A Quick Inspirational Post!

A very short post today to remind the world that the chair of my Dissertation Committee rules! As I slowly plod along, still trying to get this shizz done, I can always count on inspiration when I go into her office. I'm pretty sure she doesn't even realize what she does to energize me. It's just sitting in a room with her and talking about all kinds of academic things that reminds me why I am involved in this otherwise ridiculous process. I really want to get done if for no reason other than getting to walk on that stage and have her "hood" me . . . it always cracks me up to say that . . . it just sounds so cultish . . . Anyway, I am quickly blogging while she is out of the room, so I will end it for now. I may check in later to fill you guys in on other not so inspirational happenings.

Oh, and by the way, I have added a map and a live feed so that I can see where you all are coming from when you look at the blog . . . don't worry, no GPS included, We won't be able to locate your position when checking in . . . :)

Hope all is well with my fellow non-phdivas!

A New Path on the Journey of Not Becoming a PhDiva: The Final New Beginning

Ok, so it's been a HOT minute since I have posted. I have gone through some ups and downs since then, which means I've been in and out of the dissertation. But, I'M BACK! So, over the past week, I have gone through the chapters I have written and made out lists of all the corrections I need to make. The result, I'm going to send out a final version of Chapter One tonight! Next, I will send out a final version of Chapter Three! This week, I will send out those two chapters and complete writing my draft of Chapter Four. I'm pretty excited about my progress. I AM GOING TO PLUG THROUGH . . . NOW!

One reason I have become re-inspired . . . a friend of mine. So, she and I sat down and I did the therapeutic throw up on her, and she and I came up with a Plan Of Action. Each week, I will work in my town . . . underpaid work during the day AND non-paid school work at night. Every Thursday night, I will drive to her town and spend the night. On Friday, I stay at her house and work all day . . . in a different environment . . . by myself.

I did it last week, and it worked so very nicely . . . I feel very good about this plan. I have gotten so bogged down in my town, and I this past week, I found the trip to my friend's town (only an hour away) such a cool kind of vacation. I figure, whatever works for me is a good thing.

I will do my best to keep updating the blog with my progress.

YAY!

A Little Academic Funny

So, L and I are on this listserv that sends us "interesting" issues about qualitative research. From time to time, informative posts come along to add to our knowledge of qualitative research. . . And sometimes . . . posts are sent along that remind you what a, um, er, quirky bunch acadmeics actually are. That being said, last week we received an email about the Grounded Theory Jamboree III This event is for those in qualitative research who utilize grounded theory as a framework for research. I won't bore you about the specifics, but basically it is a mode of inquiry (think design for quantitative research) in which a researcher goes into a particular place (e.g. jail, classroom, etc) and observes and attempts to build a theory based on these observations. The specifics aren't really important . . . what is more important, and inspired much giggling was the idea of a "Jamboree". I just had this vivid image of a bunch of qualitative researchers trying to win big stuffed animals by throwing darts at pictures of big named researchers OR someone like say tryihg to win tickets to the Big Grounded Theory Dance by participating in the Derrida Lincoln Log Deconstructing . . . yeah, I actually remember something from class . . . It just kind of cracked us up.

We have considered designing T-Shirts for this event . . .

J's idea: Front: Grounded Theory Jamboree; Back: Holla at a Quelude
L's idea: Front: Grounded Theory Jamboree; Back: Grounded Theorists Do It Inductively

More ideas to come, I'm sure.

Just cracks me up.

Make the dissertation a part of my daily life . . . Like Days of Our LIves?

L's post could not have come at a better time for me. I am sitting in front of a computer trying to write Chapter four of this bad boy . . . I've been pretty productive over the past 2 weeks, but, I let a few days lapse where I didn't work on it, and now, I'm having a hard time re-revving the engines.

The idea of integrating the dissertation into everyday life is an interesting one. I certainly have not taken that tact with this process. Better late than never, I guess. I see that when I take breaks from the data and writing, it takes me longer to get back into it. My focus is gone. Therefore, I guess integrating it into my everyday life would keep it fresh on my mind at all times . . . and perhaps push me harder to work more so that I could stop thinking about this shit cuz it is driving me freaking crazy . . .

