calm down, guys! they are just being polite, I don't mind people asking about this, just tell them I am not sure, I will my best. most of the people don't mean to annoy you. Remember, enjoy the PhD, no matter what..

interesting. you can publish some half-done work; why the methodology is weird?

hehe, if you have time worrying, why not just try something out, starts with the some easy things, like workshop, party stuff..

hehe, here in Finland, most people work slowly; so instead of me catching up deadlines, I need to push them to move faster, sort of making up deadlines..

a real scientist never holds prejudice when examining someone's work; in industry.. well, it helps if you get good background, but a PhD should be enough to get into the interview anywhere.. but try to create more chances for you to get developed, usually prestigious universities have more of that kind of opportunities.

to become a professor, get some ambitious and motivated students, help them make big achievements beyond my own capability.. hopefully they will get a Nobel or Turing award..

you should explain and argue with the board/committe. I think they should be consider the argument carefully. A good PhD takes a long time; do you have some good publication? If they are up to a PhD standard, then I think you have good chance of winning over.

cool, lets see if we can both make it! a drink cost on the loser(s)..

hehe, I can't stand this kind of professors. It makes me really nervous, besides, it is not good for the working environment. Research should be fun; it doesnot matter if you get one paper rejected, but it matters if this stress turns someone into evil.
You have to show that you don't like this bad behavior, and look for better professors, I am sure they are out there.

better make it a week's resolution then.. I would like to finish the following things:
1) revise my journal paper, and send it to the coauthor to read
2) read through a simulator(not written by myself, and figure out how to improve that)
3) work hard and study hard
4) stop worrying and be happy ..
I will check if I make it next sunday here, up to inspection..

hehe. I can a little bit more specific:

find a interesting and advanced research topic;
literature survey to find a most proper perspective and sketch a plan that can be finished in 3-5 years.
use any kind of methods/tools available to research on the topic, and improve the state-of-art research level, and publish several papers.
and enjoy the success!
what's your area anyway?

hehe, I am working as well. why not just enjoy it? I wanna finish a journal paper this easter. and planning some other papers/works.. can't wait to see them getting published, nervious and excited..

agree. but either way you shouldnot feel bad about your choice. You don't necessary have to follow the "conventional way" of doing "the right thing". You can pay tribute to your grandma some other time; or go to another good conference next year.

good luck! can you find somewhere else to do the topic?

hehe, it depends on the subject. For engineering subjects, you work in a group, and the cooperation sometimes can become competition, like you are cowriting a paper, who is the first author..