A surprise in the making

I'm pretty sure my best friend doesn't read this blog, or even know of its pathetic little existence, but just in case...

L, STOP READING RIGHT NOW OR I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU AND WILL REVOKE MY PERMISSION FOR YOU TO USE "TADA! NEW DNA!" IN YOUR THESIS!

*Ahem*

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, my BFF is in the process of getting her Ph.D. It has been a long, arduous process rife with a-hole bosses, failing projects, and house fires (well, just one house fire, but that was kind of a big thing). She heard a few days ago that she will be defending her thesis - and getting her Ph.D.!!!!! - in about a month.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, I've decided that I need to take a whirlwind, 24-ish-hour trip to see her. And I want it to be a surprise. I intend to show up, watch her defend, go out to celebrate, stay the night, and fly home.

There are three pieces that need to fall into place to make this happen.

1. I need to not have a trial at work that week. We have a problem child defendant who pretty much needs to go to trial NOW. We were originally talking about the week before defense day, but the prosecutor is on vacation, so there was talk of doing it the week I want two days off. After today, it seems that the trial will not end up happening on thesis defense day.

2. I need to find one of my friend's friends to chauffeur me. This might be a bit difficult to accomplish. I've met a few of her friends, most of whom no longer live in the same city. Now that the trial stuff is (ostensibly) under control, I need to do some Facebook stalking to set the wheels in motion

3. I need to find a plane ticket. I take that back. I need to find an affordable plane ticket. Prices seem to have dropped today. I'll keep an eye on this for the next day or two; I need some time to make #2 happen before I commit to a plane ticket.

I feel like someone is smiling on my harebrained scheme. This trip just might actually happen, and I just might actually get to see my BFF for the first time in a year and a half. YAY!