Party time!

This weekend is my big party. I got all the food and had the house cleaned today before taking the kids to piano, tomorrow I'm buying booze and doing last-minute decorating before going to Rosie's Christmas party at school, and I'm grading papers and writing Christmas cards in between. Whew! So, a few years ago, pre-party, I remember writing a post about how I needed a chimenea for my party. I never bought one, and would love to have one before tomorrow. And some nice outdoor seating. Maybe I'll squeeze in a trip to Target or something for some plastic chairs. They'll go nice with the crystal wine glasses. We bought some fabulous food, Nicholas is making his famous guacamole, I got some of those decadent Sister Schubert rolls to make little honey baked ham sandwiches with, and some brie and crackers. And fabulous wine. Cause it's all about the food.




I'm also going to Michael Lachowski's annual Christmas party in Athens G-A this weekend, which I haven't been to in years. I am very excited, but also nervous that people I can't see will show up. If so it's okay, cause I am going to go with a man (still not sure who) and I'll be able to handle it, but still, it makes me sad. Paul and I loved Michael's parties. Blech.

Here's the 2004 party: Curtis, Heather, and our fearless host

Kathleen and Michael "I think I knew you 20 years ago" Stipe. This was the party where he actually said that...

The lovely Lynda, the handsome Curtis

Paul and Curtis, before the joke-telling extravaganza

Mr. Lilje and me

In other news, I'm almost finished with my chapter. I am meeting with Candace in early early January and give it to her. I may actually finish the PhD this year, as in 2009. How exciting is that? I've got a lot of work to do still, especially with teaching three classes again in the spring, but I'm going to try to squeeze the last drops of inspiration out of my poor brain before the end of spring semester. I'm becoming embarrassed at myself for taking so long; clearly it's time.

Of course all I can think about it what to wear... who knew there were so many choices? Though I suppose Emory will tell me which one I'm supposed to wear. I hope I get one of the fun little beret hats...

Dissurtayshun

I met with Candace today. She's my advisor. We had a long, serious discussion about me leaving the program. Lately I just haven't had it in me to finish (read: start) this goddamn dissertation. It's like a brick wall, and even when I feel good about it, and think I've got a clever idea as to how to approach the topic and possibly even write something, I just end up going in circles. Again.

So today I presented her with a plan that I worked out this past weekend. Or maybe it was last night. In any event, I narrowed down the topic, stripped away some stuff that it's just not possible for me to write about with any semblance of intelligence, and developed a method that I think will get me finished in six months, or damn near close. I told Candace, "I have to get a significant chunk of this done in the next six months, or throw in the towel completely." And she said "Don't throw in the towel completely. You've worked too hard. It's really not even an option." So being the good little advisee that I am, I didn't.

Now I feel confident and capable. I am going to tackle this with a vengeance, and even if I never end up teaching a single college course after this summer (I'm teaching summer school French 102....WHY???), by the end of the year you shall all have to call me.....drum roll, please....DR. HOUSE!!!! Only not as hot as the REAL Dr. House.

OH Greg. You do it for me, baby...