weight

I just realized that I have probably gained 5 pounds from this intense writing spell I've been doing. It is not because I've been sitting so much and not going for walks etc. (although that is a factor). But I think I've probably gained weight because I am at my most productive when I have a little snack that I can nibble on as I write. It could be raisins or carrots or cookies, or nuts, or jordan almonds (YUM!), or whatever...just as long as I can take a bite every once in a while to keep my brain moving. The key is to make sure the snack is a fairly healthy one. This trick seems to help for getting lots of writing done...unfortunately, it is also helping my hips ;-)

ironman

no- not the movie. Jodi's Ironman Triathlon is coming up here in 5 days (not that she or I are keeping track ;-). It is in Sonoma and I'm excited for 2 things. I'm excited to see Jodi kick some butt, and I'm excited to be in wine country. It sounds like while Jodi is doing one of her 56 mile bike laps, we might be able to go out to a nearby winery and do some sampling and make it back in time to cheer her on for her second 56 mile lap.

And since my prospectus is due to my committee on thursday- I'll be fancy free on friday when I go. Then I can stop thinking about educational segregation for a few days or so!

productive

Last night I did some work on my dissertation proposal and felt pretty good. I wrote about 1 page in total (scattered throughout the document), but I was happy with my progress. (I am up to about 28 pages)

Tonight I was going to stay late and work on the proposal, but I remembered that I bought a tuna steak we were going to sear on the grill. But I'm feeling very hopeful and productive and I plan to come back to the office after dinner to get a good few hours in. It is sometimes easier to get work done at the office than at home with all the myriad of distractions. If it isn't Sam or David, it is the laundry, or the dishes, or something!

doggy paradise?

David sent me this last week or so and I think it is so funny. The ad for it is below. you can buy it from the SkyMall (you know those magazines on airplanes?).


The Pet's Observation Dome.

This clear acrylic dome opens a window to the world that helps satisfy a pet's natural curiosity while maintaining safety and security. The porthole mounts easily over a hole cut into the fence and the 9-1/2" diam. dome protrudes 5" to give an inquisitive canine a panoramic view of the world beyond. The black plastic flange secures the porthole into any style of wood privacy fence. Spacing several portholes along the fence gives your pet an unfettered view of its surroundings and may help reduce barking or other undesirable behaviors. 12-1/2" Diam. x 5" D. (3 lbs.)

_________________

Now, I personally think it might encourage barking, not reduce it. Anyway- thought it was cute and wanted to share.

too dependent

I had an all day meeting today and so I checked email in the morning before I went into it. When I got back tonight I tried to check email in my room, and it wouldn't connect. I felt so deprived that even though I tried to watch TV or read that paper, I couldn't take it and came down to the lobby to use the wireless here. I just think it is sort of sad that I am so dependent on technology and that I feel out of the loop without it.

raining

when it rains it pours. Not only do I have to finish a new draft of my dissertation proposal by the end of the month, but a co-author and I heard back on an article we submitted for publication. They have accepted the article with revisions- which is great! Better than a revise and resubmit (R&R).

But now that means I have to work on those revisions as well- also due at the end of the month.

delusional

Any one who thinks David Caruso is a good actor is delusional. See this link for a clip of some of the corniest and badly acted scenes from David Caruso. It made me laugh out loud. I didn't watch the whole thing, but even just a minute of it is hilarious.

David sent me a link to another great commentary on America,
and the caruso clip was in it.

The commentary on America is quite apt, I think. Sorry Dad and Suzanne for #2. ;-)

one of those things

This is one of those things that you get via email and you think-- surely it can't be that hard to do what they say, but then you try it and it doesn't work. At least it didn't work for me. Are you special enough to do this?

As David told me... Try it! Fight it... you can do it!!!

general exam

OMG! I am both ecstatic and nervous at the same time.

This week I had a meeting with my dissertation chair regarding the latest draft of my dissertation proposal. At the meeting, she told me that if I could pull together another revision of the proposal in the next few weeks (by the end of July), she wants to schedule my general exam mid august! The general exam in my department is basically a defense of your dissertation ideas, and a discussion about the direction of your project. If I can pull this together I'll be a doctoral candidate before I know it! As I said, this makes me very happy--because, well, it means serious progress, and it makes me very nervous because that means I have a LOT to do in the next few weeks.

I've got a work trip next week to Boulder, so that time is off the table in terms of when I can work on the revision. I think the revisions are definitely do-able, I just need to do some additional reading to get them done. and that takes time....

reviewer

I can now officially say that I have reviewed an article for a journal. I've been reviewing papers for conferences for a few years, but this is the first time I've been asked to review a paper for a journal.

It was a little weird b/c I knew who the author was, and she is a big name in the area, and that made me a little nervous. But I put that fact aside and decided that I just had to give my comments as if a student of mine had written the article. So I did...to tell the truth, I wasn't that impressed with the article and findings. I hope the journal editors find my review useful.

more good news!

Congratulations Mom and Peter on your engagement!

Don't they look like they are having fun?

My mom recently got engaged to her sweetheart, Peter.
They are planning a winter wedding, with a big spring party. We are looking forward to it.

The Happy Couple

last minute

Here I am, writing a quick entry before David comes to pick me up from work. I realized this morning how lax I've been with writing lately. I think the problem is that most of what is in my head is work and so I don't feel like I have much to write about.

However,

Today I can brag on my sister, Jodi.

This weekend she completed a half-Ironman in Texas.
Here is the play by play of her performance, as reported by Emily via email:

jodi , superstar, age 36 (bib #690) finished the ironman buffalo springs 70.3 in 06:40:03 total time. she was the second woman to finish in her age division in the swim, charging ahead of many of the males in her division. jodi moved quickly to the bike with a 2:45 minute transition time out of her gear. her pace for the bike was a speedy 15.72 mph. now after finishing the run (where she averaged 11:35 min per mile), she is ranked 28 in the women's age group 34-39, and 165 overall ranking.