My intention was to enroll at McGill University but an unexpected series of events led me to study physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Today 80 percent of all the oil that comes out of the Gulf is from 1 000 feet or more and today almost a third of it is more than 5 000 feet below the surface. What hasn't happened is the safety and the ability to respond to a negative event such as this blowout has been far outrun by the technology of drilling itself. We need to close that gap.

Technology is a wonderful tool but also if used incorrectly a horrible tool. We're fascinated by all aspects of it whatever makes our human lives easier on the planet but eventually there will have to be some sort of merger. The fascination isn't going to die down.

The over-all point is that new technology will not necessarily replace old technology but it will date it. By definition. Eventually it will replace it. But it's like people who had black-and-white TVs when color came out. They eventually decided whether or not the new technology was worth the investment.

I watch too much cable I admit. Day after day it gets frustrating. Yesterday I watched as someone called legislation to prevent teacher layoffs a bailout - but I know that's not a view held by many nor were the views I was frustrated about.

I think eventually I want to become a teacher like my father wanted to be and hopefully positively influence the next generation.

I need a teacher quite as much as Helen. I know the education of this child will be the distinguishing event of my life if I have the brains and perseverance to accomplish it.

A teacher is never too smart to learn from his pupils. But while runners differ basic principles never change. So it's a matter of fitting your current practices to fit the event and the individual. See what's good for you might not be worth a darn for the next guy.

I never wore a tie voluntarily even though I was forced to wear one for photos when I was young and for official events at school. I used to wrap my tie in a newspaper and whenever the teacher checked I would quickly put it on again. I'm not used to it. Most Bolivians don't wear ties.

Events are the best teacher for us. You try to learn from people there is always some bend to it.