It's time once again for that weekly dose of fantasy and reality that makes reaching the weekend just a little more fun.

Or at least its a enough of a dose to tide you over until the work day ends and happy hour begins.

It's the Scanner - where time wasters and news sit side by side.

Fighting the Man At least one person being sued by the Recording Industry Association of America is not going to hand over their money willingly. Cara Laude's attorney says the recording industry is grossly overestimating its financial losses from illegal downloading.

Even harder to escape the dorms The Orono Town Council is considering an ordinance that could limit the number of non-related people living in an apartment. That could mean a lot of University of Maine students fighting over a limited number of places to live. More interesting, the council may vote on this one while students are on winter break. (Via The Maine Campus)

Ebenezer McGrinch Mark LaFlamme's got a few thoughts on the Christmas creep that occurs each year after Halloween. Does the marketing machine just not care about Thanksgiving?

Bacon up that diet YES! Bacon is good for you! Science is finally catching up to me: Researchers say certain chemicals in leafy vegetables and bacon can help minimize the damage of heart attacks! Of course, you run the risk of more heart attacks with increased bacon consumption...right? It's a risk worth taking. (Thanks to NXT reader Jane)

Someone to turn report when it all goes dark Last week CNN launched a bureau in Second Life, where people in the online community will report stories. Now the question is, who is still there.

Uh... I have absolutely no idea what is going on here, but it's vaguely Scandinavian (I love that store) and fun to look at. (Thanks to NXT reader Réal.)

Hammer, don't hurt 'em Would you believe MC Hammer is back? Well, sort of. The man who we will forever associate with parachute pants is teaming with some developers to create a social networking site about dancing. Yes that's right. Check out DanceJam for yourself.

How do you like your Awesome? Fans of "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" know that the show is returning on Sunday for another season on Adult Swim. But did you know they recently started live streaming "Tim and Eric Nite Live" Tuesday nights on Super Deluxe. (I'll just get this out of the way and say NSFW) Also, check out this interview with Tim and Eric at New York Magazine. (Hat Tip: Pop Candy)

PZZA PLZ Ah technology, you are nothing if you can't get me the things I need faster. Papa Johns has rolled out a service that allows you to Text your order. Next, BEERZ PLZ.

TV lives...on stage? Here's something interesting out of New York, The New York Post is reporting that shows like "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock," will be performed on a few small stages around New York. Raise your hand if you are jealous. (Thanks to NXT reader AC)

"Family Guy" without the Guy In more writers strike news, Fox is apparently going ahead and finishing episodes of "Family Guy" without creator Seth MacFarlane, who is on the picket lines.

Sad News It's already made the rounds on TV and the Interwebs, but Kanye West's mom, Donda, died last night. It's believed her death was the result of complications with plastic surgery. As the Washington Post reports, it didn't take long for the anonymous bottom dwellers to show up to say awful things.

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