Cardiff Calling

I don't even know how to begin to talk about this coherently. I am going to type 13 words. 13 words that may well be the most dramatic in the history of this blog:

My abstract was accepted to the academic conference. I am going to Wales.

I KNOW. I've done approximately 17,457 happy dances thus far. I can't stop grinning. That sound you hear? Is the sound of me SQUEEEEEEEEEEing.

I can't even begin to describe the adrenaline and excitement coursing through me right now. I've been longing to go to the UK for ages, and now it's finally happening.

I have to say, it's an excitement underscored with a bit of fear. I've never done anything like this. I have to attend an academic conference, present my paper in front of a panel and then defend it. Holy shit.

Stephanie and I were talking on GChat:

STEPHANIE: What is the date for Wales?

KATIE: It's November 14-16

STEPHANIE: eeeek!

KATIE: I KNOW

STEPHANIE: you need to start writing!

KATIE: I KNOW

STEPHANIE: like, yesterday

KATIE: I am terrified, but stoked

STEPHANIE: let the terror guide you
and drive you to finish

KATIE: Well that worked for the abstract
So if I follow the same plan, I'll be finishing the paper on the plane

KATIE: I can't wrap my mind around this

STEPHANIE: not for the first time, doctor who has broken your brain

KATIE: I am going to the post office today to get passport forms
Look what you've gotten me into, Stephanie!

STEPHANIE: you'll thank me later

STEPHANIE: you should get knighted or some shit while we're there
then when you come to my house
you really would be a fancy guest

KATIE: for serious
Dame Katie of TARDIS

Then Renee and I majorly geeked out together:

RENEE: SQUEEEEEEEEEE! I am so proud of you, lady
So proud! I'm dancing around my cube right now.

KATIE: I've danced around my entire office

RENEE: lol

KATIE: I CAN'T SIT STILL I am both excited and terrified

RENEE: It will be fine. We will spend the summer prepping.
And stalking Terry Jones.

KATIE: I am going to be standing in front of a PANEL of SERIOUS ACADEMICS, DEFENDING MY PAPER

RENEE: It will be fine. It will be awesome. It will be like falling in love.

KATIE: I am falling in love with Wales I am only buying a one-way ticket. I will stay there for the rest of my days

RENEE: lol We need to plan!!! Oh, I'm so excited.
Positively geeked. I'm sure between me and Stephanie we will have you überprepared.
You will be supersexy and Whovians will be falling at your feet! Sorry. I just geeked out at ninety words per minute there.

KATIE: I AM SO GEEKED OUT AND DYING OVER HERE

RENEE: Why are we not together right now to squeal like 12-year-olds while jumping in a circle?

KATIE: I don't know. But my life will not be complete until we do this.

RENEE: passes out

KATIE: For real

RENEE: <3

KATIE: I am grinning like an idiot

RENEE: Faint

KATIE: I KNOW. And I have 3 weeks of vacation time saved up

RENEE: Nice

KATIE: so I am probably going to go for 2 weeks at least

RENEE: lol. Don't get knocked up!

KATIE: I'll get knocked up 14 times and need 14 abortions

RENEE: lol (That's the price of a ticket there and back at least 7 times.)

KATIE: (that joke was in poor taste, and I apologize. BUT I DON'T CARE BECAUSE I AM GOING TO CARDIFF)

RENEE: It's okay. I just had to look at an amputated baby arm, but that's okay, cuz you are going to Cardiff! And I'm stalking Pythons.

KATIE:And I am stalking every bloke with an accent

This is going to be so rad, you guys.