I watched the first few episodes of The Golden Girls on YouTube a few weekends ago. I was pleased that the show still made me laugh as much as it did when I first watched it as a teen.

It was Battlestar Galactica for me. I'd been watching one or two episodes a week with my roommates. Then when I went home for Christmas break, I binge-streamed the rest of the series because I had to know what happened.

I was humming this song all day yesterday but couldn't find anything regarding The Drifters. I was rewarded today with this video that my friend found of Teddy Pendergrass's "Do Me":

I just asked my Japanese-American friend, and she described the sound as a "collective groan." (She agreed that the American groan sounds more like "awwww.")

Yeah, right? If I were the performers in those costumes I'd be disappointed not to be as squee-worthy as some of the other mascots.

Exactly. I haven't upgraded yet to a smartphone, mostly because of cost, but also because I spend enough time online as it is between my desk job and surfing at home. I do wish I had a better camera on my dumbphone. And a way to access maps when I'm out and want to locate the nearest coffeeshop or something.

I was afraid your story was going to end with how you got a typing job at home and are now earning thousands a month (whatever those spambots go on about). But congrats on the change in your life. It sounds as if your cat is your guardian angel.

Ha ha, sounds like me with The Hunger Games trilogy or the Game of Thrones books. Fortunately, I work a job with flexible hours and the option to telecommute, which means I will occasionally stay up into the wee hours in order to finish a book.

I've always wanted to get a rat or two. Serious question: is their pooping and peeing on you a problem at all? That was my experience with pet mice. I'd like something a little cuddlier.

I thought people held off on announcing pregnancies because of complications, not because of miscarriages being so common. I'm sorry about your loss.

I had a small crush on him as a kid after I saw him in Spaceballs. I can't believe he's nearly 60 now!

I'd like to think I could be a badass but just looking at that top photo of the tip of a needle (?) makes me a little nauseated.

I learned the word "primeval" from Belle's quip about Gaston.

The Atlantic recently published an article on a similar topic: "Foxy Ladies: Why One Network Applies So Much Makeup". I know news networks (and TV in general) favor conventionally attractive women, but I always thought Fox in particular likes to feature what another commenter described as "fembots."

Yup, clicked on the article just to see if it was a Moomin. I only recently discovered them when I came upon a Moomin story in a collection of children's literature. I've decided that I must name my next pet Too-Ticky.

One of the best accounts I've read about CFS is by Laura Hillenbrand, author of Seabiscuit. You can read her essay "A Sudden Illness" at http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2003/0…. (I just checked, and even though I'm not a subscriber, I was able to access the full article.) I'd highly recommend it, in particular for…

I'd say you have the makings of an op-ed—if you could muster the energy to write one—in particular because you, in your words, "used to be an advocate for merit pay thinking people against it just didn't want to work hard." I'd bet that is a major reason most people are opposed to increased salaries for teachers. Or…

I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your experience. I know being a public school teacher is hard, but I didn't realize just how hard! And I think people should know what it's like to be a teacher these days. The politicians don't seem to know, many journalists (or newspaper publishers) don't seem to care enough…

I would definitely agree. When I work "from home," I usually end up at the local coffee shop or library. I need to sit somewhere without the clutter of other distractions.

I'd been wondering how easy it would be to tame the blue jays that come to my bird feeder. I have yet to have one land on my head! (Or allow me to come anywhere near it. I guess I don't spend enough time near the feeder making myself familiar to the birds.)