I read Joan Bolker's Writing Your Dissertation in 15 Minutes a Day today... I think much of her advice will prove helpful. It's so easy to get lost in such a huge task. I finally cut down on my teaching this semester so that I could get more of my own work done. After a while, I got some perspective on the fact that I was losing entire semesters at a time to work—and at part-time jobs, no less. Last fall, I ended up working over 50 hours a week and driving another 10 the entire semester. I finally just decided that if I was going to work full-time, I might as well do it for full-time pay instead of the pathetic income part-timers eke out (at least I got a big Earned Income Credit on my taxes each year there for a while).

Instead, I've decided to keep work in the 15-20 hours per week range and to be an actual dissertator. There's another dilemma, though, in the realization that I am running out of excuses to avoid delving into the project. I at once look forward to it and fear it.

The best thing about Bolker's book was her recommendation that dissertation-writers commit to writing every day, even if it's only for a short period of time. I know so many people who completely lose touch with their projects somewhere along the way... 3 years later, they're looking back at a bunch of old notes and realizing they don't remember much about their project. I refuse to lose my connection with my project, both because I actually want to know more about it and because I do actually want to get a real job one of these days.

Actually, I don't really want a job. I want to sit around, play with my dogs, hang out with Jeff, and read books all day. Too bad I have student loans to pay back.