I kept myself insanely busy this week, even with the holiday. Between what I like to think of as my "homework" (reading, knitting, cooking) and the activities at work (calculating, reviewing, etc.), this week has been one of the most productive ones in recent memory. It's great! Even though the conventional wisdom suggests that keeping busy has the potential to stint imagination, the effect has been to spur creativity to new heights.
Adding to the homework, I am planning to do a diptych (dual set of paintings) showing the molecular structures of estrogen and progesterone. The background will be a pastel wash, and the structures themselves will be featured as almost three-dimensional (an impact that can be imbued while painting using the right combination of washed out grays and almost fluorescent brights). Since these hormones have such an amazing impact on my life and the lives of all women, the tribute will not be untoward.
This new project or rather, these new projects--will take some time and energy, but painting is a perfect Introverted activity. So while expending energy is an ineluctable part of this process, it will be self-sustaining. Green! Ha, ha.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Zumbalicious
I have a new Zumba section starting this upcoming Sunday at 3PM at the Merritt Hall Gym on the first floor. I'm so excited! Introverts like their social time to be super productive (thus justifying the expenditure of energy). This is super super super productive! Come join me at my first class this Sunday at 3PM! If you like it, sign up for the class on clear.potsdam.edu. I've already got ten people signed up for the first section of ten weeks. Hooray!
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Creative Outlet
Although my favorite degree to date is my Master's of Public Administration, many of you already know that my undergraduate degree was in Art Studio. I LOVE ART, but not as much as I love budgety things. This makes me somewhat of a pariah (or at least an enigma) among my parents' circles. Why math?
Math is actually a wonderfully creative outlet. It provides a set of rules (or, if you are bending the rules, a set of newly created assumptions), the safety of knowing that your formula will provide an answer that is beyond reproach, and the wildness of being able to justify alternative outcomes if you choose to change a single variable, assumption, integer, etc. Some of you know of my love of challenges and debate. The challenge (and many times, the debate) inherent in math is to *justify* your assumptions (and therefore, your outcome). That's so freaking hot.
Math is my third love (after my family and my kitties), and my first calling. Even though I still play the color game (that thing that all artists do when they try to decide what colors they would use to paint/draw something they see in life), I'm also thinking about quantity of paint, relative thinness of the medium, and the desired dimensions of a potential piece. In other words, even in art, I'm still obsessed with math.
Financial math is simultaneously a safe haven and a dangerous adventure. You have to stay abreast of changes in Federal regulations all the time (they change quickly, and noncompliance is against the law...). It is a challenge and a passion. Math is life, and one of the happiest callings that a little Introvert could hope to have.
Math is actually a wonderfully creative outlet. It provides a set of rules (or, if you are bending the rules, a set of newly created assumptions), the safety of knowing that your formula will provide an answer that is beyond reproach, and the wildness of being able to justify alternative outcomes if you choose to change a single variable, assumption, integer, etc. Some of you know of my love of challenges and debate. The challenge (and many times, the debate) inherent in math is to *justify* your assumptions (and therefore, your outcome). That's so freaking hot.
Math is my third love (after my family and my kitties), and my first calling. Even though I still play the color game (that thing that all artists do when they try to decide what colors they would use to paint/draw something they see in life), I'm also thinking about quantity of paint, relative thinness of the medium, and the desired dimensions of a potential piece. In other words, even in art, I'm still obsessed with math.
Financial math is simultaneously a safe haven and a dangerous adventure. You have to stay abreast of changes in Federal regulations all the time (they change quickly, and noncompliance is against the law...). It is a challenge and a passion. Math is life, and one of the happiest callings that a little Introvert could hope to have.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Waiting to Work
It is merely a fluke that I brought my laptop to work today. Due to the severe wind chill warning this morning, my plan was to use my laptop for fun and games during my lunch hour. Little did I know that I would be using it to work this morning because my own computer and two monitors are unavailable due to needed maintenance.
Having anyone in my office for reasons not directly related to my job is a little uncomfortable due to the size of my office. It is a perfect little office with a view for my purposes. Think back to Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" ("In my own little corner!"). It is cozy and a perfect haven for intellectual/mathematical activity. The wonderful size of the office has an impact on my ability to work (even on a laptop) when someone else is completing unrelated activities in the same space. Enter maintenance.
It's very different when a student is in my office because the social aspect of the meeting is clearly and immediately productive for both parties. The issue here is that I don't want to alienate anyone--especially when they're here to help me in the long run. The difficulty inherent in this personal Introverted challenge is that I really cannot do much right now from my laptop other than a detailed review of work that has already been done. This is only the case due to the nature of the seasonal project/s in question.
