Hello everyone
I hope fantasizing about cabin locations gave you a little respite from the start of year craziness and all the other things going on. If mental travel/vacation is all we’re going to get right now we should enjoy it!
This week we are picking materials and basic designs for our cabins… Stone? Wood? Square, round, alpine-style triangles? Hobbit house? What about big structural things like fireplaces? Would it fit quietly into the scenery? What special large amenities would you add?
In the real life option, what would your ideally structured day or week look like for maximum enjoyment of your work? Are there little things one could do to make that a possibility for our every-day lives? What kind of structures and supports can we build into our days to make them work for us?
Last week’s goals
Daisy
• Paper
edits for thing that came back from coauthors with wonderful edits and
suggestions
• More student feedback
• Check on data for Local Project again
• Do something fun with kid for back to in-person school
Dame Eleanor Hull
Health: cardio daily, stretch x5, avoid all corn, track
bedtime.
Research: 30 min on book x5, dead languages x3 each, edit & submit book
review.
Teaching: review introductory discussion board posts, write more assignments,
keep building VILE sites.
Life stuff: tidy 2 shelves in my study, replace 7 buttons.
Elizabeth Anne Mitchell
Plan for one hour x 5.
Write for one hour x 5.
Read for one hour x 5.
Life stuff: dog license, call about verification of COVID passport, call
retirement folks at work.
heu mihi
1) Finish most of essay: add conclusion, add a few examples from M, add
Augustine citations, condense as much as possible. (The Latin can wait.)
2) Process two resubmitted journal articles.
3) Prep first undergrad class and make copies for first grad class IF I go to
campus this week.
4) Read seven chapters of CoG.
5) Finalize both syllabi. Seriously. Do this.
Humming42
1 submit current book review
2 submit late journal article review
3 finish setting up content for WiM class
4 submit conference abstract
5 spend five hours on DQ
JaneB
1) grade first year stuff and start grading final year
stuff when it arrives
2) start teaching prep for when we start back
3) make time to read or do D&D prep 4 days
4) block out Why
5) work on the monthly list
Karen
1. Reading list to library, make list of field trips and
associated prep for sem 1 unit.
2. Finish last of sem 1 unit VILE content
3. Attend some uncrowded outdoor events at local festival
4. Go down the DIY exterior house repainting rabbit hole (watch instructional
vids, stocktake and purchase any missing supplies, do back wall.
Susan
1. Keep working on Famous Author
2, Finish ms for colleague 1
3. Read two more journals
4. Get the next two weeks of LMS up.
5. Do work for church
6. Continue to work in garden
7. Exercise, healthy eating
8. Do fun things
The cabin will be wood, sort of silvery, like driftwood, blending into the landscape; probably built in 2-3 long, low, boxy shapes connected to each other, depending on how the ground lies. From a distance, it should look like a big heap of driftwood, though I guess light glinting off the huge windows will give it away. No fireplace, but maybe a wood stove, and definitely a hot tub built into a deck. If I'm going for a California beach hut, then I want all the cliches! And it definitely saves water to fill a hot tub once and maintain it, rather than taking baths on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteI have just been thinking that I need to think about a schedule/structure, and plan when I should be working on certain things. It's not surprising that I'm feeling a midwinter slump---I pretty much always do, this time of year---but I can't spend all my time reading novels, doing jigsaws, and baking/eating safe-ingredient brownies, which is TBH all that I feel like doing. If I had a set of easy tasks to do and windows of time when I was supposed to be doing them, I might at least get the low-hanging fruit done, and maybe even move on to something a little more demanding if I started feeling good about achieving something. So I'll work on setting up a schedule this week.
I feel like I need a story to tell myself. For quite awhile it was "stalled-at-associate prof works for promotion," but I'm not sure what my story is now, or what kind of heroine I am.
Anyway, How I Did:
Health: cardio daily, stretch x5, avoid all corn, track bedtime. Cardio 6/7 (assuming I get out today), stretch yes, yes, yes.
Research: 30 min on book x5, dead languages x3 each, edit & submit book review. Book---in spirit? I think I did something 5x though not 30 min worth each time. Languages yes. Review, no.
Teaching: review introductory discussion board posts, write more assignments, keep building VILE sites. YES, NO, NO (oops: more stuff I better work on today).
Life stuff: tidy 2 shelves in my study, replace 7 buttons. NO, YES.
New goals:
Plan schedule.
Health: cardio daily, stretch x6, test corn, track bedtime.
Research: 30 min on book x5, dead languages x3 each, edit & submit book review.
Teaching: write more assignments, keep building VILE sites, plan class activities.
Life stuff: tidy 2 shelves in my study, alter skirt waistband.
