Okay - only three weeks old and she is already challenging Letterman. So here goes - the Top Five Reactions to OLDS Real Name (taken from real, live situations with real, live Brits)...
5. Well - that's certainly UNUSUAL (in the Cotswolds).
4. Hmmm. Is that a real name - or did you make it up? (location withheld, too embarrassing).
3. Oh I see. Are you American? (at Blenheim Palace).
2. That's weird (in Notting Hill Starbucks).
.
.
.
1. How do you spell that - did you name her after a footballer?? (Most everyone else around here...)
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
REDHEADS DON'T FEEL YOUR PAIN
August 10, 2005 -- Scientists say redheaded women have a gene mutation that makes them less susceptible to pain — and that the discovery could lead to the development of new anesthetics.
The study was conducted by the Medical Research Council in England using "redhead" mice with a similar mutation.
The mice, like their human counterparts, also have an unusual ability to withstand discomfort.
"The nature of it is still being worked out, but it does appear that redheads . . . require less anesthetic to block out certain pains," Prof. Ian Jackson told London's Daily Mail.
The research grew out of studies conducted at Montreal's McGill University, where scientists found a mutant version of a gene, called melanocortin-1, is linked to ginger hair and fair skin.
While testing the painkilling drug pentazocine, McGill researchers found the same gene responsible for red hair also plays a role in the body's natural pain-easing system — but only in women.
Doctors then gave out artificial painkillers, and found that the anesthetic effect was three times greater for red-haired women than for blondes and brunettes — or men.
The study was conducted by the Medical Research Council in England using "redhead" mice with a similar mutation.
The mice, like their human counterparts, also have an unusual ability to withstand discomfort.
"The nature of it is still being worked out, but it does appear that redheads . . . require less anesthetic to block out certain pains," Prof. Ian Jackson told London's Daily Mail.
The research grew out of studies conducted at Montreal's McGill University, where scientists found a mutant version of a gene, called melanocortin-1, is linked to ginger hair and fair skin.
While testing the painkilling drug pentazocine, McGill researchers found the same gene responsible for red hair also plays a role in the body's natural pain-easing system — but only in women.
Doctors then gave out artificial painkillers, and found that the anesthetic effect was three times greater for red-haired women than for blondes and brunettes — or men.
THANK GOODNESS IT WAS A CODEINE DAY
The day after OLDS was born, my Doc came to visit and talk about the drugs he prescribed. He told me, “Don’t be a hero.” Meaning, take the codeine. But I tend to stay away from that stuff. So alas, on day 7 of OLDS’s life, my parents were leaving and I thought I might need a little extra “help” so I popped a pill. Good thing!
Later that morning I went out for my first solo outing with OLDS in the buggy. I went to buy some bread and fruit in a lovely food shop not too far away. When I got into the shop, there was a little old lady with her grocery cart (from home). There was room for us to pass but I said “excuse me” nonetheless. I repeated myself when I saw that she didn’t hear me. And then I proceeded to gingerly pass the buggy by her. Well. Once she finally woke up and smelled the coffee, that little old lady went agro on the buggy and pushed it. I was beside myself. I of course, burst into tears and kept moving towards the back of the store. Luckily, OLDS slept through this “assault.” I think what upset me most is that there was one other female customer in the store who watched it happen and several women behind the counter and no one did or said anything. When I went to pay for my things, the woman at the register slid a sleeve of chocolate chip cookies into my bag. She apologized for Mrs. Soandso. Through my tears, I said, “She’s a regular here? My daughter is 7 days old.” And then she offered to help me with the door which I refused and I left, swearing no matter how good those cookies are, I would never return to that shop. I was just so horrified that people could be so cold. I’m sure the hormones were not helping but I cried all the way to Starbuck’s where I made myself feel better with a decaf latte (my current drink of choice). OLDS and I went home and turned on Jack Johnson and just chilled out.
