Sunday Roundup

Tonight, after an interminable build-up, we finally find out who will take home an Oscar -- and who will be forced to smile gamely when someone else's name is called. My can't-miss prediction: there will be at least twojokes. Back in the real world, Walmart, the nation's largest employer, announced plans to hike its minimum wage. As the White House tweeted, "Good to see @Walmart raising wages for about 500,000 employees. Now it's time for Congress to #RaiseTheWage." On a sad note, Oliver Sacks announced that he has terminal cancer. He's taught us so much over the years, and continues to do so now about one of life's most challenging subjects: dying. "I feel a sudden clear focus and perspective. There is no time for anything inessential," he writes. "I cannot pretend I am without fear. But my predominant feeling is one of gratitude." Ours, too -- for this vital and timeless lesson.