A Productive Week

Returning to the Folger was an excellent choice.

I didn't complete everything on my list, but I found something more valuable: enthusiasm.

Talking to a new acquaintance on Tuesday night, I was explaining my book project and found myself undercutting the project and its relevance even as I gave my elevator speech. I was really aware of it as it was happening, and it suddenly struck me: I was feeling a little done with this. A little over this project that I've been working on for nearly a decade (I know, I know, did it really take me this long?). I'm sure I've felt this way before, but realizing that I'd been in a slump was super helpful. My lovely conversation partner asked some smart questions, we geeked out about financial records, and I went on with my evening feeling a smidge better.

Over the rest of the week I had a few more encounters like this, discussing my work and the work of those around me in a supportive and collegial environment. By Friday, I was running around the library with a new collaborator looking to pitch a digitization project to anyone who would listen before I got back on the train to Philadelphia.

And I opened up a chapter and did some edits. And finished a blog posting. And page proofs for an article. And a conference paper draft. And now I'm writing up a one-page inquiry letter that could impact the work of scholars in a wide variety of disciplines all over the world. And it feels fantastic.

I also had the chance to reconnect with dear friends and see moving and hilarious and intellectually-stimulating theatre. What a joy.