However

Last month I was nominated for a fellowship - which is an exciting thing, as it means I get money with very few strings attached. The ones you have to be nominated for are often better than the open-to-the-public ones, so I was psyched. I was of course notified that I was nominated in plenty of time - as in, I had a full 24 hrs. How helpful. Because yes, I keep essays and a CV just waiting my desk.

I guess I should have had an updated CV - that's one of those things the career service people hyperventilate over trying to get you to do.

I did manage to get a convincing application in by the deadline (half hour early, even, score!). Today I got an e-mail regarding the fellowship, which said:

"The Dean for Graduate Education has notified me that you were selected to receive the DZL Fellowship.  They were very impressed by your application and nomination; however, I guess they receive many nominations and it was quite difficult to make the choice.

Thank you for your patience."

Wait, now, hold on - however? What's up with however? And no congratulations?

I sent an e-mail back to confirm, and it turns out they missed an all-important "not" in the original e-mail - the fellowship went to someone else. Gees, people, and here I was planning the celebratory glass of red wine I was going to have at home.

On second thought, I might have to revise that plan to include two glasses now. I mean, I was planning to have just one. Not!