Greetings from a very windy UK, where the first Atlantic storm of the season is letting the trees get all dramatic and cast their leaves around, and annoying Mr Shoutypants because his windowledges are cold on windy days. It's still relatively early in Autumn and mild, but it is REALLY DEFINITELY Autumn now. My favourite season! Despite the students... and the colleagues... and the new software...
Last week we talked about which writing tools we used when - this week lets focus in specifically on pens. I have very strong feelings about pens, and I know many of my academic colleagues do, and I keep a pen-pot of university issued cheap biros on the student facing side of my desk in hopes of stopping them accidentally walking off with either the slightly better, mosre costly uni issued gel pens or even worse one of MY pens. As a mark of the financial situation of most UK regional (and this year also Brand Name) universities, the stationary cupboard is no longer stocked, but I have a box in my office which contains leftovers from past activities and years, so should be able to stock the student facing pen-pot for at least this year - and if at least half of them continue taking notes on their phones instead of paper (postit notes are left next to the pen-pot) perhaps two or even three years! So which pens do YOU guard jealously? Do you have an old favourite, a new discovery to share, or complete bafflement as to why people care?
LAST WEEK'S GOALS
DAISY
Paper outline and section points to go with talk
External committee work and travel
Write web posts on plane or something
Do at least one fun thing while away for trip
DAME ELEANOR HULL
- at least 3 writing sessions
- grade undergrad essays, prep for grad class, write and grade grad quiz
- read another essay submission
- read files for committee work
HEU MIHI
2. Revise index
3. Read 35 pages of Italian novel; maybe attend Italian discussion group
4. Complete periodic review of Gen Ed course (been on my docket for months now)
5. Start reading dissertation
6. Read prospectus
JANEB
a) intentional movement for at least 15 minutes three days b) making a couple of times a week,
b) print off Inktober prompts and start doing them
d) keep up reading for pleasure
a) 75%+ of the weekly list of chores
b) make a plan for the shelving in the living room
c) don't make clothes worse
TEACHING AND ADMIN:
a) get week 3 materials finished off for the first year module (the coming week is week 2)
b) limit teaching and admin to 5 hours at weekend
c) make contact with all my tutees/supervisees - again
d) get week 4 materials sorted for the honours class (they need releasing Tuesday of week 3 so if they are done by the end of this week that will help me relax over the weekend)
RESEARCH
a) multi-author paper (due 15 October) a couple of hours of work, schedule meeting
b) read and comment on chapter for meeting, add to methods text
c) test the computer stuff we set up last week
e) edit/precis box text using comments.
I like to use fountain pen for continuous writin. but between being a somewhat clumsy person and much of the writing I do at work being piecemeal, I find that kind of pens often leak or make a mess (they are not designed to be thrown into pockets or bags or pencil cases without any respect), and leaving the cap off leads to blocked nibs and scratchy nibs. So for most everyday writing I use a gel pen - currently I love EnerGel pens but I'm not consistent there. And I like to use drawing pens when I have time to write slowly/smoothly, e.g. for planning lists.
ReplyDeleteLAST WEEK:
Actually went quite well, considering, but I am still not used to the interruptions and last minute stuff that takes up so MUCH time in term time (and in the new School - all the changes are adding to the usual nonsense).
SELF-CARE:
a) intentional movement for at least 15 minutes three days just about but that counts
b) making a couple of times a week some crochet during a meeting counts as one
b) print off Inktober prompts and start doing them yes - this is also making
c) two gently social things (D&D hopefully) one and a bit
d) keep up reading for pleasure yes - the latest volume in the Tuyo series is as usual compulsive
IMPROVING MY ENVIRONMENT
a) 75%+ of the weekly list of chores not quite
b) make a plan for the shelving in the living room no
c) don't make clothes worse ish
TEACHING AND ADMIN:
a) get week 3 materials finished off for the first year module (the coming week is week 2) yes, after over an hour of Wresting With The Photocopier, sigh
b) limit teaching and admin to 5 hours at weekend yes
c) make contact with all my tutees/supervisees - again I have now seen all the third years and half of the second years and exchanges. They are adults, they need to take some responsibility! i tell myself this firmly
d) get week 4 materials sorted for the honours class (they need releasing Tuesday of week 3 so if they are done by the end of this week that will help me relax over the weekend) yes, I think so
RESEARCH
a) multi-author paper (due 15 October) a couple of hours of work, schedule meeting meeting scheduled, half an hour of work. Gah!
