Good news for us girls

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Efforts to develop the world's first vaccine to prevent cervical cancer took a key step forward Monday with test results suggesting that it can provide long-lasting protection.

Four years after getting the vaccine, 94 per cent of women were protected from infection with the virus that causes most cervical cancers and none had developed worrisome precancerous conditions, a study showed.

"We're thrilled about these results. The immune responses seem to be really long-lasting," said Dr. Eliav Barr, who leads development of the vaccine for Merck & Co. The company plans to seek U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval next year for an expanded version of the vaccine that also could be used to prevent genital warts in both women and men.

On a slightly less infuriated note....

For lunch I had an Einstein Bros. Turkey Cranberry sandwich, with cranberry almond cous cous.

Wow.

Just yum.

The sandwich has roasted turkey and ginger cranberry chutney on a nice whole wheat bread. Absolutely delicious, and a really nice update on the traditional thanksgiving food.

For my Canadian peeps (other than courtly, cause he's aware)

Heather Dale, who's not only the lovely wife of courtly, but also a wonderfully talented singer/songwriter, is doing a cross country tour.

Of special note is the show she's taking part in on December 22nd at the Free Times Cafe:

Joni Mitchell Tribute" - Free Times Cafe - Toronto
DATE & TIME: Wed, December 22nd -- 8:00pm.
LOCATION: Free Times Cafe (Toronto, ON, Canada). 320 College St.; N.
side of College, 1 block west of Spadina (on College & Spadina
streetcar routes, some street & lot parking in area; call ahead for
dinner reservations: 416-967-1078).
TICKET CHARGE: Pay what you can.
DESCRIPTION: Join Heather Dale and other singer-songwriters as they
perform songs by legendary musician Joni Mitchell. Each artist will
present six Joni songs of their choice; Heather has upped the
challenge by also choosing songs from six different Joni albums. It
promises to be a fun and very relaxed show -- a great night for
sampling a mug of Free Times hot chocolate.

I really wish I could be there.

For more shows, see <a href="http://heatherdale.com/shows.html</a>.</font>

(no subject)

Must... control.... fist... of... death..

And shut my mouth because it's fairly clear to me now that there's no way that these people will allow themselves to be wrong.