Many years ago I was watching a football game with my friend Todd when the camera panned over the crowd of excited spectators.  Two in particular caught my eye - one holding a large, cardboard letter "D" and the other holding a piece of picket fencing.  I turned to Todd, puzzled, and asked, "What's D-Gate mean?"  

Todd recently reminded me of that story, which apparently he shares with other people on occasion, people who laugh at the girl who couldn't figure out that the sign read "Defense!"

Aside from this being an excellent opportunity to make fun of me, I told the story to announce that my future first husband, Joshua H. Payne, is officially a MASTER!  His thesis defense was today; I attended the presentation (it was excellent) and Josh just called to give me the news that he passed (no surprise).

The best line of his presentation was: "I'm not the only one who thinks that.  I didn't just pull that (information) out of my butt."

Chemostratigraphy is sexy!

Congratulations go out to our friend Dolores, who also mastered geology this week.  We're all so proud of you both!

By the way, do you like the shirt Josh is wearing?  Funny story.  We woke up this morning at 6:30 AM (his defense was at 10 AM) and we were having coffee when I asked Josh if he needed a shirt ironed.  He went to his closet to look and I heard him say, "Oh.  Shit."

Josh got antsy a few months ago and packed up and shipped home (NY) boxes of books and clothes.  In that shipment?  Every, single dress shirt he owns.  I had to go to FRED MEYER at SEVEN IN THE MORNING to buy Josh a dress shirt for his D-Gate.