Spring Progress

It has warmed up almost 10 degrees since yesterday, and though there is still snow on the ground, I'm feeling a renewed vigor and energy since I'm just getting over some kind of nasty stomach bug that had me down for days. I'm still not eating my usual foods yet, but I should be back on track pretty soon. My allergies have also kicked in early, so it really feels like spring is here in Postdoc city. Never mind that it was single digit temps yesterday.

I haven't blogged in the last couple of weeks, but I have been writing, nesting, knitting, and sending out lots of applications. I am hoping for the best, despite all the reminders i get everyday about how awful the job market is. I'm not sure why people keep telling me this, I guess they are trying to make me feel better about not having heard anything back yet. Well, I'm okay with it right now. I'm willing to wait and see what happens. I may freak out later but for now I am okay.

Its just sad when people are trying to make you feel better and they inadvertently make you feel worse. My SIL called from Hometown and it turned out she had a stomach virus too. I think I said something like Oh, I'm sorry you have it too, to which she replied, "Yes, but at least I have your brother to look after me. You're all alone there." Yeah. Thanks. What do I say to that? Actually, I'm not sure I'd want company here like this, it is nice to not have to share the bathroom when you are sick. Gah.

updates on where I'm at with stuff:

Writing- wrapping up a draft of a "quick and dirty" paper from my dissertation (neither of the ones in the sidebar), but one that I discovered when I was reassessing my writing two weeks ago. I'm planning to hand over a draft to my mentor at the end of the week, and hope to get it sent out very soon.

Nesting- My place is now clutter-free, yay! Stuff had piled up at the end of last semester and with being away most of the break, I didn't get to tackle the piles of mostly papers that had accumulated until after I got back and caught up on applications.

Knitting- I still can't conclusively decide how to finish my cardigan, so I've set it aside while I finish a shawl for myself. The shawl, which is knit in a lovely rich burgundy tweed yarn, has progressed well and it should be finished in a week or two. I can't wait to wear it.

Applications - I don't have much to report, just doing my usual thing here, sending them out and following the steps outlined here. My mentor asked which jobs I was most excited about and I do have one that I'd like to get most, but I am really trying to detach from that once I get the app. sent out. There's more coming up next month that I'm gearing up for today, getting in requests for letters and such.

The "feature creep" of paper writing

Yesterday I got into campus bright and early, and while the chilly walk there did wonders for me, apart from two very productive early morning hours, I hardly got any work done because it was so cold in my building. Today, I've warmed up my home study and will be disconnecting the internet and going in there as soon as I've had my coffee.

There are some writing projects that I thought were almost done before the fall semester started and my plan for this spring was to get both of those papers that have been in my sidebar for so long out, out, out.

Well, getting back to these projects yesterday after setting them aside for a while has made me notice some serious problems in how I have divided up my ideas and work. I noticed that instead of just writing something simple, I turned both of these papers into grand-impossible-projects that would suck the life out of anyone. Well, at least they were heading in that direction.

A friend of mine who works in the gaming industry has distilled my problem into the term "feature creep," which I understood as the desire to continue to add more and more features into a product, presumably as you continue to miss deadlines for publishing the software. I think the visions for both of these papers started out realistic and then just kept spiraling out until they reached this impossible point.

My mission now is to just figure out how to work within these grand visions I have for my life and my discipline (yes, I have this problem in other aspects of life too), and just find a small piece that I can work with and tackle that one step at a time. For today, I'm going to start to cut down that vision to something more realistic and try to set up these articles so that I have a more achievable set of goals for the next few weeks.

Applying myself

I can't believe it has been a whole month since I've blogged. I've been so steadily applying for academic positions (a number of which had such ridiculous deadlines as December 31st, January 1st and January 4th) that I haven't had much of a breather since I left Postdoc city at the end of the semester. I had this nagging sense of guilt while I spent Christmas with my family, and sent out two applications on New Year's eve!

I'm flying back to Postdoc city tomorrow (after submitting one more application today, doing laundry and packing my bag.) I'll have a few days to sort things out before I get to work on the January 15th applications, but I'm ready to get back to full-time writing again as soon as I get back. I wish I hadn't spent so much time away from my writing, but I'm glad that I feel ready to start the writing engine up again. I think the cold weather in Postdoc City will work to my advantage there, because it will help me stay indoors and busy.

