Thanks Wally, that's funny! I could find the Stallone thing, I'm not a fan of his anyhow, never liked him, don't get Rocky, although I know you're a fan. I would post a link to the chubarama web site, but I think we've had enough lewd links around here for now; it is a laugh though, and an eye opener: it seems Rubenesque men have quite a following.

I don't know about 'pressure to keep up to date with new developments' most of the departments I've worked for have been pretty Neanderthal in those terms, and success seems to have much more to do with personality, just as it does in most professions, along with general ability and talent. In fact, I have found myself dumbing down on several occasions in order to fit in. But maybe that's just the area and places in which I teach... Thank God this forum is anonymous!

I, myself, am quite the chubby chaser on occasions, for example, I prefered Ricki Gervais before the weight loss; however, man boobs are pushing it too far. Love does conquer all in these respects, and personality usually wins out, but a man boob would defo not beckon me in the way a Beckham or RG style chest would.

However, Sue, I think Wal was being ironic.

Ship's captain sounds great: I once rang one by mistake with the details of a costume delivery - I'd dialed the wrong number - he was captain of a cruise ship which was just leaving Portsmouth harbour, and we had a good old chat about our jobs, it sounded thrilling, what fun it would be to sail the world taking people on holiday, like The Love Boat!

This is a cooooool thread. Here's mine:

As a real nipper I went through various phases and wanted to be a traffic warden, witch, nun or princess; then at the age of ten my class tutor set us individual projects based around what we most wanted to do when we grew up, and I wrote a history book!

I was very academic; however, school went pearr shaped during my early teens for various reasons and I left with zero qualifications, and as a creative, but unqualified, girl I was ushered towards a city and guilds dressmaking qualification - they promoted me to the more creative and prestigious B-Tec HNC course (for which you should really have GCSEs) because they thought I was really good at designing, that was a laugh and I got to hang out with my cool school friends who were also doing the HNC. On finishing at 19, I had various fashion posts and ran my own business for a while, but my heart was not in it, at all. So, at the age of 24 I embarked on a programme of GCSEs and A'Levels, ummed and ahhed between studying fine art or studying film (theory and criticism) and at 26 began a degree in the latter. My PhD is, basically, a history of film which challenges various historical givens about my chosen area, so, I'm getting there! And I teach fashions students which I also love, because they are a laugh - most of the time. Thanks for reminding me about all this kean X

======= Date Modified 29 Dec 2009 22:19:33 =======
Update: I have successfully re-gited a substantial amount to an in law for whom I was going to buy another gift, but have been unable to get to the shops; I have scoffed over half of the massive box of irresistable chocolates and only have a small amount left, so my dilema is over, I think. I just have to stop myself from downing what's left in one. Re-gifting works! In sooo many ways...

P.s. Thaks for all your helpful suggestions, they have been very much appreciated. Here's a gift, or should I say re-gift, as I think someone gave me this before: (gift)

Emmigrating was always my post - doc plan until quite recently, just because academics were being treated so badly here,even years ago when I first decided to do a PhD. It's only since my sister died and I've realsied how wonderful my friends here are that I haven't been consdering it, but perhaps it's time to start that train of thought again. I even registered with an Australian estate agent at one point, n order to check out the housing market. I have a couple of good friends in Sydney, but I guess the work will take us where it wants to.

HHmmmmmm.... I think I'll ask the homeless man if he wants the chocs, and give him a box if he does.

I see what you mean about the homeless bloke, he may not appreciate having to lug around my plentiful supply of chocs, or appreciate the wierd sugar rush and stomach experienced on gobbling half a ton of chocs in one go.

