Only 88 days left

The Paleo Paper Challenge is on!! And there are (currently) only 88 days, 5 hours, and 11 minutes left! So, just to add to the pressure and help keep me motivated, I have installed a countdown clock on my blog (see right). I have decided to really push and try to get a paper written with my husband on the taphonomy of the Mygatt-Moore quarry. This is a quarry that numerous people have worked since it was discovered in Western Colorado in 1981. John has worked the quarry since 2001 and I have worked there since 2007. We have been tossing this paper idea around since 2007 and have not done much more than present a poster on it at GSA that fall. So, we are finally going to bite the bullet and just do it.

There is quite a bit to be done! John and I have carved up the outline for our paper, each taking sections to write and parts that we will write together. John currently is working on two other writing projects, but hopefully we will be able to get this one done. Keep your fingers crossed for us and I will post updates here as we progress.

© ReBecca K. Hunt-Foster

Who is up for a good challenge?

For those of us that do research (or try to do research), you are probably familiar with having a few projects sitting around unfinished for a variety of reasons. I know I currently only have one actual manuscript in the works, with words on paper. And I have to give credit for all of that happening to my co-author who is quite a bit more motivated and on top of things than I have been this past summer. I have two other projects that are languishing in the data acquisition stage, and have been for quite some time. If you, like me, need some motivation, I suggest you take up the challenge put forth by Andy of the Open Source Paleontologist and Dave Hone of Archosaur Musings - the Paleo Paper Challenge (or Palaeo Paper Challenge). You can read more about it here and here, but what it boils down too is this:

1. Sign up to participate over at the Open Source Paleontologist
2. Get that paper finished by January 1, 2010.

It is that easy (or hard)! I am going to jump on board. Hope to see a few of you there! I am looking forward to both the motivation, support and friendly competition.

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