I think I have just called almost every single person in my phone book. I started off calling Judy, followed by Doug; next I called Roger and Jen, and then home to Australia. After that I called Katie and next Mike G. I only got a hold of a few of them, but it's nice to know that I can leave a message and let people know I am thinking of them. I guess it's the audio equivalent of a postcard.
Last week the muscle study meant I had to have a blood draw at 7 am, so the early start really kicked my arse. I was productive because it was so early in the morning, but I was tired by mid-evening. I have been busy attending my biochemistry lectures, they have occurred been a good way to recap on new discoveries which have occurred since I took the course ten years ago, as well as to refresh other areas of chemistry which I have not covered in a long time. I am doing well on the weekly quizzes, and having fun.
I've also bleached my hair, and it is now a bright coppery colour. I haven't bleached my hair since about maybe 1998 I think, which was back when my hair was very short. Now that it is long, the colour is striking, but not too disagreeable. I intend to go blonde with a secondary bleaching in another week or two, so that I can subsequently go bright pink and then later bright purple. To complement my crazy hair, I also got my eyebrow piercing put back in. I took it out about a year ago because of the possibility of interviews, as well as the impending surgery. All of this is probably a reflection of wanting to do some crazy stuff before I have to be a boring academic.
The next 6 months are going to be a busy and crazy time. I just booked an airline ticket back to Australia that will have me departing mid-May and returning mid-June, with both connections going through San Francisco. I haven't been home in over two years, and many people don't realize how much I miss my friends, parents and siblings back in Australia. Kadie and I are currently discussing going to Portland for Pride celebrations around June 17-19, which would also allow me to catch up with Laura. Then in mid-July I'd hit Rhode Island for a conference, followed by a possible trip to Gen-Con in Indianapolis in early August. Followed by moving to Arizona in mid-August. I have to start classes in late August, but I'm very tempted to make a whirlwind trip to Burning Man in late-August and early September.
Of course this all depends on me being busy and productive this semester, since I'm here on the ground and I personally want to show that I am a kick-ass post-doc. :) I have a few different people in the lab at the moment, and having them in makes me feel more focussed.
On my personal front, Kadie and I are doing ok. Nothing really new has developed there, except that I am trying to make her feel more self-confident. I watched "The L-Word" this Sunday with Syd, Faith, Tessa, Kadie and myself at Robin and Dee's house. It was fun, but when we got home, Kadie collapsed in a sobbing heap saying that she felt “invisible” because she doesn't know how to interact around queer women. I did my best, and offered her encouragement, but how much can I do?
In other news, Bonnie will take her preliminary oral exam on Monday. This will determine if they will let her into the Ph.D. program. I am sure that she will pass with flying colours, but I am wishing her lots of luck nonetheless. I have not talked to her very much of late because I didn't wish to interrupt her studies. I believe she and Lauren are still happily together, and that she has a new fedora!
The weather here is cold and windy. There has not been any real snow for several weeks, but I expect that the town will get one last dump before the end of the winter. I am trying to keep up with my running, but life seems to keep getting in the way. I am also lusting after a Fujtsu Lifebook PD7210, so expensive and yet so very nice. With my start up money I should be able to buy one for work.