Midyear Session 2025 Week 12

I realize the UK members still have some time ahead of them, but here in the US I am very much mired in oh-shit-it's-August syndrome. So my totally self-serving request this week is for recipes (incantations, mantras, approaches) for warding off panic, avoiding thrashing, and actually tackling the to-do list instead of zoning out and refusing to do anything other than the most basic and most required tasks.

I hope the rest of you did better than I did last week! Let us know in the comments.

Daisy

Write documents resulting from giant meetings
Finish web articles
More awkward meetings
Finish much overdue newsletter
Work on student projects with all of them
Process and send away samples
Finish overdue review

Dame Eleanor Hull

- one campus day, meet with grad, spend 30 minutes tidying my office
- swim x 3, yoga x5, cardio x 3, do PT exercises 2x/day
- identify and contact reviewers for edited volume
- take more notes on articles read last month
- create syllabus for one to-be-proposed course
- finish organizing the guest room closet and shelves OR start on my study
- think about fall courses
- make some measurable progress on 2 research projects (M and W)
- do some other Life Stuff and/or tedious work tasks

heu mihi

1. FINISH uncle's memoirs. Yesterday I spent a really long time integrating all the photos, so I'm very close now. 600 pages!
2. Read book for upcoming course; work a little on syllabus
3. Figure out August travel plans, such as they are
4. Questions for student's upcoming exam
5. Dissertation defense (this morning--not optional--but I'm putting it on here anyway)
6. Pick up some supplies for beer brewing; my stash is alarmingly small!

JaneB

1) building better habits: one creative thing with the hands, keep reading for pleasure, start a new yarn project, journal, play or prepare for D&D

2) environment: Sort out post pile of doom. do simple financial chores/make list for complicated ones. book gutter fix. at least three house chores. Decluttering person at last (I hope). Car service.

Julie

On holiday!

Susan

1. Get whatever I can out of archives today
2. Try to figure out what shoes have dropped that I have to pick up re admin jobs
3. Start planning events for year
4. Finally get back to microfilm
5. Enjoy theatre, meeting with friends, etc.
6. Figure out last working week here.

Midyear Session 2025 Week 11

Abstraction is not my greatest ability, but let's give metaphor a shot this week: do you have a "recipe" for any part of your work? A standard approach to writing an article, designing a syllabus, or planning a lecture (pick one or more, as you like)? Do you need to proceed step-by-step or can you dump all the ingredients in the same bowl and stir like mad? What "ingredients" do you need to have on hand in order to produce an article, a syllabus, a lecture? What do you vary according to the season?

And how did you do with last week's goals?

Daisy

- Accounting from trips

- Giant meetings with many committees

- Write web articles, now just annoying

- Majorly overdue review

Dame Eleanor Hull

- try to figure out some sort of "syllabus" for the rest of summer (interim due dates, etc)

- one campus day, meet with grad, spend 30 minutes tidying my office, scan essay and return book (yes, again, different book)

- swim x 2, yoga x5, cardio x 3, do PT exercises 2x/day

- identify and contact reviewers for edited volume

- take notes on articles read 3 weeks ago

- create syllabus for one to-be-proposed course

- organize the guest room closet and shelves

- think about fall courses

- make some measurable progress on 2 research projects (M and W)

heu mihi

1. Finish uncle's memoirs

2. Housework projects (clean garage and/or wash windows)

3. Finish reading research-ish book

4. Yoga retreat this weekend! Drinks with friends on Wednesday!

5. Clean up email somewhat

JaneB

1) building better habits: one creative thing with the hands, keep reading for pleasure, start a new yarn project, journal, play D&D

2) environment: do week's chores. Sort out post pile of doom

3) blocks: two teaching blocks - one sorting out the laptop, second looking at the module I am now fed up about

4) writing: do some more work on the collaborative paper with a deadline, two re-reviews for journals (sigh).

5) grad students: Only ONE meeting this week, in the diary at least. And maybe no paperwork? MAYBE?

Julie

1. Write as much of chapter as possible, ideally close to full draft.

2. Send PhD student comments.

3. Read a chapter for a colleague.

4. More bits of boring work admin.

5. House/life admin: holiday prep, nephew's birthday, reply to some emails.

6. Self-care/fun stuff: lunch with friend, find holiday reading, exercise, journal, keep going with sleep, watch more T de F.

Susan

1. Finish reading dissertation, prepare for defense tomorrow late afternoon (time zones from BST to PDT mean an 8 hour range...)

2. Try to get to the library for a few hours of microfilm tomorrow

3. Order documents for Scottish research (which has now expanded to another library to help a friend in the US).

4. Keep up with administrative stuff, keep planning events for start of semester. (This will be mostly early morning/ evening stuff)

5. Have fun! Enjoy walking, even if it does rain.

Midyear Session 2025 Week 10

Shifting away from the kitchen this week (maybe), if you had the perfect conditions to throw any sort of party you wanted, what would it be? Tea for two, garden party, casual barbecue, formal sit-down dinner? Assume that the good fairies will come and clean up both before and after (and the bad fairies will zap any annoying neighbours who might complain about noise). Fairies will also polish the silver or stock up on paper napkins, roll the lawn or possibly even add that extension you've been considering . . . all you need to do is decide on the type of event. Feel free to consider menu and guests, if you want to!

Consider it practice for our end-of-session celebration. ;-)

And how did you do last week?

Daisy

Two office days for all the office things….
Three days in the field, plus weekend, plus first three days of next week…
Edit giant curriculum document first draft
Write web articles, short but annoying task
Grant report
Keep on top of student tasks

Dame Eleanor Hull

- try to figure out some sort of "syllabus" for the rest of summer (interim due dates, etc)
- one campus day, meet with grad, spend 30 minutes tidying my office, scan essay and return book
- swim x 3, yoga x5, cardio x 4
- identify and contact reviewers for edited volume
- take notes on articles read 2 weeks ago
- create syllabus for one to-be-proposed course
- organize the guest room closet and shelves
- think about fall courses
- make some measurable progress on 2 research projects (M and W)
- get fasting blood draw

heu mihi

1. FINISH ARTICLE REVISION (we're talking like ONE footnote here, people)
2. Next 50 pages of Italian novel
3. Make significant progress on one home/life project--probably uncle's memoirs
4. Clean some parts of the house
5. Try to keep my shit together as the fall schedule keeps hitting hiccups (mixed metaphor[s], that's fine)

JaneB

1) building better habits: one creative thing with the hands, keep reading for pleasure, start a new yarn project, journal

2) Environment: do week's chores. Sort out post pile of doom

3) blocks: two teaching blocks - one sorting out the laptop, second looking at the module I am now fed up about so I can a) regain my equilibrium and b) get going EARLY on "non-nagging nagging" the others as we are supposed to be completely changing the assessment to make it more AI-resistant which requires coordination and planning, and I want to do my share of the work before the semester starts (and now know the others won't want to, so I need to start NOW).

4) writing: do some more work on the collaborative paper with a deadline, go to a meeting about same.

5) grad students: do substantial paperwork for two students, send a couple of emails for third. Only ONE meeting this week, in the diary at least!

Julie

1. Carry on writing chapter.
2. PhD student's chapter and possibly more.
3. Add some references to my reading list.
4. Read article for a post-doc.
5. Do some boring work admin.
6. House/life admin: prep for holiday, nephew's birthday, sort out home insurance renewal.
7. Self-care/fun stuff: read, exercise, keep trying on sleep, watch Tour de France.

Susan

Read full dissertation when it arrives
ACTUALLY READ SOME MICROFILM
Plan for research trip in Scotland
Organize meeting with some people I saw at the workshop
Do fun stuff at the weekend, visit My Favorite Museum
See friends
Keep walking (this in preparation for a walking holiday that's coming up)

Midyear Session 2025 Week 9

Happy Bastille Day! 

