the grid

the grid

Monday 12 August 2019

Summer-north, Winter-south Week 12: Acceptable Work

Hello! Apologies for the late post. I bought 20 lbs. of paste tomatoes yesterday, so I've been up to my ears in pizza sauce and puttanesca. I anticipate purchasing another 40 lbs. next weekend. God help me.

I've just gone back to try to figure out when this session ends, and the best I can do is "end of August." Since the actual end of August tends to be a hectic TRQ mess for most people, how about if we have one more check-in after this one? That'll be the check-in both for the week and the full session. I know that seems abrupt--at least to me--but so does the end of summer!
As we approach the end, then, I encourage you to think about (at least) one thing that you've done this session that you're proud of, or--if "proud" is too much--that you feel was acceptable, or not-to-be-ashamed of, or whatever. And then just go ahead and be proud of that. Sometimes "acceptable" is beyond good enough!

Last week's goals:

Dame Eleanor Hull:
Regular exercise, stretching, safe food, adequate down time.
Pack everything necessary.
Some other bits of trip prep.
Get to the airport on time.
Have a good time at the conference.


Elizabeth Anne Mitchell:
Finish application. 
One hour x 2 on framework and schedule for Prudence apparatus. 
One hour x 2 on framework and schedule for Illumination. 
One hour x 2 on framework and schedule for Dial. 


heu mihi:
1. Reframe and rework all of Wonder
2. Fleshed-out outline of Nov. paper
3. Syllabus 3
4. Sit x?, language x?
5. Read/skim most of dissertation for upcoming defense
6. Prep week 1 of classes


humming42:
1 Write and submit one book reviews
2 Keep up with grading and comments
3 Write something every day
4 Consider writing Time abstract
5 Send comments to independent study student
6 Prepare for review meeting for online course


JaneB:
1a) self care - get the water levels back up, eat sensible food, move some.
1b) domestic order - I have a decluttering session booked, and would like to do some smaller projects - let's say at least half an hour every day other than the day I have the session
1c) making things - slow progress so far. Would like to work on neverending project this week. I've been playing around with the sort of arty bullet journalling spreads one can find on youtoob and the like lately and have been enjoying that as a creative outlet, so I've been doing SOMETHING.
2a) research writing. ProblemChild1 was finally re-re-submitted to the second journal, and ProblemChild2 is off with co-authors again. the conference talk for Fragments went well and FormerPDF and I have a plan for the paper (which may be bigger than originally conceived).
2b) teaching prep. UGH. But I have decided to set up a teaching bullet journal, so will aim to do a bit of that this week because that bit is fun (I have washi tape... and metallic pens...)
2c) other stuff - ignore for now.


oceangirl101:
1) start editing/writing second half of Ch 6
2) Meet with drafter/illustrator for book
3) Admin for post doc
4) Move downstairs office upstairs- I have been wanting to do this for months so need to push now before the new semester. I am also taking in a part-time lodger, an adjunct faculty who needs a place to stay 2x a week, so this is a must do!
5) Fun x 2 
6) Exercise x 3


Susan:
1. Catch up on email & business stuff, get inbox down to 800 emails.
2. Finish last edits and footnotes on Memorial
3. Look at new editors comments on violence, and decide whether to go through with it or not (This is a self-care decision.)
4. Start work on syllabus #1. 


Waffles:
1. Get SPSS license!
2. Run and write up analyses for interracial paper
3. Outline for interracial intro
4. Resubmit diss paper
5. Figure out reviews on my plate and put deadlines into calendar
6. Review CVs and choose student helpers!

21 comments:

  1. I've spent quite a lot of the summer feeling frustrated by my lack of progress. Looking back, though, it hasn't been that bad--nothing remarkable, but respectable. I finished an article on deadline, worked through the copy edits for my manuscript (I got the cover copy today--it looks fabulous), made progress revising Wonder, and roughed out my November conference paper. The edited collection that my friend and I are planning is also starting to come together; most of the abstracts are in. All in all, respectable, as I said.

    Plus, I've had some good Summer Fun with the family recently, and I really want to hold on to those memories.

