It's the only off note in this otherwise irresistible anthology of 27 love stories sure to make hearts flutter well beyond Valentine's Day. My Mistress's Sparrow Is Dead was edited by Eugenides at Dave Eggers's behest, to benefit the Chicago chapter of 826 National, his writing programs for teens, a cause as worthy as amour.

Unlike Zadie Smith, who commissioned new stories by hip young writers for "The Book of Other People," her anthology for Eggers's literacy project, Eugenides sought suggestions rather than submissions from contemporary authors.

SyFriday: The Tragedy Of Dying A Celebrity

It's very easy to see actors who have died young and feel that it must be real rough to be an actor. These are people like Chris Farley, John Belushi, River Phoenix, and more recently actors such as Brad Renfro, and of course, Heath Ledger.

Of course, people die young all the time, and sometimes through overdoses or some other health issue. But since so many people have been entertained by younger actors' work, it's easy to notice their death more than others who may not have been famous when they died.

One of the hardest non-family member deaths I had ever had to endure was that of my best friend growing up. His name was Aaron, and he literally lived in a house just behind mine on a different street. It was always fun to hang out with Aaron, because not only was he someone who cared deeply about his friends and treated his friends like kings whenever they were around, but he also had the biggest yard in the neighborhood which was great especially for a kid like me whose total yard is about the size of most people's closets.

Rosacea: No laughing matter

Rosacea can manifest as anything from a blushy red face to pimples or bumps, a red nose like W.C. Fields, or eye inflammation. The bulbous red nose of the late entertainer W.C. Fields, seen above in a "David Copperfield" movie poster, has been attributed to a form of rosacea, called rhinophyma, not to his heavy-drinking lifestyle. Today, the condition can be treated with surgery. .

Minister accused of wanting 'return to the workhouse'

The Housing Minister was today accused of risking a "return to the workhouse" after saying the unemployed should have to seek work or lose their council homes.

BT and Microsoft Announce Partnership to Deliver Powerful, First-of ...

Microsoft Corp. and telecommunications leader BT announced they are bringing together the next-generation TV service BT Vision with Microsofts Xbox 360 games and entertainment system. All BT broadband customers will have the unique opportunity to receive the best in high-definition gaming, television and movies through an Xbox 360 console, in a powerful, all-in-one entertainment experience. BT Vision, which is powered by the Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) platform, plans to make this first-of-its-kind device and service offering available to customers in the middle of 2008. The announcement was made during the keynote address by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Microsoft President Robbie Bach of the Entertainment & Devices Division at 2008 International CES on Jan. 6.

The groundbreaking partnership will enable any BT Broadband customer to use an Xbox 360 console to access the BT Vision service and its extensive library of on-demand content, giving instant access to hundreds of movies and thousands of hours of sporting events, television programming, music videos and other digital content, such as BT Vision Sports 242 near-live FA Premier League football matches.

Oregon City women see business advantage in civil union

He came across as thoughtful, careful and a good listener," Roey Thorpe, executive director, said at the time. She said Mosman convinced her that he cares deeply about being seen as a person who is fair.