Let's talk about what happens when something goes wrong while you're cooking: maybe the recipe is wonky, or you forgot to add an ingredient, or your stove isn't hot enough, or (much too common) you don't know what the problem is but the dish is . . . not as hoped. What do you do?

• try to adjust on the fly (say, add another potato to absorb salt)
• throw it out and start over
• re-purpose it (as in turning dry cake into trifle)
• doctor it by adding new materials (custard sauce, or vinaigrette, depending on the type of dish)
• take some other action

And how did you do with last week's goals? Is this recipe working? If not . . . what approach will you take this week?

Daisy

Five days in the field
Write giant curriculum document first draft
Write web articles, short but annoying task
Update organization page, send planning emails

Dame Eleanor Hull

- make weekly schedule for the rest of summer
- two campus days, meet with two grads, spend 30 minutes tidying my office, visit potential "field trip" sites
- swim x 2, yoga x5, cardio x 4
- identify and contact reviewers for edited volume (v much past due: what's more TRQ than TRQ??)
- take notes on articles read last week
- create syllabus for one to-be-proposed course
- organize the guest room closet and shelves
- get a massage or facial or something self-indulgent
- think about fall courses 

heu mihi

1. Complete and send in book review
2. Complete revision of article (that will finish up all of my required academic/research-related work for the summer!)
3. Next 50 pages of Italian novel
4. Read dissertation
5. Update graduate handbook on website; reply to student
6. Make progress on one home/life goal 

JaneB

1) building better habits: one creative thing with the hands, keep reading for pleasure, start a new yarn project, journal
2) Environment: do week's chores, start decluttering study etc. room
3) blocks: one teaching block
4) writing: do some work on the collaborative paper with a deadline
5) grad students: catch up on feedback to PhD students; meet with all students.

Julie

1. Inspired by JaneB, write July plan for three weeks that are left before holiday.
2. Outline the chapter!
3. Read chapter for PhD student.
4. House/life admin: SIL's birthday, update calendar, chase patio furniture, contact shed man, tidy desk, book hairdresser
5. Self-care: exercise, reading, try again on sleep, journal, enjoy hosting dinner for friends.

Susan

1. Read microfilm
2. Read essay for journal, expedited emergency read
3. Plan later summer trip to archive
4. Follow up on Famous Author
5. Enjoy various social things
6. Walk to work every day, home at least once.
7. Finish the novel I'm reading.

Midyear Session 2025 week 8

Topic of the week: favorite, or most-used, kitchen tool or gadget? Is it new/fancy, or an old friend that might have seen better days?

And to extend the topic into metaphor, what new or old gadget or routine helps you with writing or getting things done? Is there something you need to pull out of the cupboard and put to use? Something beat-up that you could replace with a newer, shinier version, such as a new ritual writing mug or notebook?

And how did you do last week, or during the last couple of weeks? We hope those missing in action (CC, Daisy) are doing all right, and send our good wishes your way!

Latest weekly goals set:

Dame Eleanor Hull

- make weekly schedule for the rest of summer
- campus day tomorrow, meet with two grads, spend 30 minutes tidying my office
- swim x 3, yoga x5, get up early enough to walk on days gym is closed, or else climb stairs somewhere with a/c
- send e-mails related to last week's conference
- identify and contact reviewers for edited volume (v much past due: what's more TRQ than TRQ??)
- read and note three articles or chapters
- create syllabus for one to-be-proposed course
- fireworks! Dinner with friends! 3 x 20 minutes in the garden!
- organize the guest room closet and shelves

heu mihi (held over)

1. Finish book to review
2. At least 50 pp. of Italian novel
3. Keep my inbox(es) fairly clear
4. Finish green sweater that I don't really like

JaneB

1) building better habits: one creative thing with the hands, keep reading for pleasure, start a new yarn project, take some time to think and journal about what "better habits" really are, get a bit ahead on D&D preparation
2) Environment: get caught up on chores, start decluttering study etc. room
3) blocks: make some lists and set up a July Plan
4) writing: no goals
5) grad students: no goals

Julie

1. Claim expenses
2. Check revisions to a PhD thesis and sign off.
3. Report on chapter for review.
4. Outline one of the chapters I have to write.
5. House stuff: catch up, book a hotel room for a regatta trip in two weeks time, do some research for summer travel.
6. Read, get back to exercise, finish TV series before I see any more spoilers.

Susan (held over)

1. Make sure power point is set up for talk
2. Read paper one more time. Do I dare read off my i Pad?
3. Spend some time with microfilm
4. Read essay for young scholar
5. Enjoy the workshop
6. Get ready for vacation

Midyear Session 2025 week 7

I hate to tell you this, but we're midway through the session! And that means checking in on our goals, deciding what to keep, what to get rid of, as well as (sometimes) having to add something new that has come up. Sticking with the recipe theme, sometimes things go bad in the fridge, or the electricity goes off and you have to use up everything in the freezer, or something delicious comes in as a gift or appears at the farmers' market and so you drop the original plan in order to use the new item. So if something like that is going on, think of it as being a thrifty house-holder and using your stores effectively.

Of course, you may already have accomplished something significant, so we can have midterm celebrations along with the sorting-out of goals. Here's something sparkly for all of you (alcoholic or not, as you prefer). Tell us what you're lifting a glass to!

First, here are last week's goals; session goals are further down:

Dame Eleanor Hull

- enjoy conference and visiting friends
- write down everything anyone wants me to do and leave it till I get home

heu mihi

1. Finish book to review
2. At least 50 pp. of Italian novel
3. Keep my inbox(es) fairly clear
4. Finish green sweater that I don't really like

JaneB

1) building better habits: one creative thing with the hands, keep reading for pleasure, start a new yarn project
2) Environment: get caught up on chores, electric meter visit, book car for service
3) blocks: no goals this week
4) writing: at least one hour on each of three different projects with meetings this week
5) grad students: meetings, comment on mountain of first draft of discussion from now-senior graduate student, try to sort out review meeting for junior MSc by Research student
6) be kind to myself and stick to the three days.

Julie

1. Write and submit report for PhD review.
2. Read chapter for a PhD student.
3. Finally finish French PhD I was reading.
4. Read a paper the French PhD student has sent me and email back with comments.
5. Last big meetings of term, get Windows upgrade, do other work-related admin, catch up on emails.
6. Self-care: read, exercise, catch up on TV series, enjoy time with brother and niece.

Susan

1. Make sure power point is set up for talk
2. Read paper one more time. Do I dare read off my i Pad?
3. Spend some time with microfilm
4. Read essay for young scholar
5. Enjoy the workshop
6. Get ready for vacation

And now for the session goals. How are you doing? Are things ripening in the garden? Is there anything you can put in the compost?

Contingent Cassandra

You had a lot going on; do you want to post rest-of-summer goals now?

Daisy

Two new papers submitted
Revised course material for fall and winter
One defended graduate thesis
Good experience for 2 hired undergraduates
Kayaking
Exercise
Garden improvement

Dame Eleanor Hull

* write essay due at the start of September
* plan work for summer TA and do some supervising of her
* write and deliver two conference papers, focusing most energy on the one that will be the core of a book chapter
* plan classes for next year
* submit two course proposals
* swim 2-3 times a week
* yoga on the deck as often as possible
* work in the garden 3x/week
* do 5 Life Stuff tasks 

heu mihi

1. Research/writing: Complete copy-edits of book, submit revised article, submit abstract for MK, start working (idly) on research for MK, read and review book
2. Creative: Finish green sweater, work on knit dress, make a book or two, other projects!!
3. House: Clear out storage area, fix basement doors that don't close properly, wash windows at some point
4. Family: Costa Rica album, anniversary book, vol. 2 of uncle's memoirs
5. Personal: Read Italian novel vol. 2, get outdoors as much as possible, lots of exercise
6. Misc. work: Update program website, prep new class

JaneB

Home, self and life:

1) Building better habits: more small things that bring joy, especially in terms of making stuff/doing art. More things which engage my brain and are Not Work (D&D, reading for fun). Paying attention to eating as a self-kindness not as a tool to shut up the toddler/appease the negative brain weather.

