A link collection

Random tab-closings that I know I'll never find again if I don't put them somewhere.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdoTdG_VNV4
Glass harp of Sugar Plum Fairy (or, what to do if you're bored at the wedding reception).

http://messagewithabottle.tumblr.com/image/26033919046
Advice most often missed by time management self help books.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/12spent/zeppeldrome-a-humorous-hazardous-dirigible-rally
A kickstarter for an interesting-looking board/card game that I can't decide if I'm going to pledge or not. Deadline Feb 16th. If I do, I want to be at the $29 level. But since my income dropped from $2K a month to about $100 a month, I'm not that comfortable pledging to things right now.

http://amazingstoriesmag.com/2014/01/pushing-fannish-buttons-chi-fi-vs-westin-river-north-hotel-chicago/
Actual investigative reporting on a topic of interest to me. It gives me hope for the future.

Learning a second language

It's something I've never managed. I took a year of German in school, and achieved my goal of sufficient vocabulary to read Einstein's Theory of Relativity. But never managed even partial conversational ability.

I love the Japanese language, and have poked at learning it for more than 30 years. I have a *wonderful* set of books and guides, and took classes from some great teachers. Pretty much none of it stays in my head for more than a week or so.

A couple of years ago my son became interested in Norway. (Norway?) I can only guess that it's related to knowing that his maternal grandparents came form there, but who knows. He's interested in learning Norsk, but not in traveling to Seattle every week to do so. So now I'm thinking maybe I'd like to learn Norsk, and we could both go, and it would give me someone to practice with.

I am, however, well aware of the challenge:
http://www.itchyfeetcomic.com/2013/09/view-from-top.html?m=1