Another semester at another school and this one seems to be busier then ever.
I will be working with the city of Chicago's government (commissioners and mayors and politicians oh my!) to visit public housing and interview people in more run down areas. The idea is for us to do hands on research and analysis of the problems and issues that users of the government services encounter. From there on we will assess the research and come up with "design solutions" that will make it easier for people to work with the Chicago City government's many many MAAAAAAANY organizations.
I will also be working with some frightening high up project where we interview, analyze and learn how some major corporations are entering products into emerging markets. I have two weeks to learn all about sustainability and emerging markets. I have two weeks to read about 10 books just to interview some of these people.
I will also be working with Chicago Public Radio, to work on a new initiative where we will be exploring new social media options, trying to get "younger" people to read news of quality. I don't even know how to start with this one.
In addition, I have three other classes that are just extremely challenging but tremendously interesting. I have 40 PDFs to read, I am chased around by blogs, copies of the Economist, the New York Times, Business Week, Communication Arts and Print magazine. I will be visiting and interviewing people who live in the slums of Chicago. I will also be interviewing SVPs of Procter and Gamble, SC Johnson and some of the most famous management strategists working today.
The opportunities are beyond amazing. I'm learning and thinking more than I've ever done in my entire life. My business education is getting a dusting off. My graphic/communication design education is getting stretched and challenged daily. The project management and group work skills I learned in advertising are paying off big time. I'm scared, but know I can do it.
But....
GOD MAKE IT STOP!
WHY DO I HAVE TO KEEP LEARNING ALL THIS STUFF?
WHY CAN'T I JUST SIT ON MY FAT ASS WATCHING TV? (i don't even have a tv!)
WHY CAN'T I JUST THROW IT ALL TO THE WIND AND TRAVEL?
Yeah yeah, it was my own decision.
Yeah yeah, I know it is really good for me.
Yeah yeah, I can always play later.
Yeah yeah, some people kill for these opportunities.
I always used to think that some day I'm going to have time to enjoy life. I'm starting to realize, its never going to happen so I'd better start forcing some time for myself. Even if its just yoga classes and exercise a couple times a week, I've started to attempt to enjoy life. I'm growing flowers in my apartment and throwing dinner parties occasionally. When the spring is here, I WILL ride my bike around town again. If I end up staying in Chicago over the summer, I WILL join a sailing club and go sailing. Hopefully I can find time to make jewelry and clothes with the stuff I bought on my trip. I want to organize and shoot photos again. I'm trying really. I REALLY do want this. But between those little things, I fall asleep and wake up with my laptop next to me in bed, with my 40 pdfs and my massive to do list; I am drowning in a sea of information and things I need to learn/make for work/school.
Personal note to myself:
After this degree is done
Stop.
Just.
Fucking.
Stop.
It is probably not going to get better when I start working again. But for pete's sake, something has gotta give.
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