Revising manuscripts

"There are few [editorial comments], as the writing is very good. Well done."

"Although the paper is poorly written, it has potential with appropriate re-working."

How can these comments have been made about the SAME manuscript? More importantly, how can we address them? Ah- the joys of peer-review...

btw- the person who wrote the second comment (liberally) marked the manuscript in RED ink. Does anyone else find red ink offensive in this context?

OK- enough complaining- back to revising....

edited to add:
Arrghhh!!!! Red pen is driving me insane! I've never seen so much red ink in my life. Just had to share...

Picture of me

D drew this. We don't have a dog-
do you think she wants one?

#100

I've been putting off this post for a few days, because I felt my 100th post to this blog shouldn't be a 'random bullets' or complaint post. I started this blog last December, right before my semester-long research appointment (essentially just a teaching-free semester). It's now approaching the Fall semester again, when I will teach my heavier 3-class load (I usually teach two in the Spring). I'm teaching summer session right now (only two more weeks), so my teaching-less time has already ended. I have mixed feelings about how things have gone during the last 7 months. Last semester, I presented at two conferences, submitted two federal grant proposals, and did some family traveling, too. Unfortunately, I didn't submit that wretched paper that was supposed to go in last January. It is close to being finished, but I haven't managed to find the time to get those last things completed and send it in. I have another (co-authored) paper awaiting revisions, as well. One of the proposals from February was turned down, but we've already revised and submitted it elsewhere. The second one is still being reviewed, so it's still up in the air. If either (or both) of these proposals gets funding, I will feel very good and feel that the time it took away from writing was justified. We'll see what happens, there...

So the next few months are going to be very hectic. My teaching load in Fall is very full- including a basically new prep, since I am revising a class that I taught only once before. The others have their own demanding aspects, too. I HOPE to finish my paper and submit it before the semester starts. The paper needing revisions will probably not get revised that soon, but I'll harrass my co-author to try.

So that's where I am. As far as blogging goes, I am really enjoying the blogs I've been reading and the comments I get on my own posts. I'm even part of a group blog, now! Thanks for reading and I'll keep you posted!

Oh yeah- this my last year before going up for TENURE!

Random Saturday Bullets

Today, I am doing these things:

• taking my 13-year-old cat to the vet for a check-up

Here she is in her carrier in the car.
Not a happy camper at all! (taken with my phone)

• shopping for a 5-year-old's birthday gift with D and going to lunch
• grading exams guess I should get busy, since... (see next point)
  
• taking D to birthday party mentioned above (OK, I'm not at the party with her, but I can hear them outside, since the party is next-door)
  
• enjoying the fact that is NOT hot OR humid (finally)
  

Hooray!!

ETA: Check the weather link on the right side of page- it's 68 degrees as I write this... yaaayy!

Friday BIRD Blogging!

Following Chaser's lead, I thought I would post a bird picture today, too.

Yes, that is a peacock and yes, that is really my front porch!

They live on a farm right behind us and occasionally come wandering over to look for food (bugs?) I have some other pictures from our deck (the back of the house) where the peacocks were looking in the window on another day. Today they were on the front porch instead!

New meme?

When I'm at school, I keep my purse on a chair next to my desk with my backpack. The front pocket was open and I noticed this sticking out.


Why do I have a Tinkerbell watch in my purse? I really don't know! I don't think it even works now, so D doesn't wear it any more. I bought it at Disney World when I was in Orlando for a conference (sans family) a few years ago (parental guilt gift). I guess I should pitch it, but it's fun to see things like that during the day!

Have anything unusual in your purse (or backpack or other bag)? Let's see it!

Um, maybe I should fix this test!

Wow, would my husband (and most of my friends) disagree with this! I wonder why I didn't get 100%? I am the absolute worst control freak... (and I know I'm right, too!) Via The Philosphy Factory...

You Are 56% Control Freak

Generally, you are in control but not a control freak. You life is usually in order. However, sometimes you get too obsessed with making everything in your life picture perfect.

Are You A Control Freak?

Illegal Weather

When I was in grad school in a VERY hot place, I had a friend who would say "this weather should be illegal." I have to agree! We're having really hot & sticky weather, here in southwest Ohio (if you live anywhere in the Midwest, I'm sure you are 'enjoying' the same lovely weather). We had several days like this in June and the past week has been just awful (not too hot, but HUMID). One thing great about this part of the country is that the weather usually changes- it will be really hot and yucky for a while, then you get a break. Well, looks like our break isn't anywhere on the horizon:

It's actually getting hotter! Look at those smiley suns just taunting me! And you can bet it ISN'T a "dry heat" either! I wonder how my no-A/C friends are doing. I know the weather is even hotter where my grad school friend lives, but this is still quite illegal, if you ask me!

7 Years (and no itch!)

H surprised me with some living flowers for our 7th anniversary. We're going out to dinner and a movie tonight...

Construction, construction, everywhere...

This is what is going on outside my office right now. They are putting in new steps at the building entrance. Add the sound of shouting men for the full effect...

Why I can't seem to go vegan

I haven't blogged much about being vegetarian, because it isn't really the focus of my blog, or even the focus of my life. However, it is something I feel strongly about- not that I try to convince others to go meat-free- but I do feel that I made a good decision on New Year's Day 1992. At the time, my biggest reason for giving up meat was for ethical reasons. If I can live without something having to die for my meals, why shouldn't I? Factory farming is completely disgusting on so many levels (watch this, if you haven't seen it- if you eat meat, I encourage to eat organic/free-range whenever possible), so I'd prefer not to support it. So, for over 14 years, I haven't eaten meat. My daughter (who will be 7 in a few months) has also been vegetarian since birth (it hasn't stunted her growth or anything- she has consistently been 90th or 95th percentile for height and weight).

