(no subject)

Out of curiosity, I took the UK Driving Standards Agency online practice theory test. I did pretty well--40 out of 50 right. That's still a failing grade if one were taking the test for real, but I felt it was still not too bad since I hadn't studied the Highway Code, the signs guide, or any of the test materials (the DSA publishes a study guide, a DVD game, and a compendium of all the questions with explanations of all of the answers--the Highway Code is also available online).

I was struck by how many questions dealt with first aid in the case of accidents. It's been a while since I've taken a driving test in the US, but I've *never* seen any US driving pubs that contained information on first aid. I was also pleased by the number of questions that could be answered by the simple application of common sense.

what came in the (e)mail today

the UHI acceptance letter

(no subject)

US Census worker killed: Washington Post story

AP story via the Guardian

One needs to know more about what actually happened to be sure, but part of me says this is the dark side the "anti-government" protests. Rural Appalachia is notoriously insular and suspicious of anyone from "the government" but I can't help but think that the GOP's campaign of hate against all things about government (when they don't control it) contributes to this sort of event.

(no subject)

Everton player robbed in his home

"Everton defender Phil Jagielka was threatened with a knife by thieves who broke into his Cheshire home.

The 27-year-old was watching his team play Hull City on television in the Carling Cup when three men stormed into the house in Knutsford.

He was forced to hand over jewellery and the keys to his Range Rover car after being threatened with a knife.

Police said nobody was hurt. Jagielka is the 11th Merseyside footballer to be burgled in recent years."

Eleven top-flight athletes have been robbed? Is this because they're all so prominent and wealthy, or is it demonstrative of the general crime rate in the UK?