The Philisophical Works of a Pseudo Author

It's such a strange thing; graduating. You've done all the work already. You've already been told you have received your degree/diploma/whatnot, and it is therefore mostly an excuse for a party.

I was really too tired today to party and it's not nearly as fun without alcohol anyways.

Day 2 of jet lag is always my worst, so I didn't sleep last night and I spent the morning going flat out - on foot - here, there, and everywhere. By the time we got to the reception I just wanted to lay down, or pass out - it was a toss-up.

There ceremony was great (short) and everyone said all the right words. It wasn't particular special (PhDs are treated like MAs are), but at least we got to go first. And then wait for everyone else to do it! The woman beside me kept up a hilariously running commentary under her breath about the pomp and circumstance so I was incredibly entertained.

We stood outside in the freezing (literally) cold too
much and my coat would fit over my robes so I was just a bit miserable. But Bob made my mother tea and is now the greatest person ever because he waited with my parents for a cab after the reception ended for 30 minutes even though he was supposed to be back at work.

Everyone was super nice and huggy and Ross said great things about me to my parents and to me. And I caught up with a lot (though not all) of friends. Not bad for 2.5 days in the city!

All that is left is coffee tomorrow morning with my 'new' twin Dr A (me being now Dr A as well) and to pay pilgrimage to Richard's tomb, something I should have done on Wednesday. Supposed to rain, so I hope our dead king appreciates my sacrifice.

I miss this part of my life already and I won't ever have it back. It was challenging and interesting and incredibly easy. Unlike the years to come.

It's been one of those awesome weeks where I get to do fun and new things every single day! Okay, not so much on Tuesday, since I've flown both on my own and on this same route to Florida before.

Monday was not a good start to the week. I found out I didn't get my funding for my PhD and immediately reacted according to my New Years resolution which was 'don't panic, things will work out'. I was rather proud of myself, even if I didn't sleep all that well that night.

Yesterday (Wednesday) I got to go flying in a 4 seater Cessna with my aunt as the pilot! Did a tour east and west along the Emerald Coast and got to see the Hilton resort from the air, as well as Seaside, which is the town that was constructed for the movie The Truman Show. I saw it from the ground last year, but it looks much more familiar from 1000ft! I backed out of the offer for my own flying lesson, though; I'm not quite ready for that yet!

Today my aunt took me to the driving range. I've never swung a golf club (outside of the mini putt), but I think I did pretty well after a short lesson! I actually hit the ball down the fairway a few times, tried out different clubs, and then on the green I managed to put 3 holes in one! My aunt says she's quitting the game now, I made her look bad. It was probably beginners luck. I do know that there are muscles in my back that I have never used before today. Tomorrow will be a painkiller day! We're going to go again on Monday, if the weather holds. Today was very windy, which didn't help my swing. The aunt has even said she might take me shopping for my own clubs, so when I do lessons this summer I won't have to rent or borrow hers (which aren't good for me and didn't help my aim today). I get why people find this fun! And I like a new challenge.

Tomorrow we are taking a rain day and driving out to Alabama (it's only 2 hours away) to tour the USS Alabama in mission. It's a huge museum complex and then there's a few other cultural things we might try out, depending on the weather.

Sunday there is a dog parade in the town centre and we are going out to a really good restaurant for dinner with Todd's family. Must go shop and find something to wear! We did a bit of shopping today. There's a great kitchen store here, so I bought some stuff for mum for xmas for the coach. Also, there's a great fitness clothes store, so I got some new things there (much cheaper than lulu!) which are proving very comfortable on the sunburn I managed to get. I sat outside by the pool this morning for an hour and a half and tanned, then went to the range and burnt! Oops! Must be more careful on Monday. Next two days of cloud will actually be a blessing.

But the great thing about this week? My aunt told me that I am going to England NO MATTER WHAT. Even mum admitted that her comment last year of 'if you don't get funding you aren't going' changed on Monday to, 'well, we'll see if we can help you out, but you better get something in second and third year'. My aunt was all 'don't care, you're GOING' which is FANTASTIC!!!

I'm off to England in September!

You remember how, when you were little, every week you wanted to be something new? One week it was a ballerina, the next a scientist, the next a singer, etc.?

And then you grew up and realised none of those things were ever going to happen and you had to get a real job. And then you figured out what it was you wanted to do for the rest of your working life and you were happy and content.

And then you pretty much realised that was never going to happen.

So, I'm like five again, and have gone through about five career options in the last week and they are all (to me) sounding like dreams of a five-year-old, except not because I could actually do them. At least in a universe where impossible things happen. I just don't think I can face disappointment again. Seriously, I'm used to rejection, but there's only so much a person can take.

1. Dive Instructor. Doable, if I can find the money. Also: island in the Caribbean. Or Australia.

2. Editor. Doable. Kind of not so interested.

3. Marketing. Somewhat doable with a lot more education. Could be museum related.

4. Project Manager. Do-ing. Well, as of May 19th. We will take this one course at a time and see. May go on to certification (when I find the money).

5.a Return to England. Mostly do-able. Yes, I count this as a job. It would lead to a retail/pub job, but at least I'd be in the UK.
5.b Go to New Zealand. Mostly do-able. Again, it'd be retail or hostel work or something. But, again, New Frakking Zealand. Maybe a Hobbit extra? Or some adventure sports assistant? I've always wanted to try white water rafting.

