my personality

Acquiescent

You aren't interested in making others bend to your will or in always dishing out criticism. You're not a pushy person, and you like it that way.

Cooperative

You enjoy teamwork, play well with others, and prefer getting along to winning.

You're not compelled to win every contest nor to be right all the time.

Reserved

You are somewhat shy, or at least unwilling to spend all your time socializing. With you it's true that "still waters run deep," which is why many of your acquaintances never get to know you well.

You are not always ready to talk at the drop of a hat. Whether you're in the office or at a party, you're not likely to be found gabbing away in the middle of a group of people.

Discreet

You tend to hold onto your thoughts until you have something important to say, and even then you're's not comfortable imposing your ideas on others unless you know they're truly interested.

You don't enjoy talking for the sake of talking, and you have no desire to be the center of attention.

Conscientious

You feel it's important to work according to a plan and finish every task, to do things correctly and thoroughly.

You are not the kind of person who abandons a project before finishing it, or slacks off when you've lost interest.

Reckless

You tend to give in to your impulses and indulge your cravings. Rather than fight your emotions, you often do what comes naturally, which means occasionally overdoing it, sometimes even embarrassing yourself.

You are not good at resisting temptation and avoiding overindulgence; you are not the kind of person who doesn't regret anything you said or did.

Accessible

You're comfortable expressing yourself in words and actions, with no self-censorship. You believe that if someone doesn't like what they see it's not your problem, but theirs.

You don't see the need to keep your thoughts to yourself, or to have a zone of privacy that encompasses only yourself and a small circle of friends and relatives.

A high score on the "accessible" trait suggests that you have a lot of friends, socialize often, and enjoy rap/hip-hop music.

Organized

You like to think a task through before you embark on it. If it's the slightest bit complicated, you make a list (even if it's only in your mind) and methodically work your way through it. When you have a goal in mind, you're not satisfied until you reach it.

You are not one of those people who ignore the details, and you don't understand how anyone can get anything accomplished without thoughtful planning ahead of time.

Sympathetic

You have a knack for knowing what's going on in the hearts and minds of those around you, without their having to tell you explicitly. People tend to turn to you with their problems because they know you care, and that you will likely offer good advice and a helping hand.

You do not feel that people with sad stories are just looking for attention, or have brought their problems upon themselves.

Warm

You have a genuine interest in other people. You're a natural host, and are always thinking about how you can increase the happiness of those around you. When friends have problems or are in trouble, you're usually the first person they turn to for aid and comfort.

You don't always say exactly what you're thinking; you don't like the idea of causing anyone pain because of your criticism.

Scoring high on the "warm" trait suggests that you are among those who enjoy domestic activities — doing things around the house — and are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place.

It's what's IN the bag that counts!

Paper, plastic, beef or veg

It’s not the bag. It’s what’s in the bag.

by Adam Stein – April 8, 2008

Someone once asked why we don’t write more about food issues. This post is for you.

Prompted by Seattle’s proposed twenty-cent charge on grocery bags, Sightline has once again highlighted their study of the environmental impact of paper vs. plastic. Check out the handy graph on the right.

The vertical axis is “embedded energy,” meaning the amount of energy required to produce and transport the associated goods. Embedded energy equates roughly to climate change impact.

As you can plainly see, the stuff in the bag matters a lot more than the bag itself. In fact, it matters about 186 times as much. The analysis compared “four servings of two different diets: the first, a meat-based diet that included beef, potatoes, tropical fruit, and drinks such as soda; the second a vegetable-based diet composed of produce grown within the country where is was consumed and a soy-based protein source.”

The moral, obviously, is not that we should waste bags. But if you’re looking to lower your environmental impact, paper vs. plastic is maybe not the only question to be pondering.

swimming hedgehog

I don't know what's funnier, the hedgehog or the women's commentary!

cute Pekingese dog!

If I weren't such an English bulldog fan, I'd have a Pekingese: they crack me up!

Obey the Bulldog!

From the obeythepurebreed.com site:

Biloxi post-Katrina-rebuilding survey

Survey: 80 percent of Biloxians satisfied with city direction, progress

More than 80 percent of Biloxians think the city is on the right track, and just as many people say they are satisfied with ongoing progress of the city’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
The results are from a poll of 500 Biloxi residents made by Market Research Insight, a company that has conducted more than 5,000 public opinion surveys over 30 years.

Dr. Verne Kennedy, who conducted the survey, says it has a 4.5 percent error factor, meaning it has a more than 95 percent accuracy rate compared to a survey of every single resident of the city.

“Biloxi citizens were very responsive,” Kennedy said, “and only 54 people who listened long enough to learn what the survey was about declined to participate.”

Mayor A. J. Holloway said he was pleased that Biloxians felt the city was headed in the right direction, but he noted the survey also pointed out areas of continuing concern.

