#dabootcamp

[ahistoriantobe]

Days 33 & 34. I am not sure my three-day escapade was very relaxing after all. Received some very sobering news from my sister the day after I returned. I think I still haven’t fully digested it. Already there were some other stressing circumstances looming in. And there is this strange, stifling feeling of doom and gloom that I’ve been getting for several days and don’t know what to make of. I just keep praying everything turns out fine in the end.

I went back to work yesterday writing the dissertation, quite reluctantly of course, but I’m taking it easy. Wrote a few pages yesterday and made good progress today. As for tomorrow... I’ll hope and try for the best, and take what I can get.

[ahistoriantobe]

Day 32. From yesterday: “Tomorrow’s goal: finish current chapter”.

Reality: Woke up 8 a.m. to find my cat’s huge, terrified eyes staring at me, and realized that my entire apartment was flooded during the night. At least 5 cm- high water, like a lake has decided to come for a visit. Apparently the dishwasher decided to break down. I have no idea where all that water’s come from because it’s impossible that the machine uses that much.

Anyway, Saturday’s gone with me trying to drain a lake. My hands are bristled and I’m sore all over. The chapter (of course) isn’t done, but in the evening I flash-outlined another chapter, and now I feel I deserve my break even more.

A case of life suddenly deciding to give you lemons..

[ahistoriantobe]

Day 29. Moved on to another chapter today. Some edits and more document reading.

[ahistoriantobe]

Day 28. A little change of scenery. Read the two volumes of M.S. today and took notes (quite fascinating). Read the related two articles on the royal hunt that I’ve been putting off for ages. Very useful. Scoured through the index of N.’s chronicles -arrived last Friday- and noted everything I need to look up. Edited several paragraphs on chapter on H. before sleep. Good day.

[ahistoriantobe]

Day 22. Finished present chapter. Very pleased. Can finally move on.

[ahistoriantobe]

Day 17. Fantastic -and very full- last day of the conference. Listened to talks about 18th century snuff boxes from all over Europe, colorful liveries of the medieval Scottish royal household, the reception of foreign ambassadors in Georgian Britain, and a number of different queens’ incredible jewelry. Managed to write several paragraphs on my current chapter while listening to the closing remarks with one ear, too. Am very tired and aching all over now, but will try to get in some more paragraphs before calling it a day. How I look forward to a guilt-free, relaxing weekend...!

[ahistoriantobe]

Day 13. Was feeling quite crappy all day and could only concentrate for a few hours in the afternoon. But, begun reading a Book of Ceremonies from 1716 and already found some unexpected gems in it. I’m curious to read more now, but no time. Conference tomorrow.

[ahistoriantobe]

Report, Day 8.

A little enforced rest today, but not to pass it without work I scoured though my old notebooks to check I’ve included all my research notes in my drafts, and scanned some 17th-century account books to make sure I didn’t miss anything relevant. A strange trip down the memory-lane, looking at my notes from all the way back in the beginning. I can’t believe it’s been so many years since the start of this madness.

Conference-related e-mailing happening almost everyday this week... And unexpectedly, Prof. A. e-mailed to ask my opinion on where a student researching a certain topic should start looking in the state archives. We’ve had a quite rocky relationship with Prof. A thoughout the years, but I sure appreciate being treated like a colleague at last.