It’s almost 6:20 AM in Vancouver, and already I’m up, eating breakfast and reveling in my new, if short-lived, freedom, while still getting used to the idea of being unemployed for the first time in six-plus years.

The reason I’m up so early is because I’m headed off to Kamloops today, for a conference called Imagine No Religion, and my ride is picking me up at either 7:00 or 7:30 this morning, and I want to be ready when she gets here. It’s not that much of a problem, though, as I’ve grown accustomed to waking up at 5:30 each morning from Monday to Friday to make a 7:00 AM work shift. It’s quite the drive from Vancouver to Kamloops, so the earlier we leave, the better.