God, you sound busy! I'm feeling the fear now.....

I guess I should work as much as I can.

Oh..I'm more of a Cash in the Attic man . Oh rather I was...and then they took Alistair Appleton away...*sobs*

Thanks people.......I had thought it was about right. But I'm still plagued by 'not spending enough time' phobia. Nevermind. I just tell myself that not every full time (fully funded) arts PhD spends 9-5 every day working.

I have noticed that a majority of people here seem to be lab based science PhDs. As a PhD fresher this Sept I would be interested to know how many hours humanities/arts based PhD'ers put in? The reason I ask is that I work part-time as well and it wouldbe useful to help balance and plan my time. I was thinking that 30 hours a week on PhD work was a reasonable amount...

Chicmala: I'll pop off to buy some forthwith...Thanks!

Thanks for your advice people!

I just realise today how visible some of the marks are. If there is not sign of the problem clearing soon, I'll see a specialist.

I wonder if you flatmate had any tips on concealing the marks?...it is more the upper arms and neck I want: so I can wear t-shirts. I'm a guy so any concealer would have to be natural looking!

It's just like the undergrad years again...juggling stress, health and work.

Sometimes it seems so difficult just doing stuff:argh...life always demands active participation! Although demanding at least the PhD gives a focal point to life.

Argh! I'm supposed to be doing a lit review at the mo', but instead of leafing through some odd history of science text or another I'm slowly going mad! I went to the doctors this morning....and found out that the Guttate Psoriasis that currently plagues my life is not going to go away easily. Sob.....still at least it isn't the swimsuit season and I can always wear jumpers. Sigh...it will wax and wane throughout my life, and be aggravated by stress: but having the red sore blotchy skin IS stressful! Argh! Vicious circle.

Anyway, rant over , I will return to work. Anyway else have an aliment to moan about?

*tongue firmly in cheek of course, I love books!*

Bookburning?

..but perhaps not best suited to the Swedish weather!

Ahhh little kitty. I want one of those hairless kitty kats: Engyptian Rex Cats....they are so cute!

I don't fear inanimate objects, but on my glummer days I do have an irrational jealousy towards them: i.e no responsibility, none of the burdens that self-aware thought bring! Of course in all seriousness I'm not jealous but when things get a bit much it is suprisingly easy to feel jealous of a tv remote, goldfish or mug.

I once told a friend that I was insanely jealous of my golfish, and he said he often looked at inanimate objects or pets and felt the same : 'lazy cat not having to work, so smug blah blah blah'

Am I the only person to think this sometimes...

Nowt better than a nice greem tea. With a pint glass of water. A vitamin tablet and a nice substantial cereal bowl (blue) of bran flakes with sultanas (and added nuts...mmm)

I had my first formal supervision today. I've been given a HUGE seed bibliography to be getting on with and I need to write my literature review in draf form by Christmas. So I'll have my head buried in books for the foreseeable future!

But I'm still excited. Yay! I'm really hear and the formal supervison wasn't as scary as I thought (but still a bit scary!) I even enjoyed typing up the minutes for the records....

THE DIET STARTS TOMORROW!

After grazing absent mindedly through a packet of cereal whilst reading a journal article this has to stop!

TODAY A NEW DIET REGIME OF CALORIE RESTRICTION AND DEDICATION WILL BEGIN. I reckon it is the starting PhD trauma which is causing the comfort eating!