Call me doctor

Thesis oral defense on Monday, 3/20. I successfully defended my thesis work, essentially the last six years of my life. It still hasn't quite hit me, although I am enjoying having people walk up to me and wish me congratulations.

Would have been nice to have more of my family attend, but we are a far-flung bunch: wife Melissa in Africa, brother Ben in Chicago, brother G3 returning from Argentina, brother Drew in Japan, and sister Sarah in SF. Both of my parents attended and I was glad to have a chance to present my research to them.

Still some writing to finish up, but I am getting ready to transition to my upcoming medical career.

The whole day through just an old sweet song keeps Thesis on my mind

No posts for a while, I apologize, but I promise more to come. I am spending a lot of time trying to finish my thesis writing, and it has been consuming me body and soul. No fear though, as there is more running on the way. I have signed up for my 9th marathon--Salt Lake City on Jun 3. It should be a blast, although I may have to prepare myself for the altitude.

I was quite pleased to see Philip Seymour Hoffman win his Oscar for Capote--it was a great role in a great film. But my fondest memory of Hoffman's acting chops involves a certain mattress store owner running a shady phone sex sideline in Punch Drunk Love. His interplay with Adam Sandler over the phone was rousing: "Shut up! Shut, shut, shut, shut, SHUT THE F*** UP! [etc.]" I first noticed the actor as the unctuous butler of one of the title characters in the Big Lebowski.

Was anybody else startled by Tom Hanks cursing on camera as he came out to present during the Academy Awards? He seemed in poor spirits--I wonder what happened backstage...