Something I just realized

[pedanticromantic]

Me at start of semester: "ah! Don't ask me to do something for you, it's the start of semester! I'm busy!"
Me in middle of semester: "ah! Don't ask me to do something for you, it's the middle of semester! I'm busy!"
Me at end of semester: "ah! Don't ask me to do something for you, it's the end of semester! I'm busy!"

Me in summer: "ah! Don't ask me to do something for you, it's summer! I'm busy!"

[polly_mer]

Me at start of semester: "ah! Don't ask me to do something for you, it's the start of semester! I'm busy!"
Me in middle of semester: "ah! Don't ask me to do something for you, it's the middle of semester! I'm busy!"
Me at end of semester: "ah! Don't ask me to do something for you, it's the end of semester! I'm busy!"

Me in summer: "ah! Don't ask me to do something for you, it's summer! I'm busy!"

So, so true that I put it in the Posting Hall of Fame!

[pedanticromantic]

Thanks...I realized that anytime someone contacts me I think "don't they know not to contact faculty at _start_  or _middle_ or _end_ of semester to ask for something?" and then realized there is NO good time to contact me to ask me to do something for you.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't manage this insane workload. I've been getting better at saying "no" as I get older, but I'm also asked to do a whole lot more stuff as I get older, so whereas as an assistant prof I said "yes" to 90% of requests, I now say "no" to 90% of requests, but I'm still busier than I was then. 

[mleok]

It has never really occurred to me, but you're certainly right that there never seems to be a good time to add to the workload, since we're all so overloaded at any time of the year.

[mamselle]

Once the first third of a necklace is designed, the rest will make itself.

Or you can start with the earrings.

M.