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Jared Newman writes on Time that he’s still waiting for the perfect Windows 8 hybrid, and I couldn’t agree more. But we’ve been waiting so long for the perfect tablet-laptop hybrid that at this point, it’s probably best to wait it out until Haswell laptops surface. Even though the wait is really killing me.

Some of you may already know that I’ve been lusting for a new laptop–particularly one with an active digitizer so I can write on it–for months. The Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro 700T was close, but had too many issues. The ThinkPad Helix, which is the closest I’ve seen so far to the perfect Windows 8 laptop,  finally is available for order, but starts at even more than was promised back in January: $1,679. (And it doesn’t even have a SD card reader.)

The Toshiba Portege Z10t looks like it would fit the bill (though the mounting hinge is kind of off-putting). It’s got an 11.6-inch 1080p IPS screen, Wacom digitizer, and is a business-class laptop (which often means a better build). It’s just 0.53″ thick and weighs 3.1 pounds with the keyboard, which unfortunately doesn’t have an additional battery. But it’s not going to be out until June 25th. By then Haswell will be out.

Haswell, Intel’s next processor platform, will bring the expected graphics improvements plus a whopping battery life of supposedly a full 24 hours. At the Computex trade show, Intel promised its latest chip will power “a new breed of 2-in-1 devices,” according to ZDNet.

The bad news is, just like when current generation processor Ivy Bridge rolled out, it’ll be months before we see Haswell in mainstream laptops, since the chips will first be released to the more powerful quad-core models. So, September or October–just in time for back to school specials, at least, and if my patience doesn’t run thin by then, maybe even the Cyber Monday and all that jazz (though the deals will be mostly for older models rather than the shiny new tablet-laptops I’m hoping for).

So the wait is on. What do you think?

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Lots of us luxury travelers pride ourselves on knowing a charming, affordable little hotel on a side street in Paris or Rome. You can see it: family-owned, in a shabby-chic old buiding.

You wouldn’t think that such a place exists in New York City, a bulwark of big-brand luxury hotels.

But you’d be wrong.

Guest Author Victor Fiorillo knows one such hotel smack in Greenwich Village, with a view of Washington Square Park‘s famous arch. (Plus, guess what, a guest clientele heavy on Euro visitors).

Let Victor clue you in to Washington Square Hotel >>

(Still skeptical? Well, how Parisian is this? On Sundays, the hotel’s restaurant morphs into a jazz club.)

Photos ©Washington Square Hotel. Hotel stairwell ©Karen Tina Harrison.

Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who have died serving in the United States Armed Services and national parks around the country are holding celebrations in their honor. As part of Memorial Day events across the country, participants are asked at 3 pm to pause and remember America’s fallen wherever you are. A few highlighted Memorial Day events celebrated on Monday, May 27 include:

• Shiloh National Military Park in Tennessee will officially commemorate Memorial Day by hosting remembrance ceremonies at the largest of the Confederate Mass Graves on Shiloh Battlefield and within the Shiloh National Cemetery. The formal ceremonies at the park will begin at the largest of the Confederate mass graves, located near tour stop #13 (Water Oaks Pond) on the battlefield tour route. The service will start at 11:00 a.m.
• The U.S. Coast Guard Dixieland Jazz Band will perform a free Memorial Day public concert at Springfield Armory National Historic Site in Massachusetts, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. outside behind the Museum Building.
• Andersonville National Historic Park in Georgia will display the Avenue of Flags  on both sides of the principal avenue or drive that leads from the main entrance or gate into the cemetery. The Avenue of Flags cemetery reinforces patriotism, national pride and represents a visible, bold and proud display of flags, which is only flown on days of special ceremonial significance
• The National Park Service will host a graveside memorial service at the Home of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site in New York at 1:30 p.m. in the Rose Garden. Hyde Park resident John Golden is scheduled to be the guest speaker.
• Point Reyes National Seashore in California will be honoring America’s fallen at the historic graveyard located at G Ranch. Join the National Park Service and the United States Coast Guard for services at the Historic Life-Saving Service Cemetery.

border="0" alt="pancakes with caramelized bananas" hspace="5" width="200"
height="160" align="left"/>Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras and Pancake Day are all the same thing – the day before lent. Depending on the culture, you will celebrate with decadent food, drink, dancing and great jazz (Mardi Gras), by eating pancakes or just enjoying foods you won’t eat during lent. If Pancake Day is part of your celebration, these pancake recipes are just what you need.

