Here in L.A. it's like a glorious, early summer - our windows are open, I'm wearing open-toed shoes, and the flowers are blooming as they do. Taxes are done, too, so we're heading into (offically) spring with all ducks in a row. Akhil's off to Houston on Wednesday where he'll convene with other robot people -- and visit with Nick at NASA. I'll be stuck here as usual -- not too lucky with my allotment of vacation days. But now that I am reading "Happiness," by Richard Layard, I know that being stuck at work is infinitely better than being stuck outside the workforce. Apparently, joblessness is more traumatic than divorce, death, and a variety of other troubles.

We're richer, he says, and more comfortable than we've ever been, but over the last fifty years, the western world's "average happiness" level has stayed just about the same, while trust, faith, and family have fallen. He also points out the Western world's flawed yet prevalent belief that putting yourself first results in the greatest happiness for the greatest number. It doesn't. It results in "Not My Problem" -- and "Go Screw Yourself!"

It's not like the U.S. is the only place with this attitude, but it certainly may be among the worst. Comparing oneself to others, however, seems to be the real killer. And Americans excel at that. Seeking inner peace is a lifelong commitment.