MESSAGES FROM THE FACULTY
Remember when it seemed like a good idea to take some time off after graduation to 'find yourself' or 'get your head together' (this was always encouraged by the Chief)? Well this is what I am doing at the moment. I've always been a little slow on the uptake and am only just getting around to doing those things which most people do at age 21. After beating my brains out for three and a half years teaching the young and restless (sorry recent alums), I have been awarded a term off and have hot-footed it out of town. Specifically I have renewed my residence in the 'Athens of the North', a.k.a. Edinburgh, where I have the unfortunate burden of having to gaze daily out my front windows upon the grey edifice of Edinburgh Castle and the volcanic mound of Arthur's Seat. Bummer.
Officially the purpose to this visit (January through August) is to revitalize my research program by collecting vast quantities of data and pounding out a few papers in anticipation of the next round of belly-button fluff examination---standing for tenure in 1997. This aspect of my visit is making great progress, with Adirondack gneisses yielding up their secrets, the details of which will no doubt become familiar to you as the world press takes up the societally crucial story of ancient igneous provinces. It is only a matter of time before the Nobel committee institutes the Prize in Geology for this work.
The unofficial purpose of my visit is to use the distance from fair Chenango twilight to gain a fresh perspective on things and gear up for the next few years, whatever they may bring. To this end, I am working on developing a stern jaw line and a steely gaze; indulging my passions for cricket and rugby; avoiding the presidential campaign; renewing my left-leaning political slant and trying not to think about September. The National Science Foundation has graciously agreed to cover the cost of using great big electron microscopes for the first purpose, but is not funding the native malts necessary for completion of the second goal. Write me with your suggestions for enlightenment at: 19 Spottiswoode Road (3F2); Edinburgh EH9 1BJ; Scotland. Or at: Grant Institute of Geology; University of Edinburgh; West Mains Road; Edinburgh EH9 3JW. Or e-mail: kim.waldron@glg.ed.ac.uk"