OhCrapOhCrapOhCrap.

I'm down to 148 days.

So, I lost half of October trying to get the IP that I'm going to be working with. This was theoretically supposed to be quicker than designing my own device, but right now, I'm a little dubious about that fact.

Today, I made the mistake of actually thinking about what needs to be done before the magical March 28th date and I realized that if I use most of March preparing to defend and making the final adjustments to the dissertation, I have only November to the end of February to finish up. Traditionally, December hasn't been productive...so yikes!

So, it looks like there are going to be many, many long days and nights.

Wish me luck.

OneHundredandSixtyFive.

I'm in a bit of denial. It seems that regardless of what I do, time goes forward. I think I'm going to take some time out of my research to figure out how to stop time so I can get more stuff finished.

Help

As I was leaving the office yesterday, some janitors were looking for an obscure room on our floor. I helped them find the room, not thinking much about it, and began to walk away. To my surprise, they thanked me profusely as I left. It struck me as odd that they would be so appreciative of such a simple gesture. I had walked down the hall with them and couldn't even give them access to the room.

Image from The Autism News

In Japan and Germany this last year, I was at the mercy of strangers several times. The Japanese, in particular were very helpful. There is an odd feeling to suddenly being non-verbal and illiterate, relying only on gestures. In every case, though, whichever random person we "asked" for help was extremely helpful, going as far as to lead us to the place we were going. The Germans were also immensely helpful, but I was more able to communicate verbally and I had the luxury of being able to decipher some signs. Fortunately the primary concern has been limited to directions and the odd train announcement.

手伝ってもらえませんか。

Hilfe

We (Americans as a whole) have this horrible habit of avoiding answering the call to help. We pass by the homeless, we avoid eye contact to avoid any obligation. Why should we expect any different treatment?

Perhaps this is why the janitors were so grateful.

Clown Car

184

I spent today cramming myself and four others into a Dodge Neon. Three adults (one pregnant) and two children of car seat age. I got the back with my feet on the hump between said car seats. Comfy. We only did the in/out part about 6 times. By the end, we were pretty good at it.

I think I became less scary to the kids throughout the day; I got a sloppy kiss from Gracie and a g'night high-five from Ezra. We played rocket ship, sang songs, did some hair (very curly baby hair), played with one of the coolest marble toys I've ever seen, and drooled over some shoes (Grace: literally, me: figuratively).

I'm on my second day with no work. I've decided to head back to reality a day early. It seems the right thing to do.

Miscounting

I think I'm at 186.

Today's post goes to a memory, actually several memories...only one I think I'll share...

First, a memory of getting ready for the finale of the Lawrence County 4-H fashion review in 1996. This was my last year in 4-H and the year I was supposed to "win it all". Whatever. I had made two outfits: a tailored coat and a formal dress (a number made from a velvet floral pattern with see through stuff between and a red shiny velvet train). When it came time for announcing the winner, I put on the dress. Mom came in and told me to put on the coat. I argued with her that I needed to wear the dress because the dress was what was going to win. She insisted that I wear the coat.

I understand now how this all happened, but she was right that I needed to be wearing the coat because I had won grand champion for construction but "only" reserve-grand in modeling for the dress. I was able to take both garments to the state level where the coat got special mention and the dress, well, didn't. I did well with the dress (top 15), but two other girls in the top 15 had used the same pattern and it just wasn't as special.

Why is it that I never took the time to listen to Mom and believe that she somehow knew what was going on? I look today at how the world works and realize that the important people are informed one way or another about what's going to happen so they can facilitate what needs to happen. Sometimes it's hard to identify when something more than the obvious is going on.

189

After 11 hours of fairly solid sleep, I managed to get out and be social some this afternoon. I still need to finish my presentation, but it's fairly close.

The big adventure for today involved a three-ish mile hike up a mountain. It was fairly easy terrain but had a decent slope.

I had plans to write several things, but now I can't remember them and my eyes are having problems staying open.

So, yeah, sleep.

Travel

190

Conference is this week. I traveled today and I'm coming onto 24 hours of being awake with several more to go...like maybe another 12. I'm sooo happy that I brought a heavier jacket. It's actually fall here. and cold.

Anyway, Thursday is the big day for my talk. It can't come soon enough. Just wanna get it over with.