moragmacpherson: (Default)
moragmacpherson ([personal profile] moragmacpherson) wrote2010-10-07 05:16 pm

Huh. So that happened...

My brain is much smarter than me sometimes.

I've been struggling with my MA report topic for a few weeks now - it's not in the field I originally wanted to work in but in one that I chose because I lost my old adviser.  The new one's the first guy who ever made philosophy make sense to me and this particular issue is a difficult topic that bridges five disciplines that don't talk to each other and use the same words to mean different things and oh, it takes place over 700 years and involves translating complex philosophical theories in and out of at least six different languages - which also use the same words to mean different things.  All of my outline attempts thus far have been way too philosophy - a field where I'm still a noob - and not nearly enough history.

Until I woke up at 3:30 this morning for a cigarette and then sat down and wrote an outline.

For eight hours.

It's seven pages long, single spaced, made up almost entirely of argument with references to some evidence but no actual citation.

I turned it in.  The adviser didn't have time to look at it yet, but while we were talking seemed to agree with most of my ideas.

If it works: it's brilliant.  Emperor's new clothes type potentially revolutionary shit.  If it doesn't work, I'm a complete asshole.  That's how things shake out sometimes.  I really hope it's brilliant.  I don't have any other ideas.  Professor said to poke him if I don't hear back in ten days.

But for now, i'm going to sleep.  People whom I owe things: I'll get to them after a nap.
doughtier: (Default)

[personal profile] doughtier 2010-10-07 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
This sounds really exciting. :D Crossing my fingers for you!!

|Meduza|
jjhunter: Watercolor of daisy with blue dots zooming around it like Bohr model electrons (Default)

[personal profile] jjhunter 2010-10-08 01:27 am (UTC)(link)
That is pure awesome sauce. I'm so proud of you.

[identity profile] morgentau.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Until I woke up at 3:30 this morning for a cigarette and then sat down and wrote an outline.

For eight hours.

It's seven pages long, single spaced, made up almost entirely of argument with references to some evidence but no actual citation.

I turned it in. The adviser didn't have time to look at it yet, but while we were talking seemed to agree with most of my ideas.


I want your mojo!

[identity profile] weimar27.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
i hope it works out.

[identity profile] moragmacpherson.livejournal.com 2010-10-08 04:25 pm (UTC)(link)
The problem with the mojo is just that: it works in fits and starts. Watching deadlines creep forward and praying that the mojo will strike soon can be totally maddening - especially because I know my work without the mojo is nowhere near as good so I then procrastinate until the mojo hits. I'd really love to actually meet the smart me sometime, but for some reason I only ever catch the shadow of her in the middle of the night as she slips out the door.

[identity profile] moragmacpherson.livejournal.com 2010-10-08 04:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks, me too! Moral support is much appreciated.