Tuesday, April 15, 2008
4 AM - Finished MA requirements. Let's hope I pass.
For five long years you have toiled and laboured for my happiness.
Last offline post... possibly incoherent
Ap 15 2:55 AM
I've been working about 12 hours/day for the last few days. They didn't feel like long days. I wasn't stressed or anything--just focused. Looks like I got enough work done throughout the semester to allow me to be quite, quite pleased with the final draft. Thanks to The God who lent me his PC I've been able to run any new stat idea that came to mind. Lending me this computer wasn't just a life saver, it probably made a difference to my final grade! (The paper is graded by 2 profs and they take the average.)
So now I'm sticking in graphs and fiddling with headers and such. There'll be no overnighter, no last minute work in the morning. I'll get downtown early enough to print (and make allowance for printing emergencies), and if I get there early enough I can spend a little time on the picket lines before I leave.
Listening to Kate Bush--I felt she should be with me in these last moments. All three kittenatudes are in the room, in napping solidarity. Fernando's studying Warcraft books in the next room.
Alright... off to finish the last bits. Tootaloo!
I've been working about 12 hours/day for the last few days. They didn't feel like long days. I wasn't stressed or anything--just focused. Looks like I got enough work done throughout the semester to allow me to be quite, quite pleased with the final draft. Thanks to The God who lent me his PC I've been able to run any new stat idea that came to mind. Lending me this computer wasn't just a life saver, it probably made a difference to my final grade! (The paper is graded by 2 profs and they take the average.)
So now I'm sticking in graphs and fiddling with headers and such. There'll be no overnighter, no last minute work in the morning. I'll get downtown early enough to print (and make allowance for printing emergencies), and if I get there early enough I can spend a little time on the picket lines before I leave.
Listening to Kate Bush--I felt she should be with me in these last moments. All three kittenatudes are in the room, in napping solidarity. Fernando's studying Warcraft books in the next room.
Alright... off to finish the last bits. Tootaloo!
Tales from an offline diary... s'more
Ap 14 7 PM
Blehhhh I hate this part. I've read the whole paper once, to edit it. But now I have to give it another read. Wether it's fiction or school, I hate rereading my writing for the millionth time. Where's the suspense? Where are the red herrings? The shattering reveal at the end when the detective has all the suspects in a room?? It's so boring. And you can't speed read either... I mean, the point is you have to read carefully. Sucks sucks sucks.
Once this is done I have to transpose this from my working program to word, and get started on the footnotes. Then add in the graphs and tables, which will result in many computer related headaches and disasters, not to mention Word shutting down all the time. As a Romantic poet once said: Happy am I. Joy is my name.
Ap 14 11:57 PM
God bless EndNote.
Blehhhh I hate this part. I've read the whole paper once, to edit it. But now I have to give it another read. Wether it's fiction or school, I hate rereading my writing for the millionth time. Where's the suspense? Where are the red herrings? The shattering reveal at the end when the detective has all the suspects in a room?? It's so boring. And you can't speed read either... I mean, the point is you have to read carefully. Sucks sucks sucks.
Once this is done I have to transpose this from my working program to word, and get started on the footnotes. Then add in the graphs and tables, which will result in many computer related headaches and disasters, not to mention Word shutting down all the time. As a Romantic poet once said: Happy am I. Joy is my name.
Ap 14 11:57 PM
God bless EndNote.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Tales from an offline diary...
April 12
Every once in awhile, like when I finish a section of my paper, I allow myself a second of "I've almost graduated!" excitement.
Then the horror of "Now I have to get in front of a class and teach!" hits me. I have no fear of getting in front of a group and starting a discussion... that's what I specialize in. But to write and deliver my own material?
I've written up four syllabi now (3 to apply to Dawson, and the 4th was a requirement for my degree) and they're long and complex. You have to think of the most logical way to present the information--much like writing a paper. You have to figure out what to include or drop. You have to gage the reading level of your audience, and you're wading through all this research trying to find the best article to express a certain idea.