2) improving my environment: sorting out the war/floor-drobe situation, doing one big Improvement Thing (I'd like that to be getting a sofa - so would ShoutyPants!), getting the front gutters replaced, doing a big turn out of the spare bedroom/craft space/home office where I spend most of my time at home.

Academic work (the job and the work both):

3) use the block model as last summer - aiming for 24 blocks (3-4 hours of future-focused work like preparing for teaching in the following year). Aims are to get on top of teaching prep and maybe do some "just for me" research tasks (exploring future ideas).

4) I have a lot of writing projects (grant ideas and journal articles) which all involve other people therefore are not fully in my control - I'm setting the goal of substantial progress on four of them this summer.

5) supporting graduate students (it's only sort of a TLQ thing, but it is taking up a larger than normal amount of my summer, and it is important, so I'm including it).

Julie

1. Research & writing (this will be buffet style)

  i) Revisions to article currently under review (assuming it will come back some time this session)
  ii) Outline at least, write if possible, two different chapters I've been invited to contribute to edited volumes. Both mean revisiting old material, so I'm dragging my feet a bit here. One is also for a popular audience, so a different style of writing (cookery?) than I'm used to.
  iii) Organise workshop in June
  iv) Do some research on current project. Depending on outcome of grant application, work out priorities for next year.
  v) book review

2. Teaching

  i) Get all marking done.
  ii) Read final final drafts for one PhD student; wait to see if other student will ever send written work (this is heading for a car crash).

3. House

  i) Big project for this session: getting the garden how I want it.
  ii) Small jobs as and when time allows.

4. Fun stuff/self care

  i) Exercise - improve fitness.
  ii) Eat healthily - this session will either be great for this or terrible.
  iii) Sleep!
  iv) Continue reading for pleasure
  v) Journaling, more creative stuff.

Susan

1. Get Famous Author out the door (goal June 1)
2. Write short essay about recent book, theoretically due June 1
3. Write keynote address for late June workshop, preferably before I fly to the UK on June 15
4. Start poking around in archives on new project
5. Have a good vacation with my sister in Paris and with friend
6. Start preparing my head for the fall and a return to teaching.
7. Keep up with some kind of exercise/ fitness
8. Enjoy myself - museums, theatre, etc.
9. Be sociable, try to meet people

2025 MidYear Session, Week 6

 We have just had a couple of days of Really Hot Weather by UK standards - which means humid and sticky and miserable, given our infrastructure is all set up around the oceanic climate norms of cool, damp, and frequently windy.  So lets talk about heat-wave beverages and treats - what would you ideally have on hand?  I've already written about my Grandma's lemonade, but elderflower cordial made up with cold water, ice and a dash of sparkling water is another lifesafer, or Citron Presse.  And putting individual serve smoothie pouchs or yoghurt tubes designed for kids into the freezer creates healthy delicious ice-lolly type treats for grownups too.  What about you?

LAST WEEK'S GOALS:

Dame Eleanor Hull

- write next conference paper
- errands in Our Quaint Village (previous town)
- swim x3 (pool is reopening!!), cardio & weights x2
- pack for next trip
- tasks for summer TA (very urgent!)
- continue progress on clearing study and/or guest room
- read book for mystery group meeting

Heu Mihi

1. Round of revisions to article
2. Italian novel to p. 196
3. Draft fall syllabus
4. Start reading book to review
5. Respond to student re. grad handbook; finish (??) handbook revisions

JaneB

1) building better habits: one creative thing with the hands, keep reading for pleasure, start a new yarn project
2) Environment: get caught up on chores, make the most of spending time with the decluttering person
3) blocks: no goals this week
4) writing: referee another article: at least one hour on each of three different projects with meetings this week or next
5) grad students: meetings, comment on mountain of first draft of discussion from now-senior graduate student
6) be kind to myself and stick to the three days.

Julie

1. Prep for workshop (read papers for my session, think of some discussion points), try to enjoy workshop when it happens
2. Finish PhD thesis if time.
3. Review for PhD student.
4. Read book in library in Paris on Wednesday afternoon.
5. Pack for trip, organise son's expedition (possibly at a distance)
6. Enjoy weekend with friends!

Susan

• Vacation!  Hope it was wonderful!

2025 Midyear session, week 5

Week 5 already; goodness, time flies when you're having fun! Thanks, JaneB, for doing last week's post, and for a fun on-theme discussion question. I'll be traveling again next weekend, so I hope you can pitch in again, but then I'll be back to do the midterm check-in and the rest of the summer.

Also, we're sending good thoughts to Contingent Cassandra and Daisy! We hope all goes as well as it can.

That's the housekeeping taken care of. This week's discussion question: what food do you like to pack for a trip? Is it different for a road trip or plane flight? Do you always hit a particular restaurant on your way out of or into town? As usual, answer if the question speaks to you, and skip it if it doesn't appeal or if you're in a hurry.

How did you do last week, and what's on your plate for the coming week?

Dame Eleanor Hull

- Have a good time at conference
- Visit the library here in hope of finding something useful for essay due in September
- unpack at home
- behave self at fundraising shindig
- put up next week's main TLQ post
- work on organizing either guest room or my study

heu mihi

1. Try very hard not to get kid's cold
2. Enjoy my birthday (tomorrow)
3. Enjoy kid's birthday (Saturday)
4. Italian novel to p. 147
5. Tenure letter, which includes finishing a book and reading 3 articles
6. Do at least one self-indulgent fun thing for my birthday

JaneB

1) building better habits: one creative thing with the hands, keep reading for pleasure, start a new yarn project
1b) go to physio appointment re Hurty Foot
2) Environment: get caught up on chores, make booking to see decluttering person
3) blocks: do one teaching block
4) writing: referee an article: spend an hour on one of the research writing things I need to do
5) grad students: meetings, start junior MRes student on their lab work
6) be kind to myself and stick to the three days.

Julie

1. Finish reading PhD thesis.
2. Progress review for PhD student.
3. Do some planning for a book chapter.
4. Boring admin stuff: send yet more details about patio furniture, collect prescription, go to doctor's appointment, get appointment and X-ray for son, renew library book.
5. Self-care/fun stuff: video call with friends, read, exercise, get back to healthy eating (fruit snacks!), get more sleep, maybe do something creative.

Susan

1. Finish the review essay
2. Draft keynote for the end of June
3. Read dissertation chapter
4. Keep unpacking and reorganizing
5. Get garage door fixed
6. Get organized for trip to UK/ France
7. Keep up with the exercise

Midyear Session 2025 Week 4

 Hi everyone, I'm just popping in this week whilst our hostess is travelling - I hope it went well!

It's been a very slow/brain dead week here (end of term-itis, I hope) so I've been watching a lot of random short-form videos because that's been about the right speed.  I seem to have a fairly wholesome persona to the algorithm - rescuing cats from trees, a wombat sanctuary, baby zoo animals, baby goats, D&D facts or stories, random science facts.  And for some reason, this week, snack plates - people putting together a balanced plate of snacks for children after school, as a quick lunch, to go with a movie - so for this week's prompt, what 5-6 items would you put on an adult snack plate, whether that was to go alongside an afternoon of writing or sitting out in the garden, or for a lazy evening with books and cats/people of your choice? 

