But they didn't have zombie tuna roll

adfamiliares's lecture on the Gospel of Judas was record-settingly well-attended, and equally well-received, with more questions at the end than she had time to answer. She was poised and clever and knowledgeable, even though she finished writing it (well, not quite finished) five minutes before she gave it, and I was darn proud of her. (Her colleague M. told me I should be, so I guess I had no choice.) If the agents from the majors had been there, she'd've gotten a contract in no time.

At the Sushi Thai dinner afterward, I found myself sitting opposite three students from New England—the real New England, NH, VT, and ME, none of that Connecticut stuff—though VT is very nearly the Midwest—and got an unexpected chance to reminisce about Canobie Lake Park and Water Country. (The theme song hasn't changed in twenty years. "Water Country, Water Country, Water Countryyy...have some fun!") It was a hoot; adfamiliares's colleagues are great, and the half-dozen students who came along clearly adore being in the Classics Department. The waitress even remembered me, checking to make sure I got the Thai iced tea I always order, adding a bonus cherry to my fried ice cream. ("We don't put a cherry on top normally, but I add one for you!" Dan thought I should check the ice cream for her phone number.) I tried to catch a fly with chopsticks. It was a pretty fabulous evening, both for the lift it gave adfamiliares's spirits and the good conversations I don't have enough chances for.

Did I mention I'm proud of my sweetie?