Gillian Polack's Blog, page 249
May 15, 2011
gillpolack @ 2011-05-16T07:49:00
I finished so many things from my list and, halfway through Eurovision looked at the date I needed to finish them by and realised that I still have two weeks. I was working from my 'finish by the end of May' list, not my 'finish by this week'.
Still, the sooner it is all done the better. I still have a lot to do by the end of May*. Today's an early start. Tomorrow's an early start. Wednesday's an early start. There will be no time for emails, phonecalls, crossing tasks off lists. Then I get back to normal...
I'll explain it all on Wednesday night, perhaps. Either that, or I will go to sleep on Wednesday night and explain it on Thursday. See you all out the other side!
* Although now that work is minus any book reviews, most of my articles (only two to go, of any sort and for any purpose) most of a conference paper, about half of my masterclass reading, and a significant portion of my trip planning.
Still, the sooner it is all done the better. I still have a lot to do by the end of May*. Today's an early start. Tomorrow's an early start. Wednesday's an early start. There will be no time for emails, phonecalls, crossing tasks off lists. Then I get back to normal...
I'll explain it all on Wednesday night, perhaps. Either that, or I will go to sleep on Wednesday night and explain it on Thursday. See you all out the other side!
* Although now that work is minus any book reviews, most of my articles (only two to go, of any sort and for any purpose) most of a conference paper, about half of my masterclass reading, and a significant portion of my trip planning.
gillpolack @ 2011-05-15T10:36:00
The most interesting insight to appear in the first batch of reviews I've checked is that the Christians in mixed religion communities in the Middle Ages may have used violence to reinforce separations between themselves and other religious groups, but that they were not ncessarily unhappy to have those other religious groups around. As long as they were at the top of the heirarchy, they weren't unhappy, at least. This so fits other situations I have seen (it's OK to be a woman or a minority of any kind, as long as we know our place) that I want to explore the idea and find out the eveidence. Except I can't. It doesn't relate to my current work except peripherally and it will have to wait.
Still, it makes me suspect that this may be one reason why majority culture people writing about minority get the essence wrong - there's often an underlying assumption that the pecking order cannot be changed. I'm thinking of 1960s SF here, I suspect, but also some more modern work that intends to be PC. If a character takes on the main culture, they can achieve stuff, but at the expense of maintaining the division between what they were and what they're depicted as becoming in order to succeed. And yes, I need evidence for this, too (I can't just vaguely assume it from past reading), and I can't look for it because I have no time!
Still, it makes me suspect that this may be one reason why majority culture people writing about minority get the essence wrong - there's often an underlying assumption that the pecking order cannot be changed. I'm thinking of 1960s SF here, I suspect, but also some more modern work that intends to be PC. If a character takes on the main culture, they can achieve stuff, but at the expense of maintaining the division between what they were and what they're depicted as becoming in order to succeed. And yes, I need evidence for this, too (I can't just vaguely assume it from past reading), and I can't look for it because I have no time!
gillpolack @ 2011-05-15T10:08:00
I want to tell myself over and over that it is not midwinter, that it is not even nearly midwinter and that I shall be away for midwinter and shall miss the cold. Right now, though, it's autumn and being away for midwinter is pretty much cold comfort, since it was almost -7 last night. This explains my brain being disordered.
With that disordered brain, I've worked out a lot of small technical issues. I know more about heritage sheep and goats in France, for instance, and also somewhat more about wolves. I've decided that the wolves do not need to meet the sheep and the goats, although one may meet a time traveller, if I feel generous.
All this was work I was going to do in June (it's the prepliminary checking so that when I travel, I know what's already out there), so I'm not as behind as I could be. I just haven't checked quite as much off my lists as I would have liked. It may be swings and roundabouts, since it all has to be done in the next few weeks, but I like crossing things off lists and feeling consciously virtuous.
This means that today I shall do my tumost to finish with eight big items from my list. This means reading sixty reviews and one and a half book plus writing about two thousand words, so I may not succeed, but I shall try.
I need to reward myself if I succeed and my reward shall be Eurovision. I get to see four songs for each and every item I cross off.
This all looks a bit silly, but it's going to make a *big* difference in a month, in terms of work done and work to do and making the most of my research overseas. It will also make the difference between the trip being a great deal of fun, and me having to sneak in extra other work in every spare moment. I'd rather overwork today than in Paris.
ETA: I'm doing nicely so far. I can watch 12 songs tonight, at the very least. I rather desperately need some coffee, however.