Then, some time later, my in-laws had just arrived to the house and were fixing themselves some lunch. I went to go upstairs when while passing by the living room I spotted water pouring through my ceiling! We scrambled to collect pots to prevent the water from trashing my Nepalese rug and my father-in-law ran upstairs to find the source of the problem. The hose from the washer has separated from the wall and was pouring through the floor into my living room. We turned off the water and the damage was contained. No one seemed as mortified by this as I did so I’m trying to just ignore the peeling paint on my ceiling.
So after a tough start to that day, we did all go out for a lovely walk through the neighborhood and OLDS slept the entire time! Boy was I grateful for that little codeine pill! It definitely helped smooth the rough edges.
Later that morning I went out for my first solo outing with OLDS in the buggy. I went to buy some bread and fruit in a lovely food shop not too far away. When I got into the shop, there was a little old lady with her grocery cart (from home). There was room for us to pass but I said “excuse me” nonetheless. I repeated myself when I saw that she didn’t hear me. And then I proceeded to gingerly pass the buggy by her. Well. Once she finally woke up and smelled the coffee, that little old lady went agro on the buggy and pushed it. I was beside myself. I of course, burst into tears and kept moving towards the back of the store. Luckily, OLDS slept through this “assault.” I think what upset me most is that there was one other female customer in the store who watched it happen and several women behind the counter and no one did or said anything. When I went to pay for my things, the woman at the register slid a sleeve of chocolate chip cookies into my bag. She apologized for Mrs. Soandso. Through my tears, I said, “She’s a regular here? My daughter is 7 days old.” And then she offered to help me with the door which I refused and I left, swearing no matter how good those cookies are, I would never return to that shop. I was just so horrified that people could be so cold. I’m sure the hormones were not helping but I cried all the way to Starbuck’s where I made myself feel better with a decaf latte (my current drink of choice). OLDS and I went home and turned on Jack Johnson and just chilled out.
Then, some time later, my in-laws had just arrived to the house and were fixing themselves some lunch. I went to go upstairs when while passing by the living room I spotted water pouring through my ceiling! We scrambled to collect pots to prevent the water from trashing my Nepalese rug and my father-in-law ran upstairs to find the source of the problem. The hose from the washer has separated from the wall and was pouring through the floor into my living room. We turned off the water and the damage was contained. No one seemed as mortified by this as I did so I’m trying to just ignore the peeling paint on my ceiling.
So after a tough start to that day, we did all go out for a lovely walk through the neighborhood and OLDS slept the entire time! Boy was I grateful for that little codeine pill! It definitely helped smooth the rough edges.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
THE GUZZLER HAS PERFORMANCE ANXIETY
Many of you know by now we love our car. That being said, of late, we've not been good car owners, in large part because one of us was massively pregnant. Finbar came home from the hospital to install the car seat and come and pick OLDS and I up when I got a call on my mobile. The Guzzler wouldn't start. The battery was dead.
So our first ride as a family was in a cab, listening to Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers singing "Islands in the Stream." Not a bad way to teach your kid music appreciation!
So our first ride as a family was in a cab, listening to Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers singing "Islands in the Stream." Not a bad way to teach your kid music appreciation!
SLEEPLESS ON THE ‘BELLO
Our Little Drunken Sailor arrived on August 5, 2005 at 10.59 pm. She was kind enough to wait until the end of what was a very busy week for her father. We call her Our Little Drunken Sailor (OLDS) because when she finishes feeding, well, that’s what she looks like. And then there are the hiccups!
She’s had a rigorous course of Grandma’s and Grandpa’s and even withstood some poking and prodding by an 8 year old and a 5 year old friend. She took it like a champ! She’s letting us sleep some. We haven’t quite mastered afternoons and evenings. I think we’re grooving on nighttime and even mornings which is positive.
Stay tuned. More to come.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
DIY AT 1,161,000 FT
Bless this country and their national obsession with DIY. Radio and papers are all reporting that Astronaut Steve Robinson has ahead of him today perhaps the most challenging DIY project in history. All eyes will be on him – Best of Luck, Steve!
*DIY, for those who aren’t familiar with the term, means "do it yourself."
*DIY, for those who aren’t familiar with the term, means "do it yourself."
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