Sunday evening already?

[cleolinda]

So, here's what's new in the world of L'affaire Lexicon:

soleta_nf remembered Steve Vander Ark saying at Convention Alley 2004 that "his real reason for starting the lexicon was that he knew JKR would be publishing an encyclopedia someday, and he hoped that, by having already created one, he would be the person she approached to help her with it." Apparently this ambition goes back as far as 2000 as well. vorpal_blade at JF also recalled SVA saying at Prophecy 2007 that "Jo didn't know her world as well as the fans did and that they owned it now, not her," of which we also have video ("I'm going to teach you a spell: expelliepilogus!"). He's also on video comparing JKR to Umbridge. The reference on RDR Books' website to Hiroshima was removed, but not before it was screencapped. The book may have had a British publication date of tomorrow, November 5, but since I also read that the British publisher is cooperating with WB, it's unlikely that it'll go on sale tomorrow.

And then... Steve released a statement.

Meanwhile! Wearable Sculpture is now Wyrding Studios, Stardust illustrator Charles Vess needs your help proving that a statuette without "big muscles, big breasts or big guns" can sell, and we have a few reader requests:

foresthouse created a Flickr group for Neil Gaiman-inspired costumes and creations (which Neil himself mentioned on his blog).

unheardpublic: "Chipotle, the mexican fast food restaurant chain, hosted a 30 second commercial spot contest for universities around the nation and they just announced the 12 finalists. Well, I happen to be one of them. The rules are that the video with the most views on youtube wins, so if you could link my video in your spam, I would SO appreciate it (you have no idea how much more I will love you). Enjoy and thanks so much."

arielchan has one last sociology poll, if you could help her out.

Back at the ranch, an excellence of linkspam:

Shia LaBeouf arrested at Chicago Walgreens.

Teacher who ran away with student arrested in Mexico, boy released; Teen turns out to be illegal immigrant, stays in Mexico after teacher seized. "This was a mutual agreement to flee after the story came out that they were having sex."

Judge booted for flipping coin to decide.

Creature ID'd as coyote, not chupacabra. But did it have mange?

Face of King Tut unshrouded to public.

Autism ‘epidemic’ may be in label.

Not much left of Robin Hood's Sherwood.

What would you ask fantasy writer George R.R. Martin?

Several non-Lexicon HP stories: Confirmed: Dan Radcliffe, Richard Griffith in "Equus" Broadway Production Fall 2008; Dawn French talks to Daniel Radcliffe about his "lovely wand." Meanwhile, in book news: The Tales of Beedle The Bard!; J.K. Rowling Expands ‘Potter’ Universe For Charity. And back over on the filming front: Radcliffe on HBP: Gambon "Camping it Up." He means off-screen, fortunately: "Well, he's been camping it up around the set like nobody's business... Not in the film, though we did actually film a scene the other day, and I would like emphasise at this point that the script was written before this revelation and I don't think Steve Kloves had any prior knowledge, but there was a scene the other day when Michael had to come in and tell another character how much he loved knitting patterns! Which he just adored saying that." It kind of sounds like the scene where Dumbledore excuses himself from the room to let Harry and Slughorn talk at Slughorn's house--doesn't he come back from (ostensibly) the bathroom and say he was looking at something? Knitting patterns ring a bell for some reason. And we know they've been filming Slughorn's house, so it does make sense.

The Golden Compass Character Posters; Exclusive Photo: ‘The Golden Compass’; New Golden Compass Stills; “Film sells atheism to kids: Major protest launched”; ‘Golden Compass’ Author Starts Fantasy-Author Beef; Lord of the Rings ‘trivial’ says Pullman. Why? Whyyyy? Why do you make it so hard to support you against the atheism-panickers by attacking beloved fantasy writers? Whyyyyyyyyy?

(Also: Mrs. Coulter dolls are here!)

Two more costume pics from Keira Knightley's The Duchess.

New Joker pic revealed. (Ever so slightly related: Ledger Enters Gilliam's Imaginarium.)

New Watchmen Movie Updates.

Wolverine Story and Scene Spoilers.

Cinematical Exclusive: 'The Orphanage' Poster.

New Poster and Artwork for Gerard Butler's 'Game'; Now Gerard Butler Escapes the 'Escape from New York' Remake.

Donnie Darko's Richard Kelly Talks About 'The Box'; James Marsden Joins Diaz in Richard Kelly's 'The Box'; Kelly's Box Is '70s Piece.

James Marsden Has a Wicked 'Sex Drive.'

