tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56644544844682317832024-03-07T04:50:58.467-05:00Screaming SquirrelsMargiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-72487983027537040022008-08-08T11:38:00.004-05:002008-08-08T11:51:17.507-05:00trip planningI'm getting closer to booking tickets for a trip next May (yes, 9 months in advance*) and I'm having trouble making some key decisions. They are not all mine to make, but even the conversations with Mr. Squirrel are more confusing than not.<br /><br />We have the following options for places to fly into:<br />Munich<br />Budapest<br />Vienna<br /><br />And the following options to fly out of:<br />Sofia<br />Bucharest<br /><br />I just found a flight that goes: ("our little city" - JFK - Amsterdam - Munich) then (Bucharest - Rome - JFK - our little city)<bucharest> <bucharest> for $850 rt. Seriously. What this does is throw a city I'm dying to go to back into the mix: Ljubljana. We would end up spending two nights in Munich, two in Ljubljana, and then taking the train into Croatia as planned... this seems to work out better than flying into Budapest (as originally planned) and then taking the overnight train to Zagreb.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the flight I was counting on from Split (Croatia) to Sofia seems to no longer exist. This is bad in some ways and good in others: we were going to have to drive back from Kotor (Montenegro) to Split for that flight... a good 4 or 5 hours, I think. Now, we'll probably fly Dubrovnik - Vienna - Sofia, thanks to low-cost European airlines.<br /><br />*Note that the reason I'm planning all this so far in advance is two-fold. First, if we buy the plane tickets NOW, there's less chance of not having money later. Our Rome trip was canceled for lack of funds, and I'd rather not have that happen again. Second, it's a long trip and I need the planning time to make it all work in my OCD-tainted head.</bucharest></bucharest>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-8998439338065163812008-07-28T17:12:00.004-05:002008-07-28T17:41:39.098-05:00serious randomness<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>aka: why is all this stuff in my head?<br /><br /><ul><li>While googling for images of a certain historical event, I accidentally ended up on one of those websites specializing in really horrific photos. This wasn't entirely surprising, as said historical event qualifies as "horrific," but the brief seconds of seeing some of the other images on the site might have fucked me up today. It's reminiscent of when I ran across some Daniel Pearl clips without realizing what I was about to see. Sigh.</li><li>I have an office. An actual office. It has a window, a mini-fridge, and even a plant and a comfy chair. Color me slightly stunned. <br /></li><li>My teaching is getting better in many ways. My writing is getting worse. There's an article in the Atlantic <span style="text-decoration: underline;">(</span><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200807/google">"Is Google Making Us Stupid?"</a>) that pretty much summarizes everything I fear<span style="font-style: italic;">.</span></li><li>When I finish teaching for the day, I will often sit and accomplish nothing. at. all. Today I managed to write up a plan for class tomorrow, and that's about it. <br /></li><li>I just got a perfume called "<a href="http://www.bpal.org/index.php?showtopic=47313">Irrelevant and Disturbing Surreal Crawdad Dream</a>." I think I like it. I know I like the bottle far too much to ever get rid of it.</li><li>On Saturday I made my own bbq sauce. It turned out really well, but I'm still wondering why all of the recipes I looked at involved ketchup. Ketchup? If I'm making my own sauce, I really can start with tomato paste... or tomatoes... must research this further. I'm sure there are good recipes that I just didn't see, or that I can simply use a recipe for ketchup.</li><li>My cat had bladder surgery last week, to remove four stones. She has several stones in her kidneys as well, but they'd have to do a much more complicated surgery to get those. The only place that does laser surgery wouldn't call us back, so we had to go with the "real" surgery. Poor kitteh. She's doing fine, though.</li><li>I'm supposedly getting <a href="http://www.mirena-us.com/index.jsp">Mirena</a> next month. My only lingering questions have to do with timing: it's scheduled for the beginning of my vacation week, and... well, I just don't think many days of heavy cramping is conducive to the type of vacation week I'd like. If I put it off, I'm putting it off for at least six months, because my own GYN won't do it.<br /></li></ul>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-28522386747570209302008-03-05T09:30:00.002-05:002008-03-05T11:45:48.980-05:00Final interview today... think good thoughts for me.<br /><br />Update: quick interview, job offer made. Woot!Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-14765083721003641372008-02-26T16:49:00.000-05:002008-02-26T16:50:18.205-05:00Keep your fingers crossed.I might have a job.