Well folks, we are officially 6 days from the San Francisco presentation for AEJMC and I am sitting in a coffee shop close to campus procrastinating some more on getting the final version of the presentation done. My favorite coffee place, i.e. the one I am sitting in, is located on the main street that runs alongside UT’s Western border so there is plenty of people watching and puffy white clouds to distract me from getting work done. Alas, the coffee is very strong and delicious so I should have some energy to get things done shortly.
In other news, Grace, Galit and I made a trip down to Barton Springs last night at 9 PM. Entry is free after 9 PM … the only disadvantage being there is no sun to warm you up after taking a dip in the frigid water (62 degrees year round!). The ladies brought swim caps and I laughed loudly as I watched them try to get situated. It was almost as humorous as listening to Grace quietly cuss in Portugese as she got into the water. And, of course, once we were all swimming, I proved to myself once and for all that there is nothing like taking a nice swim at night, in a completely spring fed pool with a view of the Austin skyline. Next time I will be testing by diving board skills … I’m hoping some of my old moves come back to me ;).
So, now I must go get to work and stop daydreaming about swimming and all things fabulous in San Francisco. This weekend brings a birthday party at my place, some time to get crafty, and the completion of the presentation. Oh my, it sounds like I am getting back to a normal life indeed!
On a somewhat breezy yet hot night in late July in Austin, I am writing from my new office setup at the house. It was a much needed change and I am quite content in my new, decidedly girly southern gothic surroundings. Much has happened since my last post … a cousin’s wedding, my grandmother’s funeral, a summer school stats class, the completion of two very long papers, several excellent concerts, countless dog walks, a few dips in Barton Springs, and many delicious meals. To say the least, it has been an interesting couple of months around the Bright family … here are a few things I have learned along the way:
- When going on a family “vacation”, pack an extra since of humor … or two, or three … you will need to start unpacking them by day two.
- There is something magical about a tumultous thunderstorm on a hot Summer day and I absolutely never tire of them.
- If you’re having a bad day and all else fails, have a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich and a fizzy drink to make yourself feel better.
- When reason doesn’t work, kill them with kindness.
- The phrase ‘Life is for the living.’ is one of the most comforting things to think of when someone passes away.
- Some mistakes are too fun to only make once.
- Watching the World Cup with a Brazilian soccer fan is hilarious fun.
- Sometimes the best thing to do is just sit back and watch your brain work out all of your fascinating contradactions and see what wins.
- The only thing consistent in life is change so it is a good thing to know how to manage.
- The Clash really is one of the best bands of all time.
- And, last but not least: how to conduct experiments, analyze data, and interpret results for experiments containing more than 2 groups :).
So, we know for sure that Summer school paid off … as for the rest, we’ll just have to see. For now, I must prepare a presentation for a conference in San Francisco next week. Grace and I are presenting and my Mom is coming to join us so it should be a fabulous time. We’ll get to see Greg and Beth Anne, shop, eat good food, and drink wine … sounds like just what I need right now. To boot, my horoscope has advised that it’s high time for me to untame myself … (insert cat noise here) … woohoo!