My first post...

So I've been given an assignment. I have to create a blog for one of my grad clases about "Writing the Self Online." So here we are and I have no clue what to write.

I guess I've decided to theme this blog around the idea of my life (or lack thereof) as a graduate student. The first and most difficult part of life as a graduate student is something called "writer's block," a phenomenon which I am currently experiencing... The Urban dictionary defies writer's block as :

"A period of time when a writer's mind is completely blank and drained of any kind of inspirational essence. They are unable to write. They start to bang their head against the basement wall. It bleeds. They scream and shout in agony. And finally, they pray that the pain from this blunt physical trauma and the sight of the sweet sweet catalytic blood finally gives them SOME kind of weak-ass idea."

Or:

"An imaginary non-existant concept designed to help writers feel less guilty when they lack the mental capacity to write well for a certain time period. The real reason for this temporary lack of creativity is usually one of the following: distraction, health problems, lack of focus, laziness, or sometimes just the basic idea of writer's block can scare a writer into actually getting it. "

A friend of mine, Joe Farag, wrote this lovely poem during essay writing and posted it on one of my facebook group walls. I think it is appropriate now:

The Blinking-Cursor Demon
by. J.R. Farag
"blinking cursor, why do you mock me so?
don't you know your incessant blinking makes me feel so low?
I look at the blank page, white as freshly fallen snow
and think to myself "out, I shan't go"
blinking cursor, cease your incessant assault!
writers' block is hardly my fault!

blinking cursor, forgive my procrastination
but sitting staring at the screen has cause great alienation
blinking cursor, I beg you, give me some sweet respite
I promise maybe, perhaps tomorrow, I'll sit down and write"

I love quotes. They take up so much space! I mean... they're important in setting up your argument within a previously existing discoure between academics. Yeah.

Right now, I am working on my SSHRC and OGS applications, and I also have a conference coming up in a few days. But since I have writer's block for both tasks, I'm not really getting anywhere. I know I'll get both done, I just have a sneaking suspicion that I will be suffering through a few all-nighters very soon.

I suppose I should get back to "working" on my grant proposals now. Stupid blinking cursor.