15 years ago
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tribute to a Colleague
A good friend, great teacher, and a wonderful colleague passed away on her 55th birthday in October. Becky Trigg was a Teaching Assistant Professor in my department. Below is the obituary written by the Chair of my department.
Becky Marie Trigg died on her 55th birthday, Oct. 28, 2010, surrounded by friends and family. Becky was loved and respected by many for her honesty and courage, her faithfulness to friends and family, and her dedication to the profession of sociology through the scholarship of teaching. Becky was an outstanding scholar... who received numerous awards for her teaching and mentoring of students, including the Dean's Career Award for Outstanding Teaching from the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Teaching for her was not just about preparing and delivering good lectures or utilizing cutting edge methodologies and technologies for her classes. Teaching and mentoring students was life work for her, a vocation. We will sorely miss her.
Here are a few of my own reflections on Becky...
I remember when I came to UAB for my interview. Becky, Jeff Hall, and some grad students took me out to lunch at Sabor Latino (one of Becky’s favorite places she told me). During this lunch, she wasn’t interested in how many grants I had gotten or what grants I might get in the future. She was very direct in her questioning of me. She wanted to know what undergraduate courses I could teach; and, whether I could teach undergrad social psychology and symbolic interactionism. She said that the undergrads here at UAB needed these courses and she wanted to find someone who could teach them. I respected her a great deal for her commitment to undergraduates at UAB. She always put them first, in trying to think about ways to enhance the department and the university.
Becky was always someone you could go to if you had a class-related issue. I can’t tell you the number of times that I dropped by her office or emailed her to ask her about some issue I was having with getting a student registered for an independent study, setting up my Blackboard and WebCT materials, or some other course-related issue. She immediately knew just how to resolve the problem or perhaps more importantly WHO TO CALL OR EMAIL to get the issue resolved. She was a resource that I knew I could always turn to. I’m not sure we have someone who can fill those shoes in this area…
The last thing I want to mention (though I could mention many more) is Becky’s desire to help those students who were disadvantaged in some way. I remember many early morning conversations with Becky about particular students. We would often arrive around 7:30 or so – well before many other faculty members came into the dept. Becky would note how some students had come from lower SES backgrounds, didn’t have family members who had gone to college, were not as polished as other students, and lacked the social and cultural capital that many other students had who came from higher SES backgrounds. She talked about how it was up to us to mentor these students to help them succeed. Becky and I were definitely on the same page in this area, as I to came from such a background. She continued to encourage me to help ‘polish’ certain students and to believe in them, even when students’ actions at times made that hard to do. She was always a strong advocate for students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. And, her belief in these students helped many of them achieve great things; it has also helped me to be a better faculty member.
You are already missed Becky. I hope that your spirit continues to guide our department as we strive to move forward.
Memorial Service Friday, November 12, 4:00 Heritage Hall 102, UAB Campus.
Donations can be made to the Dr. Mike Wilson and Professor Becky Trigg Support Fund. All proceeds from the support fund will benefit the UAB Women's Studies Program. You can direct donations to the attention of Mary Balfour VanZandt:
College of Arts and Sciences Development Office
HB 302
1530 3rd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-1260
975-9644
Becky Marie Trigg died on her 55th birthday, Oct. 28, 2010, surrounded by friends and family. Becky was loved and respected by many for her honesty and courage, her faithfulness to friends and family, and her dedication to the profession of sociology through the scholarship of teaching. Becky was an outstanding scholar... who received numerous awards for her teaching and mentoring of students, including the Dean's Career Award for Outstanding Teaching from the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Teaching for her was not just about preparing and delivering good lectures or utilizing cutting edge methodologies and technologies for her classes. Teaching and mentoring students was life work for her, a vocation. We will sorely miss her.
Here are a few of my own reflections on Becky...