For instance, the ongoing debate over new residential development was reflected in the survey:

50 percent of the respondents felt satisfied with the quality of new residential developments in Biloxi, while 32 percent were dissatisfied and nearly 19 percent were uncertain.

62 percent favored rebuilding using “scattered site” low-income homes, with 30 percent in opposition and 8 percent uncertain.

Top issues with Biloxians: more affordable housing (15 percent), improving traffic flow (12 percent), and more business development and jobs (8 percent). Notably, 12 percent were uncertain about the most important issue.

The survey represents the completion of the first phase of the city’s update of its comprehensive plan, a policy statement that guides future growth and development in the city, and considers such quality-of-life issues as transportation, housing, land use, recreation and historic preservation.

The year-long comprehensive plan process is being guided by Wallace Roberts and Todd, a planning firm that has done extensive work in Baltimore; Charleston County and Hilton Head, South Carolina; Coral Springs, Fla., East Hampton, NY, and other cities.

This process will include numerous public hearings and outreach, and it will be followed up with an update of the city’s Land Development Ordinance, which will help facilitate goals identified in the comprehensive plan.

The entire process is expected to cost about $650,000 and will be funded by grants.

Among the other results of the poll:

60 percent of respondents were satisfied with the quality of commercial developments in Biloxi; 33 percent were dissatisfied and 7 percent were uncertain.

Of the 33 percent dissatisfied: 17 percent said there was too much commercial development, 16 percent said too many condominiums were being built, and 15 percent felt there were too many casinos and “didn’t like gambling.”

20 percent of the respondents said the friendly people and Southern hospitality were the things they liked best about Biloxi, while 13 percent said they like the proximity to the water and another 13 percent said they were “born in Biloxi or it feels like home.”

Among the biggest concerns about Biloxi’s rebuilding: affordable housing (10 percent), the slow pace of recovery and lack of rebuilding along the beach front (8 percent), affordable homeowner’s insurance (8 percent).and three issues at 7 percent each: too many casinos, too many condos, and poor roads and traffic congestion. Of note, 9 percent were uncertain of their biggest concern about Biloxi’s rebuilding.

73 percent of the respondents favored mixed residential and commercial development for east Biloxi, while 19 percent thought resorts should dominate east Biloxi.

65 percent of those surveyed favored relocating the CSX railway.
Three-quarters of those surveyed felt Back Bay Boulevard should be extended to U.S. 90 on Point Cadet.

bulldog overheating

I need to remember this, because I think Matilda began overheating on a walk across campus yesterday:

Overheating:

Hot weather can be fatal to a Bulldog: they don’t even need to be moving about in it. It is essential that we prevent problems from too much sun or heat. Do not leave your dog in an enclosed car in the summertime. Provide shade at all times. The best idea is to keep them inside the house for the most part during the hot summer months. Exercise should be kept at the dog's pace, not necessarily your own. There are several ways of keeping down heat with Bulldogs: wet towel under your dog's toes, ice cubes in the drinking water, sponging off your dog, lemon juice. All short-nosed breeds should be constantly watched to see that they are breathing easily and that they are taking in enough water to prevent dehydration. Far too many dogs are lost from dehydration, heat or sun stroke, and suffocation, when a few precautions could have been taken to prevent death.

Bulldogs overheat quickly because of the shape of their throats--their soft palates are almost always too long and when they get very hot they cannot pant sufficiently to keep their body temperature down. Their attempts to pant quickly cause the production of foam which in turn blocks the throat and causes labored breathing; eventually they will begin to roar as they try to breathe through the blockage. Lemon juice squeezed directly into the back of the mouth is helpful in cutting it, or use your fingers to scoop it out. Always keep the throat clear. Brain damage or death may result if a Bulldog is stricken, so watch your Bulldog.

Stages of overheating:

1. Your bulldog will begin to "heave" as he pants.
2. Your bulldog will begin to "roar" - best described as sounding like severe asthma.
3. He will begin to look tired and distressed.
4. His tongue will be very floppy and very red in color.
5. His body temperature will rise (normal temp approx 102 F).
6. His airway will swell and his throat become full of white foam (because of the panting).
7. He will quickly become exhausted and will fighting for breath.
8. He could die.

How to prevent overheating:

1. Do not allow your bulldog to lay out in the day time sunshine.
2. Do not walk your bulldog in hot weather.
3. During hot weather keep your bulldog inside during the hottest part of the day.

How to deal with overheating:

• Lower his body temperature: Always ensure that you have ice to hand during the summer months. Pour cold water over your dog, especially around his head, rub ice around his head and under his tail (around his rectum). If possible stand him in a cold bath and keep going with the ice until the breathing is less labored.
• Clear the airway: Squirt some lemon juice (from one of those plastic lemon shaped bottles that you squirt on your pancakes) into the back of his throat, he will hate you for it, but the lemon juice will quickly break up the excess foam and clear the throat. Do not allow him to drink a lot of water as this can cause him to vomit.
• Keep him calm: Once you have reduced his panic keep him in a quiet place and keep a close eye on him. Talk to him with a soft voice.
• If this doesn’t work then you need to get to a vet as quickly as possible. Put a cold damp towel under him for the journey.

