After my ranting and raving last night, I managed to tackle a nice chunk of the literature review. Then went to see James today to iron out all the kinks and get a better grasp on how to organise the MASS quantities of research I've got floating about. Now that's done, I've got a solid framework for the methodologies...so the problem...Tick tock tick tock goes the clock! I may have the information but it's ever so time consuming to put it all together and with just 14ish hours till the deadline...well, it's looking to be another loooooong sleepless night. But Oh how glorious it will fill when I hit that submit button though!

Best get another pot of coffee going because I'm going to need it to reach that finish line!

So I've decided to take a tiny little break from writing this dissertation proposal to blog out some issues I have floating about in my head tonight in hopes that it will help my progression. I've been starring at this computer for going on 13 hours now and am incredibly disheartened by the serious lack of words that are missing from my paper. It's not from lack of trying...or information. I have a PLETHORA of research to choose from...words just waiting to have a place in the proposal, probably feeling unloved and useless at the moment. But you see, I think that's my problem...I take one look at all those articles, books, websites, and journals crammed side by side in their designated dissertation folder and FREAK OUT! It's information overload. I can practically hear them screaming "Pick me, pick me, pick me! Start here, I'm the most useful! You know green is the way to go! No, you need to define Sustainability! No, no, silly, start with Mega events!" Aaaaaaah! I just want to run screaming from them all.

The truly frustrating part about it is that I KNOW I have genuinely relevant and useful material to work with....my brain just can't seem to cope with organising it into something academically coherent. Typically, this issue manifests during daylight hours and I am hoping that despite the serious lack of sleep this night is going to bring, that my brain will go into focus mode and keep the struggle to a bare minimum. That would be most excellent!

On a similar/side note...while browsing some of my research earlier, I was severely depressed to discover that my home state (which coincidentally holds the uber "green" festival I am writing on) holds two of the leading cities in America with the highest carbon footprint. It just goes to show that the greening activism and community outreach programmes that Bonnaroo run are obviously very much needed in Tennessee. I always knew that people there were generally quite ignorant when it came to environmental effects and practices but I didn't know it was THAT bad. It's just...sad. I'm going to be giving everyone a dose of green when I go back, that's for sure!

Well..I guess it's back to the proposal, I go. May focus and motivation be my friend!

So our initial research proposal is due next week and I have so very much to do. I loved the snow last week but it really threw off my focus on absolutely EVERYTHING and I am now struggling for some composure and direction. The dissertation presentation did give me an idea of where I should possibly direct my energy and research. So, Bonnaroo and sustainability...mainly focusing on environmental impacts with some economic and social thrown in the mix because they are in direct correlation to the big picture.

Question though...is it okay to create a dissertation that is more focused on reporting and more or less proving a point than constantly questioning a theory? The research that I've found thus far about Bonnaroo and it's sustainability efforts are definitely leaning in my favor and initial thoughts on the whole subject (keep in mind...thus far!). However, I still have much to learn and far to go so who knows where I'll end up with this in the end! Especially considering most of the research I've come across has been done BY or FOR the Bonnaroo Festival, which I would imagine is quite biased and going to put them in a positive light. I'm also looking into other similar festivals and pitting them against each other in comparisons.

I guess it's time to put my research cap back on...wish me Luck!

So we have just one day of class left and one assignment to go, then our first term of this masters is done and finished. It's hard to believe how quickly the time has flown by, how much we have accomplished, and terrifying how mini nervous breakdowns I have suffered! Yet we have all survived (thus far) and I for one, have grown both personally and academically more than I would have ever imagined. I have learned the hard way that I am seriously lacking some sort of a time management gene, my brain doesn't understand the world of finance, and I can be distracted by just about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. However, I have also learned the many strengths that I possess and how they will benefit me in my future career (and LIFE).

Since my last blog, I have tweaked my idea of a dissertation topic. It's still set in the South but I am considering looking into how mega events can affect small town America through the scope of the Bonaroo Festival held in Manchester, Tennessee. As I live just 20 minutes from this town, I have experienced first hand, many of the implications it has had within rural life. Here's a little rundown of what the festival is from the website, http://www.bonnaroo.com/:

The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is a four-day, multi-stage camping festival held on a beautiful 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee every June. Bonnaroo brings together some of the best performers in rock and roll, along with dozens of artists in complementary styles such as jazz, Americana, hip-hop, electronica, and just about any contemporary music you can think of. In addition to dozens of epic performances, the festival's 100-acre entertainment village buzzes around the clock with attractions and activities including a classic arcade, on-site cinema, silent disco, comedy club, theater performers, a beer festival, and a music technology village. For its peaceful vibe, near-flawless logistics, and unrivaled entertainment options, Rolling Stone magazine named this revolutionary entertainment experience one of the 50 moments that changed the history of rock and roll.





I am still trying to narrow down the specifics of the research and any suggestions would be much appreciated! I think this topic definitely has potential and it would be relatively easy for me to get information about all of this since I know many people that work with the festival and in the area. Not to mention, I have many friends and past employers who have attended and worked closely with both the festival and the city of Manchester and surrounding areas. I will also be attending the event next June which would provide me the opportunity to do hands on research.

So that's my thinking of the moment and welcome any criticism, suggestions, praise, etc. Now back to wondering aimlessly in the world of finance and praying I survive this Investment proposal.

Bring on the Holidays!!

The autumn leaves have fallen, the cold air has swept through and November is here. Which in turn means that I should really start to buckle down and get my mind focused on the tasks at hand. Those readings I have been putting off and the assignments that I can't seem to muster up the energy to even think about are now weighing heavy on my mind. I want so much to succeed in this course and desperately wish that I could find the motivation to get me there. I would be quite satisfied if some miraculous turnaround were to take place and set my mind straight! Ah, yes, wouldn't that be ideal? 

ummmm...here's my Blog! Hopefully i will write loads of insightful things for you later but for now BUh-bye!

lovelovelove :o)