Regular readers of this blog have probably noticed that my posting pace has slowed since the heady days of 2005. Back then, I was gripped with blog fever (and a touch of dissertation-avoidance syndrome), and was able to write five or more posts a day. I wish I could equal that pace now, but my work schedule won’t allow it. This fall, I’ll be teaching three classes (each of which has an online component, and one of which is being conducted entirely online), getting ready to defend and deposit my dissertation, writing papers for conferences and publication, and conducting an academic job search. And that’s all in addition to my main, tech-related job.
I’m not about to close this thing down, but I will be publishing on a more irregular schedule. To compensate for that, I will add a link blog to the sidebar; I’ll do my best to update that part of the blog every day.
I understand that these changes may decrease traffic to this site, but I do hope that you’ll continue to visit it on a regular or semi-regular basis. The interactions I’ve had with commenters and fellow bloggers has been, by far, the most rewarding aspect of my experience with the medium. And that, I hope, is something that won’t change.
Update: Alternatively — I haven’t ironed all of this out, yet — I may continue to post often, but to feature mostly links to and excerpts from other bloggers. Either way, posting is going to be light over the next week (I defend on Wednesday).
28 Comments on "Programming Note"
Shakespeare's Sister:
I’ll visit whether you’re writing 1 post a week or 1 an hour, because I loves me some Tattered Coat!
Brad:
You’re ok too, Matt.
Matt:
You’re the best, Shakes — a kick-ass blogger and a true friend. Thanks so much.
And you ain’t half-bad yourself, Brad. Thanks.
yoko:
Best of luck on your defense. Keep writing, one way or the other.
Matt:
Thanks so much, Yoko.
The Heretik:
How could anyone stay away from here?
Matt:
I don’t know, H, but somehow, millions of people manage to avoid it. Thankfully, you are not among them — and that’s something I appreciate deeply.
Helmut:
Best of luck on the defense, Matt. I know it can be stressful, but have fun with it. This is possible.
Josh:
Good luck Matt!
My vote would be for main blog postings so I can keep up in the feed. Or you could just add an RSS feed of the link blog too, a la Kottke’s remaindered links.
Claire:
Good luck on Wednesday! I’m a Tattered Coat newbie, so I’m lucky to not know what I’m missing! :)
Kevin Wolf:
Best of luck, Matt. Hope to see new stuff very soon. But it’s been quiet everywhere these days. People are out enjoying the last days of summer, I suppose, just like me.
Matt:
Thanks, all — your comments lifted my spirits. I appreciate your support very, very much.
Elisa:
Best of luck on the defense!
Sir Oolius:
OK, it’s Wednesday so I’m expecting posts beginning this evening!
Good luck on your defense, I’m sure you’ll kick ass.
Frank:
Matt, best of luck on your defense. I’m sure you’re hitting a home run right now.
Jane:
It’s next Wednesday? I’ll be thinking of you throughout the day. Best of luck with it. Do we have to call you Dr. Matt starting Thursday? ;)
The Muser:
Hi Matt,
Bitch PhD put up a post that we should venture over here and congratulate you on your defense. I defended my own dissertation last December, so I can relate to the relief you must feel for having done it successfully. Congrats to you!!!!!!
escapegrace:
I’m a March ‘06 defender myself. Doesn’t it feel so damn good?? Congrats! I hope you’re somewhere drinking heavily. Oh, and buy yourself a watch to commemorate the occasion. You’ll be glad later.
Jim:
Congratulations! I’m a June ‘91 defender myself. As per escapegrace, get yourself something to commemorate the event. For me it was a 25-year-old bottle of scotch.
And, always remember — the best thing about having a Ph.D. is that you *never* have to get another one!
Jewbacchus:
Congratulations!
Mathias Klang:
Congratulations!! Its always nice to hear success stories. I defend in three weeks - scary stuff :)
Matt:
Thanks so much, everyone (and good luck, Mathias!). It was a really productive defense that turned into a provocative conversation about where the diss should go as a book. I’m excited about where my project is headed, and happy, for the moment, that no one on my committee sees a need for substantive changes to the diss itself before I deposit.
My celebration afterwards was muted by the classes I have to teach this morning, but I’m looking forward to a very fun weekend with some old friends.
JW:
Congrats. I’ve just finished my qualifying exams and “ABD” is staring me in the face. It’s good to know that there is a light at the end of this tunnel. This long, long tunnel.
hdware:
Dr. Matt–Congratulations (suggested by Dr. B–and a good suggestion, too) are indeed in order. My diss director told me years ago that “the best dissertation is a done dissertation”; it took me four years of the Three Rs (Research, ‘Riting and Ramen) to get to the point where I could understand how true that was. I defended and walked eleven years ago, and I still recall the high. As for the academic job-search, that’s another matter but you are due a few days of moderate, rational exuberance, alternating with class preps–mazel tov!
acm:
WHOOT!
congrats on getting through the tunnel, on having exciting book prospects, and on life continuing on into the next thing. hope it all feels great!
Matt from the Rant:
Good luck Matt. Any time to squeeze in some indie rock shows?
Matt:
Hi Everyone. Tried to post today, but ran into a technical problem that I don’t have time to solve. Thanks to everyone for the good wishes.
Jason Yun:
They came from all over the country for this.
Jason Yun, 28, drove eight hours from Columbus, Ohio, and slept in his car. He was among the first at the barricade surrounding the statue.
“I love Sly,” Yun said. “He’s my hero. He’s inspired me to change my lifestyle.”
Before he settled in at the barricade for the dedication, Yun ran the Rocky steps.
“I got a little teary-eyed,” he confessed.
Pamela Weicht, 35, and her husband, Tim, 41, took the day off work and drove from Camp Hill, Pa. These folks walked into their own wedding reception to “Eye of the Tiger,” the anthem to Rocky III. She had to be there.
How would she rate Sylvester Stallone on a scale of 1 to 10?
“11 plus.”
Amen, baby. A-fuckin-men
Comments