dna project

I was recently made aware of National Geographic's Genographic Project, an international effort to record humanity's genetic heritage. Anyone can participate if they send off for a test kit - in return you'll get a map showing the migratory patterns of your distant ancestors.

Not an endorsement, because I'm not actually participating. Not that I have any problem with it or with those who want to find out where their genes come from - D. and some of my co workers are all over it - but because I'm not that curious.

Sure there are some provocative hints that I might be part Native American on my dad's side, but being a woman this can't be traced (see the details at "test kit"). And while I find the genes of social groups tangentially interesting it's not as compelling for me as the social history behind it - my ancestors may have migrated from point A to point B, but why? When/where would my European ancestors have met my possible Cherokee great-great-n parents? What made them leave Europe? These to me are the more interesting questions.

But I provide the links for y'all who ARE interested - I'm told a kit might make a good Christmas present :)

my skin hurts

Not just the usual bumps and bruises from multiple encounters with steel of various sizes/shapes, but breakouts, ingrown hairs, allergies to miscellaneous "stuff", and nicks that take seemingly forever to heal up.

I'm washing with Cetaphil so as not to irritate further and taking glutamine in an effort to heal up what's already gone awry. Also going to try and get to bed earlier and rest this mess, because burning the candle at both ends is likely not helping. Constructive suggestions welcome.

Maybe my skin is getting more sensitive in my old age; maybe I'm just not as young and springy as once I was :/