I’ve always enjoyed Halloween, but this year I went the extra mile. Actually 3000 miles, as blew my carbon budget flying to Oakland for a party with Ruth. I assembled the costume haphazardly, but it all came together for the desired effect. Two mutton chops, six aluminum claws, one tub of hair gel, one bear belt buckle, one surplus jacket, and innumerable exposed chest hairs, and I became the man himself. Some of the party goers failed their nerd test, thinking I was wolfman, but a quick flash of my claws was quite convincing.
I was in good company with my girl Rogue, 1973 David Bowie, Little Red Riding Hood with a Jagermeister basket, Superman cum Clark Kent, Quailman, and the entire cast of SuperTroopers (Staties and Spurbury, with real facial hair). Next year Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus? Due vita, una secreto!
One claw
Two claws
Bear belt buckle
Dartmouth ski team Carhartt
Snikt
Wolverine and Rogue
Want to make your own? I used the Media Lab’s waterjet and these files:
SVG
PDF
DXF
For the first time in my political memory, the day after an election doesn’t feel like a funeral. We had high hopes, and they were acheieved. We’ll have to wait for Virginia, but just having Speaker Nancy is a step in the right direction. In honor of this auspicious day, please enjoy some poetry from the *Former* Secretary of Defense himself, Donald Rumsfeld. Stolen from Hart Seely, slate.com
The Unknown
As we know,
There are known knowns.
There are things we know we know.
We also know
There are known unknowns.
That is to say
We know there are some things
We do not know.
But there are also unknown unknowns,
The ones we don't know
We don't know.
- Feb. 12, 2002, Department of Defense news briefing
A Confession
Once in a while,
I'm standing here, doing something.
And I think,
"What in the world am I doing here?"
It's a big surprise.
- May 16, 2001 , interview with the New York Times
Clarity
I think what you'll find,
I think what you'll find is,
Whatever it is we do substantively,
There will be near-perfect clarity
As to what it is.
And it will be known,
And it will be known to the Congress,
And it will be known to you,
Probably before we decide it,
But it will be known.
- Feb. 28, 2003, Department of Defense briefing

Courtesy of David Rees’ Get Your War On