The Week: Jan. 6, 2012

It’s January 6th – the epiphany. According to folklore, La Befana visited all the little children in Italy last night, bringing toys and candy to the good ones, and lumps of coal to the bad ones. (Yeah, I know. We get a kindly fat man dressed in red, and Italian kids literally get an old hag. On the plus side, they get to live in Italy, so don’t feel too sorry for them). While I search my home for some lumps of black carbon (surely she wouldn’t forget Italian Americans, right?), you enjoy these links.

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What’s that? YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO SPEAK UP! (Also, I’m beginning to think that my secret crush on Neil deGrasse Tyson is not-so-secret anymore.)

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This gif of French comedian Remi Gaillard crashing a body-building tournament had me in stitches. For more of his not-so-subtle and occasionally reckless (and often litigious) antics, check this out.

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A stunning article in the New York Times about how yoga can wreck your body (if you want to keep doing it, just be mindful of your body and try to avoid inversions and shoulder-stands. Me? I’ll be eating and cupcake and hopping on an elliptical).

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Fact: Han Solo could teach us all a little something about religious tolerance.

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My friend Chrissy sent me this video of Matthew Wilder’s “Break My Stride” (in regards to yesterday’s Dick Move post). Between the green leotards with mirrored polka dots, the silver pants, and the bunny-hop inspired dancing, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything grander.

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I cannot stop laughing at this hilarious ode to Seattle: My Hometown is Better Than Yours

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I’m pretty sure I’ve featured Mike Stimpson’s work on my round-up before, but that’s not going to stop me from mentioning it again. In particular, his photos featuring Lego Star Wars characters are amazing.

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So much silver-haired wonderfulness: Steve Martin pretends that he has to leave due to other obligations on an episode of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson (via @unicornrockstar)

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A recent ad for Target featured a little boy with Down Syndrome. A young father (whose son also has Down Syndrome) explains how the company spoke volumes by not saying anything at all. (Note: The site, Noah’s Dad, is also fast becoming the go-to resource for parents who are looking for more information about raising a child with Down Syndrome. It’s amazing and inspiring. Expect to lose a good chunk of your afternoon on it.)

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This clip of Neil Patrick Harris on The Price is Right put a ginormous smile on my face. Watch it – as though you need one more reason to love Doogie.

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That’s it for me this week! I’m off to do laundry. Or eat cookies. Whichever’s easier.