RIP

Bob Clark, director of the holiday classic A Christmas Story, has died in a car crash, at the age of 67. I feel tremendously sad about this; the rest of his career was uneven, but A Christmas Story is one of my favorite films of all time. It's one of a very few holiday-themed films that never resort to clying sentiment or bathos; 25 years after my first viewing, it's still a film I can regularly re-watch with pleasure. (Peter Billingsley, who played Ralphie, has also released a statement.)

Rest in peace, Mr. Clark.

(no subject)

Because I need cheering up just now, gratuitous picture of a sleeping baby fox. Also, San Francisco in jello, which makes me smile ten different ways. (Thanks, nex0s.)