First Post

I've decided to start a blog to update my friends and family on the progress of my dissertation. I feel that many people are scared to ask me how things are going. Understandably, there are times things are not going so well and the mere question sends me into despair. More often, however, I am happy to update you all regularly on my successes and frustrations. The blog should keep you posted so you no longer have to hesitate to ask.
Now that I've written the above, it occurs to me that maybe the question gives friends and family pause because you don't want to hear a long explanation of exactly how things are going. Perhaps you just ask because you feel you have to. Well, if this is the case, you can simply say "I've read the blog" and I will resist the temptation to engage in lengthy monologues that will make your eyes glaze over.
For right now, this blog is just for the world not participating in academia. If I'm feeling brave, I will share it with others, perhaps even my committee!
I expect some of you will consider this blog just a distraction I've created for myself. This is of course true. However, I find that dissertation writing uses only one part of my creative mind and I long for another outlet. In addition, for those of you who have been to graduate school or done any writing at all, you know how solitary the work can be. I love having my afternoons to myself but I also get incredibly lonely and often want to share my inner world with the outer world.
Check the blog as frequently or as infrequently as you would like. For right now, I don't have a plan for updates.