Hello people. I'm due a massive venting session as I've had the worst week possible and by that I include both days of the weekend. I've been stuck in the lab solid. Had to prep up over 100 samples, wait for cells to grow and seed them up and run assays. nothing new there only the cells grew on the non fouling surfaces (i.e. should stick to them and curl up and die) and died on stuff they should grow on i.e. glass of all things. Means the work has to be done again. Add to that I didn't put enough of another type of cell on the samples going for PCR analysis which meant no cell pellet. I've worked about 6-8 hours both days of the weekend to have a slap in the face, and I'll be just expected to get up and do it all again next week. I'm about ready to cry. Not to mention I haven't got any supervisors to go talk to as they are both AWOL (maternity leave and new chair at different uni). I just want to curl up and cry. I've promised myself I'll never quit as it'll just bring too much pleasure to my former supervisor who would love to see me fail not to mention is the head of my research area in the department. I keep telling myself its only another few months to get all my practical work done then I can write up but I have no idea if I have the mental toughness anymore to cope with the C**P anymore. The uni owes me loads of cash none of it is forthcoming despite me kicking the finance dept loads. I'd really love a weekend off (I haven't had one since I started back after Xmas) but the likelihood is I'll be facing more weekends like this one.
Rant over. :-s

Hang in there!  I know exactly how you feel! It just feels endless and that you are not getting anywhere!  And to top it all off your supervisors don't care or appreciate how much effort you put in! It really does suck but it will come to an end and you can show them that you can do it!  You do need to take a day off occasionally otherwise you will go mad and breakdown! Nobody expects you to work 24/7 although some supervisors do but they are very unreasonable!  Just take it in your stride and get a good night's sleep! It makes all the difference!  Just think of the look on your supervisor (s) faces when you get your PhD - you have to do it in spite of them and show that you can do it! As I read elsewhere on a thread a PhD is also character building (or killing - they can try!) to see how much you can put up with! 

Finances are terrible - they certainly don't like to pay up! Have you anyone to give them a kicking on your behalf?  They usually listen to dept staff more than students unfortunately!

Good luck, you'll get there, have good results to write about and do a good job of it as well!   And it's important to rant and let off steam! 8-)

Yellowtreble: take a break, you're no good as a researcher when you're burned out. Just because you're a PhDer doesn't mean your enslaved to your bench. Take some time off.