If you're going to have gambling, might as well make it sporting. #NC

Cherokee casinos cut deal to add games :: WRAL.com: 

via WRAL

The finalized deal will now be sent to lawmakers scheduled to meet in Raleigh through Tuesday. They don't have to approve the contract, but they're being asked to loosen gambling laws separate from the compact so the tribe could offer games like live poker and blackjack.

In the unlikely event I'm ever out that way, this would now be on my list of things to do when in western NC. Without table games -- not a chance.

Barney Frank's announcement elicits some predictable responses.

Did I Mention Teh Ghey?

Did the Arab Spring precede another Summer of Love? (And will this be a Winter of Discontent?)

2012=1968?

Wojtek, Poland's 'soldier bear'

BBC News - Story of Poland's 'soldier bear' Wojtek turned into film: 

"He had a pay book. He didn't receive money, but was officially a Polish soldier," Mr Narebski says. Because of his size Wojtek received double rations. 

He says Wojtek liked play-fighting and boxing with his colleagues and asking for unlit cigarettes, which he would eat. Wojtek also had a liking for beer. "For him one bottle was nothing, he was weighing 200kg [440 lb]. He didn't get drunk." 

Mr Narebski says Wojtek was brought up not to be a danger to humans. "He was very quiet, very peaceful." However, he did take a dislike to a monkey and another bear, who had also been adopted by troops.

When I saw Brian Blessed's name when first skimming the article, the first thing that leapt to mind was that he must be playing the bear.

Brian Blessed, narrating, not portraying the  bear.

Heavy Rotation

Here's what's been getting the repeat play treatment on my iPod the last few weeks ...

The Decembrists - "The Wanting Comes in Waves / Repaid " 

Future Islands - "Before the Bridge"

Hot Lava - "Apple+Option+Fire"

Miniature Tigers - "Bullfighter Jacket"

Penny & the Quarters - "You and Me"

Goldfrapp - "Alive"

Superchunk - "Where Eagles Dare"

David Byrne and Brian Eno - "Home"

Portugal. The Man - "Work All Day"

Lykke Li - "Love Out of Lust"

The Veils - "The House She Lived In"

Modern Skirts - "Under Bridges and Overpasses"

Mates of State - "Palomino"

I signed up for Google Music yesterday and now my music library is in the process of uploading so I can have access to it all on my Android phone. This is huge. My iPod has been maxed out for a while; I've been having to remove songs to add new ones (yeah, yeah #FirstWorldProblems), but now, without having to get an iPhone, I can have access to all my music from any computer and while I'm on the go. It's pretty awesome. I love love my iPod and will keep it in my laptop bag, but now I don't need to think about getting a new one. I'm quite fond of Google Music here in the early going.