> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://mereorthodoxy.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Phoenix Update
- URL: https://mereorthodoxy.com/phoenix-update/
- Published: 2006-02-18T17:31:29.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-20T21:35:46.000Z
- Description: Phoenix Update
- Author: Mere Orthodoxy
- Tags: Matthew Lee Anderson, Uncategorized

A few things learned and remembered in Phoenix:

1) Tom Ward is smart. Ridiculously smart. No one in the room (8 people) came close to understanding his paper. I *might* be able to get it with a hard copy, but even then.....

2) I'm going to have to live up with a mispronounced college name the rest of my life. A direct quote from the lady who introduced Tom: "Thomas Ward has a Bachelor's degree from *Bee-ola* University."

3) Pizookie is really, really rich. If you have never had the rich, chocolate-chippity goodness (either from BJ's or, if in Phoenix, Oregano's) I highly recommend it.

4) Connecting with good friends after a long absence is really, really refreshing.

5) Connecting with good friends after a long absence is really, really difficult when you can't talk or breathe very well.