Gamba, I disagree with O. Stoll. If you really want the PhD you will do it part time. I can give you lots of part-time success stories from our university.

I was for a while - luckily I got some funding eventually. But I know what you mean. I had hardly any time cos even when I was in uni I usually had to supervise undergrads (unpaid) and that took up most of my time. And if you decide to take a few days off to visit family or just have a rest, all you get are people saying "Oh, but don't you wan to use that time to catch up?" Yes, but I also need a rest like everyone else...

Best thing to do is just keep on and on applying for any kind of funding - or at least a part time job on campus so that you're nearer your studies.

I'm on a diet so I'm thinking constantly about cake...fluffy victoria sponge with icing; shortcake...and those Indian fudgy sweets, think they're called barfi

You can get them from Famous Army Stores (oddly), or from industrial clothing outlets (which mainly stock catering clothes but also stock lab coats). Sometimes the uni will sell you them too.

I think for girls (of which I know you're not, just in general ) the industrial outlets are best cos they seem to have more variation in size. Universities seem to stock only one size (elephant).

Excellent news

I think you were given advice. Unfortunately it wasn't helpful to you, but that doesn't mean the intentions of the "advisors" were not genuine.

You have just convinced me, at any rate, that your irritability is intentional so I'm signing off this topic. Good luck.

It's probably unintentional, but you (VeryPoor) are coming across as a bit helpless and irritable. Understandable and I sympathise, but people are just trying to offer practical suggestions.

My reply was to VeryPoor, not you H

So apply to a university that does offer funding.

I did, as an undergraduate. It's a comfortable job: better than standing behind a bar for hours on end. I was with Liz Earle Recruitment.

I have to do mine within 9-15 months of starting. But for people who began this year, it has been shortened to 9 months. It is supposed to be 5000 words.

I don't think I'll have any trouble with the word count (will probaly go way over), but I do worry that my data may not be convincing enough.

It's probably no crappier; it's just that I have to spend endless hours there waiting for my connections and there are no diversions whatsoever, unless you count the Last Chance Saloon on the nearby estate.

Your last point is very true, Mango: you have to try to be nice because these people love it if you get wound up. They try really hard to push your buttons.

Congratulations and welcome back!

Will you be putting any photo's online

Has she always had this competitive streak, ro do you think it is, as Shani suggests, a consequence of insecurity? If the latter, then Shani is right.

But I've had to deal with a colleague who was unhealthily competitive: did virtually no actual work but make a lot of noise in meetings, and tried to claim credit for other's successes (most memorably telling me that my experiment had only worked because she had been praying for it to work, and that I ought to be grateful or she won't pray for me in future and therefore my stuff won't work ). Was also forever schmoozing and namedropping.

I wwas given this advice: if she tries to dominate a meeting, tell her very nicely that her suggestions are most welcome and perhaps she can arrange a separate meeting just to consider them? Then(her ego massaged) you can get back to the point of the meeting here and now.