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Patricia



Last Updated: 6/10/2009

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Gender: Female
Status: Single
Age: 44
Sign: Virgo

State: Tennessee
Country: US
Signup Date: 6/7/2005

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18 May 09 Monday 
headachy. don't want to read. don't want to watch t.v. just mowed the front yard. tired. am probably 15 minutes away from taking a nap. here's a list of 10 nevers ... not that you asked or that you probably care:

Never say never except ... I would never:

10. use 2nd rate olive oil in the summer. really i try never to use 2nd rate olive oil period, but absolutely i never use it in the summer when most of my summer eating centers on fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, and olive oil. 

9. willingly buy a record by an american idol contestant (winner or no).

8. do anything just because it's what everyone else is doing.

7. not do something just so i won't be like everyone else.

6. shave my golden retriever. i don't know why people do this. i think they think it keeps the dog cooler in the summertime, but it doesn't. brushing him every day is actually more helpful to his health than shaving him. don't shave your golden.

5. buy a vehicle to create a certain image. earlier today i saw someone driving a hummer -- a fucking hummer -- really? a fucking hummer? why? ... on the other hand, if that person is an asshole, i guess a hummer is the appropriate vehicle ...

4. make out another list of nevers ... it's more difficult than i thought. never gets rid of options ...

3. use an online dating service. as a single woman with single friends, i've had this conversation quite a few times. i'm not saying no one should use them, i'm just saying for me, it takes away the chemistry part, which i think is the best part of attraction. i also think it sets up false expectations.

2. be without a stack of books somewhere in my house just waiting to be read.

1. be on reality t.v. (huge shudder at the thought).

 

8:57 PM 
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18 Apr 09 Saturday 
Grading = UGH! Taking surveys = not grading; thus taking surveys ≠ UGH!


 


  1. Do you have a facebook?

Yes. And can we talk about this? I set up a Facebook account primarily to see why everyone thinks it’s so great. I still don’t get it, and no one can really give me a solid reason why they think it’s great.....

.. ..



  1. What is one thing you miss about your past?

I miss my house in Hermitage. I loved that house. I loved the inside—all the storage space and room to do whatever, and I loved my yard. I don’t miss it being a 45-minute drive to and from campus, though. ....

.. ..



  1. Can you play pool?

I have played pool, but I’m not especially good at it. It’s actually one skill I’ve always wanted to improve. I don’t know why. I just think it would be neat to be a good pool player. ....

.. ..



  1. Is your MySpace set to private?

No. At the moment it isn’t. I’ve set it to private a couple of times when strange people have sent strange messages suggesting strange things. But if the point of a social networking site is to network, it seems a bit counterproductive to set my page to private.



  1. You like the color green?

Um, I’d say so. Maybe I’d say I love it.



  1. Does the number 19 have any significance to you?

Yes.



  1. Its 4 in the morning, your phone rings who do you expect it to be?

It could be any number of people, actually.



  1. What do you think your best friend’s doing right now?

Probably something with the kid – maybe working in the yard.



  1. How old do you think you will be when you finally have kids?


I’m not having kids


 


  1. Who was the last friend in your house?


I can’t even remember. I’m not fond of my house – it’s a hell-hole, so I try to not have people over



  1. Can a girl and a guy be best friends with out having feelings for each other?


Um – shouldn’t you have feelings for your best friend, regardless of gender? If you mean romantic feelings (clarify your question, beotch), I have no idea. 



  1. Have you had your birthday yet this year?


Nope.



  1. Favorite drink at Starbucks?

I am actually one of the 3 people on the planet who is not a fan of Starbucks. If I had a favorite drink there, it’d be black coffee.



  1. Last place you went shopping?

Publix



  1. Have you ever been camping?

God no! I’m a prissy, prissy girl. No camping for me, thank you.



  1. When was the last time you went to the beach?

It’s pathetic how long it’s been -- I think the last time I was at the beach was in 2002 or 2003 when I went to a conference in ....Savannah.... and we took an afternoon to drive to Hilton Head.....

.. ..



  1. What was the last item you spent over 100 dollars on?....


The last single item? My electricity (blah). ....

.. ..



  1. Did you meet anyone special this year?....


Define “special.”....

