Welcome to this week's edition of Laura's Links. What a great week it has been, with the Great Prophet Steyn himself feeling well enough to get back to the mic for The Mark Steyn Club Live Q&A Around the Planet.
If you missed the live show, you can listen to it here. That was certainly the highlight of the week, it was great to hear our fearless leader once again.
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Last week, I asked you all if there was anything that you were working on spiritually, psychologically or otherwise. I shared that I'm focusing on listening, and really being in the moment of conversation and knowing that no matter how much I want to put my two cents into the conversation at that moment, that it's important to keep listening.
Even if something really funny, insightful, weird or otherwise bubbles up in my brain, I know I don't have to let it flow out of my mouth - even at the risk of losing the thought. Thoughts and ideas are a dime a dozen. Sometimes interjecting feels involuntary, especially if you have a great line or quip, but it's not-it's a matter of self discipline.
Now, I'm adding something else to the to do list; slowing down. Not slowing down mentally or physically, but being more precise and thoughtful about everyday tasks and activities. I don't know about you, but I have been working full time (plus) since I was 21 years old, and many moons have passed since then.
When my kids were young and there was a work, home, lunches, dinners, activities, holidays schedule, I often felt like I was constantly rushing from one thing to the next, and on a mental and physical hamster wheel. My mind was often a few steps ahead, thinking about the next thing, or worrying about the next thing. My kids are adults now, and though we still deal with a multiplicity of issues with our disabled child, I have started forcing myself to slooooow down.
Without trying to sound too "woo woo", the goal is to protect my inner peace (and marbles-whatever is left of them after all these years) and figuring out what I want to add (or purge) from my life for maximum joy, fun and meaning. Right now, I'm looking into some cooking school classes and language school classes, but there is no shortage of other things I'd like to dabble in and also so many books still to read!
Have any of you picked up an entirely new skill or language in your adult years? Or switched professions? Gone back to school for something totally different? Do share your journeys in the comment section if you are so inclined.
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And now, for a *chef's kiss* addendum to Tal Bachman's wonderful essays on the floppola Odyssey, I just had to show you this incredible image that I spotted on X. Behold: the alleged man playing a Greek warrior. It's such a perfect image, worth a thousand words etc, and I know I don't REALLY need to comment, but that's what they pay me the big bucks for here at SteynHQ!
I mean take a good, close gander at this ridiculous woman with her short hair and chopped off boobies, who literally, barely reaches the belly button of the real man!
She truly, barely comes up to his pupik (as my people say), and she's probably even wearing high heels under those pants to gain a couple of inches. She literally looks like a ventriloquist's dummy beside this hulking real man (hubba hubba).
This photo is both hysterical and pathetic all in one.
I think Ellen Page really needs prayers but, hey, don't we all?
Lastly, a big YUGE welcome back to Mark, belated birthday greetings to America, and wishing you all a great weekend!
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North America:
This seems fine and totally a local NYC issue.
"Take 13 minutes to watch this; you won't regret it."
"Free Palestine" is the new land acknowledgment."
I love you, America, but you have GOT TO GET THIS UNDER CONTROL.
Not directly related but EXTREMELY WEIRD: where is Mitch McConnell?
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Israel and Jews:
The Netanyahu Trial: The Time to Convict Has Arrived (really good, I really like the author-he's very smart, and I wish he would publish more in English).
Lebanese Christians to Israel: Please annex us.
Not unrelated: they should definitely be given what they want.
"And I tried to put my coffee mug on the table, but I didn't make it. I dropped it when I realized that my whole education had been designed by an actual Nazi." This is a REALLY interesting interview. Listen to the whole thing.
MY IDIOT PEOPLE. UTTER IMBECILES. When Jewish people, especially in the security forces and secret services, are leftist kooks, they are quite literally dumber than a bag of hammers. Being merciful to the wicked ends up wreaking absolute cruelty, chaos and bloodshed upon the innocent. I cannot believe (well actually I can) that Israel - at the behest of the Mossad-saved the life of the Jew-hating Pasha of Turkey. I guess that repulsive, naive, anointed, elitist savior mentality is what prompted Israelis to then go ahead and save the life of Yihya Sinwar - and that worked out really great as well.
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The Formerly Great Britain:
From 'the loveliest spot that man hath ever found' to a kebab shop in one generation. Seems fine.
"Pleas of orphaned 13-year-old girl at St Mary's Kenmure ignored after being locked up with older teenage male offenders."
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Europe:
"As a new Catholic, I have generally tried to refrain from critiquing the Pope, for we do not lightly challenge the father. This, however, is not a matter of dogma or infallible teaching. The Pope has chosen to make a political and pastoral statement on migration, and on such prudential questions the faithful may legitimately form and express their own judgment."
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Human Grace:
I'm posting this because this is the kind of thing that the Internet was made for. I laughed my head off. And that's why it's here in the Human Grace section, because when humans see something funny and choose to make other people laugh, well there is real holiness in that. You have to read the comments to get the full scope of how funny people are in this world. This is an absolute banger.