OK, so the point of this post is not to make you carnivores out there feel bad, but to discuss my own issues- one of which is several failed attempts to go completely vegan- this means no dairy or eggs. I think I have two major problems here: chocolate & Indian food. I love them both- I can get dairy free chocolate, but milk chocolate is SOOO delicious. Indian food is another problem- many of the dishes are made with cream or ghee (clarified butter) or milk or yogurt. I find it difficult to avoid dishes with dairy there. I have given up eggs and dairy in most of my diet, but I can't seem to eliminate it completely. I eat A LOT healthier than I did when I made the veg switch back in college- lots of veggies and fruit and less starchy unhealthy foods. I have several vegan cookbooks (like this one and this one), which are great. The first time I tried to go vegan, I found out I was pregnant and decided it wasn't a good time to experiment with a new diet. A couple years ago, I tried again, but found it too hard to make my own version of dinners (when the family had cheese). This is less of a problem now, since I make lots of vegan dinners that everyone likes. So, now I am just trying to avoid dairy and eggs as much as possible- I can't call myself a vegan, but at least I can make the effort!

Any vegans out there, I hope you don't think I am making excuses- sometimes putting things into words helps clarify your own thoughts.

Friday Cat Blogging

In her favorite spot, looking out the window. She also likes the back window, because she can watch the birds (and squirrels) who visit our bird feeder. (taken with H's camera in macro mode)

Annoying things from my day

1. more paint fumes- they are painting the exterior window frames on my building right now and the fumes are horrible. Last week was worse. I am convinced that this is very unhealthy, because it is EXTERIOR paint, but the fumes are coming inside. Yesterday, they were painting one of them as I was teaching- talk about distracting- they have to open them to paint them, so I had to shout over all the noise from outside (like lawnmowers, hydraulic lifts) .
   
2. mini jackhammers- they are also putting in new stairs at the entrances of the building. Prior to placing them, they have to drill out the old ones, so right now I am listening to some lovely sounds from some tool that resembles a miniature jackhammer.
   
3. annoying students- OK- my first annoying student story! Last Wednesday, a student called after class from the hospital to let me know that she had fallen and injured her ankle and wouldn't be able to make it class the next day. Fast forward to today (8 days later). She shows up to take the exam (we'll see how that was when I grade!), then asks if she can make up the labs she missed (she's missed 3). Now, I had not heard anything from her since the hospital phone call, so I assumed she was planning to drop the class. I also know that she was supposed to be out of town last weekend, so she likely would have missed at least Monday's class anyway. This student is a senior and should clearly know better.
   

Just thought I would share. At least the parking situation here has improved since freshmen orientation is over!

What a difference a month makes...

Evidence that I really did go on vacation out west...


I always wear a watch.

editted to add: the photo is a bit grainy because I took it with my new phone (then emailed it to myself). It's only 1 megapixel and has no flash, but I love that I can send pictures right from it!

Blast from the past

I've been listening to music from my teenage years...

Only came outside to watch the night fall with the rain

OK- name that tune! (no Googling- that's cheating!)

I stepped out on the front porch while it was raining this evening (which inspired the above lyrics to pop into my head). I broke out my 80s records after I came back inside. D was dancing around the living room and asked how I know the words to the songs. I can't believe I've owned those records for over 20 years! How scary.

Hectic part of summer

What a contrast between my days a couple of weeks ago and my days right now! We've completed one of six weeks of summer session and I'm feeling good about the class this time. They seem like a good group of students- nobody stands out as "I-am-going-to-be-a-pain" at least. The class is a freshman-level general education course, which is full of first- and second-year students during the semester. During summer, it is mostly seniors who have put off this particular science course requirement until the last possible minute in their college careers. I teach the class in the same general way during summer, leaving out videos I usually show (due to time constraints), and shortening labs here and there. The first exam is already next Thursday! I know the class is probably excruciating to some of them- especially business school students who don't care about this particular topic and how this "foundation course" is wasted on them at the senior level, but it's their own fault for waiting to take it!

The other things occupying my time right now are:

1. working with undergraduate researchers (I've mentioned this before), which is directly tied to
2. revising a proposal for another submission. One of the proposals I submitted back in February was not funded and we trying a different agency (due July 9th). We still haven't heard about the other February proposal
3. NOT working on my paper- who am I kidding? With the other things happening right now, there's not much time for other work. I'm hoping things will settle down after this coming week and I can get back to it. It REALLY needs to be submitted before the Fall semester starts
4. Oh yeah- let's not forget the other paper that I am NOT revising right now!
   
5. watching World Cup with H- at least we get a couple days off before the next round

Next week, I'll have to write about the annoying things going on around campus right now- construction and maintenance, etc. Today, I am trying to get some work done for the proposal revision- it's too hot and muggy to leave the divine A/C today anyway. Oh yeah- I just got a new mobile phone- it was FREE when I renewed a my wireless service for two more years. Love those high-tech toys! My old phone was pretty basic, so I am enjoying playing with the new one.

BTW- I love the photo meme going around right now, but am too busy to do much with it. If you have any requests, let me know and I'll see what I can work in over the next few days. As with others- anything too revealing is OUT!