No, I didn't drink or do anything silly last night. I just feel odd today! Slept about an hour Friday night (got carried away making some jewellery - pictures later - and had to get up at half past 4) and had a very long day with lots of travelling yesterday. Slept a good amount of hours last night though, so will be caught up soon.
I'm really not very good at staying up all night. Yesterday I was alright as it was such a busy day, lots of people around etc. But the couple of times I've done all-nighters recently I've fallen asleep in computer lab whilst typing. It makes for interesting reading once you wake up, I'll tell you that for free. I think I fixed it all before handing in my dissertation though ;)
Joanna was here last weekend. She left on Tuesday and I miss her already. It was so nice to see her and have her all to myself for a while! We did a lot actually, I never normally do things! Went to the Castle museum which was great (thanks for the tip Paula!) - all three of us got in for £6.50 even though I'd left my York resident's card at home and Mike doesn't actually have one. Normally it's £7.50 per adult, but Joanna's Swedish student ID worked (it also worked in Outfit, score!). Thank you, nice lady on the till!
There were some great exhibitions, about cleaning and household appliances (sounds odd, I know...), they'd built up a Victorian street and loads of rooms from different time periods... The prison part of the museum was alright but I'd expected more - especially with all the hype about the e-fit of Dick Turpin. I'd been looking forward to that but it was actually only mentioned once, one tiny paragraph as part of a massive board display of other things. Oh well, I've seen some presentations of how they do it in general and the technology they use anyway so perhaps I'll survive.
xx
Showing posts with label Dissertation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dissertation. Show all posts
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
It's a mad, mad world.
I love my job. It's only temporary but it's great. Editing a book for a European project on high altitude platforms (electronics...). I don't understand much of it but it's fun to learn. I think I'd be quite happy to be an editor/proofreader.
Walked home today, was a lovely afternoon. Half way home I was walking past these three young lads who were raking leaves. One of them was sat in (under?) a big pile of leaves, leaning down into it so you couldn't see his face. The other two were raking and kept looking at me, giggling. Cue paranoia ;)
As I came past the lad sitting down he jumped up, wearing this scary red mask thing. And they all burst out laughing. I wish I'd been quick enough to take a picture, it was funny.
That's the sort of fun we used to have (back in my day...heh). Most groups of kids/teenagers seem to have as their aim to be as annoying as possible. No. That's not fair. Not most. But they're the ones you notice, sadly...
Anyway. I did take a photo of this outside Morrissons:
Walked home today, was a lovely afternoon. Half way home I was walking past these three young lads who were raking leaves. One of them was sat in (under?) a big pile of leaves, leaning down into it so you couldn't see his face. The other two were raking and kept looking at me, giggling. Cue paranoia ;)
As I came past the lad sitting down he jumped up, wearing this scary red mask thing. And they all burst out laughing. I wish I'd been quick enough to take a picture, it was funny.
That's the sort of fun we used to have (back in my day...heh). Most groups of kids/teenagers seem to have as their aim to be as annoying as possible. No. That's not fair. Not most. But they're the ones you notice, sadly...
Anyway. I did take a photo of this outside Morrissons:
You might not be able to see it very well. But the mini behind our car has a jolly roger flag on top. I thought it was awesome...
Speaking of awesome:
Yes. Yes, I really am sad enough to upload a photo of my finished dissertation to my blog. You'll survive, I'm sure.
Over and out.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sleep is.. is...
I'm nearly done. A few more hours to go. A few more hours of worrying until I start worrying about what mark I'll be getting.
I am sorry that I go on and on about this dissertation. Not only on the blog, but in general. I'm bored of it. Not the topic, as such. But the deadline. The assignment.
I want to go to bed but I don't think I can. I'm one of those annoying people who whinge and moan and worry, I'm afraid. Especially when I'm this tired ;)
Am working tomorrow. Fingers crossed it'll be a fun job! It's only for a few days. Am actually quite excited though.
After work I'm planning to either go swimming or go straight to bed. I'm afraid I know me this well: I'll wager it'll be bed.
I am sorry that I go on and on about this dissertation. Not only on the blog, but in general. I'm bored of it. Not the topic, as such. But the deadline. The assignment.
I want to go to bed but I don't think I can. I'm one of those annoying people who whinge and moan and worry, I'm afraid. Especially when I'm this tired ;)
Am working tomorrow. Fingers crossed it'll be a fun job! It's only for a few days. Am actually quite excited though.
After work I'm planning to either go swimming or go straight to bed. I'm afraid I know me this well: I'll wager it'll be bed.
