i'm in a band

Yes. That is true. I am a drummer in a 4 person rock band. Didn't know I played the drums? Well, I didn't either. I am quite good though. The band's name: Rïtzenhauß. How did we come up with such a clever name? Well, at our first band practice, we were having a lot of trouble, so Luc picked up a nearby coaster and read it. It said "Ritzenhoff". We changed it because we wanted to add cool characters like an umlauted "i". Rïtzenhauß was born. We are originally from Stockholm. Other members of the band: Luc (lead vocals), Josh (guitar) and Jess (bass). We've been touring Europe lately: Amsterdam, Paris, London. The usual. Although we just played a gig where we won a jet, so now we can tour other continents. Next stop ... maybe Boston ... maybe Seattle.

Yes, I am in a Rock Band* (like Guitar Hero) band .... just look at the comic. We are awesome.



* For those of you who are not so video game savvy, Guitar Hero is a video game where you attempt to play a guitar, matching the notes (or buttons) on the screen as they scroll by. Play it well, and the song plays, play it poorly, and the crowd boo's you off the stage. Rock Band is a new version of Guitar Hero that incorporates multiplayer play. Instead of just one guitar, there is now a guitar, bass, drum set and mic for singing. Play songs together, get money, fans, win things, keep touring. It's fun.

so I passed ...

In case you didn't know, I passed my general exam. What that means is that I am officially a Ph.D. candidate now and get awarded a Masters degree. I think that is a pretty worthy milestone. I think everyone already knows though, because I sent out an email to practically everyone I know. Here are some of the responses I received:

"Congratulations!!!! I knew you would pass. Best wishes for continued success."
-Dr. Lucia

"Yay!!!!! Go Meg! :)"
-Sue Brassard

"YAY!!! Congratulations!!! Of course you are awesome, we all knew THAT! I know this has been a tough and stressful semester, and I am so happy that it worked out so well for you!"
- Kate Coleman

"as if there was a question as to your awesomeness :D well done madame bellows. next time you're around, i'm buying you a pizza. no but seriously that's awesome!"
- Chris Piecuch

"WOOO HOOO!!!!!!!!!"
- Malissa O'Donnell

"and ever the modest one, as well, ms. bellows. :P hehe that's GREAT news! i'm proud of you, my princeton-dwelling friend! celebration in RI? hmmmMMM?"
- Brian Dowdell

"Good work meg!!! I am super proud of you, but really, no one ever doubted you would pass with flying colors. I think a bellows knows only one type of color, and that is the flying type."
- Ben Potter

"WOO HOO from the chilly tundra"
- Aunt Janet

"Congratulations Meg"
- Uncle Jim

"Dear Meggie, Nice going, I always knew you would, you are such a hard worker and great achiever. Uncle Bob and I are very proud of you. Keep up the good work."
- Aunt Marilyn

"Well no surprise that you did so well in your general exam. Congrats Meg!! You ARE indeed awesome! Best of luck in your next few years as an official Ph.D candidate!"
- Ana Franco

"WOW! That is great! Now you have increased my bragging rights again. Not everyone has a genius for a flower girl!"
- Sandra Marston

So thank you to everyone who helped me though this semester, especially my family and Luc for putting up with my nervousness and sense of worthlessness. Still hasn't quite sunk in that I am through it, but I really appreciated having you all there to talk and whine to. :-)

On to more challenges ... or rather, a hopefully calmer and more relaxing semester+summer.

hearty congratulations

I would just like to offer congratulations to my good good best best friend, Laura Coleman Bacon ... and to her husband Charlie. As of January 17, 2008, they have a new baby. His name is Owen Thomas Bacon and I hear that everyone is doing splendidly. You are such a grown-up, Laura ... owning a house and having babies and such. Congratulations to you and Charlie!!