the grid

the grid

Sunday 12 September 2021

Settling in

Last week we were welcomed, with beverages of the stimulating or relaxing sort, with attention.  We've greeted people, and treated the Butler with proper politeness and maybe reserve.  We're seated in comfortable chairs. So now we're here, what happens next?  Once you've arrived, what next? Good conversation? Exploring the garden? A short walk? Dinner? board games? Dancing? 

And how do you settle in to the term/semester?  What changes as you  get used to your schedule?  What tells you you've past the start and are in it?  Or maybe, for those like Daisy on sabbatical, what marks some kind of stability?

Goals from last week:

Daisy

1) Work with current grad student who is visiting and get analytical plans in place
2) Do data analysis and figures for paper-that-everyone-forgot-about-and-now-need-done-fast
3) Do photography for figures in new local paper
4) Work on revisions for old paper
5) Assemble Baby Albatross paper and send to co-authors for review
6) Send away three batches of samples for analytical work
7) Make plan for the rest of the month
8) Do at least one fun thing with friends

Dame Eleanor Hull

*Revise my 2000 words for my writing group, work on spreadsheet, write another 1000 words either on current chapter or in preparation for another.
*More correction of exercises attempted by both Johnson Minor and Miss Baddesley; further planning of instruction for the latter.
*Arrange for my attendance at certain concerts.
*Continue to retire and to rise at suitable hours, and to take exercise regularly.

Elizabeth Anne Mitchell

Go through one box in the home office, and deal with everything in it.
Get better.

heu mihi

1. Submit sabbatical application
2. Run x 4, yoga x 2, sit x 5??
3. Read next chapter or two of book
4. Revise grant application
5. Sketch out a research/writing plan

Humming42

1 Submit current book review
2 Keep up with grading!
3 submit to upcoming writing competition
4 work on lit review for Photos conference presentation
5 rake the front yard (hoping for more tolerable temperatures soon)

JaneB

1) self-care: do 3 songs worth of exercise each day, "basket swap" at the end of the week, improve one small area of the house somehow. Clear off the reading chair in my work area.
2) make a list of the essential VLE work I need to do before students return, and schedule it - do as much of the three first trimester skills-led modules as possible (do knowledge-led next week)
3) get caught up on stupid CPD videos and things
4) read over what we said we'd do for the grant that got funded, and make some initial notes.
5) redo figures for Ferret (long standing members may recall that this paper has appeared for seevral years now...)

Karen

-record next week's online lecture

- email internal partner to discuss 2022

Research:
-remind O and A to get writing to me, return feedback if I get it before Friday
-check local T&L conf dates and draft abstract

Self and Home:
- 3 pomodoros of office unpack/rearrange.
- pot on tomatoes and plant last of the flower seedling trays

Susan

1. Two sessions working on Famous Author
2. Admin: Get survey for self-study done, get next section drafted
3. Finish article prize work
4. Do tenure review
5. Get estimates on cleaning ducts
6. Spend time with my mother
7. Get together with friends on zoom
8. Maybe even see people IRL


22 comments:

  1. My cat-dragon is checking out the house and garden, sniffing under the furniture, assuring the local pests that their time will be short if they are cheeky, and identifying the best napping spots.

    And how do you settle in to the term/semester? What changes as you get used to your schedule? What tells you you've past the start and are in it?

    This is the last week of frantic preparation for student return. Then we have induction week, then a week of special activities to try & address COVID issues - both substitute a few things they missed last year AND build some social capital and refresh some digital basics in case it all goes wrong again (this is the UK, whatever happens will be two weeks too late, but...), and THEN we actually have a chance of some kind of routine. I am Very Stressed. I like rhythms. I like knowing all the rooms I'm teaching in, where the loos are, where I can get coffee, what the seats are like, how the accoustics are and where the microphone recharges, and to have at least got a feel of the group even if I haven't learnt names. That consistency is something I would really like about lower level or US-style teaching (we team teach, it's all over the place each week, and I find it hard). Also once it's actually Autumn. The colours and the air and all that, that always feels like "home"...

    LAST WEEK:
    Was a bad week, mental health wise, emotionally, self-regulation-wise, and therefore getting things done wise. I was all over the place and a mess. And I had to work Friday (although the grad student who joined me last September did their one year report/viva/defence thing and was a STAR so that was good. Although the cold sweat complete panic I had this morning about them seeing me in person not through a computer and judging me for my weight (yes, I am having a very body conscious few weeks) or being shocked was NOT. And as we spend at least 1-2 hours together per week, and we've talked about mental health, our families, gynaecological issues, politics etc. as well as their project - partly personalities and my lack of "professional boundaries" but mostly because COVID and work from home and lock down and trying to mentor and support a new international student - then I don't have too much reason to worry. Although, fieldwork, macho/physically ablist culture of our field, etc.)

