this was a good week: doodling, disquiet time and a giveaway

This was a fantastic week.  Here's why:

•  Back to routine, cozy rainy workdays and a few meals with good friends, including one at the best soul food restaurant in town.  Booyah.

•  Harry Potter got rap skillz.  And he could not be more adorable.

•  This photographer takes photographs of beautiful fashion around the world -- arguably better than the stuff she shoots for Vogue magazine.

•  Lisa Congdon's doodling manifesto is the business.  I believe every bit of this, wholeheartedly.  Doodlers, unite!

•  I love these portraits painted on film negatives.  Marcus is an artist, and I have film negatives ... hmmm...

•  I Skyped with my dear friends Mark and Morgan, and took this photograph of my computer screen:  this week they welcomed their new baby girl!

•  Back in October, Marcus and I took a spontaneous trip down to Galveston (only about a 40-minute drive from our house).  Every time I go down there, I wonder why we don't do it more often.  These pictures taken by the lovely women of Mucho Mucho Bueno Bueno have me asking the same question.

•  I don't ever write about religion on Chookooloonks -- mostly because (a) I consider religious faith (or lack thereof) to be an intensely private matter, and (b) whether a person practices, or does not practice, any particular faith is really none of my business.  That said, when my friend Cathleen Falsani invited me to contribute an essay to her new book Disquiet Time:  Rants and Reflections on the Good Book by the Skeptical, the Faithful, and a Few Scoundrels, I was intrigued:  we'd never talked religion before her request, so honestly, I'm not entirely sure what prompted her to approach me.  Still, along with a slew of amazing writers, I submitted an essay of my thoughts about a year ago, and the book has just been released, to awesome reviews -- which is such great news.  I happen to have an extra copy, so if you'd like a chance to win it, wherever in the world you are, leave a comment below with your guess as to whether I'm skeptical, faithful or a scoundrel, and I'll pick one person at random to win it (I'll announce the winner by updating this post on Monday).  

•  And finally, the song of the day: I Won't Let You Down, by OKGo.  Be sure to watch the entire video, because it is MIND. BLOWING.  How do they do that in one take?!

Click here, or on the image below, to enjoy.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends.  See you next week. 

Update, monday, november 10th:

Thanks to all of you for your comments!  According to Random.org, the winner of the copy of Disquiet Time is Becky, who said, "Skeptical with a bit of scoundrel. Gotta explain the twinkle in your eye somehow!"  Congratulations, Becky!  Please check your inbox for a note from me requesting your mailing details.

As for whether I actually am skeptical, faithful or a scoundrel, well ... you're going to have to read the book to find out. ;)