i’m sorry, i just don’t know

So it only took me 4 years, but I finally have a focus for my dissertation.  I’m going to look at 3 systems that support online resource-sharing around open educational materials.  Open Learning Support (OLS), a discussion environment that wraps around MIT’s OpenCourseWare materials, Ozmozr, an aggregator/share tool, and 51 Weeks, a tool being built to aggregate conference goers’ blogs, and photos that also incorporates a synchronous/asynchronous chat.  No link yet to 51 weeks… it’s under development.  It will deploy at the OpenEd 2007 Conference in Logan, Utah in a couple of weeks.

So why is it that dissertation writing requires so much junk food?  My dog is dying to go run in the park and I can only sit on the couch eating candy corns, typing.  This process better not take too long or I’m going to gain fifty pounds.   How many calories does typing burn?  Maybe I’ll start a new exercise fad… micro exercise.  Measure your exercise output in nano-calories.

Today I designed the homepage for Annorate, analyzed data from Ozmozr (there may be post forthcoming regarding what I find… if I remember to do it), scheduled a photographer for the wedding, and am in the midst of writing my paper for AERA (which is horribly overdue, I believe). I have one hour until 5:00. I thought I’d take tomorrow off to get ready to move on Saturday. Guess that’s not going to happen. I still have to stop by the medical supply store, pack up my home office, clean the bathrooms, and the kitchen cupboards tonight. Good thing my internet and cable have been disconnected for my impending move. I could use a hand.

I suppose I should feel stressed, but it’s just too lovely outside. I’m wearing flip-flops and that makes me happy. I could use a pedicure, to be honest.

Rob asked me to marry him this weekend I said yes, of course, and haven’t taken the ring off since Saturday, even though it is too big. I suppose I’ll have to take it off to get it sized, but I’m putting it off. My friend Jim mentioned that it was a bit backwards… buying a house before getting engaged, but it just worked out that way. Rob and I are as happy as is possible I suppose. I’d highly recommend engagement to anyone contemplating it.

I’m moving out of my apartment on Saturday. Rob’s birthday is on Sunday and it is Easter. We’ll go to my parent’s for dinner. Monday I check out of my apartment and Tuesday I fly out to Chicago for AERA. I’m the secretary/treasurer for SIG ATL/EST so we’ll have a business meeting and several sessions to podcast through the week. I’m presenting some research on Ozmozr in Friday. Which, I’d like to mention, was accepted by SIG IT. The proposal on the MOCSL tools I submitted to ATL/EST was brutally ignored Other than AERA business, I intend to visit the Robie House, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses, sing karaoke with Anne and Krista, and eat lots of pizza.

The following Monday I’ll fly back to Utah to sign papers on the house and then turn around and get on a plane to San Francisco for Web 2.0. This is the first conference I’ve attended in over 2 years that I’m NOT presenting at. I get to be a participant. Attend sessions. Network. Etc. I can’t wait. And of course, shop in Chinatown. I’m pretty sure I’ll not have time for Alcatraz (again) but one day I will.

Then I get to come home finally. We’ll paint the house and move stuff from the garage into the house. I expect that I’ll be ready to sit still for a bit after that, and maybe pick out flowers for my wedding

Ozmozr is a tool we’re working on. Sort of social aggregator + personal identity site.