notes from the front lines

Dissertation draft: completed.

Beginning editing today.

It only took threats of physical harm and my most deep-seeded fears coming true to get me to kick it into high-gear and write the last 7,000 words this week. Um, that's what friends are for?

But seriously. They're great. The friend that threatened me also supplied me with cupcakes, so how bad could it really be?

I also went to the Edinburgh Book Festival with a buddy so that she could see Garth Nix speak...and so that we could generally nerd out at the bookishness of the whole thing. A much-needed break. Also there were burritos! (They're rare here, okay? Stop looking at me like I'm crazy).

Greg's family was also in town last week, and I got to spend a wonderful day hanging out with them, daydreaming about the wedding, walking around the city, taking in some modern art...generally catching up. Seeing Greg with his family makes my heart so happy. It was the best.

And I've been camped out at another friend's kitchen table pretty much all week-- which, as it turns out is much better than my desk--partially because I can no longer think with 30-odd books piled up round my ears, partially because they always invite me to eat dinner with them, and mostly 'cause it's good banter when we're all slowly losing it over our dissertations :)

So, it's really not so bad out here on the front lines of dissertation-writing.

Other than the mild panic that's setting in.

But it's mostly over having to be out of my flat at 10 am on Friday and not having anywhere to go (except for my friends' couch. Seriously, THANK goodness for these ladies.) That's another story for another time, but if you'd like to know about the illegal practices of one particular registered Glasgow landlady from whom I nearly rented, I'm happy to provide a name for you! (hmph.)

Anyhow. I'm off to print and edit this dang draft. Lord willing, I'll be done editing on Monday, and by Tuesday, it'll be out of my hands, leaving me with TWO glorious days to pack up my life and move it...um...elsewhere.

Here we go.