Thanks for that link, Kathy A. I had been wondering what was up with those ads since they just plain smelled off.

Hey Allyson, I just cc'd you on an email. I'm glad that Agent Kate is jazzed on the book.

But had a good call with Agent Kate, and she gave this book way better chances of selling than Vampire People.

Woo hoo!

Just got it, Burrell! Thanks much!

Tell me to finish my damned paper already instead of playing on the Internets in my Julius monkey PJs.

I'm seen references all over the web to a new catalyst for splitting hydrogen developed by M.I.T. researchers that would dramatically reduce the cost of the process.

Maybe it's not as exciting as they claim?

Local Scientist Splits Water, Saves World, Gets On TV

Massachussets Institute of Technology chemistry professor Daniel Nocera and a postdoctoral fellow (who will remain blameless here) have published a report in Sciencepress, a rapid online publication channel for the journal Science, entitled In Situ Formation of an Oxygen-Evolving Catalyst in Neutral Water Containing Phosphate and Co2+ (link). The report itself does not make outrageous claims, but when supercharged by misleading statements and exaggerated claims from Nocera to the media as well as by an apparent MIT public relations blitz, these modest research findings have been transformed into a calming salve for the public's current angst over high energy prices.

Followed by lots of science-y details....

Summary

1. Despite the hype, it doesn't appear that Nocera et. al. have made any significant advances in water electrolysis.

2. Even if the researchers drove the cost of the oxygen-evolving anode to zero and its efficiency close to 100%, we are still only marginally closer to being able to produce significant quantities of hydrogen from solar energy.

Glamcookie, could you write your paper while still in your PJs? Some sort of compromise?

she gave this book way better chances of selling

Oh, that's so good to read!

Hmm, could that call kick your work right back? At least then you'll have a whole kicking match going on, and that's gotta count for something, right?

Oh lord, meara! I'm so sorry! And I finally found my cell phone (been missing for a day) so I was just about to text you to see if you wanted to do something tonight.

Am starving.

Holy crap--the Cubs were down 4-1, and DeRosa just got a grand slam! That's their second one in as many weeks.

ETA: Followed by an RBI and then a 3-run blast by Soriano. They're now up 9-4, and it's only the bottom of the third.

I'm sorry, meara. That's so disheartening. I hope you can find something that you like and that's stable, soon. Of course, the NCistas would be thrilled to host you if you felt a need to job-hunt hereabouts.