Friday, September 25, 2009
It's that pondering time o' the night.
It's 4am. I've not been up all night in a very long time. It's odd, I used to do it all the time. Dad used to get up at 5 or 6 and I'd try to turn off computer quickly and quietly and rush into my bedroom, hoping he'd think I'd been asleep all night. I don't think it worked. NB.- if it did work: Dad, I'm making all this up. I slept a good 8 hours every single night!
In my first year of uni I didn't sleep much. And when I did it was usually in day time. It wasn't just that I was 'turning the day around', I'd be up for a few nights/days and then get overwhelmed by sleep.
I remember sitting on that scratchy blue chair by the window looking out at the courtyard, the other windows... it was a depressing sight. I did some of my best writing sat on that horrible chair, wrapped in my blanket.
...
Here's one. Don't judge too hard; I was a creative writing student after all...
Headlights
I stood still, staring into the headlights
hypnotized and full of fear
but also, admiration.
And I put another pound coin into the slot,
pushed hold, hi and lo a couple of times
just to make sure I'd unlock all possible features
and gently, slowly, with as much confidence as I could gather
I pressed start.
Start, again.
Hi, re-spin,
lo, unlock megafeature
another pound coin
still hypnotized by the lights
"Nevermind The Jackpots"
I couldn't move
another pound coin in
press start, push nudge, and again
Hi or Lo, Continue or Lose?
And suddenly it all went black.
In my first year of uni I didn't sleep much. And when I did it was usually in day time. It wasn't just that I was 'turning the day around', I'd be up for a few nights/days and then get overwhelmed by sleep.
I remember sitting on that scratchy blue chair by the window looking out at the courtyard, the other windows... it was a depressing sight. I did some of my best writing sat on that horrible chair, wrapped in my blanket.
...
Here's one. Don't judge too hard; I was a creative writing student after all...
Headlights
I stood still, staring into the headlights
hypnotized and full of fear
but also, admiration.
And I put another pound coin into the slot,
pushed hold, hi and lo a couple of times
just to make sure I'd unlock all possible features
and gently, slowly, with as much confidence as I could gather
I pressed start.
Start, again.
Hi, re-spin,
lo, unlock megafeature
another pound coin
still hypnotized by the lights
"Nevermind The Jackpots"
I couldn't move
another pound coin in
press start, push nudge, and again
Hi or Lo, Continue or Lose?
And suddenly it all went black.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
It's a lonely, lonely night.
Well, not really. I've been in the lab a large number of hours today and am getting quite a bit done. Was hoping to get a draft finished today but might not happen. Finishing the chapters on AR/SR and disfluencies tonight though. Tomorrow is all about the voice quality and conclusion. And other fun bits.
Don't worry - all of these bits I'm doing are virtually done. VQ needs a lot more work but it's all starting to look hand-inable. Not writing anything from scratch now, lol.
I've also done all the fun bits like abstract, acknowledgements...
It's all coming together. And I'm so damn hungry. But don't think anything is open on this end of campus still, still Summer hols really... Oh well. Mike'll have to make me something.
Took some photos of the sunset through lab window - it was really pretty but the photos look so depressing. I guess after being here this long you start seeing past the ugliness of most of the buildings... Will upload the photos later when I get home.
Over and out.
Don't worry - all of these bits I'm doing are virtually done. VQ needs a lot more work but it's all starting to look hand-inable. Not writing anything from scratch now, lol.
I've also done all the fun bits like abstract, acknowledgements...
It's all coming together. And I'm so damn hungry. But don't think anything is open on this end of campus still, still Summer hols really... Oh well. Mike'll have to make me something.
Took some photos of the sunset through lab window - it was really pretty but the photos look so depressing. I guess after being here this long you start seeing past the ugliness of most of the buildings... Will upload the photos later when I get home.
Over and out.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Ponderings.
I'll fill you in on a little secret. I'm bored. I'm lazy. I've zero motivation. If things don't work the first time I tend to give up. If Mike didn't push me to keep trying I'd quite happily just not.
Actually, I don't know if that's true. But it sure feels like it.
Didn't get to sleep til very late again last night. This morning there was a massive spider in our bedroom. Not what you want! But I suppose it being alive and well in the morning means it didn't creep into my mouth overnight and I didn't chew on it.
3 weeks til the big ball & fair now. World Mental Health day is coming up! If you're in Nottingham on 10th October come check it out! Nottingham CVS on Mansfield Road, 11-3!
