Wouldn't a Caveman's Writer's Block Be the Thing He Writes On?

(Day 119?) Wow, we are really getting up there in dates. So high in fact that I am not even sure if I did that math correctly. I have been struck with a mean case of writer's block. Having been outwitted by my own logic, this blog has not helped me write when I am stumped, as writer's block has struck me here too. For my birthday just passed, I wished for a complete, well written thesis on my topic area, delivered in a timely manner. However, most of the people I know are also working on theses, so they thought this an unreasonable request given my unwillingness to write their theses. Oh well.

This writer's block has forced me into changing up my methods. I have to force this Greatest Writing Work (GWW) through whether it likes it or not. I was fond of my previous methods (wait in the sun for inspiration) but it was not the most time-responsible method. My new method (do-it until it gets done) is starting to work I think. I have printed off all of my written pages and my themes in attempt to look at this problem (thesis writing) old-school (or Old Skool). I was prepared to be pleased with myself for writing an entire thesis on technology, technologically. People complain of their eyes hurting from staring at a screen for so long, or inability to maintain organization on their computer, issues that I have overcome, only to be struck by writer's block, the oldest, least technological writing problem since ancient man started writing on walls.

A pencil and a stack of papers in hand, I can at least do some of my work outside, although realistically, the closest it sees to outside is the bus, as that is still a favourite place of mine to do work. See here for the story. And speaking of throwbacks to past writing, I was presented with an off the cuff use of one of the words I coined in the Reed Glossary. In pining about some trouble I was having, and whether it would affect the readability (Reedability, hahah - lame joke, but to me, at this point, very funny) of my thesis. In response to this, I was asked if my plight was not frought with an 'ego-fulfilling prophecy' or the misguided thought that my thesis would actually be read. See glossary here. Hoisted by my own petard, eh. I guess that is what happens when you put this stuff publicly online.

Maybe I could submit this song instead of a thesis song of the day: You, Me & the Bourgeoise - The Submarines

The Wheels on the Bus Make the Thesis Go Round and Round

(Day 28) Today I had to register for the summer semester (that starts in 2 days). It isn't that I am dying to do it, but my bus pass won't work if I don't register. So I am now registered in the SOCI 599 Thesis course, which essentially means nothing. Well that is not true, it does mean that I have probaby the most expensive bus pass in the free world. I think it might be cheaper to withdraw from school, buy a bus, then write my thesis on my own time.

I do really enjoy reading on the bus though, it is among my favourite places to read. Perhaps it is the lulling comfort of the bus winding around the Victoria streets, or maybe the beautiful scenery of all the beaches and greenery on the way to campus, but most likely it is the rogues gallery of obnoxious, boisterous and unruly bus riding characters that force me to stare at my book so hard it nearly bursts into flames. Intense reading results in intense comprehension.

When I am reading, I try to employ different types of underlining to denote different things. If I underline something it is quotable, if it is a wavy underline, it means I have issue with that point, or if I circle it, it means it is important but I don't know what to do with it yet. Doing my reading on the bus has forced me to re-evaluate this system. Now it doesn't matter what I am thinking, if a passage is important it gets a squiggly line that goes under and through the words and often onto the other page. I suppose that makes me the unruly bus riding character...cue the rim shot, that's a cheesy chessy joke.

'because it would be easier to read/write on' song of the day: Hard Road - Sam Roberts

Beware the Ides of April

(Day 16) One of the many perks of being a grad student, and there are many (avoiding the real world; being able to 'work' in your underwear; still socially acceptable to play video games) is that we can take books out from the library for ridiculous amounts of time. As an undergrad I was limited to a mere two weeks, always running back to the library to avoid late fees (haha, no I'm only kidding, I was never in the library in undergrad). But now I get my books out for the entire term (and I actually take books out too. Look at me!). It is awesome, I have a veritable library in my room courtesy of UVic's loan policy. I get this feeling of importance whenever they say that my books won't be due for...another four months. Yes!

That feeling of being smart and important however quickly fades in the last days of April when I realize that I am going to have to renew all of my books. Entrapment, I say! They knew I wouldn't be able to return all of the books they enticed me to take out.

Now, there is a way to renew the books online, so that I don't have to take all fifty or so back to the library...on the bus. This is where the important/intelligent part fades. I don't know how. It is complicated and confusing. I have to sheepishly return to the site of my crime and ask for the super nice librarians (which almost makes it worse) to help me follow a few links, click a few boxes then press 'renew.' How embarassing.

The 'maybe I should change my reading material' song of the day: Picture Book - The Kinks