Lots of good things done, especially all the cardio and stretching! That is hard in mid-winter!
DeleteI find it really useful to keep a written list of small, non-challenging, sometimes annoying tasks so that when I have times that important thinking is not going to happen I can just pick a random one. Sometimes I go as far as writing them on post-its and someone draw a task for a jar for me - that works well for the things I don't really want to do but have to... It definitely cuts down on the decision paralysis and gives me a handy "Friday afternoon and I'm tired but it is too early to quit and I need something to do but have no motivation" solution... It helps when you can draw small candies out of the jar with the tasks too! Clearly, like JaneB mentions below I also have a toddler brain!
Right. Goals first then the fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteLast week's goals:
1) grade first year stuff and start grading final year stuff when it arrives yes, just started it
2) start teaching prep for when we start backno
3) make time to read or do D&D prep 4 daysnot really
4) block out Whyno
5) work on the monthly listnot detectably
I had a bad week. I didn't have much scheduled, I had mild cold like symptoms (maybe allergies from some daftly early blooming tree?) which are scary in these times, and I was SO TIRED. And depressed, I think. Sleep schedule blown, ability to actually think a thing then do the thing in under an hour down to the dregs (even thoughts like "I should go pee"). So I am now down to the wire to deal with teaching prep, and timetabling is AWFUL (my day off is not there, I have a lot of one hour on campus in a horrible room/remote building with poor access days, and it's making me really, really anxious, which in turn is EXHAUSTING.
Goals for next week:
1) grade final year stuff
2) call GP about anxiety etc.
3) do teaching prep for when we start back
4) make time to read or do D&D prep 4 days
5) block out Why
6) work on the monthly list
7) block out Because (Because It Will Be Fun, or at least has those characteristics which in normal times I usually consider to be academic fun)
CABIN STRUCTURE: Fieldstone and timber, built into the shape of the land, quiet and hunkered outside, light inside.
STRUCTURES: I have a tricky relationship with structure. I need it, but I dislike it. A full diary makes me anxious, always has. I do much better with elements of choice - toddler brain stuff. So not "do I work this morning?" choices but "in this morning's work block, will I write or edit?" One of the things that really stresses me out about team teaching is how my timetable is different every week, even for the students who I see every week. I can't hold on to it, the anxiety about getting it wrong is high, and in general it does not suit me. I wish we had summers off - I'd love to know if, once the first couple of weeks of total disregulation wore off, I'd settle down into a sensible-for-me schedule as the framework for life, or if I've totally lost that capacity.
That sounds like a no-good, awful, very bad week... Some are like that and sometimes all we can do is call them what they are and get through.
DeleteGood luck with this one, I hope you feel better and you get to do some of the fun research work you have planned!
Team teaching is definitely more stressful than solo, just because of all the management needed, which of course very much depends on the other parts of the team... It can be great fun, but the constant changes are sometimes difficult.
I like the idea of doing the work and then the fun, as per JaneB, so here goes:
ReplyDeleteLast week
1) Finish most of essay: add conclusion, add a few examples from M, add Augustine citations, condense as much as possible. (The Latin can wait.)
--Well, the Latin did NOT wait, and I was able to complete the article and send it off! I thought that I was dazzlingly early, because I had it in my head that the essay was due 2/22, but in fact it was due 2/1, so I was early, but only modestly so. Still, that's a feat in academia, isn't it?
2) Process two resubmitted journal articles.
--Only one was actually resubmitted. So I did that.
3) Prep first undergrad class and make copies for first grad class IF I go to campus this week.
--No, and no.
4) Read seven chapters of CoG.
--3.2 chapters read, I think. One was really long. And it's all sort of a slog.
5) Finalize both syllabi. Seriously. Do this.
--No, but I did this morning (except for some page numbers that I need to look up in my office), so it's okay.
This week:
1) Prep first 2 weeks of grad sem so that I don't freak out when we get to Derrida in week 3 (why, why am I doing this to myself?).
2) Read 2 articles for Augustine vignette.
3) Service stuff: materials for mid-tenure review, finish mid-tenure letter, clear out two other reviews, 1 very late faculty report, review Gen Ed course
4) Find a way to exercise that doesn't hurt my foot.
Re. 4: Yesterday I went for a run, but half a mile in I drove my left foot--the one with the mildly arthritic big toe--directly into a block of solid ice that was frozen to the earth. Nearly fell; didn't fall; reeled in pain for a few minutes; tried running again; decided that that was stupid and came home. It's still tender (sort of mid-foot-ish, rather than at the toe), so I am, at least for the time being, limited in my choice of exercise.
