why my cats don't steal my chocolate

They're not genetically "wired" to taste sweet. If your cat is trying to get into the ice cream bowl with you, s/he's attracted to something else in the ice cream.

I've heard about cats not liking sweets for years and seen ample anecdotal evidence, but this is proof, dammit!

remember, remember the fifth of November...

( the real author once took this quiz, and it told him he was Arthur C. Clarke )

The trailer for V for Vendetta is out. Very dark so it's hard to see details, but looks like a good action film. Given that I only recently finished the graphic novel, I don't think I have the Necessary Fangeek Cred Points(TM) to pontificate over how close this is or not to Alan Moore's original vision ;)

hacking for aliens

D. directed me to this story from Slashdot about Gary McKinnon, a British citizen who allegedly broke into 50-odd U.S. military databases. Right now he's fighting extradition.

I listened to the audio interview and.. I'm stunned. I'm not sure what part of the story is most odd or disturbing - that this guy really didn't expect that the U.S. justice system would come down this hard on him, that he found it easy to get into these systems, that he saw many others hacking the same systems, or the reason he claims for his hacking - not money, fame, glory, but to uncover evidence of UFO secrecy.

Not sure whether this guy could be called brilliant, insane, stupid, painfully naive or making up a really strange story to cover his ass. He sounds quite calm and level headed. The UFO secrecy group he claims influenced him is mute on the subject.

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Personally I think the U.S. DOJ will have his head on a plate.

Attn: jlsjlsjls:

Civitates orbus terrarum, online version of 16th century maps.

stereotypical cat post

Large annual cicadas are slamming against the windows here and the cats are happier than pigs in mud at this new show on "cat tv". Well, Spice is a little ticked because Kisia is hogging the window.

They're so cute when they give vent to their predatory instincts :)