As some of you may know.. I've finally submitted the long overdue dissertation and the following months will be a hazy whirl of finishing up work here in the uni, preparing for the dreaded viva ( I can guess who my examiners are already; am already preparing to read up loads on stats and philosophical discourses on the species concept etcetera etcetera) and looking for my next port of call.

Maybe its because I keep an online diary - people whom I don't keep in touch with regularly but lurk around feel the need to show their care and concern by asking me what my plans are. These people will be referred to henceforth as WMP (well meaning persons). I know..they don't mean harm and its good conversation fodder but can I just say its so fucking tedious. I hate these conversations, they rank up there together with the 'when are you going to get married/have you got a boyfriend' conversations thrown at me once a year during the New Year, however the career ones cunningly, slyly, insiduously pop up wherever and whenever.

MSN for example, or a random text messages on the phone. Usually they go ignored, or I maintain a polite but distant veneer of 'I don't know/am not sure/am working on something, but thanks for asking' or the ones that catch me in an irritable mood get the 'what does it matter to you' snarky retort. The way I see it, If my social relationship with you is such that we don't meet on a regular basis to catch up, then I find it rather pointless to explain to you what's going on, especially when I have to type it all out. One question from you and I've got to write a mini essay of what I've been up to? If I see you in real life though, go ahead though results are not guaranteed - ask HQ; but I usually volunteer these nuggets in social settings cause that's making conversation right? I'm not that crustie in real life.

I do admit these questions distress me because I don't know what is happening either. I have nothing to say for now. Its not just you. Its me too. Let me find myself first and you may never hear the end of it. I could end up a smug employed somebody and tell you all about my office, my working hours, benefits, and how great life is. Then you'll wish I'd shut up. So - take it from me.. if you're meant to know, you probably will find out at some point. I'm not the sort to hide news.