First (ha), I’d like to thank the wonderful person who invented fleece. I know that it may not be the most environmentally friendly fabric, but in winter here in the upper Midwest, there is nothing like a fleece-lined pair of leggings to make my day better. I even have fleece pajamas. More than one pair, if we’re being honest. Pair the fleece with fuzzy socks and I’m in heaven.
On the flip side, I’ve been dealing with some nagging fatigue. I’m hoping that it’s just my usual end-of-semester fatigue (15 weeks is a long time… add in the pandemic and all that goes along with that, and, well, it’s a recipe for wanting more zzz’s than usual). The problem, for me, is that I seem constitutionally incapable of sleeping more than an hour past my usual (very very early) wake up time. I’m also not a napper. (Note: Those two conditions do not hold if I am well and truly sick, but if I’m just tired, well, nope.) This year seems particularly acute, and I suspect that COVID-related fatigue and frustration have something to do with it. I’m also freaking out (hey, another f!) about next semester, during which I will teach two courses (currently in person, sigh), and take two courses myself. It could get interesting about, oh, March or so. I’ll have to be on guard and make sure that I’m taking sufficient time away.
Family. I was supposed to drive east to see my family yesterday. It didn’t happen. I wound up canceling the trip last week out of an abundance of caution. I think my parents were a bit surprised, but I’ve also been the most cautious family member throughout this thing. With hospitalizations skyrocketing again, ICUs and hospitals full, and variable risk depending on geographic location, I just did not want to risk it. So it will be another solo Christmas. That said, this year, perhaps I’ll take San’s suggestion and put a YouTube yule log on my computer. 🙂
I admit to a fair amount of frustration at the persistent inability of Americans to just do what they should have been doing all along. I’m not surprised, of course, but I am frustrated. This did not have to happen. And it’s going to be worse in a few weeks. I’m also frustrated that the organizers of a course I am taking this spring have not moved the planned half-day meeting (yes, half-day – from 7-12) that is currently scheduled to take place in Florida. In January. I’ll let you ponder that one for a while. And with apologies to Stephany, to be honest, Florida is the LAST place I want to be now, let alone a month from now when omicron is rampaging through the population. Here’s hoping they make a decision soon…
I am finally writing this post (it’s been brewing since Friday, of course!), the work-related meetings are finally winding down in anticipation of a slower week and a half, and I also finally finished my grant submissions for the semester. Whew. It’ll be a miracle if either of them gets funded… which brings me to the next “f”…
Thus far, my attempts at obtaining external funding have been futile. I’ve put in what seems like countless applications, and get similar feedback each time. Yet, when I share that feedback with my senior colleagues and mentors, they are stunned, because, to them, the studies are more than worth funding. So while it’s been futile, it’s also been immensely frustrating. I’m clearly not getting my point across as clearly as I need to, but… my mentors can’t give me much advice on what to change because they think that the proposals are good. So, yeah. We’ll see how this semester’s submissions go.
Finally, I just want to say, again, how much fun I am having focusing on a smaller set of blogs whose owners are just awesome people. Those of you who take the time to read my intermittent ramblings have really made my online life so much more enjoyable. I look forward to seeing what you and your families are up to, I worry when I don’t see posts for a period of time, and I feel like I’ve finally found a small online community that I truly enjoy. So thank you for being here, and for tolerating my quirks and weirdnesses. 🙂
What a great blog post title.
Sorry for all the…frustrations.
It does feel a bit like living in an alternate reality these days. Some things feel so “normal” and then something happens to jolt us back to the honest truth that life is very, very different from pre-pandemic.
I’ve had issues will all of those “f’s” – well except for the funding, because I’m not actually responsible for getting the funding…but we’re currently dealing with a shortfall from one source which means the budget on the project I manage will have to be massaged and amended. The biggest one lately for me has been insomnia. Since the time change I have struggled to get more than 4-5 hours/night! I’ve always needed about 8, and been living on 7-7.5 for the last few years. But I’ve been waking up anywhere from 1:30 am – 4:30 am (mostly the 3:30-4:30 range).
I started taking a few herbal supplements for sleep and I think it’s helping a bit? But it has really, really worn me down. I can’t tell if the sleep is causing more anxiety, or the anxiety is causing the issues with sleep.
I’m going to try to carve out some time over the Christmas Break to really align my priorities for the New Year. It felt a bit like 2020/2021 were all about suspending normal life, and now I have to incorporate COVID and pandemic life INTO normal life and make some adjustments for mental wellbeing.
(Thanks for finding my slightly lame blog post title amusing… I was amused by it, but then again, it doesn’t take much these days…)
Alternate reality is the perfect description of how we are (still) living. The sudden lurches and surges and left turns make me feel like I am on an endless roller coaster. One with lots of loops and ups and downs. I don’t know, though, that we’re ever going to get off. I completely agree with your last statement – we’re going to have to figure out how to live with this (darn) virus.
The problem, at least here in the US, is that there are so many people who simply don’t believe in it, who won’t take measures to keep others safe if they are infected. I’m all for keeping masks on planes and buses, and for normalizing taking sick time and, you know, staying home when you’re sick. (Gee, what a novel idea…) I’m also all for a more flexible workplace environment. But I know that not everyone will take those precautions, which changes the calculus somewhat.
I am so sorry to hear about your sleep issues. 🙁 When you are used to sufficient sleep, and when you know what works for you, to NOT have that is one of the worst things ever. I only ever get about 5.5-6 hours of sleep a night, but that works for me, for the most part. But you clearly need more! I hope the supplements are helping. The time change is hard in so many ways.
