And oh, don't I feel stupid today? Yes, I do. Just a month ago there I was, saying goodbye for now to le monde du Plath, and now here I am thinking, I've got to submit to the bigwigs at Oxford, give them a paper precis that will have them banging their fists on the table with excitement. Yes, a big Plath conference is happening in October 2007 and yes, I'd like to go. But will I? In part, that is up to me, but after a while, up to them. I probably (if I go) get to hobnob any better than before, though I may have a little bit more nerve, being a veteran of the IU conference back in '02; being independent means I have to work harder in all respects, including socially. No one is going to approach me because I am 'from' somewhere or have anything to offer them, in a logrolling sense...so for now, I must think and think and have a good idea ready for this fall, and then see what happens...

I had to open a dispute at eBay and I have no idea what will happen over it; I have the distinct feeling the seller has left the system altogether and won't send me the cd or refund me...I must be more optimistic. My London tickets finally arrived yesterday and his now-mythical mailing has been lost in transit; part of me still expects it, hoping against hope, but really I know it's not going to arrive.

I went to a new show opening last night at Gallery 201 (Queen East) and saw my friend Gordana, who has had a tenant for a year - Eiko, who I once took around downtown Toronto for a day in 2000! Eiko has been studying film here and wants to direct, write and edit (nothing like ambition) so I'm going to try to help her as much as I can, because she was and still is a very nice girl...the show itself is very good, the gallery itself is looking better and Gordana told my mother I was glowing, to which my mother said, "She's in love now, so she's useless." (This after I had made us dinner.) Despite all difficulties, I do feel I am glowing, though as usual I am surprised others can see it...