"Complex systems can only be built step by step, whereas destruction requires but an instant. Thus, in what I like to call the Great Asymmetry, every spectacular incident of evil will be balanced by 10,000 acts of kindness, too often unnoted and invisible as the "ordinary" efforts of a vast majority."
-Steven Jay Gould, from the NY Times this morning.

I've been busy with studying. It sucks. I feel perpetually behind. How anybody can work full time and take more than two classes is beyond me. When I get this discouraged, I can't remember why I'm doing this to begin with. (oh, wait- I didn't have a reason to begin with.)

another email from Misha, who was travelling from Beijjing to Russia, then Turkey, Greece, and perhaps further... sadly he got girardia from the water in St. Petersburg and has been in the hospital. (and then a flare-up of colitis, and now bronchitis.) yikes!