.. ..



  1. When is the last time you went out of town?....


Does going to ....Nashville.... count? I met some friends there for dinner a couple of months ago. ....

.. ..



  1. Are you good at snowboarding?....


I’ve never tried it.....

.. ..



  1. What are you thinking about?....


Stopping this so I can go take a shower and eat something.....

.. ..



  1. Last person you hugged?....


I can’t remember. Probably a family member.....

.. ..



  1. Last mysterious bed you slept in?....


Huh? “Mysterious bed” I don’t know what that means …....

.. ..



  1. When was the last time you felt stupid?....


I feel stupid on a daily basis. It’s my default position.....

.. ..



  1. Who did you last yell at and why?....


My lazy-assed students for being lazy-assed and not reading their assignment. When they’re lazy, it means the conversation in class is one-sided and class D-R-A-G-S by. ....

.. ..



  1. What is bothering you right now?....


Well, now it’s the fact that I have a bunch of lazy-assed students. Thanks for reminding me.....

.. ..



  1. What do you think of your number 2 on your top friends?....


He’s AWESOME!!!! ....

.. ..



  1. Have you ever seen somebody get shot?....


No! What kind of person do you think I am?....

.. ..



  1. Do you use big words?....


Indubitably! I’m an English teacher.....

.. ..



  1. When was the last time you saw your father?....


Last Monday.....

.. ..



  1. Look to your right, what is there?....


My coffee cup J....

.. ..



  1. Have you ever been in a car accident?....


Yep. I don’t recommend it.....

.. ..



  1. Has anyone ever saved your life?....


Literally? Directly? No. Indirectly, sure.....

.. ..



  1. What are you looking forward to?....


At this point, the end of the survey would be nice … ....

.. ..



  1. Who do you text the most?....


I don’t text.....

.. ..



  1. Most exciting thing that has happened to you this year?....


Nothing really. It’s been a kind of boring year.....

.. ..



  1. Ever broken a bone?....


Do toes count? Oh wait, I broke a bone in my foot too. Okay, yes.....

.. ..



  1. Last person you said I love you to?....


Bash. He had a bath yesterday and is extra soft and lovable. ....

.. ..



  1. Last thing you stole?....


Your heart, I’m sure ;)....

.. ..



  1. Last place you lived before this one?....


Hermitage.....

.. ..



  1. Ever been in a fist fight?....


Um – no, we prissy girls don’t do fist fights.....

.. ..



  1. Who was the last male you talked to?....


I don’t remember – I stayed home yesterday, so I guess it was the waiter at 5 Senses.....

.. ..



  1. Who is someone that can always make you laugh?....


My baby brother.....

.. ..



  1. What were you doing at 10am this morning?....


Snoozing....

.. ..



  1. What were you doing an hour ago?....


Showering....



  1. Do you plan on moving within the next year?....


Fingers are crossed.....

.. ..



  1. Are you wearing anything on your feet?....


Nope. I’m a Tennessean—we are required to be barefoot as much as possible to maintain our stereotype.....

.....



  1. What are you looking forward to in the next 3 months?....


The end of the semester.....

.. ..



  1. Do you remember your dreams?....


Not well. Usually I only remember scattered fragments.....

.. ..



  1. Where did your last hug take place?....


I think last weekend when I was saying goodbye to my family members who came to town.....

.. ..



  1. Have you been to a baby shower?....


Yes. Quite a few, actually.....

.. ..



  1. What color is your hair brush?....


Who-the-hell cares?....

.. ..



  1. What is the last movie you watched?....


I don’t remember. Lately, I haven’t had time to commit to an entire movie.....

.. ..



  1. What is your middle name?....


Yo’ momma—my parents have an odd sense of humor.....

.. ..



  1. Do you have your future children's names picked out?....


My future children don’t exist, so, no.....

.. ..



  1. Who was your Kindergarden teacher?....


I had 2 – Miss Gaddy and Miss Kerr. ....

.. ..



  1. Are you taller than your mom?....


Yes.....

.. ..



  1. Do you have any bruises right now?....


Nope.....

.. ..



  1. Are you cold right now?....


Ahhhhh, no. I love Spring and Summer.....

.. ..