<br /><br />More info. forthcoming.Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-81474941350505107612008-02-19T10:14:00.003-05:002008-02-19T13:09:52.827-05:00<strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Seen at <a href="http://just-jump-in.blogspot.com/">Canada</a>'s. </span><br /><br />60 Things You Possibly Didn't Know About Me</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?<br /></strong>An ice scraper and some paperwork.<br /><br /><strong>2. When was the last time you threw up?<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">the morning of Nov. 1, 2005.</span><br /></strong><br /><strong>3. What's your favorite curse word?</strong><br />some variation of "fuck."<br /><br /><strong>4. Name 3 people who made you smile today?<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Uh, it's too early for that.</span><br /></strong><br /><strong>5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?</strong><br />sleeping.<br /><br /><strong>6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?</strong><br />Oddly, downloading The Canterbury Tales on audiobook.<br /><br /><strong>7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now?</strong><br />Either editing the dissertation or cooking dinner.<br /><br /><strong>8. Have you ever been to a strip club?</strong><br />Yes.<br /><br /><strong>9. What is the last thing you said aloud?<br /></strong>"Shit."<strong><br /><br />10. What is the best ice cream flavor?<br /></strong>I don't generally eat ice cream, but there's some caramel-chocolate swirl that I like in HD.<br /><strong><br />11. What was the last thing you had to drink?<br /></strong>coffee<br /><br /><strong>12. What are you wearing right now?<br /></strong>White long underwear, white t-shirt, black fleece jacket and black sweats. Oh, and pink slippers.<br /><br /><strong>13. What was the last thing you ate?<br /></strong>Several pieces of sharp cheddar cheese.<strong><br /><br />14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?<br /></strong>This <span style="font-style: italic;">week</span>? Try "this year." No.<strong><br /><br />15. When was the last time you ran?<br /></strong>I have no idea.<strong><br /><br />16. What's the last sporting event you watched?<br /></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">There was golf on this weekend. I have no idea what tournament.</span><br /><br />18. Who is the last person you emailed?<br /></strong>Another student.<strong><br /><br />19. Ever go camping?<br /></strong>Twice last summer, for the first time. <strong><br /><br />20. Do you have a tan?<br /></strong>Heh. <strong><br /><br />24. Do you drink your soda from a straw?<br /></strong>Nope. Don't drink soda.<br /><br /><strong>25. What did your last IM say?<br /></strong>Don't IM either.<br /><br /><strong>26. Are you someone's best friend?<br /></strong>Yes. <strong><br /><br />27. What are you doing tomorrow?<br /></strong>Teaching a couple classes, and then celebrating because I have the rest of the week off? Oh, and writing a job application letter.<br /><br /><strong>28. Where is your mom right now?<br /></strong>In bed, asleep.<strong><br /><br />29. Look to your left, what do you see?<br /></strong>An ottoman with a pile of clean clothes, an oval mirror, and a green wall.<strong><br /><br />30. What color is your watch?<br /></strong>Silver with a pale purple face.<strong><br /><br />31. What do you think of when you think of Australia ?<br /></strong><a href="http://www.koala.net/index.htm">Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.</a><strong><br /><br />32. Would you consider plastic surgery?<br /></strong>Not for cosmetic reasons.<strong><br /><br />33. What is your birthstone?<br /></strong>Peridot.<strong><br /><br />34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?<br /></strong>Uh, no.<strong><br /><br />35.How many kids do you want?<br /></strong>Zero is fine.<br /><br /><strong>36. Do you have a dog?<br /></strong>Nope.<br /><br /><strong>37. Last person you talked to on the phone?<br /></strong>My mother.<br /><br /><strong>38. Have you met anyone famous?<br /></strong>Peter Coyote? Is he still famous?<br /><br /><strong>39. Any plans today?<br /></strong>Finish editing ch. 1, make dinner, meet with dissertation advisor, have beer. Oh, is it <a href="http://www.scifi.com/ghosthunters/">Ghost Hunters</a> night? Then that, too.<br /><br /><strong>40. How many states have you lived in?<br /></strong>Five (and one province).<br /><br /><strong>41. Ever go to college?<br /></strong>I laugh. And laugh more.<br /><br /><strong>42. Where are you right now?<br /></strong>In my office, at home.<br /><br /><strong>43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?<br /></strong>My apparent inability to keep things tidy.<br /><br /><strong>44. Last song listened to?<br /></strong>Short version: I'm not sure.<br />Long version: One of our friends has been making these monthly mixed CD's with all kinds of stuff, and I've been listening to those in the car without paying attention to *who* is singing.<br /><br /><strong>46. Are you allergic to anything?