Cats as alarm clocks

My cat has developed a new trick. When he wants me to get up he starts circling my head in a figure eight type pattern looking for weak places where he can poke me with his paw or nose while I am trying to sleep. I get one weakness covered and he hunts out a new weakness.

A cat would actually make for a good alarm clock - except for the loud purring and that annoying tickle of whiskers.