    1) self-care: do 3 songs worth of exercise each day, "basket swap" at the end of the week, improve one small area of the house somehow. Clear off the reading chair in my work area. not all but improving over the week, up basket is down and processed but the down one isn't up, I made a very small step (filled a garbage bag, took it downstairs, AND put it out in the big bin) towards clearing off the chair
    2) make a list of the essential VLE work I need to do before students return, and schedule it - do as much of the three first trimester skills-led modules as possible (do knowledge-led next week) yes, yes, but didn't stick. Of the three, the hard one is solidly started, the easy one is planned out, the middling one got mostly ignored
    3) get caught up on stupid CPD videos and things a resounding NO
    4) read over what we said we'd do for the grant that got funded, and make some initial notes.nope
    5) redo figures for Ferret (long standing members may recall that this paper has appeared for seevral years now...) all figures redone, woohoo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NEXT WEEK:
      1) self-care: do 3 songs worth of exercise each day, "basket swap" at the end of the week, clear off the reading chair in my work area, take car for walk and put petrol in it
      2) teaching: get initial versions of VLE sites for all modules (7 in total, 1 done) up by Friday, with a list of eevrything else that needs doing made
      3) admin: get caught up on stupid CPD videos and things
      4) research: read over what we said we'd do for the grant that got funded, and make some initial notes. draft possible PhD idea for internal competition. big edit of results and discussion for Ferret.

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    2. Sorry you. had such a difficult week, and that the next ones will be so unsettled. May your cat-dragon be victorious over any lurking bugges and make way easier.

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    3. I completely agree about how hard it is when we don't have regular schedules, and stuff is up in the air!

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    4. Please please please can I borrow the cat-dragon for the week? I have some administrators who really need to be roasted a bit!

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    5. The cat-dragon will deign to visit Daisy-ville, certainly. It enjoys a crispy admin-snack!

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    6. Doing a small review because it's Sunday night here and I have to put my home laptop away again. This was a very up and down week, emtionally, work-wise etc. Just whined about it on my blog so will not repeat here!

      GOALS:
      1) self-care: do 3 songs worth of exercise each day, "basket swap" at the end of the week, clear off the reading chair in my work area, take car for walk and put petrol in it mixed - but did move nearly every day and averaged 3 a day. No - not sorted last week's yet. started but did not finish (couldn't work out where to put the stuff that was on the chair because everywhere is full of stuff, and got upset by it so left it), yes
      2) teaching: get initial versions of VLE sites for all modules (7 in total, 1 done) up by Friday, with a list of eevrything else that needs doing made yes
      3) admin: get caught up on stupid CPD videos and things one out of three stupid things done
      4) research: read over what we said we'd do for the grant that got funded, and make some initial notes. draft possible PhD idea for internal competition. big edit of results and discussion for Ferret. no, no, no

      GOALS FOR THE COMING WEEK:
      1) self-care: do 3 songs worth of exercise each day, "basket swap" at the end of the week, clear off the reading chair in my work area
      2) teaching: prepare for skills week, get week 1 materials prepared and fix all the "list items" for my VLE sites (6 sites)
      3) admin: get caught up on stupid CPD videos and things (2 to go)
      4) research: read over what we said we'd do for the grant that got funded, and make some initial notes. draft possible PhD idea for internal competition. big edit of results and discussion for Ferret.

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  2. Thanks Susan! I think I'll take a walk in the conservatory - back in the day when. one travelled for conferences/research, I used to find that I couldn't settle into a new place until I had a sense of the local ecology, the shapes of trees and leaves, the seasonality signalled by flower and fruit. On my more restricted and downhill run to the end of semester, I'm using walks outside as motivational treats now that the weather is improving, and my faux-conservatory (outer hallway with good light) is filled with seven trays of veg and flower seedlings getting ready to plant out when the frost risk is cleared.

    Last week:

    -record next week's online lecture - not quite, will do today
    - email internal partner to discuss 2022 - sent!

    Research:
    -remind O and A to get writing to me, return feedback if I get it before Friday. - feedback to A, read over O but still. need to do comments
    -check local T&L conf dates and draft abstract - checked and started

    Self and Home:
    - 3 pomodoros of office unpack/rearrange - yes
    - pot on tomatoes and plant last of the flower seedling trays - yes, though the. first of the chillis/capsicum need potting on now...

    Getting out thing was going to a friend's place in the country for a studio-warming (social/spatial interpretation of getting out).

    This week:

    - Teaching: record next week's lecture, get assessment FAQ page done, send around marking instructions for the upcoming round
    - Research: feedback to O, chase P for writing/meeting; 3 pomodoros on SoTL and finish abstract
    -Self and home: 3 x pomodoro on home office, 3 x yoga/online exercise thing; increase weekly steps average, be kind

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Visiting the conservatory does sound pleasant! I have never had one of my own. Dear Papa's vicarage did not run to such luxuries, and Sir John insists that glass houses are a great trouble and expense.

