tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post1162394347729867566..comments2024-03-27T21:39:17.479+00:00Comments on Top Left Quadrant: Week 5: summertime, and the bugs are a-buzzing...JaneBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779448611795379774noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-86139957555448325512017-06-23T10:26:32.259+01:002017-06-23T10:26:32.259+01:00The cost of publishing has just blown me away. I&#...The cost of publishing has just blown me away. I've seen a couple that do article publishing charges around 1000 GPB and then gold open access on top of that and then charges for colour figures. If I had that much money to do research I'd be celebrating by doing more research.<br /><br />I know that this isn't a new thing, but I'm used to publishing in professional society journals that cover the publishing costs but there aren't the same range of those for ped res. <br /><br />Libraries are so variable, I think I'm comparatively lucky to have access to most of what I need (not necessarily through the current institution, let's leave it at that).KJHaxtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08049710199439771331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-32827773230073625182017-06-23T10:22:21.522+01:002017-06-23T10:22:21.522+01:00Yes he does, he likes holding the yarn. He's l...Yes he does, he likes holding the yarn. He's less fond of the yarn winder I have purchased because he thinks it is less efficient than me winding it up manually despite understanding that I need to be able to use both ends of the yarn at once (multistrand knitting). And so he complains copiously about that :) <br /><br />The truce doesn't always sit easily with me - I frequently feel like I'm not doing my bit because it's often things that are mutually beneficial. But I'm working on it.KJHaxtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08049710199439771331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-27995762289148806962017-06-23T08:25:04.280+01:002017-06-23T08:25:04.280+01:00Ah yes the pleasure of NOT writing administrivia.....Ah yes the pleasure of NOT writing administrivia... one day...JaneBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17779448611795379774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-28340446421301892102017-06-23T08:24:00.837+01:002017-06-23T08:24:00.837+01:00Very true... and I'm sure my library is not th...Very true... and I'm sure my library is not the only one to not have subscriptions to most pedagogic journals I would want to read...JaneBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17779448611795379774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-34438282351939806362017-06-23T08:22:28.386+01:002017-06-23T08:22:28.386+01:00And most of the tips are collected and recycled fr...And most of the tips are collected and recycled from other group members - our hive-mind is very good at these things, it's so helpful to be part of it!JaneBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17779448611795379774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-54171859884829729142017-06-22T21:32:10.247+01:002017-06-22T21:32:10.247+01:00Finishing syllabi might be a good move since you&#...Finishing syllabi might be a good move since you're having to go to campus so much anyway. Will that stop soon so that you can get some more time away from campus and focus on other things. I hope! <br /><br />And I hope you have good air conditioning!Good Enough Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531793545583712309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-69709992363236882952017-06-22T21:23:56.192+01:002017-06-22T21:23:56.192+01:00Glad to hear you enjoyed the grass paper and the b...Glad to hear you enjoyed the grass paper and the break from administrivia. I hope those reserved times for Friday help you focus. Maybe you can really try to focus for each of those 30-minute blocks, with no "oh let me just check this other thing" distractions.<br /><br />I will totally drink a gin and tonic on your behalf. Good Enough Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531793545583712309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-17275302382041240632017-06-22T21:21:45.282+01:002017-06-22T21:21:45.282+01:00JaneB, yes, there is always easy-access guilt near...JaneB, yes, there is always easy-access guilt near at hand, isn't there? My husband does enjoy projects, and he is enjoying learning how to build what is essentially a very tiny square house without plumbing, but it's a lot of hard work, he is the type to begrudge others who are not working as hard as he is at a particular given moment. It's always been a tricky thing for us. I was feeling good on Tuesday. I went swimming and no one seemed to mind, but then when I went to yoga yesterday, he