ETA: Now I can watch 20 songs! Mind you, I've done all the straightforward stuff. It will take a lot more work to earn myself the last bit of Eurovision.
With that disordered brain, I've worked out a lot of small technical issues. I know more about heritage sheep and goats in France, for instance, and also somewhat more about wolves. I've decided that the wolves do not need to meet the sheep and the goats, although one may meet a time traveller, if I feel generous.
All this was work I was going to do in June (it's the prepliminary checking so that when I travel, I know what's already out there), so I'm not as behind as I could be. I just haven't checked quite as much off my lists as I would have liked. It may be swings and roundabouts, since it all has to be done in the next few weeks, but I like crossing things off lists and feeling consciously virtuous.
This means that today I shall do my tumost to finish with eight big items from my list. This means reading sixty reviews and one and a half book plus writing about two thousand words, so I may not succeed, but I shall try.
I need to reward myself if I succeed and my reward shall be Eurovision. I get to see four songs for each and every item I cross off.
This all looks a bit silly, but it's going to make a *big* difference in a month, in terms of work done and work to do and making the most of my research overseas. It will also make the difference between the trip being a great deal of fun, and me having to sneak in extra other work in every spare moment. I'd rather overwork today than in Paris.
ETA: I'm doing nicely so far. I can watch 12 songs tonight, at the very least. I rather desperately need some coffee, however.
ETA: Now I can watch 20 songs! Mind you, I've done all the straightforward stuff. It will take a lot more work to earn myself the last bit of Eurovision.
May 14, 2011
gillpolack @ 2011-05-14T19:31:00
Today I'm terribly, terribly scatty. I gave up on zooming through my lists, because I would get ten pages into something then say "Oooh bright thing" and find myself doing something else. I suspect this is the result of taking a night off.
Anyhow, my bag is half packed for camp. I have crucial items like old photos and a small whiteboard and I have some of my clothes. I guess I could pack the rest of my clothes...sometime. I have a list for the rest of my clothes, though, and today is quite obviously not a list day. Tomorrow, maybe.
Part of the problem is that it's less than four degrees outside. Now. In the early evening. My body wants to drop its personal temperature to join the outside one, and I am spending time with hot water bottles and exercises to prevent this happening. This is the by-product of the migraines earlier in the week. My metabolism wants to shift. In fact, it's very enthusiastic about shifting. Fortuantely, it's a Eurovision night, so I can dance around the room and shift it back and then do three hours of work after things are normal. By that time the outside will claim negative temperatures, but I won't care.
Must pack a hot water bottle for camp, though.
I also must stop wondering where I can go to see the animals native to the Herault. The Montpellier zoo is well provided for and has both kangaroos and emus, but not beavers or whatever wolf was native to the region many centuries ago (it has a lone Spanish wolf, which sounds a rather unhappy thing - wolves should not be alone). Nor does it have sheep and goats of the heritage variety. If anyone knows anywhere in the Herault that has older breeds of farm animals, or does simple walks that show local wild animals (in the garrigue, though, not the mountains or the coastal plains) I would be rather relieved. I find it very disconcerting that I can go to Montpellier to see everyday stuff from here, but that I can't seem to find the everyday stuff from there nearly as easily. I have located the bookshop that has the key books that contain all this information (I think) but I really, really wanted to actually understand plants and animals and insects by seeing them and etc. I can do the plants all by myself, I hope, with a simple walk on a hot summer's day, but animals, it seems, aren't that straightforward. And the eco-tour people don't answer their emails.
I've read one book today. There's still lots of time for impressively overwhelming work. Right now, though, I want to think about why the British Library has a display of Australian flowers and why Montpellier is proud of its red kangaroo. Is Australia *always* flavour-of-the-second in Europe, or is it only when I travel? And should I take some nice kangaroo and emu recipes and offer them to the good folk who run the Montpellier Zoo? (I don't actually like zoos, so I don't mind not visiting them - it's just that I need to understand my setting, and the zoo seemed a good bet.)
I suspect this post shows exactly the paths that cause me to forsake real work on days like today.
PS: When in doubt, look for breeders. This site gives me at least some basics. No Medieval beavers, alas, but I should be able to sort out some of the farm animals a bit further: http://www.agroparistech.fr/svs/genere/especes/bovins.htm During the Eurvision ads, that'll be.
