defense on ice

I may end up having my own dissertation defense hell story. My defense is scheduled for 9 a.m. today. It is 8:06, the campus is closed because of snow and ice, and I can’t get in touch with any of my committee members or anyone from the English department or the Graduate School. It is quite possible that I will not end up defending today, which totally, completely, absolutely, 100% sucks, because that will mean I spent $500 to fly out here for nothing. Adding insult to injury, there’s a good chance I won’t even be able to fly out of here tonight and will end up spending another night (and more money on a hotel, of course) here for nothing. In the end, my dissertation will still be undefended.



Obviously, I need to do more Sun Salutations this morning.



Update: I just spoke to a committee member and my director. They are determined to make this defense happen today. I could kiss them! They are trying to figure out the when/where/how details, but I am so relieved just knowing that it will happen today.



That leaves the challenge of getting home. My flight from Normal to Chicago hasn’t been cancelled yet, but my connecting flight from Chicago to Denver has been cancelled. And wouldn’t you know it, United’s lines are jammed, so I can’t get through to a reservation person.

Update #2: My defense story is getting better. Busses, taxis, and hotel shuttles are not running until noon or 1. I called my director to tell her and she arranged for her neighbor with a 4WD truck to come pick me up at my hotel at 11:30 and bring me to campus. I do have the best dissertation director in the world. I now have proof.

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