an icepick through the keyhole

... and it's looking likely that, just like this year, I won't be able to go to GaFilk either :-( ... and this year was doubly annoying as I was actually in the US, in Florida, the week before and flying back to England over that weekend (*and* I could have arranged the flights to change planes in Atlanta) ... but just didn't have the vacation days or the money to do it.

But you've made your decisions about studying and where you want to study, and (in the absense of a lottery win) you (and I) have to make choices (which means occasionally choosing one con over another, or choosing to skip a movie in order to buy a book or pay for a bus ticket etc.) and that's sad ...

... and there's probably an element of wishful thinking on the other people's part that hopes somehow, if they believe in it enough, you will magically appear!