Xindaris
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 1595
Registered: 06-13-2015
IP: Logged

I don't talk very much about what's going on in my real life most of the time, which is pretty much intentional. I tend to be kind of paranoid about mixing my "online self" of Xindaris with my "real self", even though both are really very much the same person. But this bit of news, I do want to actually share.

I think between chat and rambling during streams, I've made various allusions to classes, working on research, teaching and grading tests. The fact is, when I first started seriously playing DROD was toward the beginning of my graduate school career of pursuing a PhD in mathematics. I properly joined the forum a ways into it, but still 5+ years away from its end.

Anyway, over the last couple of years I've been diligently chipping away at a dissertation on some obscure topic in algebra I don't want to explain in detail here. And, last Friday (April 30), I defended that thesis orally before a group of professors at my university, and it was approved. I won't officially have a diploma until late July/early August, but even so, I have for most intents and purposes achieved a doctorate in Mathematics. It's pretty weird to find myself at the end of something this long-winded, although it doesn't feel like an end exactly because now I'm searching desperately for postdoc-type jobs.

Anyway, this forum has been one of the few online/social places that I regularly frequented from the day I joined until now, all throughout those years of study. DROD, and this community, have been among my sources of relaxation and sanity that have helped me get through it all. I'd like to thank anyone who ever helped, encouraged, or criticized anything I've done around here, because you probably had some contribution to that, one way or another. Our active memberlist isn't very big, I know, but this forum is certainly a fine community to be a part of all the same.

Uhh...that's it, I think. I don't really know how to conclude this post, so

____________________________
109th Skywatcher

Here are some links to Things!

---

[Last edited by Xindaris at 05-08-2021 12:56 AM]

Dischorran
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 3417
Registered: 09-10-2005
IP: Logged

Kickass!

Yeah, I started DROD in early grad school too. It’s sort of a thing.

____________________________

Lucky Luc
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 1215
Registered: 08-19-2012
IP: Logged

Congratulations! Quite an impressive feat and a definite proof of perseverance. I personally had to drop out of my PhD because it drained too much of my energy, so I admire anyone who makes it through. Best of luck on your job search

Red-XIII
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 664
Registered: 08-05-2012
IP: Logged

Congratulations!

As a (almost) fellow colleague, I can understand how tough it was and the uncertainties on the future. I will defende my PhD dissertation in civil engineering next month, thus concluding a 4 year period which was really hard. I was not that active on the forum, but I always enjoy peeking around and have a look at the latest holds and news.

Good luck for the future!

____________________________
There's not some other world out there where everything's gonna be okay.
There's just this one, just this rock.
-33th Skywatcher

mrimer
Level: Legendary Smitemaster

Rank Points: 5185
Registered: 02-04-2003
IP: Logged

Dischorran wrote:
Yeah, I started DROD in early grad school too. It’s sort of a thing.

Me too!

Big congratulations, y'all!

____________________________
Gandalf? Yes... That's what they used to call me.
Gandalf the Grey. That was my name.
I am Gandalf the White.
And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide.

disoriented
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 2419
Registered: 08-07-2007
IP: Logged

File: you-gonna-die.png (594.4 KB)
Downloaded 281 times.
License: Public Domain

____________________________
34th Skywatcher

Best to PM me, since I might miss your message on CaravelNet chat.

Illusionist
Level: Master Delver

Rank Points: 172
Registered: 05-27-2020
IP: Logged

You will need to change your nickname to Dr Xindaris.
(Or maybe you should add glasses to the character in your avatar)

My father wanted me to do PhD, but I've chosen to make money instead. But who knows, if the vanity gets the better of me, I might get a PhD in economics (which is my field) in the very far future

---

[Last edited by Illusionist at 05-11-2021 03:04 PM]

mrimer
Level: Legendary Smitemaster

Rank Points: 5185
Registered: 02-04-2003
IP: Logged

Disoriented: Ha! That's funny.

When someone asks me if I'm a doctor, I never know what to say.

You'd think they would have prepared you for that...

____________________________
Gandalf? Yes... That's what they used to call me.
Gandalf the Grey. That was my name.
I am Gandalf the White.
And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide.

Red-XIII
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 664
Registered: 08-05-2012
IP: Logged

I am bumping this thread to share that starting from this week I am also officially a PhD

And finally, after a very long time, I have extra spare time, and today I started playing Drod again!
I look forward to Entry Point, Treacle Stew, and (hopefully) an hold that I am planning to finish since 2015 (brutally interrupted by an hard disk failure, which I HAVE to save now).

I am currently playing King Nareik's Dungeon hold (AE elements) to get back the good old feeling of solving puzzles. However, which recent (easy-medium) hold would you recommend to get the feeling back for ALL puzzle elements?

____________________________
There's not some other world out there where everything's gonna be okay.
There's just this one, just this rock.
-33th Skywatcher

skell
Level: Legendary Smitemaster

Rank Points: 3771
Registered: 12-28-2004
IP: Logged

DROD Touch. Except it's not a hold, but it's totally worth the experience .

Also congrats!

____________________________
My website