Wanted: Star proposal writer

Actually instead of getting someone to write my proposal for me, which would actually be completely useless, I really just want that ability that Kim Basinger's character had in "My Stepmother is an Alien" and be able to read things super fast.

I've found an apartment! It wasn't the one that I had pinned my hopes on in my last post, but I think it's actually better than that one. I'll be subletting it from a guy who is going to Vancouver for a few months, and he'll be leaving all his furniture for me to use. The timing works out almost perfectly, and the fact that it is fully furnished saves me a lot of messing around with getting dodgy secondhand stuff. The room is gigantic, plus I get an office. The place has a few typical rental property weird things going on with it, for instance there is no basin in the bathroom. Very strange. But it's on "Avenue de l'Hotel-de-Ville". That's way cooler than Osborne Street.

I forgot to mention in my previous posts that I have driven on the wrong side of the road!! I did quite a lot of driving in Ontario actually. It took a bit of getting used to, particularly as I was driving a massive van, but I got the hang of it pretty quickly. Always had to keep alert though, not like at home when I find myself suddenly at work or at home with no real recollection of having driven there.

Another girl from UWA is in Montreal at the moment, working in the same lab as me at the university, and it's been great having her here and imparting all my knowledge about Montreal, ho ho. I think in the 4 days she's been here she's seen twice as much of the place as I have. I must make sure I get off my arse and do the tourist things before I suddenly have no time left. Plus I haven't managed to hunt down a cheesy tourist shop to get some postcards, so forgive me if you've been eagerly waiting for a RCMP postcard from me, it may well be coming some time in the next 4 months..

I've started turning my thoughts to Halloween. Yes, already. It's not my fault, they've been selling Halloween crap in the shops for ages now! I just can't decide on who to dress up as though, it's a tough decision! And quite important. I mean, who knows how many more years I'll have to wait to celebrate it properly again? I've narrowed my choice down to either Carmen Sandiego, Birdgirl from Harvey Birdman or Superted. Do I want to wear a hat, a mask or a cape?

I registered for the Lake Louise conference and bought my flights for it yesterday. Over $1000 later (with accommodation still to be paid) and I'm set to go. I also signed up for the "Clean Lakes Classic 5km Run/Walk/Snowshoe Shuffle" which is held during the conference, but think my esteemed SESE colleagues may not be joining me on this. Wimps. Though I am slightly concerned about running a route that can also be snowshoed. Perhaps I will need some cleats. Or chains.