Happy people are more resistant to heart disease and many other ailments. Dr. Oz says it, so it must be true (haha): http://ask.doctoroz.com/question/are-happy-people-healthier

I work as an admin asst. for a dental clinic and we have no wellness program! At the top of my wishlist: on-site yoga and pilates classes.

The architecture looks amazing!

The way you describe the impact on health care (waiting for an operation, for example) would frustrate the hell out of me, too, Sandra, but I don't think it's fair to equate Brits going on holiday with asylum seekers from places like Sudan escaping their home countries so they don't die. I mean, don't you think it's a big stretch to say they can "pretty well do as [they] please" once they arrive? Getting asylum takes loads of time, paperwork, and stress.

I'm a big believer in imitation being a form of flattery... so long as the imitator is giving credit where credit is due. I realize you're also talking about cultural stereotypes, but I saw people in Thailand wearing Brittany Spears t-shirts and talking about how awesome WWF is, and I didn't take offense that they were becoming fangirls/boys of those shallow (IMHO) American stereotypes. If they want to be exposed to better music and media, I'll surely point them in that direction, but I don't think it's a problem if they weave those stereotypes into their own lives, fiction work, etc.

Hmm! To see the  carbon footprint of a typical transaction would be really interesting. (vs. driving to a shopping mall to get your goods)

I hear it drives way better than the Prius and the price tag certainly looks superior!

I don't place him on a high-and-mighty pedestal like many still do, but I must give him credit for consulting teams of experts and advisers before making any large-scale, heavy-impact decision. Even if you don't agree with his "socialist agenda" in the economic and health care realms, you've gotta admit that he has never approached any issue in a hasty, uninformed, dictatorial manner (ahem--Bush). I'd rather see Hillary in office, but the way Obama has improved our tarnished global image is worth more than we know.

I like "Season's Greetings." it evokes an image of a welcoming mug of steamy mulled cider by the fireplace. :)

Awful... just awful. This must be so heartbreaking for everyone involved. I feel for ALL of the parents and family members of the suspects and victim. The details are so convoluted and confusing at this point, which makes it all the more disturbing.

At the very least, Amanda Knox was being a naive and reckless girl; at worst, she is a manipulative killer. We cannot know for sure until we have a clear set of facts and this yearlong case has not done anything to clarify the matter.

Tough question, @dartsaway, but certainly an critical one to ask...

I won't even pretend to have the answer, but I think that's the point: there is no single answer. Some cases seem to be freak accidents (stranger kidnappings) or isolated incidents (sexual offenders living in your neighborhood w/repeated offenses), while others are tied to family abuse and neglect (which have roots that are deep and complex and devastating). I wish we had more proactive community therapists who could offer free services (gov-funded) to families that aren't providing the support and love their children need.

Tough crowd!!! Give him a break! He's been the target of an ugly smear campaign, including threatening phone calls and even *gunshots* at his house! Disagree with him all you want, but don't attack him for expressing his opinion just because it doesn't jive with your own.

Too hard to tell. The buttons make it look like it was done manually, but I know that online photo sites are offering a lot more options for designs and graphics than they once did. I love this layout, though!

We just got a Ford Flex after junking our old Explorer and it's SO much better!!! Highly recommend it. It offers a quiet, smooth ride with plenty of room for our three kiddos. We're honestly thinking of going on a cross-country family road trip now, which we NEVER would've considered with our old wheels.

Is the show even worth watching without them in the picture? I obviously need some convincing, LOL!