Hooray for audiobooks while doing chores at work

In Terry Pratchett's "Monstrous Regiment", a newspaper man describes his beloved home city to a soldier in a small, remote country:

"The curious thing is that, although Ankh Morpork is probably the biggest bully around - in a subtle kind of way - we nevertheless have a soft spot for people who stand up to bullies. Especially royal ones. We tend to be on their side, provided it doesn't cost us too much."

This, friends, is the irony of American foreign policy in a nutshell. It may even be the attitude that inspired the French to provide vital help in the American revolution.

Terry Pratchett is as keen as ever.

Touchscreens

An email from Mr. Beatings pointed me at this demo. It's still a prototype, but Apple helped developed it, and has the patents on it.

Errr ... Okay ... Just last week I was sitting in my living room telling Mr. Lexor, "Touch screen? WTF would I need a touch screen for? A laptop without a keyboard is useless, and a finger on the screen only covers what you're trying to see!"

But after seeing this, I have completely changed my mind. Holy crap. This is going to change EVERYTHING.

P.S.: Hey Mom -- I told you to buy that Apple stock last year -- if you didn't, do so now. And also: We got the painting, and it's splendid! I got all wistful when I saw it. We've placed it in the living room, next to my monitor.