My thesis? I'm looking at cookbooks and housekeeping manuals from the 16th and 17th century to see if and how they had an impact on women's literacy. As women became more literate, they published more of these books so I want to see the impact on literacy and, ultimately, on culture. Though the time period might change, given the availability of early modern cookbooks.

Cook for Kats! That reminds me of Nü Shu - the secret chinese writing system for women which I think was often used in recipes.

My thesis? I'm looking at cookbooks and housekeeping manuals from the 16th and 17th century to see if and how they had an impact on women's literacy. As women became more literate, they published more of these books so I want to see the impact on literacy and, ultimately, on culture. Though the time period might change, given the availability of early modern cookbooks.

That's awesomely cool.

I've lost about 10-15lbs (I don't own a scale) since I stopped snacking on sweets at work. I'm hoping running (which we'll start again this week, now that our lungs are recovered from June's colds and the heat's less oppressive) will take care of the rest of what I want to lose (which is at least another 20lbs) without me having to become a slave to Fitday again.

I'd like to lose another 50. I'd be happier with my body if I lost at least 30. I've stopped drinking regular soda and have cut way back on my sugar intake, but I need to get back to the gym. I'm hoping that once $$ gets settled down, I can join Bally's again.

I'm thinking of hitting up fitday again. But first I need another weigh-in. It's been weeks. Who knows where I stand?

I haven't lost anything. In fact, I think I've gained. I'd love to lose 20-25 lbs. I did, however, find the Perfect Bathing Suit this year, which makes me look as though I've lost some weight. I love when that happens.

aren't true patriots, like the New York firefighters were....

Who likely vote Democrat, because they are union.

I haven't lost anything. In fact, I think I've gained. I'd love to lose 20-25 lbs. I did, however, find the Perfect Bathing Suit this year, which makes me look as though I've lost some weight. I love when that happens.

I know I haven't seen you in a while, but you were pretty perfect looking when I met you.

Yeah, I know, Allyson. Was just thinking "unlike that pinko Denis Leary who's been writing about 9/11 for years."

t blushes Thanks, Trudes for the lovely compliment.

I know that I'm lucky to have a pretty good body type, but as one ages, things start filling in where they weren't before. I'd love to reduce the size of the bubba (belly).

Calli, is there any way you can vague up some of your manual writing enough to make a sort of generic portfolio?

Not really. I have no hard copy, nor electronic files. None of that was allowed to go out the door. They were really serious about the confidentiality thing.

My thesis? I'm looking at cookbooks and housekeeping manuals from the 16th and 17th century to see if and how they had an impact on women's literacy. As women became more literate, they published more of these books so I want to see the impact on literacy and, ultimately, on culture.

Wow, that looks really nifty!

Hey, maybe I should hook the interviewer folks up with my masters thesis. Then again, I'm not sure if female power figures in the plays of W.B. Yeats is quite what they're looking for.

I've lost about 10-15lbs (I don't own a scale) since I stopped snacking on sweets at work. I'm hoping running (which we'll start again this week, now that our lungs are recovered from June's colds and the heat's less oppressive) will take care of the rest of what I want to lose (which is at least another 20lbs) without me having to become a slave to Fitday again.

Congratulations! That's great news. I could stand to lose another 20 pounds myself, but with all the other stuff going on in my life right now, I'm putting weight worries on the back burner.