Thanks for the kind words. It happened at the very beginning of the year... I was sort of in a fog after that till a few months ago. She was much to young, only 56.
I do wish she was still around, I know she would be happy with how things have progressed.
I got my first “official” quote in the media a few weeks ago — it was pretty exciting!
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/2009/1215/Pakistan-suicide-attacks-spike-but-overall-attacks-are-down
Again, I do feel really bad for disappearing. I wanted to stop in during the Zazi saga but was worried people would be angry that I left without notice. I guess I should have known that TM folks are kind and forgiving in addition to so much else.
The piece will be in the op-ed section, it covers all three wars and the progress — or lack thereof in each.
My main projects are indices of each country... I just transitioned into the job during the last month or so but have been wrapped up in it since October.
It is interesting getting paid to go to work and read things I am fascinated by and also sobering to have the daily reminders of how much has been given to try to create a safer world.
http://www.brookings.edu/foreign-policy/afghanistan-index.aspx
http://www.brookings.edu/foreign-policy/pakistan-index.aspx
http://www.brookings.edu/saban/iraq-index.aspx
LOL
Your mom was way too young today; however, do remember that we are all headed to precisely the same destination, but that some people have clocks which are ticking faster than the rest of us --- indeed, I often believe in that old adage that the GOOD, they die young; it seems to happen too often that way. I lost my two longest term friends last year, it is a SHOCK to the system, even when one knows beforehand, when it is not a sudden out of the blue death.
PLEASE be sure to take care of YOU, and I hope that you'll have time to stop by occasionally --- I really miss reading your contributions on the WEATHER threads, you got me interested in meteorology in my old age,LOLOL