<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Chocolate, cats, and lots of other things.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong>47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?<br /></strong>Really old Dr. Martens.<br /><br /><strong>48. Are you jealous of anyone?<br /></strong>Right now? Not so much.<br /><br /><strong>50. Is anyone jealous of you?<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">I have no idea.</span><br /><br /></strong><strong>51. What time is it?<br /></strong>10:31 am<strong><br /><br />52. Do any of your friends have children?<br /></strong>Yep.<strong><br /><br />53. Do you eat healthy?<br /></strong>Yes. <strong><br /><br />54. What do you usually do during the day?<br /></strong>Too much Internet, not enough dissertation editing.<br />Most days I teach, have office hours, cook (I'm on a worse-than usual obsession with cooking right now) and watch some TV.<br /><br /><strong>55. Do you hate anyone right now?<br /></strong>Nope. I'm somewhat annoyed with several people, though.<br /><br /><strong>56. Do you use the word 'hello' daily?<br /></strong>I tend to use "hi" more than "hello."<br /><br /><strong>58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?<br /></strong>38.<br /><br /><strong>59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?<br /></strong>Nope.<br /><br /><strong>60. How did you get one of your scars?<br /></strong>There is a small scar on my right wrist -- the size of about 1/2 a penny. I was on a swing set, and was doing the usual "swing high, jump off" thing. Apparently this particular set wasn't well-built, and as I jumped off, the skin of my wrist got caught in one of the chain links. Ripped a huge chunk of skin right out of my wrist. I was about 8, I think.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-3535029149374731122008-02-02T12:31:00.000-05:002008-02-02T12:38:24.127-05:00Hello, February!I am trying to be far more positive, this month. <br /><ul><li>I used another horrible (and much, much louder) comment from <a href="http://crazysquirrelmeister.blogspot.com/2008/01/i-should-have-known.html">asshole student</a> - yes, I need a better name - as a teaching moment in class, and it worked. I'm not sure if it worked for asshole student, but it worked for me and a large portion of the class. <br /></li><li>Yesterday I officially passed the 12-pound mark of weight loss. In my book "more than 10 pounds" is a major moment.</li><li>Although I haven't updated the word meter yet, I have revised & expanded at least half of chapter one. None of it is actually typed yet - the longhand is proving fruitful - but that's my weekend goal.</li></ul> <span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"></span></span>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-20083402182490913192008-01-31T12:35:00.000-05:002008-01-31T14:43:16.504-05:00Summing up January<span style="font-style: italic;">I've been going back and forth about posting this all day. I think I'm just a bit down, in general, and I'm not sure if posting about it is worthwhile. I guess I'm posting it with that caveat: this post sucks. </span><br /><br />Possibly the most disappointing thing about this month was the lack of interviews. I applied for very few positions this year - four total, I think - but two of them were spot-on. One was a two-year (and they've hired ABD's way further out from completion in the past) and one was only a year and definitely takes ABD's every year they do this. So it's not the lack of dissertation, in this case.<br /><br />With the one-year, I know my advisor dropped the ball again -- she didn't even try to get my letter in on time, and it ended up there two weeks after the deadline. I did contact the chair of the committee directly to explain that my advisor was out of town, etc., and she seemed understanding... but the end of January has come, and no interview.<br /><br />How many people in the area could have possibly applied for this? It's a one-year, it's in the middle of nowhere, and I just don't understand.<br /><br />I should be happy with my renewed interest in the dissertation, although I'm not really feeling it today (uh, the interest, that is. Or the happiness, actually). I'm feeling very positive that I can complete it, although I have worries about the rest of the process.<br /><br />In fact, I suppose I'm just worried. With no job on the horizon for next fall, things could get difficult. I have some adjunct work already lined up, but two classes won't cover bills. I know that it will work out, somehow, but I feel down about just about everything academic.<br /><br />On the personal/family side of things, January was fine. Ups and downs, obviously, but overall an okay month. Probably would have been better without the three weeks of illness.Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-70121546255204417792008-01-30T17:18:00.000-05:002008-01-30T17:29:55.527-05:00I should have known.When a student adds a class late, finds out it's a seminar (surprise! It's listed as such!) and then comments "oh, good... I like to talk..."