Thursday, February 5, 2009

4am Scattered Thoughts

So, I looked over about an hour ago, and Sam was giving me his winningest "hey you" smile. This is the smile that says, "mom's got me pinned in here, but I think it would be really fine to get up, maybe play some in the living room, perhaps enjoy some father-son time." Sadly, mom's arm won, but I'm up and enjoying the early morning.

I'm now watching Charlie Wilson's War from Netflix and getting my notes together for tomorrow and Monday. Next up is my dissertation revision (hopefully to become a book).

I think one of the things I miss most as a new parent is hours like this. I find it takes me a while to get my brain together on any major project. I'm used to having time to putter on little projects: get the desk clean, check out class materials for the week, play around on blackboard, think about things down the road. After these happen it's easier to carve out time for the larger, on-going projects. This seems like Emily's problem also--dealing with the little organizational challenges and also finding time to put in chunks of time on dissertation.

If I were a little more awake I'd write something about the challenges of integrating (or maybe disintegrating would be better) family, leisure, and work. Sometimes I'm nostalgic for the idea of having them all separated out, of actually working at your workplace, going to a movie theater for a movie, and spending time with family at home. Now, I'm as likely to watch a film while I'm at school, do work while I'm at home, or play with the baby somewhere else.

So I'll work here as I watch my film, and then head to school, and then this afternoon is baby time while Emily dissertates.

1 comment:

Alisa said...

Yeah, work, kid and play all blend together, esp. when you are juggling childcare (I think set daycare hours would make this less blended) between parents. Often times we find ourselves cramming in work wherever it will fit into our schedule. I wonder if it gets easier?