It's the first of December and the holiday deadlines are pressing already. There's so much to do before the holiday break (for which I am grateful, don't get me wrong). And that includes the fourth quarter issue of this newsletter--what about the newsletter? I sent the reminders, but where are the articles? My in-box is empty.
Then the first submission arrives from Ralph Thomas and Don Cossairt. It's a tale of great trial and tribulation, and ultimate success, as the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) Report 144 approaches its debut. And shortly thereafter, the second submission arrives from Dave Boehnlein. Dave has an idea and is looking for our concurrence.
After that, silence. I send out the second reminder, but still my in-box is empty. Well, this may be a very slim issue, I'm thinking, and I resign myself to a quiet holiday edition.
Then, the miracle happens, as it always does (so why do I worry?). Articles begin to arrive, first one, then another, and yet another, my e-mail announcer pinging away merrily. There are messages from the president of the section, Bob Casey, requesting your opinion; from the president-elect, Sayed Rokni, requesting your abstracts; and from the past president, Carter Ficklen, telling us all how to do our jobs (very nicely, of course). Soon, my e-mail is bulging with news from our correspondents at Fermi National Accelerator Lab (Fermilab) and at Louisiana State University's Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices (CAMD). In the "Other News" category, there are solicitations and invitations, perfect holiday reading material.
In the end, I'm convinced that this will be the best newsletter of the year. I'm reminded, too, of my long-held belief that the Accelerator Section is one of the best connected of any of the HPS sections, because the accelerator community participates so actively in this newsletter.
Let me close with my thanks for a great year past and for anticipation of another fine year to come. As always, it is my pleasure and honor to work with so many dedicated professionals. Please accept my wishes for a joyous holiday season, and enjoy this gift from the accelerator community, YOUR newsletter!