Confederacy of Tchoutacabouffa

From NationStates:

The Confederacy of Tchoutacabouffa "Go Biloxi!"

Category: Democratic Socialists
Civil Rights: Very Good	Economy: Developing	Political Freedoms: Excellent

Location: Absolution

Regional Influence: Minnow

The Confederacy of Tchoutacabouffa is a large, socially progressive nation, renowned for its devotion to social welfare. Its compassionate, intelligent population of 29 million are fiercely patriotic and enjoy great social equality; they tend to view other, more capitalist countries as somewhat immoral and corrupt.

The large government devotes most of its attentions to Social Welfare, with areas such as Commerce and Defence receiving almost no funds by comparison. The average income tax rate is 25%, but much higher for the wealthy. A substantial private sector is led by the Retail industry, followed by Trout Farming and Soda Sales.

A National Academy regulates grammar and usage, the government pours millions of Biloxians into rehabilitation programs annually, roads are often attended by round-the-clock construction crews, and every product goes through extensive safety-testing by the government. Crime is totally unknown. Tchoutacabouffa's national animal is the English bulldog, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the Biloxian.

Tchoutacabouffa is ranked 46,351st in the world for Largest Information Technology Sector.

National Happenings

• 23 minutes ago: Tchoutacabouffa relocated from Mississippi to Absolution.
• 8 hours ago: Tchoutacabouffa was reclassified from "Inoffensive Centrist Democracy" to "Democratic Socialists".
• 8 hours ago: Following new legislation in Tchoutacabouffa, every product goes through extensive safety-testing by the government.
• 21 hours ago: Following new legislation in Tchoutacabouffa, roads are often attended by round-the-clock construction crews.
• 1 day ago: Following new legislation in Tchoutacabouffa, the government pours millions of Biloxians into rehabilitation programs annually.
• 1 day ago: Following new legislation in Tchoutacabouffa, a National Academy regulates grammar and usage.
• 2 days ago: Tchoutacabouffa was reclassified from "Left-Leaning College State" to "Inoffensive Centrist Democracy".
• 2 days ago: Following new legislation in Tchoutacabouffa, trespassers often find themselves impaled by crossbow bolts.
• 2 days ago: Following new legislation in Tchoutacabouffa, armed police units patrol the roads late at night.
• 3 days ago: Tchoutacabouffa was reclassified from "Capitalizt" to "Left-Leaning College State".

Confederation of Tchoutacabouffa

My current Facebook "Nations" status:

The Confederation of Tchoutacabouffa is governed by President Carroll Atlee Hardin Cadden. In Tchoutacabouffa, each citizen has one vote, but only the votes of wealthy land owners are actually counted. Personal computers are given to each citizen and children are taught to type at the age of 12 months. Health care is available to any citizen whose personal insurance is accepted by the medical community.

Norfolk Islands flag, which I chose because of the pine tree, common in Tchoutacabouffa

Public safety is a growing concern and many citizens have taken to only traveling in packs and try to tread softly. Military techniques have finally been upgraded in Tchoutacabouffa and soldiers are taught to fight with sticks and stones. Any citizen may practice any religion, but no public policy may be passed solely on the moral obligations of any one religion. Education in Tchoutacabouffa is of great importance and vouchers are given to any student who cannot afford schooling.

Conservation issues drive this nation's production of vehicles that run completely on human waste. Privatization of corporations and free market are new concepts developing in this country, and many feminist movements have butted heads with masculine movements, spurring this nation's first 'Peoplist Movement'.

Recent News in Tchoutacabouffa

The government has replaced traffic lights with police officers, which has greatly improved the commute for those who have enough to bribe themselves through intersections.

Terrorists in Tchoutacabouffa have been thwarted, and Carroll Atlee Hardin Cadden has handed them over to the judicial system so that a fair trial can be arranged.

This government has enacted minimum wage laws, forcing corporations to pay more to their employees and thus preventing the unionization of the nation's work force.

New Yorker cartoon

I played a game of "Trivial Pursuit" once and got the question, "Which season extends from X month to Y month?" I thought long and hard, and seriously, before giving the answer, "hockey." The correct answer was one of the world's seasons, like fall, not a sports season!

60 Minutes, Australia: Interview with Dame Edna Everage, Part 2

60 Minutes, Australia: Interview with Dame Edna Everage, Part 1

I love Dame Edna!

400-pound 7-year-old girl

I wonder how she managed to gain 200 pounds in just 2 years? It's sad.

So You Think You Can Dance? Evan Kasprzak

nice!

Quicksilver/Quicktail skateboards

Ones I wanted so badly in the late 1970s!

Eric Cartman in the Special Olympics