I am pleased and committed to continuing as scientific advisor to Dr. Name during her Research Development Award.

I am pleased to be scientific adviser to Dr. Name and am committed to continue that relationship during her Research Development Award. (?)

I am pleased to commit to continuing as scientific advisor...

which feels okay but not great. Help, please?

I don't think that says the same thing. I think that they are using committed in the sense of being dedicated, not in the sense of agreeing to.

It's a formal letter of support for a grant continuation, so he is committing in the sense of agreeing to--stating that he absolutely will continue in this role if the grant is renewed (as far as I can tell from past letters, "I am pleased" is polite-speak for "This will help my patients and also generate a few more publications for my CV so I'm for it").

Yikes, lisah. What the hell happened?

Just talked to doctor friend. She said the shooter was in a patient's room, his mother was the patient. His mother had spinal surgery and the doctor was in there explaining to the family about some complications from the surgery. The guy just whips out a gun and shoots the surgeon in the stomach point blank. Doctor taken to ED right away and into surgery, bullet didn't hit his spine. He's in ICU but it's looking pretty good considering.

They have the shooter secured in the room but there still may be a hospital employee in there with him? Not sure if he still has gun.

You don't have to go through any security to go into the hospital but I bet that's going to change.

Vibing for a peaceful resolution at Hopkins.

Sparky, that is totally freaky.

‘Batman’ Prepares To Join The Air Force

Grappling hooks attached to siphon electricity from low-hanging power lines. Computers mounted onto a commando’s chest plate. Communications gadgets small enough to fit into gear pouches worn around the waist. The Air Force is actually preparing its special operators to act (and outfit themselves) more like the Batman.

Since 2004, the Air Force has worked to reduce the physical load of gear carried by its Special Operations Forces — the superheroes who seize hostile airfields and rescue captured troops behind enemy lines. Those airmen are often weighed down on these missions, lugging as much as 160 pounds worth of stuff. Since much of the bulk comes from their communications gear, the Air Force opted to cut out heavy batteries to power it, fueling the gear through methanol fuel cells that get lighter as the charge dies. That allows elite airmen to essentially wear their gear like a scaffold, a concept the Air Force calls a “Human Chassis.”

Except a human chassis isn’t a cool enough name.* So the program, pursued at Ohio’s Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, bears a moniker that strikes fear into the heart of villains everywhere. It’s the Battlefield Air Targeting Man-Aided kNowledge (just go with it). Yes: the BATMAN.

Are You a Fan of Ceiling Fans? You’re About to Be

Lots of cool, bizarre and/or vintage ceiling fans. Including one that looks to be inspired by Batman.

Guest artist at Dino comics discusses continuity, fanfic and Batman (not in that order): [link]

Guest artist at Dino comics discusses continuity, fanfic and Batman (not in that order): [link]

That is awesome.

Lisah, that is *totally* breaking the Sunday truce. "Shit ain't seemly, man."