I remember when I came to UAB for my interview. Becky, Jeff Hall, and some grad students took me out to lunch at Sabor Latino (one of Becky’s favorite places she told me). During this lunch, she wasn’t interested in how many grants I had gotten or what grants I might get in the future. She was very direct in her questioning of me. She wanted to know what undergraduate courses I could teach; and, whether I could teach undergrad social psychology and symbolic interactionism. She said that the undergrads here at UAB needed these courses and she wanted to find someone who could teach them. I respected her a great deal for her commitment to undergraduates at UAB. She always put them first, in trying to think about ways to enhance the department and the university.
Becky was always someone you could go to if you had a class-related issue. I can’t tell you the number of times that I dropped by her office or emailed her to ask her about some issue I was having with getting a student registered for an independent study, setting up my Blackboard and WebCT materials, or some other course-related issue. She immediately knew just how to resolve the problem or perhaps more importantly WHO TO CALL OR EMAIL to get the issue resolved. She was a resource that I knew I could always turn to. I’m not sure we have someone who can fill those shoes in this area…
The last thing I want to mention (though I could mention many more) is Becky’s desire to help those students who were disadvantaged in some way. I remember many early morning conversations with Becky about particular students. We would often arrive around 7:30 or so – well before many other faculty members came into the dept. Becky would note how some students had come from lower SES backgrounds, didn’t have family members who had gone to college, were not as polished as other students, and lacked the social and cultural capital that many other students had who came from higher SES backgrounds. She talked about how it was up to us to mentor these students to help them succeed. Becky and I were definitely on the same page in this area, as I to came from such a background. She continued to encourage me to help ‘polish’ certain students and to believe in them, even when students’ actions at times made that hard to do. She was always a strong advocate for students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. And, her belief in these students helped many of them achieve great things; it has also helped me to be a better faculty member.
You are already missed Becky. I hope that your spirit continues to guide our department as we strive to move forward.
Memorial Service Friday, November 12, 4:00 Heritage Hall 102, UAB Campus.
Donations can be made to the Dr. Mike Wilson and Professor Becky Trigg Support Fund. All proceeds from the support fund will benefit the UAB Women's Studies Program. You can direct donations to the attention of Mary Balfour VanZandt:
College of Arts and Sciences Development Office
HB 302
1530 3rd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-1260
975-9644
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Kissing Bandit?
I took Callen to a birthday party last Saturday afternoon. When we walked into the place, one of her little classmates walked up to her and kissed her on the lips! Then, he was chasing her around and kissing her on the arms, neck, etc. I wish I had taken my camera as it was very cute.
I picked her up from school Tuesday afternoon and the little boy's mother and he were leaving about the same time. He was trying to kiss her on the arms again and playing with her. His mother said that she is all he talks about, especially the first two weeks after she started at this school.
I asked Callen what she thought about this when we got in the car. She said she liked it. Not sure I'm ready for her to like getting kisses, except from mommy and daddy!
I think I'll keep an eye on the cute little kissing bandit in her class!
I picked her up from school Tuesday afternoon and the little boy's mother and he were leaving about the same time. He was trying to kiss her on the arms again and playing with her. His mother said that she is all he talks about, especially the first two weeks after she started at this school.
I asked Callen what she thought about this when we got in the car. She said she liked it. Not sure I'm ready for her to like getting kisses, except from mommy and daddy!
I think I'll keep an eye on the cute little kissing bandit in her class!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
You're So Birmingham If ...
Saw this on Facebook today. Even though I'm not originally from B'ham several of these resonate. Enjoy!
http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2010/08/27/wades-101-youre-so-birmingham-if-2010-twitter-version/
http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2010/08/27/wades-101-youre-so-birmingham-if-2010-twitter-version/
Monday, August 9, 2010
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Social Impacts of Technology at UAB
Please pass along this info to those who may be interested. Thanks!
