Here we go again. Enjoy! Jennifer I was given a "diagram" of "The perfect Genealogist" and I thought that I would share this with the rest of you. The author was unknown, but many years ago, I seem to recall participating, while on Prodigy, with contributing funny things about genealogist. Imagine, if you will, a diagram of the Human form, with the following components: The Head... Telescopic eyes: Will adjust from small print to bad handwriting to microfilm, within milliseconds. Steam Gauge on top of the head, complete with pressure valve, for dealing with the disinterested clerks and librarians. Also good for handling "closed for Vacation" and "under construction" signs in Library, Archive and Courthouse doors, after you've driven 30+ miles! Built-in File Drawers in head, for maintaining adequate memory. Also good for combating the "now WHERE did I see that name before" syndrome! The ears, complete with built-in ear plugs, handy for increased concentration, detractors of genealogy, etc. Especially good for drowning out sounds of other genealogists with coughs, colds and sniffles (and no hankies!) The Torso: Broad shoulders, capable of handleing the burdens of heavy books, numerous rolls of microfilm at one time, and the burdens of wondering "where did grandfather go in 1890?". Stomach, collapsable, built in accordian type. Designed to close up real tight to keep genealogist from getting hungry and wasting valuable research time by eating. Also functions as a courtesy measure, preventing those growls and groans that only YOU can hear, but you swear that everyone else MUST have heard! Elbows, complete with padding to prevent callouses caused by leaning on reading tables. Also good for preventing injury to other genealogists when you snag that book off the shelf too fast. Arms. Extra long, extendo-type, which enables you to reach books that are on high shelves, with a minimum of stretching or bending. Comes in handy when you spy someone else in front of you about to take the very book/record you wanted. RearEnd: Ultra-Padded for comfort for those long hours of sitting and reading. Left Arm: Ends in a satchel instead of hand and fingers. Good for carrying around research materials and equipment. Added Bonus: you dont have to leave it at the front desk or store it in a Locker! Right (or left) Arm: Complete with "Pencil Finger" for taking notes and writing letters. Never needs sharpening and conforms to NO PENS rules!! Legs: Strong, and extra sturdy for climbing to second floor Genealogy Departments and out of the way Record Repositories. Also good for use in completing 15 small cemeteries, or one large one, in a single lunchbreak (Note: lunchbreak only applies to workdays) Feet: Roller-skate feet to permit research to the last minute before catching trains, buses, and other appointments. Especially comes in handy at the "5 minutes till closing" call. AND...last but not least.... The Heart. A big one. Especially noted for helping other genealogists who have difficulties that only YOU can help solve. I have added some things to this, but the point is clear, we ARE built a little differently than others, we HAVE to be to stick with it for so long, and keep asking for more! Regards, Dave