Hmm yep, it scares the be jesus out of me too. Thanks for the update... really don't know, I've invested so much in this now and it's so much a part of who I am, I haven't a clue how I'll deal with things if I have to take a non-academic/non-creative job. Well, i do have a clue: I'll probably feel the way I did when worked as an office manager - as though all the life had sapped out of me, and I'll end with a strange, distracting hobby at the weekends, I may become a foster parent. Actually, that would be really, really good! And now I'm smiling - the demands of academia make foster parenting seem impossible, but office work or whatever, make it more do-able. I'd be able to devote myself to caring for children in need - fabulus; well that's a late night thought anyhow. I think I'd regret not doing that as an academic, or, at least not doing it with as much commitment as I thinkk it needs. Would still be a real struggle though, to set myself up in a house etc. I think now is a good time to think about this stuff, when we're not so much on the writing/research train and in need of blind optimism to keep us going.

======= Date Modified 27 Dec 2009 22:13:56 =======
Thank you for the feedback Natassia, and that is sound, sensible advice. However, historically, I have zero self control around chocolate and just the knowledge that choc is in the house has previously eroded all will power. Although, yes, ideally, keeping a stash behind the sofa - there is no drawer in my flat big enough to hold this booty - would allow me to appreciate the gift, while saving me some money. But I just don't feel confident about doing that... I really admire your self control!

Just read your post Wally, I can relate to the blow torch thing! Not sure I can hang onto them until Jan either. I may take them to the venues well in advance...

Hello everybody, I hope you've all had a good Christmas, as I did.

I have, today, been gifted almost my own body weight in chocolate by my mother (including certain items that I swear I am genetically programmed to stuff into my face with crazy, frenzied fervour), I need to find a solution to the calorific time bomb which is lying in wait behind my sofa. I have stuffed myself silly for 2, going on 4, days (I have been reliant on either festive fare or Chinese takeaway for at least 5 days), and need to keep to my resolution to loose weight: I am determined that this post Crimb period will break with tradition and I will not spend it systematically working my way through this collection of lethal, but delectable morsels donated by my mother (even though I asked her not to, no, no I do not need 6 tons of chocolate in order to make it through January).

So, I have choices, and have devised a questionnaire which I am hoping will help me find a solution. I realise number two sounds like the perfect and most economically sensible solution, but it will require nerves of steel - one party is in md - Jan - and I'm just not sure I have the strength. I will very much appreciate any responses you make:

I am, very painfully, going to have to chuck out the huge (and I mean huge, instrial sized) box of luxurious chocolate covered brandy snaps and the huge box of continental chocs my mum gave me for Christmas - I'd swear they represent about 5lb in human weight between them. I said no chocs this year and I have more than ever! Oh dear, this is going to be painful... just keeping the walnut whips and the ginger biscuits :-(

Hii Wally, sorry to hear you are feeling low. I won't go into my Christmas arrangements, but I too have been feeling the lack of a significant other, at ths time of year especially, but I've been single more than I've been in a couple so it feels quite normal to me - I'm trying to train myself to expect a happy romantic life.

Anyhow, aside from empathy, what I thought I could contribute are my secrets to good sleep (I very rarely have a problem in this area and go out like a light as soon as my head had been on the pillow for a few minutes). These are:

1. Bed room is for sleeping, and other intimacies, only, no reading, radio, tv or anything else at all., whatsoever. I feel sleepy when I just go into my bedroom.
2. The room is decoated nicely, with soft colours, and it smells nice, I love my bedroom.
3. Read some trashy literature, routinely on getting into bed: I read things like Reveal and Closer, and after a few pages of that I'm well away, without fail - do not use anything that could stimulate you, ie avoid quality literature of any kind.
4. I do not drink caffiene (absolutely never after midday - or else I do get sleep problems), and I eat before 7pm most nights.

Bug, I think staying up all night has turned you into a man... But your goals Sound great and sounds like you'll do it, judging by your past posts.

My goals are:

1. Move house, into somewhere much cheaper. As I am going to see a very cheap and good opportunity today, this seems likely to happen soon.
2. Get my upgrade (this would be 6 months early, believe it or not), and will involve producing an outline of the thesis (probably about 10, 000 words) and a completed chapter.
3. Get an article or book chapter accepted for publication.
4, Find a conference or two it would be useful for me to present at: I haven't seen anything for months and that's a bit worrying. Or maybe organise one (must speak to sup about that).
4. Have a really good holiday.
5. Lose a stone in weight.