Saturday, November 8, 2008

Low-Key Saturday


It's cold outside this morning—35 degrees and windy, with a feeling of snow in the air. Indian summer is definitely past us.

I'm mentally fatigued today. During the last three days, I spent 20 solid hours doing Internet research for part of the project I'm working on. Contractually, I'm bound to confidentiality, so I can't say much more, except in the broadest terms. I was researching a particular country in depth, trying to figure out how it might be affected if it became more involved in a certain international situation. How's that for vague? LOL

Anyway, imagine spending six to seven hours a day, negotiating your way through national and international statistical sites; databases of newspaper, magazine, and educational journal articles; and political speeches to find very specific chunks of information about a nation you've never visited and probably never will . . . and whose language you don't know at all. When I'm deep into research, often I'll sit and Google for three hours without a break. I know I should get up, stretch, drink some water, etc., but I get too engrossed.

Sometimes the search can be extremely frustrating. The smallest variations in search terms can make a huge difference in results. For example, Wednesday I spent hours doing a search for "(name of country) oil production statistics" and all I could find was information for the latest year, when I needed a historical table. Thursday I decided to try "(adjective that refers to country) oil production statistics" and I found the data in five minutes.

Of course, sometimes the searches are inadvertently funny or embarrassing. Tuesday I was searching for photographs of industry in a different country, and on a stock photo site, I typed in "(name of country) industry." About ten percent of the photographs were of a porn movie shoot in the adult entertainment industry in that country. Sigh.

All of this is to explain that I don't have a lot to say today. Oh, I have a lot I could say about the country I've been researching, but since it's forbidden, you're spared the National Geographic routine.

Michael and I are going to go out today and have lunch to celebrate his book and the Obama victory. We also have a couple of gift cards to spend. Woo hoo.

Have a good Saturday. Stay warm.

EVAN UPDATE: Just to let you all know, his transfusion started at about 1:00 this morning. More details in the side bar.

19 comments:

The Dotterel said...

I sympathise, Ruth, having just done a similar sort of thing for a geography book I've been asked to write. It can take forever to find the simplest fact.

Sis said...

Wow, I get lost online just having fun - I can't imagine having to do it for work, LOL.

Have a great lunch, Ruthie - share what you eat, I always love to hear that!
XOXO

Leann said...

Congrats on your hubby's book!!

Enjoy your day out. MIne will be spent sleeping for the most part. It's a beautiful day tho so far. 54 degrees and rising.

thailandchani said...

Sounds like the work of a foreign policy analyst. :) Very interesting, for sure, but 20 hours of it would be a bit much.

Hope you have a peaceful lunch.



~*

Rosezilla said...

Well, you have sufficiently explained it to garner our complete sympathy, anyway! I wanted to be a lawyer until I found out how much research they had to do! I just wanted to argue the cases in court. As for the searches, one thing that does help me is to only peruse the first page of possibilities after I google something. If it's not there, I rephrase my search. Works pretty well most of the time.

CJM-R said...

I have no attention span for the kind of research you need to do for your job. I wish I did.

Three hours is a long time without a break on the computer.

Right now I am all about researching U TUBE for wedding songs and other wedding ideas and I could stay there forever!

I look forward to when you can share about your work!

Christy said...

Good luck with your research!

Good luck Evan!

(Cold here too......)

Jennifer said...

Glad you're treating yourself on this yucky Saturday. I am catching up on the Dunstans and will continue to pray for the sweet boys and those who loev them.

Jennifer said...

Glad you're treating yourself on this yucky Saturday. I am catching up on the Dunstans and will continue to pray for the sweet boys and those who loev them.

Cheryl said...

Your work is intense! Sounds interesting too. You really need to be motivated and focused and you are both.

I am praying for Evan. I hope it goes very well today.

Great news about your husband's book. Never heard of the player. Not a sports fan.

Enjoy your Saturday!

Ginni said...

I hope your day is peaceful and serene and that you enjoy your time with your hubby. Thanks for the update on Evan ...I'm still praying for him.

Have a great Saturday, Ruth.

Lauralew said...

What you are doing sounds like some of the research I did for the locally produced book I helped write this past spring. You search until your eyes cross! Hang in there.

I fear what I had in western South Dakota is headed your way.

Lots of prayers for Evan.

Presbyterian Gal said...

There are rehab centers springing up now for Google Overloads. But you really don't want to have to go there. They make you watch reruns of The Buick Circus Hour and Dobie Gillis!!

Prayers for Evan.

Kathy said...

It's unseasonably warm here. I left the gym with a sleeveless shirt and without a jacket. With the warm temp and falling leaves, it's just confusing!
Don't you love gift cards? Enjoy your Saturday.

Jan said...

Hope you enjoyed spending the gift cards. Your eyes (and mind) must be tired and boggled from all that internet research. Take care.

Barbara B. said...

You do vague well! ;)

Hope you enjoyed lunch and the gift card spending!

susan said...

Lets see...I think you are doing reseach on a secret spy novel/mystery. Ok, maybe not, but I like my idea! :)

Still thinking of Evan...

Jay said...

Well, no wonder you're feeling shell-shocked! My brain would be reeling!

Funny about the porn industry results. You could try doing an advanced search and filtering those out, perhaps?

Odd Chick said...

It's a wonder you spend any time sharing you life and your writing with us with as much computer work as you have to do... thank you and thanks for keeping us up on Evan and Ian.

 
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