MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES, ENDLESS FLEXING, ETC?

Happy National Unfriend Day! Are you still watching that girl who sat behind you in high school Spanish class constantly post her trite inspirational quotes on Facebook and pictures of her all-inclusive resort vacations? You can "choose joy" all you want, Señorita, but don't do it around me; I've chosen darkness.

There's nothing wrong with curating your social circle to optimize what little time you have left on this mud ball hurtling through space, so click that "unfollow" button with abandon! If someone who doesn't make the cut protests, just gently suggest that they celebrate National Take A Hike Day (also today) and leave it at that.

My reaction to yet another motivational quote popping up in my feed.

*****

Before we get to this week's amusing links let's cut some birthday cake for these November 17th babies:

• Actor, director, producer, and screenwriter Daniel "Danny" Michael DeVito, Jr., born this day in 1944! DeVito is an Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner, best known for appearances in TV shows such as Taxi and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He also has made audiences laugh over the years in films like Throw Momma from the Train, Twins, and Ruthless People.

• Drag queen, actor, model, singer, television personality, and author RuPaul Andre Charles, born this day in 1960! Since 2009, RuPaul has produced and hosted the reality competition series RuPaul's Drag Race, for which he has received eleven Primetime Emmy Awards, the most-awarded person of color in the show's history. He has also appeared in films and other TV shows, most recently Netflix's AJ and the Queen, which is super adorable (check it out if you haven't seen it) and the hilarious late 1990s classic about acceptance of yourself and others But I'm A Cheerleader.

• Television producer and screenwriter Lorne Michaels, born on this day in 1944! Michaels is best known for creating and producing Saturday Night Live, producing the Late Night series, The Kids in the Hall, and The Tonight Show. He's received 20 Primetime Emmy Awards from 94 nominations, holding the record for being the most nominated individual in the award show's history.

Also celebrating birthdays today: actress Rachel McAdams (1978), director Martin Scorsese (1942), actor Rock Hudson (1925), musician Jeff Buckley (1966), and actress Lauren Hutton (1943).

Now let's get to some amusing links!

1. Time travel through our lexicon

Merriam-Webster has this neat feature that lets you see words that came into our vernacular by the year. Check it out!

2. Take a stroll on the prickly side

Watch this Oregon Zoo porcupine go for a walk, nibble on some carrots, and visit his lemur neighbors. Marvel at his simultaneous stabbiness and cuteness! Well done, evolution!

3. Absurdist cartoons to make you chuckle

Steve Behling tells us all about zombie problems, suggestions for werewolves, and conversations with Edgar Allan Poe.

4. Every day in space is a bad hair day

Astronaut Karen Nyberg walks us through her out of this world hair care routine and makes us all thankful for gravity here on Earth.

5. Before and After scratches the home makeover itch

There's something satisfying about seeing a hideous space transformed into something delightful, and this Instagram account shares impressive before and afters.

OK! Hopefully these little diversions helped to brighten your day! We'll be back here in your inbox on Friday with NEW ART, more random holidays, celebrity birthdays, a new episode of the Boredwalk Podcast, and (probably) more! Until then...

Peace, love, and being selectively social,

Meredith