Linkety-linkety and critters

[moominmuppet]

So, we have a new cat! Ringo arrived this morning, and although he's currently hiding in a box we set up for him, the overall introduction has been one of the calmest and quietest I've ever presided over. Some nose sniffing, a bit of quiet hissing here and there, and that's been it. I'm sure there's more chaos to come, but it's a hopeful start! Also, he's gorgeous (white, with orange tabby patches), and has ridiculously soft fur. He's currently got an abcess on his side that L had been treating, and we'll need to continue to treat, but otherwise I don't foresee any major issues. And I found directions online for a feral cat shelter that should work well on our porch, so Bob (or Simon, or Salem, depending on who you ask -- he'll answer to anything, so it doesn't matter much) and his sibs will have a good winter shelter. I've talked to the neighbor across the street, and she doesn't mind if we get them fixed (her kids are socializing them wonderfully, but I don't think their rental agreement allows them to have the cats inside), and our perpetually awesome neighbor Christina has even offered to cover the cost if we handle the practicalities and the care. Bob's been spending increasing amounts of time on our porch, and I got some good cuddle time with him before work today. New discovery: he drools when he's really happy.

Becca's B-day firebowl last night was a lot of fun; I got to see folks I hadn't seen in much too long, and I also got to meet Grafton's ride to Recycled Rainbow, who is apparently a vet tech at our awesome local vet clinic. Unsurprisingly, I tend to be pretty instantly drawn to folks who work in animal care. Much awesomeness, even if Tarma did manage to get sand all over my blackberry by insisting on climbing into my lap repeatedly.

Today is a flarey, achy day, but all in all I'm in a good mood. I've got A Bit of Fry and Laurie on in the background (so highly recommended for fans of surreal Brit humor, if you haven't discovered it already!), and I just found out my folks are coming to visit in a week or so! Yay!

And now for your regularly scheduled linketies:

Researchers Identify Genetic Mutations Involved in Aggressive Ovarian Cancer

Poverty in the U.S. spikes

Newly published testimony reveals the Arab man convicted of rape by deception for posing as a Jewish man to seduce a woman was originally charged with rape by force. -- it turns out there's a lot more to the case that was originally publicized as being "rape by deception". It's a pretty horrifying story.

Intel + DRM: a crippled processor that you have to pay extra to unlock

Physics can seem a lot like a dirty trick. You spend most of junior high and high school being told that there are rules to this thing, that the Universe functions in predictable and rational ways. ...
And then they pull the rug out from under you.
Suddenly, it's all photons, antimatter, and cats that are simultaneously alive and dead. -- This sounds like a great book!

U.S. Court Finds Corporations Immune From Liability For Human Rights Abuses

Spray-on clothing in a can to be launched

Lifelines for the poor are disappearing

Crisis Pregnancy Centers' Deceptive Advertising Prompts Efforts To Require Public Disclosure of Services Offered

Sen. Specter Introduces Bill To Maintain Federal Funding for Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Salon Column Examines Reasons for Unsafe Sex Among Older Adults

Makers of Female Sexual Arousal Products Cite Bias in Ad Standards

Graveyard DNA rewrites African American history

Hybrids May Thrive Where Parents Fear to Tread

Inside a termite mound

Capitalist storm clouds loom over Havana after state cuts 1m jobs

Comments

[ajollypyruvate]

Must...see....cat... pictures... must
Which shelter did you choose?

I know all about those disappearing lifelines, believe me. Holy shit, were it not for all you awesome LJ people, I'd be in far worse shape than I am now.

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

This one, which will be on our porch.

I definitely need to get pics of the current cats for icons!

I know all about those disappearing lifelines, believe me. Holy shit, were it not for all you awesome LJ people, I'd be in far worse shape than I am now.

*nod* We're all kind of each others' back up insurance plan these days, I think. I've seen it happen all sorts of directions, and I've gotten bailed out of desperate spots myself, that way. I just wish I weren't so broke right now that I can't help out more!

[ajollypyruvate]

Neat, that's the same one I have bookmarked for whenever I learn how to use power tools.

I wish I could give more!

[musicalchaos.livejournal.com]

Chalk up one more reason I will never willingly use Intel again. I would proceed into a long list of profanities here, but I think that energy is better directed into figuring out what companies are worth supporting, if any.

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's just mind-blowingly bad customer relations, right there.

[jajy1979.livejournal.com]

Intel has had a long history of not being on the consumer's side. There's a reason I support AMD and that goes back to the first time Intel stated data logging your information from your processor. I'm not a fan. Hell, if I didn't like gaming so much I'd be a linux user.

The ONLY thing I agree with in that ruling is the fact that Dutch Oil shouldn't have been sued in the US. They're not a US company and the crimes weren't in a US jurisdiction, nor were the plaintiffs US citizens. This court case belongs in the Hague. Otherwise, the judges are completely wrong. Also you can pierce the veil or sue the actual officers of the company rather than the company itself. Honestly you'd get more change hurting the officers directly.

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

Hell, if I didn't like gaming so much I'd be a linux user.

If I didn't work full-time in mandatory Windows environments I would be too, but as is, it's easier to stick with dealing with just one OS throughout my day.

[qualistarian.livejournal.com]

The Intel trick really isn't as bad as it first sounds. Most processors from each manufacturer are made identically, with the lower-end chips locked off from some capability. When I upgraded my AMD chip last month, the salesman asked me point-blank if I was planning on bypassing the inhibitors. I know nVidia does the same thing with their graphics processors - lower-end models are just disabled versions of the higher-end models.

The only difference here is that, by using DRM software, Intel's making it tougher to get around the inhibitor without authorization. On the plus side, for the people willing to shell out for the legitimate upgrade, it's a lot easier than trying to unlock the thing in the BIOS.

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

Interesting context; thanks!

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

Me too! He's an absolute sweetheart, and doing really well.

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

(and I'm still hoping I might be able to talk the housemates into another of his littermates down the line)