I can't do it on either, either, so that makes three out of four PhD students with the same finger predicament:: Clearly, this is PhD related and we all need a day off, except Bug, of course, because she is immune. ;-)

======= Date Modified 18 May 2010 19:53:57 =======
sunshine in the beautiful, beautiful park and a lemonade lolly-ice

Wal, I think my regular house plants may really resent the suggestion that any plant in my care could have the opportunity be so impatient and demanding; they are already extremely perturbed by the tomato plant's presence, it gets proper nurturing, while they languish in tiny, undersized, dryish pots. So there could be some kind of plant uprising round at my place, but just with a different agenda. Thanks for the warning!

======= Date Modified 18 May 2010 17:06:07 =======
How about a tomato plant as a stop gap while you decide. I have one that's grown about half a cm today, so they are kind of whatchable. And you may be able to feed it to the pet when it arrives, or to yourselves, in a nice greek salad or similar.

======= Date Modified 18 May 2010 12:38:24 =======
What about 'journalism' or 'journalistic [possibly a poncey word there, though] references'. Or non-academic journals.

Sorry, I see now I'm a bit too late with that one.

consistently (in the right context perhaps)? universally?

======= Date Modified 10 May 2010 21:41:52 =======
I have succumbed to day-time alcohol consumption as a means of inspiring lucidity, and am doing pretty well with that this weekend. Today I downed half a bottle of wine and some fizzy italian stuff called prrrrssschchchllllWWrrruuuummmm or something - this facilitated 200, very profound sounding words tonight.

Yesterday, I had two Mench Fartinis (that's a French Martini ordered after a generous apertife) and several glasses of wine yesterday. That inspired about 600 words this morning - hangovers seem to work just as well as raw intoxication...

======= Date Modified 09 May 2010 22:32:35 =======
Hey Natassia, you don't have to justify yourself or your position to anyone else! All that matters is that you are in, that you are where your want to be, donig what you want to do, and that that is half the battle.

I'm self funded, and like you, passed up an opportunity for a funded place elsewhere because I knew exactly what I wanted to study, and who with. And yes, it's tough, but I don't feel exploited, I am getting brilliant supervision, contacts, kudos, and I'm researching a topic that will pave the way for where I really want to be professionally. And you've made a similar choice, I think; so you celebrate! Well done XX8-)

Hey, BHC, I'm really glad you've found your path, outside of academia. That's great news! Good luck, it sounds like what you are doing will take you somewhere worthwhile.

to be fair, I don't think a sup would take a student on if they seemed unlikely to finish, it looks bad. Also, some, very high profile, supervisors are overloaded with PhD students, so even a self-funded place is very competitive.

I'm going throug a blindly optimistic phase, and am not even considering this. I really have no idea, but seeing as you've asked. I guess something to do with fashion and costume, from whence I came., althouhg it wn't be easy getting back into that. I'd really like to stay working in education too, so maybe some kind of organisational role in a uni, if I'm lucky. The pay and conditions would be much better than lecturing, I think. Or! teaching at a non-state school, the pay isn't any better than a state school, but the day to day business of teahing is much, much easier and far more pleasant (my friend's live in boyfriend and father to her baby does it) - I think that may be my best plan.

At the minute, I just think I will get an academic job though, eventually, if I just keep going and keep pushing.

Hi Natassia, that sounds like what happened to me at both unis I've been a PhD student with. I think the catch is probably that you are self funded! Otherwise it looks like you're in. Although the maxim, don't believe it untill you see it in writing does always hold true too; I think you can 99% believe it... That's great news, good luck XX

Hi Nalie, I clicked 'never' becauset the latest I stay up working is about 2 - 3am, usually I finish earlier than that, but I am not in the writing up stage just yet, so perhaps I will when the pressure is truely on.

I used to pull all nighters as an undergrad, but vowed never again from my MA onwards, on the grounds that jet lag is counter-productive. I hope i an maintain this throughout the PhD, becuase it really is a truely yucky feeling. You have my sympathy.

Hi Chococake, I say, only if she hasn't got back to you after three months, just something light reminding her that you are interested. It hasn't even been two yet, so I wouldn't worry at all at this stage.

Good luck, sounds like a great opportunity!

I'd love a transvestite driving instructor! much more wholesome than one my previous ones, who was an alcoholic.