Unexpected social contact that is not necessarily productive for all parties involved creates a source of tension for your Introvert. It isn't insurmountable, but you can definitely see your Introvert twitch a little when it happens.
I made sure that the super-nice Help Desk staffer knew that it wasn't a problem to be in the space. After all, I need my computer, monitors, and printing to work before I can fully assist my students. However, it was clear to her that I was uncomfortable and distracted.
Breathe, little Introvert, breathe!
Ah well...onwards and upwards. Time to review some cases to make sure that my work this morning would hold up to a second round of scrutiny.
Having anyone in my office for reasons not directly related to my job is a little uncomfortable due to the size of my office. It is a perfect little office with a view for my purposes. Think back to Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" ("In my own little corner!"). It is cozy and a perfect haven for intellectual/mathematical activity. The wonderful size of the office has an impact on my ability to work (even on a laptop) when someone else is completing unrelated activities in the same space. Enter maintenance.
It's very different when a student is in my office because the social aspect of the meeting is clearly and immediately productive for both parties. The issue here is that I don't want to alienate anyone--especially when they're here to help me in the long run. The difficulty inherent in this personal Introverted challenge is that I really cannot do much right now from my laptop other than a detailed review of work that has already been done. This is only the case due to the nature of the seasonal project/s in question.
Unexpected social contact that is not necessarily productive for all parties involved creates a source of tension for your Introvert. It isn't insurmountable, but you can definitely see your Introvert twitch a little when it happens.
I made sure that the super-nice Help Desk staffer knew that it wasn't a problem to be in the space. After all, I need my computer, monitors, and printing to work before I can fully assist my students. However, it was clear to her that I was uncomfortable and distracted.
Breathe, little Introvert, breathe!
Ah well...onwards and upwards. Time to review some cases to make sure that my work this morning would hold up to a second round of scrutiny.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Wide Awake at Inappropriate Times
Everyone here is fast asleep. My husband is asleep, the kitties are asleep. Why not me...?
I have a questionable tendency to bring home my daily trials and tribulations. I love what I do...which is why I'm totally obsessed with it. Most people I've met who work with academia are obsessed with it!
Breathe, little Introvert, breathe!
This is the time of year when every last one of us is involved in set-up for the new year in some capacity or another. Deadlines conflict and supersede one another at the most inconvenient times. You learn to roll with it after awhile...find out the priority and divide and conquer.
It does mean that a lot of mini-meetings take place during the day---consultations and debriefings that cannot be avoided. They are good, productive social interactions in short bursts.
Work is not the only reason for my temporary unrest. I was having amazing Introvert Time with kitties, books, and knitting...but my choice of reading material was unfortunate for the timing. One should never read Stephen King directly prior to bedtime!
Now that it is three in the morning, I am using two Introvert Techniques to drop off to sleep:
1. This micro-blog is a good way to blow off a teensy bit of steam. Writing is such an awesome method of decompressing from socially based stressors.
2. I am allowing myself a little smidgeon of extra Introvert time with my books (this time, a more pleasant selection).
ZZzzzzz...
I have a questionable tendency to bring home my daily trials and tribulations. I love what I do...which is why I'm totally obsessed with it. Most people I've met who work with academia are obsessed with it!
Breathe, little Introvert, breathe!
This is the time of year when every last one of us is involved in set-up for the new year in some capacity or another. Deadlines conflict and supersede one another at the most inconvenient times. You learn to roll with it after awhile...find out the priority and divide and conquer.
It does mean that a lot of mini-meetings take place during the day---consultations and debriefings that cannot be avoided. They are good, productive social interactions in short bursts.
Work is not the only reason for my temporary unrest. I was having amazing Introvert Time with kitties, books, and knitting...but my choice of reading material was unfortunate for the timing. One should never read Stephen King directly prior to bedtime!
Now that it is three in the morning, I am using two Introvert Techniques to drop off to sleep:
1. This micro-blog is a good way to blow off a teensy bit of steam. Writing is such an awesome method of decompressing from socially based stressors.
2. I am allowing myself a little smidgeon of extra Introvert time with my books (this time, a more pleasant selection).
ZZzzzzz...
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
"You Have Entered The Twilight Zone..."
It has been a whirlwind holiday season with many ups and downs. Rather than focusing on the downs, I'm clinging tightly to the ups. Romeyn and I have taken most of the "holiday stretch" (the weeks of Christmas and New Year's Eves) as vacation time. Given recent developments and our proclivity to soldier on regardless of what is going on otherwise, the time off is a god-send. I've officially reached the point of Vacation Brain (repeated brainless moments for which I do not need to apologize...extravagances, to be sure).
