Jeepers, Iceland's economy is in freefall! I've been reading articles about the genetic database, and that led me on to looking at the state of the economy. They're in trouble deep.

deCODE, the company that holds the national genetic database, ran into privacy issues, the government got cold feet (is there a gene for cold feet?) and the company's stocks plunged.

(Not surprising; I found a quote by its boss saying that if a gene linked to a near-certainty of heart attacks in African-Americans was wiped out, a good proportion of heart attacks wouldn't happen... a statement that feeds right into people's fears about Big Brother.)

The krona has lost 22% of its value against the euro since January 1, and speculators are targeting the currency.

I hope those Lochlannach up there aren't getting out their longboats and putting sheep fat on them ready to sail. Note to self: must hide that gold chalice.