One of the perks of being being an unpaid slave for one of the largest Simon Legree's in
the history of the world is that I can take off when I please.
With the proliferating abundance of holidays at this time of year, it is good
take some time off. I, myself celebrate Christmas in a good old-fashioned way -
by going to Church and spending the rest of the day with friends and family. The
media has not yet made me feel the least bit guilty about doing so. And this is
a very special Christmas being the 2000th (there was no year zero) anniversary
of the birth of Christ, so I intend to take time and celebrate with my family far away
from the crowds.
The downside of this is that where I will be there is very limited computer access.
I have promised Canie to check in once in a while, and will attempt to do so.
Starting Saturday, however, the daily reports will not be made to this board, unless
someone else want to pick that up in my absence.
All of us who read and post to this board should have learned something about
earthquakes and earthquake prediction over the past several years, and I hope
this will continue. I am not sure when I will rejoin you, but should be refreshed in
body and spirit when I do.
I consider all of you friends, even the irksome ones and the ones who occasionally
(or often) disagree with my opinions and speculations. This board is much like a family,
and hope it remains that way.

Since this is the National Day of Reconciliation, I hope you will join our nation's
leaders and myself in some time between 5 and 7 p.m. EST today in prayer or
meditation and in reconciling your differences with those whom you associate.

If you have questions before Sunday Dec. 9, I will still be available until then to
answer them. After that, my visits to the board will be erratic until sometime late
in January, 2002.

Happy Holidays