<br /><br />Run, people. I should have. Actually, I should have grabbed the add slip, torn it into tiny pieces, and sprinted to my car.<br /><br />Yes, indeed, you like to talk. Unfortunately, derogatory comments about gay and bisexual lifestyles do NOT count as "critical thought" about the article. No. No they don't. Also, interrupting discussion with "that's just wrong!" is not going to earn you participation points.<br /><br />*le sigh* I have a feeling Friday is going to be "we need to talk after class" day.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On edit: Only half a page written today, and it's not even typed. Sometimes I prefer writing (really writing -- longhand) to typing, so it's not necessarily a bad thing... in fact, my entire MA thesis was written out on yellow legal pads. </span>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-14558030422819056762008-01-30T09:08:00.000-05:002008-01-30T10:51:36.962-05:00<ul><li>One of my goals for today is a return to the exercise bike. This was supposed to happen about 20 minutes ago, but the batteries (which control the tension settings) are dead. Since I'm obviously not going out into the suddenly-20-degree weather until absolutely necessary, the bike will have to wait until this afternoon.</li><li>I got on the scale for the first time in awhile, assuming that I would have gained back most of the weight I lost at the end of last year. Oddly enough, I haven't: I'm at the same weight I was at before the conference in November (and before a holiday season of much drinking). I think the lesson, here, is that maintaining my weight isn't going to be a major issue -- once I lose it, it stays off.</li><li>I'm still worried about my class, despite seeing interested looks on most faces and having already had some good feedback about the structure. I know that nervousness is normal during the first week of a class, but I'm having to resort to a "one day at a time" type of mantra. In this, I constantly assure myself that I can end class early and the world will not screech to a halt; that - if necessary - I have plenty of discussion starters; that I can always have them free-write if things go totally south. None of this is stopping the dread that creeps up before I have to leave for class...</li></ul>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-21448138147786699992008-01-29T16:45:00.000-05:002008-01-29T16:57:39.089-05:00Nifty!Thanks to the crazy itineraries at <a href="http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/">RyanAir</a>, it looks like we can fly into south-coastal Croatia and out of Budapest. I've been saying that Ljubljana, while obviously cool and interesting, would better be added on to a trip involving Venice, Trieste, Graz, and Vienna... if we can skip Ljubljana for now, we can have far more time in Albania and Bulgaria.<br /><br />So I'm thinking that we book a flight into London and out of Frankfurt (two of the cheaper options, from the U.S.) and then super-cheap RyanAir tickets to Zadar from London and out of Budapest to Frankfurt. By super-cheap, by the way, I mean US$14 one way.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On edit: yes, I wrote two pages today. I should feel good about that, but I really don't.</span>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-56639137096514906542008-01-28T22:55:00.001-05:002008-01-28T23:49:21.101-05:00One of our cats is shitting outside the litter box. The boxes are spotlessly clean - thanks to <a href="http://www.litterlocker.com/english/home.html">this contraption</a>, which makes the cleaning much easier - yet still, there is shit. I could retrace the whole history of the shitting issue, but... it's cat shit. It's really not that interesting.<br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><br />(Annoying, yes. Interesting, not so much.)<br /><br />Today I finished the full read-through and outline of chapter 4. This concludes the outlining of the dissertation, and begins the "start writing again, bitch" section of the semester. Hopes are high: let's all pay attention to the little word meter for chapter 1, and see if it moves from 61% by the end of the week.<br /><br />Finally, we all know that I'm not really happy unless I'm planning a trip. Obviously, financial issues have resulted in several cancelled plans (first Ireland, last summer; then Rome, this winter) which means I have not left the country in over 18 months. The solution: plan a trip for <span style="font-style: italic;">next</span> summer, and plan it in a "finances be damned" way.*<br /><br />The current plan is to start in Hungary and loop around, moving to the south... Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and back up into Romania. We are in the process of trying to narrow things down, but it's difficult. However, six countries in five weeks sounds intimidating, and possibly *not* very vacation-like, especially considering the slower travel in some of the countries (apparently Croatia, Macedonia, and Albania have useful internal train systems, but they don't quite link up yet) so narrow we must.