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  3. Like Karen, I usually want to take a walk. I'm not as concerned with local ecology, but I've usually been sitting in a plane or car, so stretching my legs is important. If I'm someplace new, a tour of the house or garden is great.

    As for the semester, I can tell its underway by the number of meetings I have :)

    Goals from last week:
    1. Two sessions working on Famous Author YES
    2. Admin: Get survey for self-study done, get next section drafted: SURVEY OUT, but not next section (key source of information is out of the office.)
    3. Finish article prize work MOSTLY (one person missed our meeting, so still have to do citation)
    4. Do tenure review: MATERIALS READ, started drafting
    5. Get estimates on cleaning ducts SCHEDULED
    6. Spend time with my mother YES
    7. Get together with friends on zoom YES
    8. Maybe even see people IRL YES (several)

    It was a pretty good week. I've begun to settle in to teaching in person in a mask; my students are good. There's been lots of drama around the program review stuff, but getting the survey out was a big deal. I spent time with my mother, took her to breakfast, and had dinner with a friend.

    Goals for next week:
    1. Two sessions on famous author
    2. Finish article prize citation
    3. FInish tenure review letter
    4. Read materials for pre-tenure review
    5. Do 3-4 hours on self-study
    6. Keep up with teaching
    7. Call about yard stuff
    8. Do fun things
    9. Keep up with exercise / healthy eating

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    Replies
    1. I think our ducts also should be cleaned, but I have not got so far as scheduling estimates. Felicitations on finishing the survey, and on the other "yeses" in your list.

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  4. For arriving in a new place the first thing I usually want to do is look at the gardens, and I am guessing our house here has lovely grounds! So I will go for a stroll and look at all the pretty flowers and plants and generally take a bit of time to breathe in the outside scents.

    The start of the term was definitely strange! I was quite discombobulated for most of the week, it was just so odd not to be going into a new term of teaching. Usually the second full week of classes is when things start feeling settled for me. I’m not quite sure how that translates in a non-teaching term, I think that feeling will kick in after all the kid activities have been going for a full week and we have a schedule. I’m definitely going to need some structure… I need to do something to break up days a bit so maybe I will try a “work on one paper each day” to-do list, and rotate them? With a specific amount of time scheduled in for all the non-paper stuff which will always be there. I tried to sign up for a daytime painting class but it was already full an hour after opening for registration, I’m clearly not the only one who missed these sorts of things!

    I did not do well on my goals at all… For perfectly fine reasons, but it is still a bit disappointing. Grad student visit was productive, but very slow going for most of the tasks and I had to re-evaluate a lot of our original plan based on what she can and cannot do. Most of the week was consumed by Other People’s Problems and contract-related plus interpersonal drama. One of our sessional instructors got thrown into two completely unexpected courses, with no notice, and they’re both ones I have taught and am responsible for in a larger program way so even though I’m not “supposed” to be involved it made most sense for me to help. So I made course outlines, rewrote assignments, helped with organization, passed on topics/textbooks/ideas/assignments/rubrics, basically got two courses to the stage where they could run with a decent structure and plan. Satisfying, and the right thing to do, but time-sucking! After this it will be much more hands-off and other people can take over any assistance needed. I also led a field trip for the same program on weekend, which was great because I finally got to actually meet a lot of the students I taught as little black squares on a screen last year. It was so much more satisfying in person and it was really lovely to see them all!

    Last week’s goals
    1) Work with current grad student who is visiting and get analytical plans in place DONE
    2) Do data analysis and figures for paper-that-everyone-forgot-about-and-now-need-done-fast ALMOST FINISHED
    3) Do photography for figures in new local paper NOPE
    4) Work on revisions for old paper DONE AND SUBMITTED!
    5) Assemble Baby Albatross paper and send to co-authors for review NOPE
    6) Send away three batches of samples for analytical work NOPE
    7) Make plan for the rest of the month SORT OF…
    8) Do at least one fun thing with friends DONE
    So this week has some repeat goals!

    This week’s goals:
    1) Finish data analysis and figures for paper-that-everyone-forgot-about-and-now-need-done-fast
    2) Finish photography for figures in new local paper and send away samples
    3) Pick another old paper and start on revisions
    4) Assemble Baby Albatross paper and send to co-authors for review
    5) Get kid activities and a bunch of doctor’s appointments sorted out
    6) Run at least 3 times

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    Replies
    1. My goodness! All that teaching prep during your sabbatical! That is most unfortunate. But felicitations on submitting the revisions to your old paper.

