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Published On: Dec 12, 2003 08:41 PM
Total entries in this category:
Published On: Dec 12, 2003 08:41 PM
Beware, I live!
I can't believe it. I'm really a bit numb. It's
over.
It's all over.
It's all over.
I can't believe it. I'm really a bit numb. It's
over.
It's all over.
I guess a short recap would be suitable. I got up at 5:55am, fixed my oh-so-important cup of coffee, and finished preparing about 5 more overhead transparencies. I also printed up two extra copies of the paper (one had to have 1.5 spacing--the one that will be bound) and went through the slides a few times, figuring out in my head what I would say. I ended up with about 20 slides. The rule of thumb is you should plan 1 slide per 3 minutes of presentation. Given that it looked like I would go over the 40 minute target, but I figured I could wing it.
Mom was dutifully staying out of the way (she's so cute!) and it occurred to me that she wasn't going to come unless I invited her. (She's always afraid of being in the way.) I told her that if she wanted, then by all means she could attend the defense. It was like telling a child she could go to the Wal-mart of candy stores. So we got dressed up, and about 9:20am we got in the car.
Finding the room and setting up was uneventful. I was a bit nervous, not because I was worried about giving a good presentation, but simply because this represented the end of 10 years of work and waiting, etc. I think I had 10 people attend, which was about the right size. I certainly wouldn't have wanted any more. I gave the talk, which everyone remarkably seemed to be following, and I ran a bit overtime, but there weren't many questions so we hit that one-hour target square-on.
Then everyone was excused and it was just the committee and me. I'm sure these professors believe there is a right of passage with a masters defense, and so the actual "defending" part shouldn't be too easy. Two of the committee members were also pretty tough professors (very good in what they do, but pretty damned serious and tough in their standards of rigor) who I'd actually originally hoped I might surreptitiously remove from my committee (I'm no idiot) but given all the trauma and tragedy surrounding the last month, I owe them a debt of gratitude for sticking with me.
Let's just say that I didn't lose too much blood, and all the wounds are superficial. They will heal. In the end they all shook my hand, congratulated me and that was that.
Mom took my brother (who also attended) and me out to lunch at the Moot House. Then Mom and I ran around getting photocopies of one copy of the paper (it had to be double-sided) and getting the other copy to a book-binder in Loveland, CO. I returned the copy of the paper and the receipt for the book-binding (as proof it was being done) to the secretary, and THAT was it. I was finished and there isn't (knock on wood) and single form or signature left. I'll officially graduate with the Spring 2004 class.
Then I came home, had a super deep almost-coma power nap, and then it was off to the local Dean FAC at Tres Margaritas, where I talked a few ears off about the Dean campaign.
Now it's a little past 8:30. I have to pack a bag with clothes for about 5 days, and at 5:00am (ack!) tomorrow morning I'm being picked up and shuttled to the airport to go to New York City to visit my old friends out there.
And there really isn't anything else to report! I'll have my laptop with me, so I should probably be making journal posts whenever anything interesting happens. Take care everyone!
It's all over.
I guess a short recap would be suitable. I got up at 5:55am, fixed my oh-so-important cup of coffee, and finished preparing about 5 more overhead transparencies. I also printed up two extra copies of the paper (one had to have 1.5 spacing--the one that will be bound) and went through the slides a few times, figuring out in my head what I would say. I ended up with about 20 slides. The rule of thumb is you should plan 1 slide per 3 minutes of presentation. Given that it looked like I would go over the 40 minute target, but I figured I could wing it.
Mom was dutifully staying out of the way (she's so cute!) and it occurred to me that she wasn't going to come unless I invited her. (She's always afraid of being in the way.) I told her that if she wanted, then by all means she could attend the defense. It was like telling a child she could go to the Wal-mart of candy stores. So we got dressed up, and about 9:20am we got in the car.
Finding the room and setting up was uneventful. I was a bit nervous, not because I was worried about giving a good presentation, but simply because this represented the end of 10 years of work and waiting, etc. I think I had 10 people attend, which was about the right size. I certainly wouldn't have wanted any more. I gave the talk, which everyone remarkably seemed to be following, and I ran a bit overtime, but there weren't many questions so we hit that one-hour target square-on.
Then everyone was excused and it was just the committee and me. I'm sure these professors believe there is a right of passage with a masters defense, and so the actual "defending" part shouldn't be too easy. Two of the committee members were also pretty tough professors (very good in what they do, but pretty damned serious and tough in their standards of rigor) who I'd actually originally hoped I might surreptitiously remove from my committee (I'm no idiot) but given all the trauma and tragedy surrounding the last month, I owe them a debt of gratitude for sticking with me.
Let's just say that I didn't lose too much blood, and all the wounds are superficial. They will heal. In the end they all shook my hand, congratulated me and that was that.
Mom took my brother (who also attended) and me out to lunch at the Moot House. Then Mom and I ran around getting photocopies of one copy of the paper (it had to be double-sided) and getting the other copy to a book-binder in Loveland, CO. I returned the copy of the paper and the receipt for the book-binding (as proof it was being done) to the secretary, and THAT was it. I was finished and there isn't (knock on wood) and single form or signature left. I'll officially graduate with the Spring 2004 class.
Then I came home, had a super deep almost-coma power nap, and then it was off to the local Dean FAC at Tres Margaritas, where I talked a few ears off about the Dean campaign.
Now it's a little past 8:30. I have to pack a bag with clothes for about 5 days, and at 5:00am (ack!) tomorrow morning I'm being picked up and shuttled to the airport to go to New York City to visit my old friends out there.
And there really isn't anything else to report! I'll have my laptop with me, so I should probably be making journal posts whenever anything interesting happens. Take care everyone!
Posted: Fri - December 12, 2003 at 08:41 PM