DAISY

Taking June off from goal setting

DAME ELEANOR

* finish first/most important conference paper
* Plan summer TA work to at least first approximation
* gym x 4, yoga x 5
* do some poking at one course proposal
* make appointment for eye exam
* at least 3 hours on garden
* work on organizing either guest room or my study

HEU MIHI

1. Italian novel to p. 98

2. Finish copy-edits

3. Kid's birthday prep

4. See some friends

5. Go for a walk in the woods

JANEB

1) building better habits: one creative thing with the hands, keep reading for pleasure

1b) pay contact lens replacement bill, book GP appointment re Hurty Foot which is Not Going Away

2) Environment: get caught up on chores, make booking to see decluttering person

3) blocks: make a list of teaching-related blocks for this summer

4) writing: do at least one hour on each of two different writing projects (in addition to meetings/emails with people about projects).

5) grad students: meetings, hope defense goes really well

6) be kind to myself because some weeks are just grey and low energy and that is just HOW IT GOES.

JULIE

1. Finish book and write review

2. Chase workshop participants, finalise programme ahead of organisers' meeting on Thursday

3. Read a PhD thesis in my research area.

4. Boring work admin: do mandatory online training, book Windows update, book train travel.

5. Boring home admin: cancel a subscription, chase patio furniture company, change son's orthodontist appointment, pack for weekend away.

6. Self-care: continue healthy eating (at least until weekend), exercise, sleep, journal, read.

SUSAN

1. Finish everything for book and share file on Monday

2. Write review essay

3. Unpack, get house organized

4. All the appointments

5. Find new home insurance

6. Get exercise

Midyear Session 2025 Week 3

I've enjoyed the reminiscences and recipes shared so far! Thank you all. I hope any travellers have had/are having good trips. Contingent Cassandra, I hope you're doing well. 

This week's discussion question is about meal plans: do you plan for the week? And if so, how far in advance? That is, do you make a meal plan and buy things for it, or do you go to the store (or farmers' market), see what looks good, and plan from there? Or no plan? And how do your meal planning methods map onto your approach to planning work? 

JaneB, next Sunday I'm traveling to a conference, so if you could handle the check-in, that would be great! 

Let us know how you did with last week's goals, and we'll cheer you on!

Daisy (held over)

Catch up from conference absence
Extensive journal tasks
Read and edit thesis chapters
Read and edit three student project proposals
Write outline of paper from conference talk

Dame Eleanor Hull

* celebrate birthday and anniversary
* 8 hours work toward first/most important conference paper
* 2 hours planning summer TA work
* gym x 4, yoga x 5
* do some poking at one course proposal

heu mihi

1. Finish and submit abstract (due Friday)
2. Work through copy-edited version of Front Matter, Intro, Chapter 1, Chapter 2--aiming for one document a day for four days
3. Read prospectus (and prepare for Thursday defense)
4. Start Italian novel
5. Maybe?? begin storage room clear-out
6. Exercise
7. Put feedback on essay into one place so that I can easily access it later

JaneB

1) building better habits: three gentle movement sessions, one creative thing with the hands
2) Environment: get caught up on chores, contact decluttering person
3) blocks: make a list of teaching-related blocks for this summer
4) writing: make a list of all the writing projects and where they are on 1st June. Do (much postponed) task for the Wednesday meeting this week.
5) grad students: read things, meetings, prep questions . . . 

Julie

1. Mark three dissertations.
2. Mark one exam script that slipped through the net.
3. Reference for former PhD student
4. Read book and write review.
5. Book London train tickets.
6. June birthdays: niece, MIL, FIL.
7. Finish patio furniture
8. Pay in cheques.
9. Self-care: healthy eating, exercise, sleep.

Susan

1. Finish most of last work of Famous Author:
-- Request permissions
--- Read through one last time
(There are a few minor references I will do when I get home, but my hope is that by the middle of the day Wednesday, I can turn my attention to other stuff.
2. Re-read book I'm supposed to write 3000 words on by June 1. (Goal: June 6)
3. Return all books to library stacks, scan stuff that will be useful to scan
4. Pack up my books and get them approved to leave the library
5. Pack up apartment
6. Keep having a good time
7. Try to get some exercise!

Midyear Session 2025 Week 2

In the US, we have a 3-day weekend to celebrate Memorial Day. As an official holiday, it's supposed to commemorate those who served in the armed forces, but I think it has roots in older customs of tending graveyards and giving them a good spring-clean when the weather warms up enough to do so. So the theme for discussion this week is a dish or meal that you associate with someone you'd like to memorialize: Grandma's cookies will do fine if you don't want this to get too heavy.

I hope you've had a good week, and that Contingent Cassandra and heu mihi are enjoying their travels! Late additions are welcome, as some of us are still goal-setting for the session, so if you've been thinking about it, here's your engraved invitation. Please join in! 

For a bit of inspiration (I hope), roughly five years ago we were imagining magical assistants to help us tame the monster of preparing to teach online in the fall. If you want an alternative to this week's food theme, is there a magical assistant you'd like to have for this session?

Let us know how you did with last week's goals, or what fun things you did on vacation!

Daisy

Catch up from conference absence
Extensive journal tasks
Read and edit thesis chapters
Read and edit three student project proposals
Write outline of paper from conference talk

Dame Eleanor Hull

* prep food for 2-day symposium, go there, try to have a good time
* finish new raised bed and plant veg
* swim x2
* write 2x 1 hour
* scholarly reading/note-taking 2x 1 hour
* hang out with visiting friend next weekend

JaneB

1) set session goals in personal and professional spheres
2) TRY to get caught up with feedback to graduate students on written stuff (four items to do - realistically I should manage two)
3) mark two pieces of undergrad work that had extensions
4) set up a new teaching notebook
5) do gentle stretching workout three times
6) DON'T do any work work at least two days at the weekend

Julie

Finish marking exams (due Thursday)
Book travel for two workshops in June.
Finish assembling new patio furniture (unless it rains); buy new pots and plants for patio.
Prep for daughter's birthday party on Saturday.

Susan

1. Keep plugging away on Famous Author. With luck get everything just about done by Friday. Including asking for permissions.
2. Exercise
3. Enjoy myself in my last two weeks here.

Midyear session 2025 Week 1

This will be our first goal-setting week, and it's a good time to set session-long goals. How long is the session? Fourteen weeks, once again, so the final goal-setting week will be week 13 (10 August) and the reporting and rejoicing week will be 17 August. We'll have a midterm check-in on 6 July, week 7.

What do you want to rejoice about in the middle of August? That is, what accomplishment of yours shall we celebrate? Since it's summer (for those of us in the northern hemisphere, and in recent sessions that's been all of us [anyone Down Under want to join in? please do!]), I think some Fun Life Goals would be a good accompaniment to academic goals. 

Our theme is food, so consider whether you want to have a starter, main course, and dessert, or a succession of small plates, or a buffet from which to pick and choose.

So, three things, this week, assuming you introduced yourself in week 1 (and if not, please go ahead and do that this time): session goals, goals for the coming week, and, if you like, a suggestion for a quick and tasty meal, maybe a one-pot wonder.

Oh, and here's the boilerplate from previous sessions about goals: Goals can be in any aspect of life, although the key focus is often writing tasks that are personally and professionally important but that never quite tip over into important AND urgent. Urgent things sometimes find their way in here too; that is completely okay, and process goals are also most welcome. 

If you've been thinking for awhile about joining in, we'd love to have you try us out this time around!

Midyear session 2025 week 0

Hello there! It seems like time to have some announcement of a new session. I hope things have been going well during the time since the last "real" session wound up (and thanks to Susan for doing the intersession posts). The end of my term seemed like a mad scramble, and I dropped some small balls like sending congratulatory e-mails to students who won awards, but all the big stuff got done (so far as I can tell . . .) and I've just attended graduation. 

JaneB and I both offered to host for the summer, but we've had no further discussion of whether we're sharing or what. That's one reason to have a Week Zero. Another is that you may just be finishing up a term, or not yet done, or have done so a few weeks ago and be on holiday; one way or another, you might want some time to think about goals for the next session, rather than starting right in.