I want to take time to reflect on this year (it’s been a doozy, personally and professionally) and really think about 2022. Clean slate and all that. (Although, to be honest, my “new year” starts in the fall, with school! :>)
The end of the semester is so exhausting. My husband submitted grades last Thursday and I think he stayed in his robe all of Friday – he just couldn’t be bothered to even take a shower on Friday! He’s back at it, writing some reviews and trying to do some research this week, but I’m not sure how productive he’ll actually be. Ha! Hopefully you can get some downtime in the next couple of weeks and rejuvenate a bit!
Oh, yes, you and your husband get it, definitely. My teaching load wasn’t overwhelming this semester – long story – but next semester is looking… rough. I sympathize with your husband, though. You literally feel like you’ve been through the wringer when you get to the end of the semester. Adding insult to injury is our (stupid, in my opinion) schedule, which has us starting classes AFTER Labor Day. which means the semester does not technically end until tomorrow. Grr.
I’m hoping for some downtime too, and hope that you and your husband get to disconnect, as well. Take care. 🙂
Haha, I love the shout-out! I do not take offense at the Florida ribbing. I’m used to it! And I definitely understand not wanting to visit my poorly regulated state in the middle of a new variant. But at least it will be a break from the cold?! Ehh.
I’m sorry that you’ll have another solo Christmas this year. Hopefully, you can find ways to make it fun and festive and fabulous (<– see what I did there?!)
I’m glad you did not take offense -really, were it not for Omicron (and, well, honestly the fact that it is a HALF DAY meeting and they are requiring in person attendance…seriously, what?) I’d love to take a trip south in the winter. I’d even be hopeful that the humidity would be (slightly) lower (maybe?), limiting the negative impact on my hair. 😉
My Christmas day was better than anticipated – part regular routine, plus family Zoom, some indulgent food, and (bonus!) time to read. On the couch. It was bliss. I need to remember that and do it more often. Like every weekend instead of every year. (I am always envious of your descriptions of your extended reading time on the couch and, um, you know, I could do that myself… duh…)
I LOVE that yule log fire on YouTube. And also your statement about your online community of small bloggers. I really appreciate having you around and I’m so glad you found my blog! (which is actually coming back to what it was at the time when you found it) I’m simplifying things around blogging now, and will be doing it in a more relaxed manner. No more perfectionism and Google/blogging guru-pleasing, but more doing what I want to do.
I’m so fascinated every time I hear of organisations/whatever PLAN for in-person events and meetings. Have they been hiding under a rock this year? Or they don’t care? How can people not understand it’s impossible to make plans? At least they need to always have an online option for people. If I were you I would cancel the thing in Florida. Just refuse it if it didn’t seem safe and comfortable.
We’re hitting record numbers of Covid infections here. But it will be very interesting to see the hospital stats during the next month. Hospitalisations have gone down recently. Booster jabs campaigns have gone very quickly and well. We’re second in Europe about the booster uptake.
December has been a miserable month for me and the week leading to Christmas was the worst. But I felt better since our music session on the 23rd, and this Christmas ended up being lovely.
I do think the small community of “old school” bloggers – not influencers, or those who try to make money by promoting / reviewing everything that comes into their inboxes – is one of the highlights of the year for me. I’ve managed to diversify my feed in terms of location (including you! :>) as well as focus. I’m so glad to hear that you’re going back to the make-myself-happy model of blogging. I love it, personally, as you well know!
Don’t get me started on this meeting thing. Plus, it’s a HALF DAY. Seriously. The costs associated with flying there-and-back on 2 consecutive days, the high likelihood of me having to spend the night in the connecting airport, and oh right, the pandemic, make it a questionable choice at best and one that stands to increase risks to attendees at worse. I am going to push – HARD – for an online option. I cannot be the only person expressing trepidation at the prospect of traveling to one of the worst states in the country (sorry, Stephany) in terms of COVID management. Gah.
I’ve seen that your numbers are going up – but so glad that the booster roll out is going well. Here, well, it’s the usual story. The people who are dug in and just outright refuse to even consider the vaccine. Sigh.
I am so sorry you had a difficult month. Think of the cumulative effect of the last nearly two years on all of us – it’s not surprising that so many of us are having challenges and difficulties. I’d be surprised if we were not. But oh, music sessions and a lovely Christmas sound wonderful. My Christmas day was better than anticipated – Christmas Eve was kind of difficult, but I’m not entirely sure why. And this week, I have Great Plans to reflect on this year – there were so many changes and shifts in my life, including some really big ones – and think about how to approach 2022. I hope that you keep some of that optimism and hope going into the new year, and that you stay well.
I am just now catching up on blogs in a major way and I don’t know how I haven’t been here in almost a month *gasp*… I would have told you that yes, the fake TV/YouTube fireplace does wonders for the holiday spirit and I’d have chimed in that fleece-lined everything are the best thing since sliced bread. 🙂
I am sorry about the funding situation. While I am not personally responsible for writing proposals (yet?), I’ve heard terrible things about how hard it is to get funding (no matter how good the proposed study!) and it’s so frustrating when your work depends on it so heavily. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
San, I’m currently wearing a fleece with fleece-lined leggings and it is everything. Warm and fuzzy is the way to go when it’s 15 out and the wind is about 20 mph. Brr.
The funding situation is still unresolved, so if you can keep your fingers crossed for a bit longer, that would be awesome. 😉 I think what is most frustrating for me is that I get feedback that my work is really innovative and interesting and then I get reviewers who clearly disagree. And, of course, so much in academia and science depends on how others view your work. As much as science is supposed to be “objective”, there is certainly a lot of subjectivity!
Stay warm and safe – it looks like omicron is starting to peak there. 🙁