FYI

If you're chatting with me in IM's, and you get a message containing  ++ at the end, then the phone rang. Since I use a cell phone exclusively, I can't type when  it rings. This might come up in the middle of a line. When I finish, I'll let you know and finish my thought.

+- means the doorbell rang. -+ means that something is demanding my attention. (Probably Alexander, the new cat, as he likes to climb things and this place is geared to non-arboreals)
-- means that the roommate or Nappy has demanded my attention.

If you see any of these things, especially at the end of an IM line, then I'll be back as soon as I can.