Did you know that skunks can be active in the winter? I sure didn't, until today at least. The dogs were out as I made the coffee this morning when they began barking, something they don't usually do at the crack of dawn. I called them back in, but they were clearly agitated, and Hudson the wonder dog was in full-on war mode, barking at the back fence (apologies to sleeping neighbors) and resisting my recall. Then I caught a whiff of the skunk spray, and knew just what happened, but thankfully, it seems the skunk was safely in the other yard when my guys encountered him, because nobody actually got spray on them, a lucky outcome to be sure. After I got the dogs inside I spotted Mr. Smelly in front of the house, by far the biggest looking skunk I had ever seen (though much of that was likely winter coat), waddling down the street, clearly put off by his encounter with unbridled canine aggression. Hopefully he found he way back home without getting hit by a car.

Today is Ash Wednesday. I don't think it's supposed to be "happy" Ash Wednesday, so good luck to those fasting or doing other forms of penance.

Links:	Thanks Ant and Acleacius.
Play:	TNT Zombies: Level Pack.
Stories:	Earth-Buzzing Asteroid Worth $195 Billion, Space Miners Say. Space miners? IOC cuts wrestling from 2020 Olympics. Thanks Cutter.
Science:	A quantum shell game that street hustlers would hate. Missouri bill redefines science, gives equal time to Intelligent Design. New case of SARS-like virus shows person-to-person transmission.
Media:	Aliens Colonial Marines- All Singing, All Dancing. Ludicrous speed! Thanks Fantaz. The One Thing to See on the East Coast Before You Die. Jeremy Clarkson trapped in a toilet. Fame is so awesome.
Follow-up:	Scientist Explains the Weird Shiny Thing on Mars. Thanks j.c.f.