The Ramblings of Austgen

Again, the day for the turning of the calender is here. I think back to this same time last year. Much has changed since then. And I can only think that the next year will be better. The science is really coming along. I passed my comprehensive exam, the second part. Have to finish the rewrite next month, but that shouldn’t be to bad. Have another abstract deadline, but I think I can get something done with that next week. So, things are looking good. At least, at work. I don’t recall if I said earlier, but I’m in the hallway now, with T, so I don’t have near the privacy that I did. And I miss my door too.

Christmas was utterly relaxing. Slept too much, ate too much, won $7 at the casino. Good times. The offical niece talks up a storm, repeating everything you say. Good thing happening next month is the final elder cousin is getting married, so the whole clan will be there….YEAH!!!

Things with the girl are, well, not really going anywhere as she still not here. Spending new years out west in the hinterland. But patience shall save us all….or something like that.

New Year’s at the House of JERK (their name, not mine)….if I didn’t live so damn far away….

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The winter blues…don’t really have them (gottcha with that title). But I tell ya, I’ve been busy. Wednesday, had my seminar for the department. Friday my dissertation proposal was do. The seminar was suppose to be 45 minutes, covering the inital stages of my research. Well, I went 47, and remember most of what I wanted to say. I don’t think I wowed anyone, but enough to please the right people…I hope. As for the proposal, I think that will please the committee as well. I may have been a bit weak on the hypotheses, but I believe that the rationale was sound. I get to defend it on Wednesday and there’s a faculty meeting afterwards, so it should only last a few hours.

One downside to me working so much….if it wasn’t for Thanksgiving, I think I’d put in 60-70 hours a week for six week, was that I really haven’t gotten to do a whole much. Hung out with Dana Sedai tonight for the first time in ages….saw “the lion, the witch, the wardrobe, and the kitchen sink”. Dug it…dug it hard. Any movie that features a harpy is awesome in my book. I need to go read all the books, though….can’t figure why an interdimensional portale would be in the back of an oak closet.

However, in reply to my last work, where I bemoaned my lack of companionship, I actually got off my duff and did something about it. For descreetness (is this speled rite???), I won’t reveal her name….only refer to her as “the girl”…something may be there, but it’s early. I’ll see what happens into the new year. ROOMIE PRIME is still going strong, and ROOMIE ALPHA has a feller in her sights (she’s with RIGHT NOW!!!). ROOMIE OMEGA may be in dire straights with her feller…but time will tell. All may be well in the HOUSE OF AWESOME…for once. If we all survive the New Year, it may call for one hum-dinger of a Valentine’s Day.

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