Didn't get home from work and gym tonight till after midnight, so I'm copping out a bit. I just want to make a recommendation to check out last week's "This American Life". I could probably make that recommendation safely every week, because its the most consistently excellent and astounding radio program I know, easily shifting gears from politics and culture to food and Holidays, using drama and comedy and every shade in between.
Last week's episode was about pets, and was especially notable for the first and last acts. First was an essay from David Sedaris (an incredibly brilliant and fucked up and painfully funny writer) on the pets of his childhood that will move you, disturb you, make you laugh a lot, and make you embarrassed about how much you are laughing. That's really what Sedaris does best. But its the last story that really makes it. A bizaare (fictional) story of our responsibility to our pets and their responsibility to us, of autism and finding a normal life, and armadillos. If you're at all like me it will absolutely knock you out.
Also, Ira Glass has a cool voice, so you should try to check out the show every week. I've never been dissapointed, even when I thought before it started that I didn't care at all about their topic. And with that I leave you.
Note:
More ThisLife episodes in case you've got an extra 5 hours this week
First Day (Squirrel Cop)
Fiasco
Telephone
Cruelty of Children