two members of my magazine group missed class today because they were both too busy pumping water out of their respective homes.

people keep saying "i've never seen it rain like this," but they must have. it's vancouver. it did the same thing last year. probably has done the same thing for years prior, too.

just checked the environment canada website. it's -11 in edmonton right now, and will only get down to a low of -21 during the conference. big improvement from the -44 they were getting last week, and certainly better than the unceasing sheet of water here.

i liked vancouver better when it was covered in snow. for a reason i may have identified but am not entirely sure i have, i feel much more vulnerable when i'm walking out in the rain. it's not just the wetness and the grey skies -- i think the fact that my rain gear cuts off a large portion of my peripheral vision puts me on edge. i can't see what's around me, and i don't know what's coming.

now it's beginning to look like i may need an entirely separate wardrobe just to make it to the airport tomorrow. my rain coat, rubber boots and jupo will serve me no function in edmonton.

i'm excited but nervous. i have no idea how many people are going to come to my talks. "who the fuck is this person, and why the fuck should i listen to her?" is probably what most delegates will think when they read the conference schedule.

my sweetie just warned me not to pee in the ice machine at the hotel. i shall keep that in mind.