I've no idea what to wear to the ball. Not going to buy something new - if I manage to gather some motivation I might make something. If not, I'll wear the green dress I wore to Mike's cousin's wedding. Not very ball-y but it's a pretty dress!
In just over a week it's my great uncle's 90th. Amazing. Most of that side of my family have lived to be nearly - or around - that age. Some time I'll write about them. But for now I just have to remember to send a card. A nice one.
Today I'm sat in the lab again. It gets boring. Not so cold today though! The plan for the day is to look at voice quality. And figure out why my VSA&VAI results are so messed up. Stupid things.
Actually, I don't know if that's true. But it sure feels like it.
Didn't get to sleep til very late again last night. This morning there was a massive spider in our bedroom. Not what you want! But I suppose it being alive and well in the morning means it didn't creep into my mouth overnight and I didn't chew on it.
3 weeks til the big ball & fair now. World Mental Health day is coming up! If you're in Nottingham on 10th October come check it out! Nottingham CVS on Mansfield Road, 11-3!
I've no idea what to wear to the ball. Not going to buy something new - if I manage to gather some motivation I might make something. If not, I'll wear the green dress I wore to Mike's cousin's wedding. Not very ball-y but it's a pretty dress!
In just over a week it's my great uncle's 90th. Amazing. Most of that side of my family have lived to be nearly - or around - that age. Some time I'll write about them. But for now I just have to remember to send a card. A nice one.
Today I'm sat in the lab again. It gets boring. Not so cold today though! The plan for the day is to look at voice quality. And figure out why my VSA&VAI results are so messed up. Stupid things.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Work, blog posts and the... future.
Work is finally going really well. It's a pain finding appropriate sources but I'm working on it.
I've lots of blog posts in my head but not the time to think them through, work them out. So the ideas are scribbled in my polka dot notebook, to be written out properly in time.
Am looking forward to starting work. Where is the only question. Applying for some stuff...
Am pondering doing a CELTA course. Got money to do some sort of qualification but not sure whether to do the 5 (?) week full time one or the evening one which lasts 20 weeks or so. It's hard to decide before I know more about work... If I start the 5 week one and then get a job offer I'll miss out on that, but if I don't do it full time I bet I'll be unemployed for a while. Just out of spite - the universe is funny like that.
However - doing the full time one would mean I could do some temping as a teacher and it'd probably help in getting TA type jobs at all levels.
Oh I don't know. Not a fan of decisions.
In other news, people are so lame. I hate having to interact with people who are hell bent on being difficult, and people who don't think before they speak. A bit of niceness never hurt anyone, right. The world's not going to do you any favours so if you want something for nothing just suck up a bit and be nice, usually works for me. There's a difference between being assertive and aggressive. I'm getting better and better at the assertiveness (yay!) but some people see it as weak to not be on the aggressive side.
I'm rambling. But I don't feel like explaining - the above is an amalgamated rant at several different people who have pissed me off in the past few weeks. 'nuff said.
Righty-oh, I'm off to write a bit more before bed. Toodles!
I've lots of blog posts in my head but not the time to think them through, work them out. So the ideas are scribbled in my polka dot notebook, to be written out properly in time.
Am looking forward to starting work. Where is the only question. Applying for some stuff...
Am pondering doing a CELTA course. Got money to do some sort of qualification but not sure whether to do the 5 (?) week full time one or the evening one which lasts 20 weeks or so. It's hard to decide before I know more about work... If I start the 5 week one and then get a job offer I'll miss out on that, but if I don't do it full time I bet I'll be unemployed for a while. Just out of spite - the universe is funny like that.
However - doing the full time one would mean I could do some temping as a teacher and it'd probably help in getting TA type jobs at all levels.
Oh I don't know. Not a fan of decisions.
In other news, people are so lame. I hate having to interact with people who are hell bent on being difficult, and people who don't think before they speak. A bit of niceness never hurt anyone, right. The world's not going to do you any favours so if you want something for nothing just suck up a bit and be nice, usually works for me. There's a difference between being assertive and aggressive. I'm getting better and better at the assertiveness (yay!) but some people see it as weak to not be on the aggressive side.
I'm rambling. But I don't feel like explaining - the above is an amalgamated rant at several different people who have pissed me off in the past few weeks. 'nuff said.
Righty-oh, I'm off to write a bit more before bed. Toodles!
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Ill. For a change.
Today has been a weird day.