seemed to mind. But maybe he didn't? I try to model what I'd like him to do: I encourage him to go surfing, have a "guy's night," etc. I say, "Honey, you should go have fun!" etc." But, ultimately, I think I need to just try not to worry about how such things affect his mood as long as what I'm doing is reasonable. I should just say, "I'm off to yoga!" or "I'm off to swim!" or even "I'm going to go get some tea and write for an hour!" And head out the door with a spritz of Bugge Spray in my wake. <br /><br />KJHaxton, it's great that you have a truce. Does he help you if you need to wind a skein of yarn into a ball? :)Good Enough Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531793545583712309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-22225013633715835542017-06-21T20:06:45.920+01:002017-06-21T20:06:45.920+01:00Very late this week, for no good reason...
Topic:...<br /><br /><br />Very late this week, for no good reason...<br /><br />Topic: This is interesting, because I'm consciously trying not to push myself on writing this summer, to take time to just be. But the imposter syndrome is the bane of my existence, not helped by (male) colleagues who don't like that my work doesn't look like theirs. I was really struck by the author I'm writing about in Way Outside Paper -- a very prolific and popular mid-century writer talked about living with a demon who “brought darkness and was determined that I should not write books.” She was well into her 50s when she had “a sudden conviction that my demon had left me for good.” <br /><br />Anyway, last week:<br />1. Do minimal draft of assessment report STARTED, then decided not to<br />2. Turn to violence paper READ IT, ILL'd book needed, emailed someone for coments<br />3. Walk in the mornings - its about to be fiendishly hot here (40 degrees C, over 100), so the morning is the only time to exercise NO, but I did do a fair bit of garden work. And spent Sat. putting together furniture with a friend.<br />4. Read YES<br />5. Do at least one fun thing over the weekend SORT OF<br /><br />Analysis: I started on Assessment, then realized I didn't know something I needed to write it, there was no one to help me, and so I put it aside. I started on the violence paper -- enough to figure out that it's in pretty good shape, and probably only a day or so of research. But I was offered suggestions from the editor of a journal on what they'd want, and I'm waiting for that. I did start reading, and that's been good. But not enough. I seem to flit, and my admin roles keep coming up to haunt me. Last week I was on campus 4 days, this week I have something every day. Grrr.<br /><br />So I've changed tack: I'm going to finish syllabi this week, and push to get comments on the two papers by next week, when hte meetings finally slow down. <br /><br />Goals for this week:<br />1. Good draft of both syllabi for the fall, and library reserve lists in<br />2. Get desk organization back in shape.<br />3. Return comments on grad student papers (I graded to get grades in, didn't provide comments)<br />4. Get myself moving more.<br />5. Keep reading<br />6. Do something fun this weekendSusanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09716705206734059708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-14142330186026267442017-06-21T19:49:06.024+01:002017-06-21T19:49:06.024+01:00Enjoy your trip! Enjoy your trip! Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09716705206734059708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-57734586112277428012017-06-21T07:43:55.712+01:002017-06-21T07:43:55.712+01:00Late check in after a couple of weeks out, so I...Late check in after a couple of weeks out, so I'll try and sum up the last couple of weeks to clear the decks as much as anything:<br />Research: Co-wrote and presented grass paper two weeks ago for a symposium in Neighbouring Capital City - possibly stress out me co-author with the last minute-ness but my lord was it nice to writ something that wasn't admin-speak. Did my sections on co-authored curriculum paper.<br />In other news, assessed (lots), dealt with the usual array of building/admin/whs panics, opened an exhibition, actually spent time with the kids and friends including seeing art as part of midwinter event, went to bed before midnight.<br /><br />Topic: I think the first thing I need Bugge Spray for is buzzy distractions. I tend to fall into overwhelm quite easily, and constant task switching is a habit that I would like to break. <br /><br />This week, I will:<br />Finish the marking! (not strictly TLQ but will make me feel soo much better)<br />Hold 30 mins on Friday for planning, 30 min for reading, 30 min for writing.<br />Make a visible change in house or garden (weather dependant) over the weekend.