Mystery solved

Someone once told me when I was almost-sneezing to look into a bright lamp, because that would help me sneeze. And it worked! Since then I've helpfully imparted this advice on others who seemed to be in need of it. Recipients of this advice tend to either stare at you like you're a moron or say 'yeah I know, thanks'. Apparently there's a reason for this! (oh how librarian girl likes logical explanations to seemingly illogical phenomena)

Figures vary but somewhere between 20-35% of any population 'suffers' from the photic sneeze reflex. This means that exposure to sudden strong light, like sunlight, can cause you to sneeze. More bizarrely cold air or strong mint gum can have the same effect (I shit you not, I talked to my colleague about this and she always sneezes from chewing mint gum (to her husband's amusement)).
Ha! Totally explains why the 'I need to sneeze' advice is still passed on and either treated as a true given fact or absolute nonsense.

Speaking of the sun - it's shining very brightly this pay-day Friday and is supposed to continue to do so all weekend. I have plans that include this sunshine and those that do not (d-a-n-c-i-n-g).

All hail the weekend!!