Paul Giamatti Blurs Reality For Philip K. Dick Biopic ‘Owl In Daylight.’

Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" Being Reimagined Under Ridley and Tony Scott.

trailer_spot: Pride and Glory, There Will Be Blood, National Treasure 2, Kung Fu Panda, Cassandra's Dream, Alvin and Why Hast Our God Forsaken Us? the Chipmunks; Wanted, There's Only One Sun, Kung Fu Panda, Band's Visit, Untraceable.

'Jumper' Poster Features Exotic/Dull Cocktail.

Fans Choose Villainy for (The) Rock.

The Killer Graphic Novel Being Developed for David Fincher.

Natalie Portman Directing Love and Darkness.

First Lost Boys 2: The Tribe Photo.

"Shrek 4 Title Fills Me With Untold Rage."

Alan Cumming is One Matt Hatter.

Gillian Anderson Loves 'The Smell of Apples.' (Somewhat related: The X-Files 2 Set for July 25, 2008.)

Guy Pearce Hits The Road. Aww, not Viggo Mortensen after all?

Meryl Streep Wins Preemptive Oscar as Julia Child; Amy Adams to costar.

Julia Roberts and Clive Owen Re-Team for 'Duplicity.'

'Cloverfield's' Mysterious Title Revealed as ... 'Cloverfield'? The possibility of a last-minute fakeout is acknowledged, however.

Oprah Winfrey chops off Hilary Swank's hair.

From 1999: Kevin Smith Protests 'Dogma.'

Seriously, it's a really, really good linkspam. A five-day backlog'll do that for you.

Comments

Damn hair-cutting for cancer again!

[dakiwiboid.livejournal.com]

Most cancer-patients and survivors don't wear wigs made from actual hair. They use synthetics, if they use wigs at all. They're lighter, easier to care for, dry faster when washed, etc. While they're undergoing chemo, patients generally wear hats, scarves and turbans.

So much more hair is donated than is needed and so little of it is actually suitable that most of it is either discarded or is sold to the wig-making industry.

Furthermore, people with long, pretty hair are often harassed about donating their hair instead of keeping it, as if the only purpose of growing hair was to have it cut for these events.

I hate it when highly-publicized hair-cuttings take place. They do so much more harm than good. A cash donation to help the women buy chemo would be so much more useful.

Re: Damn hair-cutting for cancer again!

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Man, there are so many comments on this entry that I'm gonna have to mention in the next post--the synthetic wig thing makes so much sense.

Re: Damn hair-cutting for cancer again!

[quasar360.livejournal.com]

So... is hair donation bad, then? Even if it's pretty good quality hair? :(

(Sorry - donating my hair, which grows ridiculously quickly and is much-admired, has always made me feel like I'm being helpful. If it's actually the opposite... I feel bad now.)

Re: Damn hair-cutting for cancer again!

[jennnk.livejournal.com]

unfortunately, your good intentions probably wound up on some starlet's head as extensions, or in a shop catering to frum women who'd rather wear a wig than a scarf. from what I know, locks of love has MASSIVE issues with where their money and hair actually goes, and like the PP said, most cancer patients don't bother with wigs. don't feel bad, because we've all been there with something (for me, it was with this same issue AND I convinced my mom & brother to do it with me), you just know better for next time.

Re: Damn hair-cutting for cancer again!

[quasar360.livejournal.com]

How disappointing! Do you know whether the same is true for other hair-donation programs, like Pantene's Beautiful Lengths? I had heard of Locks of Love's shady business practices and switched programs, but now it sounds like it's all a waste. I wonder why Oprah and various hair care companies bother to promote this stuff - *snort* is that where all the donation money is going?

See my comment below

[dakiwiboid.livejournal.com]

Even if the hair is discarded instead of being sold, which is bad enough, or if the wigs are actually made, I honestly don't think most patients don't want them. I went into my detail below. To really help a woman with cancer who is in need donate to the American Cancer Society directly and designate that your donation be for women. Women need help getting chemo, radiation, surgery, and other treatment one hell of a lot more than they need cosmetic coverups.

Re: Damn hair-cutting for cancer again!

[jennnk.livejournal.com]

I have no clue about the other organizations, but there's a website or three that tracks non-profit spending on things like overhead & such...names escape me at the moment, but I'm sure google could help.