<br /><br /></span><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons">I'm honestly most interested in Bulgaria, and I'm having a hard time giving up any of the town options, there. Medieval monasteries! Ancient ruins! Lots of beer, wine, and good food! Yes, yes, give me all of it.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">*Yes, this means saving as much as possible and putting the rest on a credit card. I know, I know, it's evil. However, I've about had enough of planning for trips only to cancel them.</span><br /></span>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-18312894810873352732008-01-28T10:55:00.001-05:002008-01-28T11:04:18.242-05:00I added the little chapter meters on the side, and I'm not sure how I feel about them. I know that it used to be three chapters over half done - remember, two and three were formerly the same chapter - but now it looks further away from being finished.<br /><br />Sort of.<br /><br />We'll see how today goes, work-wise.<br /><br />This is the first full week of classes, and I'm interested to see how things flesh out. I'm not exactly nervous about class today, but I'm... jittery? I've changed things around yet again, and I'm curious whether it will make class easier or more difficult. I judged last semester's class as generally better for the changes I made there, which made me more excited about switching up things in <span style="font-style: italic;">this</span> class. However, I might have given myself far more work than in the previous version of the course, if things don't go well.<br /><br />*looks around nervously*Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-34393246422002805302008-01-27T13:25:00.000-05:002008-01-27T13:30:59.499-05:00doing away with baby blue text?Yesterday: not productive. I went into the office and found it was already occupied by another adjunct. I suppose I could have stayed - there are two desks, after all - but the mood in the room wasn't great.<br /><br />Today: more productive. I outlined ch. 3 and, again, noted several problems that are quite easy to fix. I do apparently have all four chapters in some form or another -- ch. 3 got mushed into ch. 2 and while both of them need serious expanding/revision, the guts of both are already there.<br /><br />Must keep up the "little bit of work every day." Even though it doesn't take long to go through and read these chapters, it has helped immensely.Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-15919277306849452942008-01-26T12:44:00.000-05:002008-01-26T12:50:44.316-05:00Saturday?I'm about to head into the office. <span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">I managed to accomplish my reading/note-taking goal yesterday, and if I finish ch. 3 today I'll be almost done.</span> Yesterday I realized that one major issue is the order of the chapters -- actually, I knew that already, but I figured out <span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">how to fix it quite easily</span>. <br /><br />I think I might take a plant. (Uh, that's not supposed to be a metaphor.)Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-88805237806667329592008-01-25T10:15:00.000-05:002008-01-25T10:33:00.927-05:00In-between LandHow exactly did I get here? <br /><br />Being ABD for this long - three years, now - seems to being having consequences in other areas of my life.<br /><br />I am Liminal Chick.<br /><br />Some of it is obviously direct: I adjunct because I have no final degree (and because moving around for one-year contracts, as some of my friends do, is less possible when you have a partner who also needs to work). My "office space" is shared with five other people, all adjuncts, and it's not the most welcoming space.<br /><br />Because we're not settled as to place - because we adjunct, because we're both ABD - we have a nice but temporary apartment. Don't get me wrong: I feel incredibly lucky that we have the place we have, but I would eventually like a house. With a yard. And a garden.<br /><br />And, of course, there's the lack of savings. I have some money put aside right now, but it's all earmarked for this semester... my lighter schedule = lighter paychecks.<br /><br />One thing is unrelated to the ABD status, but got me thinking about in-between states: I'm squarely between a size 10 and 12 right now. 10 is slightly too small, 12 is slightly too big. This means 12's with belts -- not the most flattering fashion look. I have one pair of pants that apparently defies conventional sizing (10's that fit perfectly) and they look fantastic on me. However, the zipper de-tracked the other day and I can't seem to fix it.<br /><br />In baby blue text news, <span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">my goal for the day is to read and outline chapter two</span>. <br />I am unsure whether I should be <span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">making changes as I see necessary</span>, or whether I should really concentrate on <span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">outlining (and thus, reading) the entire thing in a short span of time</span>. I think that <span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">the full read-through is the most important</span>, right now.Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-55635956430185240652008-01-24T14:20:00.000-05:002008-01-24T14:31:30.861-05:00Yes, I'm still sick.<span style="font-size:130%;">Don't you love starting the new semester with a hacking cough? I'm put in mind of my smoking days.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">I worked on my dissertation today.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I say that in unreadable baby blue letters because I don't want to jinx it, and for some reason the smaller letters I wanted to use won't work, and this still makes me feel better.<br /><br />When </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" >I worked on it yesterday</span><span style="font-size:130%;">, I realized that I'm a bit lost... I've never used outlines and - with as long as this project has been going on - I've lost track of some things. Today, my goal was to reread chapter one and outline it in some detail.<br /><br />The goal for the next several days is to do this to the other chapters. I will (hopefully) then be reacquainted with the ~100 pages I have already written, and able to finish the last chapter. Soon.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On edit: I seem to have broken my font sizes.</span><br /><br /></span><br /></span></span>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-3377670617671236802008-01-22T10:47:00.000-05:002008-01-22T11:17:55.132-05:00HmmmThis is supposed to be the "class" meme. I have huge issues with it, but obviously I'm doing it anyway.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Father went to college</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Father finished college</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Mother went to college</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Mother finished college</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span style="font-style: italic;">Well, it wasn't in the states, but I suppose it was the equivalent of an AA.</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-style: italic;"></span><br />6. Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers. <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-style: italic;">This I'm supposed to know? </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. Had more than 50 books in your childhood home.<br />8. Had more than 500 books in your childhood home.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. Were read children's books by a parent<br />10. Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">11. Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">12. The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">13. Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18 </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">That was a bad idea.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">14. Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-style: italic;">Undergrad, yes, but I also went to a state school... </span><br />15. Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs<br />16. Went to a private high school<br />17. Went to summer camp<br />18. Had a private tutor before you turned 18<br />19. Family vacations involved staying at hotels<br />20. Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18<br />21. Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them<br />22. There was original art in your house when you were a child<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">23. You and your family lived in a single-family house </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-style: italic;">Most of the time...</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">24. Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home </span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">25. You had your own room as a child </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-style: italic;">Part of the time...</span><br />27. Participated in a SAT/ACT prep course<br />28. Had your own TV in your room in high school <span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br />29. Owned a mutual fund or IRA in high school or college<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">30. Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16</span><br />31. Went on a cruise with your family<br />32. Went on more than one cruise with your family<br />33. Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up<br />34. You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-style: italic;">I'm not clear on this one. I was aware heating was expensive and that my dad had fixed the thermostat so that it didn't go above 65... does that count?<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">So, gentle reader, what "class" do I get?<br />My parents are both college-educated, but they were the first generation in their respective families to go to college. When I was born - I'm the youngest of three - my father had finally finished his PhD, and had secured a TT job. Obviously that drastically changed the income level in our family.