VIEW FROM THE IVORY TOWER: Ideal College Bar

Sometimes, a grad student needs to take a break from the hard work of procrastinating and enjoy a good beer in a pretty place. (Or, in my case, take a photo of a nice beer in a nice place)

This photo illustrates one of my many definitions of heaven. Isn't it nice? It makes me happy just looking at it. But it made me happier when I drank the beer.

PS. Kudos to those who can correctly guess the type of beer I was drinking.
PS2. I think the choice of beer (i.e., NOT Schlitz or Naddy Light) separates grad students from the common undergrad.
PS3. Not to brag, but I really outdid myself on this photo. Three cheers for my camera phone!
PS4. I apologize for bragging in PS3.

You Earn a Gold Star

As a way to motivate myself to work on my thesis, I created this start system (a la kindergarten). Unfortunately, I never had the time to buy gold star stickers, so nothing ever came of it. But I'm posting it here, cause you may be more diligent than me. Let me know if it helps you out...


To earn a star:
- one hour undistracted work or 2 hours distracted work
- waking up without snooze
- waking up at 8 am (2 stars)
- waking up at 8:45 am (1 star)
- saying no to an invitation in order to work
- at least 5 hours of work in one day
- reach a milestone on project
- in bed by 1:30 am
- say no to unhealthy food temptation/eat a healthy meal
- going for a walk instead of snaking when stuck
- riding bike instead of driving
- ordering plain tea/coffee instead of sugary drink

Star rewards:

Five Stars
- one hour reading a fun book
- one hour nap
- buy a magazine

10 stars
- meal at restaurant
- rent a movie
-write a blog

15 stars
- go hiking
- buy a CD
- go to bookstore

20 stars
- buy a book
-rock climbing gym
- hang out with a friend

THESIS PROGRESS: 23.99 of 40 pages written*
*That's only for chapter 3, the full thesis is much longer.

Things Left Behind

Taking a break from writing, I called a former colleague to chat. Among other flashes of juicy gossip, she told me that the company just hired my replacement and gave my coveted promotion to somebody else. Up until that point, I had been too consumed with the elation of quitting my job and the pressure of finishing my thesis to think of the sacrifices I made in order to graduate. Now, a wave of emotion hit me in the stomach. It wasn't sadness but loss, if that can be a feeling.

Though I certainly do not regret my decision, it's a reminder that whenever something is gained, something else disappears. I won't think about the apparent illogic of departing from my true chosen career path in order to gain a sheet of paper that says I'm qualified to do something I no longer really want to do*. Since it's impossible to un-jump when you're already falling, the best way I can honor my former life is to get my sad self back to work.

*Due to anonyminty, I cannot reveal my degree nor my careerer path, but they do both tie together, just not exactly. That is to say, while my degree doesn't perfectly match my career, it's not a complete waste of time.

THESIS PROGRESS: 12 of 40 pages written*
*That's only for chapter 3, the full thesis is much longer.

Procrastination Station

5 Ways to procrastinate when you have escaped the Internet and handcuffed yourself to a Starbuck’s table:

1. Eavesdrop on the baristas’ conversation (Right now they are talking about how the song “Hallelujah” comes from the movie Shrek. It doesn’t, but it was featured on the soundtrack.)

2. Stare at coffee mugs. Wish wasn't unemployed & had $$ for frivolous purchases (Clearly $9 coffee mugs are frivolous, whereas $5 coffees in disposable cups are not)

3. Listen to the music. Really listen. Ponder which is favorite version of the song “Hallelujah”: Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright or the dumb kid who covered it on American Idol?

4. Turn off cell phone so as not to be distracted

5. Write this blog

THESIS PROGRESS: 6.5 of 40 pages written*
*That's only for chapter 3, the full thesis is much longer.

Incognito!

I chose to write this blog anonymously because I didn't want my thesis adviser to read it and get mad. I also don't want any of the people who are in charge of keeping me on track (i.e. the few friends who don't try to tempt me with beer and good times) to know how off track I just may be. So I have taken the reasonable precautions of withholding my name and using a fake picture (kudos to anybody who can tell who the picture is of).

THESIS PROGRESS: 2.25 of 40 pages written*
*That's only for chapter 3, the full thesis is much longer.

Turning lemons into...

This evening I prevented scurvy the old fashioned way: hand squeezing lemonade. It didn't seem ridiculous when I was doing it, but I guess it is. And it didn't even turn out that good. So here's a little wake-up call for all the annoying people who perpetuate that used-up slogan:

• life better give you more than lemon, cause one measly lemon doesn't make much of anything except lots and lots of seeds
• Lemonade needs so much sugar to make it palatable that you could substitute lemon juice with water and not only save lots of time but also make it healthier
  
• maybe procrastinators would be well-served in investing in one of those juice squeezer things