Taking a break from lit. review
I think I'm going to make myself a countdown list of all the things that I need to accomplish before December 25th. That way I can crystallize my panic, but also get the satisfaction of crossing things off the list as they get done. Tonight, for example, we decorated the tree(s) and mantle. It's officially looking like Christmas in the house, even if there are no cookies, cards, or presents just yet. But first, a random update:
Jury duty continues apace. The days are at least as long as regular work days, and I have to be at least as attentive. This morning I was able to take advantage of a suggestion from our bailiff and park in the dollar lot near the stadium (Downtown parking for a dollar!!!) which has made me slightly less irritated about the parking experience. It's a little bit of a hike, but the exercise is welcome even in the face of the bitter winds whipping off the lake. It's also a mere minute from the shoreway, which seems to be a more pleasant route home.
Unfortunately, I concluded today that i'm not going to make any real paper progress while at the Justice Center. It's too noisy, there are too many short breaks with many interruptions, and even trying to work during the lunch break has been less than productive. I'll continue bringing the laptop with me, though; I'd feel too guilty if I missed an opportunity to work.
On the upside, I've decided that I should be using my lunch break to explore downtown a little. The Justice Center cafeteria is mediocre at best, and there are a number of appealing little lunch places (Sushi 86, Tea House Noodles) along with various landmarks (Soldiers and Sailors monument) and shopping opportunities (the somewhat gutted Tower City) that beg my attention this week. Today was particularly nice because I was able to harass Akhila into meeting me at the Souperee (her suggestion) for lunch after a couple of months of not seeing her at all.
The current stats:
30: Pages of history paper left to write
30: Number of Christmas cards to send out
15: Number of people that still need presents purchased
11: Days until Christmas
7: Number of cookie types to bake by the 26th
6: Days until history paper is due
5: Pages of paper actually written
3: Number of people for whom presents have already been purchased
2: Number of Christmas trees in the house
1: pairs of much-loved, much-used Sennheiser HD 265s that aren't working quite right
Jury duty continues apace. The days are at least as long as regular work days, and I have to be at least as attentive. This morning I was able to take advantage of a suggestion from our bailiff and park in the dollar lot near the stadium (Downtown parking for a dollar!!!) which has made me slightly less irritated about the parking experience. It's a little bit of a hike, but the exercise is welcome even in the face of the bitter winds whipping off the lake. It's also a mere minute from the shoreway, which seems to be a more pleasant route home.
Unfortunately, I concluded today that i'm not going to make any real paper progress while at the Justice Center. It's too noisy, there are too many short breaks with many interruptions, and even trying to work during the lunch break has been less than productive. I'll continue bringing the laptop with me, though; I'd feel too guilty if I missed an opportunity to work.
On the upside, I've decided that I should be using my lunch break to explore downtown a little. The Justice Center cafeteria is mediocre at best, and there are a number of appealing little lunch places (Sushi 86, Tea House Noodles) along with various landmarks (Soldiers and Sailors monument) and shopping opportunities (the somewhat gutted Tower City) that beg my attention this week. Today was particularly nice because I was able to harass Akhila into meeting me at the Souperee (her suggestion) for lunch after a couple of months of not seeing her at all.
The current stats:
30: Pages of history paper left to write
30: Number of Christmas cards to send out
15: Number of people that still need presents purchased
11: Days until Christmas
7: Number of cookie types to bake by the 26th
6: Days until history paper is due
5: Pages of paper actually written
3: Number of people for whom presents have already been purchased
2: Number of Christmas trees in the house
1: pairs of much-loved, much-used Sennheiser HD 265s that aren't working quite right