Day One Verdict: Meh

So, I set an ambitious goal--get through one section of one bibliography focusing on the Reformation by the middle of next week.  This means reading through more than one book a day.  And, unfortunately, that didn't happen today.   Today turned out to be busier than I thought.  I had an unexpected project to take …

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Here It Starts: books, exams, and, of course, cats

And so it begins. Last week, it finally had to happen.  I spent hours looking up call numbers on the university library website.  I dragged out the rollerboard luggage (and my partner, Stephen).  And, together, we went to pick up the first batch of comprehensive exam books. I think I underestimated the amount of time …

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My Week

So, what's been going on this week?   Here's Emily, providing me with what is, to her, much-needed notetaking help.  This is Oscar.  This is NOT our house.  Oscar decided to go and visit the neighbors yesterday afternoon (observe door cracked open in the background).  He is now under "house arrest."  Introducing: the inside of my (tiny) office and …

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Stop thinking about it. . . 

Inevitably, working as a PhD student places one in close professional proximity to many important, influential individuals--professors, other scholars, university administration, graduate students, library and archive staff; the list goes on.  Arguably, one of the  most important professional relationships--if not THE most important professional relationship--is a PhD student's relationship with his or her faculty advisors.I …

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Back to the Classroom once again. . . 

Spring break comes to a close, and, of course, I didn't get half as much done as I wanted to.  I suppose that makes this vacation week about on-part with every other since I started this program.  Comforting?  Maybe a little.  Disappointing?  Absolutely.One of the things that inevitably has to happen at the end of …

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Introducing: “Porn Blanket” (and Charlotte the cat)

Everyone in this house loves "porn blanket."  Everyone except for me, it seems.In December, my partner came to me and asked me if we needed anything.  His parents had just asked him what we wanted for Christmas, so I proposed that he ask them for a new comforter for our bed.  We certainly did need …

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