Bow Down to the Master

Wait a minute. I can't believe I haven't posted about this before now!

I previously mentioned, way back in 2011, that I'd decided to pursue a Master's Degree. I also mentioned that if all went well, I would have been done in two years or so. Yeaaah, best laid plans and all that. Life happened, in a big way. I've been so busy with family and work and other challenges, that I had to defer and delay a few modules along the way.

I've complained about how very knackered I was, especially during Red Bull Week.

I lamented that I was soclose to giving up on my thesis. Yes, I honestly very nearly did throw in the towel. It didn't help that I was suffering through a little fight with my black dog for a while.

But I screwed my courage to the sticking place, and I did not fail.

I started researching and writing my dissertation in September 2015.
I submitted it in January 2016.

Clearly, I am the Queen of Siberia.

Or perhaps not. For instead of six months, I did it in four. Go me!

On my birthday, I went home after a brilliant night out, to find that a simply marvellous birthday present had arrived in the mail.

Censored for obvious reasons

Thass right. I now has a piece of paper that tells me that I be smart.

Or at least that I know how to read and write.

One would think that being able to churn out 50k words would mean that I could possibly churn out the same number of words for a fiction novel.

It's now November. Clearly, I'm still not doing Nanowrimo. But hey, so far so good with Wriso.
Perhaps next year, I shall do Nano. (Which is what I've been saying every year for the past decade, at least. Procrastinators of the world unite...tomorrow!)

But yeah. Rambling aside, I did it. I wrote a dissertation. I passed said dissertation. I have a really expensive piece of paper to show for it.

Yeah, seems about right

Ok, as dismissive and self-deprecating as I seem, I'm actually really proud of myself. Faced with several challenges and constraints, I stuck to it, and I did it.

Worms are gross...and so are mornings

After enjoying a 4-day weekend, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to wake up on time for work on Tuesday morning, especially since I went to bed after midnight. Turns out that fear was unfounded... I was up before 5am, and got to the office at the crack of dawn.

Of course, everyone feigned shocked to see me in so early.

I did it again today. Only worse, because I haven't slept a wink! Decided that I'd passed the point of no return once it hit 3.30, started getting ready at 4, took my time, even had time to go to the shops to pick up some stuff for the office. Arrived at 5.40, when the yard was still pitch black. First in the office today!

The great thing about coming in so early is that I get loads done. Yesterday was especially busy; Mondays and Tuesdays are my busiest day, and the last/first days of the month are too. I had Friday off, and Monday was a holiday, so I had to cram 3 days of work into one, including the busy end-month + weekly reporting. I was awfully productive though!

The horrid thing about coming in so early is that the day just goes on foreeever. It's only 9 now, and I've already been here for more than 3 hours. I think I'll skip out sharp at 4pm today.

3 hours to go before it's 4 hours to go.

I can do this.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzz

but the early worm gets eaten...

Life Philosophy

I just love Calvin & Hobbes, don't you? Of all the comic strips I've ever read, Calvin & Hobbes is by far my favourite. I just can't decide who my favourite character is, I love 'em all so much!

And Calvin is really wise for his young years...it took me almost 30 years to figure out what he only took 6...