As for my cabin.... Wood and stone, certainly. Hobbit-ish, but not too much so; I wouldn't want it to be derivative! Actually, I have a fantasy of a nearly-one-room cabin, with a woodstove, an alcove in the back for my bed (covered with the cheerful knitted quilt that I started three or so years ago and have made very little progress on since), possibly but not necessarily a loft space, and a sunny little kitchen. In real life, I couldn't possibly fit all the things that I would want into this space, but it's nice to fantasize.
Congratulations on the article! That's a huge win, and submitting something more than a week early is particularly impressive. Definitely something to celebrate!
DeleteGood luck with exercise, I hope the injury recovers quickly.
Cabins with woodstoves are the best! That sounds so cozy and friendly!
Cabin will have stone walls I think, and a loft for sleeping. I’ve always wanted a loft for no apparent reason! It definitely should have a good porch or deck for morning coffee, big enough for guests and outdoor meals. My sister had a place once with a fabulous raised stone fireplace/chimney that doubled as an indoor BBQ so I’m definitely adding that for cold windy days by the ocean.
ReplyDeleteI definitely do better with some structures but I do prefer them to be somewhat flexible. When I’m teaching I have a pretty strict schedule for when things get done. This year was my first non-teaching terms so I’ve tried to make my to-do list function as a rough schedule. I often make a list for each day and use that as a structure to keep from falling into rabbit holes! The thing that really helps me most is time-tracking when I work. If I do that consistently I am much more likely to follow a schedule/list or to assign reasonable lengths of time for specific tasks. I find it works best with those things that can expand easily like lecture prep – if I assign myself a set time to do it and track that time I’m much better at getting it done in that time than if I just give it free reign. It also helps me see when I’m stuck on something and need to switch, and makes me less likely to faff around and not really do anything useful…
My actual work plans for the week got horribly derailed by a cracked tooth (probably from the broken wrist event last session). I’m thoroughly miserable but happy to be going for emergency dental surgery tomorrow. This week’s goals are late and very basic, just the necessary stuff with paper edits to look forward to when I feel better.
Last week’s goals
• Paper edits for thing that came back from coauthors with wonderful edits and suggestions NOPE
• More student feedback LOTS
• Check on data for Local Project again NOPE
• Do something fun with kid for back to in-person school NOPE
This week’s goals
• Get surgery and recover
• Ongoing student feedback as needed
• Paper edits when I feel better
• Urgent conference things only
Oh dear! Hope dental surgery goes smotthly, and that you can have a gentle recovery.
DeleteI hope it went well and that you are now feeling better! How is your wrist now?
DeleteIt went very well! Whole new respect for modern dentistry...
DeleteMy wrist is much better, still stiff with some mobility issues, but I can play both my instruments, and lift some heavier things again. Can't do push-ups yet, too much weight on a bent wrist is not good, but since I don't love those anyway I'm willing to wait patiently until it is definitely fine again. Cat-cow and downward dog poses are still works in progress too but coming along!
Rough limestone and plaster for my cottage by the sea, I think, and a corrugated iron roof to catch rainwater, and picture windows framing views in both expected and unexpected places.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of structuring my day, I find it hard to have a settled rhythm. There's the necessary work of the household and garden that gives it some shape, though that shifts with the seasons. Right now is peak watering and daily harvesting to keep on top of the zucchini and cucumber, which is usual half an hour or so - but with the light early and the cool of the morning I find it easier to get up earlier and do that. Winter mornings of restocking and restarting the fire are a lot more resentful. The kids also have their routines and commitments, which shape non-work time. I do want to be more intentional on weekends, though, which I always mean to do and get railroaded by chores and exhaustion, so will try doing monthly planning on booking in significant weekend plans. Building a sem 1 rhythm to workdays will be a focus next week when I restart work, and I want to see if I can use the first weeks before teaching hits to create something with enough prep time that it isn’t derailed as soon as the first set of grading hits. Will report back on that.
Last week
1. Reading list to library, make list of field trips and associated prep for sem 1 unit. Yes, no, no (realised that having my home office taken over as a temporary bedroom and having visiting family wasn’t conducive to focused work when I already have to get over the barrier of ‘I’m on leave, I don’t have to, and I don’t want to).
2. Finish last of sem 1 unit VILE content. No
3. Attend some uncrowded outdoor events at local festival. Yes, and it was lovely (though probably pushing the boundaries as what I think of as covid-safe)
4. Go down the DIY exterior house repainting rabbit hole (watch instructional vids, stocktake and purchase any missing supplies, do back wall. Started, which meant youtube video watching (Mitre 10 New Zealand is my recommendation), rearranged some of the shed to even get to the painting supplies, got any missing equipment, and started on my first bit of the back wall - and realised that setting the back wall as a weekly goal was massively overoptimistic.
