He’s been dead for 68 years, but I’m sure that if we just applied enough voltage to his grave he’d rise up and party with us today.

(Last edition of TET; Current totals: 12,705 entries with 1,430,185 comments.)

We all know it is auto-tuned, and that many of you hate autotuning, so for those of you who can’t stand the stuff, don’t listen to this, and that way you won’t have to complain to the rest of us. At least this isn’t like those damned chimes going off every 15 minutes in the cemetery down the street all day — I have no control at all over that crap, and I’m going to have to dynamite a set of loudspeakers some day. You just have to refrain from clicking.

(Last edition of TET; Current totals: 12,689 entries with 1,426,885 comments.)

If you have delicate ears, you might want to skip this video: Billy Connolly will blister them with either the sacrilegious content or that ferocious Scottish accent. I liked ’em both.

(Last edition of TET; Current totals: 12,678 entries with 1,424,817 comments.)

Good news! Several people have been working hard to get the most awesome YouTuber Christina Rad to visit the US, and she has just been issued a visa to allow her to come to TAM this year!

So the legal hurdles have been cleared, and now the next step is a fundraiser to cover her travel costs.

If you’re wondering who the heck she is, go spend some time browsing her channel: she’s a fierce and eloquent pro-science atheist. Here’s a sample:

Of course, her first view of the United States is going to be Las Freakin’ Vegas, which is a little depressing, but whatever — TAM is going to be a little bit more fun for everyone now.

(Last edition of TET; Current totals: 12,667 entries with 1,423,020 comments.)

I’m off to Convergence, which has a steampunk theme: I’ve got lots of leather for a sorta costume, just to blend in, and my wife looks very hot in a bit of jungle explorer garb. The place will be swarming with Skepchicks, too! Also, you may recall, there was a little bet involving my daughter, so there may be some photography going on, and maybe even a bit of shaving. It will be a busy weekend!

Here’s a homage to GirlGenius, the wonderful steampunk webcomic:

(Last edition of TET; Current totals: 12,657 entries with 1,418,423 comments.)

Nice song.

(Last edition of TET; Current totals: 12,639 entries with 1,415,586 comments.)

The New York legislature has just approved a same-sex marriage bill, and it just awaits the governor’s signature to become the law. Six states now offer marriage equality — only 44 more to go. Congratulations to New York for finally doing the right thing.

(Last edition of TET; Current totals: 12,620 entries with 1,412,228 comments.)

We don’t need no hymns, we just need songs like this.

(Last edition of TET; Current totals: 12,563 entries with 1,404,477 comments.)