Well, it's 3:35 am, and I don't really have anything better to do so I figured why not type a blog one handed. (Turns out Caleb really perfers to be held while he sleeps, which is cute in theory but a little tiring in practice.) Jill is in the other room getting her alotted 2 hrs of sleep before Caleb wakes up hungy again.

All in all I'm shocked at how well two people can function on 4-5 interrupted hours of sleep a night for 3 weeks.

Well the typing is getting annoying so that's all for now from the Wee hours of fatherhood.

Goodnight

ps. Dan, I like the Handon Heights updates. I need to move. I realized this the other day. Hanover is nice. But, it's time to go.

JH--that's cool. Do you like the guy?

Reason I logged on was this oddity:
I use Endnote pretty much every day (many of you will likely know what this is if you're writing papers a lot). Anyway, I just got it upgraded and my new version is this:

Endnote 7 (Bld 98)

Strange, huh? At first I thought it was a joke and that someone had labelled it that way. Then, I came to my senses and wondered who would/could have done that.

My sister Bethany got engaged a little over a week ago. Just thought I would let you know, since many of you have had the opportunity to meet her. JH

Well, the big day has finally arrived. Most of you probably have an email with all this info, but it can't hurt to double up my efforts in my current sleep deprived state. Caleb Joshua Papsdorf was born at 7:57pm on Dec. 11, 2003. He weighed 8lbs. 12oz. and Jill and Caleb are doing great. We'll post more details soon.

That's all for now from one exhausted but proud dad,
Josh

More news from Haddon Heights, NJ.

What a progressive town we live in... a 20 year old runs for mayor! his platform is skate parks, arcades, and bands. The good news is that he lost. I think I'm going to run in 2008.

Birth announcements are coming soon. Lincoln, you're not getting one if you won't tell me your address.

Sincerely,

Governor Schwarzenegger

Caveat: I play with monkeys for six hours a day.

Situation: I'm bored, so I was reading over the blogs and checking out the links. If you are also in need of amusement, check out Dan's note 8/9 and see what his town is up to. Sometimes it's funny, this week is the "Halloween Hoots and Howls Hop".

To make up for Josh's complete lack of culture, anyone catch the new Joe Millionaire yesterday? Speaking of Hoots (okay, well, Hooters--the restaurant)...should prove funny, although, I'm trying to refrain from getting involved.

Well, the recent Walsh update has inspired me to follow suit. Jill and I are doing well and are looking forward to staying home for the duration of the pregnancy (ETA 12/5/03). We've recently been on a whirlwind tour of the U.S. from baby shower to baby shower. The good news is that we are now the proud owners of 8 baby blankets, 11 baby caps and 16 baby bibs along with many other items of extreme cuteness and varying practicality. We've apparently adopted a 'ducky' and 'froggy' theme, which follows inevitably from the yellow and green forced upon those who choose not to find out if their having a boy or girl. The good news is that I'm not averse to frogs and am actually enjoying owning my first rubber ducky. Along with receiving all of these gifts we are staying quite busy attempting to transform our already cramped housing space into an acceptable nursery / play area / baby wardrobe-changing area. Sherlock seems quite uninterested by everything, but Jill and I think he'll be much more excited once baby starts raining down Cheerios and various foodstuffs onto the floor in the relatively near future.

In other news, Jill is in the midst of a huge web-database project at work and is looking forward to maternity leave and the prospect of working from home at least 2 days a week once the baby arrives. I am in the midst of background reading for my dissertation on early Latin commentaries on the Pauline epistles. I've also been substitute teaching undergraduate theology classes, which has actually been enjoyable despite the perpetual Fordham undergrad hangovers. I'm hoping to finish my dissertation in two years and to teach an intro. course of my own sometime in the next year or so.

That about covers it for now.

I apologize for the lack of references to reality television. That is all.

Hello everyone. Shannon and I just got our internet set up here at home. I'm pretty sure they monitor all my computer activity at work, so I won't be checking this much from there. But now we're connected at home.

Saw Dan and Betsy and Aidan for a brief while when they passed through en route to a frisbee throwing fest. Aidan is a tank. A big kid. He weighed about 33% more than Mary Grace. Good thing girls mature more quickly. She should have those five days that separate them made up in no time. Anyhow, here are some pictures of her from her Baptism this past Sunday. A fine looking baby, if I say so myself (and I do).