Dr. Shelia Cotten, a professor in the Sociology and Social Work department at the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB), is seeking to hire a Postdoctoral Fellow for a 1-2 year postdoc position. The position is available immediately but the start date is somewhat negotiable. The postdoc will work with Dr. Cotten to analyze data from existing research projects and to collect survey, interview, and observational data on upcoming research projects. Projects focus on technology usage across the life course and the social impacts of this usage, thus experience studying either specific age groups, and/or the impacts of technology use, would be preferable but is not required. Dr. Cotten, with funding from the National Science Foundation, is leading the largest study of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) XO laptop dissemination in the United States. She also has a large NIA grant studying the impacts on quality of life of training older adults in assisted and independent living communities to use computers and the Internet.
A doctoral degree in Sociology, Psychology, Communication, New Media, or a related field is required before beginning the postdoctoral fellowship. Candidates must have (1) strong quantitative and/or qualitative analysis skills, (2) experience writing manuscripts, and (3) good organizational and time management skills. Prior publication and grant writing experience will enhance the application.
The Postdoctoral Fellow is a 12 month, full-time appointment, with salary up to $45,000 depending upon qualifications. Benefits are also provided. See http://www.postdocs.uab.edu/ for more information on postdoc benefits at UAB. Funding may be available to support travel for conference presentations.
Submit the following application materials as attachments via email to Dr. Shelia Cotten - cotten@uab.edu. Please use the following email subject line: Technology Postdoc Position.
- Cover letter describing training, skills, research interests and how they fit with those described in the position advertisement, and why you’re interested in this position.
- Names and contact information for three references
- An up to date curriculum vitae
For those candidates who apply before August 12, 2010, please note whether you will be attending the American Sociological Association annual meeting in Atlanta in case Dr. Cotten would like to meet with you there.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.
UAB is a Carnegie designated RU/VH: Research University institution with a population of approximately 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students. UAB’s Medical School is in the top 25 in the U.S. The Department of Sociology and Social Work houses the Center for Social Medicine and is affiliated with the Lister Hill Center for Health Policy, the Center for Aging, and others. The Department offers Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology, Social Work, and Social Psychology, the MA in Sociology, and the Ph.D. in Medical Sociology. Metropolitan Birmingham is home to over 1 million people and is at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, with plentiful cultural and recreational opportunities.
Dr. Shelia Cotten, a professor in the Sociology and Social Work department at the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB), is seeking to hire a Postdoctoral Fellow for a 1-2 year postdoc position. The position is available immediately but the start date is somewhat negotiable. The postdoc will work with Dr. Cotten to analyze data from existing research projects and to collect survey, interview, and observational data on upcoming research projects. Projects focus on technology usage across the life course and the social impacts of this usage, thus experience studying either specific age groups, and/or the impacts of technology use, would be preferable but is not required. Dr. Cotten, with funding from the National Science Foundation, is leading the largest study of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) XO laptop dissemination in the United States. She also has a large NIA grant studying the impacts on quality of life of training older adults in assisted and independent living communities to use computers and the Internet.
A doctoral degree in Sociology, Psychology, Communication, New Media, or a related field is required before beginning the postdoctoral fellowship. Candidates must have (1) strong quantitative and/or qualitative analysis skills, (2) experience writing manuscripts, and (3) good organizational and time management skills. Prior publication and grant writing experience will enhance the application.
The Postdoctoral Fellow is a 12 month, full-time appointment, with salary up to $45,000 depending upon qualifications. Benefits are also provided. See http://www.postdocs.uab.edu/ for more information on postdoc benefits at UAB. Funding may be available to support travel for conference presentations.
Submit the following application materials as attachments via email to Dr. Shelia Cotten - cotten@uab.edu. Please use the following email subject line: Technology Postdoc Position.
- Cover letter describing training, skills, research interests and how they fit with those described in the position advertisement, and why you’re interested in this position.
- Names and contact information for three references
- An up to date curriculum vitae
For those candidates who apply before August 12, 2010, please note whether you will be attending the American Sociological Association annual meeting in Atlanta in case Dr. Cotten would like to meet with you there.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.
