This Space for Rent: Vanilla Week

Doesn't look like any of my current bidders are going to be sniping at me for stepping in their Technorati this week - we have three bidders, two artists and a budding paranormal investigator. We'll also toss in some local news and a cute little story from Iraq, so this should be a fair bit o' reading.

First up, we have Full Metal Photographer - I'm always at a loss to judge art and photo blogs, as I have the default black template from Blogger for a reason. Nevertheless, I think these photos are pretty good, but despite that, you should go look for yourself.

Next up, a shout-out to Winsome Gunning Art Walk - Again, I'm at a loss to judge the art, but Winsome also adds a little paragraph with each one, describing the creative process, or with a little art lesson. While I'll admit that the art doesn't do much for me - my talent, such as it is, and tastes run more towards manga - it might be just what you're looking for, so go see if there's something you like.

Finally, we have Paranormal Experience - looks like a brand-new blog from Joanna, who is starting to research and investigate the paranormal. Joanna, if you're reading this, I found Lloyd Auerbach's ESP, Hauntings, and Poltergeists: A Parapsychologist's Handbook to be a helpful guide in researching and investigating paranormal phenomena. Sure, it's a little old so it won't go into cryptozoology or EVPs, but in my opinion it's still the best - and only! - do-it-yourself guide out there.

What?

Okay, the renter will be announced at the end of the post.

In local news, looks like the mayor of our fair city has been indicted over a garbage-contract scandal that's been brewing. We don't learn which political party he belongs to - which is fine with me, as it doesn't matter. We do learn, from the details, that unless I misunderstand the story our Mayor can be bribed for $10,000, which frankly is chump-change in these times. God, man, where's your pride?San Jose's in the big leagues now - look at Mayor Daley in Chicago.

So, that's one politician indicted, and too God-damned many to go.

And I promised a story out of Iraq - here it is. Apparently nobody told them we couldn't withdraw because we're fighting the terrorists in their country so we don't have to fight them in ours.

Or maybe somebody did, and they're starting to wise up about what that means for them.

Anyway, look. They're calling for a timetable for our withdrawal! Isn't that cute? Look at them, acting like a little elected government of a sovereign nation! Apparently they believe us when we say we're there for their interests, and are trying the ask nicely method of removing their occupiers - famous throughout history for its efficacy.

It's so sweet you almost hate to be there when they discover the truth. Well, we'll see - maybe it'll work, God knows they've tried everything else. Except a full-scale civil war, which I'm thinking is next on the hit parade if not already playing.

Okay, after pondering upon it, I'm going with Paranormal Experience for this week's renter, but please be sure to visit all three of the entrants and show them some Electronic Darwinism lack of apathy.