  1. What brand are your favorite jeans you own?....


I’m not a huge jeans person. I’d rather wear cargo pants. My favorite cargo’s? It’s a toss up between J. Crew and Banana Republic.....

.. ..



  1. Have you ever broken a pinata?....


Yes. I don’t understand the thrill of beating the crap out of something to have candy fall out. Although having said that, I laugh my ass off every time I see the piñata scene in Napoleon Dynamite, but then again, I laugh my ass off throughout that entire movie …....

.. ..



  1. Have you ever crawled through a window?....


Yes. Through the window of a house that wasn’t mine while a police officer watched, but didn’t watch. ....

.. ..



  1. Do you lose your keys often?....


I can’t remember the last time I lost my keys. In fact, I’m not sure if I’ve ever lost my keys.....

.. ..



  1. Do you sing in the shower?....


Yep. For some reason, I sing La Marseillaise in there a lot. ....

.. ..



  1. Do you always wear your seatbelt in the car?....


Always. My first boyfriend made me get into the habit; it’s automatic. Thank you, Brian J....

.. ..
 

8:12 PM 
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17 Apr 09 Friday 
You know, after all the crap about the Wallstreet greedy schmuckers, the screwy political schmuckers, and the fathead entertainment schmuckers, it's people like this guy who restore my faith in humanity. I love it. He's just living his life, doing his thing which includes shooting his wife across the river, trying to pelt potential burglers with chicken dung, and holding goldfish races and flea jumping contests. I think my favorite bit is that the crocodile fled in terror rather than fight a man underwater. And here all these years, I thought that was their dream gig! From today's British Expat:









Businessman burgled after being banned from using giant catapult



An eccentric businessman who set up a 30ft dung-firing catapult on his land to deter intruders has been burgled after police warned him that it would be illegal for him to use the weapon.





 





By John Bingham
Last Updated: 11:23AM BST 16 Apr 2009





Joe Weston-Webb: Businessman burgled after being banned from using giant catapult

Businessman Joe Weston-Webb, who set up a giant dung-firing catapult to protect his property from burglars but was told by police that he would be prosecuted if he ever fired it Photo: RAYMONDS


Joe Weston-Webb, a former travelling showman who also owns a human cannon and an "exploding coffin", decided to adopt such an unorthodox method of protecting his property last year after a series of break-ins and an arson attack.


The catapult, based on the design of a Roman boulder-throwing ballista, was originally built for a series of unsuccessful attempts to fire his wife, Mary, across the River Avon in 1976 during a colourful career as a stuntman. He gave up after one attempt in which she made it to the opposite bank only to be bounced back into the river by a safety net.



Mr Weston-Webb settled for a more mundane career in business after designing a type of click-together wooden flooring which earned him contracts with hotels and the entertainment industry, including the BBC talent show Strictly Come Dancing.


But following a series of attacks by vandals on his company, Grumpy Joe, in Ratcliffe-on-Soar, Notts, he restored the rusty catapult and equipped it to fire bags of chicken droppings at intruders if an alarm was triggered.
He also spoke of loading his cannon with railway sleepers or adapting it to work like a laser gun.


His eccentric methods attracted media attention as well as a warning from Nottinghamshire Police that using the giant catapult would be illegal as it did not constitute "reasonable force".


But now his business had been targeted by thieves again.
Burglars vandalised his workshop and stole cutting equipment, a plasma screen television and a laptop among other goods during the break-in on Monday night.
Mr Weston-Webb estimates that the combined bill for damage and stolen property could amount to £10,000.


He said that his private CCTV cameras picked up a figure entering the premises at about 11.15pm but the catapult was not primed following the police warning.
"It is ridiculous that we are in this situation now in which we can't defend ourselves," he said.


He is now threatening to ignore the warning and reactivate the catapult in the face of what he believes is a vendetta.
"We've seen where listening to them gets you," he said.
"They warned me off, and the result is that my business has been smashed to bits by yobs."


The 71-year-old, who claims to have been educated at Harrow School, ran a string of businesses before setting himself up as a travelling showman, organising increasingly daring stunts which made him into a minor celebrity with appearances on television programmes and advertisements.