UAB is a Carnegie designated RU/VH: Research University institution with a population of approximately 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students. UAB’s Medical School is in the top 25 in the U.S. The Department of Sociology and Social Work houses the Center for Social Medicine and is affiliated with the Lister Hill Center for Health Policy, the Center for Aging, and others. The Department offers Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology, Social Work, and Social Psychology, the MA in Sociology, and the Ph.D. in Medical Sociology. Metropolitan Birmingham is home to over 1 million people and is at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, with plentiful cultural and recreational opportunities.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Mana From Heaven
My mother and my grandmother could both make the best homemade biscuits. It was typical at many points when I was growing up that once a day my mother would make homemade biscuits, usually for supper. She could whip out a pan of biscuits in no time! It was amazing to see.
I had my mother give me her 'recipe' for how she made the biscuits when we moved to Boston for my postdoc. Of course, her 'recipe' was not specific (i.e., pour in some milk) so my biscuits have never turned out as well as hers did. In fact, I've only tried making them a few times and they've never been very edible in my opinion.
I guess it had been a few years since I had last tried to make biscuits. It is too easy to buy the frozen Pillsbury kind, that are tasty though they don't compare to those my mother and grandmother made. One day last week I bought some Bisquick mix at the store. I know, it in no way compares to what my mother and grandmother used to make. However, the biscuits I made with it were much better than the old Bisquick biscuits I remember making years ago. Bo and Callen seemed to like them too.
I wish I had spent more time with my mother, learning how she made certain things. Although I have a few of her recipes, most she only had in her head and now it is too late. Maybe one day I'll find the right balance of ingredients from my mother's 'recipe' and have homemade biscuits that are half as good as hers.
I had my mother give me her 'recipe' for how she made the biscuits when we moved to Boston for my postdoc. Of course, her 'recipe' was not specific (i.e., pour in some milk) so my biscuits have never turned out as well as hers did. In fact, I've only tried making them a few times and they've never been very edible in my opinion.
I guess it had been a few years since I had last tried to make biscuits. It is too easy to buy the frozen Pillsbury kind, that are tasty though they don't compare to those my mother and grandmother made. One day last week I bought some Bisquick mix at the store. I know, it in no way compares to what my mother and grandmother used to make. However, the biscuits I made with it were much better than the old Bisquick biscuits I remember making years ago. Bo and Callen seemed to like them too.
I wish I had spent more time with my mother, learning how she made certain things. Although I have a few of her recipes, most she only had in her head and now it is too late. Maybe one day I'll find the right balance of ingredients from my mother's 'recipe' and have homemade biscuits that are half as good as hers.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Mobile Wedge - Digital Citizen Pulse
Blog posting that reports on research on the digital divide - importance of mobile phones and whether they level the playing field (so to speak) for minority youth.
The Mobile Wedge - Digital Citizen Pulse
The Mobile Wedge - Digital Citizen Pulse
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Silence is Golden
A colleague of mine told me yesterday that she had just returned from a Silent Retreat. I had never heard of a retreat such as this. As she was telling me about it though, it sounded more and more like a wonderful experience! She spent 5 days at a nearby monastery, where she could only talk with a spiritual leader for one hour per day. The other time she spent sleeping, reading, thinking, and whatever else she wanted to do that did not involve talking to others. While she had her cell phone for emergencies, she did not call others and she did not have a computer or Internet access. She said it took her about a day and a half to start to unwind. Initially she wanted to check email, etc. but after a day or so she began to feel her sense of inner peace returning. What a neat experience!
I'm one of those people that does NOT get my energy from other people. I have numerous friends that would go insane if they couldn't talk to others most of the time. I find it exhausting to be constantly around others all the time. That is one reason I so relish the few days that I can actually work at home anymore and those rare times when I can get away on a mini writing trip - I don't have to talk to anyone during those sweet, quiet hours! My mind can rest and I end up being more productive and creative than during other times.
With the work loads that many of us carry and the constant cacophony of technological devices and people surrounding us, it is hard to have time to just 'be' anymore. Some people might not understand this. But, it so resonates with me. I used to take yoga; it helped me to center myself and live more in the moment. I've been thinking recently that I need to do it again. I think it may help with just 'being', rather than constantly being in motion (whether physical or mental).
