Dolphin: Described in the May issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study found that dolphins not only can recognize themselves in a mirror but also can notice changes in their appearance.

Prior to this research, only higher primates, such humans and chimpanzees, had demonstrated self-recognition in mirrors.

Elephants: Elephants can recognize themselves in mirrors, according to a new study. Humans, great apes, and dolphins are the only other animals known to possess this form of self-awareness.

Capuchin: Whereas gorillas, chimpanzees, and other apes recognize themselves in mirrors, monkeys do not, researchers found. But unlike most animals, the 14 monkeys in the test did not mistake their reflections for living creatures, putting the monkeys' level of self-awareness somewhere between that of dogs and orangutans.

All from National Geographic.

My brother cracks me up. I get a call from him at 6:30. "So you're at a conference, huh?" "How'd you know!?!!" "Dude, you always call me at dinnertime from conferences..."

I swear, his favorite thing about conferences is being able to stay in swank hotels and load up on free soaps and shampoos. I get to hear all about the flatscreen in the shower! And the sink that costs more than his car and the free food and the ducks in the bar fountain and... It's really funny. Oh, and all the crazy people."Um, you do know you are the guy who acquired an audience while chasing a squirrel outside a parking garage. "

ducks in the bar fountain

So, he's in the Peabody in Memphis? Or was that a different trip?

He's actually in Orlando at a brain tumor thing.

Is the Peabody that place with an indoor river and practically a small town? Because I think he's been there, though not for a conference. Though that may have been a place Nashville....

The boy loves his swank hotels.

who DOESN'T love swank hotels?!

Me. I think they contribute to the inevitable fall of the American empire.

Hey--Kat, still up for me to visit tomorrow morning? I have to be back on my side of the hill by 1, so what time is good for you?

Yep. Anytime after 7:00 AM is good.

eta even if you're non-swank hotel lovingness is downright odd.

I think they contribute to the inevitable fall of the American empire.

Well, that tallish dirty blond over there screaming "Viva la revolucion!" as he swigs his sam adams and shovels food from the hotel buffet onto his plate? The one taking pictures of ducks at the bar?

That's my brother.

Well, if it's inevitable...

Oh, I was just kidding. Swank hotels are okay. Been a while, though. I think The Hudson was the last one.

Watching Daybreak. I read somewhere that it had been advertised as a finite series--what did they say?

eta:

Well, if it's inevitable...

Then it's all about how soon.