Hey, I remember those steps!
Even though I’ve just marked the two-year anniversary of the completion of my dissertation, I can’t resist quoting Mike’s post on The Dissertation Flail, because it made me laugh out loud:
As should be evident from the name, it’s a dance best done to slow, angsty, navel-gazing music.
The Dissertation Flail
- Go around in tiny circles.
- Hold your hands to your head like it hurts, thumbs at temples.
- Go around in tiny circles.
- Throw your hands into the air, as if in desperation. Do not, under any circumstances, wave them like you just don’t care.
- Go around in tiny circles.
- Bang your head, old school Metallica-style, but as if against a brick wall.
- Go around in tiny circles.
- Twitch spastically.
Hee! I suggest adding another step: Strike the heel of your hand against your forehead rhythmically while rocking back and forth. Wailing, ululating, and gnashing of teeth are optional.
And this is also by way of wishing good luck to my friend T., who’s completed her own dissertation flail and whose defense is coming up this week. Congratulations, sweetie!
But can it be used to replace part of a regular aerobics regimen?
Well, maybe not so much aerobics, but let’s just say: once I get the licensing arrangements worked out, I’m gonna be the Billy Blanks of academia. Amanda, your check for that additional step went out with this morning’s mail.
Of course, I’m not nearly as photogenic as Billy Blanks, so my attorney is working on getting Michael Bérubé to do the video — ideally in those super-cool sunglasses of his.
For some reason I’m picturing it as more of a music video than an exercise video. With a lot of traumatized-looking grad students milling in the background of every shot, going round in tiny circles…
I like the step you’ve added.