Hi everyone,
I don’t want to disappear without letting you know, so this is to say that I shan’t be uploading new posts here until mid October, because I am in the final stages of finishing my DPhil thesis, and it’s very time-consuming, exhausting, and a little bit stressful. Something has to go, for a bit, and I’m afraid that’s Stuck-in-a-Book. I probably won’t have much time for reading blogs either, sadly.
My deadline is 3 October, and then I will be in America for a couple of weeks – during which time I’ll be seeing a couple of American bloggers, so I’ll be able to report back on that.
There is another series (the fourth!) of My Life in Books coming – apologies if you’re one of the lovely people who has taken part, I had intended to have it prepared to appear while I was in America, but that’s also not going to be possible. But look forward to hearing from fourteen more bloggers about their lives in books at some point in October or November!
And I’m also afraid this means no more Great British Bake Off recaps for a while. I don’t know if it’ll still be on when I’m back from America, but I’ll make sure I blog about the final, at least, even if it’s happened a while ago.
Right, I think that’s everything. Next time you hear from me I won’t be a student any more, marking the end of my, hmm, 23 years of education, I think(!) Hopefully I’ll have lots of books read and bought to tell you all about.
love, Simon
Good luck, Simon!! We'll miss you and look forward to your return.
Best of luck with your writing up. You know where I am if you need to wail and gnash your teeth a bit – I've dealt with SO MANY people at your stage, I've seen everything. Look forward to hearing all about your adventures on your return!
All the very best with getting it finished. It is a true milestone. Enjoy your trip to America and hope you get to visit good bookstores while there. I'll be there for a month in Nov and plan on getting to several bookshops. Enjoy and we'll look forward to your return.
Wonderful that you are so close to finishing – good luck and have a marvellous time in the US. (However, I don't think one ever stops being a student of something!). ;-)
Good luck and best wishes to you, Simon.
sherry
Good luck Simon! Have a lovely time and well deserved rest in America. Look forward to hearing from you in October. All the very best!
The very best, Simon. And I too look forward to your return.
You shall be missed, but all the best to you as you move ever closer to the end of this educational season. Happy travels to you!
Goodness Simon, I hope that the final stages of the DPhil go well and aren't TOO stressful. And have a wonderful time in the US!
(I agree with Vicki, though; does one ever stop being a student?)
Hi Simon, well I think this is exactly the right thing to do and I am so impressed that you have had two lives at all during your DPhil; it wasn't something I managed! I won't wish you luck because it isn't luck but talent and nose-to-grindstone effort that will gain you your degree and I'm sure you will be successful.
Enjoy the USA, best wishes Peter (PhD awarded in 1985)
Best wishes for the final furlong, Simon! we shall miss you. And bon voyage! But fret not, once The PhD is finished and you are feeling as light and airy as a profiterole, GBBO will still be there to catch up on (available until early November). So you will be able to have your cake and write about it.
Good luck and congratulations on being close to the finish line!
Simon, being ABD is one of the most stressful times in life. I applaud you being able to do it! Abd, we understand. Maybe Random can do the bake-off if you think it's important.
In the meantime, if you find yourself near Syracuse NY while in the States, the door is ipen and the kettle on. als@foxgull.com or @rokinrev
Simon, best of luck to you! I look forward to reading your posts when you return.
Good luck Simon – we'll miss you but this has to come first! Look forward to reading you on your return!
Very sad to hear that Simon..will miss the GBBO recaps and book chat, but definitely the right decision. Hope all goes well with your work and that you have a great time in America! I hope Howard is still in when you return! Becki x
Good luck with everything! I look forward to hearing about your trip to the US :-)
Oh good luck Simon! I will miss you, and I feel sad….but I hope it all goes well with you – Good luck, you are very special.
Kind regards
Jeano
No worries! We'll be here waiting. Best of luck in this very intense final phase of your formal education, and happy travelling, too!
And just thing about how much catch-up blog reading will be waiting for you! Sometimes that can be a lot of fun, to have multiple posts to read all at once, don't you think?
All the best,
Barb
Good luck on your thesis/nose to the grindstone and all that. I hope you have a wonderful trip and I look forward to hearing all about it as well as to your latest installment "My Life in Books" when you get back!
Good luck with the D Phil. You'll need your holiday at the end of it – I'm sure you'll love DC. Take care.
Adding my best wishes! Of course we'll miss you (and I'll particularly miss the GBBO updates). It's too bad your US visit isn't taking you further south, I know you have at least three readers in Texas :)
We'll see you in October.
Bye bye Simon — best of luck with the final hurdle. And have a great time in America. Look forward to hearing about it all on your return.
Keep up the good work, it's heartening to know that the end is in sight. Enjoy your trip to America and thanks for letting us know.
Sue
Keep up the good work, it's heartening to know that the end is in sight. Enjoy your trip to America and thanks for letting us know.
Sue
Good luck with your thesis, although I don't think you'll need luck.
We will be waiting for you when you come back!
Kind regards,
Best wishes for the next few weeks, Simon, and enjoy America afterwards – we'll look forward to hearing about it.
Good Luck! My younger daughter has just gone back to being a student, to do her Masters, as her boyfriend has just completed his PhD, and got a job (they've moved to London, so I'm planning a visit and a trip to Persephone!)… Anyway, what I'm trying to say is I know just how much pressure you are under, and how stressful it is, but I am positive you will be fine. Oh, and enjoy America!
Good luck, Simon!
Carry on, Simon! I will eagerly await your return and the reading of your adventures. We do have some fine bookstores here in America which I am sure you will discover on your own.
Such a wonderful landmark, enjoy the frantic dash to the finish line and the holiday to celebrate it. :)
Wonderful, Simon. Don't give us a thought. We'll be waiting for you on the other side.
Good luck and best wishes. You reminded me that there is nothing weird about reading books whatsoever – fact.
Good luck Simon! The final push is pretty awful (at least it was for me and most people I know) but the end is in sight! Hope all goes well. I'm sure it will.
Sending you hugs, positive energy and best wishes, Simon!
Good luck!
Sending prayers and all good wishes for the completion of your degree.
You're a great guy, Simon!
Good luck with the writing, Simon! And just think of all the books you can read after you finish your thesis! It's what I did:) And have fun in America because you'll deserve it!
Good luck with the thesis Simon, hope you can find a little time to read for pleasure, though, it will reduce the stress! Look forward to your winter posts!
Good luck with the final stages of your thesis, Simon! I can more than imagine having to let the blog go for a few weeks. Oh, and do enjoy your well-deserved break!!
thinking of you and hoping the thesis is going very well! safe travels during your break.
thinking of you and hoping things are going well with your thesis! safe travels during your break, and I'm looking forward to reading your blog again when you get back.
Good luck with the final stages of your thesis! And enjoy the trip to the US. It will be a new world for you when you realize that it's all over, and now you can truly begin to do what you want – and read what you want, without feeling guilty that you aren't reading for school.