I've been revising my AmMin paper this week. The reviews weren't that bad. I just have to add a few things. Actually, the biggest issue the second reviewer had was my use of the term "morphology" to mean shape rather than the study of shape! I hope to get it resubmitted before the new year. Part of the process is to write a cover letter explaining how I satisfied (or why I ignored) the reviewers comments.

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I never blog much around the holidays. There's so much going on, and I'm usually really busy at ASU. Beth came by this weekend. She was in town for a wedding, but she spared some time to hang out with Kelly and I. Josh stopped by too. It was a blast.

I have some good news. I got the reviews back from my paper to American Mineralogist. They were generally good, and the journal asked for a revision, which is usually a sign that they'll publish the paper. Finally, I may get my paper published! Keep your fingers crossed.

The tech review went ok, although it was brutal. I had to stop at each slide and field comments and questions. Part of that was poor preparation on my part. But the whole process was pretty constructive, and I don't have too much more added to everything I already need to do to complete the project.

Do you hate blogs?

I've been feeling shitty all week. I thought I got over the cold, but I've had headaches, a sore throat, and have been stuffed up all week. I wonder if I have allergies or something. They did just start the cotton harvest. The thing that makes me feel the best when I'm like this are menthol cough drops. I thought I had some at ASU, but I must have used them all up. I'll pick some up at the MU.

My tech review is coming along nicely, I think. It's weird to put all the work I've done into some sort of coherent framework. I'm trying not to worry that my committee may just bash the whole thing and give me a bunch of extra work to do.

The Geology holiday "party" is this afternoon in the F-wing lobby. They set up a bunch of food and candy, but it's been getting worse every year. I mean, who eats rolled up deli meats anymore? Maybe this year will be better. I could use a good cookie now.

I caught some sort of cold yesterday that kicked my ass. I had headaches, stuffiness, and fevers. I think I worked it all out of my system last night, but I feel like shit today. At least I didn't come down with the flu or something. Now is the worst time for me to get sick because I have my tech review next week.

Doh. I guess Kelly already used that joke!

Kelly is having...the Best Week Ever!