Time Bomb.doc

The first song that played when I flicked on itunes was Beck's Time Bomb. It's a great song, and a coincidental jam for this current blog post. You see, I'm feeling the time ticking away and I haven't made solid plans yet as to the holidays, a return to Canada, further travel plans, and the like. A decision and a flight must be booked within the next two weeks, but it truly is like a time bomb. I can hear the seconds wind by in the kick-back reverberation of that ever moving sweep hand (n.b. - a sweep hand is the thin red one that joins the other two - now you know).

Bottom line, the clock is ticking. If I had it my way there's a plan I'd set up right now and follow through with. But like everything else, it's dependent on a lot of variables - the one I'm currently considering applying for is an early January internship. I don't think I'd get it, since it's not theatre related, but it would be a piece of the puzzle that would help determine everything else. I couldn't even interview for it because I would be in the UK. Maybe they'd do skype? What is that pop culture expletive I'm looking for at this critical juncture?! Ah yes, BLERG. Trying to get a Canadian life in order from Leamington Spa is like trying to fit an elephant into a negligee. I've started using the word variables a lot to describe those outside circumstances that decide the next move. There really isn't a more appropriate word. Hindering my decision is the fleeting hope that I can control exactly how each phase of this will go down. The key to my success in plotting out the next twelve weeks will be sacrificing control of a variable or two and throwing caution to the wind.

In the spirit of keeping all my options open, I had two very funny interviews last week for holiday work in Leamington. Note: Don't panic. I have not decided 100% to stay in the UK for the holidays yet, but I'm leaning towards it. The real desire comes from wanting to board the plane with closure on my Euro chapter and I don't think I'd be able to do that with the dissertation not 100% over. So the thought is to spent December here and wrap up the whole MA in the last week of the month instead of returning to Canada and having to work from home. I'm still unsure. But anyways, I figured if I was here I might as well explore my options. The first interview was at H&M. I was under the impression it was for temporary holiday staff - my first misconception. They were looking for a part-timer for long term. So in true interview style I told them I planned to be in the UK as long as possible and then sort it out if I was offered the job. I pretty much aced the interview (six years of customer service and an MA tends to help) but they seemed a little hesitant once they realized my visa expired in April. See they thought they might get only six months out of me, when I knew it would only be two max. Strike three and you're out. I received a nice call the next day saying they would love to recruit me but the length of the visa makes me ineligible. The second interview was at Bank Fashion, a pretty hip brand in the UK. The interview was a joke and the manager seemed too cool for school. I have to much pride to work for someone like him. Fortunately/unfortunately, my visa only allows me to work twenty hours a week during term time and that wasn't enough for him.

So it has been odd to say the least. To keep all my options open I've been looking for Nov/Dec possibilities while here but also browsing Jan/Feb jobs back home. It makes my head hurt sometimes. Thankfully I know that it will all work out in the end and come March I'll find myself settled somewhere again (hopefully for longer than four months as has been the norm over here). Thankfully, I can get lost in the dissertation and not worry too much. I'm back at it this past week and will be sending the Canada chapter to Milija on Friday. Last evening Courtney and I took in a film here in Leamington. As part of a mobile promotion we got two for one tickets! How's paying 2.60 pounds for a film sound? How about awesome?! We saw Wes Anderson's newest Fantastic Mr. Fox with George Clooney and Meryl Streep. Overall it was really well done considering it was stop animation. I still prefer his earlier stuff but it's hard to compare that to a Roald Dahl classic. I don't think the adaptation could have gone any better though, and it seemed distinctly Anderson. A solid recommendation.

This weekend I have a visit from Talia to look forward to. I'm going to show her some of Leamington on Saturday and then we'll catch up over a few pints that evening. And her family in the area has generously invited me along for Sunday dinner. It should be a relaxed weekend, after a week that has FLOWN by.

Doc's Prescription: Time bomb ticking, the time bomb ticking, got a, time bomb ticking going tick, tick, tick.