But that's just putting together the readings! I've never taken this material and written out lectures. Eep! Obviously that's what I should do next. Obviously once school is done it's the last thing I'm gonna wanna do.
Oh well. One step at a time, that's the only way to accomplish your goals. I learned longo time-o ago to not get overwhelmed by the thing that's a few steps ahead; you have to take the goals, break them down into short steps, and hack away at each one.
Which is to say... back to my friggin research paper.
Ap 13 7 PM
Man am I ever tired of nose blowing. I've been sick for over a week now--this is more than the average head cold, which usually lasts a few days for me. This is some nasty bug that wants to graduate with me so it can be called Master Buggy.
I'm editing today, and it's slow going. I tend to want my writing to sound like the fairies came out of the woods at night with magic typewriters. I like to produce good prose. It's harder when I get to describing my stats results--I'm less adept at that type of writing. Back I go...
Midnight
The editing is done, conclusion written. Rice Krispie treats are in the freezer cooling, and it's time to do graphs and tables. If I can get these done tonight, then tomorrow I just have to do footnotes (which are about half done) and look up a few odds and sods. Where is my beer chugging team when I need them? Go! Go! Go!
2 Am Ap 14
Change of venue: Sitting in bed. I found an error in my paper which required correcting and a lot of RK squares. Then I ran through all my CLARIFY simulations, which is a software you can use in conjunction with Stata to describe your results in a clearer manner. It's taken me awhile to get the hang of it, but I'm pretty happy with my results.
Now I have to decide what tables and graphs I need, and build them. If you build it... the grades will come.
4:20 AM
Alright... no time for graphs tonight. Tables are soooo fiddly. It took me about 2 hours to make the main one. The Clarify one should hopefully be quicker. Eep! Eep! Then I'll abed. The graphs are done, at least, they too just need fiddling. Man... in some ways things must have been easier in The Olden Days when you did this crap by hand!
5:09 Off to bed we go.
Every once in awhile, like when I finish a section of my paper, I allow myself a second of "I've almost graduated!" excitement.
Then the horror of "Now I have to get in front of a class and teach!" hits me. I have no fear of getting in front of a group and starting a discussion... that's what I specialize in. But to write and deliver my own material?
I've written up four syllabi now (3 to apply to Dawson, and the 4th was a requirement for my degree) and they're long and complex. You have to think of the most logical way to present the information--much like writing a paper. You have to figure out what to include or drop. You have to gage the reading level of your audience, and you're wading through all this research trying to find the best article to express a certain idea.
But that's just putting together the readings! I've never taken this material and written out lectures. Eep! Obviously that's what I should do next. Obviously once school is done it's the last thing I'm gonna wanna do.
Oh well. One step at a time, that's the only way to accomplish your goals. I learned longo time-o ago to not get overwhelmed by the thing that's a few steps ahead; you have to take the goals, break them down into short steps, and hack away at each one.
Which is to say... back to my friggin research paper.
Ap 13 7 PM
Man am I ever tired of nose blowing. I've been sick for over a week now--this is more than the average head cold, which usually lasts a few days for me. This is some nasty bug that wants to graduate with me so it can be called Master Buggy.
I'm editing today, and it's slow going. I tend to want my writing to sound like the fairies came out of the woods at night with magic typewriters. I like to produce good prose. It's harder when I get to describing my stats results--I'm less adept at that type of writing. Back I go...
Midnight
The editing is done, conclusion written. Rice Krispie treats are in the freezer cooling, and it's time to do graphs and tables. If I can get these done tonight, then tomorrow I just have to do footnotes (which are about half done) and look up a few odds and sods. Where is my beer chugging team when I need them? Go! Go! Go!
2 Am Ap 14
Change of venue: Sitting in bed. I found an error in my paper which required correcting and a lot of RK squares. Then I ran through all my CLARIFY simulations, which is a software you can use in conjunction with Stata to describe your results in a clearer manner. It's taken me awhile to get the hang of it, but I'm pretty happy with my results.
Now I have to decide what tables and graphs I need, and build them. If you build it... the grades will come.