Went up to the lab for about half past 8. Got a fair bit of work done. By half 1, 2pm I was feeling so rubbish and feverish I couldn't stay. It was terrible, and kind of sudden (tickly throat + ears all day though). So I went home and have been curled up on sofa trying to do work since. It's not the right time to get ill. I wonder if the air-con in the lab is making it worse...
Mike's gone to ASDA to get something for dinner. My head's so fried I couldn't even think of what I fancy eating - that's not a good sign. Will see what he comes home with.
I'm doing another 1000 words tonight - flu or no flu.
The weather has been weird too. Cloud, rain, beautiful sun... and very hot throughout.
Went up to the lab for about half past 8. Got a fair bit of work done. By half 1, 2pm I was feeling so rubbish and feverish I couldn't stay. It was terrible, and kind of sudden (tickly throat + ears all day though). So I went home and have been curled up on sofa trying to do work since. It's not the right time to get ill. I wonder if the air-con in the lab is making it worse...
Mike's gone to ASDA to get something for dinner. My head's so fried I couldn't even think of what I fancy eating - that's not a good sign. Will see what he comes home with.
I'm doing another 1000 words tonight - flu or no flu.
The weather has been weird too. Cloud, rain, beautiful sun... and very hot throughout.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
I'm a dissertation monster.
New plan!
By close of business Wednesday: Lit Review + section on undershooting articulatory vowel targets will be done.
End of Thursday: Section on non-fluencies will be done.
End of Friday: Section on consonant durations will be done.
End of Sunday: Intro, conclusion will be done.
Please hold me to this!
By close of business Wednesday: Lit Review + section on undershooting articulatory vowel targets will be done.
End of Thursday: Section on non-fluencies will be done.
End of Friday: Section on consonant durations will be done.
End of Sunday: Intro, conclusion will be done.
Please hold me to this!
Bitty writing.
8.46am. Busy day ahead - am on just over 4000 words and will get to 6000 today. At least. Not been sticking to my plan at all (no surprises there!) but that's ok. This is manageable. Or is it managable?
The presentation went well. Am quite pleased.
Tomorrow is Mike's birthday. We've bought each other a TV as birthday present - it will arrive tomorrow. Our old one gave up (imploded!) just before we went to Sweden 6 weeks ago. It was rather undramatic really - the light kind of went smaller and smaller dead quick, then there was a pop and it wasn't working. So we've been using our old little one. Looks ridiculous in our rather large front room.
I miss sewing. When I've handed in my dissertation I've got a number of things on my to-do list... Sewing. Format my hard drive and sort out all files/programs. Find a job. And so on. Probably in that order as well.
I've been reading Pauline's blog and it makes me want to write more. But every time I do it ends up like this. Bitty. Not very interesting.
Oh well.
The presentation went well. Am quite pleased.
Tomorrow is Mike's birthday. We've bought each other a TV as birthday present - it will arrive tomorrow. Our old one gave up (imploded!) just before we went to Sweden 6 weeks ago. It was rather undramatic really - the light kind of went smaller and smaller dead quick, then there was a pop and it wasn't working. So we've been using our old little one. Looks ridiculous in our rather large front room.
I miss sewing. When I've handed in my dissertation I've got a number of things on my to-do list... Sewing. Format my hard drive and sort out all files/programs. Find a job. And so on. Probably in that order as well.
I've been reading Pauline's blog and it makes me want to write more. But every time I do it ends up like this. Bitty. Not very interesting.
Oh well.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
It's raining today. It always rains when I'm geared up to walk to uni.
Presentation is coming along nicely. It's tomorrow, so that's good... I've restructured the writeup though, it didn't seem logical to do the different sections and then have to talk about the different aspects I'm looking at in each section - so now there will be a section all to do with articulation rate, one on voice quality... etc etc. It is fun work actually, I am rather enjoying it. Despite all the pissing and moaning I've been doing recently, and will be doing over the next two weeks.
So - it's raining today. The sky's a sheet of grey and there's a steady stream of tiny drops against my window. It doesn't really encourage going outside. Well, I do enjoy the odd walk in the rain. But not when I'm going somewhere.Esp not getting there and having to sit there soaked for hours. Like in Amsterdam - one morning the skies just opened up and we had a bit of a trek to/from the tram to the uni. We were completely soaked for most of the day.
But that's enough about rain.
Presentation is coming along nicely. It's tomorrow, so that's good... I've restructured the writeup though, it didn't seem logical to do the different sections and then have to talk about the different aspects I'm looking at in each section - so now there will be a section all to do with articulation rate, one on voice quality... etc etc. It is fun work actually, I am rather enjoying it. Despite all the pissing and moaning I've been doing recently, and will be doing over the next two weeks.
