Well, it’s 6:06 am and I’m getting ready to go catch a coach to London… after 18 months, I’m actually going home!
I might be able to post a short one from Athens, but no promises. If not, let me wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (ho ho ho). And don’t forget the real meaning behind it…
Well, there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel (hence the picture. And the title): After a good meeting last Thursday, it seems we have a clearer view as to how much further we need to go before we pull the plug and call it a PhD. Which is good news for me, as the uncertainty was driving me mad: No end in sight, no budget planning (I’m not getting paid anymore), no organisation of job applications, no plans for Life After The Lab. At least now I know pretty much what my to-do list contains.
I was also going to close with a paragraph here about my experiences with Christmas shopping this year, but instead I’ll close with something a lot more meaningful. JUST STOP THE MAYHEM, PEOPLE! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? STOP THE SHOPPING!
For unto us a Child is born,
us a Son is given;
the government will be upon His shoulder.
His name will be called
Counselor, Mighty God,
Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6
Okay, I know I haven’t been updating in here much lately, but that’s simply because I have this disease called “PhDfinishitis” that calls for my constant and continuous attention.
Yes, it’s true: Either by desperation or, simply, frustration, it’s about time to start packing it in. I mean, I’ve got to get this thing done and move on. It’s not even funny anymore. And anyone who’s ever done a PhD will tell you: When it’s not funny anymore, write your thesis. Okay, maybe only I say that. But it’s true.
What other cards are decked my way? After almost 18 months, I’m heading home for the Christmas break – and boy, do I need one. Last holiday I had was December 2004 (the 10 days in June 2005 don’t count – if you were Greek, a brother, and your only sister was getting married, you’d understand).
And that’s pretty much it. I understand that people are most likely to read short blog entries, as anything Internet that’s longer than twenty lines burns the retinas of about 70% of all casual readers clean off. And if you made sense out of that, leave me a comment.
Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed the three parts of The Basics so far, and the future ones, hopefully.
It’s been a while since I’ve updated here, and things have kind of changed. First, for perhaps the first time since I started this PhD, I can say that work is going, well, ok. Even a glimpse of The End; even a glimpse of a publication? Seriously – my supervisor even left me a note saying “THAT’S WHAT I LIKE TOO [sic] SEE!” in response to some fiiine data I got on Saturday. A note! On standard lab filter paper nonetheless, but a note! I could even use it to dab away the tears…
In other news, data aside, I was hoping that today would be a Big Day. Why? Because today was the day that Manchester-based magazine “Transmission” would select short stories for it’s 7th issue – and I had submitted two back in August. They said they’d contact me if I got chosen but so far it doesn’t look good, especially with their notice now reading “We are looking for short stories on the theme of ‘Time'”, which was something not particularly clear when I
submitted. Still, we’ll wait and see. At least they invited me to their party…
I’ll tell you, it sure knocks the wind out of you. You start trying to get your work published, and before you know it, you’re waist-deep into rejection slips that read something like this:
“Thank you for letting us see your material, which we have now read and considered. Unfortunately, it is not something we feel that we could successfully represent. However, this is a personal reaction and we wish you luck elsewhere.”
In short, “You Suck.”
…and it starts getting to you. Now, I know that “all writers have faced rejections”, but I’m pretty sure that, before they got published, they seriously doubted it would ever happen for them. And that’s where I am right now…
At least the PhD is doing better…
Notes of consolation to the usual address.
A quick entry: Today, the University of Oslo announced the discovery of 28 excellently preserved Jurassic marine reptile fossils, consisting of a staggering 21 plesiosaurs (long-necked), 6 ichthyosaurs (look like evil dolphins) and one pliosaur (short-necked). The latter stretched to a glorious 8m (26 ft), and was dubbed “The Monster”. The fossils were found at Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard chain. Which I’m sure we’re all familiar with.
It’s an unprecedented discovery – palaeontologist Dr Dave Martill of Portsmouth University rightly called it a “bonanza” of fossils.
Why do I bother bringing it up here? Well, if you’ve been reading this blog, you might be aware of my fascination with all things marine. Especially all things marine that have big teeth and eat smaller things marine. There’s a certain awe that comes from thinking about massive predators lurking in the dark, prehistoric oceans. Ah, the call of the dangerous, unknown abyss… But I think Tor Sponga’s drawings that I have included capture my thousand words better (although I don’t know why he made the ichthyosaurs look so happy).
You can also read about all this here.
Two happy ichthyosaurs munching on a dead plesiosaur (copyright Tor Sponga, BT)
Here is the sea, great and wide,
which teems with creatures innumerable,
living things both small and great.
There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.
These all look to you, to give them their food in due season.
– Psalm 104:25-27
The Upturned Microscope 