4:20 AM
Alright... no time for graphs tonight. Tables are soooo fiddly. It took me about 2 hours to make the main one. The Clarify one should hopefully be quicker. Eep! Eep! Then I'll abed. The graphs are done, at least, they too just need fiddling. Man... in some ways things must have been easier in The Olden Days when you did this crap by hand!
5:09 Off to bed we go.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
I've got sunshiiine on a marcheee daaaaay...
Yesterday was non-paper day. I went downtown to join the *big* protest--felt it was important to show for that one though I'm not doing any other picketing this week, and didn't go to the Gen Assembly (which apparently was deathfully dull.) The sun was shining, so it was a lovely afternoon for hoisting a sign against one's shoulder while gossiping with the other Poli Sciers who came out. (Quite a lot, cause we're a mini army. Poli Sci is one of the programs with the most number of undergrads--therefore needs grads to grade 'em.)
[Oh - and I was at the protest just long enough to hear one round of so-so-so-solidarité! Woo!]
Then I did some paper work at school. Then went to Dawson to apply for work. Then went to bookstore to work. Off to bed early. Woke up--worked on paper--couple more hours at bookstore--home--pancakes--checking email and fixing something wrong on the computer. Sigh.
Computer fixed. Emails checked. And now... time to get back to the papier. Only three working days left, and then it's Too Late Suckah.
I may do some picketing next week when my work is done. The Poli Sciers all joined the same team, and most importantly, their shifts are in the afternoon (just 2 days.)
I'm not signing up for strike pay because I don't want to be obliged to go all the way downtown for Gen Assemblies etc. But I still want to help out, I think it's the responsible thing to do, having voted yes. Plus... like I said... chance to gossip and see my friends.
The Univ Admin definitely has a different take on whether profs are allowed to do the grading. I can only guess that their interpretation of the law is that grading is part of a prof's description of work, and therefore they can do all of it? While the union is arguing that any hours that were specifically meant for a TA to grade, can't be graded by anyone else.
Ah yes, here's the Q&A that explains, and that is indeed their reasoning. They're also willing to pay any legal fees incurred, and they'll stop the pay of a prof who doesn't grade. Sounds like they intend to get out all the grades without the TAs, so I don't think this strike is going to end anytime soon. Oh la. Can't we all just Get Along?
Oh, also--cute thing. After the Assembly last week one of my school friends from Turkey, and another from China, were both quite excited about the meeting--because you wouldn't have seen anything like it in their home countries. So... something to add to my list of Odd Things I'm Appreciative For. Paying taxes, and dealing with union-ahj.
[Oh - and I was at the protest just long enough to hear one round of so-so-so-solidarité! Woo!]
Then I did some paper work at school. Then went to Dawson to apply for work. Then went to bookstore to work. Off to bed early. Woke up--worked on paper--couple more hours at bookstore--home--pancakes--checking email and fixing something wrong on the computer. Sigh.
Computer fixed. Emails checked. And now... time to get back to the papier. Only three working days left, and then it's Too Late Suckah.
I may do some picketing next week when my work is done. The Poli Sciers all joined the same team, and most importantly, their shifts are in the afternoon (just 2 days.)
I'm not signing up for strike pay because I don't want to be obliged to go all the way downtown for Gen Assemblies etc. But I still want to help out, I think it's the responsible thing to do, having voted yes. Plus... like I said... chance to gossip and see my friends.
The Univ Admin definitely has a different take on whether profs are allowed to do the grading. I can only guess that their interpretation of the law is that grading is part of a prof's description of work, and therefore they can do all of it? While the union is arguing that any hours that were specifically meant for a TA to grade, can't be graded by anyone else.
Ah yes, here's the Q&A that explains, and that is indeed their reasoning. They're also willing to pay any legal fees incurred, and they'll stop the pay of a prof who doesn't grade. Sounds like they intend to get out all the grades without the TAs, so I don't think this strike is going to end anytime soon. Oh la. Can't we all just Get Along?
