Simon's Cat is a series of short animated cartoons produced by Tandem Films exploring the unique relationship between a cat and it's owner/servant.

The most recent episode in the series just came out this week, but I'm going to start with the first because it's my favorite so far...

Simon's Cat - Cat Man Do

Reminds me of someone, but I can't quite place it...

Continue reading for more adventures of Simon's Cat...

News overload in the past day or two...

• Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog - Watch Joss Whedon's latest bout of brilliance while you still can.
  
• Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic MMO - Finally!
  
• DC Universe Online - Sounds like its coming along nicely.
  
• Champions Online - Lots of recent coverage of this superhero MMO too.
  
• Watchmen - I'm watching the Watchmen.
  
• The Dark Knight - It's been a loooong week so I'm passing on the midnight show, but I'll definitely be visiting Gotham this weekend.

It's a good time to be a geek!

How cool is this?

Finally, one day last fall, more than a year after they moved in, Mr. Klinsky received a letter in the mail containing a poem that began:

We’ve taken liberties with Yeats
to lead you through a tale
that tells of most inspired fates
in hopes to lift the veil.

The letter directed the family to a hidden panel in the front hall that contained a beautifully bound and printed book, Ms. Bensko’s opus.

The book led them on a scavenger hunt through their own apartment.

Prior to moving into their Fifth Avenue apartment, the family hired a young architect to redo the place.

Inspired by the father's request to hide a poem he had written for his family in a wall somewhere as a sort of "time capsule", the architect and accomplices went much further and built an entire mystery adventure for the family to inhabit.

I love the creativity. Of course, having an 8.5 million dollar canvas to work with can be somewhat inspiring.

(via Kottke)

The following is from an online system used by the State of Illinois to procure supplies and services...

Only in state government would you issue an addendum to answer the question of whether any addendums had been published.

Another interesting video tonight...


This one of course is from my favorite band, Barenaked Ladies. It's from a new CD called Snacktime just released by the band. However, as you might be able to tell from the song, this CD is intended for a slightly unique audience...

"Our collective kids now outnumber the band more than 2 to 1," explains vocalist/guitarist Ed Robertson. "We set out to make a record that would be entertaining for them…not strictly a children's record, but a record that children would really enjoy. Our kids are in to all kinds of music. They love the They Might Be Giants kids records, but they also love The Beatles, Fountains of Wayne, Randy Newman, Black Eyed Peas and Green Day. Making the focus about what our kids like was a truly liberating process and fun for the whole band."

I believe it when he says it was fun for the whole band. I've played the whole disc (24 songs!!) twice now, and I've had a ball listening to the lyrics and picking out all of the musical styles that are there to find. There's one song called "Eraser" that starts with Ska, has a brief flirtation with Pink Floyd and then Queen, and ends up back with Ska again. Where else can you find that kind of variety?

Highly recommended for children of all ages.

Very cool video, produced entirely on an Apple Mac...


The catchy though repetitive song is "Again & Again" by The Bird & the Bee.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Lori Loughlin has joined the cast of the as-yet untitled Beverly Hills 90210 spin-off that is currently in development.

I know... I don't understand either why anyone would think to create a 90210 spin-off now, but that's beside the point.

The point is that I've been in love with Lori Loughlin since I was a teenager (anyone else remember Secret Admirer?), and I'm overjoyed at the possibility of seeing her on a weekly basis again.

Welcome back Lori!

Check out this amazing story on ESPN.com about a college softball game that will be remembered for a long time because of the athletes, not the athletics...

Western Oregon senior Sara Tucholsky had never hit a home run in her career. Central Washington senior Mallory Holtman was already her school's career leader in them. But when a twist of fate and a torn knee ligament brought them face to face with each other and face to face with the end of their playing days, they combined on a home run trot that celebrated the collective human spirit far more than individual athletic achievement.

That's what it's all about.

At 4:37 AM local time last night, a 5.2 earthquake struck near West Salem, Illinois, which is approximately 150 miles away from Springfield.

According to local news reports (and my coworkers), the quake rattled houses and knocked items off shelves and bookcases, but there were no local damage or injuries.

Of course, I slept through it all.

So far, I've survived the Godless Tornadoes of '06 and the Great Quake of '08...

I think Springfield is due for a hurricane in 2010. Or maybe locusts.

More quake coverage...

5.2 earthquake one of the strongest to hit Illinois (State Journal Register)
Earthquake measuring 5.2 rattles St. Louis region (St. Louis Post Dispatch)
Earthquake rattles Chicago area, Midwest (Chicago Tribune)
Earthquake rattles Indiana this morning (Indianapolis Star)
Little damage in Louisville from quake (Louisville Courier-Journal)
April 18, 2008 Midwest Earthquake (Wikipedia)

UPDATE 10:20 AM... We just felt a strong aftershock, which has been reported as magnitude 4.6. I work on the sixth floor of a building that was constructed sometime in the 1930s (I think), and our building shook noticeably for five or six seconds.

Hmm, why is it that I have the sudden urge to take the rest of the day off?

Visit the free Interactive Vietnam Veterans Memorial and leave a tribute, story, or photograph about any of the 58,256 veterans killed or missing in the Vietnam War...

Humbling.