They seem to fascilitate that kind of shopping (sorta like trying on shoes in a store, but, you know, internets) simply because it is in their best interest. You wouldn't buy a shoe from them if it was a pain in the ass to return if it didn't work for you: you'd go to a brick&mortar.

I think someone just farted in the ventilation system. Uhg.

Oh, look. I think I'm a half hour past the deadline for ordering, if I want my shoes in time for the cruise. Hmph.

I'm pretty sure Zappos is playing the odds that you'll like more of the pairs than you expect to and/or won't bother returning some, thereby buying more than you had planned.

ION, my latest (local?) public radio name seen in print for the first time: Jad Abumrad

So the good news is that I got a look at my book cover.

Hec, they don't need to make the text smaller, just narrower. Narrower text has GOT to be better than these options.

My ¢2.

I just went to check on how my representative voted on the House hate crimes bill and then I remembered I don't have a representative anymore.

At least my used-to-be-mine representative voted my way.

Allyson, congrats on the new niecelet! Boo on the lack of mouse.

Hec, speaking of cover art, I like Pete's suggestion best.

I have napping kids, which means I should be working, not here. oops.

I keep getting kicked out of my office by the electricians.

I wonder if anyone would notice if I went home.

We're # 8!

The pace at which city dwellers walk has increased by 10 per cent in the last decade, a new study has shown.

The findings, from 32 countries, reflect the fact that increasing numbers of people are living in the fast lane.

Teams with stop watches timed how long it took 35 men and women to walk along a 60ft stretch of pavement.

Comparing the results with those compiled by US psychologist Professor Robert Levine in the 1990s, the study showed that people were, on average, now walking 10 per cent faster. Men are generally 25 per cent quicker on their feet than women.

People were in the greatest hurry in Singapore. Following in their footsteps were the residents of Copenhagen and Madrid, the two fastest-paced European cities.

Surprisingly, London is relatively slow compared with some other cities, the results show. On the list of 32 international cities, compiled by British psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman, it ranked only 12th.

The findings also explode the myth of the laid back Irish. Dublin topped Prof Levine's table in 1997 and takes fifth place on the new list.

New York, the city that never sleeps, provided another surprise. The Big Apple is renowned for its buzzing and frenetic pace of life, yet ranks only eighth.

A closer look at the UK showed that the fastest walkers were in London, followed by Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff.

I meant to walk to work this morning, but I dawdled at home this morning, and ran out of time. Sorry.