Anyhow, my bag is half packed for camp. I have crucial items like old photos and a small whiteboard and I have some of my clothes. I guess I could pack the rest of my clothes...sometime. I have a list for the rest of my clothes, though, and today is quite obviously not a list day. Tomorrow, maybe.
Part of the problem is that it's less than four degrees outside. Now. In the early evening. My body wants to drop its personal temperature to join the outside one, and I am spending time with hot water bottles and exercises to prevent this happening. This is the by-product of the migraines earlier in the week. My metabolism wants to shift. In fact, it's very enthusiastic about shifting. Fortuantely, it's a Eurovision night, so I can dance around the room and shift it back and then do three hours of work after things are normal. By that time the outside will claim negative temperatures, but I won't care.
Must pack a hot water bottle for camp, though.
I also must stop wondering where I can go to see the animals native to the Herault. The Montpellier zoo is well provided for and has both kangaroos and emus, but not beavers or whatever wolf was native to the region many centuries ago (it has a lone Spanish wolf, which sounds a rather unhappy thing - wolves should not be alone). Nor does it have sheep and goats of the heritage variety. If anyone knows anywhere in the Herault that has older breeds of farm animals, or does simple walks that show local wild animals (in the garrigue, though, not the mountains or the coastal plains) I would be rather relieved. I find it very disconcerting that I can go to Montpellier to see everyday stuff from here, but that I can't seem to find the everyday stuff from there nearly as easily. I have located the bookshop that has the key books that contain all this information (I think) but I really, really wanted to actually understand plants and animals and insects by seeing them and etc. I can do the plants all by myself, I hope, with a simple walk on a hot summer's day, but animals, it seems, aren't that straightforward. And the eco-tour people don't answer their emails.
I've read one book today. There's still lots of time for impressively overwhelming work. Right now, though, I want to think about why the British Library has a display of Australian flowers and why Montpellier is proud of its red kangaroo. Is Australia *always* flavour-of-the-second in Europe, or is it only when I travel? And should I take some nice kangaroo and emu recipes and offer them to the good folk who run the Montpellier Zoo? (I don't actually like zoos, so I don't mind not visiting them - it's just that I need to understand my setting, and the zoo seemed a good bet.)
I suspect this post shows exactly the paths that cause me to forsake real work on days like today.
PS: When in doubt, look for breeders. This site gives me at least some basics. No Medieval beavers, alas, but I should be able to sort out some of the farm animals a bit further: http://www.agroparistech.fr/svs/genere/especes/bovins.htm During the Eurvision ads, that'll be.
May 13, 2011
gillpolack @ 2011-05-13T21:59:00
I'm in an exceptionally relaxed mood. Even the work I'm doing is relaxed. This is because I took a few hours off and dined with friends. My Friday night actually feels like a Friday night, despite the fact that I've read a book since dinner. Mind you, I read that book in front of Eurovision. And it wasn't so much reading as skimming and finding the single sentence I needed from it. The next book required much closer work and I thought to myself "Not quite ready for it yet."
After Eurovision I have a half an article to write. PLus that book. Or maybe I'll do them tomorrow and spend the evening being happy.
After Eurovision I have a half an article to write. PLus that book. Or maybe I'll do them tomorrow and spend the evening being happy.
gillpolack @ 2011-05-13T15:48:00
Today I caught up a bit and then a form hit and needed doing (15 pages of it!) and ate much time. I gave up and went shopping.
May 12, 2011
gillpolack @ 2011-05-13T00:44:00
All the plans of mice and men and Gillians are sent awry by weather changes and accompanying migraines. I did a lot today, despite this. I did, in fact, everything except one and a half draft articles and a couple of emails that require a bit of time and thought. If I can do them tomorrow, in between a large number of messages and a couple of meetings, I shall be happy. If I have to do a bit extra on Saturday, though, it won't be the end of the universe.
In other words, all is achievable. This is good, because I intend to give up entirely for the day and go to sleep just as soon as I have ritually destroyed some no-longer-necessary notes from my desk.
In other words, all is achievable. This is good, because I intend to give up entirely for the day and go to sleep just as soon as I have ritually destroyed some no-longer-necessary notes from my desk.
gillpolack @ 2011-05-12T14:04:00
I've added one extra item to my list for today, because it seemed sensible: one hour of not being boring. Maybe it's not sensible. Maybe it's essential. And while I'm actually being boring, I'll eat chocolate.
Today's list only has seven things on it now. This means I can be daring and eat lunch and check the mail and wonder where my day has gone.
