Monday has always been "run those darned errands" day. Sasha is sent off to daycare, fresh bagels are bought at the corner market, a leisurely breakfast is had before we list what we have to do. Today it was buy printer ink, order "aquarium" cake, make spag bog sauce, pick up drycleaning, send lap blankets in for drycleaning (God my son drools), visit docs to get prescriptions, make dentist appointment, open tax free savings accounts, pick up Lost DVDs from rental shop, and sort out pics to print online (way cheaper at 13 cents each as compared to 29 cents each at the local photoshop..and we havent printed anything since Dec 07). The sauce took a few minutes to prepare and bung in the pot while Dylan took his post breakfast nap. After his nap we bundled him up and strolled south towards the bank. On the way to the bank we picked up D's jacket that I had dropped off to replace the buttons. Then dropped of the faux fur lap blankets that keeps us warm and cozy as we watch TV, but has been become suspiciously smelly post-Dylan. Little Dude does drool alot so I guess it is time for the blankets to go in for their annual wash. The baker on the way to the bank makes yummy cakes to order. Spent some time sorting out the order for a Nemo aquarium cake with chocolate fish on top and sides of cake...to look aquarium-like. The cake is for this Saturday's brunch. Yup, we are hosting another one. Not our usual brunch fare but Sasha has been feeling left out with all the birthday celebrations at daycare so we have decided to humour her. Hell, you are only a kid once so why not make it a magical experience. An aquarium cake is such a small thing to ask for in the whole scheme of things. It could have been worse. She could have asked for a real aquarium with real fish.
The docs and dentist also on the way so by the time we hit the bank most of errands had been run. Our main errand this afternoon was to open a couple of the newly introduced tax free savings accounts. You see, as a result of the recent elections, the government introduced these special accounts where anyone over 18 could deposit up to 5000 bucks annually. Any interest earned is tax free and you are able to take the money out anytime without penalty. Good deal eh? Anything to avoid taxes...
So errands are done, time to pick Sash up and we came home to play...
2 comments:
As an academic, I disagree with your views on the following points:
"Well, as all academics know, publishing really has, to a certain extent, nothing to do with content"
1) Academics from reputable institutions take their journal review responsibility seriously. The paper content MUST be novel and original before a high-impact journal would consider publishing it. Therefore, your statement that publishing has nothing to do with content is untrue and misleading.
"As it is a blind review ie names of authors not supplied, I first google the title to figure out who wrote it. Once I find out who the authors are I make a judgement call as to whether they have pissed me off or rejected one of my papers before. If not then their chances of being published just "
2.This statement undermines your credibility as a reviewer of any high-impact journal.
"I then figure out how much more work I want them to put in. Just for the heck of it. This also depends on the ranking of journal. Crappy journal, I wont waste my time and just ask superficial changes to be made. If it is a good journal, which this one is, I will ask some significant changes to be made so that the editor will think that I actually read the paper and is giving constructive criticism".
3. Ever thought of actually reading the paper first? You might actually learn something from the content. Your statement above again undermines your credibility as a reviewer.
"I will of course insist that they site some of my work, regardless of how relevant it is to their paper, to add to my citation list and to signal my part in their good fortune. They owe me one, big time. I of course do not do this if I am rejecting the paper. I see that they will be up for tenure soon..they owe me big double time."
4. Why would you insist in your work being cited if it is not relevant?
5. Your credibility as a reviewer of ANY journal is tarnished now. For the benefit of your blog viewers, I wish to say on record that academics, worth their grain of salt, would never accept a paper without reading it... ever.
Dear Stunned, I think you misunderstand the nature of this blog. This is more a tongue in cheek sort of blog where I update my friends (who are mostly boring bankers and lawyers..and dont you guys get upset too) about my son's drooling capabilities and about my daughters potty training and Halloween costumes. And I post some pics. I happen to be an academic that can take the piss. If you are interested in reading more serious takes on publishing, I am happy to provide some links. I am sorry I have offended you in any way but est assured, my friends who read this do not take this blog seriously. My friends never have.
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