I’m feeling a distinct lack of motivation. Partly, that’s because there’s so much to do, I don’t know where to begin. I’m only going to be at work one day this week (today). Tomorrow, I head to Baltimore for a conference, which I’m looking forward to, but now I’m thinking about how much work needs to get done before classes start on Monday. The world will not fall apart, but still. I’ll also be gone next week for a day and a half for a mini conference. Looking forward to that, too, but again, the timing. Next month, I’m running my own conference. So far, so good, but lots of stuff to do for that, too. Things will clear up by March and I swear, I’m taking a vacation then.

I guess that’s the way academics are. There are stretches of time with no specific obligations but plenty to do during which the things that need to get done don’t quite get done. And then there are the stretches of time with too many specific obligations, plus the leftover stuff that didn’t get done before. I suppose every industry has its busy times, but I think I’m getting too old for this roller coaster ride. Partly, it’s my own fault for signing myself up for these things, but life would be boring if I just sat back and coasted, wouldn’t it?