“Bob” is a geologist and a teacher at a science education institution that serves several Arkansas public school districts. My friend did not know the details of Bob’s problem, only that it had to do with geology education. This was enough to arouse my interest, so I invited Bob to tell me about what was going on.

He responded with an e-mail. Teachers at his facility are forbidden to use the “e-word” (evolution) with the kids. They are permitted to use the word “adaptation” but only to refer to a current characteristic of an organism, not as a product of evolutionary change via natural selection. They cannot even use the term “natural selection.” Bob feared that not being able to use evolutionary terms and ideas to answer his students’ questions would lead to reinforcement of their misconceptions.

But Bob’s personal issue was more specific, and the prohibition more insidious. In his words, “I am instructed NOT to use hard numbers when telling kids how old rocks are. I am supposed to say that these rocks are VERY VERY OLD ... but I am NOT to say that these rocks are thought to be about 300 million years old.”

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whoot! One step closer to taxes being done.

so. complex.

It's a pain. But, yo, I just checked my bank account and I already got my MO tax refund! And I efiled Tuesday!

woohoo tax returns. I should see if mine is in.

Just listed 4 more things on freecycle.

Speaking of which, I have several partial items of pink body/face glitter that I can't use because it interferes with my meds. If anyone wants it, email me your address.

The ebay stack keeps growing, but I can't deal with listing that tonight. Time for bed.

My Federal is back! I wonder what I shall spend half of it on...

I did my brother's federal taxes on Easter Sunday last year, in the morning while the parental units went to church.

Paying your taxes is a life-affirming spring ritual, right? And doesn't involve anybody being crucified. Anyway, not till later, when my brother calls me up at work at 4:45pm on Friday, April 13 to admit that he can't translate the work I did on the federal to his state taxes.

Where does the time go?? I swear just now it was 9pm. Shoot. Warm cats and the internet are the very definition of procrastination.

t sigh Insurance is wonky. New!Insurance company wants my coverage sheet from old!company for reasons I don't understand. Geico (Old!Company) auto-renewed my policy without telling me and called me asking for my premium payment. When I told them I went with someone else, they say they need proof of coverage from new!company before they will cancel my policy.

I wonder what I shall spend half of it on...

me? bon bon has been slacking as sugarmama, you could swoop in and take over and also be MY FAVORITE. or something.

no tax return, but I was credited 2 months of my 6 month internet service overpayment (was paying dial-up and cable), which is at least something.

1st attempt at sleep failed. bah.

I can't do my taxes until my sister mails me stuff.

She hasn't mailed me them yet.

grumble grumble grumble Every single year.

I think ita should buy us all ponies.

Or at least tamarind balls and coffee.

I need to do my taxes yet. Maybe next week. Just too much stuff going on, plus being sick meant I haven't had several hours to spend devoting my uninterrupted attention to them lately.