It's a very complicated case... a lot of ins and outs, a lot of what-have-yous. And a lot of strands to keep in my head, man. A lot of strands in old Duder's head. --The Big Lebowski
My friend Kate Coe, an editor at MediaBistro, has been outed as a CIA covert operative! According to the site, she's been dispatched to Fishbowl-LA to assist in the cover-up of the alleged hit on artist and filmmaker Theresa Duncan, and assigned the job of destroying Duncan's - and her boyfriend, digital artist Jeremy Blake's - reputation.
The operation is so covert that even Kate herself didn't know she was a CIA operative. Clearly we've got a Manchurian Candidate situation. The switch has been thrown, her microchip has been activated, her only goal: to assassinate the reputation of an occasional blogger, screenwriter, and artist.
I can't believe it. Nowhere, I mean no-freaking-where in her bio does it say she's CIA. Why aren't my tax dollars at work ruining my reputation? Where's my cool CIA baseball cap? Why have I been calling her Kate and her calling me Nina WHEN WE COULD HAVE BEEN USING CODE NAMES?
C'mon, hook a girl up. I look great in black!

- Dr. Venture: Why are you naked?
- Brock: To prey on their fear, move like an animal, to feel the kill.
- Dr. Venture: Alright, now you're scaring me. What's going on?
- Brock: I dunno. (holding the decapitated head of a guild henchman) But judging from these goggles, it's The Guild. Seems like you made it to the big league, what'd you do?
- Dr. Venture: Nothing! I was just sitting here, watching the worst porno ever. Is that a head?
(More, at Gawker.)
Speaking of secret payouts, I have this question to ask: why is it the people who ask to borrow money from you, citing thins like rent check and car payments, always seem to have enough money for haircuts and tattoos and expensive dinners out? Then they don't get evicted and their cars don't get repossessed, and they end up tattoo'd, fed and fabulous. Did I miss out on the slice of that fat money cake? Am I immune to the siren's song of savoury crepes for brunch?
Am I the only sucker paying my bills?
Edited to add, 7:02pm: Thanks to Vintage Caveman for noting that I have been added to the blacklist! I expect the black helicopters bearing my CIA orientation kit shortly.