I think that there is a general trend in academia now to celebrate inter-disciplinarity and multi-disciplinarity. That is certainly the case in my humanities area which combines theory and methodologies from many disparate areas.
So I really think you should go for it and stress the value that you can bring with your interest in the particular cultural perspective.
M

I agree with Amanda - find a task to do that doesn't require much concentration if you really feel that you should work, but remember that every one is entitled to a holiday and to be sick, so take a break....it might help you get better more quickly.
M

Ha Ha Ha.....*giggles*

Me too, and I have travelled allot. Apparently, it's the done thing for Sagittarians.:-)

Just an observation....why don't you all eat together, take 20 minutes out, all eat, maybe discuss research or trivia, then you can all get back to concentrating, and not annoying each other.
:$

...and take care that she doesn't send e-mails - my cat did that; had the potential to be embarrassing!

This news gives me some hope in society....what with the recession and election stuff I was starting to despair.
Matt and Clare, your posts have given me hope that 'doing a PhD' is actually worthwhile work in the eyes of bankers and bureaucrats and people outside academia.
Thank you for sharing your happy news, and best of luck with the house-ownership.
M

Thanks Sue and AQ
After a good nights sleep I feel better about approaching the task in hand. I will take your advice on board.
M

======= Date Modified 07 Apr 2010 12:05:25 =======
It does seem like a struggle getting back into the swing of things after a few days off at Easter. I managed a relatively guilt-free few days of relaxing but now as I am struggling to get this next chapter flowing I wonder whether it was a good idea!
My work 'mojo' has gone - I stare at pages of pre-drafted text and it is just like a big jigsaw puzzle I know I have to re-structure it to make sense but can't seem to get my head around it.

Any tips...should I re-draft entirely, ( seems like a wasted effort when I have stuff on paper already ?) ....or persevere with juggling old stuff?
I hate editing my own work! Why is it that I can identify flaws and solutions in other peoples work but can only see the flaws in my own.

I'm sure I am not the only one struggling.....can anyone give me their experience?
Thanks
M

I just discovered one of my cats sitting in the little tray I use for recycling A4 paper under my desk.
She complained a bit when I tried to dump a handful of scrap paper from this chapters draft on her.....but she forgave me and came to sit on my knee instead!
I wouldn't be without my two cats...such great company when you are in the house alone with academic thoughts whirling around your head.
M:-)

I got married towards the end of my second year, and we did it quite cheaply. From proposal to the day was only 6 months. But it might have been better to do it in the first year, as it can be a bit of a distraction ( although an enjoyable one!)
The website I used quite a lot was:
http://www.cheap-wedding-success.co.uk/
It's amazing what you can do if you set up a budget first and stick to it. Friends and family can often have hidden talents!
We set up a free website using http://www.gettingmarried.co.uk/ which cut down on posting out loads of information with the invites!
I bought my wedding dress from a vintage clothes auction - just an idea if you want something different and don't want to/can't wait 6 months for Bridal shops! ( I avoided the places like the plague!)
Have fun!

Thanks Sneaks
I'll have a look and give them a try!
Matilda

I was happily using the mytomatoes.com timer on internet explorer and it doesn't seem to be working properly on my newly installed Google Chrome browser.

Has anyone else had any problems?
I tried to give the site feedback but I don't have a twitter account, and that is the only way to get in touch.

I might have to go out and buy another mechanical timer ( I've already broken two!) and go back to low-tech.
Please help if you can....or suggest an alternative web-based timer
Thanks

I've just had a similar mini-computer panic. I just downloaded new anti-virus software and installed Google Chrome and lost my bookmarks temporarily! Half an hour of panic....but lovely hubbie sorted it!
I always e-mail my days work to myself at uni daily , as well as backing up on an external memory drive every few days and on my parents computer once a week. It feels like a bit of over-kill, but I have heard so many nightmares.

Hubbie mentioned that automatic software - it might be a good investment!

I agree with most of the posts here - great tips everyone!
But another resource that I find helpful is Martin Lewis's Moneysaving Expert website. There are loads of tips and detailed forums there - even a student thread ( although is mostly undergrads)
He sends out a weekly e-mail with loads of tips and discount vouchers. When I started using it it litterally saved me hundreds of pounds.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

I also watched the 'Economy Gastronomy' programme that was on the BBC a while back which advocated batch cooking / making a 'bedrock' receipe and 'tumbledown' meals from that throughout the week. The website still has their stuff on - I think they also did a book.
We invested in a slow cooker...and we also spend Sunday afternoons cooking up stuff to put in the freezer. ( We have homemade pizza bases ready to make fresh pizza / little lasagnes and cottage pies.) It takes a little bit of thinking and planning a menu for the week, but makes for an easier week of study/work because we know what we will be eating and don't expend time and energy on doing it during the week ( when, lets be honest, exhaustion kicks in and a takeaway start to look appealing!)