Marcie - I am the nerd first runner-up. Marc, as befits his considerable talent and experience, is the REAL DEAL when it comes to all things NERDY. The one thing we have in common is University of Chicago and knowing their sports team mascot is the Maroons (unfortunately, it's not the macaroons or the macarena). I've often thought this was some midwestern humor at the expense of the Crimsons of Harvard, but that may be seriously misguided. Marc, you know, actually knows the school cheer. I remain in awe of his achievements. He and Arlene are among the greatest folks you will know. I am so ridiculously pleased our street-smart Blue Demon women took the Harvard Crimson down on Friday night 97-52 on our home basketball court.

The amazing part is I seriously dreamed about going to MIT before I became world-wise. I was offered a calculator case that would slip onto my belt (like I even wore a belt) in my third quarter calculus class by a full-fledged smitten Norse nerd god/future engineer at University of Minnesota. It shocked me to my senses and I packed my bags. Next stop, Chicago, DePaul, CPA and a fun career in the financial markets. You can see from my score, though, those early impressions have made an indelible mark. I did, after all, marry a Lehigh triple engineer.