End of Month Advisory Committee Report

August has been a slow month looking at the number of things accomplished. Though this is pretty misleading since much of the work has been research which is somewhat invisible until a written product is produced. September is a busy month though, which will keep me on my toes.

August 2004 Advisory Committee Update

Posted by prolurkr at 03:04 PM | TrackBack

Writing vs. working

Of course once I write about being unemployed and my plans for fall semester I get a job offer. My friend Sadie, who formerly owned The Filling Station in Hope IN, asked if I would be interested in a part-time lunch hostess position at Sadie's Diner in Columbus, the hours listed on the link are incorrect call to check current hours.  The job would be three hours a day, four days a week - which would definitely give me some spending money but not take up to much research and writing time.

I'm considering taking her up on the offer.  She has agreed that we can work around my already scheduled commitments until Christmas, since my Fellowship starts in January this would only be a fall semester gig.  Oh well I'm thinking on it for today.

Posted by prolurkr at 01:16 PM

Blog Badges

I've been playing with badges for this blog.  It's been an interesting process both in finding badges online and in learning to install them on the blog.  Or should I say installing them so that there is still some over all design sense to everything.  Not sure I've reached that goal yet.

I hope when I get the new design I can corral these babies somewhere.  They need to be accessible and useful but not to detract from the overall design.  I hate when things pop-up over things.  *shivers*

The quest for the perfect blog design continues.

Posted by prolurkr at 03:35 PM | TrackBack

A chilly Monday morning in August

After a breakfast of almond butter on sourdough toast and a glass of blueberry juice, consumed sequentially since even I can't deal with two really strong and unique flavors at once and yes I eat this cause I like it, and two hours of email and editing the paper - I am heading out the door for my first Pilates class. Figured since this is my semester without classes - no classes to take and no regular classes to teach although I do have a "guest lecture" or two on the schedule - it was time to get my butt in shape for all the writing I have to complete in the next four months.

I'm interested to see how much different exercises in this class will be from the ones shown on the Winsor Pilates infomercials you see on late night and weekend TV. "Just 20 minutes 3 times a week" and you can look like Daisy Fuentes. Yeah right, 20 minutes 3 times a week and 80 or 90 thousand for surgery, oh and a complete gene replacement. LOL

Exercise has never been my favorite activity...I'm more of a thinking girl. But the lack there of is taking it's toll. So it's time for me to apply some of my considerable willpower to getting myself into reasonable shape - my hubby said the "considerable willpower" thing not me. I've been doing my deep water workouts in town since the first of the summer and I feel much better. Now hopefully with some mat work I can look better too. I want to get rid of more of my old 9-to-5 clothes and get some cool professor stuff instead - a bit more funky with lots of color, and no fat skirts with buttons up the front. *shivers*

The rest of the day will be tied up with finishing "THE PAPER." LOL It's become a bit consuming but then any big project usually does.

Then, once it's done, I begin on quals chapters. First "Technological Determanism and early Computer-Mediated Communication." That's the working title only. LOL Oh and I have a short piece to write on "why I blog" to be submitted to a journal. Gotta get those publication credits for next calendar year working. *w*

Posted by prolurkr at 09:25 AM | TrackBack

Writing crunch day and the threads of academic pursuit

Today is my crunch day on this paper, I need to have it cleared out so I can send it off to my copy editor and move on to the next project. In writing this work I've been combing through books and journal articles on such diverse topics as: 1) diaries, 2) performance, 3) cultural studies, 4) personal relationships, 5) audience theory, and 6) mass market books on blogs and blogging. As well as my usual tomes on adolescent development, and computer-mediated communication. Needless to say the study is a mess, especially since my attitude toward citation is that "more is always better." I rarely submit a full-length paper, for publication or for class, that has fewer then 30 citations.

With the paper I am writing I have been attempting to make changes in the organization structure I have been taught to use for academic writing. I have to admit that strict adherence to the format does help a new writer organize material effectively, lord knows it helped me, but the finished paper lacks a light and flow I want to ultimately achieve in my writing. For an example see:

Scheidt, Lois Ann & Wright, Elijah (2004). Common Visual Design Elements of Weblogs. In Laura J. Gurak, Smiljana Antonijevic, Laurie Johnson, Clancy Ratliff, & Jessica Reyman (Eds.), Into the Blogosphere: Rhetoric, Community, and Culture of Weblogs. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota.

I am excited about this paper both because of the writing flow and the topics. I think I have pulled together some very divergent threads and shed some new light on blogs through this work. Of course since this is being submitted for a peer-reviewed edited volume only time will tell if this paper is good enough for prime time or if it should go on the bottom of the birdcage.

I won't meet my goal of finishing the paper today, though the end is in sight. Another day or so and I should have it nailed. Then I can reshelve all the books so that the new piles can take over.

