Its cliche but people really are like stars: you either burn steadily but brightly (the sun) or you explode like a supernova, taking nearby "planets" with you

Animals

Today has been a fun day trying to warm up to the animals in my house: they were adopted during a time when I had no interest in "building relationships" so we never really bonded (particularly the cat, who was raised in a feral environment and had to be weaned by a human). Our dog is the sweetest animal, but a bit too energetic (tends to spill all her food and water when I bring her outside in the morning). As is often the case, animals are very interesting reflections on how humans work, and it's fun to compare cats and dogs, whose minds work very differently. Dogs are pure empathy and love: they're very attuned to others needs (particularly female dogs) and our dog in particular is always eager to love and play. The cat, on the other hand, is highly solitary, very neurotic (paces near a closed patio door, then runs away when you open it), and generally distrustful. Today I'm making efforts to warm up our relationship (opening up the house so she can explore more, including allowing access to the backyard), but this could take awhile...

Is Mitt Romney an Aspie?

I'm starting to think that the leading Republican candidate (Mitt Romney) either has Aspergers or significant autistic tendencies. What I notice is that during debates he comes across as very wooden and "cold", yet he is clearly very devoted to his wife (who he's been married to for over 40 years). It makes him a political chameleon to be sure (his political ideology changes with the situation), but that lack of ideological rigidity might be exactly what we need right now.

Also, I think we need a president who doesn't care about social mores: Obama spends far too much time trying to get both sides to agree. It's about time we had a leader who just does what's best for the country (and the economy), regardless of who complains. It's a very tricky election for sure, but I think change is better than staying the same (when staying the same is clearly not working). Hopefully this will all be irrelevant and Ron Paul wins, but that is probably (pun intended) a pipe dream.

SOPA

It'll be very interesting to see where this goes: internet censorship is very srs business. Clearly there's a sort of stand-off occurring here, but I wonder if the RIAA (and its buddies) really thinks this is going to work, or are they just really really desperate for cash. I'd give them only a few years left before total collapse (and dismantlement) but I'm curious what others think.