I should provide pictures

Today Ellen and Zack came over to hang out while stuff they needed to be out of their house for was happening. While I made tabouleh for Craig to take to a jam session this evening and Zach watched Monster Trucks, I could tell Ellen was itching to tidy. She has "the gene" as Daniel calls it. I was teasing her and she said she didn't want to offend me but.... So I said have at it. And now our kitchen looks unlike it ever has. She cleaned out two whole cupboards in addition to washing dishes, cleaning countertops, washing out the thing we keep spatulas and spoons in, etc. You get the idea. Heaven.

new term, more fun

Perhaps some beginning of term vignettes to paint a portrait of life in the chair's office.

1) New meaning for TMI: checking in on faculty member off last term for prostate cancer treatment and I receive this email.

dear jane:

thank you for the e-mail asking me about my situation.

i hope that i will be fine. i still have problems such as feelings of urgency, frequent urination and occasional bladder spasm (you do not want to hear all about these). despite the side effects, i am positive that i will be able to perform the duties.

2) Continued interaction with student who believes there are FBI spies in her Arabic class.

3) Asked colleague who needs to go out of town for family meeting to make plan for elderly mother if there is anything I can do to help. Response: "place pillow over my sister's face."

So, all in all, things are off to a rousing start.

MLA

Back from four days in Seattle at the MLA convention. It was a wonderful trip. Seattle was fabulous - and like Portland, food just beyond delicious. What is wrong with food in SLC? Here is a picture of me delivering the award for outstanding service to John Grandin. Nice, bland conference room surroundings and I have my eyes closed, but proof that I acted in my 'presidential' capacity.

Seattle was gorgeous. I managed a walk before leaving and here are a few pictures:

Walking downtown.

On the waterfront.

Flying home the pilot took us this close to Mt. Ranier.