J.K. Rowling, the first author every to become a billionaire based on literary work alone, has dropped a magical bombshell:

Not only is Dumbledore dead — but he’s also gay.

The news brought the obvious criticisms about why didn’t she out the wizarding professor in the books, and the questions about why insert (belatedly) into a children’s book. But more importantly, I bet, is whether this could dent Rowling’s sales. It certainly won’t send her to the poor house. But, it could cost movie revenues and future book sales among conservative religious groups, who already question whether they want their kids reading about witchcraft.

And finally, I wonder how straight actors Richard Harris and Sir Michael Gambon feel about being the images used when talking about the “gay Dumbledore” — and whether they wish they had known the character they were trying to portray — liked men.

Per Publisher’s Weekly (via the NYT):

In answering a query about whether Professor Dumbledore had ever fallen in love, she said, “I always saw Dumbledore as gay,” causing screams and a standing ovation. Noting the reaction, she added, “If I had known it would make you so happy, I’d have announced it years ago.”

Another year, another professional sports league will cancel its season because of labor strife.

Baseball recovered. Hockey hasn’t.

And now lacrosse is going to find out whether…WAIT WAIT WAIT…I mean, I’m a sports fan and I didn’t know there was a professional lacrosse league.

And they canceled the season because of labor issues? Who do these people think they are?

And, now, after doing what we in the journalism biz call research I’ve discovered that there are two — yes, TWO — professional lacrosse leagues. The National Lacrosse League is the one dealing with the lockout. Major League Lacrosse (again, not to be confused with the National Lacrosse League) is fine and chugging right along. IN fact, the 2007 season is over and someone (I can’t even find it on their basement-designed website) won the national championship already.

Aside on the website. There is an interactive (INTERACTIVE — HOW WEB 2.0???!!!!!) poll on the front page asking, “Which team has the most intimidating uniforms?”

They get uniforms? Its not like little league where you have to buy your own? Boy, those pro lacrosse players are overpaid.

Ethan’s trip to the S.A.

Originally uploaded by ethanlindsey.

Here’s the first in what promises to be a lengthy series of photo updates from my week in South Africa.

This is sort of a medley of different places and different days.

I felt like leading with the penguins would, of course, be the natural thing to do.

Also, these are in fact commonly known as “jackass penguins” — I didn’t come up with that name.

Okay, so I’ve been on the air for about four months now, rocking the Oregon airwaves. Also done a bunch of national stuff.

And feel like I am still getting up to working and filing multiple stories a day. Still, I do have some favorites thus far.

Without further ado:

Yes, it has been a while. And no, I am not sorry. I moved halfway across the world. Started working close to a dream job. And then visited South Africa.

So, I have been, as they say, busy.

But the blog has reappeared and is going to rock again. Probably harder and better than before. So get ready.

kinda like this: