As it turns out, I received a check for four thousand odd dollars in the mail yesterday. It came with a letter in a regular envelope that says I won $118,000 in a drawing from a major super-store. I enter those things all the time, so it would be sweet if I really won. I am going to check it out, but I am pretty sure it is a scam, though it has been kind of nice to dream about what I would do with that much money. I could be debt free and pay a substantial chunk down on our house. That could be nice. I keep wavering between thinking those thoughts and thinking thoughts that say, “You know it is a scam, and you know they will just clean out your savings account.” Funny thing: I have nothing to lose. Literally nothing.
On a more real note, I just received enough money to buy new running shoes, which is a major surprise and blessing. I swear, sometimes grace just smacks you between the eyes. I need a new pair to begin training for the Indy Mini. Between now and May 8, I have to train my body to run 13.1 miles. Can I do it? I hope so, and then I hope I can keep on running, so that I can do a fall marathon in 2011, right after completing my dissertation. I am pretty excited about the whole prospect. Finishing my dissertation, running a marathon, getting a job: all three sound pretty sweet to me.
I gave my shitty first draft of my dissertation proposal to my dissertation director today. I fear meeting with her on Monday, because my writing seems to get worse the more intensely I try to revise or edit. The proposal, as it stands, seems to ramble, repeat, and ramble some more. I hope I can get it spruced up enough to send it out to the whole committee, so I can get it approved by the graduate school and move on to the actual drafting of the dissertation. I am much more excited to write the actual chapters than I was to write the proposal, although I am having a difficult time trying to wrap my mind around the immensity of the project. It seems huge and insurmountable to me right now. Maybe once I get going, I will be able to see the individual aspects of it more easily. That way I can tackle one at a time and make baby-steps.
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I am thankful for gift certificates, unexpected checks, and dreams (attainable or imaginary).
Food: decaf Americano, pear, orange juice, banana, milk, pumpkin cookies
Exercise: RB to Burris and back, walking the dogs
Reason Breeds Insanity 
good luck with that money. seems like an odd amount unless you’re playing the lottery, but it would be totally sweet if it’s legit.
are pumpkin cookies good for a runner? and is that all you’re eating? hope not.
karma and the universe have a way of always evening things out and making things the way they are supposed to be. good deal on the show money. but you should get yourself some one stars. 🙂
good on ya, Corby–shitty or not, it’s an enormous thing just to turn it in. you can always revise and revise later. leave your editor at the door for a second and realize the accomplishment of just turning in a first draft : )