Worst 48 Hours in Sports History?

Sunday sucked.

Monday sucked.

Could it get any worse? That's a question I've been asking myself. Sunday night, my Rockies were swept from the Series and last night Favre made my Broncos look like Nebraska's backfield in OT. ugh.

However, my AVS did look good, really good, Sunday afternoon. So I guess it could have been worse.

In case you're curious, basketball doesn't really factor into the equation, but there are a number of individuals who do. Here is my worst case scenario for a major sports champion...

COMMISSIONER: Bud Selig...Bonds--need I say more? Also, who allows a baseball game to end in a tie?
COACH: Mike Martz. In one word: idiot.
HOMETOWN: Dallas.
HOMEFIELD: Dome. Any dome. Domes are stupid.
TEAM: Cowboys or Ravens. Take your pick.
KEY PLAYERS: Todd Bertuzzi, Barry Bonds, Kobe Bryant, Christian Laettner, and Ray Lewis.

That would be the worst 48 hours in sports history.

No other option...

On October 17th, I successfully defended my dissertation. My good friend, Ryan, decided that such an occasion was not worthy of celebration. Therefore, he owes me...

This coming week, unbeknownst to Ryan, we will be taking a road trip to Colorado.

I'm thinking Wednesday, but I'm open to suggestions.

Finally something to write about...

Sunday night, my Broncos surprised me. We have not been playing that well of recent and I didn't see us getting our act together against a tough Steeler team.

Last night, my Avs finally won on the road. Hats off to Edmonton for giving Ryan Smyth a standing ovation before the game.

Tonight, my ROCKIES will be put to the test as they are playing in their first WORLD SERIES!!! Had you told me this would be the case back in March, I would have told you you're crazy. Heck, had you told be this would be the case in September, I would have told you you're crazy. But here they are and all I have to say is...

GO ROCKIES!!!

ps--Happy Birthday Aiden!

BUY!!!

They bought it!

My defense ended up being a little over two hours in length. I wasn't sure what to expect when it came to the closed door session. However, when they started focusing on future plans and the applicability for further studies (suggesting things I may want to look into), I knew all was well.

So what does one do after passing such an event? Celebrate of course!

GEOGRAPHERS...They're busy tonight. It's a Wednesday and we have plans for tomorrow night so no big deal.

BRENT...Possibly teaching. Wasn't able to get in touch with him. No worries.

VAUGHN...Had to work. ugh.

But thankfully there's always RYAN!

ME: "Ryan! Let's go celebrate!"
RYAN: "Sorry, Dude. I have to work on my paper."
ME: "WHAT?! Well...let's go out for dinner! You have to eat sometime!"
RYAN: "No thanks. I have to work on my paper."
ME: "What are you going to eat?"
RYAN: "My paper. I have to work on my paper."
ME: "You're going to eat your paper?"
RYAN: "Yeah. I have to work on my paper"
ME: "Doesn't that defeat the purpose? What will you do after you eat your paper?"
RYAN: "I have to work on my paper."

Simply brilliant.

Ryan now owes me one roadtrip.

Buy or Sell?

In a little less than 48 hours that will be the question: Buy or Sell?

The stress is not too bad as of now, but I am beginning to feel it. I met with my advisor this morning and she had some encouraging words for me regarding my paper (which is always appreciated). I think my paper will be ok, I'm just hoping the presentation goes well.

Prayers would be much appreciated.

ps--how about my Rockies?!!!

Saving grace...

The countdown has begun: I defend my paper one week from tomorrow.

Moving into this week I was expecting to be swamped with work (or to have at least more than enough to keep me busy). First, K-State now requires all theses and dissertations to be submitted electronically. Not a big deal except that a template has been added since I began working on my paper. I estimated it would take 3 or 4 days to convert my paper into the proper format (largely due to the numerous images and maps scattered throughout my paper). Second, all of the maps I made 2 years ago need to be updated. Not a big deal except that the software has changed so much my files could not be used again. An estimated 2 or 3 frustrated filled days of computer work.

Again, this all took place before I turned in my paper. I figured I would be able to take care of it during the two weeks I had between turning in my paper and my defense. However, things have changed.

Last week, I met with the grad school's computer tech to discuss options for formatting my paper. As I noted in my last post, the rules were really nothing more than guidelines.

Today, I began work on my maps. Thankfully, I was able to use the data and simply needed to design the maps (rather than reenter the data which, believe me, is a trying ordeal even for the most patient of people). I was not expecting this. Three hours later, I was done.

Other than my presentation, I really have nothing more to work on.

This is a strange feeling...I have been so focused for so long it's as if I need to relearn to live.

ps--for all of my faithful readers, I am sure you will be happy to know the Avs won their season opener!

Defense Draft...

Done.

Earlier today, I handed out my defense draft of my dissertation (try saying that 5 times fast) and collected the last of signatures needed for my October 17th defense.

Good feeling.

There are still a handful of things I need to take care of, such as my table of contents, but I'll have that done sometime later tonight. I had held off on finishing the table of contents due to concerns over the formatting of my paper.

This afternoon I met with the computer tech for the graduate school. Turns out what I had been concerned were rules (meaning I would need to spend several days reformatting major sections of my 200+ pages paper) were really meant only to be guidelines.

This meeting was one of those times where someone is trying to explain something to you and it's all you can do to not say "That's nice, but I really could not care less." I think the computer tech was so excited to have human interaction that he wanted to show me every possible way of converting my document into another format IF I should choose to do so (which I am not required to...so...why would I?). After stomaching as much of his computer gibberish as I could, I simply said "Thanks!" and made my way to the nearest coffeehouse.

Savoring the moment.