Though I'm not one for marking anniversaries, I do want to note some 2009 accomplishments: I published my first paper (in a big journal), finished five sewing projects and four knitting projects in 2009. All of these sewing and knitting projects were gifts that I was very happy to share, but in 2010, I am shifting towards prioritizing my own needs and wants. For some reason, it doesn't come naturally to me.

Speaking of which, there is still one knitting project that is hanging on into the new year, and it is a cardigan for me. Mostly done, and I hope to finish it up on the plane, but I can't seem to decide on how ruffle-y I want the edging, so we'll see how it goes. Whatever I do, I'll definitely be posting photos of this one when it is finished.

What about you? Do you ever feel like you're too generous or have trouble prioritizing yourself over friends and family?

Midnight snack confession

I am not built for the kind of weather that winter brings. Once it gets into the 20s, like today, I start craving all kinds of junk food on a full stomach, snack constantly, drink lots of hot teas (herbal) and bundle up with my warmest socks and fleeces even in the house. Ski socks make me very happy this time of year, though I am not a skier! I wear them with my slippers around the house. I must have poor circulation, because I like thick gloves when I go out in the cold.

I also find it especially difficult to avoid cookies, pastries and other sugary stuff when I am out shopping. Today, I came home with both cookies and ice cream from the grocery store and yes, I plan to have a serving of each before bed. I feel like it is a victory that I didn't bring home any chocolate also! I'm just confessing my indulgent midnight snacks in the hopes that it will lead to some recognition of where this urge is coming from. Please, universe, find me a job in the sunbelt. What about you? How do you manage cold?

Hello my name is Grumpy

...and I just want the semester to be over. Thanksgiving can't get here soon enough. In order to combat the fine mood I've been in lately, I decided one cup of coffee wasn't going to cut it today. I spent the morning with friends at the farmer's market, bitching about the class I'm teaching and what a disaster I feel it has become. I had a vision for this class and now, well...now I just want the class to be over, period.

After lunch, I decided a second coffee was in order, and I embellished it with sweetened condensed milk. Mmmm....now I think I need to do some knitting on the porch while I finish up the coffee. Maybe I can tackle that exam I need to work on after that.

Job application sanity

I'm applying for jobs far and wide these days, so here's my post on how to keep going through the process -- despite discouragement from the economy and the rejections, not to mention the general state of anxiety that comes up in the whole process. Not that I'm an expert on these things, but here's what has worked for me and I want to remind myself to keep doing what is working.

Step 1. Application Potential
There's something wonderful about applying for jobs. The possibility, the anticipation, the chance of landing a real job as a professor. What could be better than thinking about that? Nothing, really. But while I'd try to remember all of this as you are writing your letter, and channel your excitement into the letter, the key is to stop there. Once you have submitted it, stop visualizing yourself living in potential job city. Just stop. Visualize a stop sign if you must, but don't keep thinking of the potential anymore. You are done with that application. Move on to the next one on the list.
Step 2. Treat yourself
Something small, a reward for every batch of applications that you finish. I do this twice a week, because they seem to be due at the start of the month or the middle. This is good because it allows you to acknowledge the work you put in and gives you the boost you need to keep going.
Step 3. When you get a rejection
And as long as you are applying far and wide, you will. But, don't let yourself feel sorry for yourself for a whole week! Go print out the rejection in question (if it came over email) and go find a big paper shredder and do a ritual shredding, preferably with a witness nearby who can remind you how lame that place is, and how you didn't want to go there anyway.
Step 4. Keep updating the list
This keeps the freshness of the possibility in your mind, and reminds you that there are still lots of options, no matter what has already passed. Do this at least once a week.
Step 5. Repeat
steps 1-4 until you get a job.
GOOD LUCK to everyone who is on the market this year!

Alice's soynog latte recipe

I've started early on my eggnog lattes this year, but fortunately, I don't have to buy them because they are pretty easy to make at home. Here's what I do:

1. Start with a giant microwaveable mug, 16oz is perfect. I have a holiday mug that is oversized and works well.
2. Depending on how strong you like it, about half fill it with Silk Nog. This has all the yumminess without eggs, cholesterol or dairy. It is a bit on the sweet side, but that's why it is only available seasonally. Microwave for about 1-2 minutes. I like it pretty hot and frothy, so I usually go for two minutes, but I have a clunky old microwave, so your timing may vary.
3. In the meantime, brew a cup of coffee the way you like it. These days, I do a one-cup presspot which is good and strong.
4. Add the coffee to the nog and drink up!

This has been just the treat I have needed to get through this yukky part of the semester. I hope you'll enjoy it too.