Conferences & the Transition to Writing

This week is a regional meeting for sociology. The North Central Sociological Association and the Midwest Sociological Association team up every couple of years in Chicago and have a larger than usual conference. I'm presenting two papers this year, one on teaching & the other on my dissertation research. I'm trying to find balance in teaching and research -- something that I'm likely to be searching for my entire career (if I'm lucky and score the type of job I'm hopeful for). While balance is difficult, navigating the transition from student to professional while juggling parenthood and all the excitement that brings has been a challenge. I look forward to and welcome that challenge.

 I present on Wednesday "Using Video Montage in Introductory Sociology Classes" I have compiled a 'montage of the montages' to demonstrate the assignment.




I am hopeful that it will go over well. I plan on finishing the paper to submit later this summer for publication (if not later this summer I may try to 'stock pile' it for when I get on the tenure track). At any rate, I need to get something together and out.

The presentation on Thursday is "Integrating Affect into Structural Identity Theory: Shared Meaning & Commitment" -- it is less exciting but finding support for the theory and the propositions set forth by the originator of the theory is pretty cool -- least for me. I have compiled a hand out and script to go along with the presentation and need to work hard to transition into writing mode.

This conference offer a unique opportunity for me - to visit with my peers & professors that I've been disconnected with since the move and to explore the city in which I now live and often forget is right down the highway. I look forward to the upcoming weeks to get my head back into the game -- to explore the dissertation and really start writing.

I'm ready. I don't think I was last year. I was scared, uncertain of the opportunity in this job market and where I was with my relationship with Nick. Now, all those things seem trivial -- it's time. Nick will either be with me or not. Liam will make it no matter where we are -- I'll make sure of that. And... I know now... no matter where we end up -- I'll make it home.

Looking for my Sanctuary

I think that I need a lake house or some sanctuary to escape and write. I know that sounds strange, but honestly -- I've always found peace and focus in nature and near water. I've arranged my summer schedule to be pretty open (I'm only teaching online) so that I can focus on writing.

Now, I'm just looking for location to get it all accomplished.

Multitasking, between teaching, parenting and navigating all the other roles I play is difficult especially when it takes me hours to get into dissertation mindset. Running the data, interpreting it and everything else that goes into what I have to do takes a great deal of mental work. It is not something that I can do in pieces like some suggest because it takes so much 'thinking' to get to the 'doing' -- if I stop dissertation 'thinking' even for an hour, much of what I worked to get to -- is faded, lost or disconnected. Once I'm there in the dissertation 'zone' -- it's golden and I can proceed. It's getting to that point of mental clarity and focus. The reason I need and seek a sanctuary for the summer months.

Nick's parent's own a home on Lake Delton in the Dell's. I'm sure if I wanted to escape for a couple weeks I could muster up the courage to talk to Nick about it and begin the process. It's just weird because I'm broke as a 'doctoral student' and don't have the means to really fund an escape from reality.

I could also escape back to Kent, I'd be close to my advisor which is good -- but there isn't much water near or around the Akron/Kent metro areas! I also have to take Liam's needs into consideration -- can't just ditch my child for months.

I'll find sanctuary... if not, I'll have no other choice to find focus and inspiration where ever I am at!