$25; Attraction; Another Day in the Park

Last Saturday I received a curious letter asking for a donation. It was from a 7th grade student seeking financial sponsors to help her attend an exchange program in Europe. "The tuition for the program is $5,000, ... I'm asking 200 contributors to donate $25 each ..."

But I've never heard of the person. There's a part of me that believes the letter is sincere. Another part, though, says "but how do you know that."

I rarely make contributions for anything anymore. Several years ago, I was Mr. Moneybags, generously giving left and right. And then one day I realized how strained my credit cards were. So that was the end of my financial charity.

It's a very well conceived test, although I would quibble about some of the choices offered.

You're provided with a set of photos one at a time and asked to rate each on attractiveness. Then you're given two photos and asked to rate which one you like better. There's a group of photos of the same person with and without glasses, and you decide which you like better. Another set is of guys one of whom is bald, and the other is not. Then there's a batch of outlines of paired body sizes; one may be slim, the other, husky.

Finally, you're given a grid of nine photos in a 3 x 3 configuration, and you're to indicate each one you find attractive. When you select someone, the photo is replaced by a photo of a different person. Then the process is reversed, and you have to indicate the ones you don't find attractive.

Even though I don't like the idea of ranking someone solely on looks, it is interesting to note your gut reaction to guys. However, there were too many cases in which the options were very similar. You would have to chose one person from two who you find equally attractive. The reverse was even harder to decide. You need to select one person from two who you find equally unattractive.

One set of options was especially intriguing: selecting persons who you think would be attracted to you. Oddly enough, I don't think I'd ever thought of that before. I'm trying to think of the people who have been interested in me, but if there's a pattern there, I don't see it.

It was busy today, and I luckily was able to grab the last parking place.

I made a complete circuit, then did a half one. I thought of trying two, but decided that might be too much since I've only been at this for a few days.

My wandering eye spotted two runners of more than casual interest. One was young, about 5'7", clean shaven and looked very spiffy in a black top, red shorts and very white trainers. The other was of equal age and height, with a cropped beard, wearing a tan cap, wrinkled cargo shorts, a greenish top and worn shoes.

When I start on the trail, I'm casual at first, but then I try to catch up to anyone who is ahead of me. And I really hate it when someone passes me. That's why I carry a large bag of marbles. If I notice someone coming up from behind, suddenly there's a terrible accident. "Oh! I'm so sorry! I just don't know how that could've happened. Let me help you up. Oh, you can't get up! Oh, dear! Well, I'm sure a few weeks in the hospital, and you'll be fine."

PAX!

"Possible Side Effects: Side effects that may occur while taking this medicine include dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, flushing, headache or migraine, loss of appetite, weight loss, trouble sleeping, anxiety or restlessness, shakiness, increased sweating, ringing in the ears, strange taste in mouth, weakness, muscle pain."