Photograph: NTT Docomo

Japan has taken its reputation for hygiene up another notch with the introduction of “toilet paper” for smartphones inside toilets at Narita international airport. In a new take on the meaning of public convenience, users are invited to pull off a piece of paper from a dispenser next to the regular toilet roll and give their phone screens a germ-busting polish.

Source: Swipe Right? ‘Toilet Paper’ for Smartphones Trialled in Japanese Airport Bathrooms | The Guardian

Karlie folding my shirts. Minneapolis, Minnesota. July 2, 2013 (posted December 7, 2016).

My Karlie cat passed away this morning at home.

I was at her side, giving her pet pets, letting her know that she’s a brave and amazing little girl.

Karlie follows her buddy Edward who passed away 6 months ago to this day. I like to think that they’re chilling together once again.

Thank you one and all for your kind words when I shared Karlie’s prognosis last Thursday.

Edward and Karlie getting comfortable during our first few months together. November 2, 2011

Five years ago these cats needed a home when their previous human passed away, a Gulf War veteran who lost his own battle due to PTSD.

I’m grateful that folks like you reached out to see if I would take these critters in. While the Karlie & Edward chapter of my life has ended, I’m fortunate for the experience because they gave me immeasurable joy.

Sweet dreams Kitty Girl.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmoakreZRB0

Fear isn’t always such a bad thing. It is, after all, a self-preservation response programmed into our DNA that can be useful in keeping us out of harm’s way.When that fear is constant and irrational, however, it can become a crippling problem, and one that a whole lot of us struggle with every day. Nearly 25 million Americans report having the fear of flying phobia, and almost nine percent of the adult population in the US have at least one extreme specific fear.

Source: Facing your fears with Virtual Reality | The Next Web

Samantha Payne of Open Bionics spoke at Big Omaha 2016 about her company’s mission to create affordable, open source 3D printed bionics, their work at the Disney Techstars accelerator and rethinking what a human hand can be. She also discussed developing Iron Man, Frozen and Star Wars themed bionic hands for children.

Source: Samantha Payne at Big Omaha: “The point is to make prosthetics cool” [Video] – Silicon Prairie News

Finally, I can channel my inner critter spirit animal while also being productive.