Thursday, March 18, 2010

Resisting Temptation

I have recently found a new addiction: Harry Potter. I had never read any of the books and had seen the first movie years ago, but wasn't terribly impressed. I recently decided to give the books a try, though. I was with D at our local library and looking around while she picked out some books. They have the whole series, so I checked out the first one and read it over the next week. The following week, I checked out the second book. I think that one took about a week, as well. I had to wait a bit for the third one, since it was checked out. It took me a bit longer to read that one since it was longer the first two, but I immediately checked out the next one after that. I read the fourth, fifth, and sixth books, and am now reading the last one. I had to force myself to put it away last night so that I could get some sleep and get up to exercise this morning (I stayed up until 1:00 a few nights ago finishing the sixth book).

This brings me to today. I am working at home, but have nothing especially urgent that I have to finish today. That book is sitting in my bedroom, but I am going to try to resist the urge, because if I start reading it, my morning will be gone! I thought a list might help keep me focused and then I can read a little this afternoon if I get things done:
  • Teaching- I have a few random things that need grading and some minor class prep to do.
  • Research- I need to do some more statistical analysis for the Big Conference next month. I made a lot of progress last week (spring break), but have plenty left to do.
  • Advising- I need to read a student's qualifying exam.
I think that's it. I'm going to set up a schedule for myself so that I can work and then take a reading break later on.

6 comments:

Super Babe said...

Wow. That's what I call self-control! :)

K said...

As I was reading I thought I would recommend using it as a carrot - but it looks like you already decided to do that. I was very lucky that the last few HP books came out at perfect times in my life -- right after finishing my PhD...right after finishing my Postdoc...giving me time to just let myself read and not worry about other things :)

Anonymous said...

Agreed with SB on the self control. I read the first four in just under 2 weeks (borrowed from others). As the next ones came out, I generally finished them within 24 hours. I cannot put them down after starting!

EcoGeoFemme said...

You're lucky that you can read them one after another rather than having to wait a year + in between! Such page-turners.

ConstituentOther said...

Many of you have commented on good working manner, so I would attempt to address the heat of HP book.
I honestly think that it is more than a fiction for children. In fact, it reflects many social reality in a mythical way, and those reflection are right on the point. The conflicts in the society, culture, gender, interpersonal, personal, and many other human conditions are all included in the series of novel. (whew! amazingly done!) I think this is one of the reasons that it is really hard to put it down once you started it.
I'm afraid to open the last book I borrowed from the library last week because I'm well aware of its effect on me.

English Adjunct said...

I had to come check out your blog because I love the title and to my delight you mentioned HP!

My husband and I are obsessed! The seventh book is one that seriously takes my breath away every time I read it. I'm glad to see some HP love because I have to hide it around my peers. They just don't understand.