Karen has a great post on driving in the clutch.
Lifehacker recommends taking notes: “I think the act of taking notes in front of others (especially doctors) entices them to give me more time and better information. Three times lately I have pulled out my moleskine and started taking notes in front of a doctor. Each time I have received tips, web site references, and ideas.”
From the oh-that’s-not-fair department: Rachel Alexandra won’t run in Belmont Stakes
Wall Street Journal music writer Jim Fusilli provided information a few weeks ago to eliminate any regret we might feel over Phil Spector’s 19-year-sentence. Fusilli included this:
Celebrities were treated to similar shenanigans. According to Mr. Brown’s biography, Mr. Spector, weapon in hand, locked the door to his Beverly Hills mansion behind Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas, refusing to let her leave. Mr. Brown also reports that Mr. Spector was wearing a handgun in 1973 when he attended the Ali-Norton fight at the L.A. Forum in a group that included Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond and James Taylor; later that night, when he was introduced to Frank Sinatra at Trader Vic’s, he was still wearing the gun. Once he pulled a gun in a studio at the Record Plant and accidentally fired it; the bullet somehow missed Lennon. On another occasion, a drunken Mr. Spector pressed the muzzle of a gun against Leonard Cohen’s neck. “Leonard, I love you,” he said. Nudging the barrel aside, Mr. Cohen replied: “I hope you do, Phil.”
And Political Animal cites Alito, O’Connor and Thomas as nominees who’ve claimed that personal background can, does and should play a part in judicial decision-making.