My little collection of musical instruments has grown this season! Hammered dulcimer, acoustic/electric bass guitar, and a nose whistle (yes, that's a thing). I'm so excited. I'm a little bummed that I managed to break a string while tuning the guitar, but new strings are quickly en route. My plan is to learn bass riffs so that I have the excuse to play mostly melody (not rhythm). My plan for the hammered dulcimer is to accompany Romeyn so that we can play together for things like the annual Camp Party. Oooh, and let's not forget the book of Daniel Nahmod rock-hymns just waiting to be learned.
My new (Introvert-friendly) project is this: I am going to create homemade wings for our Christmas tree topper. It was an angel a few years ago, but one of our former kitties made short work of the wings (real feathers made for an irresistible target). My in-laws gave me a nice mold-making set so I have some options for wing creation. Wax? Would that be too much in the vein of alternative mythologies? Clay would be too heavy (even with epoxy to seal 'em onto the topper...the topper is pretty light and might break with the load). I do have a fair amount of foam-backed poster board and heavy grade construction paper. In any case, the planning has commenced!
Many thanks to all who have made this season easier to navigate through weather alternatively fair and inclement. I have the best friends and family a person could want, totally sensitive to the contrary whims of fate and the impacts felt by their resident Introvert. Happy New Year, everyone!
My little collection of musical instruments has grown this season! Hammered dulcimer, acoustic/electric bass guitar, and a nose whistle (yes, that's a thing). I'm so excited. I'm a little bummed that I managed to break a string while tuning the guitar, but new strings are quickly en route. My plan is to learn bass riffs so that I have the excuse to play mostly melody (not rhythm). My plan for the hammered dulcimer is to accompany Romeyn so that we can play together for things like the annual Camp Party. Oooh, and let's not forget the book of Daniel Nahmod rock-hymns just waiting to be learned.
My new (Introvert-friendly) project is this: I am going to create homemade wings for our Christmas tree topper. It was an angel a few years ago, but one of our former kitties made short work of the wings (real feathers made for an irresistible target). My in-laws gave me a nice mold-making set so I have some options for wing creation. Wax? Would that be too much in the vein of alternative mythologies? Clay would be too heavy (even with epoxy to seal 'em onto the topper...the topper is pretty light and might break with the load). I do have a fair amount of foam-backed poster board and heavy grade construction paper. In any case, the planning has commenced!
Many thanks to all who have made this season easier to navigate through weather alternatively fair and inclement. I have the best friends and family a person could want, totally sensitive to the contrary whims of fate and the impacts felt by their resident Introvert. Happy New Year, everyone!
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Elf Yourself
Partially as a reaction to wearing black for a few weeks, I broke out the red and green today in a major way. Green leggings with a red sheath dress, and an elf headband. As my husband recently posted on Facebook, I'm largely responsible for the current infusion of Christmas Spirit in our house. We have tinsel hanging from a support beam, Christmas Cards lining the wall near the ceiling, ropes of lights surrounding the bay window and our Christmas tree, and so many ornaments that I've lost count. The stockings are ready, the presents are wrapped. We have a few back-up items on reserve just in case a Christmas Emergency arises. We have extra Christmas cards just in case anyone forgot until the very last minute. The Yule Log (a naturally gluten-free cake made primarily in the style of chocolate-flavored meringue) is in the fridge waiting to be eaten while we open presents tomorrow. Peppermint brownies were made in a tree-shaped pan, and a cheese-board has been prepared.
The season is upon us. You can hide away and hope that the celebrations of the season go quickly, or you can Elf Yourself. I've chosen to Elf it up with a passion this year. One can reasonably critique the season with an eye on overbearing consumerism, forced social gatherings, and loud music. However, one can also give oneself over to the mood of the season, and prevail over the consumer-based frenzy with a winning combination of decorations, attitude, and song. My Introvert survival tools for the season are exactly these: Decorations, attitude, and song!
The season is upon us. You can hide away and hope that the celebrations of the season go quickly, or you can Elf Yourself. I've chosen to Elf it up with a passion this year. One can reasonably critique the season with an eye on overbearing consumerism, forced social gatherings, and loud music. However, one can also give oneself over to the mood of the season, and prevail over the consumer-based frenzy with a winning combination of decorations, attitude, and song. My Introvert survival tools for the season are exactly these: Decorations, attitude, and song!
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