Supreme Court is going well, though it is a bit more stressful than my previous clerkship. Justice Scalia is a great boss ... just a bit intimidating because I find that I am most prone to saying dumb things around really smart people. (That was a backhanded compliment to all of you to the extent that you think that I've said a lot of dumb things around you.)

That's all for now.

Rob, are you embarrassed to live in the State of California yet? Tell me you didn't vote for Arnold today.

Hey Modee. Happy Birthday (yesterday). Sorry I'm a day late. Hope you had a good one.

Anyone have Rob's new address so I can send him a birthday card?

Jon, congrats on becoming an agent

Happy Birthday, Rob. Sorry your alter ego Wade lost out on For Love or Money 2.

Happy Anniversary, Jill & Josh!

Sorry, Jon, I only watch Paradise Hotel, Alias, and all of the Thursday shows. Or, more likely, I tape them and then they tape over and over and over each other and then I get really mad.

I AM LOVING THIS BLD BABY FEST


:)

I cannot wait to see pictures of them--hopefully, at some point we can have a BLD-version 2 picture...

Is anyone watching For Love or Money 2? Is Wade a Fasani, or what?

For those who don't know... Aidan Charles Mazzucco was born at 5:58 AM Saturday, August 16. He was 8 lbs, 6 oz, and 22 inches long. He has a full head of black hair and huge feet. Betsy and Aidan are doing well.

As of Saturday night, Shannon was still holding on to her kid

Just a quick hello from Paris. Jill and I are enjoying ourselves despite the worst heat wave in decades. We will provide a full report on what those Europeans are up to when we return.

Josh and Jill

P.S. Good luck on those babies. Jill is getting tired of carrying ours all around the Old World.

yes, please, do tell--there are those of us who are VERY curious about the Walsh baby.

Walshoes, got baby?
We still got nothin but a big belly and a bunch of clean diapers.

We put a deposit on a house, though. Settling on Sept 30 unless something bad happens. Anyone interested in helping us move? Kevin, Shannon, you're not busy. Adin, we're naming our child after you; the least you could do is stop our new home by for a few hours and haul some boxes.

Doug and Anne, we miss you. I hope you're able to keep Boston lively without us.

Come on everyone, show Hursty some love on his big day.

Hi Dan et al.,
Good to hear from someone. Oh Boy, it's a bad day! My monkey, Maggie, is refusing to do anything. She doesn't work on Mondays. That makes getting out of graduate school difficult. I present my dissertation proposal on Wed. I can think of a million, probably more, things that I'd rather do.
How is life treating everyone?
I hope well.

Hi, Kristin, I'm still here. Please don't go insane.

Well, the problem is that when they (the monkeys) are playing video games, I have to watch them watching the lights and watch the isolated neuron. That only takes about 70% attention. Thus, I cannot possibly do anything of importance, since that takes more than 30% attention. So, I knit and surf the net. And, now, I write on this blog.

Hursty, did you get my email? I have your soap container. I think it's yours. If it's not yours, that's a little scary to me.

Hi Kristin. I don't think your monkeys are keeping you busy enough. I also enjoyed seeing everyone during the reunion, with the exception of Dan. I have not watched Paradise Hotel after the first episode. I think it conflicts with another smut show that I watch - perhaps For Love or Money?

Anyone else watching that smut paradise hotel? I was trying to convince Hursty to join in when we were at the reunion. I maintain that he still should. And, for the record, last night cracked me up. That new guy Dave is such a dork. When he threatened to "drop" that other dude, I almost choked on my coke (a cola). I do have to wonder, would they let them fight? I mean we get to see almost everything else.

I'm so not interested in doing work today. It's hotter in Hanover today than anywhere else except New Mexico on our little weather guy's map. Those two thoughts are unrelated, by the way. I would be disinterested in work today even if it were cold. I actually like the hot, which given where I might end up is a good thing. I love that it's staying light until about 9, though. How the heck is everyone else? Why does no one respond when I send a message to this blog? Are you seeing my messages? For that, I shall sing a little Dar, since I'm reminded (by your silence) of her plight.

