A legitimate new virus out and about – Lovegate I recommend that you take a peek at the Snopes or Symantec site for more information before opening any attachments.

From the site –

There is a new Computer Virus out called “Lovgate.c”. It affects users running Outlook, Outlook Express, and the following operating systems: Windows ’95, ’98, ‘NT Windows ‘2000, Windows ME, and Windows XP. It is a mass mailing virus which comes packaged in your e-mail with the subject “I’ll try to reply as soon as possible. Take a look to the attachment and send me your opinion!”. DO NOT OPEN THIS MESSAGE! PLEASE DELETE IT!.

In addition to it’s mass-mailing functionality, Lovgate spreads through Windows shares and can steal users’ passwords. This virus copies itself to your Hard Drive (C:) and Shares in folders and sub-folders – if they are password protected the virus will try a combination of usernames and passwords to gain access.

CNN reports that Pioneer 10, the first space craft to venture out of our solar system and the one that sent back all of the wonderful photos of Jupiter, has sent its last signal. It is more than 7.6 billion miles from Earth and its 21-month mission has continued for almost 31 years.

I guess the next time we’ll see it is in Star Trek V, being blown up by Captain Klaa for target practice.

That’s the shape I think of when I envision a satellite, not the little ball sputnik

Balloon v1.0. Jim Meehan built and launched a high altitude balloon running Linux with wireless (packet radio) connectivity, GPS, and a digital camera. The Tech info is great, and the aerial photos are pretty keeno, too.

lotr man quiz

Newt seems to be feeling much better. Hooray!

Noticing “Mass Action” functions for comments, now. Very interesting.

I’m digging the LJ toolbar (no scrolling friends ticker option) see more info at , here.

Newt at the vet a year ago

The only book which doesn’t take place in Narnia at all, per se, you’re the story of a voyage to find the end of the world and hopefully the Seven Lost Lords (remember Rhoop!). You contain some of the most unique people and places and beautiful descriptions of the whole series.

Find out which Chronicles of Narnia book you are.

Added 4 elements to the http://q20.net database. A superhero, a Minotaur, birkenstock sandals, noise pollution

What’ll be on Scotto’s TV tonight in the background (at least until 1:30 am, when I’ll actually pay attention rather than letting stuff filter in.) I plan on doing Kitty-snuggles and a little writing this evening.

Nice that I can program the VCR to just change channels for me, and not record.

A little worried about Newt. He seems a bit lethargic, and a little cranky. I called and left a message with the vet, and hope it’s only a very short term side effect of the shots he got this morning.

update, the vet called back, and said that being achy and a bit lethargic is normal sometimes, and that it might last until tomorrow. I’m to call him on Monday and let him know how things are going. Newt has seemed to be a bit better, and is willing to curl up next to me rather than hide out. Poor sick little guy… it’ll be worth it for him to be safe and healthy in the long run, though… I hope he works it out quickly. He Covered all of his waste up this last little sandbox visit, unlike the time previous. That makes me think he’s toughening up some.

I can be an overprotective parent… but it’s out of love, y’know. I do agree with the “better to be safe than sorry” credo most of the time.

AI 20 Questions
This site is kind of fun. It plays 20 questions to guess what you are thinking of. I was thinking of a statue and it got it after 29 questions. The site was a little slow, but fun. It got Catnip after 24 questions, a chicken after 25 and a postage stamp after 17.

how to play

Dorky-Newt picture explanation –

Cats have a scenting system that is independent of their noses. This system is at work when a cat curls back its upper lip and exposes its teeth, a look sometimes described as a sneer. A cat is displaying what has been described as a hybrid between taste and smell called flehmen, a German word for which there is no translation. It is a result of a cat’s second scenting system, the vomeronasal organ or Jacobson’s organ (named for its discoverer). This scent organ is independent of a cat’s nose. A cat inhales with its mouth partially open while holding its breath. The rush of air and the tongue combine to bring the scent to Jacobson’s organ and then to the brain.

Back from the vet, and Newt is the picture of Feline Health. Good Weight (Maintaining at 12.5 lbs), good teeth, ears and eyes.

Summary:

• Annual Physical – $25
• Fecal lab & Disposal $13

Vaccinations-

• Rabies – $22
• Feline distemper / Upper Respiratory -$21.50
• Bordatella Feline booster $15
• Annual Feline Leukemia Virus $20

Total – $116.50

New Doctor, Stephanie Johnston… she seemed nice and aware of what she’s about. Newt was a bit of a fussbudget, once we were there… I wonder if he remembered the spaniel he yelled at last time. He did snuggle down once we left the office. The girls there all love him to pieces, too, which I’m sure helped him out.