Madness

Will this project ever end?!?!?!  I've spent the last 4 days glued to my computer making all the pieces for my board.  I'm happy because all of my pieces are fitting together and I have exactly what I need to prove my point.  I'm unhappy because there is sunshine outside my window and I am stuck inside.  Also, my neck is stiff, my right arm is going numb, I think I'm going blind, and I know I'm losing my mind.

Triumphant!

She replied!!!  I'm now conversing with a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist.  How cool is that?!

Intimidated

People usually don't scare me.  But.  As I was researching missing pieces yesterday, I found a Pulitzer Prize winning author from Minnesota.  Looking further, I discovered an email address.  Figuring it was worth a shot, I spent over 30 minutes trying to compose a brief email explaining my research about the history of women journalists and asking questions about the impact these journalists have had.  Suddenly, I felt really small.  This woman has won the highest honor in her field.  It seems like a lot to ask input from someone who has a lot bigger work to do.  Now, I wait.

Jubilant!

Yesterday, I went back to the History Center library to find the missing pieces for my project.  Sherlock, as you can see, was a great help in reviewing miles of microfilm from newspaper collections all over the state of Minnesota.  I had a good time and I FOUND EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED!  I think I'm about ready to put this all together, though I'd still like to do an interview...

Advice

Before I forget, here are a few things that made this process a little easier for me:

1.  Don't waste to much time on random Google searches.  Use specific data bases or know exactly what you are looking for.

2.  Keep your research questions in mind.  They will save you time and effort.

3.  Color coding helps.

4.  Remember to cite your page numbers.  It's harder than it looks.

5.  Keep your bibliography up to date as you go.  You will thank yourself later!  Actually, I did this really well during the first half of my data gathering.  Then I got sloppy.  Now I dread going back to figure out the missing pieces.

6.  Just when you think you're done, you will find you are not.  A note here-I'm tired of taking notes, my outline is done, and I'm ready to put the pieces together for my board.  BUT.  I found.  A few.  Missing pieces.  So it's back to the Minnesota History Museum library tomorrow.  I'd better get an "A" on this project!

Vacation Day 6 (later)

I think I'm committing to an exhibit.  Actually, I think I've been committed to it all along.  I made a map of what it might look like:

Now I'm getting excited about using the giant bag of sticky 3M products I received at the history institute.  Oh, the mess that lies ahead! And now, I'm putting this all away, because I'M SUPPOSED TO BE ON VACATION!

Vacation Day 6

(From last Thursday)

Worlds are colliding!  From the beginning, I had planned on doing a website.  I wanted to know more about how the weebly site worked and it also sounded fun.  However, the image of an exhibit board keeps sneaking in and I just can't get rid of it. So, I'm trying out various layouts to see what this might look like.  Do I go with my original plan, or ditch it for the display?!  Maybe Sherlock can help...