I do not know how other historians enjoy doing their research, but for some reason I have found it easiest to do historical research in somewhat unconventional ways. I would like to begin by commenting that most of my historical research has been very solitary. I have gone to libraries (or more recently, gotten books from online) and done my reading and writing alone. As a sociable and extroverted person, I have found this part of historical research somewhat difficult, as I would prefer a more sociable experience when it comes to writing and research, which is one reason I have always enjoyed presenting historical research.

It is curious, I suppose, that I finished most of my capstone paper as a MMA student at a Winghouse in Town & Country, Florida. For whatever reason the atmosphere and the sweet tea were a great aid to my own writing about Chilean political and military history (two profound historical interests of mine), as I sat with dogeared books and typed up the last few pages and references for my paper. As I am not familiar with how historians operate, I do not know if my experience of sitting with a laptop and some history books doing writing and research in a bar (while drinking soda, water, or iced tea) is unusual. I would be interested in hearing what other historians have to say if this is a quirky and unusual habit or somewhat more usual than I think.

I was also reminded today that my own reading and writing habits may seem somewhat strange. For whatever reason I have a curse of terrible timing when it comes to my works. Today I finished my book review for Admiral Insubordinate [1] and sent it off to the Naval Historical Institute. Of course, today happened to be the landfall of Hurricane Sandy, causing trouble all along the Atlantic Seaboard. Who knows when the book review will be read and received, but I like to send work when it is done, even if that time happens to invariably fall on vacations or natural disasters. I also am still waiting on a couple of other books to read and review, which should provide at least a bit of professional experience, even if it is unpaid. At any rate, having books to read and review is always enjoyable, even though few people would think that I needed more books.

It is my hope eventually to become more sociable with local historians around here [2], but I have not had the chance to do so as of yet. I suppose I am still trying to get settled and find my bearings, without being too pushy. At the same time, I am curious to find out how other people tend to operate as far as their own history is concerned. I suppose some people like to spend time in libraries, or in their own home offices. I suppose I feel most comfortable being somewhat around people, even if the work is solitary. I suppose it is one of the many contradictions of this complicated man, but so it is.

[1] https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress.com/2012/10/27/non-book-review-admiral-insubordinate/

[2] https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress.com/2012/09/28/friends-of-history/