So it looks like iGor, my faithful desktop iMac, is going the way of all good things, just like Lord Jeff before. It's not unexpected -- iGor lasted nearly eight years, had one OS update, and served me well for writing La Dissertation. My fellowship comes with support for the purchase of a new computer, which will probably be a nice laptop that is actually portable, unlike my current laptop. But that won't kick in until the fall. So, for right now, I've been working with my neighbor, who is a computer tech, to see if we can't patch up ol' iGor long enough to limp through until Cambridge. So far, we've replaced the hard drive, but since iGor's optical drive is also dead, we're still working on a way to set up hardware chains that will allow us to reboot the operating system. Fortunately, my neighbor has loaned me an old laptop until that happens, so I can still function and communicate with everyone.

We're also gearing up for Passover -- Neighbor isn't Jewish, but he likes to host a big, ecumenical, all-inclusive seder every year, and this year, he's asked me to lead it on Tuesday. I'm excited -- it'll be my first time leading a seder! We've worked together to assemble a good haggadah out of the several that we have between us, and I'll be adding a few modern touches, such as the orange and the Cup of Miriam. I'm also in charge of making the haroset, roasting the shankbone, and cooking the brisket. So there's work to be done, but I think it'll be a neat seder in the end. I'm looking forward to it.