2025 Session 3 - Week 9, pencil cases, pots and other containers

Storm Claudia brought a day of heavy rain and flooding to my part of the UK yesterday, and I was very glad it was my non-contract day so I could stay in, even if I did have work to do!  Not having Thanksgiving to look forward to can make this part of the year especially "slogging through mud that sticks to your boots" in nature, but we are definitely past the half way point of the semester so we should all give ourselves a little pat on the back and some virtual chocolate!

This week, lets talk about how we corral our writing implements on our desks and when we're moving around - do you still have a nice pencil case like we had in school, or are you more of a "pen in every bag and pocket" type?  Does your desk have a special pen pot or tray, or do writing implements hang our free-range?

A Shoutypants laser-hunting victory caught on camera! (Ignore bucket of washing up items being collected from all over the house, I didn't get to clear the photo zone before playtime was demanded)

<b>LAST WEEK'S GOALS:</b>

Daisy

Write something on a paper again
Sample processing
Review
Awful 1.5-day committee meeting in different town
Friend visit in former town after meeting

Dame Eleanor Hull

- swim x3, cardio x3, weights x2, yoga x5
- at least 4 writing sessions
- grade undergrad papers; grade last grad quiz, make up next one & grade it; grade at least one in-class assignment from undergrads; do some prep of objects for a special class
- more work on sample syllabus for a proposed course
- more planning of writing projects
- dig compost-heap potatoes

heu mihi

1. Decide on and announce spring and summer teaching
2. Read grad student's note and respond to it
3. Three articles/chapters
4. Follow up on conference-related work
5. Cook and deliver meal for sick colleague
6. Get Covid vaccine
7. Exercise etc.

JaneB

SELF-CARE:
a) intentional movement for at least 15 minutes three days
b) making a couple of times a week
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) prepare week 10 materials
b) limit teaching and admin to 5 hours at weekend
c) finish current graduate student text and do at least one more piece of graduate student writing (both MSc by thesis students submitted drafts of stuff last week)
RESEARCH
a) prepare for large project meeting (comment on revised document)
b) finish very long lasting multi-author paper resubmission
c) if possible read revised manuscript from last autumn's visiting pot-doc.

Julie

1. PhD viva.

2. Submit proposal for conference next year.

3. Work on article edits - 1 day.

4. Work on chapters - 1 day for each.

5. House/life admin: find plumber for annoying small things that don't seem to be working, send BIL birthday card, chase prescription, book eye test for daughter, book haircut for me.

6. Self-care/fun: find date to meet up with friends, read, journal, sleep, exercise, pub quiz with other friends.

Susan

1. Write paper

2. Enjoy conference

3. Hang out with friends and academic friends

4. Try to get some exercise during conference

5. Deal with any emergency stuff on work

6. Sleep well

7. Be zen about airline travel on 12 hour trips..