in hand.

Submersibles and bunkers

The Flea is pleased to recommend Exomos submersibles: Exomos; for all your submersed crime-fighting needs. I fancy the look of the Proteus.

The Flea can also recommend U.S. Bunkers, Inc. U.S. Bunkers, Inc.; for all your portable, aerodynamic, monolithic concrete structure needs.

Now that's just mean

I am beginning to suspect I am Paris Hilton's only fan; ein Rufer in der Wüste, as it were. But does she ever return my calls? The hell she does. Das ist Jacke wie Hose (via Beautiful Atrocities).

Kitten War!

May the cutest kitten win (via Yummy Wakame).

Cats in Sinks

It's about cats in sinks.

Quiero Club: No Coke

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.

It's snow business of theirs

Kate Moss, fresh from climbing the icy slopes with her dodgy hairdo sporting/nose ring wearing toyboy (the Flea wishes them all the best), is being urged by the Metropolitan Police to return to England and help with their enquiries.

I am not certain I trust the police with this fair and proportionate investigation business and peculiar notion of treating Kate Moss like anybody else. For one thing, she is much leggier than most people and for another the Met is not in the habit is communicating with subjects of interest through the press. Bring lawyers, guns and money, Kate!

Falcon Beach

Anyone wondering what a Canadian knock-off of The OC might look like need wonder no more. Falcon Beach has all the sex appeal and glamour that comes from the sunny coast of Manitoba.

Of course it didn't. Because Lake Winnipeg, thirteenth largest lake in the world and home of exciting ecosystem, algal flora and climate change research, is no second best to the California Pacific coast or anywhere else. Excepting those other twelve lakes, I suppose. Algal blooms aside, I should not be overly harsh with the project. Any Canadian television that strays from zero-budget Air Farce vaudeville comedy, turgid and derivative court-room drama or ersatz blue-collar regional colour is to be encouraged. The show would even look good if only they could avoid that weird washed out effect common to all Canadian television production meant for domestic consumption. But we should not set our hopes too high.

A Prime Minister for Canada

I do not know much, or technically anything, about Yulia Tymoshenko's political philosophy. But I am still reasonably confident this former Prime Minister of Ukraine would make a better choice for Canada's next Prime Minister than the ones on offer (hat tip to A Former Servant of Her Majesty).

Prime Canadian Minister Update: Jeff suggests Melissa Theuriau... quelle bonne idée!

Don't vote, don't bitch Update: Flea-reader, Dwayne writes to point out I missed the Canadian Action Party in today's party round-up. The sad fact is that having looked at my local CAP candidate's website I decided he and his party are too boring to mock. Even if the party website has a sweet loop suggesting action and Canadianity. Besides, I now learn Alan McLeod was way ahead of me on this one.

Also not covered: the not-with-the-programme Progressive Canadian Party; the Western Block Party which is lead by a lawyer who represents Holocaust denial; and the Green Party which now counts as a party for grown-ups and therefore falls beyond my purview.

At least as interesting as Belgium Update: By request, here are links to today's posted round-up of malcontents and no-hopers: the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada, the First Peoples National Party of Canada, Libertarian Party of Canada, Christian Heritage Party, Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada and the Marijuana Party.

Annexia no! Sovereignia yes!

The Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada is the electoral name of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist).* Moonbatologists may be fascinated by the MLPC English and French language campaign ads. The latter is a straight-forward bid by a chap in a tie for Liberal votes in Quebec while party leader, Sandra Smith features in the first; speaking in what I take to be an East European accent of unspecified watched-too-many-B-movies provenience.

So, what do these people want, exactly? For one thing, to study the works of Sandra Smith's deceased husband, party founder Hardial Bains. Some have called the man a charlatan over some inscrutible point of Communist difference, going so far as to impose a midi file of "California Dreaming" over his image. If Wikipedia may be trusted, it turns out the basis of Bains' Marxism, and later founding of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist), is his "anti-revisionism". That is to say, Bains rejected Khrushchev's criticism of Stalin and supported Mao Zedong in the mainland Chinese split with the Soviet Union. This commitment to a purportedly authentic Marxism-Leninism continued with the later rejection of Maoism in the Sino-Albanian split following Mao's death. Pro-Stalin and at times pro-Mao, pro-Enver Hoxha and now reportedly pro-North Korea and pro-Cuba**: what charming people.