"You never know who's still awake...are you out there can you hear this? ...I was out here listening all the timeeeeiiiemmm. ...I think I put my shirt on backwards, are you out there, can you hear this? Jimmy Olsen, Johnny Memphis...I was out here listening all the timeeeeiiiiemmmm."

write me.

what's up with this new blogger? its got a lot of whistles.

Hi everyone! It was so awesome to see you all, well I almost said this past weekend, but it was the one before. Anyway, I moved into my new place this weekend, so I now have a two bedroom apartment in Andres (East Wheelock). I have two queen sized beds. And, while it may be fun to play musical beds, it would be a lot more fun to have visitors. So, let me know when you find yourself in Hanover again.
I had a blast with everyone and I miss you all a lot.
Kristin
ps. I also have a new couch and a blow up mattress, so depending on who sleeps with whom or not, my room could sleep 6-7 people!

You should all know I succesfully defended my thesis yesterday from an onslaught mostly consisting of my friends and family who slept through the presentation b/c they didn't understand it.
Thus, I am now Dr. Mazzucco, and only one year after Shannon. Shannon, I hope we didn't wager any money on who would become a doctor first. I think we just wagered our self respect (I figured I wasn't losing much if I lost that bet).

i think we should rename this dartmouth blog after jill papsdorf

Oh, and special thanks to Dan and Betsy for naming the daughter (if they don't have a son) Eleanor after my grandmother, too.

Papsdorfs Leap Forward in Technology

That's right...the Papsdorfs now have...an answering machine. You won't hear any goofy recordings from us, though. We've still got the generic voice that came with it. Someday we might get around to personalizing it. In the meantime, you no longer have to call the cell phone to leave us a message. I'm sure you've all been praying for this day to come.

In other news, the Papsdorfs also purchased a new laptop computer. We had thought about one last winter, but decided Josh really wanted it to play games and the Playstation was cheaper, so we got that instead. Then, the screen started to go on the old laptop. Josh had to finish his last paper typing one-handed so he could squeeze the screen together just right with the other hand in order to see the words. Sadly, it continued to deteriorate until at one point, Josh was holding the screen with two hands and I was using the keyboard to extract information saved on the hard drive. We ordered one immediately. So far I've mostly used it to play Civilization, but it seems to be fantastic. Such exciting lives the Papsdorfs lead.

Hope to see you all this weekend!

I'm reaching the point in my thesis where if people think there is something I should add, they should let me know. Last time, I accepted the most rediculous comment anyone could come up with. This time, I haven't decided, but if you have any suggestiongs, let me know.

Also, the baby naming game is over. After discarding Jon's suggestions, the leading vote getter was Aiden, though I'm not sure how we're going to spell it. Thus, if the baby is a boy, the name will likely be some variant of Aiden. Not to be confused with Adin, who is neither a boy nor my child. I the baby is a girl, we're naming her Eleanor, after both our grandmothers.

My thesis is 283 pages. 283 pages of sheer joy.

See many of you in a few weeks

Interestingly, that's exacly what I'll be doing at my thesis committee meeting today.
I'll be in Hanover this weekend at Garripay fields, Kristin. Maybe you can give me some tips and I can tell you why you're not making any money.

My job is a lot like Dan's. Except, I get to humiliate myself daily by dancing up and down and getting on my knees in front of monkeys--begging them to please look at the F*)*)$#*)@*ing lights so that one day I might, just maybe, get to leave Hanover. Maybe.

I have a job. My job is to expand the limits of science. It's a full time job. It doesn't pay very well.
Today I expanded the limits of science by one fact.

In a few weeks, I'll have a new job. In the new job, I'll be telling people why they aren't making any money. This job will pay much better.
Currently, I'm practicing for my new job by telling myself why I'm not making any money.

"You're not making any money becasue you're in graduate school. You're not making any money because you're trying to help people. You're not making any money becasue you study synovial fluid. No one cares about synovial fluid."

I think I'll be better at my next job than I am at this one.

It does.

What do you all have jobs or something? That must suck.

good dog, sherlock. keep up the good work.