<br /><br />Still, through all of grade school and junior high I was wearing mostly hand-me-downs and we certainly didn't have extra spending money. I assume that most of their income went to buying the house, as that was important to my parents. <br /><br />Also, we traveled because my mother's family is quite spread-out. She didn't visit home for almost 15 years after moving to the U.S., and I was lucky enough to be the one who "couldn't be left home" when she finally did go. <br /><br />So: I had books, and I traveled (although we certainly didn't stay in hotels). No TV in my room, no cruises - cruises are the mark of something? - no new car, and I started working when I was 15.<br /><br />Uh, if this is really a meme about "class," wouldn't the age you got your first job be somewhat more relevant than "original art" in your house? <br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-style: italic;"></span>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-56257448601256147342008-01-17T22:07:00.000-05:002008-01-17T22:17:20.028-05:00Haven't blogged for quite awhile. Started a post yesterday, but tossed it for all kinds of reasons.<br /><br />I've been rather sick the last week. Yes, it happens. Today is annoying me, however: I've been feeling better, yet hearing from multiple fronts that I "seem worse." For someone with anxiety disorder that's practically guaranteeing a stellar freak out, and I'm trying to stop that from happening.<br /><br />The issue? I have a cough. No temperature, no sore throat, no headache. Not coughing up anything with odd colors or tastes (sorry to be graphic, but I've had pneumonia and bronchitis enough to know what to... look... for). For about two days it was a bad chest-type cough, but in the last two days it has eased up.<br /><br />I think I need another couple days of rest, and many hot showers. My husband seems to think I should have gone to the doctor already -- this from a guy who hasn't been to a doctor in five years.<br /><br />I can take nice, deep breaths without feeling the slightest need to cough. My sinuses are (now) completely clear, although I'm guessing that's where this started.<br /><br />Am I not allowed to have a normal illness without it being doctor-worthy? <br /><br />Please?Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-26565123929546617822007-11-15T14:49:00.000-05:002007-11-15T15:00:57.706-05:00This? is that day.Yes, this is that day. It's the day, every year, when I realize that I leave for Big Damn Conference in less than 24 hours, and that I am nowhere close to prepared for anything.<br /><br />I have not packed.<br />I have not tried on half my "conference" clothes to see if they fit.<br />I have not timed my paper to see exactly how long it is.<br />I have not finished the stack of grading on my desk.<br />I have not had a haircut in six months.<br /><br />At the same time, because of the timing of this conference, there is an immense sense of freedom. After all, I have over a week off... no classes, very few commitments, and a lot of pumpkin pie and good wine on the way.<br /><br />Still, you would think I'd go into Big Damn Conference pre-day a little more organized, wouldn't you? So that, when I stumble out of bed at 4:30am tomorrow to be on time for our 6am flight, I'm not frantically OCD'ing over everything? <br /><br />As a matter of fact, today started out worse than most BDCpd's. For the first time in years, I <span style="font-style: italic;">forgot to set my alarm</span>. It was only a sheer lack of balance on the part of my cat that woke me up in time to make it to class, and that's NOT the way to start a day... no, sharp and grabbing claws in your face are generally a bad thing. <br /><br />Now, I sit at my desk knowing full well that I need to get off my ass and pack, or go buy stockings, or do something useful. Yet, I seem to have hit the very same wall that I do when I know I have 40 papers to grade: big, brick, possibly with razor wire at the top.Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-74931126895386875412007-11-03T10:16:00.001-05:002008-12-11T11:49:12.670-05:00Kittehs love BPAL<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7hx2xPVGdf4KoddogSIV5-pANyEyYauXz5OvnJzXEPfxzPTFyDYBTzxlKB4uXjyBnV9OXhxlpx1VuOr4Zw9lVyEnXscA2mDR_hKEkdABZvg2zIkcQVLX1g2uGBJj5Yj-iH4WImaQvGc/s1600-h/Sch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7hx2xPVGdf4KoddogSIV5-pANyEyYauXz5OvnJzXEPfxzPTFyDYBTzxlKB4uXjyBnV9OXhxlpx1VuOr4Zw9lVyEnXscA2mDR_hKEkdABZvg2zIkcQVLX1g2uGBJj5Yj-iH4WImaQvGc/s400/Sch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128633647221230738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />(Or at least this particular kind.)Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-61391119157678048732007-10-21T16:29:00.000-05:002007-10-21T16:37:51.197-05:00I have a new class, starting tomorrow.<br /><br />Through some very odd circumstances, I was asked to take over a class mid-semester. I'm generally happy about this - in fact, the chair of the department is amazingly nice, which makes things easier - but I have lingering first-day-of-class fears.