*Not to be confused with the Communist Party of Canada. Splitters!
**If formerly opposed to Castroism and Che Gueveraism. Splitters!

First Peoples National Party of Canada

I like the sound of the First Peoples National Party of Canada "Smokepipe" newsletter even if it seems to only consist of one issue to this point. Though I think the First Peoples National Party of Canada might be well served by rethinking their name into something featuring the virtues of brevity and snappiness. My suggestion: the First Nations Party.

Libertarian Party of Canada

The Libertarian Party of Canada thinks the federal government is too big. They may be right about that. Though I do still wonder how I would convince all my neighbours to go in with me on the fire protection we would have to hire in any coming Objectivist utopia. Or perhaps I can save and hope my neighbour's private-hire fire brigade will splash some water on my bit of Flea Towers by accident.

Such is the milquetoast libertarianism of Canada. The idea that government has a responsibility to "protect us from criminals" is clearly the thin edge of the statist wedge. Though seatbelts are probably still a good idea.

Christian Heritage Party

The Christian Heritage Party claims to be Canada's only "pro-Life, pro-family" federal political party. Though I am a bit confused why a nominally Christian political party claiming to represent Canadian Christians would also claim to espouse "Judeo-Christian principles". I would have thought being Jewish and being Christian were two theologically opposed worldviews; unless Jews are somehow meant to agree that Christianity is Judaism-plus or unless accepting Christ as the Saviour is only a sidepoint of your Christianity (or Judeo-Christianity, rather). Not to worry: the CHP says it is not trying to impose Christianity on people of other faiths.

Unless, of course, your faith or your "secular" worldview are pro-choice, pro-same-sex marriage, pro-right to strike or if you understand the judiciary is Constitutionally mandated to interpret the law rather than impose the CHP notion of what the law should be. In which case you would be SOL; and that's the Gospel truth.

Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada

The Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada is a ruse meant to circumvent Canadian law against third-party endorsements of registered political parties during an election campaign. For American Flea-readers, this would be something like, say, the Audubon Society forming an independent political party so it could support a Democratic presidential candidate. Moonbatologists may be fascinated to watch an election spot featuring party leader and sole candidate, Liz White plus some baby seals, seal clubbers and dramatic piano. We are meant to vote NDP, apparently. Thank goodness we have the Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada to encourage our democracy to do "what is right" instead of what the electorate wants.

Marijuana Party

The Marijuana Party website features a mesmerizing rotating marijuana graphic. I could stare at it, like, for hours. It is surprising to learn there is a lack of, like, focus in the Canadian cannabis community.

BloodRayne

BloodRayne the video game becomes BloodRayne the movie. The trailer looks promising even if the film synopsis reads like a pitch to a non-video game playing/non-movie going executive.

Well, that clears that up. Except for the typical vampire movie bit: any film featuring Udo Kier and Meatloaf is a typical vampire movie.

Minnie the Moocher (1931)

Betty Boop + Cab Calloway = perfection.

Heedee heedee heedee hee update: NPR's Jazz Profiles features interviews about Cab Calloway, the Cotton Club and the development of this famous tune. One more thing: now is the time at the Flea when we dance.

Virgin

Virgin Mobile is pushing that slimline Razr phone by the ingenius ploy of Kate Moss wearing a phone and not much else. She really does have lovely legs.

Dark Prison

Human Rights Watch alleges Afghan detainees were subjected to torture. Reader advisory, folks: this is right up there with the hazing.

Ménage à trois

An Austrian publicity campaign to make Europe more appealing to Europeans has produced a seemingly inevitable selection of posturing counter-culture twaddle. While it is the ménage à trois (nsfw) with masks of Jacques Chirac, the Queen and an out-of-context President Bush that has drawn the most attention, I should point out one potentially successful marketing ploy though I cannot reproduce it here due to a nipple (also nsfw).

Norisiam-X: No Good (dame dame)

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance (large QT file). Because it is remotely possible Flea-readers will enjoy rapping in combination with anime thought-bubbles and cheerleaders and such.

