FAQ
(That is, "Frequently Asked Questions") I thought I would take the time to publically answer some questions I am often asked about my blog.
1. Are you ok?/Are you doing ok?/ Your last post had us worried, we were just wondering if you are ok?
Of course I'm not ok. I'm a grad student. Graduate school is a continued experience of torture and misery that I have willfully and gleefully decided to participate in. My days are filled with research, statistics, brain regions, and pesky undergraduates who I want to maim and destroy. Plus, I hardly have time to think, breathe, or eat, much less keep my blog updated. So no, I'm not doing ok, and I couldn't be happier because I'm enjoying every minute of it. :)
2. When will you update next?
Whenever I feel like it or have the time to. See above answer for my reasoning.
3. Why do you post about so many dark/unpleasant things?
That's easy. Because if I don't, then the clowns will kill me in my sleep.
4. How seriously should we take your posts? Some of them are very disturbing.
Only as seriously as the evil clowns want you to take them... which is not at all. A general rule of thumb for reading this blog - think before you reply to/freak out over something I said, particularly if it has a fiction disclaimer attached to the beginning. Just because I write about a ghost story doesn't mean I'm depressed or having a rough time. Remember, I post here to vent a lot or just to let an idea I've been chewing on air out, and since I'm in a profession that studies human behavior - a very ugly thing - quite intensely, a lot of what I have to say is not easy on the ears.
5. Who is Steve?
Why, he's Steve, of course!
6. Why haven't you linked to my blog? I linked to yours on mine!
First, if I plan on linking to your blog, I will ask you first.
Second, internet reciprocity does not exist. Just because you link to my blog does not mean that I will link to yours.
Third, bugging me about it will only ensure that I will never link to your blog.
Fourth, the evil clowns are coming to get you.
7. Why was my comment to your post deleted/never posted?
Well, did you use my real name or the real name of any of my family members? Breaking the anonymity rule is the fastest way to guarantee that your post will be deleted. Secondly, are you posting as an anonymous user? I tend to screen those comments with a much heavier hand. Third, was your post inflammatory or offensive? That's another quick way to get it deleted. Fourth, did the evil clowns like your post? If not, then it went bye-bye.
8. Why are you so uptight about being anonymous? Other people use your name all the time on other blogs?
And I would kindly remind them that my students are internet savvy and my anonymity is the only thing letting me be open about my grad school experiences on this blog. If you do link to me, please don't use my real name.
As an instructor, I have to keep this blog anonymous for a variety of reasons, one being that I want to have the freedom to discuss my students and the things that they do. If I lose that anonymity, then there goes that freedom. I've talked this over with my fellow graduate students, and they agree whole-heartedly that maintaining anonymity is a wise thing to do. I know it irks and bugs some of you, but this is one of my limitations as a graduate student.
1. Are you ok?/Are you doing ok?/ Your last post had us worried, we were just wondering if you are ok?
Of course I'm not ok. I'm a grad student. Graduate school is a continued experience of torture and misery that I have willfully and gleefully decided to participate in. My days are filled with research, statistics, brain regions, and pesky undergraduates who I want to maim and destroy. Plus, I hardly have time to think, breathe, or eat, much less keep my blog updated. So no, I'm not doing ok, and I couldn't be happier because I'm enjoying every minute of it. :)
2. When will you update next?
Whenever I feel like it or have the time to. See above answer for my reasoning.
3. Why do you post about so many dark/unpleasant things?
That's easy. Because if I don't, then the clowns will kill me in my sleep.
4. How seriously should we take your posts? Some of them are very disturbing.
Only as seriously as the evil clowns want you to take them... which is not at all. A general rule of thumb for reading this blog - think before you reply to/freak out over something I said, particularly if it has a fiction disclaimer attached to the beginning. Just because I write about a ghost story doesn't mean I'm depressed or having a rough time. Remember, I post here to vent a lot or just to let an idea I've been chewing on air out, and since I'm in a profession that studies human behavior - a very ugly thing - quite intensely, a lot of what I have to say is not easy on the ears.
5. Who is Steve?
Why, he's Steve, of course!
6. Why haven't you linked to my blog? I linked to yours on mine!
First, if I plan on linking to your blog, I will ask you first.
Second, internet reciprocity does not exist. Just because you link to my blog does not mean that I will link to yours.
Third, bugging me about it will only ensure that I will never link to your blog.
Fourth, the evil clowns are coming to get you.
7. Why was my comment to your post deleted/never posted?
Well, did you use my real name or the real name of any of my family members? Breaking the anonymity rule is the fastest way to guarantee that your post will be deleted. Secondly, are you posting as an anonymous user? I tend to screen those comments with a much heavier hand. Third, was your post inflammatory or offensive? That's another quick way to get it deleted. Fourth, did the evil clowns like your post? If not, then it went bye-bye.
8. Why are you so uptight about being anonymous? Other people use your name all the time on other blogs?
And I would kindly remind them that my students are internet savvy and my anonymity is the only thing letting me be open about my grad school experiences on this blog. If you do link to me, please don't use my real name.
As an instructor, I have to keep this blog anonymous for a variety of reasons, one being that I want to have the freedom to discuss my students and the things that they do. If I lose that anonymity, then there goes that freedom. I've talked this over with my fellow graduate students, and they agree whole-heartedly that maintaining anonymity is a wise thing to do. I know it irks and bugs some of you, but this is one of my limitations as a graduate student.
posted by Raoul The Destroyer at 10:04 AM
7 comments