Josh and I have also paid the registration fee for the reunion. We will, therefore, be subsisting only on the sustenance provided by the Class of 1998 for the duration of the reunion (and perhaps on the way home as well). Hope to see you all there! Maybe by then Josh will have completed all his research, have his proposal accepted and have begun writing his dissertation...Actually, I'll be happy if he just finishes up his last course (1 week to go) and installs the childproof lock on the cabinet below our sink so we don't have to put the garbage can in the bathroom every time we leave the apartment. (No, we do not have a child who needs to be protected from garbage when we leave...Sherlock has taught himself how to open the cabinet door so he can enjoy the doggie thrills of emptying the garbage all over the kitchen floor.)

I know that this is sacrilege, but does anyone else think that Mr. Hurst may have an unnatural fixation with a certain movie? Perhaps a little aversion therapy is in order.

Hey, everyone, Betsy and I are registering for the reunion. We hope that you will be there to heckle us for paying $155 each so we can hang around in a public place!

If anyone is curious, I'm on page 143 of my thesis, and I'm towards the start of chapter 4 of 7. I have about 150 more pages of text to go, plus about 75 pages of appendices. Josh, when I'm done, you could take the words of my thesis, mix them up a bit, and make it your own. You can just do a find and replace, changing rheology to theology and tribology to trinity. You might have to change some of the figures, however, as I'm not sure if your professors will care about the viscosity of... well, anything

Dear Josh,

The first topic for your theological thesis should be true love. That topic should give you some insight into the conundrum that is free will vs predetermination, particularly as the issue is presented in The Princess Bride. Does true love conquer all? Is it really incapable of being tracked by a thousand bloodhounds, or cut by a thousand swords? If so, is this because a divine being has ordained it as such? Do we humans choose to fall in love?

Secondly, you might also consider revenge as a theologically justifiable action. I would be interested to learn what Thomas Aquinas would have said had his father been murdered by a six-fingered man. I dare say the Dumb Ox would have hunted the transgressor down and killed him.

JH

As Jill so kindly pointed out, I do have a little news to share. The theological powers-that-be have deigned to allow me to continue my academic career. I passed my 13 hour comprehensive exams last week, which means that I am now free to spend the next two years avoiding actual work and attempting to write a thesis. If any of you have ideas for an interesting and marketable topic in the field of patristic theology, please submit a short abstract to papsdorf@fordham.edu. For the moment, I will simply return to a semi-comatose state in an attempt to repair the physical and emotional damage incurred during this ordeal. That is all.

Everyone should email Josh until he posts something on the site. He's a slacker.

Everyone should come to the reunion, as I mentioned to Mo, so that they can drink at Mojo's, the most happenest place in town.
That's where I'll be, because for $155 I can get about 80 margaritas. (seriously)

I'll write your thesis chapter Dan. It will actually start out with dialogue. Hopefully that's ok.

"You feeling any better?"

"A little."

"Guess what?"

"What?"

"You're grandfather's here"

"Mom, can't you tell him that I'm sick?"

"You are sick, that's why he's here"

"He'll pinch my cheek. I hate that"

Hi all, we are going to the reunion. I didn't think I would be able to go, but by some stroke of luck, I am off that weekend. We are very excited, and the Mazzuccos should definitely plan on going. In other news, Kevin and I bought a house, and would love to host New Year's this year. More than likely, I will have to work either New Year's Eve or New Year's Day, but at least I will get to see everyone.

betsy's due the 11th, but maybe we'll hold off just to help you out, sherlock
or not

who's registering for reunion? It seems like you're paying a lot just to get a couple of meals. I'd be happy to go out to Lou's or EBA's once or twice, and I can't register til the last minute anyway, so it'll cost me a lot to do so.

By the way, I'm about a 25% chance of going to the reunion at this point. Chances will increase if someone writes a thesis chapter for me or buys me a house.

Papsdorfs seek Dog-Sitter

One beagle, kind, cuddly and loving, is seeking companionship for a week (and weekend) in August. His deplorable owners are going on vacation without him. He's offering free shelter in the fabulous Brooklyn neighborhood of Park Slope in exchange for at least three walks a day, some food in the morning and some food in the evening. (Dog food will be provided by owners.) Prospect Park is nearby, which is of course fabulous -- full of all the squirrels and birds you could hope to chase. For those interested, churches of almost any demonimation can be found within walking distance, though Sherlock's not allowed inside any of them, so he won't vouch for the doctrines.