b) read and comment on chapter for meeting, add to methods text yes, no
c) test the computer stuff we set up last week no
e) edit/precis box text using comments
THE COMING WEEK
DeleteLots of meetings again, which is stressing me out in light of the 15th October paper deadline, but there are some places I can block out time, I hope. A busy and physically demanding Thursday to end the week with multiple repeats of a laboratory session for first years, and I don't know the technician who has been allocated to it and they don't know our building (our assigned person is on leave). hopefully everyone is getting used to the routine now!
SELF-CARE:
a) intentional movement for at least 15 minutes three days b) making a couple of times a week in addition to Inktober,
c) two gently social things (D&D hopefully)
d) keep up reading for pleasure
IMPROVING MY ENVIRONMENT
a) 75%+ of the weekly list of chores
b) make a plan for the shelving in the living room
c) don't make clothes worse
TEACHING AND ADMIN:
a) get week 4 and 5 materials ready to go, and STOP THERE (after this week I'm only coordinating the first years, not teaching the classes, for a couple of weeks - a bit of a breather before things get seriously busy - but I need to focus on research not on teaching this week),
b) limit teaching and admin to 5 hours at weekend
c) review processes for graduate student applications and catch up on relevant emails
d) do appraisal training (new system. SIGH)
RESEARCH
a) multi-author paper (due 15 October) meeting, at least half a day of work.
b) test the computer stuff we set up two weeks ago
c) edit/precis box text using comments.
d) talk about viva preparation with junior PhD student, and post-wildfire issues with junior MSc student.
e) continue to work on budget planning following a meeting last week
Half an hour of writing is infinitely more than none, so yay!
DeleteI don't dare start the new Tuyo book. Maybe after I turn in my 15 October paper!
Looks like you got a lot done this week.
DeleteWhy does this generation of students never have pens? It drives me mad. I'm not generous enough to have a stock to hand out, though.
It never occurred to me to provide students with pens! But my students do not use pens. :(
DeleteEnjoy the beautiful autumn colours and temperatures!
DeleteCongrats on the writing, all the little bits count!
I am picky about pens but not about expensive or fancy pens! I like a fine black ballpoint. For the last several years, my favorite pens are the swag from St Louis University's medieval conference. I got a couple the first year I went, and then started taking multiples because they are just what I like: not heavy, but a nice size and shape, with a textured rubber grip, a good flowing line, and in general do not leak or smudge.
ReplyDeleteHow I did:
- swim x2 or x3, cardio x3, weights x2, yoga x5: YES (close enough: x2, x2, x2, maybe x4)
- at least 3 writing sessions: ONE? This week just got away from me.
- grade undergrad essays, prep for grad class, write and grade grad quiz: 4 undergrad essays, yes, yes.
- read another essay submission: NO
- read files for committee work: I read the three most crucial ones, and the others can wait another week.
ALSO: went to two of Sir John's high school reunion events with him, created a new handout for grads about Grimm's Law, paid bills, did prep work for a workshop I'm running this Tuesday, did half an hour of weeding, had a couple of long text conversations with an old friend.
New goals:
- swim x2 or x3, cardio x3, weights x2, yoga x5
- at least 3 writing sessions (I've scheduled more than that on my calendar; let's see if I can stick to them!)
- grade the rest of the undergrad essays, prep for grad class, write another grad quiz
- read another essay submission
- read the rest of the files for committee work
The also list is impressive. And one writing session is still better than none.
DeleteI'm impressed by what you did, even if the week got away. Weeks do that!
DeleteCheering for the writing sessions this week! I have managed one so far and since it is o ly Tuesday I am cautiously optimistic about the rest of the week.
DeleteVirtual wine if we both make it to three this week?
