I was shaken out of a deep sleep this morning by a tremendous explosion that rattled the windows and rained dust down on my head. A car bomb or similar device exploded near the 14 July Bridge, one of the main entrances into the Green Zone just 1 mile from our compound. No word on casualties. But I was never able to get back to sleep again, despite only 4 hours of sleep last night (I was up late working).  Thanks for nothing, Al Qaeda!

Good news from London! ...Mrs Crab reports by phone today that our landlord has agreed to let us stay in our current flat for another year!  This is great news because for a while, we feared we might have to move. I HATE moving.  Besides being a pain in the arse, it's always more expensive than you think it will be because there are always little unforseen expenses. Of course, our rent did go up by about £60 a month. But we'd probably end up spending well over £1,000 if we had to move.   For our dear friends & family, we have plenty of room so PLEASE come visit us (Hint! Hint!)

FRACK! 
Sci-Fi Channel  -- after repeatedly denying the rumors -- admitted today that the upcoming fourth season of "Battlestar Galactica" will be the last. Those who have read this blog with any regularity know that Mr. Crab -- geek that he is -- is OBSESSED with Battlestar Galactica, THE greatest show on television, sci-fi or otherwise.  How do CRAP shows like "E.R." and "Friends" stay on the air for a decade or longer, while all the good shows get pulled?  In their defense, the producers of BG said they wanted to end the show while it's still on top and doesn't get stale, like, say, every Star Trek series ever made after "The Next Generation". The fourth season of BG starts in November. When we last left the series, three major characters were revealed to be Cylons.  It's going to be quite a ride. So Say We All.