So - it's raining today. The sky's a sheet of grey and there's a steady stream of tiny drops against my window. It doesn't really encourage going outside. Well, I do enjoy the odd walk in the rain. But not when I'm going somewhere.Esp not getting there and having to sit there soaked for hours. Like in Amsterdam - one morning the skies just opened up and we had a bit of a trek to/from the tram to the uni. We were completely soaked for most of the day.
But that's enough about rain.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
I'm in the middle of writing. Of listening, of reading, and of writing. It's going slow and I'm rather stressed.
So! In true procrastrinator style, I'm sharing my to do list/plan with you. Actually, it's in the hope that I will get my arse into gear. Perhaps if someone is reading this and expecting me to meet my targets I'll be more inclined to do so? Yeah, right. It's worth a try!
Current goals:
End of today: reach 2500 words (currently on 1400). Finish Lit Review and send to Dad & Joanna to look over.
End of 25/8: Finish listening & write up Results section
End of 26/8: Have presentation sorted, powerpoint done etc.
End of 30/8: Finish Analysis/Discussion. 7000 words
End of 1/8: Finish Conclusion + Introduction. 9000 words
...looking at it like this, it doesn't seem so bad. But keep your fingers crossed for me, just in case.
So! In true procrastrinator style, I'm sharing my to do list/plan with you. Actually, it's in the hope that I will get my arse into gear. Perhaps if someone is reading this and expecting me to meet my targets I'll be more inclined to do so? Yeah, right. It's worth a try!
Current goals:
End of today: reach 2500 words (currently on 1400). Finish Lit Review and send to Dad & Joanna to look over.
End of 25/8: Finish listening & write up Results section
End of 26/8: Have presentation sorted, powerpoint done etc.
End of 30/8: Finish Analysis/Discussion. 7000 words
End of 1/8: Finish Conclusion + Introduction. 9000 words
...looking at it like this, it doesn't seem so bad. But keep your fingers crossed for me, just in case.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
"The three first words invented by the Anglosaxons were probably 'dear', 'stove' and 'cunt'." - Comment by my tutor in a discussion on the origin of the word cunt and whether it was used in the 1920's. She often looks at literature and language through a feminist view point, not surprising as she is a woman and I think most women do, consiously or not. It's interesting though, the etymologi of words. I know 'fitta', the swedish word for cunt, means marsh originally. 'Flicka' (girl) is an old word for cunt. Make of that what you want, I'm not going to start talking about patriarchy because I think we all know all we need to know about that!
Woody Allen is a genius. Quotes like "It's not that I'm afraid to die. I just don't want to be there when it happens." and "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying." are just what will make him immortal. Good idea for a birthday present for Julia: Woody Allen books and films.
Spoke to Karin on the phone tonight, for ages. Not sure why, but my friends from home & myself seem to have forgotten the phone is a pretty good means for communication. MSN is handy, sure - and free - but it's not the same. Especially not with this internet connection... I won't say which ISP we're with because they might block me or something, but I will say it's the one with the really rubbish adverts on TV.
Nearly finished the dissertation now. Only need to work on the conclusion a bit, and add a couple of appendices. Still umming and arring about whether to use the extension or not. I guess I could do with reading it through a few times more, but I'm getting to the stage where I just want it handed in. Any suggestions? I could finish it tomorrow, leave it til Tues, read through and do the last, and get it printed and bound on Weds. Urgh, I don't know.
Too tired, hope you've enjoyed!
xx
Woody Allen is a genius. Quotes like "It's not that I'm afraid to die. I just don't want to be there when it happens." and "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying." are just what will make him immortal. Good idea for a birthday present for Julia: Woody Allen books and films.
Spoke to Karin on the phone tonight, for ages. Not sure why, but my friends from home & myself seem to have forgotten the phone is a pretty good means for communication. MSN is handy, sure - and free - but it's not the same. Especially not with this internet connection... I won't say which ISP we're with because they might block me or something, but I will say it's the one with the really rubbish adverts on TV.
Nearly finished the dissertation now. Only need to work on the conclusion a bit, and add a couple of appendices. Still umming and arring about whether to use the extension or not. I guess I could do with reading it through a few times more, but I'm getting to the stage where I just want it handed in. Any suggestions? I could finish it tomorrow, leave it til Tues, read through and do the last, and get it printed and bound on Weds. Urgh, I don't know.
Too tired, hope you've enjoyed!
xx
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