But a plan to get a man to wrestle a crocodile underwater earned him a fine for animal cruelty after the terrified animal escaped from its tank and his first attempt at constructing a human cannon ended in humiliation when it exploded at a press launch.
The exploding coffin – designed to blow itself into the air – was also a disappointment after it failed to take off.
Since setting up his flooring business he has continued to organise eccentric entertainments, including goldfish racing and flea jumping contests, to help "bored" staff pass the time.
A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: "The law allows homeowners to protect themselves and their property with reasonable force if they are under threat from an intruder.
"However the reasonable force must be proportionate to the threat.
"The setting up of booby traps is outside the scope of the law and is something Nottinghamshire Police would advise against."
11:44 PM 
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04 Apr 09 Saturday 
My stupid neighbor woke me up at 8:45 this morning. This is the only thing I could think of to do as I drank my coffee:


What is your middle name? ....


L. – It stands for “Leave Me Alone in the Morning, Stupid Neighbor”



What color is your mailbox?


Boring



Are you single?


Yeppers



Have you ever hit a deer?....


Nope



Do you have to drive over a bridge to get home?


Yes – it’s a figurative bridge over some troubled waters



What color is your room?


Pretty



Do you have a small driveway?


Um - it’s big enough to get the job done



Do you know anyone with the same ringtone as you?


I don’t know my ringtone



What do you do first in the morning?


Well, this morning I cursed my neighbor who started some LOUD!!!!! Motorized something at 8:45. Usually the first thing I do is put on coffee.



What brand is your printer?


I don’t have a printer. I’m that poor. Yep, go ahead and say it “Awwwwwww …”



Do you enjoy fighting with people?


Arguing for fun, yes, but actually fighting, no although at the moment, I wouldn’t mind fighting my stupid neighbor.



What is your ringtone?


Um, see above



Are you taller than your mom?....


Yes. By about 4.5 inches



Are you God?


That is a ridiculous question.



Do you like someone?


I like lots of people, but if this question means am I crushing on anyone right now, sadly, no. Crushable men, where are you?



Do you enjoy writing in colored pens?


I don’t really care. I have to write with colored pens for a living, but I wouldn’t say it’s particular enjoyable.



Does anything hurt on your body right now?....


My eyes hurt from being forced awake too soon. Stupid neighbor L



Last phone call you received?
Someone w/a blocked number called my cell at about 8:50 this morning (it's not been a great start to the day). Two things about this: 1). I NEVER answer the phone if the number is blocked. 2). I rarely answer my phone at 8:45am.


Last text message?


Not for me, the texting.



Do you hate your life?


“Hate”? Definitely not. Sure, I’m working to improve upon some things, but I’m a far ways from “hate.” Having said that, do you know what I do hate? Being awakened at 8:45 in the morning by my stupid neighbor.



Do you get mad easily?


I have a wicked temper, but I also have a very long fuse. I really can’t remember the last time I was really mad. I mean I’m annoyed w/my stupid neighbor at this moment, but I’m not mad.



What is your biggest pet peeve?


Besides my stupid neighbor waking me up at 8:45 this morning? For the life of me I can’t understand why everyone likes Facebook so much. I have an account, but … I don’t get it. If I’m not into updating the thingie that tells what I’m doing every second of the day, and I don’t care what anyone else is doing every second of the day, and I don’t care about sending bogus crap like fake gifts, then what makes it special?



Are you cold?


Not at the moment; I’m the toasty temperature of coffee.



Do any of your friends have kids?


Yep - several of them do.



Do you know anyone that is pregnant right now?


Not that I can think of off the top of my head, but if you’re a pregnant friend whom I’ve forgotten, please don’t be mad at me, my stupid neighbor woke me up 2 hours earlier than the time that my brain wanted to begin to function.



How many years older than you are you willing to date?....


I don’t know. I used to say w/in 5 years either way, but if Frank Langella called? Yep.



Do you have any friends?


Yes, I’ve managed to sucker a few people in to being my friend despite the fact that I’m a bit unpleasant when I’ve been awakened by my stupid neighbor at 8:45 am.



Do you have any mean friends?


Yep. That’s why they’re my friends J



What is the ugliest color to wear in your opinion?


