Penning a 1,500 word essay in French after just four months of language school is no small feat.

I always love seeing pictures of the spaces where famous writers and thinkers work...whether those spaces are cluttered or clean, they each say something about the person who used them. I love this picture, part of a series taken the day Albert Einsten died. It's the small details that make a space like this so personal, like the indentation in the back of his chair. I can just picture Einstein leaning back, hands laced behind his head, gazing out the window and formulating theories about black holes.

But I want to know: how come hot guys don't send me gorgeous dresses?

There is so much unbelievable-ness in this political ad from California, I don't even know where to begin. You just have to watch it.

"Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemble no more! I admit the deed! --tear up the planks! --here, here! --it is the beating of his hideous heart!"

Classic Poe. Just wanted to post in honor of his birthday, since the usual visitor either forgot or died.

ShelterBox is one of the best disaster relief organizations out there -- my husband Rick is one of their SRT members and has traveled the world delivering immediate aid to those in need. Please consider donating to support ShelterBox in their efforts to provide some relief to Haiti.

What's in the box?

Shelter
At the heart of every ShelterBox is a ten-person tent. It is custom made for ShelterBox by Vango, one of the world’s leading tent manufacturers, and is designed to withstand extreme temperatures, high winds and heavy rainfall. Internally, each tent has privacy partitions that allow recipients to divide the space as they see fit.

A smile
Every box contains a children’s pack containing drawing books, crayons and pens. For children who have lostmost, if not all,their possessions, these small gifts are treasured.

Warmth and protection
In addition to the tent, the boxes contain a range of other survival equipment including thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets, essential in areas where temperatures plummet at nightfall. Where malaria is prevalent mosquito nets are supplied, as well a life saving means of water purification. Water supplies often become contaminated after a major disaster, as infrastructure and sanitation systems are destroyed, this presents a secondary but no less dangerous threat to survivors than the initial disaster itself.

Self sufficiency
A basic tool kit containing a hammer, axe, saw, trenching shovel, hoe head, pliers and wire cutters can be found in every box. These items enable people to improve their immediate environment, by chopping firewood or digging a latrine, for example. Then, when it is possible, to start repairing or rebuilding the home they were forced to leave.

Fit for purpose
Every item is durable, practical and brand new. The box itself is lightweight and waterproof and has been used for a variety of purposes in the past - from water and food storage containers to a cot for a newly born baby.

A heart to the home
A key piece in every box is either a wood burning or multi-fuel stove - that can burn anything from diesel to old paint. This provides the heart of the new home where water is boiled, food is cooked and families congregate. In addition, there are pans, utensils, bowls, mugs and water storage containers.

Adaptability
We keep a broad range of equipment in stock so we can adapt the contents of a box to a specific disaster. For example, following the Javanese earthquake in 2006, when some resources were available locally or could be salvaged fromone storey buildings, the overwhelming need was for shelter – so we just sent tents, packing two in each box.

Wow. Still trying to wrap my head around the potential applications of integrating the physical and digital world. I especially Mistry's take on how this kind of technology helps keep us human. Your thoughts?