My current paper is supporting the American Association of University Professor's assertion that academic tenure is crucial to universities fulfilling its obligations to students and society...

I'm more than half way through writing it and I have no idea if it makes any sense. I figure after I bang out the rough draft I can try to make it make sense...

So, the burning up stuff science fair project is not going as planned. But we are being persistent. We are doing this outside and the wind is causing a problem blowing out the candles. The original plan was to do it in the garage, but we now have about 20 gas cans and a generator in there and even if we moved it all the fumes and spills would make the garage not a good spot. So I thought maybe we could use the kitchen for the next test, but then one of the samples burst into flames and caught the one next to it, melting the holders and setting the popsicle sticks on fire. So nope, not going to do it in the house. The boys are moving all the stuff to the front step now since the wind in coming from the other side of the house. We shall see how this goes. At least I got pretty fire pictures.

oh, as usual, dear. Try not to blow up anything important!

Eek, Laura! You have more bravery than I in conducting science experiments in the home.

Hil, Felicitations on the anniversary of your natal day, and wishes for many more.

I'm trying to motivate to pack for a week at the beach, leaving tomorrow AM. I still have to do a grocery run for supplies for StY and Mom while I'm gone. I find myself exceptionally unwilling to leave the desk.

Happy Birthday, Hil!

I need to go pick up my NYE dress, run by JoAnn's, then the bank and the drugstore. What am I doing instead? Sitting in my pj's, reading the board and watching a French film on IFC.

I think I'm swinging back around to liking Val Kilmer:

"Some people," he adds with a delectable half-smirk, "have observed that maybe this wasn't my first gay role. Maybe that was Top Gun."

We'll see.

I read a recent interview with VK where he said that he's really eager to do more comedies.

A bit belated, but

Happy Birthday, Jessica!

Oh, my, what an interview. 'A certain lazy reptilian charm'. You just don't get that kind of language from most American celebrity interviewers.

I had such a crush on Val Kilmer in his early years, before Top Gun. Real Genius was all it took.

Today I have run (ouch, although it was beautiful out) and made pumpkin bread and taken a shower. I feel like I've done a lot, but I really haven't. Ah, well. Off to a housewarming soon, waaaay out in the East Bay. Concord, pfeh.

I just had baked apple brie for breakfast. I suggest everyone do the same. Good lord it was yummy.