The life of a PhD-candidate can be solitary. I was reminded of this last evening (Saturday), when I was doing some late night writing and backed up my work by e-mailing the file to my own account. At an hour that most people would probably find themselves either in a bar or in their beds, I went on to do some more thinking and made some half-hearted attempts at putting it all on paper. I may have felt slightly sorry for myself, I can't remember exactly and if I could I would probably deny it. In any case, suddenly I heard that joyful (or annoying, depending on whether you're focusing or looking for distraction) 'ping' sound of my Apple Mail program, announcing that I had received a message. I kind of got excited that someone would e-mail me at this hour, meaning I was not alone. I quickly switched screens, only to find out that the person crazy enough to send an e-mail at this hour was me.
At times like that, there is one place I can go for some consolation without having to leave my desk. It's the fine folks at PhD-Comics. They got it right so often it makes one laugh about one's life. And you can subscribe to their daily delivery service, meaning that at least someone will e-mail you during those solitary early morning hours...
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