History! In! Action!

I made my first serious start to my diss research this week. I've been reading secondary sources, conducting precursory surveys of material, but this week I really started hunkering down and getting to it. Step 1: how to organize all the info I need to. Solution: Bento. I used FIlemaker Pro for 2 years when I was working, so I was already familiar with the interface. Bento is like Filemaker, but easier and fully customizable. I created my own collections forms, etc, and I was ready to start. Step 2: Open a printed ballad collection. Step 3: cross-reference ballad with the EEBO (Early English Books Online) to find additional digitized and bibliographic entries. Step 4: enter all data, download and print available ballads (and drag and drop the image into bento), attach bibliographic info and order by date. Step 5: rinse, repeat steps 2-4 a brazillion times. Step 6: write dissertation, get job, win the lottery and learn how to fly.

The exciting part about all of this is that my research has become arts and crafts hour. In case you've ever wondered about the fabulous, glamorous life of a history grad student, I present a little peek into a historian in action:

Step 1: Gather materials


Step 2: Using tools of the trade


Step 3: Semi-finished product


I've completed 24 entries in the last 2 days (about 12-13 hours of work). My tentative schedule is to read secondary material on Monday morning and afternoon, dedicate Monday afternoon, Tuesday, Wednesday to primary research, and spend the rest of my non committed time to TA stuff. This will all change in April when I change schedules, but it feels good to actually get going on this project.

Now all I need is a soundtrack. Flogging Molly got me though my MA paper research, what will carry me through this one? (I tried punk station on Pandora, ok but not great)