WAIS NEWS: From the home front

Jaqui White came to Stanford for Homecoming. As behooves an eagle-lover, she flew in the private jet of a friend whom she first met at the Casa Espaņola. She attended many talks and round-tables, and was most impressed. She especially liked the talk on sleep deprivation given by Professor Dement. One simple cure is to attend the lectures of some of our less dynamic `professors. There was in Romance Languages a professor whose lectures were so dull he would fall asleep himself. When he woke up, often the students had sneaked out. Those were the days before much attention was paid to teaching.

On Saturday, when the alumni crowd was baking in the sun watching the football game, Jaqui came to see me, always a source of joy. She had not seen the aula minima and the impressive show devoted to her fierce eagle and Les Robinson's peaceful turkey. I had referred to the size of the turkey, so Jaqui brought a bigger and better eagle. However, the turkey is much bigger, and Jaqui blanched when she saw it. There are now two eagles and a condor versus one turkey. Realizing that in old age one becomes a tripod, Jaqui brought me a highly ornate Mexican walking cane which I cherish. WAIS computer expert, Dwayne Virnau was recently vacationing in Mexico. Having hurt himself, he bought such a Cain and is now Abel to walk better. We must compare our third legs. Mine has a ferocious dog on the handle. I will use it if the other three birds gang up on the turkey.

Jaqui and I discussed many things. She was glad to hear that Les and his new knee are doing well. Les was always a judicious individual. Now it will be harder for him to have a knee-jerk reaction. We also discussed George and Corol Bevier, who were forced to abandon their Rum Point Inn when a hurricane hit the Belize coast. We hope to receive news from them telling us all is well. I was invited to go there a few years ago but could not when the Casa Espaņola had a reunion there. Jaqoi gave me a detailed description of it. Bob Crow writes: "When you do hear, please share the news. My wife, daughter and I spent a week there several years ago and had a magnificent time diving, eco-touring and simply enjoying the area. George and Corol are wonderful hosts, and we hope that they, the Rum Point Inn, and the wonderful people of the area have a minimum of problems" Will do.

On the sad side, you will remember that Paul Basch, who was actively preparing the public health section of the globalization conference died in open-heart surgery just before the conference. His Brazilian wife Natilicia tells me that a memorial meeting will be held at the Stanford Faculty Club on Friday, October 26 at 4:15 p.m. We hope that all WAISers who can will attend.

Ronald Hilton - 10/14/01