Posted by prolurkr at 08:15 PM | TrackBack

Romancing the Stone, The Outlandish Companion, and the unwashed writer

Anyone remember the first time we are introduced to Joan Wilder the lead character in Romancing the Stone, the 1984 movie with Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas? In one of the first scenes you see Wilder, Turner's character, working in her New York apartment. She is a romance writer finishing a new book and we find her huddled over her typewriter wrapped in a blanket, unwashed, and with a crusty cup on the desk next to her. There is great dialogue in this scene between Wilder and the book's editor, who has come to see how things are going, great dialog about the effect of writing on the writer.

Well today I feel like Wilder. I found the release for my writers block - identify and know your own fear - and have been pounding the computer keys since early this morning. I finally got dressed at about 1:00pm and did so only because I was cold on this rainy August day. Cold is a great motivator. I ate for the first time at about 2:30pm, after hours of my stomach rumbling for food I simply could deny myself no longer..."Just one more paragraph. Oh what was that citation? *looking something up in Reference Manager then off to grab a book from the bookshelves* Just one more paragraph." Lie to yourself, write, repeat.

So here I am at 6:48pm (Indiana time) up to my arm pits in stacks of books pulled from the shelves in search of general and generalizable definitions for terms I am using in this paper "audience", "reader", "performance narrative", etc. I will probably open a can of pears for dinner and eat them right out of the can, with a spoon of course since they are diced pears - a lady must have some style points available to her. *w*

I'm so in the groove that I even looked on the bookshelves for Diana Gabaldon's The Outlandish Companion, a book about her award winning adventure/romance series but mostly about the process of writing. I have made sections of it available to my undergraduate students to help them formulate a writing project in classes I have previously taught. As memory servers she has a section on the effects of the act of writing upon the writer. But I can't give you an quotes because at the moment I can't find it. *does a zen-like move to clear her chi* Not to dwell on that now.

So back to sorting out definitions to substantiate a theory. Theory making is good. *evil grin*

Posted by prolurkr at 08:32 PM | TrackBack

The art of blogging

I've been thinking lately about the art of blogging and why people blog, as part of the writing I've been doing on audiences and possibly to design a class. So in looking for blog entries about blogging itself I ran across this quiz. Take it yourself and see how you score.

Posted by prolurkr at 11:05 AM | TrackBack

Growth of the blog

Yesterday was a banner day. You see last month, about the 26th or so, I started getting emails from my blog ISP telling me the blog was pulling down 80% of allocated bandwidth. But it was close to the end of the month so I waited it out and never topped the 500 meg I paid for as part of my utilization package.

Well this month the emails started coming 18th. I had wondered if there were staged emails for say 80% and 90% but I found out yesterday when I called my ISP it is only "In excess of 80%." So I upped my bandwith allocation to 1000 meg. Which was a very good choice as end of day yesterday the utilization had jumped to 528.26 meg.

Growth is good. Thanks

Posted by prolurkr at 10:43 AM | TrackBack

A peaceful weekend in the hills

We spent most of the weekend in far Southern Indiana visiting friends. They have a lovely little log cabin in the woods.

Earlier this year they were blessed when the tornados jumped their ridge topping a couple of trees but leaving everything else basically untouched. Hubby and I had not been down to visit since the weather event, and we were surprised how much damage surrounded their home. One forested area looked like it had been attacked by a rampaging Cuisinart and the roads were pockmarked and crumbling.

Once at the cabin it was nice to spend last evening and most of today just sitting on their front porch looking out at the koi pond and watching skinks sun themselves on the boulders. A gathering of comfortable chairs and a great quiet view create a truly peaceful way to rest and enjoy the company of good friends.

Thank you for a lovely weekend.

Posted by prolurkr at 07:42 PM | TrackBack

New professional portrait

I mentioned last week that I had had new professional portraits done at The Studio and that I was so pleased with them even before they did any touch-ups, etc. I got the final versions today and thought I would post the informal fun shot here for your enjoyment. The remaining shots are somewhat more serious looking and will make their way onto this site over time.

Click on the image to go to a larger version.

Posted by prolurkr at 06:59 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

Dan Fogelberg announces he has prostate cancer

Dan Fogelberg has announced that his 2004 Tour cancellation is due to his recent diagnosis with and treatment for advanced prostate cancer. I want to add my wishes for a full and speedy recovery to those of other long time fans as he and his family navigate their way through his illness and treatment.

I have been a Fogelberg fan since I was a college freshman and he played Purdue University's Elliott Hall of Music in 1978, back when big name musicians still played on college campus'. He had just released his fourth album Nether Lands and was on tour to promote its sales. To be honest I don't think I had the slightest idea who he was when I bought the ticket from a guy in one of my classes. But I loved the idea of seeing someone perform live so I spent the money, what would it have been $15 or so (probably my entire disposable income for the month) - ain't inflation wonderful, and went to my first big time live concert. I sat in the first or second balcony by myself, slowing leaning more and more forward as I became more engrossed in the words of the songs and fell in love with the music.

