I know I have an unhealthy obsession with this, but I think it would be worthwhile to create a new diary (it would be my twenty-first - I'm not kidding, I counted yesterday) just for the wonderful things my father says to me, so anytime I or anyone else needs to smile, it'd be there. Really, I defy you to resist:

Remember, if you don't think everyday is a good day, ... just try missing one.

I'm always happy, (as long as it doesn't cost extra.) I recommend it highly.

Though I have (ridiculously) created a handful of new diaries in the last couple days, I've been at a complete loss as to what to actually write in any of them. I've got this huge entry on paper that I'm not sure I'll ever be in the mood to type up (I can't believe I once sat in front of a computer for 12 hours and typed up the entire month of February), but the short story is (just so it doesn't seem out of nowhere come October) I'm very strongly doubting academia is the place for me (I think it's more about ego than real interest) and I'm exploring other options (which are wonderful, just to have them) including possibly a one-year masters of library science program, as a starting point. My dad has even better ideas...

Mostly, I think you should take your time and try many things. Compartmentalizing is a wonderful skill. AND enjoying simple things... Strawberries, new areas of the city, 3 books in a weekend... you know. Simple things. Making money will come along when you're good at what you do. One is usually good at what they enjoy. Reading manuscripts, editing, book reviews, writing,... there's no limit to where you can go.

Yeah, I'm sure I'll expand at great length some time in the future, but it's becoming clearer to me what I actually want out of life, what would make me happy, and I think it might just be that academia isn't it. At least I need a clean break from it to see...

Anyway.