I'm thinking of a cooking/recipe theme for this session, both literal and metaphorical. On the metaphorical level, at Week Zero we don't even have a meal plan, just a mass of ingredients: staples in the cupboards, stuff in the fridge that needs to be used up, some bags of groceries that someone else shopped for, through which we're searching for what we need and finding various things we didn't put on the list ourselves. 

So, stop by in the comments to introduce yourselves and give us some idea of the ingredients you're working with this time. Next week we can think about the actual meals we need to produce/goals for the next few months! Right now, it's just "What's on your plate?" or "Oh dear, here's this Jerusalem artichoke I'm going to have to do something with." Feel free also to make suggestions about how long this session should run, though I'm thinking of winding up around mid-August. 

Newbies or returners very welcome! Come hang around the kitchen and have a drink while we take inventory of the ingredients.

Intersession week 4

 Sorry for the late posting -- a friend was visiting over the weekend and I had NO TIME!  

But, since we did lots of fun things, tell us one fun thing you did in the last week, something that gave you pleasure.

Goals from last week:

JaneB

- mark three final year projects and at least two questions from first year short answer quiz
- get caught up on dishes
- read an entire novel and an entire non-fiction book as a MINIMUM

Daisy

ALL the admin things - I have a two-page list...
Finish all grading
Read new thesis chapters
Do a bunch of analytical work for upcoming talk/paper (THIS IS IMPORTANT!)

Susan 

1. Finish restructure of chap 6/7 into 6/7/8
2. At least look at Epilogue and think about how to split (this is less difficult)
3. Do Conference submission
4. Finish expenses
5. Weights x2, Yoga x1, walk x 2
6. Enjoy activities with friend from home who is visiting this weekend.

Intersession week 3

 Posting a bit late, as I got caught up in cleaning the house and making dinner for some friends.  

I hope everyone had a good Easter/ holiday weekend.  Did you get a chocolate Easter egg or Easter bunny? Is it as good as the one you imagined?  

Goals from last week:

Contingent Cassandra

--Continue recovery, including completing assigned PT exercises, adding back in walking and other leg-focused exercises as feels appropriate, humming and other gentle vocalization
--Continue leisure reading
--Write/submit at least brief written comment re: DEI resolution
--Maybe a bit of drawer and/or paper sorting if I'm feeling up to it

heu mihi

This week:
1) Read 4 more chapters of the manuscript (let's be ambitious)
2) Request or track down library books for abstract due 5/30
3) Process journal revision
4) Read honors thesis draft
5) Stay on top of grad student's exam prep documents
6) Finish fundraiser emails (probably with the help of a colleague who's much better at this kind of thing!)

Ughh I want everything to be DONNNNNNNE.

Susan

1. 2 more chapters at least. With luck, figure out the 3rd, which I need to split
2. 2 image requests
3. Do panel submission for conference
4. One more set of expenses
5. Weights x 2, Yoga x 2, walk

Intersession, Week 2

 I don't know about everyone else, but now I need to buy myself some easter candy (I think I'm more of a bunny person than an egg person, but no one buys them for me, so it becomes one more way to take care of myself!

I hope people have had a good week, and Contingent Cassandra's surgery was as uneventful as possible (or just having the expected events, anyway).  And I know some people are on holiday this week, so I hope you enjoy it!  

If you feel like it when you check in, tell us one nice thing that happened this week.

Articulated goals from last week:

Susan

1. Revisions of at least next two chapters of Famous Author. If there is time after doing 2-4, start on the third.
2. Request at least 2 of the needed images for Famous Author
3. Do the Panel Submission for next year's conference.
4. Do at least one set of expenses.
5. Weights x 2, yoga x 2, walking

Daisy

A thesis defence and resulting corrections
Exam marking
Grant application to finish

heu mihi

1) Send off Alignment essay (or whatever I'm calling it)
2) Read intro + 2 chapters of the manuscript I'm reviewing (it has 12 chapters, so they're short)
3) Look into building permit for our new deck
4) Draft emails for fundraiser

Contingent Cassandra

--Get through surgery and begin recovery
--Do a bit of leisure reading
--If I'm feeling up to it, follow and participate in campus discussions of current issues (including an anti-DEI resolution coming up on the docket for one of our governing board's committees next week)

Julie

Enjoy holiday without laptop!

JaneB

Wait for goals

NOT REALLY A SESSION WEEK 1

 So this is very informal for those of us who find it helpful to keep setting goals.

For this week, please let me know how long you think this will be helpful -- through April? Mid-May? 

If you want to set session goals, do, but I'm just thinking this is more just a weekly thing. 

Anyway, what's on your desk for this week? 

2025, Session 1, Week 14: the end. Easter eggs!

So this is the last week of the session, dictated by my kids' school term and our imminent holiday on Saturday, but I know it's not quite the end for everyone else. So I'll post everyone's session goals below so people can do the usual reflection on what worked/didn't work, in the knowledge that there can be an extension to the session if anyone wants to keep going. Feel free to post goals for this final week or weeks, maybe with an eye to 'parking on a downhill slope' for the next session.

Dame Eleanor asked last week if we could all have badges for 'surviving Janfarch'. More than badges: everyone can treat themselves to a virtual (or real) Easter egg. What would be your perfect Easter egg? Dark or milk chocolate? Hollow or filled? Or what other gift would you like to reward yourself with?

*********************************************************************************

JaneB

1)      SELF-CARE (recovery and self-kindness)
* Maintaining good habits - something creative every week, D&D related time every week, reading regularly, intentional movement, something social with a non work person even if it's a typed conversation.
* Specific things - reading & journalling through the "self care for autistic adults" book I didn't do last session.
2) HOUSE-LIFE CARE
* Habits - 75% or more of the weekly minimal chores, 1 small additional environment thing a week
* Specific things - researching for the changes I want to make to my downstairs living spaces this summer, keeping up with garden trimming as and when spring comes along, creating some better financial habits

2)      TEACHING AND ADMIN
* successful teaching delivery (which has to happen, but it will take a good chunk of time each week so it's going in...)
* productive engagement with teaching redesign process (whilst pushing for my needs to be met e.g. being allowed to take time to think about decisions not make them on the fly, information in writing, etc.)
* stay in my lane! (especially with the further reduction in hours and the big research project having finally started).
* support senior grad student - submission is early March - and external Research Master's student - submission is mid March - plus other students, but these two are the priority until late March.
4) RESEARCH
i) measurable progress on at least two papers - two, because this session is almost 100% teaching weeks for me (there is the inter-semester marking week, and the week when the second years are on their overseas trips, but those are realistically going to also be structured by teaching-related needs.
ii) find out my commitments in the small cog in a big project situation and meet them as I can around my own capacity

Julie

1. Research (TLQ)
i) Write article for end of January deadline.
ii) Write longer version of grant application for 1st March deadline.
iii) Spend remaining small grant money.
iv) Figure out some research for after 1st March.
2. Teaching
i) Marking: finish current batch, do next batch mid-February.
ii) Keep teaching prep as minimal as possible.
iii) PhD students: R has submitted, so just viva guidance; I is writing up, needs carrot; M has extended yet again, needs big stick.
3. Admin
i) Usual round of moderating other colleagues' marking, being a good citizen etc while also saying no as much as possible.
4. Kids
i) Meet with teachers, advise on subject choices, try not to lean too heavily on them.
ii) Usual ongoing work of parenting - try to do this with minimal shouting/resentment.
iii) Encourage family time: films, reading together, make travel plans.
5. House
i) Essential financial stuff
ii) Small jobs, but no impossible goals.
6. Fun stuff/self-care
i) Sleep!
ii) Exercise
iii) Healthy eating.
iv) Read.
v) Creative stuff
vi) Make travel plans for Easter and summer.