    Last week was pretty productive:

    1. Reframe and rework all of Wonder - YES
    2. Fleshed-out outline of Nov. paper - SORT OF
    3. Syllabus 3 - YES
    4. Sit x?, language x? - SAT x3, Language x0
    5. Read/skim most of dissertation for upcoming defense - Read intro & conclusion; made notes. That may be all that I do. (I read the [very LONG] body chapters when they were handed in over the past year.)
    6. Prep week 1 of classes - YES!

    This week is already looking to be MUCH less productive. It's my wedding anniversary on Thursday, and I have a tradition of making an elaborate book of pictures (hand-bound) every year. So I'm working on that. Plus, Bonaventure is done with camps, so he's around.

    To do (note question marks, as I'm not sure what's viable):
    1. Reread Wonder?
    2. Work on conference paper?
    3. Prep week 2 of classes
    4. Sit x? Language x?
    5. Anniversary book

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All of that sounds exceptionally respectful!! Also, this: https://chroniclevitae.com/news/2232-ok-i-admit-it-productivity-is-overrated?cid=VTEVPMSED1

      Delete
  2. Things I've done this summer: wrote a conference paper, finished final-final edits on the Big Honking Translation, read one entire scholarly book that I have wanted to read for awhile, read a fair amount of fiction, did a lot of gardening, had an excellent time at a wonderful conference, wrote my fall syllaboi early (due to August trips).

    How I did:
    Regular exercise, stretching, safe food, adequate down time. YES: a little iffy on down time, but I did pretty well physically.
    Pack everything necessary. YES.
    Some other bits of trip prep. YES.
    Get to the airport on time. YES.
    Have a good time at the conference. YES!!!!

    New goals:
    Final check of syllaboi and send them to be copied.
    Some Blackboard set-up for both classes.
    Post-conference e-mails.
    Mow lawn, pay bills, other household whatnot.
    Pack and organize for next trip.
    Regular exercise, stretching, safe food, adequate down time.
    Stretch goal: if I can do most of the other stuff today, lock myself in my study tomorrow and finish off the f^(&!%g R&R that is still hanging albatross-like round my neck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad that the conference went well! Good luck on the rest of your travels.

      Delete
  3. Oh, and also: We need a volunteer or two to host for the Sept-Dec session. Any takers?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Catch me on a day when I’m getting things done, and I feel good about summer. I have been writing every day, even if it’s just a little bit here and there, but I finally have that feeling that comes with a habit: it’s something I plan to do every day, and if I haven’t done it yet, I feel compelled and glad to get to it. That’s really big for me.

    Last week:
    1 Write and submit one book review: almost done
    2 Keep up with grading and comments: no, but catching up
    3 Write something every day: yes
    4 Consider writing Time abstract: didn’t get to it
    5 Send comments to independent study student: no
    6 Prepare for review meeting for online course: yes

    This week:
    1 Write and submit one book review
    2 Keep up with grading and comments
    3 Write something every day
    4 Finish reading a review book
    5 Submit Square abstract

    Moving into transition mode, as I finish up summer classes next week and start Fall classes the week after. With hope, there will be Fall weather sooner than later!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's fantastic about the habit-formation! I've lost that somewhat this summer--having Bonaventure around nearly all the time is my excuse (plus I'm kinda sick of my projects)--but I hope that the return to a regular schedule for both of us will bring it back.

      Delete
  5. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  6. While I feel like I did not get enough done this summer because the book is still ongoing, I did alot of things that will make my coming semester easier: finished Ch 3 of book, working on Ch 6 now, R and R of article, work on collaborative article x 2, meetings with book illustrator, got my Mom's house sold and all of the things out of it (my bits arriving at my house today), travel to field sites to set up for next summer.
    Last week:
    1) start editing/writing second half of Ch 6 edited, no writing
    2) Meet with drafter/illustrator for book No
    3) Admin for post doc Yes
    4) Move downstairs office upstairs- I have been wanting to do this for months so need to push now before the new semester. I am also taking in a part-time lodger, an adjunct faculty who needs a place to stay 2x a week, so this is a must do! Yes
    5) Fun x 2 Yes
    6) Exercise x 3 No, x2

    This week:
    1) meet with postdoc
    2) research/data crunching, writing on Ch 6
    3) travel plans for fall
    4) meet with postdoc
    5) get MRI

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope that #5 isn't cause for alarm? It does sound like you made excellent progress this summer, especially considering the Life Stuff you've been dealing with. I'm impressed.

