Back in action, finally

I wanted to check in and give an update on what's been happening with me. After the summer classes ended, I was busy with a family issue. Once that was over my access to the campus computers was seriously limited. I also think I was suffering from a bit of burnout and have been in some sort of funk for awhile. The uncertain nature of my creer situation is probably partly to blame. though I now have a few options about some actions to take in one or more directions.

I haven't really done anything about the Pleistocene project lately, either. However, that is about to change fairly quickly. I still feel like I'm treading water on a lot of things. I know it's resistance and it's only holding me back. I feel like choosing one idea to run with, so to speak, leaves all the other projects on the back burner. I'd really like to see some progress in at least some of those other projects. I might be able to publish something or make money from some of the other projects. The Pleistocene project is going to be a fairly long one that will take a long time to develop, mainly in bits and pieces. But then again, I'm not really getting started on it very much at all - from my perspective.

I am going to start setting myself two tasks per week regarding my research projects, including the Pleistocene project. I have already started implementing this - though I started with two of my other projects: Jericho Tectonics and the Aegean dual subduction zones. I wrote outlines and did quick write-ups about the main ideas for each. The other task for each week will be to work on my writing and reading for the science writing class I'm taking. Also, I want to start attending the Geology Colloquium on Thursday evenings and start going places and doing things more appropriate to a geoscientist since that is my long term goal in life - at this time, at least. Right now I'm not feeling very enthusiastic, motivated, or determined in any way. I know it's resistance, but it's still there hampering my efforts.

Actually, as far as an outline, direction, and quick write up are concerned - I already have those done for the Pleistocene project. I also have several articles, both major and preliminary, to read on the subject in order to move on. All that paperwork might be overwhelming me - even though it's not really that much to read. Resistance literally has me at a standstill - like as if I cannot see the good my efforts will do. I guess I feel like nobody of importance will find what I have to say to be of any value - and that I would just be wasting my time and energy on nonsense and frivolous silliness. Yes, I am too hard on myself and I am my own worst critic.

Well, tally ho, and all that jazz!

Indecision About Upcoming Class

I am undecided about whether or not to take the writing class next month. I want to make a decision on it as soon as possible because I want to register for it by next week. It's only a couple weeks away. I think that my resistance is causing a wee bit of anxiety. I really don't see what harm it would do. At worst, I would realize that trying to get articles published in magazines would be a bad idea - but at least then I'd know this instead of trying and finding out later after months and years of trying this route - that it just is not meant to be. Much better than wasting valuable time, energy, and resources with no chance of success. I'd rather be prepared beforehand one way or the other. I don't like wasting my time. I prefer to get on with things - take action - but I like to be prepared and plan ahead - because I've experienced unexpected situations coming up that have blown me way off course - at least that's how I see it and how I feel about the whole ordeal. It's a royal pain and wastes so much of my time - and I feel like I'm getting nowhere fast. So, the pros and cons have to be weighed. I do believe that my resistance is actually some bizarre fear that if i take the class then I'm committed to seeing this entire idea through - which is wrong thinking. Once the workshop class is over, I don't have to ever consider actually writing articles for magazine publication if I do not wish to do so - or feel that it's just not right for me. I mentioned to a family member about the class and said that it's just to test the waters - so to speak - since I'm a good communicator, a good writer, good researcher, and like to simplify technical scientific concepts into regular language for regular folks to understand and comprehend - of course I would be writing scientific articles - this is just to get my work out there into the professional world - if not in high tech scientific journals - then maybe into more general audience oriented publications - Discover, National Geographic, etc. Of course, this would be the ideal situation - but once I have at least one article to send out, I can by then have a good working list of these kinds of magazines to submit my articles to. Then it's just a matter of when and where I send it - and patience - lots of patience. Yes, this is part of my strategy - one little tiny route. This one class is not a commitment - it's merely an info-gathering session to see if this is something that might just work out for me. It's a very valuable opportunity and could be potentially very beneficial and helpful to my entire career. Even if I could somehow pull off a couple published articles - they'd be excellent resume builders. I may as well attempt to see if this route bears any fruit. As the old adage says: nothing ventured, nothing gained! It is my turn to venture out of my safe little world of academia! Tallyho!