Today's list only has seven things on it now. This means I can be daring and eat lunch and check the mail and wonder where my day has gone.
gillpolack @ 2011-05-12T10:42:00
Forms that need doing and redoing keep getting in the way of my brilliantly-laid plans. Migraines, too, are somewhat interfering. As is email that doesn't work. Still, I'm making progress on my impossible list of tasks and hope to reach an end of them (for the moment) by Sunday week.
To this effect, today is devoted to coffee and lists. There are only twelve items on the list, which I can pretend makes it very easy. The fact that each item represents quite a bit of work is entirely, entirely, entirely irrelevant. If I put down every single book review I had to check out (for the doctorate side of things, because I saved four hundred and thirty-five in a single file to discover if I needed to actually get hold of any of the books in question) it would be too much for my poor brain, so I've entered them in clumps of fifteen, for instance. They were clumps of ten, but that worried me, so now it's fifteen reviews for a single cup of something hot. Arithmetic matters today.
Tomorrow is all about messages and people. I shall be seeing Marg and collecting everyone's stray plates and platters from the party, and then doing my weekly and fortnightly and miscellaneous messages at Woden. Then I'm out with another friend who turns fifty soon - it's halfway between our birthdays and therefore we must celebrate. Between this, I shall probably try to work, but I've not assumed a thing.
Saturday and Sunday are all about reading and writing and editing.
There's not as much editing as there ought to be, because somehow Sharyn managed to sneak the worst of the cookbook editing in while I was too under the weather to notice. I read and commented on everything she sent, but I have no feel for the whole and hope I have not been very foolish. Most of it's done, however, and all that remains is a careful check at my end (since I noticed a typo in a recipe) before it's ready for typesetting. At least, I think that's where we're nearly up to.
I know that May sounds early for copyediting a September publication by a small press, but I'm going to be away for all the critical dates (July).
What I want to do is get away from these numbers and lists and talk about other stuff. Yesterday afternoon, for instance, I spent a couple of very happy hours looking at how short story openings work to lure readers in (specifically, what a given writer did in a given story) but it was for someone who needed to know and was done verbally. It reminded me that once upon a time I looked at openings of texts here and we had some great discussions. I suspect I want to do this again, sometime. Like now. Instead of all my real work. I think this means I'd better get back to dealing with some of those reviews...
To this effect, today is devoted to coffee and lists. There are only twelve items on the list, which I can pretend makes it very easy. The fact that each item represents quite a bit of work is entirely, entirely, entirely irrelevant. If I put down every single book review I had to check out (for the doctorate side of things, because I saved four hundred and thirty-five in a single file to discover if I needed to actually get hold of any of the books in question) it would be too much for my poor brain, so I've entered them in clumps of fifteen, for instance. They were clumps of ten, but that worried me, so now it's fifteen reviews for a single cup of something hot. Arithmetic matters today.
Tomorrow is all about messages and people. I shall be seeing Marg and collecting everyone's stray plates and platters from the party, and then doing my weekly and fortnightly and miscellaneous messages at Woden. Then I'm out with another friend who turns fifty soon - it's halfway between our birthdays and therefore we must celebrate. Between this, I shall probably try to work, but I've not assumed a thing.
Saturday and Sunday are all about reading and writing and editing.
There's not as much editing as there ought to be, because somehow Sharyn managed to sneak the worst of the cookbook editing in while I was too under the weather to notice. I read and commented on everything she sent, but I have no feel for the whole and hope I have not been very foolish. Most of it's done, however, and all that remains is a careful check at my end (since I noticed a typo in a recipe) before it's ready for typesetting. At least, I think that's where we're nearly up to.
I know that May sounds early for copyediting a September publication by a small press, but I'm going to be away for all the critical dates (July).
What I want to do is get away from these numbers and lists and talk about other stuff. Yesterday afternoon, for instance, I spent a couple of very happy hours looking at how short story openings work to lure readers in (specifically, what a given writer did in a given story) but it was for someone who needed to know and was done verbally. It reminded me that once upon a time I looked at openings of texts here and we had some great discussions. I suspect I want to do this again, sometime. Like now. Instead of all my real work. I think this means I'd better get back to dealing with some of those reviews...
May 11, 2011
gillpolack @ 2011-05-11T16:31:00
I have accomplished two and a half draft articles today. This means that I only have to write one and a half more and I'm all caught up with yesterday. Doesn't this make you happy?
