I’m dealing with some personal issues — sad news from the family — and like usual, I’m one of those assholes who buries himself in work. I’ve been up for a few hours working away at updating my lecture on introductory catabolism, all this stuff about oxidation/reduction reactions and the glycolytic pathway, as a way to avoid thinking about the stuff that really matters, and I don’t think I have enough energy to do the blogging stuff on top of everything else. My goal right now is to just give a lecture, hand out an exam, and do some lab prep, and then come home and spend a weekend in zombie mode.
I’m an expert at burying my feelings, so I’m going to work at digging deeper for a while.
Not if I bury them deep enough, Sigmund! Biochemistry makes for a pretty good shovel, too.
Sending you good thoughts, PZ. Take care of yourself.
Take care of yourself, PZ
Sending you best wishes, PZ. Hope you and the family have lots of support amongst and around you.
One must tend one’s garden.
Dear PZ,
I know how difficult it is to face problems that burden your mind. I (and I know others) hope you will take the needed time to address the problems and work through them. Your blogging should be a lower priority. I know you have the integrity and courage to deal with and not bury what you feel.
Take Care!
fusilier
James 2:24
… a weekend in zombie mode.
Hell, go all the way and take some naps!
And some care…
The quote is spot on. But, don’t let the unexpressed emotions fester for too long. Then you will need a catharsis. And you never know what that will be until you are in the middle of it.
Dear PZ,
If you are going to procrastinate, don’t put it off! see this:
https://mockpaperscissors.com/2022/09/15/because-we-love-a-good-typo-3/
Take care of yourself, PZ
Best wishes, PZ, and please do take care of yourself.
PZ, I admire your dedication to your students, but remember the flight attendant advice: Put on your own oxygen mask before you try to help children and others around you.
Bury it. Put native seeds on top. Enjoy the new joys of the wildlife that comes from life. Freud can then turn over in his grave, because growth is something he never understood.
Don’t bury your emotions. Leave them out in the open where the spiders can feast upon them.
Terrible jokes aside, take care of yourself.
Sorry you are facing bad news. And, actually Sigmund Freud was a huge fan of sublimating ones frustrations in work. He viewed it as one of the primary engines of progress in society.
Sorry to hear you have had bad news. Take care of yourself.
Take care of yourself as long as you need to and we will all still be here.
Solidarność, PZ. And please consider early retirement, if finances allow that.
Whatever it takes.
Sux man. But, hey. Comes with the territory. Just turned 65. A niece is pregnant with a child she dearly wants, but has a blood disorder kinda like Leukemia, and doctors are trying to figure out if they can save both, or only one will make it. And the hits keep coming. All I can do is my best. There are times when I wish I could pray and at least think I did something. Rationality sucks.
You did something. And you still do. You’re still hanging in there. Not everybody does…
Do what you need to do PZ and take care. Good luck to you.
As someone who struggles in the same way I don’t feel right offering advice, other than to say you are deeply cared for. You bring good change to the world. You’ve helped me tremendously, and I know you’ve done the same for so many others.
Take care, PZ. Take what time you need. We will still be here.
Best wishes and take care.
Distraction! Space spider! (NGST Tarantula Nebula):
https://stsci-opo.org/STScI-01GA76RM0C11W977JRHGJ5J26X.png
Please take care of yourself.
A lot of us care about you. Here and IRL. Best wishes.
As stated above, as we get older we encounter grief more frequently.
I have no other advice beyond don’t burn yourself out !
Don’t dig too deep – it didn’t end well last time they tried…
This is not on topic, but it is about kindness overcoming cruelty. Maybe it will cheer you up a bit.
https://youtu.be/MhG6fnrVKNU
Just keep on.
What chigau wrote, PZ.
Here’s something: I reckon that in years to come, when historians delve into these our primitive times, to the extent you’re notable (outside your family) it will likely be for your blogging more than for your teaching.
So, thanks for the 17+ years of blogging in which you’ve given me another window to the world.
@ ^ John Morales : Seconded by me. This blog has had a big impact on my mindset over years – much for the better and please don’t underestimate the diference it makes to a lot of people. You are appreciated and respected by me and a lot of others FWIW. Thankyou.
I don’t know if it helps you – I hope so – but I’ve found pet therapy and nature therapy work really well for me. If you can spend time doing what you love and if that means you don’t post as often but are able to post for longer and be happier yourself that’s fair enough and absolutely understandable.
If there’s anything I can do to help here please let me know.
Oh & by pet therapy and nature therapy I mean nothing formal – just spend time with your pet(s) and in nature and comforted by those.
Its what’s kept me as sane-ish as I am. Especially one old cat now long gone as a kid and then more recently knowing native plants and spending time working to help them in my local National Parks. Plus my current cat and dog and the ones before that. I wouldn’t say they cured me exactly but I think – I hope – I’ve got better. I dont know if it works for everyone but it has helped for me.
@ 33 John Morales
Holy fuck, man. Couldn’t you just for once try not to be an utter dick?
Silentbob, so charming, that you perceive my genuine sentiment as penile.
(It becomes you)
Best wishes PZ!
Sorry to hear your sad news. I’ve had more than my share this last two years. I can empathize. In my case, I sought comfort in the commonplace. Perhaps your work will be a comfort to you. Doing something you love doing. Best wishes. Stout Hearts.