Though he's never been on public transportation, he's been told it's just half an hour to Midtown, Times Square or Lower Manhattan. He will quietly await your return for as many as 10 or 12 hours while you cavort around town.

If interested in spending time in August (between the 8th and the 17th) with Sherlock in Park Slope, please email one of his owners. (For those with a child, be assured the apartment will be accommodating. Sherlock is especially anxious to meet any child old enough to drop food or hold it within doggie height. If, however, you or your wife will be expecting the birth of a child in August, it is recommended you stay home and visit some time when Jill can hold the baby.)

I just sent in the form to stay in the dorms too. Anne & I will be driving up on Friday, leaving Sunday. Jon, you're welcome to hitch a ride. Hopefully it will be in my car...

For those who haven't heard yet, which is probably most of you, I totalled my car on I90 last month after making a grand total of 2 payments... Anne & I miraculously came out without a scratch. Someone up there must like us being together. 8) Josh/Jill & Kevin/Shannon, now you know why I haven't visited you yet. (I promise I will)

Anyway, now that all the insurance stuff is done with, I should be able to get another car soon. Getting to Dan's via public transportation really sucks.

The Papsdorfs will be attending. We'll be renting a car and driving from New York...There'll be space for 2 in the backseat if anyone wants to ride up with us. We sent in a form to stay in the dorms and won't be going to Moosilauke. It'll be so great to be back on campus and see lots of friends! Anyone else?

who is going to the reunion?

when are you all getting there/ leaving (can i fly into boston and meet somebody there, or shoudl i rent a car, or should i fly into manchester)

are you staying in a residence hall?

are you going on this moosilauke trip thing?

JH

Apparently the U.S. government has come up with some signs regarding terrorism and the like. This page, which puts captions under the official signs, is really funny. Warning for the tender-minded that there is some salty language.

Khoa Ha, long time friend of the BLD, just had a baby. Actually, his wife gave birth, but he's a daddy. Lucy Ha was born yesterday - about 20 inches long and 8 lbs 4 oz, I think.

last time i saw lincoln with his shirt off, he looked like he might be having a baby.

ps. my call out to Rob was a not so funny joke about his also having a baby. Mo was worried that it meant that he was being deployed or something. Sorry to have freaked anyone out.

Excellent
Doug invited me, so now I can blog as myself and not steal maurissa's thunder.
If this gets posted twice, it's because I'm a doofus.

Hi, (from Kristin)
So no one told me how I can get connected to this little circle chat.
Who is in charge of inviting people? I would like to be invited. I opened an account: kakelly
Can someone please help?

I am amazed by the bld baby explosion. Just to make sure I'm caught up: there is a little Tiffany/Chad, a little Dan/Betsy and a little Kevin/Shannon on the way.

Rob, have you told anyone else yet?

I know you were all waiting with baited breath to hear of the birth of ny niece, Jordan Francine Anderson; 7 lbs, 4 oz, 19.5 inches, this morning at 9:30 AM. According to my mother (an unbiased observer), she's beautiful.

I was disappointed to visit this link and not find "The Walsho" as a listed dance move. maybe it is too complicated for the general public to grasp.

The New York Times Magazine did its cover story this week on the court that I'm currently clerking for. The title of the piece is: "The Intellectual Heart of Conservative America." If anyone is looking for a good way to kill fifteen or twenty minutes, I recommend checking it out by clicking on this link (though it should be apparent that the reporting is somewhat slanted). My judge is Paul V. Niemeyer. He's on the bottom left of the picture. I'm curious to hear if anyone has reactions to the article. That is all.

Tragically, Betsy is not as excited about Mo as she should be. Since she has some say over the name, I might have to do something tricky to get Mo as a name - i.e., Mo is short for Mortimer or Mark or David, etc. However, if we have enough kids, she's going to run out of names, and I will be able to name the baby Mo straight up

Never mind, I figured it out. I love those crazy math tricks. Have a good weekend, all!

Okay, you are all a bunch of geniuses. Can you please explain this mind reader to me? It has worked every single time.
BTW, Dan - I thought that "Mo Mazzucco" was a lock for your first born's name. What happened?

mixed emotions. i laughed out loud when dan sarcastically says hello to me in the newsletter, then get yelled at for doing what i thought was a good thing and sending in an address update. next time they get a green card filled with princess bride quotes and they might be giants lyrics.