This week:
Likely to be more of a holiday week, as we go away with visiting family, so I'm downsizing goals to match.
1. Start work on 2021 trip photobook
2. Make field trip list
3. Spend time with family, be in the moment
4. Keep up with preserving
I hope you have a good visit!
DeleteLove the sound of gentle rain on a corrugated iron roof! Sounds like a very cozy spot.
DeleteGood luck with the return to teaching!
The condo will have spare furnishings, but lots of places to sit: cushions on the floor, a table with chairs, a fainting couch. I expect it will be a small room. Lots of glass and a bank of wooden bookcases. A coffeemaker, a rice cooker. It’s definitely the influence of the anime I’ve been watching.
ReplyDeleteFollowing with Dame Eleanor, I need a schedule. The form of calendaring/listmaking I’ve been doing isn’t working to accommodate the blend of teaching, research, and creative work since I’m trying to sustain all of them more effectively than I have been. At some point, I will make time to try something new but right now I am spinning plates and hoping nothing shatters.
On the whole, it’s good. I am so grateful to be teaching hybrid classes and have a split of in-person and Zoom classes. It’s so much easier to be present when you know the other 25 people in your Zoom room.
Last week:
1 submit current book review: yes
2 submit late journal article review: canceled by editor :(
3 finish setting up content for WiM class: yes
4 submit conference abstract: yes, accepted
5 spend five hours on DQ: no
Small goals for this week because of those two abstracts. One is a book chapter and one is a conference presentation, but they have overlapping content so that will make it easier to manage, I hope.
This week:
1 submit current book review
2 work on abstracts due next week
3 spend five hours on DQ
I think I have talked myself into keeping it simple and trying to work 10-6 daily, which takes into account my teaching schedule (no night class this term!!!) and predilection for slow mornings of easing into things. Then if I need to take an afternoon off for appointments or errands, I can make it up on a weekend day. We'll see how it goes---I'm used to being kind of all over the place, but that's wearing me out.
DeleteGlad to hear classes are going ok! It makes such a difference when you know who the little squares on the screen are...
DeleteLarge panels of wooden bookcases sound beautiful! I am liking the simplicity of the elegant city condo...
Late as always, and I think I'll do the business before I design my cabin.
ReplyDeleteLast week's goals:
1. Keep working on Famous Author YES
2, Finish ms for colleague 1 NO
3. Read two more journals ONE
4. Get the next two weeks of LMS up. NO
5. Do work for church SOME
6. Continue to work in garden YES
7. Exercise, healthy eating MOSTLY
8. Do fun things YES
A middling week. . . It was the first week back, and though I didn't meet my class, the meetings are well underway. I kept plugging away on Famous Author, but with research that is largely invisible. But I got good information, and feel as if I know what I'm supposed to be doing. I got cranky at my colleague's book ms ("historians don't do X" when I've been doing it for 40 years), and I hate reading on the screen. I may go into my office and print it out so I can read more happily. I really hate building the LMS, and I know all the assignments, but I've been debating what article to assign for my article deconstruction assignment, so I'm almost ready on that. And I took time off on Friday to go buy a tree for my backyard (last summer I took down two coast redwoods that do not belong in our inland climate, and need a tree to replace them.) That was fun. Then my mother needed to go to urgent care on Saturday, so instead of working on Saturday, I was dealing with that.
Goals for this week:
1. Work on Famous Author 4 days
2. Move forward on colleague collection
3. Read one more journal
4. Get ahead on LMS.
5. Send emails/call people re church stuff
6. FInish UK taxes
7. Eat well, exercise, go to bed early
8. Do something fun maybe?
So, structure: I work best when I have stretches of uninterrupted time. I'm terrible on "here's an hour between things, do something constructive". (THough during my office hours today, while no one came to zoom, I gathered tax information, so that was useful!). I'm always trying to be more organized, but it doesn't work!
My cabin will be mostly wood. It will be well insulated (no stone because that is SO COLD in winter, and I'm cold all the time anyway). Maybe solar tiles on the roof. I want a wall of glass looking towards the sea, or some view. I have lived in a studio, so it will have rooms, a kitchen/living dining space, sleeping room, and ideally a writing room/office. Maybe some space where a guest could stay for a short visit, but I want it for me, so guests are secondary. I don't think I need to say it, but indoor plumbing, hot and cold water, is vital!
I can work with an hour between things, but I hate those stray 15-20 minutes! Yay tree, and I hope your mother is okay.
DeleteHot and cold running water is absolutely essential - my feeling is that I camp and pump water and dig my own latrines for work, I'm not doing that in my fantasy cabin!
DeleteInvisible research is a great term - good on you for plugging away at it even though it is hard to see the tangible bits in it!