Good Morning Chris,

I remembered a few days ago that it was last April when I was USGS office seeing Tom Jordan and listening to his presentation which didn't sound at all like what you and John had thought it would be. It was wholly different and I truly approved of what he was proposing. I had no idea he was seeking funding for the program though, so it occurred to me at the time he might already be underway, so I sent him a very nice e-mail and left my calling card. If he's interested, he will let me know. However, in the interim Don found something else that seems appealing too, so if Jordan's program isn't a go, I can get into the other program anytime I want to. I have to give some serious thought as to how I want to present the program and put it in writing. But before I send it to anyone I think I'll run it across the desk of a scientist to inquire if the content is explained to the degree in which it is easy to understand, so it does not present confusion. I think you would agree that would be a wise decision.

One day there will be another moderately large or large earthquake in California and I really want someone to be sitting in on my program at the time. I honestly do not want to be the person who issues a prediction for this event, but if I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am correct I will do what I have to do unless someone else wants to step up and do it. However, it would be one of my most serious days in a lifetime as I don't take it lightly knowing all of the ramifications of what could happen. I could only hope there is a plethora of precursory activity going on at the time.

As for the other I still have to retrieve my early chapters and edit, edit, edit. I'm still waiting for the HAZUS program so I can estimate the deaths, injuries and property damage within an acceptable degree and hopefully Sir Shackleton will avail himself to tell me how he received his prize. I absolutely hated John McPhee's, Assembling California. It was one of the worst reads ever. It didn't have nearly enough humor and what is life without something that makes you laugh so hard you cry. Boring. You probably won't like it anyway, it is hugely funny, romantic, filled with field experience, and serious science performed by a man who could not possibly exist in this world. At least that's what Lind Gee told me. She may be right, but I would like to continue to hope he does exist and I just haven't met him yet.

Petra