Tick!

One of my favorite things in life is checking items off my Outlook task list. There are few pleasures like writing out what you have to do and then, as you do it, methodically removing items from the list. Today marked a major milestone. Because we are approaching the end of the semester, I can now see all the tasks on a single screen. No need to scroll down! Oh, how sweet is the digital recording of methodical achievement!

Less happily, several of the remaining items are daunting. The week after next I will take the last, most expansive exams of my life (I Hope). 11.5 hours of written and oral political scientific joy covering a) politics between countries and b) politics within countries. That about covers it.

In case you're wondering, yes, this is the most exciting thing I can report at the moment. I promise MORE and BETTER in a fortnight.

Easter with The Sicilians and Their Progeny

Quick Easter trip to see A in Maremma, where Spring was just beginning to work its way up the hills.
Everywhere was singing birds, bursting buds, popping shoots, and jumping lambs as Nature sprang out of Winter in a flurry of reproductive activity.

The Sicilians were no exception. As we know, it's all about the Family on that island, and so what was meant to be small group of them quickly ballooned into a clan gathering. As the saying goes, you can pick your friends, but not your relatives. However, it should also be added that you cannot pick your friends' relatives. But they can pick you.

And they brought offspring.

Who were obviously adorable. Francesca is at the age where she combines the most endearing attributes of a monkey and a sea slug, while little Roger has progressed right to the edge of his Terrible Twos without yet falling into them. His interests include cleaning products found under the sink and leg hair.

Plenty of frenzied cooking ensued.
Strange American customs were introduced to general bemusement.
But it wasn't all babies, baking, and homely crafts. A few deviant types established an exclusive gentleman's club in the dependence (whiskey, hip hop, tanks, etc.). Thank god.

The trip back included a revealing moment. You might feel a bit decadent when the stewardess exclaims, "Back so soon?" when you get on the plane. But you might not care when she then plies you with 'left over' champagne all the way back to New York.

Treasure trove of online absurdity

Andy has alerted me to this, a finely curated collection of WTF images. Let's all strive to contribute, shall we?

The New Jersey Jungle

Set out at dawn for a nice run along the Princeton canal. The heavy mist rising off the lake made everything wispy and mystical, and the new spring leaves smelled good after a night of rain.
Little did I know I was about to enter into an epic battle of Man versus Nature.


The first thing I noticed was the abundance of geese. Canadian immigrants, these ugly birds are a common nuisance. They make noise and shit all over the place, but are harmless enough. Or so I thought.

The first one came running at me and landed a glancing blow on my right thigh with its beak. More surprised than anything, I kept running. The goose, joined by its chums, pursued. This ridiculous spectacle continued for 50m or so, at which point the geese declared a moral victory and returned to shitting and honking.

A mile or so further down the canal, I came to a large puddle blocking the path. I swerved into the grass on the side to avoid it, requiring me to jump over a large log. As I was about to leap, the log suddenly stood up and jumped into the water, causing me to do a little half-side-leap-triple-axel-stumble-type thing.

I had stumbled on a beaver! Having never been so close to one, I didn't realize they were so big. Really more the size of a dog than a pussy cat.

On the way back the geese were waiting for me. Their leader, a big brute of a bird, took a running start and came flying directly at my face. Fortunately, I have some experience dealing with aggressive birds (chickens, cockatiels, budgerigars, pheasants, turkeys) and this time I was ready. As the beast swooped in to peck my eyes out I knocked him out of the air with a satisfying right hook. But the fucker was not deterred! Launching back into the air with surprising agility he came at me from behind so quickly that all I could do was turn and slap at him awkwardly. Managed to fend him off again but not before the creature boxed my ears with its powerful wings.

In short, I'm lucky to be alive. Next time I'm bringing a big stick.