From fluffy pancakes topped with caramelized bananas (it sounds fancy, but it’s really easy and tasty!) to my super kid-pleasing Bisquick pancake recipe topped with fresh strawberries, there’s a pancake recipe here for everyone.

All of these recipes taste amazing when topped with pure maple syrup (compare prices).

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Pancakes with Caramelized Bananas image by Stephanie Gallagher 2013, licensed to About.com Inc.

border="0" alt="chocolate football rice crispy treats" hspace="5" width="200"
height="170" align="left"/>Need something fun to bring to a Super Bowl party? These chocolate football rice crispy treats make a fantastic impression, no matter which team you’re rooting for. They’re every bit as tasty as the original rice crispy treats, but shaped like footballs, of course. And they’re chocolate!

Want to jazz them up even more? Decorate with your team’s colors.

Check out these Super Bowl desserts, too:

• Kit Kat Bars – These homemade bars taste like the candy of the same name.
• Fudge Brownies – Soft and chewy, these fudge brownies are a classic — for good reason: Everybody loves them.
• Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies – The perfect hand-held treat for a Super Bowl party.

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Chocolate Football Rice Crispy Treats image by Stephanie Gallagher 2013, licensed to About.com Inc.

border="0" alt="crockpot macaroni and cheese" hspace="5" width="200"
height="170" align="left"/>The slow cooker makes getting a home-cooked meal on the table so much easier. This year, resolve to use it to make your family’s favorite foods, like this Crockpot macaroni and cheese recipe.

This recipe is made with three kinds of cheese (nothing processed) and the kids will just love it. To jazz up this recipe, try adding fresh broccoli, chopped red bell peppers or green chiles about two hours into the cooking time.

As with all slow cooker recipes, be sure to taste this mac and cheese and adjust the seasoning before serving. The slow cooking time tends to dull the flavors of foods. I like to season my Crockpot recipes at the end of cooking.

Be sure to try my other macaroni and cheese recipes, too.

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Crockpot Macaroni and cheese image by Stephanie Gallagher 2013, licensed to About.com Inc.

border="0" alt="chicken stir-fry" hspace="5" width="200"
height="170" align="left"/>Do you find yourself making the same old chicken dishes over and over again? Jazz up your regular routine with these tasty and healthy chicken recipes.

My chicken stir fry recipe is not only quick to prepare, it’s a meal in one dish, too. And you can save time by buying pre-shredded carrots and pre-washed and prepared sugar snap peas. Don’t like sugar snap peas? Feel free to substitute red peppers and/or mushrooms instead.

If you want something simple, my tender, juicy grilled chicken breasts fit the bill. A simple lemon marinade gives this dish great flavor. Serve with a green salad and my perfect rice.

Did you know that Ravi Shankar performed at Monterey in 1967 and Woodstock in 1969? That he mentored George Harrison in the finer points of playing sitar (as Harrison did on “Norwegian Wood”)? That he also influenced music by American jazz and classical artists?

Shankar was perhaps one of the most unlikely of influences on American music when brought the sitar from his native India. Harrison bestowed on him the title, “the godfather of world music.” David Crosby, who was a member of The Byrds when Shankar’s influence started being felt in the rock world once said, “Any player on any instrument with any ears would be deeply moved by Ravi Shankar. If you love music, it would be impossible not to be.”

Shankar died this week (12/11) at age 92 in San Diego after undergoing heart surgery a few days earlier. His best known offspring, singer-songwriter-pianist Norah Jones issued a statement via her record label which said, “My dad’s music touched millions of people. He will be greatly missed by me and music lovers everywhere.”

• Watch Shankar’s performance at Woodstock

• Watch the teacher and his student, Shankar and Harrison

^{Photo (Harrison and Shankar in 1970) by Central Press/Getty Images}