Satsuko Yatsuzaka, 84, holds a therapeutic robot named Paro at the Suisyoen retirement home, 19 miles south of the tsunami-crippled nuclear plant in Iwaki, Fukushima prefecture, July 28, 2011
Tuesday’s links feature fake romance, fake friendships and an oddly real version of pinball.
Helium Couture: Sure, Kate Middleton looked lovely in her wedding gown. But one British woman upstaged her by recreating the dress with 5,000 balloons. (Daily Mail)
Romance Ruminations: Do you have unrealistic expectations when it comes to love? Blame Fabio. (Healthland)
False Friends: Facebook friendships can’t replace real ones. One writer proves it by creating three fake birthdays, and being flooded with well-wishers each time. Whoops. (Slate)
Cause Celeb: In a much buzzed-about clip, actor Matt Damon passionately defends public-school teachers – and throws around an expletive or two while doing so. (BuzzFeed)
Star-Spangled Standout: Want to blend in on a European vacation? Don’t do these things. (LIFE)
What a Game: Pinball is a lot more fun when it involves actual people instead of blinking lights. (The Daily What)
[youtube=http://youtu.be/WQWDAGTju3U&w=450]