One of my favorite malapropisms is when people use the word "regime" when they mean "regimen." OK, it's not really a malapropism, because the two words are very closely related. But regimen is the one that's supposed to mean "mode of living" or relate to diet and exercise or other sorts of daily habits. Regime more often refers to systems of rule or government. But it's true that certain regimens can feel like the most oppressive regimes, which is why I giggle when someone uses the word regime for regimen--I'm sure I've done it too. Both do imply a kind of structure or rule (thanks to the shared root which means to rule or direct).
In the summer, structure is necessary for me, but I can't deal with oppression. So this is why, without the structure of teaching, I tend to follow a regimen that doesn't feel like a regime.
It is of course a regimen that will get interrupted every four or five weeks for little trips we've planned--but still, having it in place makes for ease of resumption. This summer the regimen goes like this: up at 6 or 7, immediately get to work on the textbook.
Work on textbook revisions until 11:30 or noon (or if I'm particularly productive, take a blogging break like right now), and then make lunch.
Lunch marks a transition to Other Work. (OW for short) OW, right now, consists of dissertation number three, and when I finish that, the first review essay for my stint as QJS book review editor (hooray for writers who deliver!), and then after that a book manuscript that I've agreed to read for a press. Those ought to keep me busy til late June, at which point we will be done with the textbook (fingers crossed), and my book will take the place of the textbook even as more OW moves in (for example, work by graduate students who are--ahem!--toiling under their own regimens). OW, it should be said, is sometimes not as painful as it sounds and can be downright enjoyable.
OW lasts one to three hours, and is preceded or followed--depending on the day--by a workout of some sort. Yesterday was yoga, and today JM and I are hitting the track.
Late afternoon is devoted to miscellany--grocery store, library (today), a meeting here or there, blogging, yakking on the phone, playing with the dogs, what have you. Then it's time to start thinking about dinner.
And here's my favorite part of the new regimen. After dinner, JM and I settle in for two episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Somehow I never EVER watched this show--not a single episode--but Midmodern Scholar dropped off an entire dvd set on her way to their summer place, and we are lov-ing it. We are only in season one, which aired in 1997. I am told it gets even better. By my calculations, we should be able to watch Buffy--are you ready?--all. summer. long. In this case, the word regime seems perfectly appropriate.
