Though, I think it's probably implied in the fact that I'm giving each person that told me this a copy of the thesis.

Exactly! I think research is how the scholarly world does "neener neener".

On this rainy day with total gronkitude, I had to go all tl;dr on vw's thesis section, but I will go back when my brain is working. But YAY on thesis finishing!!! That is so awesome.

In other not completely sucky news, we heard back from the social worker and 2 relatively good pices of news were communicated:

1) Tom's dad FINALLY got it together to get joint access to Tom's mom's bank accounts so thet he can coordinate with social services there to get money out for food shopping, and potentially private home care- this is HUGE because it's been an enormous sticking point and stressor for the last couple of months. No one's letting her starve, but it's been really annoying and frustrating.

2) They are re-assessing Tom's mom, which means that the social services department that we originally had contact with will be back in charge again, with the woman who is MADE OF AWESOME in the lead. She knows us and knows the situation very well, and... yeah.

All things considered, things could be much worse. We are pretty much braced for whatever is going to be necessary, be it private in-home care or actually having to move her to a facility.

Oh, Nora, that is SUCH good news. I'm so glad to hear it.

Huh. Wouldn't that prevent works in translation from being considered literature? Maybe I don't get this "shared authority" business. But I think your refutation looks just fine!

Wouldn't that prevent works in translation from being considered literature?

Ah...that is an interesting point, actually.

Nora, I'm so glad that things are getting better in the handling of stuff with Tom's mom. ~~ma for youse guys~~

Seriously, the objection to shared authority only holds if you assume that a single author is any kind of requirement for literature, which is a gigantic pile of steaming poo to begin with. But that's definitely not the kind of neener, neener you can say in a paper.

And I suppose in the final paper is the wrong place to raise, "But hey, tht doesn't really make any sense anyway!" You have to pretend it makes sense but is taken care of, I guess.

Also, vw, sounds like your dad has a lot in common with Dr. Q.

Seriously, the objection to shared authority only holds if you assume that a single author is any kind of requirement for literature, which is a gigantic pile of steaming poo to begin with. But that's definitely not the kind of neener, neener you can say in a paper.

Hee! I love you guys.

Also, vw, sounds like your dad has a lot in common with Dr. Q.

That's very true! I see him every once in a while on campus, and he remembers me. He only met me once and talked to me on the phone once! It cracks me up.

Hell, I'm just relieved I got it and vw didn't have to come back with something like "MM, it's sweet of you to try and all, but I think you need a CAT scan."