We had a wonderful brunch Saturday. The food was great if I do say so myself. But the real treat were the guests. Chris as ussual came. But so did Staci's other co-worker Patrice. Plus a prof friend of mine from school came and brought her Australian husband's parents- John & Mary.

They were very charming and made the day great.

Check out the pictures under the personal section.

Its been quite a week. Found out Monday I would be teaching one more class this summer. So thats another paycheck (though also another 5 weeks on teaching). Then got the award for my paper. And yesterday found out I got accepted to this week long class/seminar in Venice. Its 350 euro for the class, room, and board. I thought that was a deal. But then they gave me a scholarship that waved the fee. So I got a free week in Venice. Now all i need is a plane ticket.

Giddy up!

Found out yesterday I won 1st place in the Second Year paper conference. 2 others shared the 1st place with me (is it still ok to call it 1st place?). The honor comes with $1500. Not bad for a days work as Staci put it. If interested, you can read the paper under the Economics tab and the research section.

In other news I had a bizarre dream last night that I got a job at the Gap. But I was all worried on my first day that I wasn't cute enough to be working at the Gap.

Staci and I got to wondering where the word and food Marshmallow (not spelled Marshmellow) came from. I had thought it would be a 50's invention. But alas its much older.

Read: "Marshmallow candy dates back to ancient Egypt where it was a honey-based candy flavored and thickened with the sap of the root of the Marsh-Mallow plant (althea officinalis). Marsh-Mallow grows in salt marshes and on banks near large bodies of water. It is common in the eastern United States. Until the mid 1800's, marshmallow candy was made using the sap of the Marsh-Mallow plant. Gelatin replaces the sap in the modern recipes."

Now I don't approve of a big brother like employer. But I do think this Coke employee does deserve getting fired for drinking a Pepsi. Not because he works for Coke, but Pepsi is just about as tasty as dog saliva.

As many know I am deeply concered about my favorite female billionaire, so I sent her some kind words. And as is her custom she graciously thanked me with this email,

"Thank you so much for taking the time to write. Yours is one of nearly 50,000 supportive emails I have received in recent days. Your kind and thoughtful words mean the world to me. I hope you will excuse my delay in getting back to you due to the volume of mail I have been receiving.

As part of my promise to do my best to keep you informed, I have added a section to my website called "Setting the Record Straight" where my attorneys can post statements that correct misinformation, and a section called "Other Voices" where I can share what some third parties are saying about the case. You might want to look at these links as well.
Thank you again for your support. I remain forever grateful.
Sincerely,
Martha Stewart"

Now that's a Good Thing.

Flader went for a hair cut today. he looks oh so handsome now. Check him out in the cats section of the personal tab.

Appearantly one of my students has been leaving quotes on a webpage devoted to funny things professors have said in class. So click here to read my latest class musings.

I finally have up the Afropean Documentary. Check out the movie section for a video of pictures and music from the trip.

NOTE: its a large file, so don't attempt with dial up and with broadband give it some time. Its worth it- trust me.