I understand the Economy is in the toilet. Perhaps you've heard this, too? Perhaps it's not just another myth like the Easter Bunny or Rush Limbaugh.
But the endless sucking need of Charities is burning me out. I give as generously yet carefully as I can each year and have focused on causes close to my heart - SPCA, AIDS, GLBT, etc.
The amount of solicitation this year has been unprecedented. And one Charity on the annual roster has been relentless.
For anonymity, I'll just use the initials "M.S.".
For about 3 months they called my number daily between 3pm and 5pm. Finally, I took them in hand and explained this was not the way to win my heart; their annual gift was coming on my schedule and within my budget.
I recently sent out my contribution for 2009. M.S. sent me a lovely "Thank You" card with much verbiage of all the things that money can buy and how my contribution plays its part and all of this signed of by Joyce N., Big Title Such & Such.
Yet there at the bottom in a handwriting font, in blue ink a 'personal' P.S. from M.S.:
"Won't you consider making another gift in the same amount to help even more?"
I folded the card in quarters, sheathed it in the enclosed pre-stamped envelope and sealed it to go out in tomorrow's mail.
But before I did, I wrote in block letter and in red ink: "You're a jerk, Joyce."
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN MIND People in Love Are Blind to Pretty Faces A built-in aversion to attractive members of the opposite sex may help cement monogamous relationships
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SCIENCE TALK PODCAST The Naked Singularity Meets Social Media Scientific American Editor in Chief John Rennie talks about the content of the February issue, including naked singularities and the greenhouse hamburger. N.Y.U. journalism professor Jay Rosen discusses social media
60-SECOND PSYCH PODCAST The Scent of Sexual Sweat Do you like the scent of your Valentine? The Journal of Neuroscience reports that certain regions in women's brains are activated when they smell "sexual sweat"
60-SECOND SCIENCE PODCAST Caterpillar Does Great Ant Impression In a study in the journal Science, researchers report that blue butterfly caterpillars infiltrate red ant colonies and grub food by mimicking the raspy sound of the ant queen
Good morning - we're back from a quick weekend of skiing in Snowshoe Mtn... did quite a few good (and successful) runs down the slopes @ Snowshoe on Saturday and again Sunday morning! No parts left behind... So - some bills - year-end tax work - and piano today (did someone say it might snow?) - Anyway - happy monday morning - just wanted to say hello. E.
Good Friday morning... it's been a packed week; exams are over - catching up on piano at last (Greensleeves, Scarborough Fair & Misty Night Blues - the medley!) - and finally getting to some of those books on my nightstand I've been wanting to read. Have a great weekend.
Because my inner demon takes over ... the following exchange took place this morning.
----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Eric To: Circulation Desk Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 9:44:39 AM Subject: Re: Library Card Application
James - Thank you - I received my library card yesterday.
It caught my eye - and I did want to point out that, "... something that writes good on plastic ..." sounds like bad form "... something that writes well ..." ? Not sure - but it definitely sounds like there is a better way to phrase that one.
Eric.
----- Original Message ---- From: Circulation Desk To: Eric Sent: Sunday, September 7, 2008 12:52:37 PM Subject: RE: Library Card Application
Good afternoon Eric,
Your request for a library card has been processed and your number is XXXXXXX. It is on the back of the card that is being mailed to you. Please read and sign the bottom on the back with a marker or something that writes good on plastic surfaces. If you have any questions about the library please feel free to contact us by phone or e-mail, also if you have not received your card within 10 days please let us know.
Started back at community college today... a few courses through Dec. Looking forward to the English comp. course - just a few whacky photos attached.
Ketchup will never be the same... Enjoy - E.
From Gene Weingarten's Washington Post Magazine column - where he periodically calls those 800 numbers on the back of products to discuss the product with the person on the other end of the phone:
SMOKEHOUSE BEEFY STICKS
Me: I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your product. It's got a rich taste and is great exercise for my jaw.
Joanna: You are eating the product yourself?
Me: What do you mean?
Joanna: These are dog treats.
Me: What?
Joanna: I'm glad you like them, though!
Me: I do. What are they made of?
Joanna: Uh, can you hold the line a second?
Me: Sure.
Lisa: This is Lisa. Can I help you?
Me: I was saying how much I enjoy your Beefy Sticks. I asked what they are made of.
Caught this mother cardinal in the yard last night feeding her young one. Couldn't get super close but thought this photo came out pretty well and wanted to share.
It's really more of a large open air flea market and food court than an "artscape". Maybe they should re-think the name. Not that there wasn't original and interesting work to be seen - but it was few and it was far between. And it was damn hot that day.
Her ideas of "Jewelry for Lunch" and her LiAni (TM) Shawls were fantastic as was her personality.
> Squidfire Great t-shirt designs - this is a weak spot for me. I have quite of few of these folks designs that I've purchased over the last 2 - 3 years. Below - I found some other designers that had great stuff.
I just read about this in Hallmark Magazine - and learned something new about the end of slavery and this ongoing annual celebration which began in Texas.
