100 monkeys typing.

ACK-centuate the positive. No. Really.

Lulu here. For a change from the usual death, destruction and appalling inanity of our Commander & Thief, today a list of things that inspire. I’m not saying that we should ignore the horrors of the war or the dismantling of the constitution or being stripped of our civil liberties or the rape of the earth or the level of mass stupidity that surrounds us. All of those things are made no less horrendous by all the good. But I’m saying it’s important to recognize what good there is in the world every now and again. To be grateful for the things – large and small - that enrich our lives and the lives of others. We have four more years of suck to endure, we really need to pace ourselves. With that in mind, I’m encouraged that the following exist:

Paste Magazine Rock ‘n Roll: It’s not just for kids anymore™. “One of the fastest growing independently published music magazines in the country,” Paste Magazine has only been around for three years. Every issue comes with a free Music Sampler CD. And beginning this month you also get a sampler DVD of music videos and film trailers. They review artists, bands and films that nobody else does. If you enjoy discovering new music and understand that corporate radio sucks because it’s corporate, then you’ll love Paste Magazine. If you love going to see good film but hate all 25 selections offered at your local mega-plex, then you’ll love Paste Magazine. You can even buy back issues. This magazine gives me hope for The Arts and Artists.

Standing in the Shadows of Motown. The Funk Brothers are the best band you’ve never heard of. Oh, you’ve HEARD them, just not OF them. Because if you’ve ever listened to Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, The Jackson Five, Diana Ross and The Supremes, The Spinners, The Temptations, Mary Wells, Martha and The Vandellas, or The Isley Brothers (to name a few) you’ve listened to The Funk Brothers. They were the “house band” at Berry Gordy’s infamous hit factory in Detroit and they ARE the Motown Sound. The documentary is awesome. The soundtrack is awesome. But the best bang for your buck is to purchase the box set, “Hitsville USA, The Motown Singles Collection, 1959-1971.” Sheer bliss!

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Removed as I can no longer in good conscience make this recommendation. Read comments for details

Augusten Burroughs, best-selling author, likes his comedy black thank-you-very-much. I just finished reading his latest, MAGICAL THINKING. It’s a series of short stories, all true, which are insanely, viciously hilarious. The absolute best description I’ve heard of him yet is from The Boston Globe who said of his memoir RUNNING WITH SCISSORS, “Reads like David Sedaris writing The Hotel New Hampshire.” This memoir describes a stunningly dysfunctional childhood but there is not a moment of self-pity in it. Quite the contrary, even though the circumstances are horrifying his writing is wicked funny. And the story is inspiring because of his resilience and unlikely survival. If you have not read anything by Augusten Burroughs I highly recommend that you pick up RUNNING WITH SCISSORS, or DRY (another memoir – this one about rehab) or MAGICAL THINKING. You will laugh out loud more than once. And if you’re an actor? Pick up MAGICAL THINKING just for the extraordinary monologue material!

Food for the Poor, Inc. is a Christian ministry. Donations made to this organization contribute to the welfare of families-in-need in Latin America and the Caribbean. Now I know, I know – there are a lot of so-called “Christian” organizations that cannot be trusted to use donated funds as they are intended. However, in a 2003 survey of the top 200 charities in the country, Forbes Magazine reported that Food For The Poor's charitable commitment ratio was an impressive 95%. These people are doing good work and are actually following the teachings of Jesus – as opposed to faux Christians who subscribe to nothing more than homophobia, racism and sexism all in the “name of the Lord.” Unlike THOSE “Christians” these folks really are considering “what Jesus would do.” For surprisingly little money, those of us who have food, water and shelter can make a difference in the lives of those who have absolutely nothing. This holiday season please consider this: Abstain from feeding the corporate machine and instead make a donation that could feed a needy family for a month, sustain them for years to come or provide a water-pump for an entire village. It is comforting to know that each of us really can make a difference in the world even though our government is doing all it can to destroy it.