Charles Darwin's Beard

Charles Darwin wrote iconic works that are still making waves today as creationists attempt to get their ideas in to the science curriculum alongside his famous theory of evolution.

But its Charles Darwin's beard not his writing that's causing a stir at London's Natural History Museum where hair from his famous beard has gone on show to the public.

By all accounts its just a few strands rather than the whole beard that are on show which is a shame as the whole thing would have been a wonderful thing to see. If only someone had had the foresight to 'scalp' his beard after death it would have made a marvelous interactive exhibit. Imagine the fun of trying Charles Darwin's beard on.

I'm believe that not only children but adults and even some famous scientists such as Richard Dawkins for instance who seems to have been wearing Darwin's metaphorical beard for some time, would enjoy trying it on. Now Dawkins sporting Darwin's beard would be worth seeing - in fact I'd pay to see that.

In the great age of science that Darwin inhabited no real scientist worth their salt (even the women I'm told) would dream of not wearing a beard but these days many scientists look so normal that I immediately begin to mistrust them and their science, begin to think that they are not real scientists at all but wanna-be celebrities who see their science as a way to make big bucks through populist quasi-scientific books rather than discovery.

Yes, give me a scientist with an eccentric beard, strange dress sense and syntax to match and I'll return to my studies. I might even stop shaving.

something moves
in grandad's moustache
winter supper

Foreplay

A survey of over 2,300 women comes to the conclusion that foreplay as an aid to orgasm has little or no significance. It also reveals that intercourse for Europeans is on average about 16.2 minutes whilst Americans come in on an average of 7 minutes.

The researchers speculate that: "It could be that this reflects, a greater appreciation of intercourse and sensuality by Europeans than by Americans."

Many people suffer mental and general health problems when they feel that their sex life or performance is not up to what ever standard the most recent style magazines suggest and whereas this type of research might refocus some away from having to perform the greatest foreplay it now places an emphasis on length of intercourse.

Scientists and lifestyle gurus conspire to bringeth us up and putteth us down again.

As to the American vs European intercourse time trial - well people live fast lives in America and maybe its like in skiing - the 'adrenalin junkies' do the downhill and the 'skills that kills' folks do the slalom. The important thing is that they both get to the finish line - just in different ways.

clocking off
the first snow of the year
slides off the roof

paul conneally

Of God and Guns

Barack Obama is taking it to Nevada. A land of God and guns.

The state has traditionally had Republican sympathies but recent and large inward immigration could see the Democrats make real inroads if they work hard at it.

Both Obama and Clinton are scheduled more visits to Nevada before election day and significantly to country areas that perhaps the Democrats would in the past have given up as lost causes.

The image of candidates actually out on the stoop in unfamiliar territory has to be a good thing.

Whoever wins this election will have to win by showing the public that they really want their vote and are willing to work for it.

Halloween lanterns
shot through with bullets
'just a little sport'

paul conneally

Enter Sandman

From this weekend the British institution that is the 'Speaking Clock' will change.

The British Telecom Speaking Clock will be spoken by... Tinker Bell.

Yes that's right Tinker Bell.

But, I hear you think, Tinker Bell, the fairy from Peter Pan can't talk - well she can now.

Disney are sponsoring the BT Speaking Clock and putting the all American schmaltzy and non-fairy like voice of the Tinker Bell from their new film inside the speaking clock.

enter sandman
the darkness comes
an hour earlier

Here is a link to Tinker Bell speaking the time.

On Diet and Robbery

The paucity of good nutritional information including the amount of fat etc. on some food goods in UK shops could have been a factor in the apprehension of a naked burglar who was too fat for the chimney at a Tesco Express store in Wigan.

Had he had access to such information over the months before his unfortunate predicament he may have eaten more healthily and so undertaken his robbery without worry of getting stuck.

He now faces charges and a possible spell at Her Majesty's pleasure.

almost November
a supermarket aisle
of tinsel and stars

paul conneally

Flight Plan

Moments before take-off a pilot is taken from his cockpit and marched away by police to be breathalysed.

Passengers watch on clutching their duty-free goods a little closer.

From Heathrow to San Francisco is long way.

the leaf blower
finally falls silent
a starling sky

Footfall

As Christian Louboutin prepares to launch his first pair of eight inch stiletto heels fashionistas are using Botox injections in their feet so that they can wear higher and higher heels more comfortably.

autumn sale
the memory of hot sand
and cool water