it's awfully rainy outside

it's a miserable spring day here in england. dark and drizzly. perfect for keeping me hunched over my desk, typing away at a chapter and sipping mint tea. once i finish this chapter (please god let it be this week!), i'll be half done with my doctorate. ok. that just means half done writing it. the editing process will be horrific. but i'll burn that bridge when i come to it.

to cover the pitter-patter of raindrops on my windows (a sound that makes me long to nap), i'm listening to dar williams and a wonderful mixed CD that julie-marie made for me. both are making me smile but also reminding me how much i miss you all. i can't wait for july in san francisco.

i had all sorts of interesting things to say this morning when i woke up. they've left me now, so i'll revert to rants about current affairs.

1) i simply cannot believe that the conclave picked cardinal ratzinger to be the new pope. at the same time, i think if any office can change a person for the better, it's the papacy. i wouldn't be able to sleep, worrying about all those souls under my care.

2) speaking of boats, i got the model yaght to st louis safely. i even wore a white collared shirt on the journey, and managed not to get it dirty at all. i did, however, spend a hefty amount on taxis and sky-caps. my dad took one look at the box and said, "UPS can take that the rest of the way to spokane." i'm glad we're not farmers or anything.

3) speaking of farmers, i'm about to finish the most boring novel ever written: knut hamsun's growth of the soil. yes, i love it. yes, it makes me cry. no, i don't recommend reading it.

4) speaking of books, i'm counting down the days to harry potter 6.

5) speaking of potter, i want to hear all about julie's weird dark side of the moon-esque harry potter thing.

6) speaking of the wedding (see number 2, above), the wedding last weekend was wonderful. and i didn't get a nosebleed at this one (though i am wearing the nosebleed sweater from that JVC wedding as i type. it's become my lay around the house sweater, a must for any graduate student). apparently my toast was quite good. i don't remember it. because i was nervous, not because i was drunk.

7) speaking of nervous, i should get back to work.

love you all,
A