And Things Keep Going....

I've finished the first draft of my thesis proposal. I'm doing some final proofreading and changes and will send it to my adviser tomorrow. It feels really good to at least have a completed draft to work with, even though I know it's not perfect and I'm sure many changes will be added before I actually propose. I just don't feel like as much of a bum anymore, having a 25-page document in my hand to show the work I've actually been doing.

On Tuesday, I'm leaving for New Orleans for a conference with a professor and an undergraduate student from the Behavioral Sciences Department here at Tech. It's the week before Mardi Gras, so it should be a pretty entertaining trip. I went down there for a different conference around this time last year. My mom went with me then and we had a blast. I look forward to getting out of town for a while, even if it is only to go to Louisiana. It will be cool to hang out with people from the department for a few days and have some fun in a place that isn't Russellville, AR. A change of scenery is all I need every once in a while.

I think the excitement/stress I've begun to associate with getting ready to move is actually starting to catch up with me. I had a dream the other night... a very vivid dream... in which Kris and I flew to Seattle to find a place to live. Upon leaving the airport, which, strangely enough was located RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of downtown Seattle, I looked around and realized that the city was NOTHING like I remembered it and was, in fact, identical to Chinatown in San Francisco. As we wandered through shops and chatted with locals, I also noticed that Kris was toting a suitcase and a messenger bag in addition to her purse; I, however, had only a bag full of books. I had completely forgotten to pack any clothes at all for the trip. As I searched for garments to wear during my stay, I couldn't find anything, not even a t-shirt, for under $100. I ended up having to spend ALL of my travel money on clothing, leaving me with nothing for food or lodging or deposits on a place to live. I was panicked and depressed and felt completely hopeless. But I guess it all worked out.... because later, in a different dream (or a continuation of this first one... I'm really not sure...), I was walking through the Pike Place Market, looking through the shops and admiring the fresh produce and crafts made by the locals, when I ran into Robin Pecknold (lead singer for Fleet Foxes who happens to be from Seattle... in case you're not familiar with the name). I knew who he was in my dream, but didn't let him know I knew. I just approached him like he was a normal, every day guy that I just wanted to chat with. We quickly fell into easy conversation and started walking together through the market. He later informed me that he had to meet some friends back at his place and asked if I would like to come along and meet them. Of course I accepted. When we arrived at his apartment, I was absolutely thrilled when he opened the door and there sat the other members of Fleet Foxes. I was introduced and took a place on the couch, where I remained for the rest of the dream, chatting with this group of amazing musicians and in complete awe of my luck. Needless to say, I woke up with a combination of feelings. Worried about all of the things that I could forget or mess up if I don't plan well... but totally excited about the idea of meeting new people in a big, new place (now, don't think that I expect to meet Robin Pecknold walking through the market or anything like that... although, I wouldn't object to it. I just don't think the odds are in my favor on that one). It's so rare that I remember dreams. I just thought those were kind of interesting.

I graduate on May 16. Kris and I fly to Seattle on May 22. We plan on moving by the end of June. With each passing day, I feel more hopeful about my future. While I have an insane amount of work to do before I get my master's degree, I feel confident in my ability to accomplish these things. I'm so driven to succeed in this so I can move that it feels as though nothing can stand in my way. I won't let it. I'm so ready to move. So ready to be in the city I love. So ready to meet new people and make new friends (not that I don't love my friends here... I do. More than they'll ever know...). So ready to be surrounded by something other than fundamentalist attitudes EVERYWHERE I turn. So ready to be closer to the music scene and the bands I love. So ready to have more options for my future. So ready to be nearer to the Pacific and the mountains. I know I'm going to miss my family and friends when I leave and I'll probably even feel nostalgia toward Arkansas from time to time. It's time for a change, though. And it's been a long time coming.

Stuff I'm currently listening to and loving:

J. Tillman- Vacilando Territory Blues, I Will Return, and Minor Works. All GREAT albums. I checked this guy out after I started listening to Fleet Foxes. He's their drummer but has a solo career as well. His stuff is really great for the end of a stressful day, when you just need to wind down. He has a really soothing voice... in my opinion, anyway.

The Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack- It's up for best film score at the Academy Awards on Sunday. It's already won at the Golden Globes. It's really beautiful and compliments the movie in so many good ways. "O...Saya," which features MIA, is really awesome, especially if you listen to it in a car with a really good sound system... and "Jai Ho" will make you want to get up and dance.

Barcelona- A friend of mine gave me the songs "First Floor People," "Get Up, Get Up, Get Up," and "It's About Time" recently by this band called Barcelona. I can't get enough of these guys. Really heartfelt lyrics and music that reminds me of Keane... and sometimes Coldplay... and, on occasion, the bass lines of the Killers.

"The Sun Giant" EP, by Fleet Foxes- "Mykonos" is amazing. You never heard more perfect harmonies in folk music. That's all I'm going to say.

"Prospekt's March" EP, by Coldplay- They've simply added more to some songs from "Viva la Vida" and thrown in a few pieces that didn't make the cut for the full album. It's good stuff, though. The Jay-Z remix of "Lost" is particularly interesting... and well done, in my opinion.

The library's closing in 10 minutes and I will be run out soon enough. I'll try to update a bit from New Orleans in the upcoming week.

Peace.