My onerous task was going to Sephora and spending $60 or $70 bucks. Wait, that was on a different list.

From the onerous list, I need to make some phone calls to cancel my gym and Tivo. And pay a parking ticket. Maybe some other stuff.

2. When she was five, Sarah Michelle Gellar starred in a Burger King commercial that disparaged McDonald’s burgers. She was promptly named in a lawsuit by McDonald’s and had to give a deposition in the case.

I knew that one! The issue was that one of her lines was something like, "I never eat at McDonald's," and McDonald's said that this was illegal unless Burger King could prove that she actually didn't ever eat at McDonald's, or something like that. So for a while, she had a contract with Burger King saying that, in order for them not to get sued, she wasn't allowed to eat at McDonald's. Or something like that. I read about it a while ago.

My autofocus list system does have you put this kind of stuff on your list. He says it's stuff you want to do, right? Why not put it on your to-do list. It's helpful in that you do cross stuff off, and then it's clearer where you're spending your time. Plus, then you feel differently about your list, like it's not just a list of things you hate.

I approve! That's a great idea.

2. When she was five, Sarah Michelle Gellar starred in a Burger King commercial that disparaged McDonald’s burgers. She was promptly named in a lawsuit by McDonald’s and had to give a deposition in the case.

I think I did know this, actually. (Uh, please tell me I'm not the only one? edit: Phew, Hil knew it too!)

Hmph. My bank is interfering with my ability to knock out my tasks, by not letting me log in.

I'm trying to cancel my Zipcar membership but their phone system has no way to get through to a person short of reporting an accident. But I did get an email address and sent an email saying I want to cancel, so I'll count it.

Onerous Task: actually get some work done, in between choosing an outfit and general pre-concert giddy preparation. (I have to be at the venue at 5:30 for the extra-bonus VIP show I bought a ticket for, so I'm not being *quite* as ridiculous as it may first seem.)

Onerous task:

Well, I filled out and scanned and emailed more paperwork for this consulting position. Really, the red tape here is ridiculous: these people are pickier than the federal government is. And no, I am not supplying you with my college and law school transcripts! Seriously.

BTW, here's a weird thing for the hivemind: they want me to identify a recipient for unpaid wages in case of my death on the job (complete with SS numbers). I have never heard of such a thing. Why wouldn't they just pay the rest of what I'm owed into my direct deposit and let them be distributed with my estate?

I don't get it. Thoughts?

megan walker, if you're around and willing to take a look in France's OJ for the following proposed legislation, [link], I have a student who needs a copy, but our French is limited to menu items.

PROPOSITION DE LOI Article unique

Le chapitre III du titre III du livre Ier de la deuxième partie du code de la santé publique est ainsi modifié :

1° Dans l’intitulé, après le mot : « Alimentation, » sont insérés les mots : « représentation du corps, » ;

2° Il est ajouté un article L. 2133-2 ainsi rédigé :

« Art. L. 2133-2. – Les photographies publicitaires de personnes dont l’apparence corporelle a été modifiée par un logiciel de traitement d’image doivent être accompagnées de la mention : “Photographie retouchée afin de modifier l’apparence corporelle d’une personne”.

« Le non-respect du présent article est puni d’une amende de 37 500 €, le montant de cette amende pouvant être porté à 50 % des dépenses consacrées à la publicité. »

Full presentation of the prop on retouching of photos is here: [link]

Earlier legislation on "inciting anorexia" can be found here: [link]

Boyer's website (Believe in politics, believe in Marseille!): [link]

Aaaand we just lost power to critical systems. (Yes, we are still operating without a functioning UPS.)

Thanks, megan!