While I was home in Virginia for the holidays, I was suprised by a visit from a cousin from Peru. She's got dual citizenship, but has lived most of her life in Peru, so she's a sponge for US history. I was talking about my Alma Mater and related to her the origin of W&L's speaking tradition. Robert E. Lee, when he was president of what was then Washington College, instituted numerous codes of gentlemanly conduct. One became know as the speaking tradition. Basically, you don't pass anyone on campus without saying something to them.

I went for a walk this moring to remember all the details of the community, since I've really been away since the beginning of December. I decided to practice the speaking tradition and spoke to everyone I encountered. I was blown away by how many people responded, and the overwhelming majority did so positively. So much for people being isolated and heartless in Los Angeles...

On a totally unrealated topic. I recently watched both the first Season of Angel and the entire series of Firefly. I really like the use of the word Shiny as such a multipurpose positive adjective in firefly. I was amused to hear Cordelia utter the word in light first act of the final episode of Angel Season One.

That is all