Phonetic gaydar

Interesting stuff (as usual) from Language Log:

Differences in the acoustic characteristics of vowels were found as a function of sexual orientation. Lesbian and bisexual women produced less fronted /u/ and /ɑ/ than heterosexual women. Gay men produced a more expanded vowel space than heterosexual men.

So does this mean there's such a thing as a 'gay accent'?

Must-not-see TV

Oh, man, if anyone wants to get me a TV-B-Gone for Christmas, I'd be eternally grateful. Or at least until I die -- I can't warrant my capacity for gratitude after that.

I don't need two, though, so if you like this idea, feel free to leave an anonymous comment telling people not to buy me another...

[Of course, it's so popular that their web site's bandwidth has been exceeded for October 19th.]

Tofurky is *good*

I just tried Cranberry & Stuffing Tofurky Deli Slices ($3 at Nature's Harvest), and man, they are GOOD! (And also pretty good for you.)

I will definitely have some of this on hand for me to eat at Thanksgiving.