A Different Table of Knowledge

Any of you know my Grandpa Fred?  If you do, you know that he goes to the Table of Knowledge most every morning.  This is where Grandpa and some of his hunting buddies sit around a table at the Century Bar in Bellevue, Nebraska.  Mostly I think that they drink coffee and wax philosophical.  This is small town America if you ask me.

While I am in Nebraska I've also been finishing up a policy paper (due tomorrow thank goodness!).  Anyway, I've been commandeering a table in the morning at the local Panera (I'm a slave to free wi-fi).  So this particular morning there appears to be a Table of Knowledge group at the Panera!  I think I've actually seen these fellas here before on another visit home.  They're reading their papers, talking politics, and many of them are wearing Carhart.  I have no doubt that they are Cornhuskers through and through.  I guess I'm just surprised that they hold their Table of Knowledge at  . . . Panera.

Mom update - By the way, mom is recovering well from her surgery, but, as anticipated, it's hard to keep her from moving around.

Facebook

Yo peeps - I'm on Facebook  now - like the rest of the world.  So friend me.  Because I can't find a lot of you.

Blog Diet

I know it - the blog is looking pretty lean these days.  It is taking the hit for all of this school work.  Just in case anyone is interested - here is what has been occupying my time lately:

- presentation on the oral/systemic connection, and saliva as a biomarker (shout out to my NMD homies here)

- paper and presentation on behavior effects of soda consumption in adolescents

- paper on consumer credit protection legislation

- research proposal to examine connections between college student credit card debt and negative physical and mental health effects  

Thrilling, isn't it?  I have a lot to say about grad school these days.  One of the nicest things on that list is that by and large I get to pick my own writing topics, so that at least when I spend a whole Saturday researching and writing (instead of watching college football) it is a topic that I find interesting.

VOTE

Make sure to get out and cast your ballot today!  CDW and JAS both voted before 8AM today - and it was a breeze!

The Story of Stuff

Got 20 minutes?  Check out this video on The Story of Stuff.

Maine 26.2, Mt. Desert Island

CDW warms up post-race in the car with the furkids.
Happy finishers and "Team Manager" Greg (he's not really the manager - he's just recovering from surgery).
Dr. Neal really enjoyed this one!
Our fearless leader, Coach Bob, at mile 20.  You go Coach Bob!
This is just one breathtaking view from the course.
A big pack of Pacemakers at mile 12.  Why are these people so happy?
CDW is feeling good at mile 20.  Lookin' good, too!
JAS and the pupps at the Gotts Island post-office.
The view from our hotel.

CDW and Jacks enjoy the ride back from Gotts Island.  Jacks decided to take a dip in the Atlantic!  He found it . . . refreshing.

What a race! Congratulations to all of the Pacemakers that toughed out this extremely challenging course.  I was only driving it, and I noted the constant uphill climb . . .  There were nearly 20 Pacemakers there, plus a few spouses, and a couple of injured runners.  I guess I qualify for two of those categories.

Just one highlight of the whirlwind tour (to Maine to run 26.2 and back all within 72 hours and driving WITH DOGS) was a trip to Gotts Island.  Gotts is just off the coast of Maine, and there aren't many full-time inhabitants - there is no public electricity.  You can only get there by boat. Our friend and fellow runner Jim has a house there.  His home is powered by solar energy, which we thought was very cool.  He has a treadmill there, and a little dirt track in the backyard for when he misses Wednesday mornings at Gilman (that's an inside thing).  Sorry the picts aren't in order. One day I will learn to do that, but not today as I take a 3 hour break from mid-term madness.

This evening we watched "Who Killed the Electric Car."  Not quite as exciting as "The Business of Being Born," but I would still recommend.  Counting the days until our next fuel-efficient vehicle . . .

Marathon Party

Some of our running buddies hosted a party last night.  Here is a shot of JS and CDW, and one of all of the Pacemakers.