Where did the whole vegan thing come from? I always figured it was a 1970s thing, or maybe it went back to Berkeley in the early 1960s. According to the Vegan Society, the non-dairy/egg-free vegetarian craze began in London back in 1944. That was not a fun year to be in London, what with the aerial bombings and rocket attacks. Here's what they said in the very first issue of their newsletter:

That freedom has now come to us. Having followed a diet free from all animal food for periods varying from a few weeks in some cases, to many years in others, we believe our ideas [...]

"She looked sharp, in a new blonde Mohawk and high-heel boots. But her body language felt halfhearted. She was dithering. Uh oh. And then, just as surprisingly, she opened up and radically redefined her course. From there on the concert was good, occasionally very good." —The Times's Ben Ratliff reports Tuesday night's Cat Power concert at Hammerstein Ballroom as a comeback story. Attendees commenting at Brooklyn Vegan gave mixed reviews. She certainly sounds great performing "I Don't Blame You" in the video (passed along by Awl commenter "zspace," thanks.) above. It's very nice to see her smiling, too. Nothing would make me happier than if I [...]