Daisy

Exercise regularly
Finish one new paper, one old one (feels like there should be a borrowed one and a blue one too…)
Shepherd department through hiring process for critical position (more than one if we get lucky)
Get my lab and sample archive organized
Teach well and refresh key lectures
Support grad students to finish projects
This week’s goals
Exercise 4 times
Start sample archive project
Sample processing
First week’s lectures and labs
Meet grad students and make term plans

Susan

1. Polish and give big public lecture on January 15
2. Submit almost final text of Famous Author to press on Feb 1, and do whatever further edits are needed after my editor and reviewers read it.
3. Get maps done for Famous Author
4. Get image permissions for Famous Author
5. Take care of whatever I need to do on Big Collaboration (we're waiting on a few more contributors to cut their essays to the required length, and then it's in production, so it will be dealing with the copyedited ms.
6. Pick up work on the Rest of My Life project when i recover from January.
7. Keep up with exercise, do more walking
8. Read for pleasure
9. Do fun things

Heu mihi

1. Good habits: Continue with exercise regimen; practice inversions three times a month; reintroduce meditation into my life to any extent
2. Read 1 Italian book (I've just ordered "L'amica geniale" from our local bookstore!)
3. Finish reasonably polished draft of article due in April (for workshop)
4. Final revisions to book manuscript
5. My actual job: Create online teaching supports for grad students; work on data to advocate for an administrative change
6. Finish two in-progress knitting projects and make progress on my big new fun one

Dame Eleanor

- make measurable progress on two research projects
- manage teaching and GTAs effectively
- gym and yoga 5x/week (each)
- be adequate at committee assignments

Contingent Cassandra

--Make substantial progress on Study Leave project (which has multiple components and possible outcomes, so one of the things I need to do soon is some more detailed prioritizing and planning)
--Continue exercise habit
--Work on other self-care activities, especially identifying leisure activities that are truly restorative
--As time allows, make progress on making my home more livable for me, and workable for having guests over (I've lived in a one-room apartment for the past 17 years, and, while it has its attractions, and at this point feels like home, it's also both overcrowded with stuff and in need of some repairs, replacements, and updates, starting with the fridge and stove).

2025 Session 1, Week 13

 It's now officially spring here in the UK since the clocks went forward last night. It is also getting warmer and there are daffodils everywhere, and hyacinths and magnolia starting to bloom. I hate losing the hour, but the longer evenings are definitely compensation.

This is the last week for goal setting as next week is the last in the session, so we'll review session goals, as usual, and maybe look ahead to next session. Volunteers for hosts welcome!

Today's prompt is stolen from a question a friend asked on Facebook last week, and is just for fun: If money were no object, what would you treat yourself to each week or month? The one restriction is that the treats have to be ephemeral, not lasting objects, so for example, fresh flowers each week, a regular supply of fancy chocolate, a massage...

Last week's goals:

Daisy

Admin catch-up
Read student chapter (different one!)
Last concert for season
Document planned course changes
Grant application

Heu mihi

1. Reread ch. 1; deal with ch. 2 OL text if the library gets it to me this week
2. Send lots of email reminders and Zoom links for various things
3. Clear up a couple of notes-to-self in Alignment
4. Return to exercise, again

JaneB

1) SELF-CARE (recovery and self-kindness)
* habits: something creative, D&D, read a novel, intentional movement 15 minutes x 3 days, a social thing
2) HOUSE-LIFE CARE
* 75% or more of the weekly minimal chores
* sort out the BOTTOM of the stairs area
3) TEACHING AND ADMIN
* prepare for submission of undergrad research projects (I get to administrate all of it this year - yay. not.)
* feedback on postgrad chapter (it's never-ending)
* start timetabling planning if possible (make list of what I need to think about, at least)
4) RESEARCH
* do at least two items on the Consultancy Paper list
* referee an article
* read for stupid research assessment thing duty which I do not want to do. Pout.

Susan

1. Read and trim paper for this weekend
2. Read essay for seminar tomorrow
3. Do several admin type things so they are DONE.
4. Pull together material for potential award.
5. Sleep
6. Keep reading for fun.

Dame Eleanor

- grade things
- graduate applications, process
- grant application, read/comment

Julie

1. Build a bridge!
2. Read through corrections to a thesis I examined last year.
3. Informal queries about PhD examiners for student.
4. Self-care: exercise, sleep, read, journal.

5. Life admin: renew health cards for Easter travel, research summer travel plans, do small to medium house jobs. 

2025 Session 1, Week 12

 

Photo of the Mathematical Bridge, Queens' College, Cambridge (see https://history.queens.cam.ac.uk/college/mathematical-bridge for history, myths and technical details)

Hello everyone. Hope it's been a good week, or at least, survivable. The teaching term has now finished here, and the way this year has worked out for me, I have no marking now until next term. And I submitted the grant! So I'm in a bit of limbo, with two weeks left in the session and before holidays, which I don't want to waste, but am not quite sure what to do with TLQ wise. So the prompt for this week is thinking about how to get from one project to another. What 'bridges' do you build? I feel I need an equivalent for transitions of JaneB's 'parking on a downwards slope' to help decide what to pick up next. 

In the meantime, a photo of a bridge that is famous at my undergraduate university, mainly because there were all sorts of myths around it e.g. that it had originally been built without any nails, but a team of engineers had taken it apart and then couldn't figure out how to put it back again. The history page linked to above doesn't include that some of my wedding photos were taken on the bridge (we had no connection to the college whatsoever, but our own college was booked out for weddings two years in advance and this was the prettiest alternative venue). Feel free to share favourite bridges, if you have any!

Last week's goals

JaneB

1) SELF-CARE (recovery and self-kindness)
* habits: something creative, D&D, read a novel, intentional movement 15 minutes x 3 days, a social thing
2) HOUSE-LIFE CARE
* 75% or more of the weekly minimal chores, tidy up the upstairs landing (one day this WILL happen)
3) TEACHING AND ADMIN
* prepare little bit of teaching for next week & do ViLE stuff
* mark first year essays
* mark late draft of final year project
4) RESEARCH
* write letter for potential academic visitor
* look at the Consultancy Paper that is back on my plate, sigh. I am so fed up with this paper... (but I have quite a lot of hours in the office this week when I don't have teaching prep to do and that's a good setting to do a task I don't want to do, using the "I already don't want to be here..." logic).

Dame Eleanor

- read dissertation for said commitment
- review the next batch of grad applications
- half an hour of research a day
- review comments on Alms from a friendly reader
- yoga x5, cardio x5
- fill a form and book a hotel for a May thing
- show up for all the necessary meetings etc

Susan

1. Read next article for journal
2. Keep digging for archives
3. One weights, 2 workouts of some kind while traveling
4. Keep reading for fun

Heu mihi

1. Read rest of dissertation
2. Enter edits into MS doc; finish??
3. Return to essay due April 15
4. Be okay with not exercising, other than lengthy walks to and from conference venue (see above re. virus + conference)

Daisy (carried over from last week)

ENDLESS student thesis stuff
Learn new music
Midterms, study guides, marking
Plan analytical work

Contingent Cassandra

--Finish signup directions and guidelines for transcribers, communicate with people who have volunteered to test the directions/site
--Take a full day off: read a book and/or take a long walk
--plan for archives trip: list documents to find; check if an appt is needed; if so, make one
--As time allows, continue work on site: add additional documents ; experiment with adding person, place, and/or event items
--Write department chair, program director, and scheduling coordinator re: possible adjustments to fall schedule
--Continue movement, especially strength training of arms/shoulders (perhaps begin using some of the recommended post-op stretches as warmups?)
--Continue work in the garden (weeding, seed-sowing, mulching, bed-building)
----Begin taxes
--As time allows, continue household work, especially packing/mailing returns, taking things to storage, and/or generally rediscovering/rearranging things.