      Delete
  7. Oh, my. This completely slipped my to do list this week!

    I think this summer has been OK. I set modest goals, and I've mostly met them. The key has been not over-promising.

    Goals last week:
    1. Catch up on email & business stuff, get inbox down to 800 emails. Started, but now they have been returning. GAAHHHH
    2. Finish last edits and footnotes on Memorial DONE and it's off.
    3. Look at new editors comments on violence, and decide whether to go through with it or not (This is a self-care decision.) I'm doing a very short attempt at revision.
    4. Start work on syllabus #1. Sort of

    Memorial took more time htan I expected, and there was more work with my mother, and . . . getting back home is complicated. And I had writing syllabi. Syllabus #1 is the easy one (it's a required course, and we have a pretty much standardized syllabus, but I'm doing a tweak, so. . .)

    Goals for the week that is almost over:
    1. Syllabus #1: Get sections outlined
    2. Violence: Start quick revision
    3. Keep walking
    4. See people

    I'm spending a few days at favorite library, also with my brother and SIL, so it's a light week.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Late to the party - this post wasn't up when I was doing my usual week-planning stuff on Sunday, and I was away all week visiting family so only accessing the internet through my phone. I'm frustrated by this summer - there was (STILL IS) so much left over stuff from the last academic year going on, and I should have had an MSc student free summer but have actually had two needy and problematic students (who also both have extensions so will continue to be a nuisance into the semester proper, sigh). From Monday, I have four weeks of "summer" left before teaching starts, but next weekend is the late summer bank holiday weekend for us so it makes sense to end this "summer" round then. I'll post a separate comment about "what next". I'll look at term goals next week...

    goals from last week - i.e. nearly two weeks old

    1a) self care - get the water levels back up, eat sensible food, move some. yes, mostly, a bit. And have largely caught up on my sleep!
    1b) domestic order - I have a decluttering session booked, and would like to do some smaller projects - let's say at least half an hour every day other than the day I have the session not that much, but more than none. And my kitchen is looking great!
    1c) making things - slow progress so far. Would like to work on neverending project this week. I've been playing around with the sort of arty bullet journalling spreads one can find on youtoob and the like lately and have been enjoying that as a creative outlet, so I've been doing SOMETHING. finished the restarted square for the research related craft project, and did a bit on neverending project. Also art with niece!
    2a) research writing. ProblemChild1 was finally re-re-submitted to the second journal, and ProblemChild2 is off with co-authors again. the conference talk for Fragments went well and FormerPDF and I have a plan for the paper (which may be bigger than originally conceived). ProblemChild1 was ACCEPTED! ProblemChild2 is STILL with co-authors...
    2b) teaching prep. UGH. But I have decided to set up a teaching bullet journal, so will aim to do a bit of that this week because that bit is fun (I have washi tape... and metallic pens...) not yet...
    2c) other stuff - ignore for now. successfully ignored

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was away this week so no goals set specifically.

      Delete
    2. Sorry about the late post! I've been discombobulated lately.

      CONGRATULATIONS about ProblemChild1! Excellent news!!

      Delete
  9. Hi all,

    If next week is the last for this session, ideas about what next?

    Given how variable our new year starts tend to be, we usually have an intersessional until mid-September, then a 12-14 week session which runs until mid-December. Maybe weekend of 14-15 Sept until 14-15 Dec? That would be 13 check-ins, 12 weeks.

    And any volunteers to look after this place for that session, or for the intersession between this weekend and it starting?

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've recently moderated by will volunteer again if needed.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm willing to do the main "autumn" session - the timing fits my semester dates quite well, whilst the "spring" and "summer" ones don't match up because our academic year framework is weird. VERY weird!

    ReplyDelete
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