Yikes, brenda, what a finish to your day.

msbelle, I'm glad things are moving (every so slightly) out of crisis mode.

ION, there's a dispute about the gender of the female winner of a track and field event.

The illuminating part is that it's an issue that's recurred multiple times during the history of track and field.

Not just track and field, David. And there's a common issue of androgen insensitivity syndrome that can happen, or several other chromosomal things, that have happened, now that they can do that sort of testing. They've had to make up rules about who "counts". It's sort of ridiculous, but...at the same time, shows how ridiculous the whole binary sex system is.

According to this article in Slate eight women athletes tested as having Y chromosomes at the Atlanta Olympics.

I had a conversation about that runner. Not sure which way I'd say if I had no clues, but since hanging with the Buffistas my definition of gender is much more fluid. I figure if some one wants to be called she, she is a she. I guess for things that are divided by gender you might need a more ridged definition, but I still think self-identity is primary.

but I still think self-identity is primary.

I don't think that'll play in the 100 meter dash. Did RuPaul's Drag Race ever actually have the drag queens racing?

One of the interesting biological anomalies they referenced was getting a superabundance of testosterone from the adrenal gland.

Sort of like a built in steroids advantage. But it's naturally occurring, so how is it different from somebody with quick twitch muscles or supernal eye-hand coordination or other inherent physical advantages?

oh, it won't.

Whoo hoo we fixed the toilet. The best part -- DH on the ground and the cat climbing up his side to see what ws going on . When the cat couldn't see -he decide DH was a great place for a nap. priceless.

Tiny but deep

How recent was your last tetanus booster?

msbelle, if you are talking research as in articles in medical or psychiatry journals (i.e. about meds and kids) please email me - I have access to a lot of scholarly databases with that stuff.

There was a Spanish runner a couple years ago who ended up banned from competing in women's races because of androgen insensitivity syndrome. 'Technically' she was an XY, physically she was female (missing a uterus), and had been young enough that her 'delayed' menarche had been attributed to lean body mass and training regimen. What a horrible way to find out something like that about yourself!

The irony of the androgen insensitivity is that you're immune to most performance-enhancing steroids, so she couldn't even 'cheat' if she wanted to.

msbelle, I'm happy to help if I can.

Other librarians/university types: Anyone have access to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography?

Some poor, clueless woman posted on the local listserv for a nanny 30 hours/week offering to pay between $100-200. While some people have gently pointed out that this isn't minimum wage, other people are being downright mean. I can't imagine what she's getting off-list. Considering how difficult and stressful finding care is, I really feel sorry for her. (signed, added our names to 12 daycare wait lists in January and still waiting)

Sparky, I have the Oxford DNB. What do you need? Feel free to take to email.