I think I might have a new cat.

I was making myself a delicious quesadilla, when what do I hear but a cat crying right outside the window. It was very skittish at first, and is still anxious - even cars driving by make him jerk and look for a threat. It took me about five minutes of cajoling until I could even touch him, but then found that he's one of those cats that loves the heavy petting *nudge*nudge*. Every time he gets out of sight, though, he starts crying again. Not so much now, but before I could just look away and he would cry. I've given him some ferret chow and one of their beds, and I'll make sure to introduce them all before I go to bed. If he reacts badly, I'll put him in the spare bedroom over night.

He's well-fed, surprisingly soft, is definitely used to humans, and makes an amusing lion's growl kind of noise when he's eating. I'll figure out what to do with him tomorrow, either see someone's notices for a missing cat, or make my own to post around.

Anywho, that is all.


[edit]
Ow, ow, ow, he's kneading, ow, ow, ow...

What fantasy animals are kosher?

Sexpelled: No Intercourse Allowed - a goofy take on Ben Stein's Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

A mind-melting Flash illusion illustrating contrast asynchrony.

Brandon's mind on how a computer works.

For the fans of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, here comes Jug Hero!

God Must Really Hate Black People.

There's a new GI bill in the works. Still not a good reason to join, but there you go.

They Called The Wind Al Niño


( Videos. )

Everyone gets those spams - OMG FREE GIFT CARD! FREE LAPTOP!! FREE FREE FREE!!!

Sure, it's free... the catch is you have to sign up for a bunch of 'free' trials, with low low shipping costs, for a limited time only, buy now. They pay for themselves by hooking people with the free trial, and when you don't cancel it they charge you a bunch of money for their 'service'.

I figure, I'll play their game.

I found one for a free plasma TV. I've signed up for all the crap they want me to sign up for. I chose the cheapest 'free' trials, the $1-3 dollar ones, and the ones that don't charge up front. Everything is on a disposable email (I only started this a couple hours ago, and already I've gotten three unrelated spams. There is no honor among thieves). I'm keeping track of everything I've signed up for, so I can cancel it as soon as I can. Everything is on one credit card; if they try to screw me I'll point to their fine print and get their charges removed. Once I get the TV I'll probably sell it to pay off bills.

Only one problem... they make you do two referrals. I have to hand out a link that's tied to my offer doodad, and someone else has to sign up for one of these piecemeal things, too. Not the big ones, just one of the free credit report or free colon cleanser or free whatever. If I can find two of you out there who can do my referral bit, I'll give you the link for the TV and then I'll do your referral back. Or if you don't want to go through the whole process, I'll just pay you back for whatever they charge you. You just need to remember to cancel the thing right away.

So, who's with me?

First, I'd like to take a moment to plug something. A month and a bit ago I got one of those PDA/phone thingies, to try and get organized-ish, and so I would have something to do besides read during the slow parts of my day. I'm not plugging the phone (though it's pretty neat), but the insurance I bought along with it, which is through a company called Asurion. Me being me, I managed to break the screen a couple weeks ago. I filed a claim the next day, and they had delivered a brand new one the day after. Had I put the claim in the day I broke it I probably could have had it even earlier. They charged a $50 deductible, and included an envelope to mail the broken one back in. I didn't really have any expectations in place about this kind of thing, but I was really impressed.

Anywho, if you have a piece of digital something-or-other and they support it (not to mention the six bucks a month), I'd recommend them.


Now for the links:

An 8 year old girl in Yemen was forced into marriage by her parents, and used by her new 'husband'. She stood up for herself and demanded a divorce, and the courts seem to be working with her.

Limb art.

A fascinating TED talk called 5 dangerous things you should let your kids do.

A Silicon Valley guy built a second Babbage's Difference Engine No. 2, which is now on display in Mountain View, California.

Dyslexia differs by language.

One wonders why they didn't see it coming.

An photo shoot featuring malformed people and elderly ladies - all nude. Not for the squeamish, and not safe for work.

Sometimes I want to kick my country in the ass.

Carnivorous bees!

Heartrending: "Why I am an abortion doctor".
I like finding opportunities to link this one: "The Only Moral Abortion is My Abortion".

I know one of you knew about Haiku Circus before now. WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!






An interview with George Clooney, where he finds out what the internet thinks of him. I've always thought he was was an interesting actor, this just cements that image in my mind.


( Three videos. )

Random word: mark

( Free association. )

Outside there's a gargantuan thunderstorm trying to tear the world apart, with no decent place for me to watch from.