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  5. Sounds like as good a week as can be expected! Looking forward to hearing what form the fun stuff takes.

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  6. Walking seems to be a common theme here! Sounds good to me. If the weather is nippy, I'd also like to warm up by the fire for a bit.

    In real life, having my kid back at school is (unsurprisingly) making all the difference in the world. I've started sitting every morning at 8, which I can fit into whatever kind of day I have (on campus or off), and I'm enjoying my Italian class, although (or because?) it's ridiculously easy. I may have mentioned this last week, but I'll say it again: Teaching in person to a large lecture hall is way more fun than it ever was before, just because it's so much better than Zoom! Covid cases are of course rising on campus, but 97% of our students are vaccinated and masks are required at all times, so it could be worse. I'm hanging on to optimism for this semester; can you tell?

    Last week:
    1. Submit sabbatical application - Yes (this was a very small task, really)
    2. Run x 4, yoga x 2, sit x 5?? - YES!!
    3. Read next chapter or two of book - Yes? Maybe just one chapter. Maybe I just *finished* one chapter. I don't remember.
    4. Revise grant application - Yes, ongoing
    5. Sketch out a research/writing plan - Yes, but it's VERY sketchy, so don't be too impressed. In fact, that reminds me--I'm supposed to be compiling a bibliography this week. Ha.

    This week I'm being much more ambitious:

    1. Run x 4, yoga x 2, sit x 5
    2. Read relevant portion of graduate thesis
    3. Finish book I've been slogging through
    4. Compile and edit first 4 essays for WH
    5. Draft grant budget

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    Replies
    1. Also better than Zoom: class size limits that allow for social distancing! I do have more students than just Johnson & Miss Baddesley, but still, fewer than half the number I might have had ten years ago (when I still taught 3-2 rather than 2-2). It makes such a difference!

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    2. Oh, we're at full capacity; my course is capped at 72 and over-enrolled at 73, with a 25-student discussion section. But they're *very* lively, even in lecture! Yesterday I led the best lecture/discussion on Augustine I've ever had, and this is the ninth time that I've taught this course, I think. They were on fire! Let's note that Augustine normally puts them right to sleep, so this was pretty incredible. I think that everyone missed the in-person-ness.

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    3. Yes, in person is so much better. And I have students I only knew as zoom avatars. We've got a vaccine mandate & mask mandate, so cautiously optimistic...

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  7. Are we paying afternoon calls, attending a formal dinner, or embarking on a stay of uncertain duration? One's course of action depends on one's status in the household. If I am making a visit of some weeks, I shall ask to see my room, where I shall supervise the maid who unpacks my clothes, request a cup of tea, and write some letters before I descend to tea or to dinner, depending on the hour. If there is lawn tennis, I might be persuaded to form part of the audience, should the afternoon be temperate and dry.

    My goals from last week:
    *Revise my 2000 words for my writing group, work on spreadsheet, write another 1000 words either on current chapter or in preparation for another. ALL DONE (843 new words, close enough).
    *More correction of exercises attempted by both Johnson Minor and Miss Baddesley; further planning of instruction for the latter. YES TO ALL.
    *Arrange for my attendance at certain concerts. NOT DONE.
    *Continue to retire and to rise at suitable hours, and to take exercise regularly. YES; that is, I have generally retired within 10-30 minutes of the time intended.

    New goals:
    *Outline chapter on women's households, move in chunks of text, note holes to fill.
    *As usual, correct work done by Johnson and Miss Baddesley (am happy to say that both are exercising their brains to the best of their abilities).
    *Speak to Canon Thomson about pupils for the winter.
    *Put away various papers in my study, so the maids can dust without fear of disturbing my work.
    *Try again to arrange concert tickets.
    *Continue to retire at appropriate hour for a lady of my age, and to take suitable exercise. Mens sana in corpore sano!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 843 words is the functional equivalent of 1000. Well done!

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  8. An intention mysteriously emerged from my typing: push toward the joy. I gladly accept, incorporating that along with what I guess is my longterm intention, show up. They seem compatible.

    Showing up here, when the week is half over, was one of those decisions. I can still do half a week of stuff! I can still commit to it. Adapting to synchronous online teaching is strange and a little stressful. Hoping to be back in person in Spring.

    Last week:
    1 Submit current book review: yes but there are more...
    2 Keep up with grading!: somewhat, trying.
    3 submit to upcoming writing competition: yes
    4 work on lit review for Photos conference presentation: in progress
    5 rake the front yard: future plans

    This week:
    1 submit two book reviews
    2 submit midterm grades for 6 week class
    3 work on lit review for Photos conference presentation
    4 rake the front yard
    5 brainstorm early October conference talk

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    Replies
    1. Our guests are welcome whenever they come! We will still include you in dinner!
      And there's a fair bit of yes in your response, so. . .

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