I used to work in a department at a Cancer Center that served patients on a daily basis

[dakiwiboid.livejournal.com]

I seldom saw a patient undergoing chemo or recovering from it wearing a wig. My friends who have had cancer (and I've known a lot of them) wore caps or turbans, bandanas or went proudly bald. A few wore synthetics. None wore real hair. It's hot. It's heavy. When your scalp is easier to abrade, as it is after chemo, covering it with something light and easy to remove rather than a wig, which has to be anchored or glued down, makes sense.

Maybe I just don't run in the circles where women wear real hair wigs because of cancer, but I just don't think it's very common any more for most women. Some of it is indeed because the wigs start at $1,000 and up, of course, but the inconvenience of styling, the heat, the heaviness, all those factors are so hard for a woman with so much more in her life to worry about than her hair. A hair wig takes a lot longer to dry than your own hair. Who's got time for that between chemo appointments, PT appointments, radiology appointments?

Honestly? If you want to help a woman like you the wigs aren't much needed. Do you want your hair sold and the money donated? Then give your hair.

If you're interested in alopecia and want a chance for your hair to go into one of the wigs donated very rarely each year (look at the numbers in this story (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/06/fashion/06locks.html?pagewanted=1&ref=fashion) and think of the volume of hair that's donated every year then go ahead and grow it instead of donating cash for chemo.

Sorry, bad link

[dakiwiboid.livejournal.com]

Try here (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/06/fashion/06locks.html?pagewanted=1&ref=fashion).

Re: Damn hair-cutting for cancer again!

[ocarina.livejournal.com]

That plus most western women's hair is simply not wig quality. It's washed too much for starters, let alone the blow drying and styling. I laughed a little at Swank saying she took vitamins for her hair for 6 months. That's the part that won't get cut, that she's keeping on her head!

My grandmother wore wigs for chemo, but she didn't want anyone she didn't tell to know she was ill. And she complained about them.

A friend of mine was just talking about feel good charities to me yesterday. She loves food banks, because you buy food and bring it there and voila! Someone gets food! You feel instantly good and you really are doing good. She always recommends it to people who want to participate in more wasteful charity feel good things.

Re: Damn hair-cutting for cancer again!

[conuly]

What about donating it to clean up oil spills?

Re: Damn hair-cutting for cancer again!

[lomer.livejournal.com]

I'm sad to hear this. I hadn't heard that Locks of Love had shady business dealings before.

I've donated my hair quite a few times. I remember how excited my castmate was when she got her hair from locks of love. She was 12, and losing her hair was a big blow. She loved her wig. I donated my hair the next day.

I'm sorry to hear there aren't more good experiences out there.

Was she an alopecia sufferer?

[dakiwiboid.livejournal.com]

I know that's their focus, and they do indeed provide wigs for those children, however, it's not anywhere near as many per year as the amount of hair collected leads donors to believe.

It's really unfortunate that so many people believe that the hair collected from LoL goes to cancer patients.

Re: Was she an alopecia sufferer?

[lomer.livejournal.com]

Nope, I forget what kind of cancer she had but it had something to do with her glands.

Is there a better charity to donate hair to? I'm fine with the idea that they sell the hair in order to then donate the money. For a poor college student, I have hair to donate, not monetary funds.

They must have made an exception in her case

[dakiwiboid.livejournal.com]

Every single Locks of Love website specifies that their wigs are for alopecia patients, not cancer patients.

There really is no such thing as a good hair donation charity. If you don't have money, do you have time? How about calling your local branch of the American Cancer Society to see where they need volunteers, even a yearly event if you can't do it more often? Giving a day once a year shouldn't be a bigger deal than getting your hair cut. If you don't have that much time, you could wait until you graduate to donate money.

Re: They must have made an exception in her case

[lomer.livejournal.com]

I don't know anything more about her case other then she had chemo, lost her hair and LoL got her a partial wig.

Unfortunately time is something I have even less of then money. (I'm a theatre major who also works in professional theatre. 8 shows a week on top of being a full time student AND rehearsing for the next show I have lined up, pretty much kills all my free time.) You're right, after I graduate I might have more time or money.

Re: Damn hair-cutting for cancer again!

[rhodynne.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this ammunition...I mean information.
My hair hangs down to my waist, and really isn't in good condition, and the last time I went to have it trimmed I was harassed.
Seriously.
The woman cutting my Mom's hair beside me told me I looked old and fatter with my hair long. Those words exactly.
I managed to keep my temper, but allowed as how calling me fat and old wasn't convincing me to do something nice.

Happy to be of service

[dakiwiboid.livejournal.com]

The harassment comes from malice and ignorance and must be stopped.