Quote

"But it's surely more noble to aim at a vocal style you admire than to talk down just for the sake of being matey."

--Andrew Martin's article: Our assault on class has led to the triumph of vulgarity

Activism with a sense of humour

Magnets available from cafe press

Water Aerobics

Hey Everyone,
As you know, upon the recommendation of my doctor I have been taking deep water aerobics classes here in Gaithersburg. I take the classes through a program called "wet yet water fitness" who coordinate with county and private pools in Montgomery County. I will be taking the classes in Fairfax at Providence Rec Center starting in the fall. Here is information for both the Montgomery County and Fairfax County classes. They should post the fall schedules soon.

http://wetyetwaterfitness.com/

Fairfax County Aqua Fitness

Revisiting a great

Anglophiles rejoice. A saucy new film version of the beloved BBC series Brideshead Revisited begins showing everywhere on August first. With Charles (originally brilliantly portrayed by Jeremy Irons) the audience is drawn into a sordid wold of sin and decadence.

I have completed the 10 episodes which comprise the old series and found the role of the Marchmain's Catholic faith a confusing aspect of their lives. I suppose that's the point as it was confusing for them as well.
I suspect the new film will be more of a feast for the eyes and senses and hopefully will leave me feeling less despondent than the series did. Although the old series kept to the original text very well and satisfied my thirst for hearing good English, I am glad the depressing hours of watching Sebastian and the Marchmains self-destruct are over for now.

Crabby Lady

My elementary school, Fairhill elementary, kept a pair of pet hermit crabs in the library. We were given instructions on how to hold them and were allowed to pick them up on visits. One day a delicate, fair-skinned boy had his finger penetrated by one of the creature's strong pincers. He reacted by forcefully propelling the animal across the room. I'm not sure if the crab lived.

Aside from childhood interest, I cannot think of why a lady, set to retire, would choose hermit crabs as her household companions. I suppose it's slightly touching that these ugly crustaceans, sold with conch shells and dead blow fish in trashy beach- side stores to inevitably die in some child's room, have become precious pets to this particular person. The critter appealed to some part of her humanity and for this, I like her.

She had bible study in one of my mom's groups but has since moved to Florida (as you will see in the article.) I never met her but my mom, knowing my love of all things wild, sent me updates. It seems she and her molting friends have become small-time celebrities:
Hermit Crabs

Bermuda Pictures

Bermuda Cruise

Lab humour:)

Who knew scientists had such a sense of humour? Well, I guess it's more the advertising company than the scientists but anyway ....
Just imagine yourself monotonously pipetting reagents and other scientific um, thingies hour after hour....when all of a sudden EP motion comes to your rescue with an appropriately corny boy band offering to automate this entire process for you. What could be better?