Sergio Bertolucci, Director of research at CERN, on the Higgs: "I think we may get indications that are not consistent with its non-existence."

That's right, physicists ("finding it hard to keep the smiles from their faces," according to the BBC) are using double-speak so they don't divulge what's probably going to be announced at CERN on Tuesday: significant evidence that the Higgs exists! Stay tuned.

Also, some news so awesome I can't keep the smile from my face: the first artist-in-residence (the Prix Ars Electronica Collide@CERN laureate) was announced this week: the very lucky and talented Julius Von Bismarck, from Germany, earns the privilege of a two-month residency at CERN starting in March 2012, and the result of the collaboration will be showcased at the next Ars Electronica Festival in 2012. Art and science, unite!

And, some fun winter-break reading: check out Atom: Journey Across the Subatomic Cosmos by Isaac Asimov, then revisit the Black Widowers. You're welcome.