Welcome to the slightly late December Carnival. First of all I'm pleased, but not surprised to learn that Scientiae folks know how to have fun (well ok in our own unique ways) .

For all of us geeks out there, there is no way to have more fun than to watch Vi Hart's Doodling in Math Class videos . Thanks to the fabulous Cherish (and FairerScience friend David Mortman) for bringing these to our attention. I so have to figure out more ways to get her videos to students.

The very cool Patchi has fun in ways that are, not surprisingly, very cool as well. Patchi has fun telling graduate students and postdocs about the small non-profit research centers out there where you can do science at a more independent level, as long as you can bring in funding for your research (and I would like to remind people you can do that setting up your own business as well, as I did with Campbell-Kibler Associates Inc.). BTW Patchi also has fun with her hobbies . Ah but what else would you expect from someone who write:

My early years, my learning years. I learned to think, I learned to learn, I learned to live. My middle years, my working years. I think, I learn, I live. My later years? I'll get there in another 30 years...

And sometimes things that don't at first look seem like fun are. Alyssa at Apple Pie and and the Universe posts about someone being a grump (that would be two month old Evan). Even crying he's so darn cute that he totally qualifies as fun (well I guess unless he's crying at 3 am (been there done that; am very thankful there aren't pictures of me at that point)).

Erin over at I Study Asteroids worries that she really doesn't have enough fun- indeed she worries that she might have a serious stick up her backside but on the other hand she has yoga, the most adorable dog (I on the other hand am SO dog deprived-- did you HEAR me Tom?) and OMG Lush bath bombs. Hang in there Erin, you will finish that dissey and perhaps we could all celebrate Erin's finishing with bath bombs (I think I'm going for Big Blue).

At Scientist Rising, NJS is looking at fun as a motivator. As she says:

In order to do what I can to have a productive semester, I intend to make it fun. I will make fun in my research life, my non-research academic life, and my personal life.... If I make research fun, I will have no problem completing my PhD.

Liberal Arts Lady reminds us that a whole heck of a lot of what's going on in terms of fun and well no fun, is in our mindset. She asks:

Would I CHOOSE to stop doing research if I was told that I had "met" whatever standards were present for tenure? Would I stop going to conferences? Would I work less?

Her response:

No. But somehow that tenure "standard" makes what would otherwise be opportunity into imposition; I imagine I would change nothing but would feel much better about it if I wasn't expected to perform. It's funny what a mindset will do. I'm sure I could get away with fewer conferences, fewer field seasons, if I wanted that to happen. I just need to get my brain in the right place.

An entire half of December will be spent Sans Work. I will not be bringing my laptop. I will not be bringing articles. I will not be rewriting or grading or preparing lectures. I will have a Kindle and a Husband and I will be out of the country, and that is going to be FUN, even if I have to beat my brain into submission.

You go girl- we need you for the long term and that means taking the time you need to make things work for you (BTW- I'm old, I've lived it; so I'm thinking I can say things like that).

Thanks to all for your posts. Happy holidays and a toast to us having more fun in 2011.