The color of yo’ mamma’s face when she’s been awakened by her stupid neighbor at 8:45 am



Have you ever liked someone who all your friends hate?....


Yep. Dated him—actually lived with him for 7.5 years. I love my friends, but they don’t get to determine whom I love.



Have you ever felt like driving off a cliff, seriously?


Um, no. That would hurt, and I’m not really into self-inflicted pain w/the exception of dating someone my friends hate for 7.5 years and living next door to a stupid neighbor who awakens me at 8:45 on a Saturday morning w/loud motorized crap.



Have you ever contemplated suicide?....


Not seriously although this morning at 8:45 am it did cross my mind.



Do you scratch your ears?


Huh? (I’d answer but I’m busy scratching my ears)



Who was the last person to hug you?


Bash. He trying to calm me down after being awakened at 8:45 am this morning.



What brand are the pant/jeans you're wearing right now?


J. Crew



How tall are you?


Tall enough to reach the top shelf for a can of whoop-ass to open on my stupid neighbor (have I mentioned that he woke me up at 8:45 this morning?)



What is the closest green object?


My eyes. Than the wall. Then my rain jacket. Then (the list goes on and on and on and on…)



If you were born the opposite sex, what would your parents name you?


Ugh! I don’t even want to THINK about if I had been born a boy. No offense, boys, I love you, but UGH!! I think they would have named my Patrick.



Do you want to have kids?


I’m pretty sure that ship has sailed, and I’m okay with that. I really never wanted kids if I wasn’t sure I’d have a stable relationship with their father (says a lot about my relationships, doesn’t it?). If I did have kids, I’d send them over to annoy my stupid neighbor who woke me up at 8:45 this morning.



What is the brightest color you're wearing?....


Black



Who is the friend you have that you would never have expected to have?


Huh? I have no idea how to answer that.



Who do you hate the most right now?


My stupid neighbor



Who is one girl you trust most?....


Me J



Who is one guy you trust most?


Bash J



What color shirt were you wearing when you last kissed?


I can’t remember when the last time I was kissed was … awwwwww. I’m pathetic.



Do you think you're wasting your time on the person you like?


Well, since I’m not crushing on anyone right now, um, no. Do you know who I definitely do NOT like at the moment? My stupid neighbor … he woke me up at 8:45 this morning …
 

3:49 PM 
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18 Mar 09 Wednesday 
Today I have a headache that won't go away. My guess is the weather is shifting -- it's probably going to be 20 degrees or so colder tomorrow than it is today. Anyway, this made me laugh. From today Telegraph Expat:

Man resigns from job by handing in notice on cake


A man told his boss he was leaving his job by writing a resignation letter on a cake.





 




By Jon Swaine


Last Updated: 4:57PM GMT 17 Mar 2009





The resignation letter on a cake

Mr Berrett and his resignation letter cake
Photo: W Neil Berrett




Neil Berrett sugared the pill of his departure from Hunters Point Naval
Shipyard, San Francisco, by announcing his intentions in icing.


He posted a picture of the huge
baked message on Flickr , the photo sharing website.

 
In the letter, Mr Berrett wrote: "Dear Mr. Bowers - During the past three
years, my tenure at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard has been nothing short
of pure excitement, joy and whim.




"However, I have decided to spend more time with my family and attend to
health issues that have recently arisen. I am proud to have been part of
such an outstanding team and I wish this organization only the finest in
future endeavors.


"Please accept this cake as notification that I am leaving my position
with NWT on March 27. Sincerely, W. Neil Berrett".


The picture of the cake-letter prompted dozens of messages of support from Mr
Berrett's followers on Flickr. Of these, most notable was that of "riversharkinc",
who announced that he intended to apply for Mr Berrett by offering to bake a
version of his CV.


He wrote: "Dear Mr. Bowers - I understand a position has recently become
available and I would like you to consider me for the job.


"I am not entirely sure what it entails, but I am very smart, a quick
learner and flexible. I am also able to recognize an opportunity as it
presents itself and take advantage of it, even if it arrives disguised as a
photo of a sheet cake."



