Greetings from one of my many unscheduled diversions from working on my research paper for my musicology seminar (Heitor Villa-Lobos: A Journey Through Modernism - it's a corny title, I know, but hopefully I'll think up something better before I turn it in on Tuesday). I've been spending several hours a day for the past several days in the computer lab working on this thing, and I having been taking pretty regular breaks from writing simply because I'm having trouble staying on task. Writing this paper has been a challenge because a part of me knows that this is very likely the last paper I will ever have to write as a college student, and after eight years of writing similar research papers, my brain is wondering if it can muster up the effort one last time. I feels like I spend most of my time here in the computer lab trying to psych myself up to work, rather than actually working.
On the plus side, I have already finished up all my other final projects and tests for all my other classes and Friday was my last day of teaching for the semester, so this paper is all that stands between me and the end of my doctoral coursework. I still have one more year until I am finished with the degree, but from here on out I shouldn't have to take any more classes, and hence no more research papers. But don't you have to write a gigantic dissertation, Brian? Nope. Since I am in a performance-based degree, instead of a dissertation I have to pass a comprehensive oral examination given by my yet-to-be-organized committee, followed by three recitals. However, I will have to write program notes for each of the three recitals, but I find writing program notes really enjoyable.
Don't get me wrong - I love to write. Otherwise, why would I have two blogs? It's just that I much prefer writing about Sesame Street or the Utah Jazz or T.V. or my dreams. You know, the important stuff.
Okay, break's over. Back to Mr. Villa-Lobos.
P.S. - The clock just struck 12:00, meaning that it is now my sister Amy's birthday (at least in my time zone - she can't begin her celebration proper for another three hours). Parabéns pra você, Amy!
P.P.S. - If you haven't already, check out my latest dream post.
P.P.P.S. - GO JAZZ!!! It's a rough time to be a Jazz fan right now, but I still believe that D-Will can snap them out of their slump so they can at least make a respectable showing in the first round of the playoffs.
14 years ago
3 comments:
Why, oh why, the Lakers?
There's just something about knowing it's the last paper you'll have to do ever (or, in my case, at least for this year) that creates an inordinate amount of intellectual inertia. Best of luck, and here's hoping you finish soon so you can get back to the important stuff.
I remember the feeling! Congrats!
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