2 discoveries in my apt.

1) My 1950s low-seated couch had disintegrating foam that my mother has been hounding me for years to get rid of.  I did so, and crumpled-up newspaper does the trick of a replacement nicely (though I have to crumple up some new paper every once in a while, when the old paper gets smashed down).

2) This broad, high-rimmed teflon pan makes a *great* rice cooker.  The heat spreads evenly and the rice never sticks to the pan.  I've been making sure to use a wooden spoon so the teflon never gets scratched off.