Saturday, April 18, 2009

On Empty

I blame the post-spring break slump, a little.

Maybe you know what I mean. When your spring break comes in April, it's hard to get motivated for the rest of the semester. My students feel it. My colleagues feel it. I sure feel it. I should be ramping up for that final push, but I just can't seem to motivate myself, and the days slip away.

It's been a strange couple of months, which hasn't helped. The ups of progress toward tenure and a couple of favorable reviews on the book MS alternate with some setbacks in the non-academic portions of my life (health, relationships, losing a good friend to cancer). Right now, I'm kind of running on fumes, waiting for inspiration.

Until it comes, I'm doing the work from day to day so I don't fall behind. I've also picked up my beloved point-and-shoot camera again, focusing on the world through a viewfinder until my natural focus returns. It's a good thing to get back to. So if you see more photos on the site -- even ones that have little or nothing to do with the post -- that's why.

5 comments:

Belle said...

Love the pictures, keep 'em coming!

Wish I could help with the oomphlessness.

Dr. S said...

I really like this picture.

I know what you mean about the end. I just decided that I should put this week's events on my iCal, and looking at all those colored blocks--with (literally) fifteen-minute breaks dotted on each day--makes me feel a little bit queasy. But I will do one day at a time, and by the end of the week, I'll have finished the week. One day at a time!

AliceAcademic said...

That is an awesome picture, looking forward to seeing more.

Hang in there...Before you know it your semester will be over and you'll be enjoying the gorgeous beach of your summer research site!

City Mama, Ph.D. said...

Have you ever done Project 365? I've been seriously considering it.

In terms of no pep in the step - I hear you...the cruddy weather in my neck of the woods doesn't help either.

Good Enough Woman said...

I'm totally with you on this. We're just back from spring break, and we've got five. weeks. to go.