Wow, I've never seen a picture of an epidexipteryx before.

PZ sez:

And here's what it would have looked like in life (only the colors are imaginary). It would have been about the size of a pigeon — I think a pack of these scurrying about New York's Times Square would be both scenic and would quickly clean up the pigeon problem there.

I totally want one....

I think the rule of thumb is two minutes a double-spaced page.

That sounds about right. I think I usually tried to make my 20-minute conference talks between 10-12 pages.

Note: Double-spaced, with real margins (i.e., 1 inch, and not Word's new default of 1.25).

They totally were, Scrappy.

sarameg, thanks for posting about making cat boarding reservations. That helped me stop waffling and get on that.

Robot maids are here! Or, they will be, in seven years. If you live in Japan.

I, Robot Maid: Toyota ushers in the era of the robot servant

Japan's rapidly declining population due to low birth rates and a graying majority has the country in a panic, but Toyota plans to save the day with a new category of server robots. Unveiled last week the new robot is the result of their collaboration with Tokyo University's Information and Robot Technology Research Initiative.

The robot demonstrated the ability to clean rooms, do laundry, and clear a dining room table, all with smooth moves and no accidents. The robot can recognize obstacles and learn from mistakes, abilities sure to improve seven years from now when Toyota plans to commercially release the robot and give Japanese consumers their very own Rosie the Robot Maid.

I succumbed to the lure of the drive-through today. Got the Wendy's BBQ dipped chicken sandwich. It reminded me of a McRib, except without the mystery meat part.

I feel kind of grossly *bleah* at the mo.

Hey, I hear you. I had Chicken McNuggets this weekend.

I have had fast food breakfast three times in the past week, due to travel and various other ridiculousness. I think my arteries hate me now.

btw, is "Friend of Dorothy," "Family" or "Betty" still used in gay culture? I feel so out of touch these days....

family, somewhat. "Friend of Dorothy", only a vague little bit and certainly only for men, probably of a certain age. "Betty", I've never heard.

Best kid's Star Wars costume ever? [link]

From [link]

eta: more [link]

Just saw this on Apple's home page and was very happy:

No on Prop 8

Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.

Go Apple!