Julie

1. Submit grant application (deadline Friday).
2. Review session for first-years.
3. Sign off two grant applications for other people.
4. Tedious bit of admin (ethics audit)
5. Final meetings of term.
6. Informal queries about PhD examiners for student.

2025 Session 1, Week 11

 Prompt for this week is one we may have had before, so apologies if I'm duplicating, but sometimes reminders can be helpful. I'm thinking of this one as how do you get started when your batteries feel low? I got home this afternoon after a weekend away which was fun, but intense, and because of engineering works on the railway, the journey back today took six hours of trains and buses compared with the usual three to four hours. So I felt completely groggy and found myself sitting vacantly in a chair for a while not knowing where to start with unpacking bag, laundry, writing a shopping list, thinking about this post etc. In the end, I had a shower, read for twenty minutes and now still feel tired, but a bit more awake. Reading something, even if just for a few minutes, is often a way I can summon up a bit of energy. Going for a walk is another option. So what strategies or techniques do you have to get yourselves moving, literally or metaphorically, when you feel brain fogged?

Last week's goals:

Jane B

1) SELF-CARE (recovery and self-kindness)
* habits: something creative, D&D, read a novel, intentional movement 15 minutes x 3 days, a social thing
2) HOUSE-LIFE CARE
* 75% or more of the weekly minimal chores, tidy up the upstairs landing (one day this WILL happen)
* a couple of small things off the list
3) TEACHING AND ADMIN
* prepare remainder of teaching for next week & do ViLE stuff
* write even more applicant letters
* meet with now-senior grad student to go through their technical terminology (their phonetic spelling is amusing at times but science also needs consistency...)
4) RESEARCH
* review article for journal
* if possible, spend an hour on reading/writing for vague grant idea
* if time, look at the Consultancy Paper that is back on my plate, sigh. I am so fed up with this paper...

Heu mihi

1. Research: Edit (on paper) chapter 5 and conclusion. Take a look at article due in April just to remember what I still have to do.
2. Grad students: Read intro and first chapter of a dissertation. Meet with various people. Plan *and announce* memorial event for student who died in December.
3. Teaching: Keep it going.
4. Exercise: Do what I can and forgive myself if I miss days.

Susan

1. Figure out the paper I'm giving in 2 weeks and write it. (It's theme and variations with what I've done already, so not as daunting as that sounds.)
2. Read next journal article for press, deal with the next version of "And Also"
3. Figure out visit with old roommate who was recently widowed.
4. Make plans for conference in Boston the end of next week
5. Weights x 3, one good walk, one yoga
6. Keep up with the reading
7. Maybe do a few of the image permissions?

Dame Eleanor

- continue work on slides for at least one conference paper
- do some scholarly reading, take notes on whatever has stickies sticking out
- do some odds and ends of grading and ViLE stuff
- read/comment Thing for a friend
- fill in one set of forms that involves money
- yoga x5, trainer session if I'm healed up enough
- find & print some tax documents
- calls about an insurance bill
- more graduate applications (or maybe I'll leave them till after break!)
- sit outside on warm days
- 90-minute massage
- read something fun
- organize the linen closet; do some other tidying up

Daisy

ENDLESS student thesis stuff
Learn new music
Midterms, study guides, marking
Plan analytical work

Contingent Cassandra (carried over from last week)

--Continue work on site: figure out csv import; add additional documents (both full documents & individual pages for transcription); work on making site more easily navigable, especially from key landing pages
--Draft call for transcribers and other helpers and run draft and site by organizational leaders who need to okay distribution of the call via the organization’s communication channels
--Finish signup directions and guidelines for transcribers, communicate with people who have volunteered to test the directions/site
--Write department chair, program director, and scheduling coordinator re: possible adjustments to fall schedule
--Write colleague who has recently dealt with HR/university’s medical leave system for advice
--Continue movement, especially strength training of arms/shoulders (perhaps begin using some of the recommended post-op stretches as warmups?)
--Do additional work in the garden (weeding, seed-sowing, mulching, bed-building)
--Make progress on choosing/ordering refrigerator (and possibly stove), moving over-fridge cabinet, other fridge-replacement-related moving around of things, and/or packing/mailing returns.
--Plan/prioritize other household work

Julie

1. Finish the marking (due Thursday)
2. Somehow find time to work on grant application.
3. Final proper bit of teaching of term.
4. Finish booking train tickets, apply for daughter's provisional license, optician's appointment, plan for weekend in London (son in a cross-country race on Saturday).

2025 Session 1, Week 10

 Hello at the end of what has been an unseasonably warm weekend in the UK. It is scheduled to be cold again this coming week, but yesterday and today were glorious. I sat outside a café yesterday afternoon with a good friend, while our daughters sat by the river with ice cream.

Prompt for this weekend is thinking about friendship. I am absolutely drowning in marking and other stuff, and it is going to be a hard few days before I surface. But I spent all of yesterday with very good friends who were visiting from Scotland. The female half is one of my oldest friends from university and she and her partner have been rocks the last few years. Their kids and mine get on great. We don't manage to see each other that often, but it is always a huge boost when we do. And tonight the kids and I went for dinner with local friends, who again have made a point of being there for us the past few years. We have a regular monthly evening together.

As a result, I am feeling more up to facing the coming week than I was on Friday when I felt absolutely exhausted. Being part of this community is a boost as well, even if Susan is the only one I have (knowingly) met IRL. (Since I have yet to go to a US conference, I doubt I've met anyone else from TLQ, but who knows? Maybe one day).

So what friendships and communities keep you all going? Friends from childhood, uni days, more recently? IRL or online?

Last week's goals:

JaneB

1) SELF-CARE (recovery and self-kindness)
* habits: something creative, D&D, read a novel, intentional movement 15 minutes x 3 days, a social thing
2) HOUSE-LIFE CARE
* 75% or more of the weekly minimal chores, tidy up the upstairs landing (one day this WILL happen)
* make card & get presents for Ma's birthday (this is the many-events period of the year)
3) TEACHING AND ADMIN
next week is Reading Week so no classes for my undergraduates - but the following week is overly full for me with some new material, so I'd like to get ahead. Also that way I might manage a day or two OFF (to catch up on house stuff) next week since apparently my normal weekend isn't enough to do that right now...
* prepare half of teaching for week after next & do ViLE stuff
* email all tutees who didn't make the meeting
* plan some methods training with new masters student
* check in with student with crisis
* write more applicant letters (I did all of MINE by the deadline but as ever the reward for doing things is more things and now I need to help out with other people's allocations)
* meet with now-senior grad student to follow up on their mid-year meeting
4) RESEARCH
* exciting new project idea meeting
* if possible, spend an hour on reading/writing for vague grant idea
* if time, look at the Consultancy Paper that is back on my plate, sigh. I am so fed up with this paper...

Contingent Cassandra

--Continue work on site: figure out csv import; add additional documents (both full documents & individual pages for transcription); work on making site more easily navigable, especially from key landing pages
--Draft call for transcribers and other helpers and run draft and site by organizational leaders who need to okay distribution of the call via the organization’s communication channels
--Finish signup directions and guidelines for transcribers, communicate with people who have volunteered to test the directions/site
--Write department chair, program director, and scheduling coordinator re: possible adjustments to fall schedule
--Write colleague who has recently dealt with HR/university’s medical leave system for advice
--Continue movement, especially strength training of arms/shoulders (perhaps begin using some of the recommended post-op stretches as warmups?)
--Do additional work in the garden (weeding, seed-sowing, mulching, bed-building)
--Make progress on choosing/ordering refrigerator (and possibly stove), moving over-fridge cabinet, other fridge-replacement-related moving around of things, and/or packing/mailing returns.
--Plan/prioritize other household work

Julie

1. Revisions to grant application.
2. More and more marking.
3. Read final chapter of thesis and meet with student.
4. Teaching prep: keep minimal.
5. Celebrate (hopefully) with other grad student after her viva.
6. Get organised for friends visiting this weekend.
7. Book train tickets, find replacement booking for Easter, apply for daughter's provisional driving license (so not ready for this).
8. Self-care: read a novel, try to get outside as much as possible.

