Just announced: 50 billion planets in the Milky Way. 500 million of which could possibly support "life" as we know it.

Chinese New Year parade reminded me once again how cultureless I feel. It's fun being an American and celebrating everyone else's cultures, but what is our tradition? How would someone celebrate America in 500 years? Wearing cheap, ill-fitting clothes from the Gap and wandering around zombie-like from our day jobs?

It was fun to see all the city officials lead off the parade, as if no celebration could occur without a successfully run city. Police got a 3/4-hearted round of applause too. Apparently we have a new (interim? Nonelected?) mayor!

I need to think more about my financial plans tomorrow in advance of my followup meeting with my financial planner. Swallow, good.