<br /><br />The syllabus is already in place, and I'm fine with it; any readings I haven't done are merely other versions of things I <span style="font-style: italic;">have</span> read. In fact, these readings will really help me revamp one of my own syllabi for next semester -- bonus points!<br /><br />No, it's really the idea of walking into a classroom where bonds are already established between students, and I'm more the interloper than usual, as professor. And it's not even freaking me out <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> much, just enough that it's obviously on my mind. In some ways the situation is quite liberating: if it weren't for me taking over, the class likely would have been cancelled, so I really can run crazy with it.Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-64017426514497249342007-10-18T11:16:00.001-05:002007-10-18T11:22:14.103-05:00(Some semesters I don't get sick.)Some semesters I seem to be constantly fighting off illness, and I occasionally succumb to it. On those days, whether or not I make it to class has a lot to do with how far I have to drive... if my class is down the street, I'll (usually) drag my ass in anyway. If it's an hour drive each way, I'm far more likely to cancel.<br /><br />I really don't like driving long distances when I'm ill.<br /><br />I assume that part of the reason full-timers seem to rarely cancel class is that they generally live closer to their campuses? Or does everyone occasionally cancel class due to illness, and I'm just not aware of it?Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-63077460005242123522007-10-15T14:44:00.000-05:002007-10-15T14:52:14.838-05:00I turned in a rough draft of chapter three, today. I think it sucks, mostly.<br /><br />One chapter left to rough out, and then I'm left with the joyful task of revising the whole thing. <br /><br />I'm not as pissy about this as this post is sounding. I actually wasn't expecting to turn in a draft today, and I think that getting it in is generally good.<br /><br />However, the last time I submitted a rough I got comments back like "this transition is horrible"... Hello? What does <span style="font-style: italic;">rough draft</span> mean to you? If all my points were clear and my transitions were good, I would call that a <span style="font-style: italic;">finished version</span>. <br /><br />Le sigh.<br /><br />Still, this means I can hammer away at this chapter for another two weeks and then move on. Chapter Four is actually supposed to be the easiest (!) and shouldn't take very long. I'll have a complete draft before any interviews take place this year, and should be set to defend in March.<br /><br />Um... I haven't accomplished stuff for my classes, though. And I'm seriously considering having a beer or two, despite it being a weekday.Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-35088967238927773362007-10-10T22:04:00.000-05:002007-10-10T22:11:34.885-05:00Oh dear.You know when you have those evenings with friends where you all drink too much, and lots of stuff is shared, and it brings you closer?<br /><br />K. I had that night tonight, except that:<br /><br />a) it wasn't with my friends<br />b) I think I was the only one not tipsy (and how often does <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> happen?)<br />c) I didn't share, nor was I tempted<br />d) I don't feel closer to anyone. I more felt a need to bathe when I got home.<br /><br />Seriously, it was sort of weird. I'm sitting here with my cat, who has been very cuddly tonight for no apparent reason other than that I need a cuddly cat. Er, and she usually refuses to be all cute and fluffy on demand. As is fitting for a cat.<br /><br />I also failed the "no beer" thing today, although I only had one out at dinner. Am thinking several more were probably in order.<br /><br />Oh, also? Sent my paper away yesterday, and have not heard back from the other panel members... even in a "we got it" way. Usually emails are responded to immediately. Now I'm wondering if someone read it and said "hey, WTF is she talking about? This sucks! Can we get her off the panel this late?" I hate insecurity.Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664454484468231783.post-21841610344571153572007-10-08T22:46:00.000-05:002007-10-10T08:39:04.558-05:00Tomorrow is a goal day.<br /><ul><li><s>teach classes</s></li><li><s>finish paper</s></li><li><s>send off paper</s></li><li><s>drink no beer</s></li></ul>Seriously, that's it. Feel free to mock the simplistic nature of my goals... I welcome mockery.<br /><br />ETA: <s>I have not had a beer. However, the day is not yet over, so I'll wait to cross that one out.</s> But LOOK! at the crossing out! of the paper! I'm really pleased, even though I know it needs a bit more editing before the conference. For me, "needs a bit more editing" is where I'm usually at when I stand up to present the damn thing. Whee!!!Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543517323273195928noreply@blogger.com3