setting a date

I met with my advisor (H) yesterday to talk about my proposal. I think I knew all along in the back of my mind that I wouldn't be able to defend before she went on maternity leave. And I realized that no matter how hard I worked, my committee would need at least 2 weeks to read my 70+ pages. So we set the date for the second week of December. But I am committed to getting chapter 2 done and to H tomorrow. In the meantime, I meet with my methodologist today. Not too worried about the meeting . . . after all, I've spent nearly 4 months writing that chapter and I feel good about it.

It's honestly chapter 2 that is scaring the shit out of me. I am carrying around four giant texts on social stratification and class theory and analysis and I am so tired of wading through them on my own I can hardly stand it. I mentioned to H yesterday that I think writing the proposal is the most difficult part, and she agreed. I just want to get to the interviews and analysis. At this point that is what is driving me . . . knowing that I will be able to talk to undergrads and hear their stories in just a few short months. I just have to get past all the sociologists who can't seem to agree on even one simple concept.

On the plus side....Big J is taking me out for dinner and a concert tonight for my birthday present. We are seeing Lucy Kaplansky and I am looking forward to a relaxing evening.