Lara, I am so so happy for you!!!! Congratulations. You really are an inspiration. Step by step your thesis came together and the great thing is that all those steps are here for everybody to see- your progress reports are something tangible that show all of us the accumulation of your work and that is a really motivating thing to be able to trace. Big massive hug to you. Now go out and enjoy yourself!

Lara, I don't post much any more but I've followed your progress for quite a while now. You've worked so hard!! All the very best of luck tomorrow. Make sure you update us. Fingers crossed for you (up)

Badhaircut, I think you are oversimplifying. I just don't understand those posters in the original blog who have said 'men find young women attractive, big deal' because it is simply NOT the issue. This is not the reason so many have taken offense at the article. The sentiment of attraction is in NO WAY offensive, indeed, it's completely natural. What is offensive to many is saying things like 'She's a perk, enjoy her!' and some of the other drivel he came out with. I would like to say a few things. When I read the article I was not 'wilfully' offended, I felt offense as a gut/intuitive reaction from the tone of the piece. I simply couldn't help it. Maybe you have to be a woman to have felt this, I don't know (and that's not to say that all women will respond in the same way), but I would be interested (and relieved) to hear from men who understood wherein the offense lies. Secondly, it is not that I don't 'get' humour, but I know a joke with a jag when I hear one. The satire in this piece failed because there was an ambivalence at the heart of it- as others have said, it didn't go far enough to satirize anything. I found most of the other contributions in the article funny but they were different because they took the piss out of academics themselves whereas Kealy's piece dragged female students into the bargain, coming out as a very low form of humour. It just didn't work. Lastly, although my gut reaction was distaste I don't think he should have been stopped from saying it- better out than in as far as I'm concerned.

Applecar, don't panic. It sounds to me like you are doing just fine for your first year, but you musn't feel that you cannot contact your surpervisor- that's what he/she is there for. Don't be like me and get into a pattern of non-contact, it's the worst thing you could do at this stage. Keep up regular meetings with your supervisor so that it will feel normal and expected that you are in contact and submitting (even unfinished) work regularly. You can write! You wouldn't be here in the first place if you couldn't. Are you being too perfectionist about your writing? Try to get a viable rough draft of your introductory chapter done without worrying about the detail. Nobody has to see it except you at that stage. From there it will be much easier to shape it into a first draft to show your supervisor. Take it one day at a time. Organizing the conference is time-consuming I'm sure, but this will be a wonderful experience and will look great on your CV and help towards future employment so it is time well spent. Teachers are learners as well. You will learn from your teaching experience as you go along. You can prepare well for classes to reduce nerves- students will listen to you- they are not entering the classroom with the attitude that they want to catch somebody out, believe me. It sounds like too many things are going on in your head. Set aside allocated times and days to deal with these separate issues. When it is chapter-writing time don't allow your mind to wander onto teaching worries etc. Easier said than done, I know, but compartmentalization is a must I've found. You can do it!! (up)

Smilodon, that is so fantastic!!! You must feel wonderful. Enjoy your break, you fully deserve it. Please come back and post again even though you've finished. I have to admit I feel slightly bereft by all the familiar names who are finishing up. But I can't wait to join you all (hopefully at the end of October). Congratulations (up)

Interesting, I've never heard of this being done before. I would suggest you dress smart anyway even if it feels a bit ridiculous. You probably don't need to wear a full suit- a smart jacket and shirt/blouse (I don't know whether you're male or female) would do. You could compensate for feeling ridiculously overdressed in your bedroom by wearing bunny slippers and pajamas on the bottom half! Good luck (up)

Hi Sue and Lara, so lovely to hear your voices coming through the darkness. Even though I'm at my little desk and all is quiet around it makes me feel I'm not alone in my work- it actually makes my study corner seem more glamorous when I imagine other PhDers sitting at theirs into the wee hours! Lara I hope you get those pages summarized before bed and Sue I really hope you and I feel the fear soon! Ok, just had a cup of tea, not feeling tired yet so will get the head down again and try not to be too perfectionist about my writing.

I'm jumping on for the first time tonight. I hope the Midnight Express takes me somewhere worth going. For three and half years I've been thinking of myself as a morning person but something has happened of late; even though it's crucial that I finish this autumn I've been sitting staring at the computer screen for hour after long hour every day. The days start off beautifully full of possibility and unrealistic fantasies about writing 10, 000 and inevitably end with me switching on the telly around 9pm and heading to bed a couple of hours later. Well THAT'S IT. I've had it with myself and my time-wasting. From now on, if I don't complete what I set out to do during the day, I am no longer allowed to put it off until a tomorrow that never comes- I'm catching the night train. I hope I have some company :-)

Hi Imposter,

This is perfectly fine in the Humanities. In fact, in all probability no-one will ever question how much time you actually spend on campus, as long as you keep in regular contact with your supervisor and try to meet your deadlines. Even most humanities students who could come in to Uni everyday don't and I've found that it helps with motivation to change scenery regularly so I usually alternate between two libraries and home. All the best of luck with starting your PhD :-)

Olivia, Congratulations, it must be a wonderful day to be an American. I've tried not to idolize Obama as I've followed the campaign closely but this morning I allowed myself- what a man, what a voice, what calm strength. It's good to be alive and see this happen.

Just interested to know some reactions to Obama's nomination speech last night...

SOCK

I really can't believe this! Surely the sups have been completely negligent in order for her to be taken to bits in the viva itself without any kind of pre-warning whatsoever. I would seriously question the credibility of any institution which allowed this to happen.

Hi all. Ok, I think I need to get in on this as I'm having serious difficulties in accomplishing my daily aims (and they're modest enough by any standards!!). I see problems ahead if I let this behaviour continue- and I'm already at a stage where the fear should be pushing me to produce. I also loved the J.B book and see that I really need to prioritize and make my work a daily addiction. So here goes- please hold me accountable and I will in turn keep a beady eye on all of you.
Today's objectives:
1. Produce a decent first draft of a segment of Chapter 2 (already have zero draft)
2. Go back and smooth out the transition between this segment and the one that precedes it.

Thundercats are go!!!

Aw, I've thought about getting a puppy so many times, you know, what with being home a lot. But at the best of times I use any excuse to get distracted from work... I don't have great will power. You are lucky to have a pup, but yes, they DEMAND a lot of attention. My parents have dogs and I love going home to study there because knowing they need their walk really gets me out of bed in the morning and structures the day. Is your puppy old enough to go on vigorous walks yet i.e. more than 6 months old? If so, have you tried taking her on longish walks at key points in the day? If you do this, and bring lots of toys to play throw and fetch I find it tires them out (in a good way) so that they are calm and/or sleep for a good part of the time in between. It will definitely get better as she gets older.