I guess this is the commonly perceived view of the academic's summer, warm days at the back door, pottering around but of course its not quite so. In fact summer is the time when you do the work that teaching relies on. Research and writing and moving your own subject area forward are all very important. Just yesterday afternoon I was sent some details of a three day conference in Wellington, NZ, this coming November, a long way to fly to give a twenty minute paper and then to be back in time to teach. The body will have no idea where it is. I have heard it said by an Australian colleague of mine that jet lag is where your body arrives and your soul still has to catch up. Its a good thought for the day because if we think about it, its not just jet lag where this happens; I am sure we all have those moments when we need to just stop in order for our body and soul to get back into sync. I know I do, last night I slept for eight and a half hours, practically unheard of - I inherited my mother's sleep clock (among other things) - things are still not in sync but they will be soon and I am already starting to work out my 'new' running programme, now that the old leg will take it. So the summer plan is already starting, fit body for fit and proper thinking. Being fit does that, it stimulates the body and the brain works better - at least I find that. And it will be needed because I have a summer of writing planned. This song always makes me feel summerly, temporarily traveling and the fun of a sunny break, oh your a mean old daddy but I like you:
