the id, the ego, & the single misfiring brain cell - Latest Comments on i'm getting there

Jam [Visitor] in response to: i'm getting there

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:36:26 +0000

I turn in papers that I am proud of about half the time! But yeah I do turn in papers that suck but I’m tired of messing with them, too. Of course, “suck” is a relative term, so–luckily!–my teachers don’t realize how much they really do suck.

Linda [Visitor] in response to: i'm getting there

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:46:29 +0000

Diana,

I’m probably way too late to offer any empathy or suggestions on how to deal with a stranded paper on a fast “decline deadline". In fact, knowing you, you’ve come up with your own solution in solving the late paper dilemma. I do know the feelings of dread in hearing the words “how is it going” to a project or in just how life is going in general.

Just offering my words of encouragement (and praise)…after all, sometimes that is all we need.

Linda

Aunt Bann [Visitor] in response to: i'm getting there

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:40:58 +0000

Interesting question, Diana! I’ve never thought of it, but I don’t usually use that expression, either. (Of course, as you know, I’m close to being the “eternal optimist” when it comes to that question. So I’ll usually say fine, or something like that, regardless of whether it really is, or not.

Still enjoying your rants, and am disappointed when I log on, several days in a row, and you haven’t written anything new. But I also know that you are busy and will write when you have time—or when you’re trying to get out of doing something else! ;-))

admin [Member] in response to: i'm getting there

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:29:56 +0000

G’morn, Dave!

When I say, “It’s coming” in reference to a paper, I say it with an attitude of noncommittal resignation, usually. I never know how a paper is coming until I feel it “pull together,” so giving a timeline is invariably impossible, anyway.

Hinermad [Visitor] in response to: i'm getting there

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:59:34 +0000

Diana,

For a long time my stock response to “how’s it going?” was “I’m still breathing.” I quit saying that because at my age it’s too easy to contemplate the alternative, and I’m not ready to go there yet.

These days I say “I can’t complain.” Which of course isn’t exactly true, as Linda will confirm, but I realize that complaining doesn’t really accomplish anything so why bother? Besides, the people who ask me “how’s it going?” don’t really care anyway. It’s just a preemptive strike, or maybe a warning shot, a way to politely acknowledge my presence but direct potential conversation in a safe direction rather than risk allowing me to bring up an unpopular topic like work or Olympic hockey. (Grin)

A question for you: when you say “it’s coming” in response to a question about your paper, what mood do you use? Most people I know (and I myself) tend to be a bit surly with it when it applies to a work project. It’s just a half step more polite than “it’ll be done when it’s done.” In other words, quit asking. I’m curious if that’s a widespread usage or specific to my field.

Dave

P.S. I like your mangled metaphors. “Biblical Jellyfish” would be a great name for a band. D.