Jeez, Calico, you make it sound like the 'cat is a diversion of last resort. I got so PO'd at the vast nothingness of the tube that I disconnected the cable about seven years ago. I only use it now to watch videos. Friends think I'm a bit weird, but disconnecting gave me back large chunks of time to do creative things with, like read, write, play music, pub crawl, etc. Best thing I ever did. Comming to the 'cat is always a learning experience for me, and I enjoy keeping track of the wonderful people that inhabit this place. It is NEVER an escape from boredom for me, but always an eagerly anticipated journey of the mind.