I like reading the New York Times on a more or less daily basis. Although its columnists (such as Tom Friedman, Nicholas Kristoff, and Paul Krugman) are no longer available for free, I remain an avid reader. There's hardly a day in which I can't find a piece that is either useful or interesting or both. Here are some recent pieces that I've enjoyed:

• Researchers Look to Create a Synthesis of Art and Science for the 21st Century on what Larry Smarr is up to at UCSD in the building of Calit2, which some have likenedd to the MIT Media Lab.

• Learning Everything About an Apartment  As an apartment dweller, I find apartment hunting advice helpful, even if it is specialized for NYC.

• Is It Better to Buy or Rent? covers a topic of perennial interest in the Bay Area.

• I usually find stories like Saying Goodbye California Sun, Hello Midwest interesting because I like many in the Bay Area don't want to be driven out by high real estate prices but wonder whether life elsewhere might not be just as rewarding if we leave.

Hmmm....there's a real estate theme in this list, isn't there?