//THIS WORKS:

    /* fadeIn a set of elements, one at a time */
    var fadeEach = function(elem){
        elem.eq(0).fadeIn(1000, function(){
            (elem=elem.slice(1)).length && fadeEach(elem);
        });
    }

    $(document).ready(function(){
        $headings  = $('#headingsText').children();
        fadeEach($headings);
    });




//THIS DOESN'T

    /* fadeIn a set of elements, one at a time */
    $.fn.fadeEach = function(){
        this.eq(0).fadeIn(1000, function(){
            (next=this.slice(1)).length && next.fadeEach();
        });
    }

    $(document).ready(function(){
        $headings  = $('#headingsText').children();
        $headings.fadeEach();
    });