Not the Martian

I remember reading The Martian when if first came out. It was a terrific novel. It was geeky but sci-fi-ish. It was raw but well-written. It was fresh and interesting. 

Then the movie came out. It was good. But nowhere near as good as the book. 

Research Presentation and Proposal

KSU has an interesting way of performing qualifying exams. My major professor actually apologized for it. They combine the exam with a proposal meeting. This makes it longer, but it does help provide structure? 

How? 

Pent-Up

 This comic is definitely true to life. I can feel the slump. There's a bit of relief sure, but there's a slump as well. It's a funny ole mixture of feelings. I feel like I'm running a hundred miles an hour still, and yet there's so little to do!

Now, that's not exactly true is it? I have a dissertation to complete and a defense to complete. But, I've already started down that path. The other day I met with several different departments who are going to help me with the experiment . . . they're all so damn competent, they don't seem to need me at all!

Chance To Self Author

Lately I've been struggling at work. There are times where I think it's because of those around me, but there's always time for introspection and growth right?

Why? What's going on? I think it is primarily that I need to be okay giving up control. 

Candidate Now

I’m a PhD Candidate now. No longer just a student. I have to say . . . That was super hard. Like Super Hard. SUPER HARD! How’s it rank? Let’s see . . .

Pre-Ranger and Ranger School

Ranger School was hard because of hell week, no sleep, minimal food, all work.

Remember that Stress I Mentioned . . .

I'm just thirty minutes out from my comps/quals and I am stressing. I'm a ball of stress. I barely slept last night . . . part of that had to do with a 16-year-old son coming in super late and leaving super early . . . but the large majority of it is this meeting in a couple of minutes. 

I slept maybe 4 hours. Eventually, I got up to read my novel for a bit, and made some coffee . . . found the coffee to be too weak so I added some cocoa . . . didn't like the taste so I added a huge dose of rum.

And Even More Stress

The other day I wrote about all that is going on with the ole PhD. Came to the end of several classes, got a bad grade on a paper, all the travel, etc. Well, that stress was nothing compared to today. 

In two days I have my quals . . .or my comps. Mine is linked to a proposal. Guess who has been rehearsing that proposal over and over again? Yep . . .This guy!

No Characters in Ripcord

I don't have time for bad books anymore. What am I? Almost 50? Close enough were I can say I am 50! Let's say 50. That's a good deal past half my expected expiration date. Who wants to spend the few remaining days I have reading bad books. 

Some bad books I have to read . . . for work? . . . for school (hopefully that's coming to an end soon) . . . for other myriad reasons. But if I read for fun . . . I don't want to waste my reading time on bad books. Ripcord, it's a good book about a battle, but it's a horrible story. 

What's that mean?

Essentials for Novel Writing

Thayer Rules are my little way of cataloging things I hear from James Thayer's podcast Essential Guide to Writing a Novel. Thayer is a wealth of information. Its presentation is a bit long and slow but there are nuggets in there that are incredibly worthwhile. Additionally, in episode one he references positively Donald Maass. I love Donald Maass.

The rule I liked today was "Characters don't engage in small talk." 

More On Airport Fashion (or is it Moron Airport Fashion)

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about fashion at airports. Today, I’m that fashionista I wrote about. I’m looking ROUGH. Well . . . Disclaimer . . . Rough for me. 

What’s rough for me?