Ned Ryerson! Bing! and Ned Ryerson! Bing! and Ned Ryerson! Bing! Morning Report x

Birthday festivities have calmed down here at the Report, and things are returning to normal.  Thank you to all the readers who sent along their birthday wishes in one form or another.  It made for a great day, one which I would not mind repeating, though perhaps not as many times as (soon-to-be-FDR) Bill Murray does in Groundhog Day.

And if I had been born just one day later, I would have had a closer (read: existent) connection to that film.  Today is the birthday of character actor Stephen Tobolowsky, who is perhaps best known for playing Ned! Ned Ryerson! Bing! in Groundhog Day.  But those of you who haven't seen Groundhog Day (you should!) will no doubt recognize Tobolowsky from some film/TV show or another, be it as the head of the KKK in Mississippi Burning, Sammy Jankis in Memento, Sandy Ryerson in Glee, Bob Bishop in Heroes... The list goes on and on.  But my favorite role Tobolowsky plays is himself.  Through the film blog SlashFilm, Tobolowsky releases a ~monthly podcast called The Tobolowsky Files, in which he shares his stories of "life, love, and the entertainment industry."  These aren't tales of "OMG I totally ran into Tom Cruise last week at a restaurant. Totes cray!"  Rather, they are beautifully crafted stories from one of the most gifted, genuine storytellers I have ever heard.  From his childhood adventures with the Dangerous Animals Club to European adventures with his college girlfriend, from reflections on love that merit inclusion in an anniversary toast to discussion of the origins of the name of the band Radiohead, his stories entertain and enlighten.  I'm sure many of you readers have heard me go on about this at length, but I cannot recommend these enough.  Zip over to iTunes, download some of the early episodes, and check him out.

And for those who tune into the report just for the animal factor, don't worry, groundhogs aren't the only critters in today's report.  We've got a whole menagerie of newsworthiness!  Things start off strong with that polar bear, though take a turn toward the scary with the no-way-this-is-legal bull-shot.  Love the chihuahua, hate the snail that follows, and can't believe someone would name a rabbit "Spaghetti."  What a great number of lesser flamingos in 17, and how cute are the babies of 23, 24, 29, and 32?!  My favorite from the bunch, though, is the puppy on parade in 19.  Reminds me of this impressive canine story I stumbled on yesterday.

DC Readers should swing down to the mall to see old Abe; his monument was dedicated 90 years ago today.  Those outside of DC can still find something to celebrate, as Mel Blanc was born 104 years ago today.  Sing him happy birthday in the voice of one of his many iconic characters!

That's all folks !