Home Again, Home Again...

Well, it feels nice to be back in Ohio. It was great to be able to spend so much GOOD time with Grandpa. Goodbye was difficult since I have no idea if it will be our last one. I hope the next time we fly out it will be for Christmas and not for a funeral.

Q somehow managed without us (His uncanny ability to house a needy bachelor every time we leave town probably helped out. Daniel from the department gave him someone to play Xbox and talk Poli Sci with). But I think we're all happier to be back together again.

Here are some pics from the visit. L has found her pockets and loves to "chill" with her hands in them. I put photos of her and Nana, Grandma Iris, and Grandpa Verlo (obviously I missed whatever they were so interested in). There's also one of Lydia basking in the attention of her adoring Jess and Drew ("Jess and Drew, how can that be?" was a favorite phrase of the week) in front of the temple. We were down there dropping Mom off for Tabernacle Choir practice. Lydia loved seeing Nana's choir sing. She was a little too rambunctious to stay for long, but it was great to show her what Nana and Grandpa Pete dedicate so much of their time to.

post-exam let down

I am approaching the 48 hour mark after finishing the written portion of my general exams, and I'm still not completely unwound. This probably has much to do with the fact that my oral exams are still lurking menancingly ahead in a few weeks. Being finished with the written portions is comforting, don't get me wrong. Unfortunately, I have 19 days to sit and stew over the (low) quality of my answers, agonizing over the vast array of potential questions my committee could possibly hurl at me when we meet face-to-face. On the bright side, however, is that every day is one step closer to being done.

One thing's for sure, I will be in serious need of a general exam-detox after October 10.

- Q

Note: For those who do not already know, the girls flew back to Utah suddenly to spend time with B's Grandpa, whose health appeared to be fading rapidly. We are grateful that they have had this chance to be with our family right now, and we have appreciated the concern of friends who have heard about the matter. While the bad news is that the underlying health problems are probably not going to go away, the good news is that Grandpa is feeling and acting much better these last few days -- that extended amount of quality time together with him has been a real comfort for everyone, I think.

A Sincere Apology

I'm sorry. Really I am. I unfairly judged, blamed, and even name-called, and I hope all of you squirrels, birds, bunnies, and raccoons can find it in your hearts to forgive me. Thanks to a blog posting by our friend Jessica, we discovered the true culprits in our garden -- the Tomato Hornworm. It's kind of funny, actually. If you click on the picture in the original post, you will see the villian in the background. Right under our noses!


Good thing I never actually went out and got a BB-gun.

-B

one down...

Here's the latest installment of the Generals Exam Saga:

Mercifully, I finished the gruelling marathon known as major exams last Thursday and Friday. I won't lie and say that I hit anything out of the park, but I didn't do a shabby job either. So, while it may not have been an A+, it was at least a pass -- and that's all that matters.

My minor exam in political economy comes up one week from yesterday: Tues., Sept. 19th. So most of my waking hours for the next week are dedicated to brushing up my game theory, thinking about institutional change, and pondering the profoundness of Arrow's theorem. You, too, can play along at home, if you wish. Here's a sample question from last year's minor exam:

"The question of when and why self-interested actors choose to cooperate in the achievement of collective goods has long been a central focus of research in political economy.

a. What is the central puzzle framing this research?

b. How well have scholars resolved this question?

c. In your answer, evaluate how well at least two of the following: 1) the Prisoner’s Dilemma, 2) the “folk” theorem, and 3) “reputation effects” have helped to resolve the question of cooperation and collective action."

Feel free to post your essays in the "comments" section. Don't be shy.

- Q

New Member of the Beazer Family

I would like to officially introduce you to the newest member of our clan. She's such a wonderful addtion and she really does her best to pull her weight and help out. Life has just been so great since she's joined us. And I can't wait to have dinner parties so that all of our friends can get to know her a little better.



- B

Rodent Rage

Now some of you have already heard the beef I have with the woodland creatures that roam unrestrained in our backyard. Vicious rodents like the bunny, the squirrel, the raccoon, and I'm sure myriads of equally repulsive predators. They (plus a little lack of sun) destroyed any hope I had of harvesting squash or cucumbers or peppers or onions or lettuce or spinach or peas or zucchini from our little garden plot. But they have now stooped to new levels with their attacks on the tomato plants. Our first tomato was found behind a tree, half eaten and then tossed into the dirt. The second was just showing a soft glow of red when it was snatched away from us. The ONE BITE that was taken from it before I found it on the sidewalk seemed to mock me (so I took it inside and cut off the bitten part and ate the other side out of spite- no rabies yet). And now look at what those deplorable pests have done- while it's still in its infancy, unaware and still clinging to the vine. I'll find my revenge somehow.

- B

Fix-it Gal

Now I don't want anyone to think that I've just been sitting on my duff while Q has had to make time for the blog along with all of his other responsibilities. You wouldn't believe all I've been up to. Making homemade crackers; researching, purchasing, and replacing the broken door handle on our car (now that's taking initiative and saving us $75); and other equally important stuff. I've even somehow found the time to go through ALL of our digital photos (since Lydia was born) and select the special few (around 600) that will go on to make it into print (what can I say- our girl's cute and I just couldn't exclude very many).

I want you to take a look at this handle installation- looks good, no? Ok, so it doesn't quite fit in the slot as the old one did, but it opens the door and I no longer have to unroll the window and reach to the outside door handle to exit the car. Sometimes it's good to have reminders of the underappreciated luxuries in our lives. Think about that next time you pull on the door handle and it does its job!

- B

Only about 66 hours until my Major exams begin

But who's counting, right?

- Q