oops

In the academic world, "success" is measured by number of publications, number of presentations at conferences, number of poster displays at conferences, etc. I have been fortunate in this regard, as I have had many opportunities through my job to contribute to publications, posters, etc., which will look really good on my Curriculum Vitae (like a resume except it's for academics), and increase my chances of getting into graduate school.

Well, I had an opportunity last fall to be the first author (the order of the authors tells you who gets the real credit) on a submission to the Society for Research in Adolescence for a presentation (way better than just a poster) for their annual conference in San Francisco this year. After being reviewed and critiqued by people who know a whole lot more than I do in this field, it was accepted! Woo hoo! I'm going to San Francisco to do a Presentation in front of people who know a whole lot about the topic i'll be speaking on!

I got an email from my previous thesis supervisor this week (a co-author on the presentation), telling me about travel and accomodation plans, etc., so I went to check the dates of the conference to see about plane ticket prices, etc. Guess what i realized?

The conference is the same weekend as Anthony's Sister's wedding, in which I'm playing piano. Yup, March 23 - 27. ACK! I hate it when i double book myself.

so tired, but such a good weekend. more to come, once i get some sleep so i can actually get my words out in the right order to make any sense.

I am thankful...

that I live in a country of democracy.

that I can actively and freely participate in this democracy without fear of threats, violence or sanctions, regardless of which platform I support.

that I live in a country where things like social care, health care, and child care support exist - even though each party has its own opinion on how they should operate, and most individuals have their own dissenting views on these issues too.

that I live in a country that gives each and every citizen an equal say (1 vote) in today's outcome, regardless of their position or influence in society, socio-economic status, ethnicity, religious beliefs, etc.


Really, we have it very good in Canada, regardless of which party forms the next government.

help me! my brain is turning to mush!

I just spent the last two hours with a group of students and academics, discussing the idea that conscious will is an illusion.

The trick is, it was from a philosophical and psychological perspective, with little if not no room for matters of faith, the spiritual realm, and the heart.

It's sad that the one thing that could provide some answers and some clarity in such a discussion would likely be so quickly dismissed by scientific academics as subjective fluff.

On another note, please pray for the professor in my department who found out s/he may not have much longer on this earth due to an illness. I do not know many details, nor is it appropriate for me to write more if I did know. But He knows....

One of the best feelings in the world

is leaving work with your desk organized and your to-do list ready to go for the next morning.

With me not being a morning person at ALL, this helps me get a good start the next day, instead of mumbling around in my foggy brain state trying to figure out what i have to do.

here's to everyone having a relaxing evening tonight and a productive day tomorrow!

Well, at least it's in the Top 3....

You scored as Engineering. You should be an Engineering major! Engineering 92% Anthropology 83% Psychology 75% Mathematics 67% Journalism 67% Philosophy 58% Sociology 50% English 50% Linguistics 50% Dance 33% Chemistry 33% Biology 25% Theater 25% Art 25% What is your Perfect Major? (PLEASE RATE ME!!<3) created with QuizFarm.com

That's the last time I ever give my testimony...

"It was the custom in Ancient Rome for the men to place their right hand on their testicles when taking an oath. The modern term 'testimony' is derived from this tradition."

A little tidbit via Randall...original source link and a bunch of other tidbits are on his site....

hmmm....

Researcher: Early Man Was Hunted by Birds

ok, based on the above linked article, I sure do have a different conclusion than this "researcher".

I would assume that this child was perhaps snatched by a predatory bird who then did birdlike things to its prey. Does this then necessarily mean that these birds HUNTED early man? Or perhaps they just grabbed a convenient meal - it doesn't mean that this was ordinary behaviour for the birds.

And to base such a sweeping generalization on one case??? yikes. Maybe he should become a politician or political critic! Some of them seem to be very good at sweeping generalizations based on single incidents and sketchy facts too!

Man, is it ever nice out there!

Exactly one year ago, it was -40 with the windchill. Today it was -1.

i love it. especially for the walk to work.

Apparently, I don't exist...

So, there's this thing called the election coming up, and every registered voter is supposed to receive a voter card via mail. Anthony's came about 3 weeks ago, and at the time, mine wasn't with it - but i didn't think much of it, and expected it to come shortly.

Well, it has not yet come, and so last night when the phone number for elections canada came onto the tv screen during an ad, i picked up the phone and called. They transferred me to my local returning officer, and she went to look up my information.

not there.

She asked if i had moved recently, and so I gave her my old address on Cumberland....

not there.

She asked if I had been married recently - i said not recently, about 3 years ago....so she got my maiden name, looked under it,

not there.

finally, she looked up other old addresses of mine in combination with my maiden name,

not there.

Funny thing is, I voted in the last federal election which was not that long ago, and I always check "yes" for that little box on my tax return asking if they can share my info. with elections canada.

So i don't know where i went, but according to them, i'm not anywhere i am supposed to be. I guess i'll have to go find myself now....

The past few mornings

on my walk to work, i have felt a bit like i'm in Narnia during the reign of the White Witch.

it's beautiful out there!