Happy 33rd Birthday, Harry Potter! (Also, JK Rowling!)

Happy Birthday, Harry!

You're no longer a boy wizard, now you are a man wizard.

Check out EW's 33 Great Things about Harry Potter - it's a delight.

And, of course, a big Happy Birthday to JK Rowling, too! Without her, we wouldn't even know it's Harry's birthday!

Speaking of 'Game of Thrones'

Here's a super-long interview with George R. R. Martin about... well... everything. Let's just say that even though I was checking for spoilers, they're all pretty well embedded in there and now I "know things" that I cannot un-know. That's not to say it's not a really interesting read (he even addressed my annoyance with how all the young characters never get a chance to age!), but it is not a good idea to read it if you haven't read all the books.

I Want to Be Katie Dippold!

Man, this lady's really got it going on! Tons of talent and using it for the good. Way to go, Katie! Let me know if you ever want to trade spots for a day. But like, only in the career way, not in the social life way. I've got a good thing going with this whole "watch lots of TV and read Game of Thrones" thing going on and I wouldn't want to ruin that with all your hip LA parties and shindigs and hootenannies.

Anxiety Disorders More Common in Women

Anyone else feeling a little stressed out right now? If you're a dude, you're probably not as anxious as I am, though, according to a new study. Probably because society hasn't given you nearly enough to be anxious about.

Women's Right to Choose Under Attack

It's happening all over the country. This is a good (if a few weeks old) overview on the State of the Union re: women's bodies. There is a lot to be done to fix all this mess. I wish I knew where to begin!

Pixar to Focus on Originals

In a win for fans of original material and just plain good storytelling everywhere, Pixar has announced that they will release an original movie every year, and only release a prequel or sequel once every other year from now on (or at least until 2017). Pixar President Ed Catmull made the announcement during a Buzzfeed interview. Thank goodness. I certainly don't begrudge them doing continuations on past stories, but they won't be able to generate those continuations without a solid, original idea to base them off of. The funds they receive from these continuations should help fun the original ideas, leading to a nice, positive cycle of great movies for us all to enjoy!

Of course, Disney just put out Planes and the princess in Frozen looks like an even doe-y-ier eyed twin of Rapunzel from Tangled, so let's not get our hopes up too high yet!

The Universal Pixar Theory of Everything

What if every Pixar movie was connected? That's the idea behind Jon Negroni's Pixar Theory. It's a mid-length read, and really fun if you're in the mood for some life fan speculation and some giant leaps of faith. Obviously, the author is writing for comedic effect, but it's a testament to the amount of Easter eggs in Pixar films just how - sometimes easily - he's able to connect the dots. Fair warning, though, it starts getting really weird after the events of Toy Story...

[via /Film]

Henry Winkler to Play Jean-Ralphio's Dad on 'Parks and Rec'

Of course the faux-'50s jerky-cool dude is going to play the father of the modern faux jerky-cool dude. This is just another example of why Parks and Rec is the greatest show on TV.

'Happy Endings' Stars Move to 'New Girl' 'The Mindy Project'

If I can't see them as Brad and Max, at least I can see them as Coach and Some-Doctor-Guy! Damon Wayans, Jr. is reprising his role (I hope permanently!) as Coach on New Girl next season, and Adam Pally is joining The Mindy Project as a new doctor in Mindy's clinic. It's not Happy Endings... sigh... but at least we'll get to watch them on two other fun shows!

Plus, wouldn't it be great to have a broadcast sitcom starring two Black actors? Sometimes I get the feeling that there's a "no two Black actors in the same room" clause on broadcast sitcoms, like they're all Superman or something. Maybe this will change that!

A Long Time Ago. We Used to Be Friends.

Veronica Mars is coming...



Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! I hope it's good! At least it looks like they had a blast doing it!

Engagement Posters

These guys went all out with their engagement photos, and they're really good! The An Education knock-off is creepy-good. I bet they're going to have a really fun party, but I also have no idea how they're going to sustain that level of cleverness throughout the wedding planning - best of luck!

Sam Simon to Give Away his Fortune

Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon is terminally ill. He is also crazy rich. Instead of just giving all the money he "can't take with him" (to quote You Can't Take It With You) to his family (though he is leaving them quite comfortable), he's donating it to the causes he cares most about: the Sam Simon Foundation (dedicated to helping hungry humans and homeless dogs), PETA, Save the Children, and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (dedicated to saving marine life). That's pretty amazing. He seems to have a solid perspective on all this, which you can read about at The Hollywood Reporter.

The 90s Button is so hot right now

The 90's Button basically like a Pandora '90s station, but it is a lot of fun if you're working and don't feel like turning on Spotify and really want to hear a bunch of songs that will make you say, "Oh! I know that one!" or "Wow, it's been a long time since I heard that one... a long, long time... there was hope then... so much potential... and now, now there's just-- Oh, I know this one, too!!!"

Obamacare: Still Working!

Actually, the Affordable Care Act is working (and the parts that take effect soon will be working) even better than predicted! How awesome is that? So awesome it couldn't be forseeen!

NBC orders Hillary Clinton miniseries

Well, this should be interesting. The trend to make movies about politicians while they're still active or only a few years after they're active is truly fascinating. I have a sneaking suspicion that these kinds of films will tell a lot more about the time they were created than about the person whom they attempt to portray.

As much as I love ThinkProgress...

...They can sometimes be a little TOO PC. Don't get me wrong, as a former Prius owner, I also can't believe someone would mistake an Aztec for a Prius, but I don't know if there needs to be a whole article about it.

