washington state maybe?

[auressiel]

Well, it only took me seven years to admit this, but I think I've finally worked up the courage to say that I'm not happy doing physics anymore. It's a creepy thing when you start to approach your late twenties and realize that "liking the idea" of doing something just isn't cutting it anymore... that time is passing faster than you could have ever

Comments

[nibot]

Well stated.

[auressiel]

Thanks. It took a long time to figure out.

How are things going for you? What exactly are you doing these days anyway? You're officially a Caltech student now, right?

[nibot]

Still a UR student, but stationed at Caltech.

[auressiel]

Thanks, I'm looking forward to seeing it.

How are things with you?

[auressiel]

How are you liking that by the way? I never could get into the whole IT geek thing myself (I only ever learned enough to do whatever it was that my advisor wanted me to do and not a lick more!)

Oh and how's your family? I get your boys are getting big.

[vyncentvega]

As a native of Washington State, I hereby endorse this plan.

Also, HOORAY FREEDOM!

[auressiel]

Haha, thank you. How many years until your scheduled date of freedom, by the way? And whatever happened to Tobin? Is he ever going to come back to Rochester?

[vyncentvega]

Well, this is #4, and the average for my group is 6-6.5, so that's what I'm aiming for. I'm going to try and ask people to be on my committee this week and give my qual/prelim talk in a month or so, barring disaster.

2 years still sounds like a lot, and hopefully it won't be any longer than that, but it helps when I imagine that next summer I'll only have a year to go...if that makes any sense.

I don't know about Tobin! He needs to do his qual, too! It was supposed to happen in like August, and then September, and now...? I'm still far more convinced of the likelihood of him graduating than I, whatever the case.

[auressiel]

6-6.5?! Oh man, and I though PhDs took forever in MY group! I'm sorry so sorry dude.

And what are these quals you speak of? I thought he passed his qualifying exams his first year there, unless I'm confused about what you mean by qual. Is he even in Rochester anymore?

[furzicle]

Just this weekend I shared with my husband my analogy of grad school.
To wit: A large chute dumps you into an enormous dark cavernous warehouse. Did I mention dark like night?
... There are many barriers like mazes and hay bales. THERE IS NO ONE TO TELL YOU WHAT TO DO.
However, in spite of this, they expect you to grope your way out of there, finding the tiny exit at the far end.
NO ONE CARES IF YOU EVER FIGURE IT OUT.

Sorry to be so negative. It's just that I've listened in on way too many anguished grad student stories.

Tobin, btw, seems to be having fun in the process and having better luck than many, partly I think because he gets to move around a bit. And he always finds something intriguing no matter WHAT he's involved with. As you know. I will let him continue the tale of the specifics of his adventure, if you can get it out of him.

[auressiel]

I've read Tobin's journal and it's great that he seems to be having fun. I'm not Tobin, though.

[leo9]

hey... how's things?

even though I am not a physicist or anything even close to one... I can relate to being in your late twenties and not necessarily having a real clue what's next.

28 ain't so bad though.. I think I am getting closer to happiness.. more on that later, when I can get the gumption to write more updates.

still reconnecting with friends and internet and such. soul = healing... hopefully