So Hursty, how does it feel to be soundly scolded in the class newsletter? That's what you get for sending in those cards.

Get used to disappointment

Dan, I will be quite disappointed if you do not name your first-born child Inigo. Male or female.

What better way to announce a pregnancy than the internet!
Many of you have already heard, but for those who haven't, Betsy is also pregnant, and due August 11, around the same time as Shannon.

Also, we are moving to Philadelphia in the next few months, probably in June. So clearly we don't have time to come up with names ourselves, and would be happy to hear of any non-Nordic suggestions you may have.

I realized I forgot to mention Anthony and Benjamin, both names I really like but we're probably never going to be able to use, since I have cousins already named Anthony and Benjamin.

I was stranded in Illinois for the blizzard here in the Northeast, but Josh and Sherlock enjoyed it immensely. Josh, you see, didn't have to go to school or shovel any sidewalks. And Sherlock was able to bury himself, which apparently is practically heaven when you're a beagle. Now I'm back and it's gray and slushy and is even supposed to rain on Saturday! Figures...

By the way, Eirik redeems himself in the end, so he's up at the top of the list.

God bless,
Jill

Onan???? As in the sin of Onan? I'm not sure that's such a good idea. But Obadiah is definitely on the list.

Sherlock would like to suggest Watson Walsh and hopes he gets to exhibit all his best sleuthing skills along with his new friend.

My current favorite author is Sigrid Undset, so I can suggest all sorts of fun Norwegian names like Olav, Erlend, Eirik, and Lavrans. I have to admit, so far Lavrans seems to be the least flawed character, so that's my top choice. Lavrans Walsh has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

Biblical is always good, too: Andrew, Joshua, Aaron, Moses, Abraham, Elijah, Gideon, Tobias, Noah, Onan, Daniel, John, Job, Nehemiah, Simon, Tobit, Ezra, Peter, Jonah, Obadiah, Zephaniah, Jesus, Adam, Isaiah...the list goes on and on...

I suppose "Impressive Clergyman Walsh" probably won't work. Oh well.

I think Buttercup will totally work for a boy. Of course Fezzik Walsh and Vezzini Walsh also have a nice ring to them.

Westley has always been a favorite of mine.

The news is finally out. I think we have talked to all of you to tell you that a new little Walsh is on the way. We need some ideas for boy names, so please help. Dan thinks that since he helped us move, we will be naming the baby Mazzucco Walsh, but he is sadly mistaken.

Holy Cow! I hope Mo doesn't mind, but I stole her account so that I could read the posts and be in the KNOW. Obviously I have honed my open apple delete skills too well back here in the Tundra, so I didn't even know this wonderful little blitzfersation world existed. I shall have to get my own account so that I don't confuse everyone.
Hope everyone is well. I sure do miss you all.
Kristin

My schlep link didn't work, but for those of you in need of a quick lesson, visit Merriam-Webster.

It's been a while since we had a blog and I'm searching for a break from work, so here goes...The BLD shindig in California was great, though the West Coast BLD showing was rather poor, considering all the East Coasters that schlepped across the country and back. Those who couldn't make it missed out on meeting Devon and Anne, who were both great. Somehow, they both seemed to continue to associate with their respective BLDers despite all we could do to convince them otherwise. I'm sure you'll all be shocked and horrified to hear that Lincoln fell asleep hours before midnight, even when Jenn kicked him and propped him up on the sofa.

On the first, those of us still around (Mazzuccos, Papsdorfs, Jenn and Lincoln, Devon and Rob) visited lovely old Sacramento and even ventured onto the ice at the skating rink. Dan and Betsy probably have some choice pictures of the event, so visit them to see Lincoln and Rob dodging young children. They seemed to throw themselves at Rob's feet especially...inexplicably.

And so begins another year...Hope you all have a great 2003!!

Happy New Year, everyone! I miss you all and I hope you had a great night last night. Much love, Mo

Hi Walsho and Shannon - if you're on line, have a happy new year!
Same to Adin and Jon boy and Mo and Tiffany