All the Movie References in All 'The Simpsons' (Seasons 1-5, that is)

This compilation is super awesome (be forewarned, it starts automatically). I love how many times they reference (even the same scenes!) from classic movies, and how many random weird movies I've never seen or even heard of before they reference. Ah, The Simpsons, the cause of, and solution to, all my conversational awkwardness.

[via VideoGum]

Hunger Games 'Catching Fire' Trailer!

The trailer for the new Hunger Games flick, Catching Fire:



I think I finally realized the issue I had with this book (the 2nd in the trilogy) is that, in addition to it kind of being a rehashed version of the first book (which you can tell by the end of the trailer), it also is kind of a huge cop-out, risk-wise. I mean, in the first book you have this horrible-but-gripping dystopian world where kids are forced to kill kids in order to appease a super f'd up leadership (overcompensation to the extreme much?). However, in the second book, like they say here in the trailer, killers are killing killers now. It's not nearly as disturbing. Of course, it's sick to throw the Victors back in the ring, like throwing a soldier (especially one with PTSD) back into a war, but in some way the emotional complexity of the games is not as intense as it was in the first book.

Of course, there are also much more interesting things happening outside of the games than in the first book, so perhaps that's why Collin's chose to make these games less keenly felt. Who knows!

Anywho, the trailer looks good, right?

The Hairpin: Camp Series

Also, this series on camp!

I wonder if they're accepting submissions. I've got so many great camp stories.

Every summer since I stopped attending, I miss camp. It really is an incredible experience. I'm sure everyone thinks this (and why shouldn't they?), but my camp is extra special. There's just something about it that's so incredibly pure. It really shaped who I am today in all the best ways.

Plus, it is one of those magical places where I can feel completely at peace. Like a straight-up monk or something.

If you haven't been to camp before, I also recommend listening to TAL's episode "Notes on Camp" from 1998. They just replayed it this week, so you can download the podcast until Sunday.

The Hairpin: Interview with a Person Who Used to Be Paralyzed

A must read for sure. Hospitals and doctors blow. Friends, family, and sweet, caring boyfriends-turned-husbands are the best.

Oh, another must read is this poem in the Awl, "Rape Joke."

Lots of really great writing this week about tough subjects.

Oh Lady, 'Orange is the New Black" is so the new... show everyone's watching!

I know I am! I'm pacing myself, since it's my new morning workout show (I watch half an hour while working out before getting ready for work. Yeah, I'm awesome), so I've only seen the first two episodes, but it's really interesting! And here are some facts about the cast that you may or may not have known!

[via VideoGum]

Mindy Kaling: On High School

I love these quotes about high school, cherry-picked from Mindy Kaling's amahzing (RIP Happy Endings! Not related to Kaling but I thought I should mention it because it still makes me sad) book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? which, admittedly, is the question I asked myself most in high school, and almost-most today. Clearly, I am much improved.

'After Tiller' Trailer

This looks like an important film. It looks like for now it's only going to be released in NY, LA, and Seattle, but I hope it gets a wider release eventually.

Super Spy Susan Cooper: Coming to a Theater Near You Year TBD

Paul Feig's next project will probably be super spy comedy flick Susan Cooper, and it looks like Melissa McCarthy will be in it! No idea if she'll be Susan herself or her partner or maybe some sort of vill-based-ian. Whatever the role, I'm game. Feig & McCarthy did great in Bridesmaids and The Heat so I'll pretty much follow them blindly from now on. Feig wrote the script. He doesn't have a ton of writing credits, aside from Freaks and Geeks (which was a great show, so do you really need more writing credits than that?) but I'm sure he helped out or at least learned a lot from the his last two movies.

Can't wait to see it! Or at least know when it starts production!

[via /Film]

Take a Ride on some Rocket Boosters!

I always wanted to know what happened to them after they detached from the shuttle.



The more you know!

[via TPM]

Goats are the Silliest!

They are such a delight. Add slides to it, and it's pretty fun. What goofballs!



Adorable, adorable goofballs.

[via HuffPo Comedy]

"What Teachers Make" by Taylor Mali

Here's an awesome slam poem by Taylor Mali called "What Teachers Make" illustrated in comic form by Zen Pencils (you can see it big there):

and spoken here:



This really hit home for me. I loved LOVED loved my teachers growing up. I really feel for Mr. Mali here and appreciate how dedicated he is to the profession. It does "make a GD difference."

If We Could See Inside Others' Hearts...

This is designed to tug at the heartstrings, but that doesn't stop it from succeeding:



So many feelings.

[via Neatorama]

Ballon Dogs + Cactus + Dancing = Joy

I love this short, animated film, "Tumbleweed Tango." It's got everything you want - drama, comedy, dance, desert, and, of course, two delightful balloon dogs - one red (my favorite color) and one poodle (the best of all breeds).



I love the sound effects for the balloon animals (they really get that rubbery squish right) and (at least at first, before the pace speeds up) the animation almost has a stop-motion quality that is really fun. Great work, Hydra & humble!

[via Neatorama]

Live Action Daria

As much as I love Aubrey's Plaza's Daria impression, this parody trailer...

CollegeHumor's Favorite Funny Videos

...really just made me want to watch the old stuff. This clip reel is pretty solid.

Parks and Rec: Horror Style

I know one thing, if Leslie WAS an evil monster serial killer, she'd be the BEST evil monster serial killer!



I'd say I can't wait for Parks and Rec this fall, but I love me some summer! That being said, when Fall does roll around, I will be very excited to see Parks and Rec!

Happy 18th Birthday, Clueless!

As if! Yes, actually, as is.