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This is apparently a form letter science-fiction author Robert Heinlein sent back to correspondents. Created in a checklist format, the letter includes potential responses such as:

“Thanks for your kind words. You have made by day brighter.”

“You say you have enjoyed my stories for years. Why did you wait until you disliked one story before writing to me?”

and

“Please do not write to me again.”

Apparently, the last response on the list was for those who wrote the “jackpot” letters:

“Your letter was most welcome!–loaded with friendliness and with no requests or  demands. You suggested that no answer was expected but I must tell you how much it pleased me. I wish you calm seas, following winds, and a happy voyage through life.”

Tyler Durden, the anarchistic troublemaker from “Fight Club,” topped Empire Magazine’s list of the 100 Greatest Movie Characters.

Anti-heroes and outright villains seemed to rule the day on this list, with Darth Vader at #2, The Joker at #3, Hannibal Lecter at #5, and “Godfather’s” Vito Corleone at #10.

Ferris Bueller made #16, Rocky Balboa was at #34, and Peter Venkman from “Ghostbusters” landed #44.

Here is the Top Fifty:

1. Tyler Durden
2. Darth Vader
3. The Joker
4. Han Solo
5. Hannibal Lecter
6. Indiana Jones
7. The Dude
8. Captain Jack Sparrow
9. Ellen Ripley
10. Vito Corleone
11. James Bond
12. John McClane
13. Gollum
14. The Terminator
15. Ferris Bueller
16. Neo
17. Hans Gruber
18. Travis Bickle
19. Jules Winnfield
20. Forrest Gump
21. Michael Corleone
22. Ellis “Red” Redding
23. Harry Callahan
24. Ash
25. Yoda
26. Ron Burgundy
27. Tony Montana
28. Gandalf
29. Daniel Plainview
30. Jigsaw
31. Aragorn
32. Jason Bourne
33. Tequila
34. Rocky Balboa
35. Maximus Decimus Meridius
36. Harry Potter
37. Edward Scissorhands
38. Donnie Darko
39. Marty McFly
40. Patrick Bateman
41. Mary Poppins
42. Alex DeLarge
43. The Man With No Name
44. Peter Venkman
45. Amelie Poulain
46. Anton Chigurh
47. Blade
48. Tony Stark
49. Walter Sobchak
50. Quint

A Romanian mother and her son have been stalking Canadian pop singer Bryan Adams, forcing the performer to call in the police. Adams, who lives in London, has been hounded by the pair for several weeks - including a visit to his home — prompting him to fear for his safety.

It is believed that the stalking mother-and-son team has psychiatric problems. In other news, grass is green and the sky is blue.

Ryan Roll

Incorporating high-concept photography that would look more at home in Vogue or as the edgier snapshots from National Geographic, Bible Illuminated: The Book: New Testament takes the Good Book to the next level.

Approved by the American Bible Society but accessible to a wide range of readers, Bible Illuminated is a 286-page coffee-table book full of eye-popping glossy photos and selected Bible text.

Will such an effort — admittedly hip and geared to a younger, MTV-type audience — bring more readers to check out the all-text “expanded” version of the Bible? And can photo and design enthusiasts appreciate Bible Illuminated on its own, outside of its religious context?

Is the upcoming Guy Ritchie film “Sherlock Holmes” cursed?

“Holmes” star Robert Downey Jr. was recently knocked out cold during filming by a wrestler — requiring six stitches.

There have been reports of other mishaps and setbacks on the set, including a petrol tanker last week that burst into flames, prompting cast and crew to run for cover. The set was closed down for two weeks after that incident.

One insider commented,

“There have been lots of other problems too… The crew have started joking about the curse of Sherlock Holmes.”

Thinks the cast and crew of “Sherlock Holmes” are just a bunch of crybaby wusses:

Think about it — it’s one of the cheapest ways to spend your time. Money-wise, I mean. Unless you accidentally make a baby or something.

The BBC reports that according to one charity’s survey, more Britons are turning to sex as a free way to spend the time during the current credit crunch. Sex was the most popular cost-free activity, according to the YouGov survey of 2,000 adults — ahead of window-shopping and gossiping. This corresponds with data indicating an increase in condom sales.

But according to the survey, the genders differ on their priorities — with men putting sex on the top of their list, and women preferring to gossip. Also, grass is green and the sky is blue.

link.

NSFW, once you figure it out — though it’s subtle.

Good morning.

Roach bombs are supposed to kill insects — not actually bomb places.

But an apartment explosion in DeKalb County, Georgia was blamed on the roach bombs one woman used to rid her home of the critters.

The woman set off 14 roach bombs — also known as indoor foggers — in her house before leaving for work in the morning. The bombs interfered with her pilot light and…

Luckily, nobody was injured or killed, though several windows were blown out, as well as part of the brick facade of the building.

According to The New York Post, controversial pundit and author Ann Coulter has broken her jaw and has had to get her mouth wired shut.

The ever-resourceful MacGyver topped TV Guide’s action heroes poll.

How did he beat out fellow tough guys such as Mr. T and Magnum, PI?

I’m guessing it’s because the Mac is both tough…and sensitive!

Important to note: women as well as men topped the poll.

The Top Five:

1. MacGyver

2. Buffy The Vampire Slayer

3. Jack Bauer, 24

4. Sydney Bristow, Alias

5. Magnum P.I.

via