I'm so glad my colleague told me about this retreat. It is something that I may try for myself sometime. Here's to quiet, peace, and time for oneself!
I'm one of those people that does NOT get my energy from other people. I have numerous friends that would go insane if they couldn't talk to others most of the time. I find it exhausting to be constantly around others all the time. That is one reason I so relish the few days that I can actually work at home anymore and those rare times when I can get away on a mini writing trip - I don't have to talk to anyone during those sweet, quiet hours! My mind can rest and I end up being more productive and creative than during other times.
With the work loads that many of us carry and the constant cacophony of technological devices and people surrounding us, it is hard to have time to just 'be' anymore. Some people might not understand this. But, it so resonates with me. I used to take yoga; it helped me to center myself and live more in the moment. I've been thinking recently that I need to do it again. I think it may help with just 'being', rather than constantly being in motion (whether physical or mental).
I'm so glad my colleague told me about this retreat. It is something that I may try for myself sometime. Here's to quiet, peace, and time for oneself!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Wow
A friend of mine had a girls' night out earlier this week to show us how she has started saving money by couponing and doing the Buy One Get One Free sales. It was a fun night, spent with much chatting about various things and lots of laughs! We did hear the strategy that she uses though before our evening ended. My friend Renie regularly saves 30% or more on her groceries by using coupons and she doesn't have to shop for off-brands or go to wal-mart to be able to do this.
I haven't gotten into the full routine yet. However, today I went to Publix and mainly using their Buy One Get One Free sales, plus a few coupons I had, I spent $80 and I saved $44.75! I was very pleased with my first attempt at this. Hopefully it will get even better as time progresses.
It would be so great if we could do all our grocery shopping at Publix and never go back to wal-mart again : ).
Thanks Renie!
I haven't gotten into the full routine yet. However, today I went to Publix and mainly using their Buy One Get One Free sales, plus a few coupons I had, I spent $80 and I saved $44.75! I was very pleased with my first attempt at this. Hopefully it will get even better as time progresses.
It would be so great if we could do all our grocery shopping at Publix and never go back to wal-mart again : ).
Thanks Renie!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
The Middle of June Already
For some reason I always think summer will be more relaxed than the regular school year, but it never turns out that way. May and June have been especially busy for me. I was traveling some in early May, then some big life decisions had to be made which took a lot of time and were very stressful, and lots of planning going on for a series of XO workshops that start TOMORROW for teachers and in July for students.
I still have a few hundred pix on my camera dating back to Feb. that need to be uploaded and posted here and on Facebook. I keep thinking every weekend I'll have a chance to do it but I never do. I think I need a personal assistant just to handle some of the tasks like this one and keeping my life in order.
So, I keep promising that I'll post pix on here but who knows in reality when that will actually occur. Maybe before summer's end...
I still have a few hundred pix on my camera dating back to Feb. that need to be uploaded and posted here and on Facebook. I keep thinking every weekend I'll have a chance to do it but I never do. I think I need a personal assistant just to handle some of the tasks like this one and keeping my life in order.
So, I keep promising that I'll post pix on here but who knows in reality when that will actually occur. Maybe before summer's end...
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
They Grow Up So Fast!
We're riding to dinner on Mother's Day and I ask Callen something. She doesn't answer. A little while later she says, "You know I'm ignoring you, don't you?" Bo and I just burst out laughing! She was not amused but it was so funny! She's such a little smarty-pants but gosh how I love her!!!!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
May Days
The first 4 months of the year flew by! It seems that time just flies faster and faster the older I get. I know part of it this semester was due to the fact that I travelled rather extensively, much moreso than usual. I'm glad that May is here and travel is over for a while at least!
I've had a productive week thus far. My colleagues and I got an article together in a very short while and submitted to a journal on Monday. Amazing what great people can do when they set their minds to it! I also had 2 articles that were R&Rs (revise and resubmits) that I had hoped to have out a month ago, but with all the travel it just didn't happen. I'm happy to report that they have both been resubmitted this week! Let's hope they both get accepted!
