NORAD Tracks Santa

NORAD has been tracking Santa Claus since 1955. Why? To make sure they don't accidentally mistake him for a nuclear warhead and shoot him down! That would kind of suck, wouldn't it?

Where is Santa right now? Follow him on NORAD's Santa Tracker:



This screen capture was made when Santa was on his way to Thailand.

Happy Christmas to you all.

A Rebel in Siam

Showing off the latest addition to my map postcard collection:



It's not very clear what year this antique map was made, but no matter. It shows parts of what is now Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Burma and China. All areas underrepresented in my collection.

It was sent to me by "Rebel", an American (or Aussie?) blogging from Thailand: Rebel's Work In Progress - Thailand Edition!

After spending my post-college decade stuck in unfulfilling office jobs, I decided to strike out and see the world. First stop - Thailand.

Thanks, Rebel, for pausing to send this postcard!

UPDATE 5/14: Rebel tells me that she is "American as apple pie... you know the kind you get in a little cardboard box at McDonalds. ;)"

Spice Maps

Apartment Therapy: The Kitchen is highlighting a homemade gift idea for your carto-cooking fan friends:



Package spices with cut out pieces of maps that highlight the country where the spice originates attached to the jar lid. Include recipes.

Can you identify which spices are likely to come from the places on the maps? I can identify four out of five of those places, but I cannot guess the one in the upper left. What country is that?

HT to Hunter