It's October 30th! That means two things: one, it's the day before my favourite day of the year! Two, and far more importantly, it's my Dad's birthday!

I've already phoned you, but happy birthday, Dad! Thanks for helping me with math, and looking up all the things I wanted to know in encyclopaedias with me when I was little, and exposing me to good music, and coaching my ball team, and buying me so very many books over the years (the kids' questions books! The Nancy Drew classic sets in shrink-wrap!). I miss you so much every day; I wouldn't be myself without you, and I certainly wouldn't believe in myself enough to embark on this crazy adventure.

(It's also my aunt's birthday! Happy birthday, Moe! Thanks for encouraging my quirkiness, making Hallowe'en costumes, and teaching me how to bake!)