The day before Wicked I travelled back to Edmonton from Calgary to do some measurements. Yes, I was working... I had to give a talk in Boston in September and I had no data, so I was determined to get some data before I leave. What happened before the experiment I do not remember... a lot that happened around that week was a blur.

Of course things had to fail that day so I had no data. I had no time to fuss over it because J was hosting my last go away party at his place that day, promising planked salmon and other yummy stuff. It was meant to cover ppl on the floor who weren't at the steamboat go away party. And also so that everyone can drink freely. "We're gonna have a good time. None of that half-ass shit." was his exact words. He's polish. It was very nice of him to throw me a party.

So we ate. And we drank. No one was hammered. B and D found me in the kitchen when I was getting drinks. Everyone else was in the backyard so the duo took the opportunity to ask what they have always wanted to know, point blank. In a way I am amazed it took them this long to ask it out loud. Oddly I find that quite adorable. E walked in during their investigation and I signalled for help. She laughed and said she was confident I can handle them on my own and walked back out. I hate to dissapoint but I don't think anything was resolved.

It was a really good time. We came into the house when it got dark and they presented their parting gift. D gave me a dozen pair of socks because he can't stand the fact that I wear holey socks. A asked how would he even know my size. Sigh, that was the cute part. We used to shop for socks together because he has small feet, that's how. We even buy the same socks. Yes, this friendship is quite special.

M and the rest of the guys bought me return bus tickets to Edmonton. Also very cute. Sometimes I don't remember I've been in the lab for 7 years. 11 years in Edmonton. Crazy. It was weird to leave, partly because it would be weird to go back. It felt like a second home and yet I have no family to go home to if I were to go back for a visit. I know it's not a problem to crash at someone's place. But something feels disconnected... This probably doesn't make any sense to you.

We left around midnight. I went home with A. She told me the couch was terrible and offered to share her bed. We had our little bedtime chat and I mentioned the guys and the kitchen. She laughed and told me I'd miss them.

Then it was bed time.