Giant Man with Orange Hair

And the winner of the Olympus BioScapes photo contest is...

The eyes of a daddy longlegs (Harvestman), showing the lenses (two large ovals), retinas and optic nerves.

Source: Dr. Igor Siwanowicz / Olympus BioScapes

The image is a depth color-coded projection of a confocal image stack.

See more here.

I expect to see this soon as one of Michelle O's "party dresses", don't you?

Simply the BEST!

From the Chicago Tribune:

Sara Paretsky earns top mystery writer award

Sara Paretsky, courtesy of http://www.iliasspeis.co.uk/

Mystery Writers of America has chosen Chicago author Sara Paretsky to receive the group's top honor next year.

The group announced today that Paretsky would receive its Grand Master award next April in New York. The organization says the award is the "pinnacle of achievement in mystery writing" and was established to acknowledge important contributions to the genre.

Paretsky created feisty female private detective V.I. Warshawski in the 1982 novel "Indemnity Only."

Her latest book, "Body Work," was released earlier this year and is the 14th installment in the Warshawski series.

The mystery writers' group says Warshawski challenged a genre where "women typically played minor or passive roles."

Past winners have included authors Agatha Christie, Alfred Hitchcock and Stephen King.

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Congratulations, Sara!

Christmas Splendor!

Here is the Great Tree in the Walnut Room at Macy's (formerly Marshall Fields) on State Street in downtown Chicago--and isn't it spectacular?

I am so pleased Macy's has kept up this tradition!

Detail of this year's theme "BELIEVE, WISH, IMAGINE"

The things that look like 'dotted hanging strips' are actually LED lights, that shoot down the tree randomly for an absolutely gorgeous 'falling snow' effect.

Unfortunately, the State Street window displays are not anywhere near this exciting holiday design level. They're paper/board constructs of the "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" theme--quite dull, difficult to photograph, and not nearly as 'animated' as they were touted to be.

The eyes have it!

Something very cool to begin your week

Veterans' Day, 2010

Thank you, deeply, to all military veterans who fought and sacricified that we in the US may be free!

And thank you also, all military who continue the fight!

Just so you understand...

...before comparing Michelle Obama to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

A&E BIOGRAPHY: JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS (PART 1)



Jacqueline had CLASS...like no other First Lady before or since. PERIOD!

Just, because, one cannot ignore great voices

Susan Boyle performs Duet with Elaine Paige ( 13th / Dec / 09 )

Sometimes, the past can bring us fabulous gifts