<br /><br />Stay hydrated, all you summer folk (or at least enjoy a gin and tonic on my behalf)! For me, I'm holding onto the thought that the light grows from now.karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14194004000208786744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-86682654596807255722017-06-20T23:56:50.335+01:002017-06-20T23:56:50.335+01:00Thank you for your comments and great suggestions!...Thank you for your comments and great suggestions! Start writing, e-mails later. <br />Free-writing. Bits of notes in the documents...One of the things I like most of this group is many people have concrete techniques to share you can try. I will try. Thank you!Matildahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02496807875444414179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-74320209443878218132017-06-20T16:12:57.793+01:002017-06-20T16:12:57.793+01:00Perhaps a 'levitating plate' version of Bu...Perhaps a 'levitating plate' version of Bugge Spray would help...<br /><br />Yes, I think scheduling/blocking out days off sounds like a brilliant idea. Why shouldn't that be as important as all the other stuff that gets scheduled?Circehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17646237311802933183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-85624263384715326232017-06-20T16:11:09.350+01:002017-06-20T16:11:09.350+01:00I love the idea of a chart with those kind of deta...I love the idea of a chart with those kind of details in it. Thanks DEH!<br /><br />The heat is vile but thanks to an older house, the living room doesn't get above 24 deg C which makes it tolerable when the garden is 29. The cat's been hiding in the greenhouse for shade and because it's actually cooler in there! <br /><br />Impact factors don't seem to go away. I've been trying to focus on open access journals (without having any budget to pay for shiny gold open access). I'm working on the principle that for pedagogic research, being read is most important.Circehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17646237311802933183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-10322918135702205402017-06-20T16:08:32.006+01:002017-06-20T16:08:32.006+01:00Hope you have a lovely time...and that Scotland sh...Hope you have a lovely time...and that Scotland shows you her good side weather wise!Circehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17646237311802933183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-9617112360834489802017-06-20T16:06:56.615+01:002017-06-20T16:06:56.615+01:00Oh yes, the guilt. We've got a bit of a truce ...Oh yes, the guilt. We've got a bit of a truce about things like building work - husband likes having a project, I'm happy to help with the bits that are essential for 2 pairs of hands, and to offer suggestions if things get stuck. And he helps me with my projects in the same way. <br /><br />Circehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17646237311802933183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-60077770354070975442017-06-20T09:05:07.488+01:002017-06-20T09:05:07.488+01:00Oh, guilt, yes, so MANY ways to feel guilty! And I...Oh, guilt, yes, so MANY ways to feel guilty! And I don't even have kids and a partner to trigger it (although feeling I SHOULD have them does...). <br /><br />A couple of questions - does your husband enjoy the building work, at all? I have a colleague whose method of dealing with work stuff is to build things, he LOVES making things with his hands, so for him it's as much hobby/leisure time as going to yoga might be for someone else. And will he be pleased when your writing clutter is in the hut not in the house?<br /><br />Also, remember the old line about looking after your own oxygen mask first - you're a better parent and a better partner if you get to take an hour to keep your body and mind healthy or fifteen minutes to write, and you're both setting a great example for your kids and making it reasonable for your husband to also take an hour for a run or to call a friend or whatever HIS things he needs to do to be his best self are...JaneBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17779448611795379774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-43430582587969979272017-06-20T09:00:16.410+01:002017-06-20T09:00:16.410+01:00At least reading happened, which is impressive wit...At least reading happened, which is impressive with an air conditioning outage - heat saps everything!JaneBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17779448611795379774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-63210779907381685432017-06-20T08:58:47.083+01:002017-06-20T08:58:47.083+01:00I have no TV and no subscription streaming except ...I have no TV and no subscription streaming except what comes with Am@zon Pr1me - and I watch that maybe three or four times a year, when I'm ill? I really don't miss it - I find many other ways to waste time and putter around!JaneBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17779448611795379774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-13237830640446436682017-06-20T04:08:05.974+01:002017-06-20T04:08:05.974+01:00JaneB---yes, it's that feeling that it's &...JaneB---yes, it's that feeling that it's "better" to be more competent w/r/t house things; and I include the more abstract things, like (a) knowing when property taxes are too high and (b) appealing them, when I'm more likely to (a) not notice and (b) not want to deal with the hassle.Dame Eleanor Hullhttp://dameeleanorhull.