This semester was relatively light at the beginning but quickly took a downward spiral. As far as classes go, I only had two, one of which was a directed readings course.
I took Anthropological Statistics from Karen Harry. Why? Because I’m such a stats retard that I don’t remember anything if I’m not constantly using it. Even though it was pretty basic stats I was worried at first, but Ian’s teachings were still rattling around in the back of my head, and surprisingly, I was able to remember a lot of it once I started thinking stats again.
My directed readings course was focused on stuff for both my dissertation and for my comps. I’ve been doing a lot of reading about technological style, iconological style, isochrestic style, and the whatnot. I’m particularly a fan of the technological and isochrestic style camp and this theoretical orientation will be the basis for much of my dissertation research. And can I throw a plug in here for James Sackett. The guy knows how to write. He has a nice clean, clear, writing style that keeps you interested. Whenever I’m writing for an academic audience (article or presentation) I always feel compelled to dress it up in fancy terms. I hate doing this but feel like that as a grad student I have to do this to be taken more seriously. This is crap and I don’t want to do it anymore. I, and everyone else in archaeology, should write in clean clear language like only a few do really well.
At the end of the semester I decided to take the job with Uncle OPA and then had to cram everything to get out of Vegas and up to Utah in time. I started the job two weeks before the end of the semester which meant that I had to have others cover the Anthro 101 classes I was teaching, turn in assignments early, etc. It got very hairy near the end, but was worth it.
Now I’m keeping it real in Sand Hollow. Speaking of which, I am able to write this today because we got SANDBLASTED and had to pack up and come home early this morning. We got to the site around 6:20am, and were able to work for a couple of hours but conditions quickly turned into a full scale sand storm. So it was home for FSing and writing up notes. Grit in the teeth, good times. I am still waiting for Aaron to come down (come on dude, just for a week) and can’t wait for Mike to start. I’m also supposed to be studying for my comps at night, but so far that has failed to happen. Where does the time go?
4 comments:
YODER!!!! I must say, it will be fun to say one phrase such as "Panama" and have you bust into singing Van Halen's hit single from their album "1984". The only sad thing is that Joel won't be there to get annoyed and tell us to stop singing. He also won't be able to patronize me by criticizing my fieldwork skills. (No, this is NOT field school.) I assure you I have more skills now. Computer hacking being one of the most recent.
By the way, are Sally and the kids going to be in St. George? Amie would love to have someone to run around with. OK, I'll see you soon. Props on getting through classwork! It must feel nice to have that behind you. Lay-tar
Sally and the boys are still down in Vegas. I drive up to Utah each Monday morning and stay at the apartments and then drive back down to Vegas Friday night. I'm glad you'll be able to bring your family though, it'll be nice for you and them.
I feel as though I should throw in a plug for statistics here. I know it's not for everyone, and a lot of "stats guys", with the exception of Ian and Keith Kintigh, are in-decipherable stiffs.
I have found, however, that a little bit can go a long way. I've also found that the really powerful multivariate statisitcs are not as difficult to understand or apply that those that are taught in most stats classes, as some of my recent research reflects.
I need to get into the style literature that Dave and Mike are working on. Good times.
Props to Yoder for being on-track in his program. I think that Mike is probably next, and I'm bringing up the rear.
Good times...
Dave,
I'll be coming down in the next week or two. I talked to Rich about it. but so early in the morning? ugh. It'll be awesome to hang with you and Mike though. I'm looking forward to it.
Mike, this isn't field school. No Screw ups!
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