Happy post-Fourth of July ... it's been a nice weekend so far - mostly lazy and self-indulgent - and the best part is that it's not over yet.

Yesterday we didn't even leave the house until 5 p.m. It was blazing hot by that point, of course, but undeterred we made our way to Dixon to hang out with some friends. There was plenty of good food including fresh corn on the cob and strawberry pie - and afterwards we headed out to the park for some prime people-watching...oh yeah, and fireworks. Thanks again guys for letting us crash your Dixon party....

Today has been a little more productive - but just a little. It's only 11:40 and I've already gone for a walk, had coffee with Kim and done some Web surfing.

I feel like Sophie (pictured, right) though - I'd love to just lay around all day watching VH1's 50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs Ever or maybe a Trading Spaces marathon, but, alas, there are task to be accomplished today. Things that need to get done around the house so that the rest of the week isn't hell.

Such is life.

In the meantime, here is a short list of links that I've been meaning to post.

First, a NARAL ad spoofing The Stepford Wives trailer.

And then, for some good bi-partisan balance on the subject, an Alternet story on The GOP's Silent Majority - Republican women who vote pro-choice.

Then, on a much lighter note, the NPR ombudsman ponders if the radio program's CD reviews are too hip and inscrutable - to which I say, if that's the case, why does an NPR feature or review usually translate into increased record sale for the artist?

Then, get scared with this recent James Brown interview that shows how the Godfather of Soul has, at least temporarily, flipped his funky wig.

And finally, some good time-wasting with the Velvet Underground 3D Death Chase game.

Enjoy.