The Week: July 15, 2011

Things have been a bit “off” for me today. I just spent several long minutes trying to figure out what was wrong with my website and then I realized I was TYPING THE WRONG DOMAIN in the address bar. And no, I don’t have my own website bookmarked on my own computer (What? I feel like if I did so, it would be weirdly … arrogant.)

All of this is after I slept so late, people on the east coast could have safely been having lunch before I was even ready to eat breakfast. Oh, and did I mention I’m still in my pjs? I am. So … yeah. I’m off to try to straighten out the rest of my day. In the meantime, enjoy The Week, even though it’s clearly been compiled by a mad woman who doesn’t know the name of her own site and can’t be bothered to put on pants.

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The final Harry Potter movie debuts tonight, and if that alone isn’t enough to make you feel nostalgic, check out the Fuggirls’ coverage of Ron Weasley through the ages (for those who ask, “Why Ron?”, I deftly counter back, “WHY NOT?”). Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go research retirement homes, because I was in college (COLLEGE!) when these books came out.

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What’s that? Not enough wizarding magic for you? Then check out the entire Harry Potter canon, performed under a minute, with cats. (via @jonathanwthomas, who’s a bit of an expert in these matters).

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Cephalopod nerd humor. It’s a thing.

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I realize my coverage of Ellis Island this week was a bit of a downer. While that island was the scene of some rather sad events, there were good stories that emerged as well – including the arrival of notable immigrants (like, no kidding, Chef Boyardee and Bob Hope). Check out this list of successful folks who made it through Heartbreak Island and went on to bigger and brighter things.

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I knew a guy who used to eat popcorn with chopsticks. He must have gotten the idea from this groundbreaking revolutionary.

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Feeling unaccomplished? Maybe because you’ve just spent the better part of your adulthood in pajamas? (I’m speaking hypothetically, of course). Then check out Mike Sowden’s list of 50 Amazingly Achievable Things To Do Before You Die. Trust me – it will make you feel, for the first time in ages, like you are ahead of the game.

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Photo of a tiny toy polar bear? Meh. Huge number of comments from people fighting about whether or not the bear is real? HILARIOUS.

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I’m really digging the work of artist Adam Ellis. Besides being a northwesterner, he also has crippling self-esteem issues (the implications, when girls hit on him, are hilarious). We should be friends.

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The bad news: North Dakota might not technically be a state. The good news: I’m pretty sure this has had very little impact on anyone, including the 115 people who live in North Dakota.

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Do-gooder Jacob French is walking across Australia in order to raise money for charitable organizations … WHILE DRESSED AS A STORM TROOPER. Click through the fantastic photos. I dare you not to fall in love, just a little bit.

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Yes, but high school wasn’t voluntary, so we’re just idiots: 12 striking similarities between Twitter and high school. (Fun fact: I occasionally look up old rivals to see if they have more followers than I do. Because I’m mature like that.)

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Zac Freeman makes incredible portraits from, in his own words, “collected junk, found objects, and general trash.” He’s like the Chuck Close of dumpster diving.

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And that’s it for me this week! I should probably go put on pants now. Probably.