Date: 2007-12-11
To: Crunch time
Miles today: 0.0

Somehow I mistakenly thought that the concept of "crunch time" went out the window when I graduated, but I've just realized that the principle is bound to stick to a person with a tendency to procrastinate. Now I have to study for (a six week commitment) and complete a GRE examination on January 25, apply to six graduate schools (this in itself involves filling out lengthy applications to graduate schools and Library/Information Science departments, begging people to fill out six different recommendation forms and writing six purpose statements, and crossing my fingers hoping I don't get rejected from six different schools in turn), plan a rough itinerary for my AT hike, and plan a few mail drops in which I will deposit the maps that I have yet to buy.So I started making to-do lists. I got a really pretty binder with pictures of flowers on it. And a butterfly silhouette. No one has ever said that I am not easily amused.I decided to apply to MLIS grad schools with online degree programs for fall 2008. If the statistic that only 10% of intended thru-hikes are successful is accurate, it seemed silly to wait around for Spring 2009 to begin my graduate studies on behalf of a silly 10%. And if I am in that victorious 10%....it just means that I will have to walk faster, or with fewer days off. I dunno. I guess I'll have to start hiking in early March instead of late March, but maybe that's a matter of small importance. It might also be good to have something to occupy my mind after the trail, to distract me from the throes of whiteblaze withdrawals so soon after my AT adventure ends.Things are going well on the home front. Oliver is supportive--he volunteered to mail my maildrops and transcribe my journal. And I may yet convince him that it's a good idea to visit me while I'm hiking--it seems to be a financial barrier rather than a lack of desire. My family is starting to accept the idea that I will be hiking across the country with no firearm (this is big--some people don't drive 30 miles without a firearm in the car for protection). In the days leading up to Thanksgiving I was beginning to wish that I hadn't let my extended family know my thru-hike plans until after the holidays, but the subject really didn't come up during Thanksgiving visitations. It's amazing what time can do to people's formerly rigid convictions.My family might go camping at Big Bend National Park after Christmas, which means that I don't have to remove money from my AT fund for a shakedown hike! I told my mom I'd like to do an overnight or multiple day backpacking trip while we're there, and she thought it was a good idea. The downside of Big Bend backpacking--you have to pack in ALL of your water, and I really don't feel like carrying 20 lbs of the wet stuff along with winter gear.Another good thing--I just got back from my seven day cruise in the Caribbean (it really was fun, by the way, and I highly recommend it: remember Carnival Conquest), which means that more money can find its way into my savings account.And lastly: a small lizard bit me yesterday because it thought it was a dinosaur. Someone should really tell him that the use of biting as a self defense mechanism should be left to animals with teeth. It was really entertaining.