Conferences and a concert
Saturday, Oct. 05, 2024 - 9:33 am.

Andrew and I spent most of our week out of town at a Psych Conference. We boarded a bus on Tuesday past noon, and came back yesterday at around 6 pm.

The trip was really nice: the city was less lame than we expected (is at least as lame as our own); the hotel was comfortable with a good breakfast; we went out for coffee, meals or drinks with friends and colleagues who also attended the conference; and we ran into undergrad students who were really thrilled to be there.

The days before the trip I was angry, however, I was very moody. It turned out that deep down I was just scared. Last time we left our home for a few days, our ginger cat died in a way that could've been prevented if we'd been here (he probably wouldn't even have been in danger had we stayed). Now I was scared to leave our older cat Marla with our new cat, Lando. He chases her around, so she could either get stressed or hurt, or not eat, drink water nor use the littler box due to him pestering her.

But Andrew got two people to come check on the cats. A friend in the morning (the one who could've also saved Nico's life had we asked him to come), and one of our vets in the afternoon. We had to leave Marla in our bedroom so she could live her life peacefully, and they'd come and let her roam around our apartment under their watchful eye. I'm happy to report that both cats were safe and sound by the time we arrived yesterday evening.

I'm exhausted, but it was a great trip. Our first great trip since we thought our lives would change but didn't. I used to think that this would be our first trip with Sun, but save for a thought or two, I didn't think -nor felt- much of it while we were out. I got a bit heartbroken and tearful about him and about Nico last night, but thankfully it passed.

There's still a bisexual research conference I have to attend this weekend, I'm presenting too! But this one's online.

I'm torn right now between having a life and catching up with a bit of work. I'm very tired but also motivated with some things that are coming up.

Speaking of coming up: We're seeing Paul McCartney next Friday! That's another trip we're taking that entails leaving the cats alone, as we have to take a plane to the capital city. But we'll come and go in 24 hours.

I saw Paul McCartney my first year here. I was a huge Beatles fan for years, but coming where I come from, I never thought I'd ever see one of them (the two that remained) live. I did see one, though, and later on I went to Liverpool with Andrew several times during our PhD. And now I get a second show.

Now, about this concert... this is the first trip we planned when we realized our lives were supposed to change but didn't. If we're gonna be a DINK (double income, no kids) couple, then we might as well live like one.

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