Round One

Obama's first major education announcement is certainly broader and bolder than what we've seen recently.

I'll confess: I'm a big supporter of early childhood education. Many problems are easier prevented than cured. There is good reason to believe that educational failure is one such problem (see research by Heckman, Wilms, etc.).

ABD, Act I

I am happy to announce that I have officially transitioned from doctoral student to doctoral candidate.

A big thank you is clearly in order for my committee, James Guthrie, Robert Crowson, Christopher Loss, and Denis Phillips. They've been very supportive of what is, at least in my department, a rather unconventional approach to a dissertation (a mix of history, philosophy, and quantitative methods).

I'm resting on my laurels for the rest of the evening. Tomorrow I get back to work on the first chapter.

And then there is the matter of that other dissertation (more later).

Thanksgiving Race Report

For the second year in a row, Ashley and I got up early Thanksgiving morning to join 7,900 other Nashvillians for the five-mile “Boulevard Bolt” along Belle Meade Boulevard. All proceeds from the race go to support the homeless and hungry. It’s a great way to counterbalance the gluttony that comes hours later with the Thanksgiving meal.

The weather was a few degrees warmer than last year. I was also in somewhat better condition than last year. Both factors no doubt contributed to me knocking two minutes off my previous time. I felt a little lightheaded and nauseous at the end, but I guess that’s to be expected from an all-out effort.

Other notable sporting events—Alabama blasted Auburn in the most lopsided Ironbowl game in over forty years. Roll Tide! Snapping the six-season skid against Auburn is priceless. Or not. Actually, it costs about $4 million a year.