Monique Sakellarios says she didn?t really expect to be a professional painter. Yet 25 years later, she is represented by 20 galleries across the country and participates in national juried shows.

More than 40 years ago Richard Sanford drove around California with a thermometer in his car so that he could source the perfect California climate to grow delicate, little pinot grapes as they?re grown in Burgundy.

I?ve been trying to buy a computer and it?s been a struggle. Partly because when it comes to mechanical devices of any kind, I need more help than the normal person. I mean the last time I brought out the tool belt to fix something, I did such a good job on my dryer, I had to buy a new one when I got done.

I promise I?ll get off this kick eventually, but I do have to spend some more time extolling the awesomeness that is USB.

Aside from enabling simple connections of accessories that require data transfer, USB ports also supply up to 5 volts of power. An ever-increasing number of accessories are using that power to provide useful ? and not so useful ? work.

Comments? Thoughts? Discuss these articles and more at hippoflea.com