Sure you like to think your time is precious, especially at work, but come on ... don't fight your inner procrastinator.

Succumb to The Scanner, it will waste your time in ways you won't feel so bad about.

Contain the afflicted CRISIS at University of Southern Maine Day 118: The Mumps scare continues at the university and now officials are waiting for test results on students who may or may not be carriers. The official ban on unvaccinated students begins today. Isn't this how zombie movies start? Wasn't this an episode of Heroes? I'm scared.

UPDATE: USM estimates there's gonna be a lot of people getting kicked out of class and their dorm.

I got Psst!–ed! Seems my dual weaknesses for bacon and doughnuts has caught the attention of Portland's gastronomical sage. In my defense of spelling, I had several high school English teachers tell me it was "doughnut," not "donut." I'm still confused.

Granny's goes off the grid It appears Granny's Burritos has closed down. Will they reappear elsewhere? Countless people who crave burritos the size of kittens who want to know. Stay tuned...

Strike Beards Unite! For all the Conan O'Brien fans out there suffering because of the writers strike, BEHOLD! A message from your pasty, ginger overlord! (Thanks to NXT reader AC)

Good luck editing that Meanwhile in other strike news, apparently CBS is putting together a plan to possibly air Showtime's "Dexter" on the network known for "Two and a Half Men." I ... uh ... how can someone possibly edit "Dexter" to make it palatable for regular TV. Plus, doesn't that defeat the purpose? Weren't shows like "Dexter," "Weeds," and "The Wire" made on premium channels because they wouldn't make it on network? (Hat tip: Pop Candy)

Screen writers...please come back soon If you ever wanted proof of the long term effects of a writers strike look no further than this spoof of "The Hills" starring James Franco and Mila Kunis. Shudder...reality TV will reign supreme. (Headphones/earmuffs...this one contains a few swears kids.)

Spam–Free Again with the spam. This is a long one but potentially important for, oh, I don't know ... everyone who has a computer. The man who built a better mouse for your computer is now working to build a better spam blocker.

The beacon saga continues The Facebook advertising system continues to be in the news this week as founder and boy millionaire Mark Zuckerberg apologizes for problems with Beacon and announces changes.

Bunch of savages in this town What kind of monsters would steal ham and bacon from people? What kind of degenerates would steal 17.6 tons of it? OK, well, you do kind of have to applaud that work ethic ... 17.6 tons is a lot to move. But still ... have you no SHAME thieves? (Thanks to NXT reader ac)

Make it sizzle! Thank the gods for video mash–ups. What happens when you mix crunk and Bob Fosse? You get something awesome and strangely mesmerizing. (Thanks to NXT reader Réal)

And the wise men were named Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Clyde Check out this holiday spirit – in downtown Madrid they've got a light up Christmas tree made to look like a Pac–Man map. (Hat tip: Gizmodo)

You'll never see it coming How did I miss this? HOW? Oh wait ... ninjas are stealthy, right? Did you know Wednesday was International Day of the Ninja? Or at least it was if you live in L.A. It can only be a matter of time before this rivals talk like a pirate day...and then we can finally settle the ninja/pirate debate.

Pirate Accessories of Kit Are you not cheap? Do you need child gifts? Fear not, The Onion A.V. Club is there for you with their cheap toy round–up. Which includes the Pirate Acessories of Kit. I wish that was a typo.

You really can buy anything Apparently you could even buy uranium on Amazon.com. Emphasis on could since they recently stopped. How was that ever a good idea? (Hat tip: Boing–Boing)

"Like having a bath with your socks on" You may hate them, you may love them, but either way bless College Humor for keeping an eye out for great videos. If you want to have a frank discussion about safe sex, nothing like hearing about what condoms used to be like from an old man. Yikes. And be thankful. (Hat tip: G4)

A day that will forever live in infamy. Or maybe just famy. History buffs and boozers alike rejoice – December 5 was repeal day! As in, on that day in 1933, Utah was the final state to ratify the 21st Amendment, which brought an end to prohibition. Who, I ask you, wouldn't drink to that? I want an animated Holiday Special about this – "The Amendment that Saved Christmas."

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