During this weekend we’ve seen events of historical proportions. Two in particular come to mind: NASA’s Spirit made a successful landing on Mars. The American space agency sure needed a triumph now, particularly after the Columbia accident in February last year. And it was a great relief after ESA’s Beagle 2 failed miserably on Christmas Day. According to the article on Beagle 2, there is still a slight thread of hope that ESA will establish contact with the spacecraft. Spaceflight Now brings you up-to-the-minute information about both the Spirit and the Beagles 2 Mars adventures.

The other event of the weekend that’ll find its way into 2^nd grade history books is the reported wedding of all straight men’s wet dream, Britney Spears. Dressed in jeans and a cap - and probably shoes and a top, but there is no mentioning of this in the articles - she married childhood friend Jason Allen Alexander in Las Vegas yesterday. I’ve even got a copy of the marriage licence.

But, hey - stop the press - AP is reporting that the Princess of Pop is already seeking annulment! That’s a real bummer, Jason. But look at it this way: You were married to Britney long enough to make it through the wedding night. And that’s a pretty good story to tell at parties.

The response to my 52 albums or burn!-project is exceeding my wildest expectations thanks to Jason Kottke and all the kind, intelligent and music loving visitors he sent my way. I’ve had a quick count, and it looks like I’m already past 52 suggestions, so I’ll just start at the bottom and work my way up. I sure hope that the better part of the albums I’ll listen to during 2004 are more entertaining than the Jim Stärk CD I bought on Friday. There’s a good chance that it’ll just get covered in dust somewhere in my collection.