Roll Call

OK, class. Let's review the links I've deemed worthy of my blog space, shall we?

1) Lauren's International Adventures, or "Life of a Franco-American in the UK" - She's the only person I know personally who has lived in three different countries on two continents. I grew up with her in Chicago, she then moved to Paris, and now she lives in Nottingham. You can follow her on her fabulous escapades as she shops, drinks, works out, cooks for her french boyfriend, tries to find that perfect green sweater, and reads Harry Potter.

2) Toothpaste for Dinner - A weird, quirky comic strip that's sometimes about something, sometimes about nothing, and sometimes about the color beige (which is neither something nor nothing). I found out about it after Slate decided to feature a slide show where they deconstruct the genius of this minimalist comic strip.

3) Waiter Rant - Lauren, blog goddess that she is, turned my attention to this witty, intelligent yet mysterious NY waiter. Not only is he a great writer, but his archives of ridiculous customers and prank-prone co-workers are addictive. Literary crack, if you will.

4) Suzanne Takes On the World - Another longtime friend, Suzanne just recently moved back to Chicago after spending a year teaching in France. Her blog swings from the eating habits of the french to the lacking movie etiquette of our fellow americans. If you go there right now, you can read a touching story about trying to connect with co-workers through the obstacle of language.

5) Stacey Outshines Pottery Barn - Call me George W. Bush, because I like to promote my friends. This is Stacey's website that features her ceramic artistry. Having already been comissioned by NY restaurants, Stacey mixes whimsy with substance to create some truly original pieces. Her Animammals collection is especially amusing.

6) Elizabeth Crane, writer extraodinairre - Let me say this: If you haven't read When the Messenger is Hot or All This Heavenly Glory, you're missing out. Big time. Hers is a truly original voice and here she gifts us with a blog, sharing her unique observations about Danny Bonaduce, Apple Martin, and Celine Dion. How can you resist?

I'm sure I'll find more to add, but for now, dear readers, you precious few, these are the gifts I bestow unto you. Unwrap them, savor them like a fine wine, and use the ribbon for your ponytail.