wow, mid-December already!
Time has been speeding by. I'm making good progress on my dissertation database (I'm at least 2/3 of the way done), and though I wish it were going faster, at least it's going.
I got my visa to visit India, and practically all of the travel arrangements have been made, so I'm really excited about the trip, and I'm also excited about presenting my research to international colleagues, so that's helping spur me to work more on my dissertation.
Question for the internets: I'm thinking about bringing my smartphone over, less to use as a phone, than to use as a camera, and to use as a kindle. Pros/cons? I don't currently have a digital camera, but I don't want to visit India without a picture-taking device of some sort, so being able to use my phone would mean I wouldn't have to save up for a camera. Having a reading device would be grand because then I wouldn't be burdened with books. And if I found a place with wifi, I could use Skype on my phone to talk to people at home (I'm not bringing my laptop, so this would be my only internet-device). On the other hand, I'd hate to lose my phone--though I did buy insurance for it, so if I lost it, it'd be replaced. Also on the con side, I'd need to bring the charger and get a power converter or whatever so I could plug it in. I've read a lot of warnings about bringing valuables to India, but I figure, I'm gonna have to be really careful with things like my passport anyway, so while I'm being watchful and cautious that could easily extend to my phone.
Thoughts?
Also, I need, like, a ton of immunizations before I go over. Typhoid, Hep A, a booster for tetanus, anti-malarial pills... whoa. I got all the necessary immunizations as a kid, but I don't tend to do flu shots or anything like that as an adult, so this feels kinda strange. But I'd rather not suffer through some horrible illness if I don't have to (especially since I just read Scott Westerfield's Peeps, which is largely about parasites, so bring on the paranoia!).
Meh, I haven't been running or climbing or hooping as much as I'd like in the past few weeks, but I was sick and stressed and in a play. And it's been very cold and snowy here. Luckily, I leave for warmer climes next week, so I can start running again outdoors, which will be fabulous. Beats the pants off the treadmill, which gets very boring very fast, or running in the snow, which can be dangerous.
I've been performing a bunch lately, which has been great, and is helping me evaluate my strengths and weaknesses as a performer. I feel like my technical dance skills are improving, but I still need to work on things like my facial expressions, my use of space, and so on. Hm, I don't think I've posted any pics lately; here's one I really like of me busking at Lotus Fest:
And for some recent performance videos, here's my solo at Bloomington's Steampunk Soiree, and my solo from our December hafla. For those who appreciate ATS (American Tribal Style belly dance, which is an improvisational style), here's a group number that I devised and led at the hafla.
I finally figured out how I fit it all in: serious dissertation work, performing, and exercising... I just don't have a social life anymore. It's a kinda crappy sacrifice to make, but being so dedicated to my work and my art, well, that's what makes me happy. Now: less rambling, more getting shit done.
I got my visa to visit India, and practically all of the travel arrangements have been made, so I'm really excited about the trip, and I'm also excited about presenting my research to international colleagues, so that's helping spur me to work more on my dissertation.
Question for the internets: I'm thinking about bringing my smartphone over, less to use as a phone, than to use as a camera, and to use as a kindle. Pros/cons? I don't currently have a digital camera, but I don't want to visit India without a picture-taking device of some sort, so being able to use my phone would mean I wouldn't have to save up for a camera. Having a reading device would be grand because then I wouldn't be burdened with books. And if I found a place with wifi, I could use Skype on my phone to talk to people at home (I'm not bringing my laptop, so this would be my only internet-device). On the other hand, I'd hate to lose my phone--though I did buy insurance for it, so if I lost it, it'd be replaced. Also on the con side, I'd need to bring the charger and get a power converter or whatever so I could plug it in. I've read a lot of warnings about bringing valuables to India, but I figure, I'm gonna have to be really careful with things like my passport anyway, so while I'm being watchful and cautious that could easily extend to my phone.
Thoughts?
Also, I need, like, a ton of immunizations before I go over. Typhoid, Hep A, a booster for tetanus, anti-malarial pills... whoa. I got all the necessary immunizations as a kid, but I don't tend to do flu shots or anything like that as an adult, so this feels kinda strange. But I'd rather not suffer through some horrible illness if I don't have to (especially since I just read Scott Westerfield's Peeps, which is largely about parasites, so bring on the paranoia!).
Meh, I haven't been running or climbing or hooping as much as I'd like in the past few weeks, but I was sick and stressed and in a play. And it's been very cold and snowy here. Luckily, I leave for warmer climes next week, so I can start running again outdoors, which will be fabulous. Beats the pants off the treadmill, which gets very boring very fast, or running in the snow, which can be dangerous.
I've been performing a bunch lately, which has been great, and is helping me evaluate my strengths and weaknesses as a performer. I feel like my technical dance skills are improving, but I still need to work on things like my facial expressions, my use of space, and so on. Hm, I don't think I've posted any pics lately; here's one I really like of me busking at Lotus Fest:
And for some recent performance videos, here's my solo at Bloomington's Steampunk Soiree, and my solo from our December hafla. For those who appreciate ATS (American Tribal Style belly dance, which is an improvisational style), here's a group number that I devised and led at the hafla.
I finally figured out how I fit it all in: serious dissertation work, performing, and exercising... I just don't have a social life anymore. It's a kinda crappy sacrifice to make, but being so dedicated to my work and my art, well, that's what makes me happy. Now: less rambling, more getting shit done.