Susan

1. Finish the "And Also" response, add footnotes
2. Add the next revisions to my talk, practice it again
3. Try to get back to exercise: weights x 2, yoga x 1, 1 good walk
4. Figure out the next 3 talks (increasing panic, as one is at the endof the month)
5. Read for pleasure
6. Keep up with earlier dinners / bedtime
7. Work on migrating church website to a new hosting platform
8. Make reservations for summer travel.
9. Enjoy the public lecture and it being done.

Daisy

ENDLESS student thesis stuff
Advertising posters and organizing for interdepartmental event
Many meetings about hiring
All the marking…
Make March plan for schedule and activities

Distinguished Dame Eleanor

- continue work on slides for at least one conference paper
- do some scholarly reading, take notes on whatever has stickies sticking out
- load some more stuff to ViLE site
- read Thing for a friend
- fill in one set of forms that involves money
- yoga x5, cardio x5, trainer session
- find & print some tax documents
- order more flowers for niece
- set goals for March

Heu mihi

Shovelling!

2025 Session 1, Week 9

 

Some crocuses (croci?) as a reminder that spring will be with us sooner or later. It does finally feel springlike here, though still cold first thing and at night.

Today's post is inspired by something JaneB said a little while ago about having Sunday conversations with herself, which I thought was a nice way of putting it. Writing TLQ posts on a Sunday suggests this is a day of preparing for the following week, setting goals etc. But it's also hopefully a day of rest, whether religious or not. How do you balance the two? Is Sunday all about gearing up for the week ahead? Or is it a day for rest, for fun stuff and if so, does that help with the week ahead? What Sunday rituals do you have?

Last week's goals:

JaneB

1) SELF-CARE (recovery and self-kindness)
* habits: something creative, D&D, read a novel, intentional movement 15 minutes x 3 days, a social thing
2) HOUSE-LIFE CARE
* 75% or more of the weekly minimal chores, tidy up the upstairs landing (one day this WILL happen)
* get a birthday package in the post for my sister (it includes a plushy baby goat as we have been exchanging screaming goat memes over some parental frustrations lately)
3) TEACHING AND ADMIN
* prepare teaching for next week & do ViLE stuff
* nag all tutees about meetings
* mid year monitoring for one grad student, check in with another (who has personal drama going on which has required her to pack up herself and her dog and move back in with her mother at no notice, so is not having a good time and possibly needs to take a study break),
* write applicant letters
4) RESEARCH
* meetings about five differenet obligations will probably take ALL my research time this week... but lets pretend magic will happen and have a couple of "an hour on" stretch goals!
* if possible, spend an hour on reading/writing for vague grant idea
* if time, look at the Consultancy Paper that is back on my plate, sigh. I am so fed up with this paper...

Dame Eleanor

- measurable work on essay for proceedings volume
- continue work on slides for at least one conference paper
- do some scholarly reading, take notes on whatever has stickies sticking out
- fill in two sets of forms that involve money
- catch up with ViLE stuff
- revise syllabus
- yoga x5, swim 1-2 times, trainer session
- finish application for the Revised Thing
- find & print some tax documents
- send birthday cards for two friends
- go to former student's presentation

Susan

1. Put final touches on lecture for next week
2. Figure out what I'm doing in the 3 other talks I'm now giving before the end of June, use that to plan my time. (It's all theme and variations, but I don't want them to be all the same.)
3. Read for pleasure
4. Weights x 3, walk to work once, yoga x1
5. Keep up with regular bedtime, earlier dinner
6. Make plane reservations for summer

Daisy

ENDLESS student thesis stuff
A different grant application
Three student grant applications
Reference letters
Final bits of all musical, all the time…

Contingent Cassandra

--Continue work on site, including getting transcription and user accounts set up; figure out csv export and import (which seem to require two separate procedures)
--Add additional documents to site (and/or divide existing ones into pages for transcription)
--Continue movement, especially strength training of arms/shoulders (since having those as strong as possible going into surgery presumably can’t hurt, though nerve damage is admittedly a somewhat separate issue)
--Do some work in the garden
--Plan/prioritize other household work

--Write paper proposal for fall conference (being optimistic here, but this is a once-every-three-years conference that focuses exactly on my specialty, so I really want to go. Also, it's in a close-by city reachable by train, and mid-fall, so chances of my being able to attend seem good)

Heu mihi

Still travelling?

Julie

1. Finish last section of research proposal, send application to colleagues.
2. Do fiddly bits of grant: revising costings etc.
3. Write two references for students.
4. Read student's PhD thesis.
5. Advise other student about viva.
6. Start marking ALL the essays.
7. Research summer holiday options, book train tickets for two weekends away, organise lift-sharing for various sporting events.

2025 Session 1, Week 8

 Hello everyone! If I'd posted yesterday, this would be very upbeat, as it was suddenly warm and springlike here. The crocuses started coming out, I planted some bulbs, the garden was full of birds, my mother texted happily to say she had hung the washing outside for the first time this year. All the signs of spring...

Today it is wet, the sun has not shone all day, and we have weather warnings for gale force winds. The crocuses (croci?) are probably wishing they'd stayed underground longer, and my washing is on the dryer in front of the kitchen radiator. Heigh-ho.

Everyone seems to have a lot on their plate right now, and it is still February. So today's prompt is inspired by a blogpost I saw recently on 'What is saving your life right now?' What are you turning to for moments of sanity in all the madness, or what hacks do you have e.g. quick and easy meals, postponing things, for getting through busy days?

Last week's goals:

Julie

1. Write full draft of grant proposal to send to colleagues.
2. Exercise, sleep, healthy eating.
3. Trip to farm shop (they sell fancy candles).
4. Be kind to myself and focus on the kids.

JaneB

1) SELF-CARE (recovery and self-kindness)
* habits: something creative, D&D, read a novel, intentional movement 15 minutes x 3 days, a social thing
2) HOUSE-LIFE CARE
* decide about decluttering & communicate early
* 75% or more of the weekly minimal chores, tidy up the upstairs landing (one day this WILL happen)
3) TEACHING AND ADMIN
* prepare teaching for next week & do ViLE stuff
* schedule individual meetings for all tutees
* write applicant letters
4) RESEARCH
* if possible, spend an hour on reading/writing for vague grant idea
* if time, look at the Consultancy Paper that is back on my plate, sigh. I am so fed up with this paper...

Dame Eleanor

- tidy up the chapter and send to friend
- continue work on slides for at least one conference paper
- do some scholarly reading, take notes on HJ essay
- process at least 6 grad applications (this will not be the end)
- catch up with ViLE stuff
- yoga x5, swim 1-2 times, show up for trainer but try to take it easy
- continue work on application for the Revised Thing
- one appointment; visitation for former colleague; get birthday cards for two friends

Susan

1. Actually get to work on moving forward on Rest of Life
2. Finish working on maps
3. Do the easy permissions
4. Clear out more email (it's very satisfying)
5. Start filling out tax information for accountant
6. Exercise: weights x3, walk to work once, 1 yoga
7. Healthy eating and sleep
8. Enjoy being Auntie next weekend

Daisy

Student thesis stuff
Grant application
All musical, all the time…

Contingent Cassandra

--Continue work on site as time allows
--Continue some movement
--Visit historical society and convey results to nephew (who has an interest in the part of our family history I’ll be investigating)
--Enjoy conference & time away more generally; catch up with friends.

Heu mihi

On holiday, I think, or at least travelling!