How Canadians solve problems

Tragedy has struck Toronto. Ice has formed on the CN Tower, making it necessary to close the Gardiner Expressway for fear the ice will break off and squish people (see picture). The Toronto Star, that bastion of investigative reporting, has asked readers to send in suggestions on how to get the ice off the tower safely. Click here to read.

My personal favorite: " Send a team of woodpeckers with little parkas on or wooly sweaters to peck away at the ice. Laura Heather, Toronto" I'm not entirely sure how a wooly sweater could peck at the ice, but there you go.

Not Dead, Just Reading

Sadly, I do not have time for flippant jocularity for my adoring fans. However, I do want everyone to know that I am still alive.

Since Christmas, I have been studying for my horrifying comprehensive exam for the PhD program in Art History here at the University of Toronto. The first day is an in-class exam stretching over 7 hours. The first three hours you answer one question, then lunch, then the second question. To be fair, you do get your choice of three questions per session. Directly after that begins the 72-hour take home question, for which you need to write 20 pages with full citations. A few days after turning that in, you're in for a 2-hour oral exam.

I'm exhausted, I'm grouchy, I am afraid... but hopefully I'll be back after March 26, and hopefully, in a very good mood!