10:00 PM 
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23 Feb 09 Monday 
Jeremy Bentham, British philosopher and jurist, asked that, upon his death, his body be publically autopsied and then the skeletal remains stuffed, dressed in his own clothing, and mounted in a sitting position for all to view. Mr. Bentham now sits at University College London. It is rumored that he is wheeled into Council meetings, the minutes of which note: Jermey Bentham, present but not voting. :)
9:25 PM 
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20 Feb 09 Friday 
Because you're so rock 'n roll, you know that one of the most r 'n r things to do is help others learn how to flex their creative muscles , AND I'll bet one of your favorite things to do when you aren't flexing your own creative muscles, is to sit and chill with a nice book while, perhaps, listening to a tasty little tune of someone else's music. SO, what better thing to do today or tomorrow than to go to your local Barnes & Noble and buy a book (or music) using the below coupon to help support YEAH, a group dedicated to helping kids 18 and under discover themselves through art.  Below is an e-mail from one of our awesome dept. secretaries, promoting this awesome non-profit program:

Good morning all,

In the midst of budget cuts & stimulus worries, I wanted to pass along some more uplifting information. ....

.. ..It’s about a local non-profit organization that is near & dear to my heart, Murfreesboro’s own Youth Empowerment through Arts & Humanities (YEAH). This organization was started by a few local ladies (who also happen to be MTSU alumni) to provide a channel through which local artists can act as mentors & teachers for Middle Tennessee youngsters interested in popular music, screen printing, photography, clothing design, and the technical aspects of the recording industry . Amongst other endeavors, they run the Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp that has taken place every Summer on MTSU’s campus since 2003. The organization also puts on all-ages shows featuring popular local bands that give the 18 & under set a place to have a good time in a safe environment that does not involve Mountain Dew marketing, Michael W. Smith, or anything branded by the Disney Channel-- not that those things aren’t good in their own right (I swear Disney Channel has cold-healing properties) but they’re not every teenager’s cup of tea.....

From the other side of the looking-glass, YEAH gives local artists-- many of whom are MTSU students & alumni-- an outlet where, in lieu of the money that is so often the elusive quarry of those under 30, they can donate their talents & passion for their art in a way that will positively influence the community & its future. ....

....

If you’ve not yet had a chance to get involved with this wonderful organization and support its endeavors, this weekend offers the perfect opportunity. They’ve partnered with Barnes & Noble to donate a portion of sales to YEAH whenever the following voucher (linked to below) is presented at checkout. So if you had some book purchases in mind, or have been waiting to spend that B&N gift card you got for Christmas, this would be a great opportunity to satisfy your book-buying itch while also helping a local, home-grown NPO.

Thanks, and happy Friday!
Kelly





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Forward this message to a friend....




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*Please enable images* ....

Barnes & Noble has agreed to sponsor YEAH this weekend! Click here to download a voucher. Give this voucher to the cashier when you purchase an item and the store will donate a percentage of your purchase to YEAH. If you have any books or music you have been meaning to pick up, now is the time. ....











....



2009 SGRRC will be held July 27th - August 1st  ....

Early registration is $225 and lasts from March 1st - March 31st ....

Click here to Learn More about camp ....

Click here to Register ....

Click here for Volunteer Sign-Up ....

  ....







  ....





ROCK BLOK ....

We are two weeks into Rock Blok and it could not be going better. With 23 teenagers in 5 bands writing and playing music, the program is a hit. ....

Rock Blok is a three-month program where teenagers sign up as a guitar player, drummer, saxophone player or on any other instrument. They are grouped into bands and work with their band managers writing and playing music, making t-shirts and recordings, and at the end of it all they put on one big show for tons of people. ....

For those of you already signed up, thank you and we hope you are having a blast. For those of you who did not sign up, registration for the next session starts in April but let us know asap if you want to sign up. The program filled up very fast this time around, and we had to turn down over 15 people. ....

Learn more about Rock Blok here....







  ....



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Be sure to check out our new website at yeahintheboro.org, the place to stay up-to-date with everything YEAH: info on camp registration, upcoming shows, new programs, and other exciting Murfreesboro events can all be found here!

