The First Amendment Project, an organization devoted to — surprise! — protecting the First Amendment, is using eBay for their latest fundraiser. Winners of various auctions will have a character named after them in forthcoming projects from writers such as Stephen King, Amy Tan, Jonathan Lethem, Rick Moody, and Lemony Snicket. Some auctions have already ended, but Staggering Genius Dave Egger's auction is still open for another 5 days. Writes Eggers:

It appears that someone was recently selling chunks of snow from The Blizzard on eBay. And someone else apparently paid $77 for them. (We're selling blizzard snow as well, in much its more valuable liquid form. See revenue stream #43, Gawker Business Plan.)
2003 blizzard snow samples [eBay via 601am]