My Day (Friday, December 12, 2025)

Objective: To give the reader an idea of the texture and contours of my day as an academic.

Context: The semester ended Wednesday, so there are no classes or other schedule activities.

1.

Every day before coming to the office, I set my goals for that day. My goal for today is to finish reading Syntax I papers (nine all together, 11 to 30 pages long) and to submit grades for that class.

2. [8:15am]

I arrive at the office. I make sure my office is set up the way I like it, and put my tea in the microwave. [5 minutes]

3.

I receive some follow up remarks from the editor (of CHMP) on my paper “Distinguishing Copies and Repetitions” (with Erich Groat). I reply to the editor’s comments. [15 minutes]

4.

My student ZW has written to me asking him to check some sound files for transcription. He wants a second opinion. I struggle with the transcriptions, but send some comments anyway. I ask him to send more minimal pairs. The back and forth about the sound files goes on most of the morning. [15 minutes plus]

5.

My student ON wants to post their QP on Lingbuzz, and has sent me an e-version to look over. I decide to focus on one particular section. I read it, and send some comments. Then I write to them on Whatsapp too, explaining my comments. [15 minutes]

6.

A prestigious journal writes to me and asks me to review a paper. I study the abstract, and agree to review it, even though I know it is going to take me at least half a day to do the review, and the paper will probably not be that interesting. It is a service to the community. [5 minutes]

7.

All my e-mail has now been cleared (after 1 hour of work), so I reward myself with a second cup of green tea. 

I had to quite coffee a decade ago because if I drink it, I cannot sleep at night. I had to quit diet coke last year, because of health problems. I am left with green tea, which I fortunately enjoy a great deal.

8.

I return to the objective for the day: grading Syntax I papers. 

9.

I finish grading Syntax I papers around noon. Then I calculate the grades for the semester, and try to enter them into the system called Albert. But the system is very slow, probably because there are too many people entering grades now. I will come back to it later in the day.

I now realize that I made a big mistake in the course. I let the students optionally hand in a draft around mid-November. But not everybody did. The people who handed in drafts mostly did better than the people who did not. Next time I teach either Syntax I or II (at the graduate level), rough drafts will be a required part of the syllabus.

10.

Field Methods papers are due today by the end of the day, but only one person has handed in the paper so far (by around 12:30pm). I print it out, so I can read it after lunch. The others will come in gradually during the day. 

I cannot really read papers on a computer screen, especially if there are more than a few of them. It hurts my eyes.

11. [12:30pm]

I order a low-carb lunch from a nearby diner by phone: cheeseburger (no bun), side salad, pickle and small side of coleslaw. They give good sized portions, so it is filling. I walk to go pick up the lunch in order to get some fresh air. 

I sit my office and listen to 70s songs. My student JDS writes me on Whatsapp and tells me about an upcoming job interview. We go back and forth on that a bit. [1 hour all together for lunch]

12. 

I look through my physical mail that I brought from home this morning. I have not picked up mail in a month, so there is quite a bit of sorting. [15 minutes]

13. 2:00pm

I start reading the Field Methods papers. I now have three, since two came in over lunch. The papers are 19, 27, 28 pages long. The other papers will come in later tonight, and I will read them on Monday.

14. [4:00pm]

I finish reading the three papers from Field Methods.

15.

I recheck Albert to see if I can enter grades for Syntax I. It is working, so I enter the grades.

16. [4:20]

I get ready to go home. I pack up my bag, and leave.