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-51283279728307189392017-06-20T02:22:48.316+01:002017-06-20T02:22:48.316+01:00Scary point, but a valid one, Waffles!
I love you...Scary point, but a valid one, Waffles!<br /><br />I love your department head's saying, Jane. And you are spot on--I prefer the latter!Elizabeth Anne Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733237123376048432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-3570032006720867672017-06-20T01:56:21.962+01:002017-06-20T01:56:21.962+01:00If I need Bugge Spray, it's for guilt. I would...If I need Bugge Spray, it's for guilt. I would say it's for my family, but that seems rude. It's really about the guilt I feel if I take time for myself. My husband is working hard to build a backyard office / writing room / witch hut that is primarily for me, and I am both excited and grateful. But when he's back there constructing, I feel bad saying, "Bye! I'm going for a swim!" or "I'll be back after yoga!" I'm doing the inside purging and moving to separate the kids' rooms, prep for new carpet, etc., but I feel guilty taking time for exercise or writing. So. I don't know. I guess I just need to make sure I'm doing my part inside, and maybe figure out which times for writing will put the least impact on him. Probably late at night, but then I'm too tired. Or I just need to do what I want and spray away the guilt.<br /><br />Last week's goals:<br />1) Make major progress on the study. Empty desk drawers. Put daybed/trundle online for sale. Take books to office. DONE (except for books to office). Sold the daybed within 36 hours!<br />2) Swim 2x. Yoga 1x. DONE. (Well, Yoga 2x and Swim 1x, but I'll count it.)<br />3) Write 3x, 15 minutes each. NOT DONE. Just once. Surely, I can find time for this.<br />4) Read two short stories (along with other reading). NOT DONE. But started them.<br />5) Visit mom. SORT OF. Saw her on Father's Day.<br /><br />Analysis: I think I need a clearer writing plan.<br /><br />This week:<br />1) Finish emptying study and paint it to suit its future resident (my son). This will involve taking a LOT books to my campus office, etc.<br />2) Make belated father's day photo album for my dad.<br />3) Yoga 2x, Swim 1x.<br />4) Read a little of "Bird by Bird." Write 3x for 15 minutes.<br />5) Read two short stories.<br />6) Visit mom for an hour. Find a night to invite parents over for pizza.Good Enough Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531793545583712309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-64296901971318192942017-06-20T01:42:40.003+01:002017-06-20T01:42:40.003+01:00Oh, and with the pending trip, too! I also thrash ...Oh, and with the pending trip, too! I also thrash when trip planning. Maybe when you return, you can share how you compartmentalize preparations for such things so that the rest of your to-do list doesn't get neglected.Good Enough Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531793545583712309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-56857020755310384782017-06-20T01:41:18.056+01:002017-06-20T01:41:18.056+01:00I am so amazed by how much you got done even with ...I am so amazed by how much you got done even with the b-day party pending. During the week of one of my kids' parties, I get hardly anything done. When it comes to such things, I need to learn to focus more and thrash less.<br /><br />I hope the conferences, papers, and vacation time are fabulous. Safe and happy travels! Good Enough Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531793545583712309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-49199918012452444342017-06-20T01:37:45.242+01:002017-06-20T01:37:45.242+01:00Yes, the house thing. I have too many friends who ...Yes, the house thing. I have too many friends who have houses that are perfectly put together. I love when I go to someone's house, and it still looks a bit like a college house or (b/c I'm in CA) a surf shack. Makes me feel better and reminds me my furniture and decor are FINE, haphazard as they might be.<br /><br />Happy packing and traveling!!!Good Enough Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531793545583712309noreply@blogger.com