I can tell that all my travel is having impacts on Callen. She has been really clingy for the past few weeks, and also not going to sleep well at night. It seems later and later every night before she gets to sleep. I hope this stage passes soon as she needs her rest! She was even grumpy this morning when she got up, which is unusual for her.
I'm hoping the rest of the month is as productive as this week has been! Here's to May days that relax, refresh, and rejuvenate...
I've had a productive week thus far. My colleagues and I got an article together in a very short while and submitted to a journal on Monday. Amazing what great people can do when they set their minds to it! I also had 2 articles that were R&Rs (revise and resubmits) that I had hoped to have out a month ago, but with all the travel it just didn't happen. I'm happy to report that they have both been resubmitted this week! Let's hope they both get accepted!
I can tell that all my travel is having impacts on Callen. She has been really clingy for the past few weeks, and also not going to sleep well at night. It seems later and later every night before she gets to sleep. I hope this stage passes soon as she needs her rest! She was even grumpy this morning when she got up, which is unusual for her.
I'm hoping the rest of the month is as productive as this week has been! Here's to May days that relax, refresh, and rejuvenate...
Monday, April 19, 2010
XO Laptops in Birmingham - NSF Article
The National Science Foundation is funding both my projects related to the OLPC XO laptops in Birmingham. They just put together an NSF Discoveries article on our work with the XOs. This is great exposure to have the NSF do this type of article on our work! Take a look.
http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=116638&org=NSF
http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=116638&org=NSF
Friday, April 9, 2010
Where Oh Where Are You Tonite . . .
If you grew up in the rural south as I did, you'll know the rest of the lyrics to this song. Any takers?
This semester I've travelled a lot more than I normally do. Thus far, I've been to:
- Orange Beach, AL
- San Diego and UC, Irvine
- Atlantic Beach and Triangle areas in NC
- College Station, Texas
- Washington, DC
I still have upcoming trips this year to the following locations:
- NC
- Atlanta (at least twice!)
- Vancouver
- New Orleans
- and perhaps others : )
I've been traveling so much that my daughter is asking me why I have to leave so often : (. Hopefully one day she'll understand better than she does now...
Where oh where are you tonite . . .
This semester I've travelled a lot more than I normally do. Thus far, I've been to:
- Orange Beach, AL
- San Diego and UC, Irvine
- Atlantic Beach and Triangle areas in NC
- College Station, Texas
- Washington, DC
I still have upcoming trips this year to the following locations:
- NC
- Atlanta (at least twice!)
- Vancouver
- New Orleans
- and perhaps others : )
I've been traveling so much that my daughter is asking me why I have to leave so often : (. Hopefully one day she'll understand better than she does now...
Where oh where are you tonite . . .
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
10 years of Missing You
Wednesday marked 10 years that my mother has been dead. I can't believe it has been that long. What a remarkable woman she was! She took care of my father and grandmother for many years, when they were bedridden from strokes. She always managed to remain positive, even when she was diagnosed with cancer.
I so wish that she was here to see Callen grow into the phenomenal young woman that she is. There is so much that she could have taught me about having a headstrong daughter : ).
There are a 1000 things that I wish I had asked her before she died. I hope others who read this will ask those questions of their loved ones before they die. And, record them on video and audio so that your children will get a sense of who they are, more than they can just get from pictures.
Here's to my mother - a woman who gave me the world and will always inspire me!
I so wish that she was here to see Callen grow into the phenomenal young woman that she is. There is so much that she could have taught me about having a headstrong daughter : ).
There are a 1000 things that I wish I had asked her before she died. I hope others who read this will ask those questions of their loved ones before they die. And, record them on video and audio so that your children will get a sense of who they are, more than they can just get from pictures.
Here's to my mother - a woman who gave me the world and will always inspire me!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Birmingham's Mayoral Race
Yesterday was election day for Birmingham -- voters could choose a new mayor to replace Larry Langford. Well, actually it was to replace the 2nd interim mayor that had been in place since Langford was removed from office. Birmingham politics are amazing!
