I don't know if this is supposed to inspire confidence or not
...but does it ever feel like half of your research is just sheer luck? (not that I believe in luck, of course)
I swear, I just happen to be flipping through some random book, and voila! exactly a source I needed. Or I just happen to show the right page to the right librarian, who happened to catalogue such and such manuscript that happens to be exactly the one I need. I mean, how is someone supposed to plan this?!
Weird.
Speaking of more weird coincidences. This morning I was at the library, I was really tired (still am) and feeling a little grumpy and wanting to get home to write. When I checked the schedule, I realized that I had just missed a train and would have to wait another hour. So I decided to walk to 30th St. Station and catch the regional rail there; it was only 7 blocks. I never catch the regional rail there. I think that was the first time ever.
So I'm standing on the platform waiting for my train, which pulls up. Then I'm waiting for all the people to get off, so that I can get on. And guess who walks off? Michelle's parents! Who I haven't seen since college and who don't even live in Philadelphia (as far as I know)!
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It's frightening to me how much of my dissertation has been built on such coincidences. Sometimes I worry about it, but mostly I think I've just been lucky and that that's a big part about how research gets done.
Posted by: harriet | 03.10.06 20:47
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Take it as a gift when that happens!
I once got in touch with a librarian who got me in touch with another man who's minister was the son of Virgil Thomson's best friend, and who was able to give me a piece of obscure information I couldn't find anywhere else. Crazy!
Posted by: Jo | 03.10.06 22:16
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God just wanted to give you some gifts to keep you working and happy through the weariness and blahhhh. Glad for you, keep working! Any luck with the Stanford connection for sources?
Posted by: katiek | 04.10.06 09:06
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This "accidental" discovery happens to me all the time, too. I think accidents happen more often than we like to acknowledge. I mean, would Newton be considered so brilliant today if the apple hadn't fallen on his head? And what if Fleming had kept his basement cleaner: would we have penicillin?
:)
Posted by: funke | 04.10.06 09:59
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Call it serendipity. It sounds more special that way :)
Posted by: Sarah | 04.10.06 16:15
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There aren't any accidents! God is working with you and for you! Isn't is wonderful to know He's in ALL the details. You Covenant kids should all know this! :)
Posted by: sperlonga | 04.10.06 17:11
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Say it again, sistah!
Posted by: mom1 | 05.10.06 15:15
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How awesome to "run" into you!! It's great to reconnect - Ellis is so cute! I'll send an email later telling you what we're doing in Champaign, IL
Posted by: Sherry Thomas | 07.10.06 20:34