When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.

I was looking at my old England blog last night when I decided I miss writing a blog. Granted, no one really looks at my blog except my family (hi family! I see most of you in a few days) and some of my friends who I decided to share this with (hi friends! You lucky bastards!). And that’s ok with me. Come to find out, my dear friend WILLIAM has just told me he won’t read my blog just to read it, or follow it just to follow it… my writing must “merit it” and ultimately meet his standards. Psh. Loser. ☺

It will all be apparent in time what I am like, what I do, etc., as I continue to write and become more and more obsessive about writing this here blog, than writing my actual thesis. Which, at the moment, is on complete hold until further notice.

I suppose that is one thing I should share; I am in graduate school and this is my last year. I have 9 months to write a 5 chapter book/thesis. I started this back in January, and three changes later, I have an entirely different subject, goal, and most likely, thesis advisor. All the research, planning, outline, book purchases can be thrown out like a bad piece of fruit. Third time’s the charm, right? I will most likely complain and be cantankerous about graduate school and say how much I hate it one day, and then the next, boast about how it is so stimulating and I love school AND my thesis. And once I am actually done with this year, I will be left with a bittersweet feeling of knowing I am finally taking a break after 20 years, and that I will actually have free time… a concept that does not make sense in my brain at this moment. But I will no longer have a reason to stress about school and homework. Something I say I may loathe, but secretly love.

What is this “third times the charm” thesis topic? I will be writing about technical and professional writing for the scientists and editors of the United States Geological Survey, where I happen to be a publications assistant. I want to look at professional papers, scientific investigations report, and open-file reports for the technical aspect. Then move to writing for the general public using fact sheets and the Internet and why it is important. Last, I will be focusing on what current and future editors can do to help these scientists accomplish their best writing. And I ultimately want to find a way to help everyone involved with the writing at USGS and make it a better, easier, and more fun way to get all the publications done.
How many publications are we talking about? For this fiscal year… our goal is over 200. Something we’ve never done before. Some may call this a challenge… I call this complete craziness. But that drama is for another day.

Now, I am going to enjoy the grey skies of flagstaff and the thunderstorm that is slowly brewing over the mountains. Monsoons are the best time of year in Flagstaff.