It’s late–I’m headed to bed after thinking about what I’m going to teach my preaching students about Style later today. (Don’t let “sermon illustrations” suck you in! They’re just one tool of many–think, rather, of Auggie’s take on Tully’s description of the three styles!)
That’s not the announcement. That’s the official notice that the announcement will be brief.
The announcement is that Fr. Director and I had a momentous lunch where I told him that I simply can’t finish the dissertation given everything else going on–foremost among them my need to put food on the table.
Fr. Director’s response was–your first and highest calling is to your family, then worry about the diss. He’s so awesome…
He’s now in possession of my “big box o’ crap” and will read through what I’ve written so far (volumes, just fragmentary and unorganized) and we’ll cobble a dissertation out of that.
So–no, I’m not quitting, but the scope must be restricted.
That is all…
I will keep you and your dissertation work in my prayers! I’d like to go back after my wife is done with her law degree and do a PhD in theology, but who knows if it will happen.
Incidentally, that is definitely the first time I’ve heard our blessed Father referred to as Auggie!
Comment by Chris T. — February 20, 2007 @ 7:34 am
That sounds like a very sensible course of action, and Fr. Director sounds wonderful.
I’ve been referring to Himself as Auggie for years and am delighted to hear you do likewise!
Comment by Tiruncula — February 20, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
thank god, you about gave me a heart attack over here! you, of all people, cannot quit.
i’m sure there’s a diss in your box of crap and i just know that fr. director will find it.
Actually, I’m glad you’re doing this because I think it’s time for you to get on with your life, without a dissertation hanging over you head.
Comment by Anastasia — February 20, 2007 @ 2:15 pm
I hear in your post a bit of mourning . . . surely this isn’t how you expected your dissertation to go.
But as my PhD father-in-law has said to my PhD candidate wife, the dissertation is a first step into academia - it is not one’s masterpiece, not the magnum opus. I’m not sure if you were trying to make your diss into a masterpiece, but . . . it sounds like you and your adviser will pull something together, finish the dissertation, and get on with your life and career. And that is good for you and your lovely family.
Sorry for the pain you must be feeling, but I hope in this decision you are relieved of some pressure and free to live into “your first and highest calling . . .”
Comment by Lutheran Zephyr — February 20, 2007 @ 2:34 pm
Derek,
I was praying something of a solution would appear; like Anastasia I was afraid you were stopping for understandable reasons.
Comment by *Christopher — February 20, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
Good for you. Let me know if I can do anything like read for you.
Comment by Gracious Light — February 20, 2007 @ 8:02 pm
The Zephyr is right. My dissertation was complete garbage, and I’ve done OK.
Comment by The Postulant — February 21, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
Thanks for the support.
I am so damn tired of being a grad student… The novelty wears off. Turst me. Hopeful this will bring the light at the end of the tunnel closer.
Comment by Derek the Ãnglican — February 21, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
Just a few words of encouragement … I am no one’s idea of an academic success, but I did make it through the dissertation to the degree. You have probably heard this old saw: there are two kinds of dissertations … those that are good and those that are finished. It’s a rite of passage, hang in and do what you need to do, no more. Your director sounds like he’s on your side, that is a Very Good Thing, accept his help.
Being tired of being a grad student just proves you are taking it seriously, and is entirely normal. The solution is to quit being a grad student. You have several ways to do that.
Hang in there, cousin. I don’t know you at all, but I guarantee you that lesser people than you have managed it.
Comment by Anonymous — February 22, 2007 @ 10:47 am