I must have missed a memo. When did we become Australia?

I had an encounter yesterday with the largest spider I've ever seen in Illinois, and all I have to say is RUN! Do not come back here! They will eat you alive! Her body (just the body) was the shape and size of the last joint of my thumb. She was gray and striped and spun the thickest, fastest speedweb I'd ever seen, but worse -- much worse -- she was immune to the searing heat of the barbecue. It was scorching hot (so hot the can of Pam next to it got too hot to touch), yet she was able to walk across the metal of the barbecue without a twitch.

BEWARE THE GIANT FIREPROOF SPIDERS.

I live in fear now. They are going to find me and bite my face. AAAAAAAAAGH!

HOLY CRAP.

Still no flying cars, but that's okay because DNA could be the engines for our next generation of computers. No, really.



[Edit: Also...I just saw this on SA. Anybody heading over to the House of Entropy, lock your car doors and beware of a bald caucasian male at or around Irving & Damen. He's apparently tried to get into people's cars and has been generally scary.]

Here's that AIM talky thing.

After careful deliberation, I've decided that I fear it. But I will await a full demonstration before making my final determination of the correct fear:need ratio.

IM Buddies : IM Buddies - Bugs Bunny Our Price : $24.99

Three dimensional plush dolls that physically sit next to or on top of a computer monitor and "come alive" when the user accesses software and/or websites embedded with digital triggers or via any Instant Messenger (IM) application. For example, if one friend has a Bugs Bunny IM Buddy and is logged onto an IM application with another friend who has a Daffy Duck IM Buddy, then each can enhance their IM conversation by activating the other's actual toy to move animatronically and "speak" in the character's voice, from any location, anywhere in the world!!` IM Buddies also work with a growing selection of computer and console games, commenting on your performance, egging you on, congratulating you when you win, slamming you when you're winning or make a mistake, etc. In some instances, you can play against your IM Buddy, just as if you were playing against a real friend! This adds an exciting dimension to the use of the computer and the many things you can do online. This item will be available in mid September. PRE-ORDER IT NOW. To pre-order it enter "Quantity" in the box and hit the blue "BUY IT" button. Quantity: