Johnny's proud.

Yesterday was an interesting day.
I woke up and got ready to head to London.
On the drive to London I heard a Johnny Cash song - I haven't listen to him since my dad's visitation. But I didn't turn the dial - rather I listened to it and took it as a sign that my father was with me and sending me good luck.
Good luck for what you ask?
I had a PhD interview and Western.
Upon driving to campus the parking lot I was going to park at was being reserved for a charity event - but as I turned the corner I saw a flash of black and red - I saw a pretty female walking down the road who I could not help but notice. I decided to honk my horn and pull over to the side of the road and take my chances she'd return the call. To my surprise she did. She approached slowly having no idea the driver of the car. She looked confused...and rightfully so - a stranger has beckoned her to stop along her path and seek who is inside. She took the risk - and obviously was pleasantly surprised when she saw that it was I sitting in the driver's seat. What are the random chances that I was going to run into Sharon, yes the Sharon on the side of the road? I didn't know she was in town - and she didn't know I was either. That is how two people know they are destined to be friends - when in life they have random meetings....as you see this was not our first, nor do I believe it will be the last. Some of my other favourite random Sharon-Paula runins --- First year undergrad... just finished writing Chemistry midterm - prof was going to post the marks less than an hour after writing. I was curious to know how I did. Sharon wanted to know the same as her two year old son was sick and she was unsure the next time she'd be able to come to town and make it to class. We sat in the hallway for about 20 minutes talking before the marks were posted. (I had previously recognized Sharon from Talon's 2nd bday in our Kin class, and from the first day of class in chem when she won a textbook... she did not know me, and even after this conversation it would turn out she wouldn't recall the runin! hahaha... but the next year she was in my kitchen through no effort of my own!). About two years ago while driving along the 401 heading in the Eastbound lanes...drove up along side Ms. Sabourin... yeah what are the odds of that one? hahaha
Anyway ---
I did run into a bunch of other people on campus throughout the day and evening - that was really nice - because I can't run into friends on Windsor campus! You need to have friends there for that to happen! hahahah.
I had a lovely dinner with John, went and saw Pat play a set with Adam and Irene, visited my friend from Windsor who is now doing his PhD at Western... and Tommy S and I had a few random bump-ins. Definitely didn't get to see a few faces I would have liked too - but my interview also went almost 5 hours long - that takes up a decent chunk of your day - especially when there is also the 2 our drive there and back...there goes 9 hours of the day!
Thats right - I said that I drove back to Windsor that day too.
Here's the funny part....on a different radio station - I heard Johnny Cash again. And what I was listening to ended with "Johnny would be proud"....I like to think that was my dad's way of telling me that he's proud... and even if its not - and it had nothing to do with my dad - I don't care - I'm going to think of it as that anyway.

I hate goodbyes.

I got bit by an earwig.
You read that right - I said an earwig... and it bit me....on the finger.
I saw an earwig in the house - I hit it with the side of my hand to stop it from running away, mission accomplished. I didn't have a tissue nearby and I didn't want it to disappear if I left and came back for it - so I decided I'd just pick the little guy up and escort it to the toilet myself. He had other plans. He bit me! It really hurt! What do you do if an earwig bites you? I don't know.
So I called my mom, the RN.
I was to wash it in alcohol...and put a specific cream on it.
So as an FYI - if you see an earwig - don't pick it up...at least not with your skin exposed... they bite and it hurts.
In other news - tomorrow morning I have to say goodbye to Billy. I'm quite upset about this. Billy (my car) was purchased when I lived in Whitby. He made the move. He joined me a Western. He came with me to Windsor. My dad has drove Billy. My dad also rode in Billy. Billy brought my home when I found out my dad died. I spent many hours just me and Billy as he safely brought me to several destinations. I'd talk to Billy, we'd sing... most of the time he was my home away from home... I lived with Billy and spent more time with him than I probably did living in a house. I didn't get a choice in the matter of giving up Billy. I didn't get to do research as to who my new riding companion would be....and as you should know by now I absolutely am no good with change. I get that Billy is just a car - and cars break, and need to be replaced - and most people would be excited or thrilled at getting a new car - and I get that the new car will come with new memories and such - there's just been too much change in the last year and I'm just not good at putting on a smile and pretending like everything is ok - because it isn't. But that is life. We shall move on. Hopefully towards better times, to always look back fondly on the past and smile with the memories never to forget.

Satisfactory....

Jen, Sharon.... and others who may care that read this...

The proposal is now complete... it was a bit entertaining - but complete.

At the beginning I got tongue tied and thanked my family for being there - yet no relatives were in attendance - hahaha - I'm a loser.

But the presentation went fine - some people feel asleep (for example on my advisors).... but it was ok... and the questioning period for the most part was a discussion - and when I understood the question I answered the question - when I didn't understand the question - I danced around the answer.... but I survived - no big deal -- few sligth changes - once again - not a big deal (or so I'm told)...

So a passed.... thats my story, and I'm sticking to it

Needing more than superman to make it through Friday

I had to go to Diary Queen tonight.
I didn't deserve to go to DQ - but I needed to go.
Yesterday I had to plan a bunch of O-Week stuff for the newbies (Scrubs reference) coming to Grad school in HK at Windsor. Which was fine - and I obviously was doing this as I tend to have an issue telling people no.
However, I wasn't the smartest choice for the job.
1) they asked me to set up a base/soft-ball game....I haven't picked up a bat since I was seven I'm pretty sure. But I booked a field, rented equipment, and got people to show up. I was ok in the field but horrible up to bat... but I wasn't really trying because I didn't want to get in the "competitive" mind set - I wanted to stay relaxed and have fun - which usually means I'm not playing well....but havign fun nonetheless
2) I'm not from Windsor - nor did I do my undergrad here, thus I do not know the managers or door guys or have contacts in general for people who work at the bars - but I managed to pick a spot for a Tuesday night that went well - people showed up and I think everyone had a good time.
3) I propose my thesis this week....that means I have a lot of other things to worry about rather than running around doing o-week stuff.
After going to bed at 3am because I was up doing work after a return from the bar outing.. I had to get up early to have a jam packed full day of stuff - and still wasn't very successful at getting done what I need to for today - so its going to eb another long night I think....
I just need to remember to breathe --- but I'm definitely wishing I was still at Sharon's parents place sitting around the table drinking 7 year old Cuban rum and playing what ever card game people want to play....