1. Because I have not yet seen anyone link it, and Maryland deserves its happy photos too: First same-sex couples marry in Maryland. (I am not sure what the Mayor is doing in that first photo, but at least all the couples look beautiful. Even the ones who are reading their vows off their iPhones, I guess.)

2. I made the mistake of putting "help me figure out what I want for a new computer" on my Christmas list, so now stellar_dust has decided we need to go computer shopping RIGHT NOW before she goes home to Chicago.

I mean, I don't really need a new computer. Everything works just fine on this one! Except the left arrow key, fine. And the backspace. And the ';' key, and all the keycaps that are scrambled because they were wearing through. And the DVD player that jiggles loose so you have to unscrew it and plug it back in every time. And the one USB port that's gone wonky. And the on/off switch for the ethernet that doesn't work. And the battery that's being held in with tape, and the power socket that's being held in with hot glue. But other than that, it's fine.

Well, I have been overloading the RAM and processor more and more often, so I guess it's not a bad idea to start looking. Here's the list of requirements + wants we worked out. Anyone have any suggestions? There's an HP business-class laptop at Microcenter that was looking a bit tempting. I'm also considering possibly getting a laptop + something in the smartphone/tablet/reader/iPod range, or even just a tablet if someone convinces me there's a table in my price range that'll work, but I'm not sure.

( What I want in a laptop )

Any suggestions? The "survives rough treatment" is really the sticking point.