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.)