This was in a book supplement from The Observer last Sun:

'Some go to extremes to find the perfect envornment in which to write. When faced with writer's block, Victor Hugo, the author of Les Miserables and the Hunchback of Notre Dame, disrobed. He had his servant take his clothes away for the day, leaving him with only pen and paper so he'd have nothing to do but sit down and write. DH Lawrence took the idea to an extreme: he'd climb mulberry trees in the nude, finding the rough bark stimulating...'

So there we go! The answer!

I love this forum. And this forum loves love!!

I wonder if she feels playful on neutral ground like Error404 said, but then felt a bit 'pursued' and perhaps not so in control when you went to her office... I would say maybe best to take a step back and wait for her to come to you a bit more. She probably has a few reservations, being a lecturer, and may need more time than you to warm into the situ.

Does your dept go out for drinks?

How exciting!

Well done! I had writers block for nearly two months too, earlier this year. It was such a torment but then such a joy to start working again. We can do it!!!

I am confused. You have a new supervisor and a definite project and position in the dept. So why do you think you should leave? It sounds like you need a couple drinks and a chat, a couple of days away and to come back fresh and ready to tackle your PhD...

I worked at chelsea box office once as a temp job and it was the most awful job in the world. Everyone was mean, the atmosphere was horrible and spiteful and the days looooong. SO, I will be going for Man U all the way!

I know someone who - part-time - has taken over ten years. It makes me feel stressed just thinking about it! how on earth you would remember anything I don't know, plus keep up with all the new literature and ideas... would it still be relevant even?! Oh dear. Good luck!

Super dooper

Ooooh! That does look rather fabulous! I shall read up on it and get it going. I have played around but nothing seems to work so am do my biblio by hand :(.

Thanks for the help am soooo grateful!

x J

You can do what you like as long it's justified by your methodology. 'Qual' research is very broad, have you sorted your methodology? Your theoretical direction? This will answer your question.

What is interesting to me as well is that I can be so stressed with work and have 'no time' to exercise, and yet that is usually when I sit and think, actually, now would be the best of all times to get out and run around. Usually, it clears my mind and destresses me so the consequent time I spend working is more productive... And also, as I said earlier, it just makes you feel positive. Ahhh, sweet exercise. Not that I'm doing any today mind, oh-no. Finishing this chapter and then spending this evening scaring the government with a bit of rebellious binge-drinking. Vive la revolution!

I'm with you on the stress issue tomfinland, I physically feel my muscles in my neck and shoulders knotting up at work and ah! The bliss of shaking it all out in a run or swim. Definitely worth a hour every few days!

PS: re: Shani, incredible as this may sound I still don't know how to use endnote or really get what it does! I will get on a course after this pronto... I have set up a webaccount thing but don;t know how to use it properly yet. Been too busy working!

Thanks for your replies guys.

I am basically sort of making it up a bit but being consistent. I know how to reference it's just the fiddly bits. I hope I don't get marked down for it - it's for my transfer viva! Hopefully the arguments in the text (such as they are) will hold more sway than my neglect of footnote ref style... arg.

Nah my sup not fussy. But they do like it to be neat, as do I. Bah, referencing is such a pain!

Your're a star, thank you for your help.
J x

I want to be a harvard girl. Am not allowed any more... Goddamn fancy footnotes.