Good Review

I got positive reviews from my chair and Dean for the 2nd year faculty probationary review. All newer faculty go through a probationary review process (1st & 2nd year). The review process is earlier in the year than for everyone else (Jan 15) as opposed to May. This review has been very good, and it looks like they'll keep me around a bit longer. Next year (if it becomes official), the review process should take place at end of academic year. So far so good on the tenure track. but there's lots of time to go. I should hear officially, one way or other, in a few weeks.

Geaux Saints Geaux!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, Jerry and Karen came over to watch our New Orleans Saints. A rarity to see the Saints in the playoffs, let alone having a good chance to win. A great game for the home team, although they have to watch those big plays. I hope this brings some cheer to the hearts of beleagured Orleanians. The Saints in the Super Bowl would be so great for the morale of the town. They have to get through Da Bears, but stranger things have happened.

Bond is Back

Art, Bernie & I saw the new Bond movie Casino Royale. Wow...this was a great holiday movie to see. The action was intense, the dialogue was witty, the plot was complex, and Daniel Craig is a great Bond. Gone is the campiness, as well as much of the sanitized quality of most contemporary Bonds. This was quite a brutal movie in many ways, but one that was very effecting. The graphic quality of the movie is played for strong effect. But this was a very smart movie that did not condescend to the audience. It was very much a grown-up movie for grown-ups. I now must try a Vesper. Bond falls in love but won't make that mistake again.

A quick way to blow 20 bucks

Art, Bernie & I went to Tioga Downs to check out the gaming. As we enter the racino and move into the slot machine area, there is a loud, somewhat high pitched white noise in the room. It is the sound of the electronic slot machines "spinning". Well they don't actually spin, as it is a screen, but it is made to look like it is spinning, complete with sound effects. The place is unbelievably crowded. It was actually hard to find an open machine. Twice I pluck down some money and begin to spin. Within minutes, I exhaust my self imposed limit with nothing but a faint humming noise in my ears to show for it. Art and Bernie wisely declined to gamble, perceiving no joy in this automoton-like activity. But they got to see what the place looked like and can scratch at least one thing off the old to-do list.

Who's that knocking? Part Deux

Well, it happened again. This time someone high on something was banging at my door around 3:45 am or there abouts. She...and yes it was a she... was pounding on my back door. I was so disoriented when I woke up, I went to the front of the house, opened an upstairs window and shouted. Then I realized the person was pounding on my back door. So around the back I go. She backs away from the door and comes into view briefly after I shouted to get out of here. I couldn't tell at first if it be man or woman, though I thought woman. She said ok but she wanted to get her partner. It was clear she was high as a kite (my guess is heroin or possibly acid based on the way she acted). She was slighty responsive but did not act the way most anyone would when caught at something like this.

I got the phone and dialed 9-1-1. The operator was sking me questions, especially if I got a look at the person. I wasn't sure whether she was man or woman, so I shouted out again, telling her to leave and telling her the police were on their way. She just kept pounding away. When the police got here, they came to front door and I sent them around to back. I could see that she was initially unresponsive when they told her to step down off the porch. They arrested her, asked my if I knew her ("no"), got my name and number. They carted her off. I hope she isn't released soon, as we have had an overcrowding situation in the county jail, and a lot of folks have been released shortly after arrest, if the crime is non violent.

Off to Vestal

Back from New Orleans and now onto upstate New York. New Orleans was grand, especially the dinner at Arnaud's, ahhh yes champagne and bananas Foster are a good way to begin and end a meal. Greg was off to London the day after Christmas (lucky bastard). However, my after Christmas time will be a blast, as usual to see Arthur and Bernadette. I don't think we'll get much snow this year, but we'll find ways to keep ourselves occupied. Next year is Miami as we swoop down on Michael. But for now, the 8+ hour car trip awaits me. I have my ipod set for about 4+ hours of music and will listen to other stuff when I tire of that or run through it.

Off to New Orleans

I'll be heading to New Orleans for a few days over Christmas. I'll leave the 24th and get back on Thusday the 28th. I'll see what's up with some family and friends. Christmas Eve will be at Arnaud's. I'll get in mid afternoon and wrap the presents I had shipped by Amzon to my mother's house-a new holiday tradition I suppose, but it sure beats carrying things or actually shopping on Christmas Eve as some friends and I have done, especially during the grad school years.