8:40 PM 
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18 Feb 09 Wednesday 

A friend and I recently had a fun little sparring session about whether the type of genetic superiority mentioned below is possible or whether differences are the result of cultural influences. I'll be awaiting the results from the below oh-so-important study with baited breath--eager to find out whose side science is really on :). I also would LOVE to know how to make elephant toothpaste. That's got to be a skill that's in great demand, right? From today's Telegraph Expat:

Scientists seek to discover how Geordies survive the cold in next to nothing

Scientists are hoping to finally solve a mystery which has long baffledsoutherners - how Geordies survive the cold wearing next to nothing.

By Sarah Knapton


Last Updated: 4:05PM GMT 17 Feb 2009





Novacastrians are famed for their ability to venture out in the bitter North East winters without wearing a coat. Now researchers from Newcastle's Centre for Life want to find out if their hardiness is anything more than a myth.One theory being explored is that Geordies have thicker skins than people in other parts of the country. Scientists are calling on Newcastle's inhabitants to take part in a survey for the city's 10 day ScienceFest festival.Linda
Conlon, chief executive of the Centre for Life said: "We decided to
investigate the reputation Geordies have for not wearing a coat in even
the worst weather."Is there a possible genetic reason for our bravery or is it simply because we like to show off our finery on a night out?"An
online questionnaire will ask Geordies about their coat wearing
behaviour to find out whether they are naturally warmer than their
Southern counterparts, or if having no need for a coat is part of
Newcastle's cultural heritage.In addition to the survey, scientists will take to the city's night spots to carry out fieldwork and interview revellers.It
is the first time the myth has been explored and the results will be
announced during the ScienceFest which will run between March 6 and 15.
Billed as a festival for "curious minds of all ages", the
festival will also include a brain modelling workshop, robots fighting
it out to win Robo Challenge UK, and a lesson in how to make elephants'
toothpaste. Peter Arnold, chief executive of Newcastle Science
City, said: "This festival sounds bigger and better than ever and looks
set to appeal to people of all ages and interests. What is particularly
great about the variety of events is that they will be fun and really
increase everyone's enjoyment of science while making them realise it
is all around them, not just in a laboratory."



9:50 PM 
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11 Feb 09 Wednesday 
I'm not a big fan of the Valentine's Day broohaha, but the Heifer International idea almost makes me rethink my dislike of the day. From a Heifer International e-mail:



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Kiss Hunger Goodbye with Heifer

Dear Patricia,
Send something really sweet this Valentine's Day - a kiss from Heifer.
Kisses from Heifer give struggling families hope for the future. They show your passion for peace and love of life. Heifer kisses bring smiles to children around the world - and to your loved ones.
Kiss hunger goodbye with Heifer gifts this Valentine's Day.
So, choose one of our touching animal gifts and send an animated Valentine's Day ecard for your honoree. What heart could resist a lovely llama, enchanting heifer or gorgeous goat?
When you kiss hunger goodbye, you're giving a gift that changes entire communities. In addition to livestock, Heifer provides training in animal care, environmental sustainability and other useful tools, making the gifts a holistic approach to lasting change. And because recipients "Pass on the Gift" of animals and training, Heifer gifts last far longer than chocolate candies, flowers and other traditional Valentine's tokens. In fact, for over 60 years, Heifer's sustainable model has enabled more than 10.5 million families to achieve lasting change.
Honor your special someone and kiss hunger goodbye!
Express your love and your ongoing commitment to ending hunger and poverty with a Heifer gift in honor of your valentine. Choose from the gifts at the right or in Heifer's online catalog. With your help, love and peace can be here to stay.
Happy Valentine's Day,

Ashley Michael, Heifer International
Ashley Michael
Heifer International 

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Some bunny loves you
Some bunny loves you 



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a promise that lasts a lifetime
A promise that lasts a lifetime



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Kiss hunger goodbye around the world
Kiss hunger goodbye around the world
Heifer International
Heifer International
1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR/USA 72202 | Tel.: (800) 422-0474 | Contact us


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7:43 PM 
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08 Feb 09 Sunday 
I drew a picture today called "Sometimes I wish it would rain rose petals."

I drew it because I'm depressed by the descriptions of British coal miners--their jobs and their living quarters--in George Orwell's The Road to Wigan Pier."

Why not stop reading it? Why not keep reading and think of rose petals falling from the sky ...
Currently reading:
The Road to Wigan Pier
By George Orwell
5:08 AM 
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