I'm not too fussy about pens. I do have a very nice fountain pen my in-laws gave me as a gift, but I don't use it that much because I need to write more slowly with it to avoid blots. Mostly I use ballpoint pens which I try to guard because pens have a habit of walking off in my house. I try to leave them in strategic places such as by the calendar, in different drawers etc. I do, however, have a strong preference for writing in blue ink. Don't ask me why. Things just don't look right in black. I use red occasionally for flagging things that are really important like deadlines, otherwise blue unless an archive forces me to use pencil.
ReplyDeleteLast week:
1. Get reading for two different chapters done and fill in as many gaps as possible. - YES
2. Start looking at primary sources (two different archives in different places, so need to work how to juggle) - YES (archive outside of Barcelona is about a 90 minute train ride away, and only open 4-8 pm, so this has been a bit frustrating)
3. Co-habit peacefully with my dad. - YES (he is 82 tomorrow and irascible at the best of times, but he is trying hard, bless him)
4. See family. - YES (including lovely day yesterday by the sea)
5. Ignore all but urgent and essential emails. - YES (such a good feeling being able to ignore teaching emails)
It has been a productive week and everyone seems to be surviving at home. It's still ridiculously warm for October (27 degrees on Saturday), and Spanish hours mean I am not getting enough sleep. But the coffee is good here, so I can cope.
This week:
1. Maximise final afternoon today in other archive before trains stop running on Tuesday (didn't realise this before I came). How many photos can I take in four hours?
2. Maximise rest of time in Barcelona
3. Celebrate my dad's birthday tomorrow.
4. Squeeze in as much time as possible walking around my favourite bits of the city.
I'm glad the trip is going well, but an archive only open from 4-8 PM is quite something! Your description of your father is great, but I'm glad he's trying hard. I've always found it is hard when you think you're working and family have no sense of what that means.
DeleteTime in Spain is so strange, in part because it is so far west yet is on European time; the daylight just doesn't line up right with the clock time. I hope you get all the photos you need!
DeleteEnjoy the great coffee! I found that essential when working in Spain, the late dinners were tough to get used to but the midafternoon coffee definitely helps with that!
DeleteI'm an "it looks wrong in blue, I need black or brown ink" person - I'm not at all sure where this colour preference comes from! :-)
Delete
ReplyDeletePens… Love good ones, but do not seek them out deliberately I guess. I like writing to do lists in colours, and ticking them off in different colours. I really love Sharpies of all kinds, I have a collection in many colours and styles. They are not great for notebooks but I love them for sketching figures and things like that…
Last week’s goals
Complete draft of upcoming talk for co-authors to look at NOTHING, NADA
Paper outline and section points to go with talk NADA, NOTHING
External committee work and travel YES, HUGE
Write web posts on plane or something NOPE
Do at least one fun thing while away for trip REALLY GOOD DINNER
Week was extremely busy with traveling, but all went well. I got a huge amount of student stuff done, but everything else fell by the wayside.
This week’s goals
Complete talk
Record talk
Paper outline and section points to go with talk
All the marking
Web posts
External committee wrap-up
Accounting
Student stuff also needs to be done! I'm glad everything went well and that you had a good dinner :) Good luck this week!
DeleteI do love a Sharpie. There are Sharpies all over the place, in my bags, in random drawers... spot the field scientist :D
DeletePens: I'm left handed, so long ago learned that writing with a fountain pen, however lovely, led to lots of ink on my hand. So I go with gel ball point pens, fine point. But I also grab them whereever I am so I'm not actually consistent. I currently have 4 on my desk because they get hidden under piles of paper and I grab another. (My desk is chaotic.)
ReplyDeleteLast week:
1. Find chair for session YES
2. Organize talks NO
3. Write report on sabbatical (due Wednesday) YES
4. Write two letters of reference YES, BUT ONE WAS AN EMERGENCY SO I STILL HAVE ONE TO GO
5. Start thinking about the paper I am giving at the end of October. NOT REALLY
6. Buy plane tickets for conference in mid-November NO
7. Do something about ILL stuff YES
8. Keep up with exercise YES
9. Do something fun YES
10. Sleep YES
AND ALSO: cleared out two small boxes, took lots of things to the charity shop, and took my car in for service. I also caught up with stuff on the LMS. Paid bills. And lots of administrivia.