Oh, also--cute thing. After the Assembly last week one of my school friends from Turkey, and another from China, were both quite excited about the meeting--because you wouldn't have seen anything like it in their home countries. So... something to add to my list of Odd Things I'm Appreciative For. Paying taxes, and dealing with union-ahj.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
some offline diary entries
April 3rd, 2008
Well I totally have a cold. Good thing we still have tissue stocks that I bought for the infection round. Here's my new line: My nose is runnin' like the law is after it. Heh heh.
Okay, school work now. 12 days left (minus the couple when I work.)
April 5
Cold a little better, or maybe just well controlled by the drugs.
I have to go online once or twice a day to check for student emails because they have papers due Monday. But I only go on with the battery (and lots of applications open) to limit the time I spend. I'm back at my desk now. Unconsciously munching on an excellent peanut butter cookie in a Non Paul McKenna Approved Manner.
April 9
Blerrrgh. This cold just won't go away--I am personally responsible for keeping the economy going right now, through my kleenex purchases.
I've been working on my 2nd last assignment for a couple days--to create and justify a syllabus for a university course. I was determined to get it done and sent to my prof so I stayed up all last night, and sent it at 9 AM. So of course it's taken until 9 PM this evening to get back on the homework wagon. I feel bloochy.
One week til the deadline. I'll lose tomorrow cause I have to do a bunch of other things, and then I've got to push on straight until Tuesday. Things like footnoting, tables and graphs always take a looong time so I've got to leave a day or two to do them properly (for things to go wrong - for cursing at the computer - for fiddling with margins - for inventing new swear words).
Oh and - Academics should have to state their gender somewhere in the bibliographic info of their papers -- either that or we need to switch to gender neutral language. How do I know if Robin is a woman or man? I believe Ilse is female, but what about Ola? What about Zoran, Ada, Slaven and Zeljka from the paper on Croatia and Bos-Herz? Sounds like male, female, male, female--but I'm just guessing. At least I can refer to them as "they" -- it's the solo authors that bug me. When I get the internet back I'll have to look some of these people up so I can correct my text.
Alright. Back to opinion polls on terrorism. Bleuuuurghee. Yesterday I got Fernando to make apple pudding, so at least there's sugar to keep me going. I polished off the peanut butter cookies yesterday.
Well I totally have a cold. Good thing we still have tissue stocks that I bought for the infection round. Here's my new line: My nose is runnin' like the law is after it. Heh heh.
Okay, school work now. 12 days left (minus the couple when I work.)
April 5
Cold a little better, or maybe just well controlled by the drugs.
I have to go online once or twice a day to check for student emails because they have papers due Monday. But I only go on with the battery (and lots of applications open) to limit the time I spend. I'm back at my desk now. Unconsciously munching on an excellent peanut butter cookie in a Non Paul McKenna Approved Manner.
April 9
Blerrrgh. This cold just won't go away--I am personally responsible for keeping the economy going right now, through my kleenex purchases.
I've been working on my 2nd last assignment for a couple days--to create and justify a syllabus for a university course. I was determined to get it done and sent to my prof so I stayed up all last night, and sent it at 9 AM. So of course it's taken until 9 PM this evening to get back on the homework wagon. I feel bloochy.
One week til the deadline. I'll lose tomorrow cause I have to do a bunch of other things, and then I've got to push on straight until Tuesday. Things like footnoting, tables and graphs always take a looong time so I've got to leave a day or two to do them properly (for things to go wrong - for cursing at the computer - for fiddling with margins - for inventing new swear words).
Oh and - Academics should have to state their gender somewhere in the bibliographic info of their papers -- either that or we need to switch to gender neutral language. How do I know if Robin is a woman or man? I believe Ilse is female, but what about Ola? What about Zoran, Ada, Slaven and Zeljka from the paper on Croatia and Bos-Herz? Sounds like male, female, male, female--but I'm just guessing. At least I can refer to them as "they" -- it's the solo authors that bug me. When I get the internet back I'll have to look some of these people up so I can correct my text.
Alright. Back to opinion polls on terrorism. Bleuuuurghee. Yesterday I got Fernando to make apple pudding, so at least there's sugar to keep me going. I polished off the peanut butter cookies yesterday.
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