Geometry Wars

Sixteen minutes of Geometry Wars is at turns impressive, mind-numbing and mesmerizing.

Wax on, wax Hoff

This is a game of skill, designed not only to challenge one's hand-eye coordination but to stimulate strategic thinking as well (hat tip to SondraK).

Dead Man's Chest

The trailer for the Pirates of the Caribbean sequel is on-line. The movie site also includes concept art for the set-inclined and behind the scenes images for those who cannot wait for Jack Sparrow.

Tongzhi palari

The 2005 Beijing Gay and Lesbian Cultural Festival was shut down under the apparent pretext of difficulties with the plumbing at the event venue. This despite the fact of state-owned publishers cranking out the Chinese equivalent of a palari dictionary. Danwei offers an observation that might equally be directed at many Western counterparts to the official line in mainland China.

That said, the ongoing Falun Gong protest outside the Chinese consulate a few streets over from Flea Towers suggests the issue here is more to do with the "don't try to organize a large group" part than the don't "talk about it too loudly" part.

Self-defence with a Walking-stick

Young Flea-readers often write to ask how they too might take up the crime-fighting life. The finer points of sleuthing and forensics are a constant source of interest but it is often Flea-ish pugilism that is the point of greatest curiousity: how to address the issue of fisticuffery.

While the secrets of the Welsh martial arts must remain an enigma, I can point interested young people to E.W. Barton-Wright's classic primer for gentlemen; "Self-defence with a Walking-stick: The Different Methods of Defending Oneself with a Walking-Stick or Umbrella when Attacked under Unequal Conditions" (and Part II). I have found Pierre Vigny's fighting-method, incorporated into Barton-Wright's bartitsu style, to have been most effecacious in seeing off hoodlums and ne'erdowells under most circumstances. The only caveat I would offer is that, while a silver-mounted Malacca cane is certainly to be desired, I have found my trusty Tanzanian ebony walking-stick has been more than sufficient to the business.

Massive Attack: Protection

Now is the time at the Flea when we dance (via Bill).

Radio Flea

Alan McLeod claims to have a mole inside Flea Towers. The photo is nothing but a reasonably clever forgery, of course. Small sidebar: if any Flea-readers are feeling flush they might consider acquiring this rather fine Bruyere-finish Belge Dunhill pipe as a gift toward my health and well-being.

La plus que change

Recent events in Paris have had pundits up in arms at the youth of Paris, well, up in arms. Comment from the National Police Gazette, October 21, 1905* suggests the horse, or Citroën as it happens, has long since bolted from that burning barn or multi-story carpark as contemporary metaphor might have it. Flea-readers should be alerted to the bewildering variety of offense offered by the article in question; but then I suppose prejudices have not changed much either.

The Signal-Man

With last season's appearance of Charles Dickens in "The Unquiet Dead" it transpired that Doctor Who was a fan and quite right in his enthusiasm for Dickens' "The Signal-Man" too. Spoooky! Nice one, Mark Gatiss.

Bloody Mary

The complete South Park Episode 914 "Bloody Mary" is available online as a RealPlayer file. Aside from its having been condemned by the Catholic League and subsequently pulled by Comedy Central it is an unexeptional episode. Some frequent targets of fun, and just picking some people who might also have reason to take offense at what some other people think about them, including gay people, black people and Jewish people were overlooked this time. But these twenty-two minutes did manage to begin with east-Asian stereotypes, mock a small child with elephantitis and deliver a scathing critique of Alcoholics Anonymous in addition to the juvenile offense offered to an image of the Blessed Virgin. No word on whether the Catholic League was troubled by any of these other issues.

I am a bit perplexed how "Bloody Mary", pace the night before the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, was any more offensive to some Catholic sensibilities than many other episodes. Or more importantly why Viacom should cave to this particular pressure group and not representatives of the rest of humanity who might also take offense at the vulgar spectacle so often presented by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. After all, reports have it that previous complaints by the Catholic League concerning a 2002 airing of "Red Hot Catholic Love" got them nowhere. And as far as I know the Catholic Church itself has yet to lodge a complaint.