:)

      The reverence this giant Einstein head was accoreded by the SPS (Society of Physics Students) group can not be easily understated.  The rest of the craft was just put into storage (after roughly half of the barrels were taken away by the university's hazardous materials person.  :) ;) )---"the head" led a rather storied existence.  :)

      It spent some time in Dr. Price's garage--then was burned up as the physics department's contribution to "Starvation Gultch." "Starvation Gultch" is some weird, primal celebration at UAF (University of Alaska Fairbanks).  They get really drunk, light bonfires so large they sometimes form fire whorls, smash cars, etc (general college stuff :) :P ).   For pictures of that, check the "links section" of this page on the Regatta---for as long as they woik (sic), 'n stuff. . . .  :)

      Oh, the reason that a giant "Einstein head" was chosen (by the SPS dudes and dudettes) was because 2005 was the "International World Year of Physics." Wee.

      Jason: "Someday I'll be able to use these chopsticks."

      :)

      Although this is a positively WONDERFUL program--and has doubtless saved young'uns lives--some of us couldn't help but find it's name . . . somewhat macabre. . . .

      :P

      fire! Fire!! FIRE!!!! (Um . . . sorry about that.  :) )

      On the way back to Graehl Park, we couldn't help but notice smoke rising from the Fairbank's bustling (yeah . . . right ( :) )) downtown neighborhood:

      As we got closer, we saw some licking flames. . . .

      And when we turned the corner and got a clear view of what was going on, we saw the remains of a house---totally engulfed in flames:

      Hmm. I don't think they're going to be able to save this one.

      As it turns out, this was an "exercise" for the local fire department.  They deliberately burned this house.  In fact, there was a picture of a fireman standing next to this blaze (a little earlier on--and thus more "dramatic" :) ), cooking meat on the grill.  The headline (They took first page away from the Regatta.  B*******) read, "Well Done."