Hey SA! We're in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, which is pretty much the asshole of the world. No, really. Seems like every second shop is boarded up. BUT, the job is good, but but, we get paid monthly, and our first paycheck isn't until the 15th, so I've had to borrow from the bank of mum and dad to keep up with things. How's Manc?

Going back to mentally unstable astronauts again....

Astronauts' mental state not tested regularly

NASA astronauts undergo a psychological assessment when they first join the space agency, but they'll face no further evaluations during their careers unless issues arise during their annual flight physicals, the space agency said Tuesday.

Navy Capt. Lisa Nowak's problems apparently slipped beneath NASA's radar and surfaced early Monday in a meltdown and alleged assault on Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman, 30, in an Orlando airport parking lot.

Nowak, 43, was charged Tuesday in a Florida court with attempted murder and could face life in prison. She was released from jail on $25,500 bail and ordered to wear a monitoring device. She is believed to be the only

...

"People just don't snap. There's often a build-up that others may not be aware of," said Carolyn Stimel, a psychologist in Tallahassee and director of professional affairs for the Florida Psychological Association. "Jealousy, and in particular, sexual jealousy, can be very intense, and often there's a combination of factors that combine and people begin to act out in really stupid ways."

While no one has publicly ascribed a psychological malady to Nowak, her behavior suggests a syndrome seen among high achievers, called "narcissistic personality disorder," said Dr. Jack Vaeth, a Maryland psychiatrist.

Thwarted in their ambitions or conquests, people accustomed to success, adulation and entitlement may slide into a rage or a disastrous series of decisions that can bring down their careers.

Such individuals "were always the teacher's pet, their parents' favorite child," Vaeth said. "So of course they're going to want to continue that. Everything they undertake, they're winners. And even when they lose, they learn to win better next time."

Nowak is the epitome of a high achiever.

An astronaut since 1996, she flew on the shuttle Discovery to the space station last July.

...when she was apparently infected with... Space... Madness!

Jars, how does one actually get to the ass end of nowhere?

My classroom got adopted through Adopt-A-Classroom, which means that I just bought a copier, some books and some supplies for my classroom! Adopt-A-Classroom rocks for all of you teachier types, or philanthropic types. It's at [link]

Teachers can sign up and explain why they want what they want and donors can adopt specific classrooms. If I get adopted by another group or organization, I'm going to see if I can save up and get a digital projector, which is what I'm craving.

Also from Craig Ferguson, re: the astronaut

What the acronym NASA stands for--Nail A Sexy Astronaut

Kat, that's awesome! Congrats!

Thanks! Sara, I get why you are at work. I like to save my sick days for days where I can go do things. If I'm actually miserable and sick I'd rather be miserable and sick at work than waste a good sick day staying at home.

Jars, how does one actually get to the ass end of nowhere?

You drive north across the border and then stop when you hit the 'Murder Triangle'. Oh how I wish that were a a joke...

More about the life of the astronaut: [link]

[her family] described Nowak as devoted to her three children, and added that a few weeks ago she had separated from her husband, Richard, of 19 years.

Greg Dunston, Nowak's track coach at Charles W. Woodward High School in Rockville, Md., said she was a bright, driven honors student -- and always focused on her dream of being an astronaut.

"It seems so out of character," said Dunston, echoing her family's sentiment. "She's such a warm person to be around -- caring, always smiling."

And disciplined, too.

"If she had a bad day," Dunston said, "she would talk herself out of it."

I get why Sara is at work, but I just fell asleep while sitting in front of the tv with a cup of coffee in my hand, then woke myself up coughing, so now I am wondering about myself.

but I just fell asleep while sitting in front of the tv with a cup of coffee in my hand,

How did you manage to not spill the coffee?