The Truth About Cats and Dogs in Black and White

I do indeed deserve a slap on the wrist and perhaps a good-natured kick in the ass. Obviously the novelty of this easy peasy lemon sqeezy blog thing has dissipated. I hereby resolve to improve my posting in frequency and content and to actually follow through on this photo/illustration Friday bit. That said, this will not likely happen for two weeks. I must turn my complete thesis into my committee on June 23rd which begs the question, what the hell am I doing sitting in front of blogger and not a dreadfully long document full of BS. Obviously, I prefer informal clever, witty, and often dry banter to social scientific mumbo-jumbo and statistical reporting. So I suppose an update is order.

First, I am alive and after my first week back on the block, I have not had one sore muscle, just a little muscle fatigue. Way to go Mr. Pratt. But now I feel it necessary to complain that my gym finds it necessary to close at 9pm on weekends - which - I do not like but can appreciate the pressure and competition from the newbie big box fitness operations in the city.

Second, As I said two weeks to go on the thesis front. Four chapters are edited and ready to submit leaving me with one and a half to go over the next 2 weeks - do-able. And I have at least two external examiners arranged, which technically I am not really supposed to be involved with but as things tend to only get done when i get involved, I submitted a list of my favourites with full contact information. And the two that I have...big wigs - destined to be highly critical of my work and both referrenced in my work. Can you say "jitters?"

Third, I am now a Newfoundlander on EI. A well deserving one. I paid my dues. I applied late as I thought I would not qualify while I am a student but argued the case that I have been working full-time while doing my research and looking, desperately I might add, for a job. And by the way, the wasn't a jab at fisherman, well not really. Many make a fortune during their seasonal employment and own millions in assets. I work as a heritage presenter and have been lucky to make it this far on my earnings. Oh yes, and I have ZERO assets, unless you count good hair. Don't get on my case about this one, I am the last person to throw everyone in the same pot. And I certainly sympathise with a dying fishery, this I do know something about.

Fourth, While EI is certainly not a sustainable form of income for me, I am moving out of my folks basement. If you did not know, I have been living there off and on through my Masters program. I have spent most of my time living in a National Park so there was really no good reason for me to secure my own place in the city. Well it was a sacrifice to maintain my financial sanity, and now that the thesis WILL be complete in two weeks, so has my semi-free ride. This will of course mean substantial fiscal restraint and stellar money management. The plan, really, is that with three degrees now, a job must be lurking around the corner.

Stay tuned for more madness.