cluelessness, apathy, etc.

A friend introduced me to one of the funniest websites I have ever seen today: Despair, Inc. Who knew a website filled with de-motivating slogans could be so hilarious? I would claim that it's my stage in the graduate process but I've always enjoy a good cynical chuckle - warms the cockles of my heart. I think burnout might be my favorite.

Not that I plan to approach that stage of graduate student life this year. I have all sorts of plans to keep my sanity while moving forward with the PhD process. As any good reflection should, I have examined the problem and attempted to lay out a plan of action to deal with the problem. What, you may ask, is the problem? Simply this: I have too much to do in too little time. Lest you think I'm simply a one of those whiny people who begs for sympathy, allow me to ennumerate my coming semester: three jobs (two unpaid), president of the graduate student association, preparing for comps, developing and managing a research study.

Having noted the problem, I have to do something about it, and since the odds are slim to none that (1) McGonagall will hand over a time turner, (2) Ed McMahon will appear with one of those big checks, and/or (3) I will give up any of these responsibilities, I'm trying out 12 hour days instead. If I get to campus around 8:30, work on whatever needs working on, and catch the 7:47 bus home, I'm allowed to do nothing related to graduate study for the rest of the evening. That sounds sad, but I think it's do-able, mostly because I can't manage it every day (let's face it, if someone's heading to Linda's for some cider, I'm all over it). If I can keep it up for the majority of the semester, though, I can get through this, get it done, and get out. Now, that's a plan.