Shel Silverstein's Thesis Writing Advice

This was one of my favorite poems as a child. Clearly, I liked it because I was psychic and knew that one day I would need encouragement while writing a master's thesis. I hope this poem helps you too...

Melinda Mae

Have you heard of tiny Melinda Mae,
Who ate a monstrous whale?
She thought she could,
She said she would,
So she started in right at the tail.

And everyone said,"You're much
too small,"But that didn't bother Melinda at all,
She took little bites and she chewed very slow,
Just like a little girl should...

...and eighty-nine years later she ate
that whale
Because she said she would!!!

From "Where the Sidewalk Ends"

Perhaps I have macaroni & cheese taste in poetry, but Shel Silverstein is one of my favorite poets, and I was very sad when he died. Also, he wrote for Playboy, so he can't be that bad.

PS. I really hope it doesn't take 89 years to finish my thesis.
PS2. But if it does, I will still finish.

Baggage Claim

The impromptu trip to visit my parents was followed by a slightly insane "study retreat" to the next college town over.

Total time spent running away = 5 days

Now, I am back home. Today, I collect the baggage that I tried to discard at various spots around the nation. Today I claim it as mine. Today, I unpack it and one by one fix it all. Today, I take the next steps to finish my thesis

Note: I took this photo from my camera phone while I was traveling this weekend.

Yet Another All-Nighter

The spirit is (more or less) willing, but the body is weak. Last night, I wimped out. Five hours of sleep does not even count as sacrifice in today's 24-hour society. But tonight, I REFUSE TO SLEEP UNTIL I E-MAIL THE COMPLETED CHAPTER 3 TO MY THESIS ADVISOR!

The only kink in the plan is that I have to go to Traffic Safety School tomorrow at 7:30 am (Fie on you, photo radar!). Now, I'm prepared to go to the stupid class on no sleep (a gangky, unshowered look will probably help me fit in), but it does give me a solid 7:30 a.m. deadline. Will I make it? Heck if I know. Tune in tomorrow for the exciting conclusion of ... Chapter 3 thesis deadline!

PS. This painting is the perfect visual representation of how all-nighters feel. And I'm a horrible person because I forgot the artist, though I'm pretty sure it's Van Gogh. Anybody know?

After the clock has stopped

No, it's not finished yet.

I managed to stay productive until 5 a.m., after which point I was just sleeping sitting up. So I allowed myself to go to bed a couple hours. I set three alarms, slept for three hours and pushed snooze for two hours more (to the certain chagrin of my roommates). I've been working all day, but to no avail. On the bright side, the 10-minute thing has been a lifesaver.

I apologize if this blog is not up to my normal level of witty banter, but I actually am more concerned about my thesis than blogging today.

Study Tips: The 10-Minute Rule

I have technology-induced ADD. Before the Internet was invited by Al Gore, I had laser focus. Now, ... I have a blog.

Since I can't even get Aderol on the black market at this hour, I came up with a little study tip for myself:

When all attempts to focus fail -- when you pace the house, annoy your roommates and run up the electricity bill by opening and closing the fridge so many times -- there is only one solution. Set a timer for 10 minutes. Anybody can focus for the length of an extended commercial break. And when the 10 minutes is up, give yourself a well-earned blog break, such as this one.

Thesis Progress: I just focused for 10 full minutes, and was only distracted once

All-nighter!

Yep, that's the only way i can get through this chapter, which is due TOMORROW. Oh dear. Wish me luck, friends. I'll let you know how it all turns out sometime tomorrow.

The Internet Keeps Chasing Me

Study Tip #1: Above all, the Internet is the arch-enemy of thesisizing

If after many joyful hours of learning the concept of infinity through Google, you actually want to get some work done, the only answer is to ESCAPE! (Just make sure not to do it cold turkey or you are in danger of severe withdrawal symptoms.)

However, it's not that easy to find a place that doesn't have wireless. My local grocery story just added it, though I cannot see how that is practical. I've debated asking my roommate to block me from the router, but the image of me begging him to reconnect me at 3 a.m. is too embarrassing. The only place I know of that doesn't have free wireless is (and I hate to promote chains) Starbucks. So as soon as I finish this post, I'm ungluing my self, not to return for several hours, at least.

THESIS PROGRESS: 3.75 of 40 pages written*
*That's only for chapter 3, the full thesis is much longer.