Midday editing & article reviewing. It's so hard to concentrate during crisis, but I'm listening to jazz radio on Pandora. It's helping. The algorithm is a little repetitive (human DJs are infinitely better), but they're pulling up all the classics: Miles Davis, Coltrane.

On deck for this afternoon:
--Virtual class @ 2 (students' choice to be synchronous).
--Recommendation letter (I have another week, but might as well).
--Start reading dissertation draft (sent overnight).
--Send intro to colleague overseas.

100% of the above were requested by others. Haven't initiated anything new that I can think of. People still need things, especially if they have less power & privilege.

Going to try my best to ensure that people get what they need, as long as I can.

(This is how I'm helping.)

Right now, this workflow feels right for me: Asking people what they need, realizing the answer might be "I don't know" or "Here's what I need right now, but things might change, and that needs to be OK," and doing the best you can.

All things can and should be optional for students and junior colleagues. However, students still want to graduate. Students and colleagues are applying for scholarships, fellowships, awards, and jobs (yes, even now). There are tenure, award, and review processes already ongoing.

I get it. I'd like to stop the clock, too. Be gentle with myself and others.

Faculty aren't robots. Sometimes, I dream of hitting the pause button until September. On everything. No reading, writing, reviewing. Away message on email.

It would be so nice to unplug.

However...

Others depend on me. So. During this crisis, I'll take care of my research team, my students & my mentees.

I'll say "yes, I'll write that recommendation," "yes, I can review that article," and "yes, if you want, I can host (optional) space for you to be with each other weekly."

I'm human. I'd rather watch Netflix, write what I want to write, read what I want to read, lose track of the days. That's 100% valid for those who can do that, who need to do that.

But as long as I'm OK... there are others who need me.

Hence, reviewing to the sound of jazz.