"If you can't convince them, confuse them." - Harry S. Truman

Some Russian women have really long arms.

Today, while listening to the classical station, I learned that composer Johannes Brahms wrote his "Academic Overture" as a thank you gift for a university that had given him an honorary doctorate. He thought he'd get away with a simple note expressing his gratitude - he hated public attention - but the guy who nominated him for the degree said that was inadequate; a significant musical work was required. So he sat down and put together this piece of music; hence, its name.
What the now pleased university big-wigs didn't realize is that as a private stab at their pretentiousness he strung together and then orchestrated the melodies of several drinking songs from local pubs. Students knew exactly what he had done.

Today I got an email informing me that Ann, the wife of Dr. Jack Dean, died last week at the age of 83. Jack died many years ago of prostate cancer. Ann was a quiet soul who preferred the background, which wasn't always easy because her husband was the president of the college I attended and one of my professors. I wish Jack was still alive so I could tell him again what a key role he played in my life when I was a student, and years later at a critical and very difficult point in my life. If it's true that "behind every good man..." (it's at least the general rule) Ann gets her share of props.

Yesterday I had what could have been a difficult conversation with a colleague whom I'd never met before. It went exactly as I had hoped - maybe better - and I think we'll stay in touch as circumstances allow. In a profession too often dominated by egos this straightforward and collegial interaction was refreshing, especially given its context.

If I start around 5:30 I can get a couple of hours worth of work done on the truck before the summer temps make being outdoors too unpleasant for this old man. I now have the fill coat on the cab sanded and ready for the seal coat. That means 100 grit, followed by 180 grit, followed by 220 grit. Tomorrow I'll begin the same process on the bed.

GM didn't recall any cars today.

One week from tonight we'll be sleeping in our teardrop at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon. Temps in the mid-80's, trees, and little else, including electricity. Yes!

I suspect more than a "viral infection" behind Serena Williams' behavior at her doubles match today. We'll probably never know, but anyone lacking the hand-eye coordination she demonstrated would, it seems, had a raging fever. And why did her sister go out there with her in the first place?

Pam needs a vacation, too. This new configuration of her job and its schedule has her under a lot of pressure for the 12-hour shift because she's responsible for all the clerical work of three separate units on two floors. And each supervisor wants their work done now. Because Pam's so conscientious and a pleaser by nature she's really bothered by the inability to meet those expectations.
We continue to hope she can get another, more reasonable and reliable position somewhere else in the system.