To Die For I’d been told that trust was the most crucial element involved when choosing a fugu chef. It was like selecting a heart surgeon or a private pilot. “The fugu chef has your life in his hands,” one of my Japanese friends had said. Which is why my first impulse, upon greeting Mr. Naohisa Hashimoto, is to turn around, in the most diplomatic possible way, of course, and run screaming back to my hotel.

One-Woman Animated Feature. Sita Sings the Blues is a new feature-length animated film. Aside from its gorgeous art and music, it's remarkable in that all the animation was done by one woman, both by computer and by hand. more inside

International Tapir Day is not today. Love a tapir anyway!

Men Who Explain Things Smart women and the men who have no concept of such a thing. more inside

Invite a doggie into your home when the crotchfruit is tiny, and they won't sneeze when they get bigger. more inside