I'm not really partial to any of them, but I have until October to decide what I'm going to do with the next five or so years of my life.

I realize I have been sort of MIA this passed week. It was due to a massive funding bid project I was working on in a group of 10. It is now done. I haven't actually read it, but I've been told it's really good.

I have had a headache for 3, no 4 days now. It will not go away despite painkillers, scotch, and going to bed early (except last night). I need to be far away from my computer/desk for a while, but since I have a presentation (on said funding bid) on Tuesday, that's not going to happen.

Spending tomorrow in Nottingham will have to suffice. Museums and Cass here I come! (I apologize in advance if I'm kind of...blah tomorrow Cass)

I have a dissertation meeting in 10 days. There is so much I need to do for it. Stupid presentation! 10 days would be enough, but it's actually 5! And then there's the essay. That's due in 14 days. What was it on again? I have no idea. I'll write it the day before it's due I think. That gives me 3 days to research. No problem! Right.

I have class now. 'Presentation Skills'. This is going to go so badly and I am so tired I don't care. I finally took Carol's out last night and went to bed at 1:30 because I couldn't actually see straight much less think well enough to contribute. I woke up at 6:30. The gods hate me lately. That means I haven't slept passed 7am in 8 days!

Not going to Salsa this afternoon. I am going to nap.

And we did. Oh yes, we did! But we made it first.



So, it might have been a bribe-ish, but since we weren't getting marked, I'd call it allowed.

Sugar high! Spurred on by alcohol!

So, the Queen is arriving tomorrow with the Duke of Edinburgh to 'open' the University of Leicester's new library...

...piece of shit that it is. How can it be a library when it doesn't have any books?(of any use) Still, the Queen is coming, and I'm Canadian. And right now I am more proud of the fact that I'm part English and she's my Queen too then that I'm Canadian.

I truely hope Harper gives them all a sound beating, because it's no less then they deserve. I could deal with the Liberals, but my hatred for the NDP and the Bloc knows no bounds. Also, their views both terrify me. For the first time in my life, I'd rather be American.

Seriously you idiots, you should all be locked up for greed and stupidity, if not for betraying your own country.

AMY HAS A MASTERS DEGREE.

With a 64% average! That's a 2:1!

Or in this case, the insane MA student. That's right folks, Amy has moved bag and baggage (and my, was there a lot of that) to Leicester. Which is about as dead centre in the middle of England as one can get. Mind, I'm only an hour and a half from London!

Mom has departed (and landed in Toronto, according to the arrivals board, early...why does that never happen to me?). It was a good visit, all told, and we talked like we really never have. I think I've reached the point in my life I'm tired of sidestepping issues and want direct answers (what a concept). We sorted some things that needed to be sorted and didn't agree on others (what a shock), but I think we've come to an understanding, of sorts. I just think I lost more than I intended in the deal. And we didn't kill each other, though I was getting rather annoyed at her by yesterday. And hey, I still have THREE WEEKS to look forward to over xmas. If my aunt doesn't kill me first.

I am all settled into my room (middingly, it is both the same size as Exeter and yet smaller). The girl across the hall is Amee and she is from Peterborough...England. BRIT! There are 3 other rooms, but I suppose no one will move in until the weekend.

I have managed to figure out campus (even if I haven't figured out the registration process) and the library is all big and shiny. And there are clubs! and bars! and restaurants! and possibly jive! If my classes don't kill me, all will be well. (Right)

Leicester is an interesting city. It's a lot like Toronto or Vancouver, actually, because there are people from pretty much every country in the world that live here (the city is more multi-cultural than the university. Still, it means there are GREAT restaurants (I've had Indian twice this week!) and lots of diversity, which I like. Also, the city centre is HUGE. There is a mall the size of the Eaton Centre. And there are two others (older and smaller) and a 700 year old outdoor market that is open 12 months of the year. I will never be bored. Except when class starts.

I have made a promise to myself to get more involved in things this year so that I don't end up spending next summer bored out of my bloody mind because no one wants to do things with me.

Well, that's enough of my rambling. Time to get back to catching up on a week of missed TV and fanfic (I really am helpless without internet). However, should I get bored, I have two shiny new seasons of TV to watch on DVD! Plus the full series of How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria (Canada)! And I convinced mom that we must go see The Sound of Music in Toronto over xmas. Even if Janna didn't win...

Now I have to order another book from London. Gah! So, not quite going to be done before I leave for Scotland then.

I am watching The Tudors. Why am I watching The Tudors? I have a bloody essay to write!

I have "Springtime for Hitler" stuck in my head and it is all Jess' fault. Well, possibly a small part of the blame might rest on John Barrowman for looking that damn hot as a blond, but that's beside the point. Jess started it.

I am also dealing with a hangover that is not a hangover. It is not because I was in no way even tipsy last night. But it is, because there was alcohol involved. I'd just forgotten that wine and rum don't mix. I remember now. I feel fine, except that my brain just won't work properly (see afformention essay) and I feel like I always do after I eat too much. Blah.

The essay is at 3000 words. Which is a problem, because the minimum I can get away with is 3500, and even that's pushing it. And apparently HUSS is getting pissy about word counts this term, gods' know why.

Stupid song (brilliant song) get out of my head! Honestly, this is not the kind of song you want to be caught in public singing. I love the Producers.