William Bell beat Patrick Cooper.
I wonder what this will mean for the XO laptops in Birmingham. One blog I saw yesterday suggested Bell was more in favor of keeping them than was Cooper. I guess time will tell what the future will hold.
William Bell beat Patrick Cooper.
I wonder what this will mean for the XO laptops in Birmingham. One blog I saw yesterday suggested Bell was more in favor of keeping them than was Cooper. I guess time will tell what the future will hold.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
The Future
Callen last night announced to us that when she grew up she wanted to be a ....
Hot Dog Seller! Such high aspirations. I asked her where she was going to sell hot dogs and she said at ball games. Yes, she's her daddy's girl all right. Maybe she'll own a team and hire others to sell the hot dogs : ). We can only hope.
Hot Dog Seller! Such high aspirations. I asked her where she was going to sell hot dogs and she said at ball games. Yes, she's her daddy's girl all right. Maybe she'll own a team and hire others to sell the hot dogs : ). We can only hope.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Crisis of the Self?
I've started wondering if I'm having a crisis of the self or the soul, or whatever term you prefer. I wonder if all this is worth it. In many ways, I'm on top of my game at work. I have over 4 million in external grants which is unheard of in my dept. and in many sociology departments for that matter, have 10 graduate research assistants and 5 undergrad research assistant working with me this year on the different projects, and I like my department and colleagues. And, most of this research has the potential to really positively impact people's lives. This is all great!
So, why do I think I'm having this crisis? I wish I had definitive answers. I think part of it is that with all this greatness in terms of work comes a lot of stress. I'm juggling multiple large scale projects that involve multiple people. I feel like I'm running a small corporation at times. And, the newest of the grants, which has such huge potential to positively impact a school system, is the biggest stressor of all. I sometimes wonder if I should just tell the funding agency to take the money back. I don't know that the school system appreciates any of the hard work that we are doing. In fact, I had an out of the blue email from a key administrative person in the school system last week, basically questioning what we were doing. I just don't get it. I know they are under lots of pressures too but they have been involved in this process from the beginning when we started writing the grant proposal.
Graduate school nor my post doc ever prepared me for dealing with the administrative BS that you have to deal with in research, whether it is organizations you're working with or your own university administration.
I don't know what the answer is in terms of resolving this crisis that makes my mind churn at night when trying to sleep and most other time too. If others have advice, please feel free to share. Thanks.
So, why do I think I'm having this crisis? I wish I had definitive answers. I think part of it is that with all this greatness in terms of work comes a lot of stress. I'm juggling multiple large scale projects that involve multiple people. I feel like I'm running a small corporation at times. And, the newest of the grants, which has such huge potential to positively impact a school system, is the biggest stressor of all. I sometimes wonder if I should just tell the funding agency to take the money back. I don't know that the school system appreciates any of the hard work that we are doing. In fact, I had an out of the blue email from a key administrative person in the school system last week, basically questioning what we were doing. I just don't get it. I know they are under lots of pressures too but they have been involved in this process from the beginning when we started writing the grant proposal.
Graduate school nor my post doc ever prepared me for dealing with the administrative BS that you have to deal with in research, whether it is organizations you're working with or your own university administration.
I don't know what the answer is in terms of resolving this crisis that makes my mind churn at night when trying to sleep and most other time too. If others have advice, please feel free to share. Thanks.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The Snow That Wasn't!
Local weather guys and gals were all predicting 1-2 inches of snow today. So, several local school systems decided mid afternoon yesterday to close schools today. Callen's preschool follows the guidelines of one of the local school systems so they were closed today too.
So, how much snow did we get? Flurries periodically for several hours but nothing on the ground today. It wasn't even snowing enough to go out and play in it today.
Scratch one off for the weather experts this week.
So, how much snow did we get? Flurries periodically for several hours but nothing on the ground today. It wasn't even snowing enough to go out and play in it today.
Scratch one off for the weather experts this week.
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