Very good idea . . . hmmm, how will I do this. I'm sure I will be blogging later with some ideas as my creative juices for working on this monster do not seem to be flowing.

Interesting thought about dissertation work

Here is a interesting idea that was in my email box today (courtesy of a PhD newsletter)- about integrating our dissertation work into our daily lives:

"Build the dissertation into your day as much as possible.

Integrating the dissertation into your daily life is a fantastic habit. It is much more helpful than placing it in its own category, where it begins to become an overwhelming and looming task.

How can you better integrate the dissertation into your day? How can it become more automatic, like taking a shower or brushing your teeth?"

I hadn't really thought about it like that...more often - I see it as the overwhelming and looming task. I will be working on a different perspective!

-L

Productivity and a Brief Trip to my SoapBox

Yo!

So, I just had to write today to discuss how WONDERFULLY PRODUCTIVE today has been. I have coded - for the umpteenth time - five of my interviews. Tomorrow, I will start writing the bios for my chapter four. I am using a storytelling approach to my dissertation, and, therefore, will be providing a little back story on each participant to give the reader some context for the analysis. I'm starting to get a wee bit excited about this chapter four. Hopefully, the productivity will continue. I LOVE feeling like this about my work. Everytime I read these interviews, I remember why this work is important, and why I chose it! My participants rule! And there stories deserve to be heard. If for no other reason, those who read it . . hopefully a few will read it . . may never get any other exposure to people who commit crimes.

You know, I have noticed that people tend to really embrace their ignorance. For example, today, I read in an online newspaper about a man who was arrested on several counts of sexual abuse . . . don't even get me started about the press providing the names of people who have been arrested but not convicted in a society which supposedly believes in innocent until proven guilty . . . Anyway, the story went on to say that this man was being charged for crimes that allegedly took place approximately 15-20 years ago. The article goes on to provide an interview with the alleged perpetrators mother who stated that her son is mentally retarded. Now, scroll down to the "comments" at the bottom - the gentleman who commented said that this person deserved to die and that no amount of mental problems should excuse his behavior . . . he should just die. Now, I'm not angling for excusing anyone's behavior, but, it was very apparent that this commenter had never been associated with someone who committed a crime, was mentally retarded, just had never had any direct contact with the "wrong side of the law" or any type of mental instability. When folks who are ignorant of certain situations make massively inflammatory comments, it makes me want to stab a flaming spork through my eyeballs!

All that to say, if providing the stories of these women can in any way, shape or form educate someone . . . not necessarily academically, but just to the human condition . . . if just ONE person becomes more sensitive to these issues, then all of this CRAP has been worth it.

Whew, that turned out much longer and much more soapboxy than I had intended.

I'm out!

Have a good weekend, non-divas!

Well I'm Movin On Up . . . To The Doc Side . . .

Hey Non-divas,

You more mature divas may recognize "The Jeffersons" reference in the title . . . Holla . . .

Just wanted to check in to say that I am still pluggin away at the dissertation stuff. I am hangin in there, and continue to code data and create the stories of my interviewees. I am taking the transcriptions and using their words to put their stories out there. I hope I'm doing a good job. I love these women, and believe in their causes. I want to do a good job. I so want to represent them well. I know I go on and on, but it is a concern that I have. However, with those concerns in the forefront of my mind, I continue to plug away at the final product. I'm trying to work to beat down the anxiety (read: panic) that I feel sometimes about finishing. I figure actually working is probably better therapy than sitting around and giving in to the worry.

Oh, BTW, another example of how not to be a PhDiva . . . my WONDERFUL chair is on my list to send positive things everyday . . . when she's in a good and productive place, she will often respond with either a snarky comment (always appreciated) or a sweet comment. These responses are enough to register as a non PhDiva event, however, this last week, I sent a message out that had something to do with a true friend . . . something about being comfortable enough to be yourself, etc . . . and she sent me a message back that said, "I guess you and I are friends, huh". It was just a little blip, but it meant the world to me AND further proved that PhD does not have to equal PhDiva!

I love it when I make good choices!

Peace out, yo ;)