Without the Internet, we might think that we're sane.

I'm spending time, a lot of time, in meetings and on conference calls these days. It's not surprising that my attention might wander. Heck, my attention wanders even on the best days. So, using some nifty new technology called RSS and an RSS reader (Bloglines), I can monitor more than 100 web sites for new stories all in an instant. (I'll write more about RSS another time.) Most of them are related to technology. If I find an item of particular interest or importance, I'll send it along to our work team.

Then there are the others:

• Certainly bringing credence to John Paul II's fast track to sainthood, Michael Jackson might sing some of the Pope's prayers. (Or might not.) When driving down here yesterday, I heard MJ's Beat It on the radio. Eddie Van Halen gave a ripping guitar solo. Let us all give a collective shiver at the thought of MJ singing Young People, Christ Calls You, whomever plays the guitar.
• From the Science of the Flippin' Obvious Department, we learn that people's brains change after they're 18 and again in middle age. (See the aforementioned attention drift.)
• The communists in Nepal will agree to a monarchy, but only if the people vote for it. As best as I can tell, if the idea of a monarchy isn't improved, then the Maoist will continue their battles with whomever is in power.
• The American Decency Association didn't think much of the Super Bowl, but not because of anything related to football.
• Just in time for Valentine's Day: the Army will teach you how to pick a spouse.
  
• Mike Lazaridis, co-CEO of RIM, will receive the highest Canadian honor, the Order of Canada. Judge in Blackberry patent trials seen jumping up and down like Yosemite Sam.
• Herbal medicines can be healthy, safe, and inexpensive alternatives to traditional medicines, as long as your health care provider isn't faxing your confidential information to a small, house-run business in Canada.
• I think that this looks more like one of the Baldwin brothers, but the makers claim that it's Brad Pitt. Insert your own Angelina Jolie/Jennifer Aniston/Who is Brad Pitt and why does he keep calling me? joke here.