I think it all went pretty well, considering. Oddly, I think the exercise is helping keep me on track, and it also means I've generally been sleeping pretty well. But a bunch of things are moving to higher priority. The committee I need to coordinate for a policy that no one needs but has been mandated by the Regents of my university is a huge amount of work, and I'm drowning in it. FOrtunately, the worst of that will be done by October 24, and the rest must be finished by November 10.
Goals for this week:
1. Last letter of recommendation, due Friday (it's for a grant, and I really want them to get it.)
2. Start planning late October paper
3. Plane tickets for November conference
4. Set up talks
5. Be ready when ILL microfilms arrive to sit and save them to a file, which will be a massive PITA.
6. Clear out one box from the room of doom. (JaneB has a chair of doom, I have a whole room!)
7. Clear the chair in my office of accumulated paper
8. (optimistic) deal with one pile from my desk
9. Keep up with exercise
10. Do fun things at the weekend
11. Maintain healthy sleep schedule
IMO exercise helps with all kinds of things, including focus. The mandated policy work sounds so annoying. My brother's family has what they call the "room of doom," though I call it the "room of requirement," since so much is stored there (a lot of it neatly, even). But I think it is one reason they can't face moving! Good luck with yours. As to your desk: chaotic good, neutral, or evil?
DeleteI packed up a lot of stuff when I went away last year, and I am slowly going through it, and realizing what I don't need. Just have to find the right homes for it! So gradually dealing with it!
DeleteGood luck with the room of doom! Every box counts...
DeleteI allow myself one box of doom per room/space I am decluttering. I find allowing myself to keep some stuff helps me decide WHICH stuff, and let the rest actually leave the house.
DeleteI very specifically like Uniball Pilot Precise pens in the Extra Fine size ("Fine" is too big and therefore sloppy, "micro" is too small and scratchy). I have a lot of these in black, and also some in blue, but I never use the blue ones. Maybe I should try it.
ReplyDeleteI got some at Target a while back that had a nice design on them, and I like those a lot, but the design is hard to find for some reason.
LAST WEEK:
1. Write LOR for third student - Nope; he hasn't given me a deadline, to his detriment
2. Revise index - YES (finished it early this week)
3. Read 35 pages of Italian novel; maybe attend Italian discussion group - YES and YES--I was the only person at the discussion group other than the organizer, so I had an intense hour of conversation practice!
4. Complete periodic review of Gen Ed course (been on my docket for months now) - YES finally THANK GOD
5. Start reading dissertation - NO
6. Read prospectus - YES
This week:
1. Really must read the dissertation, at least the intro + 2 chapters
2. Consider writing LOR, but without a deadline, this may get pushed
3. Read 35 pages of Italian
4. Spend Saturday helping Mom declutter some part of her house
I don't even know what my other goals are right now, so I think I'm going to say that this is it. My days seem eaten up by a million tiny administrative tasks (this webpage link is broken! we need to approve the minutes from the last meeting! the merit allocations are confusing; explain them! who will teach online for us next summer? etc. etc. etc. for the rest of my life).
Also, my mom is finally starting to think semi-seriously about moving into a more manageable space, so I've offered to come out this Saturday to help her get started on clearing out some part of her house. (Many more Saturdays to follow....)
So that's about it for now. Just plugging along with the endless emailing, basically!
Your days are sounding eerily familiar to me... So many little things, and every one of them is little, but many come with complications, and even the easy ones take time... I am trying hard to make blocks of time where I do not do little things, and others where I blast through as many as possible, but it does feel endless some days...
DeleteGood luck!!
Oh, my. ALL THE LITTLE THINGS. You spend a whole day working and you wonder what you've done! Good luck helping your Mom: it's a stressful process for her, and whatever there is between you, it comes up. My SIL was more effective than her three kids were.
DeleteSO MUCH administrivia. Like being nibbled to death by a thousand goldfish...
Delete