We decided we will try to host an MLA roundtable at Philadelphia on 21st century Spanish programs. There is more to come on this, although perhaps not on the blog.
We decided our research and writing hours would be M-F 8-9 and Tuesday and Thursday, 9-11 and 1-3. These hours can move somewhat (e.g. 7-8, 10-12, 2-4), but we are not working on research or writing in late afternoons, evenings, or weekends unless we feel like it.
This plan adds up to 13 hours a week, and it can add up to more. All university obligations end Friday at 3, so we do have Friday late afternoons available if we wish, and all weekend. We can also use late afternoons, evenings, and weekends for teaching and service if we wish, but we will not let these activities crowd into our official research hours.
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I railed as usual about my anger at professors who repeat standard advice on working but do not give inside information and will not believe one’s own research could be valid. Don’t write that, where will you publish that, you should not have written that, you will never get anyone to believe that, are things I have been told too often and that I have a great deal of anger about having been pedantically told.
I feel completely different when I am working on my own projects and topics, things I care about and believe in, than I do when I am working on what is merely acceptable and marketable.
Axé.
coldhearted scientist وداد 