The Anti-Princess Reading List

Snow White and Cinderella certainly have their place in all children's hearts. But if you want your kids to grow up believing that girls should dream of more than just kissing the prince, check out these books.

Each of them features strong, smart, spunky girl protagonists that want to eat bugs, get first place in the science fair and grow up to be a teacher, a doctor, a firefighter or even a diva.

If I have a girl this will definitely be a great resource.

Surprising Things That Affect Memory: Sharpen Your Min

While many know the basics when it comes to keeping their minds sharp (stick with those crosswords), a crop of new research is showing that lifestyle choices may play an even bigger role than people realize, particularly in terms of memory.Factors--some positive, some negative--range from diet to unlikely medications and hormonal changes.

read more | digg story

Japan's 10 Most Popular Tourist Attractions

Most of Japan's top attractions are in Tokyo, but interesting sights and experiences abound there and elsewhere throughout the country. I can't wait to visit next year for our honeymoon.

read more | digg story

Best Japanese Foods You Can't Get at Home - Pictures

Even everyday Japanese dishes are exciting--and worth seeking out during a visit to the country. Please check the slide-show, everything looks sooo good! Pay close attention to slide #9 (http://www.forbes.com/2008/07/03/japan-food-delicacies-summit08-forbeslife-cx_cs_0703food_slide_9.html?thisSpeed=20000) it deals with umami and the taste in Japanese cooking.

read more | digg story

In Depth: 10 Surprising Things That Affect Memory-Forbes.com

Crosswords aren't the only thing you can do to preserve your memory as you get older. Carbohydrates, Tofu, Statins and hot flashes ... all these can effect you mental health. Read more and find out.

read more | digg story

Scientific American: The Orgasmic Mind

But when a woman reached orgasm, something unexpected happened: much of her brain went silent. Some of the most muted neurons sat in the left lateral orbitofrontal cortex, which may govern self-control over basic desires such as sex. Decreased activity there, the researchers suggest, might correspond to a release of tension and inhibition. The scientists also saw a dip in excitation in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex [...]

read more | digg story

Artistic Inspiration

Or as I like to call it: Artspiration.

Here is an artist/graphic designer that I came first across in one of those beautiful editions of DigitalArts and recently StumbledUpon in a lazy internet meandering. He is self-taught and strives for his artistic vision to be fully realized once he has mastered the tools he uses (Illustrator, 3D Studio max, Cinema 4D, Bryce, Poser and Xara 3D). (I wish I had half, nay, a small portion of his skills.)

Nik Ainley is a UK based designer and here are some of my faves from his site:






I suppose this should inspire me to do some work. I do have ideas, but I'm a procrastinator and excuse-maker Extraordinaire. I due solemnly swear to myself and to you, gentle reader, and the cyber-munity at large, that I (ScarletCleopatra) will start work and/or preparation for work on a new piece this week.