Since 1978 I have seen Fogelberg live 10 or 11 times. I've seen concerts in huge enclosed arenas like the former Market Square Arena, Indianapolis; huge open-air arena theatres like Verizon Wireless Music Center, Noblesville IN; small indoor venues like Grand Victoria Casino, Rising Sun IN; and small outdoor venues like Indiana State Fair Grandstand as part of the former Indianapolis Summer Music Series, most recently at Echo Basin Ranch, Mancos CO my favorite venue so far.

Last summer I desperately wanted to take a road trip/vacation, something my hubby and I had not done in years, and after 3+ years of graduate school and a very trying 2002 - family deaths - I needed to get away. So I gave him two choices we could go hear Fogelberg on tour in New Orleans, a city we both love and have previously visited, or we could go to Colorado, the choice fore which my fingers were crossed. Thankfully he chose Colorado, probably saw me holding my breath after I said that venue and knew it was my first choice - he's like that.

Under the banner of attending the concert, we spent four wonderful days driving from Denver to Durango (and back via a different route), riding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, watching the 4th of July fireworks from the Walgreen's parking lot, and generally wandering around. Then we went to the concert, which was the most outstanding musical evening I have attended - sitting under the sky in the shadow of the mountains where most of the songs I love were written and/or recorded was amazing. Click here for a picture of the Echo Basin concert venue. During that trip hubby and I both feel in love with southwestern Colorado and now, beyond planning a trip back for later this year, we joke about buying a ranch in the mountains when we win the lottery. Next trip I want to check out Fort Lewis College maybe they might have a future slot for a visiting computer-mediated communication scholar.

Fogelberg's music has often played as the soundtrack of my life, with a 20 album discography recorded over 31 years there is a lot of music covering a variety of life phases from which to choose. For example - I have played A Voice for Peace quite a lot in the last couple of years. The song played continuously in the mix (along with Harry Chapin, Seals & Crofts, and Nancy Griffith) on Sept 11, 2001 while I talked to kids in the chatrooms who had family and friends missing in the World Trade Center. Listening to peace songs kept me centered and focused firmly on my values while the discussion of violence went on around me, and reminded me that I was not alone in the view that violence rarely solves anything.

I have three favorite Fogelberg songs. Two of which are wonderful romantic songs, that as memory serves was written for his first wife: Dancing Shoes from the 1977 release Neder Land and Wysteria from his 1972 debut album Home Free. As I was looking up links for this post I have found that both of these songs have been covered by the Indigo Girls on one of their albums, nice to see good music being continued on through time. I have also grown very fond of Don't Lose Heart, from the 1997 Portrait (Box Set), is a wonderful mature inspirational song that certainly chronicles many of our roads through the middle of our lives.

My use of Fogelberg's music as the soundtrack of my life continues into the future. I have even joked that I will have to give him an acknowledgement in my dissertation since his music plays constantly when I am doing research and writing papers. There is no doubt in my mind that the words I hear embedded in such soulful music have influenced what I have researched and how I have structured my discussion of my topics. For that I am thankful for I can think of no better mediator then Fogelberg's insightful words.

One of the fan sites, The Living Legacy, has started a page to gather "prayers, positive thoughts and support [for] Dan, his family and friends as he battles his illness." To read posts click here. To send your own wish click here for the mailto submission.

I wanted an informal picture of Fogelberg to go with this post, something not concert or promotional picture-ish, I found this picture on the Courier Journal site. It was taken during his attendance at the 2001 Kentucky Derby. I should add that his song Run for the Roses is the official song of the Kentucky Derby.

Fogelberg related information:

Google News Search

The Fogelberg Page

Dan Fogelberg Official Page

Posted by prolurkr at 04:59 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Design changes to the sidebar

I spent some time this morning rearranging the sidebar for the professional-lurker site. I deleted the default sidebar category "Recent Posts". I did this for a couple of reasons: 1) I have the main page set to display the last 30 days of posts, so having the most recent five posts listed in the sidebar seems repetitive, and 2) I tend to give long titles to posts so the presentation of many times wrapped post titles in the sidebar was messy and unclear.

I also reorganized the links lists so they followed a somewhat more logical path. The original design, as thought it was planned *LOL*, was more chronological with more recent category additions at the bottom of the list. With the new design the list is now roughly divided between professional and personal with a horizontal rule between the two sections.

Posted by prolurkr at 12:02 PM | TrackBack

The Village

Friday night, August 13, 2004, hubby and I went to see The Village. I loved the feel of the trailers for this movie - dark, foreboding, and heavily wooded. One trailer even had a soundscape of ice crackling in the wind as though it were frozen on trees after an ice storm. Nice feeling, especially when you are warm inside a movie theatre in August.

I have to say that aside from the interactions between Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix (the artist formerly known as Leaf), and Adrien Brody this film was unfulfilling. While William Hurt owned the screen for all of his scenes, he always does, the character was a watered down version of many other characters I've seen him play including that of Prof. John Robinson in Lost in Space (1998), I wanted more. There were good scenes between the three younger characters. Specifically the scene in the fog where Ivy (Howard) presses Lucian (Phoenix) to express his feelings for her is one that will stay with me awhile. It was shot perfectly with the tendrils of fog slowly enveloping the scene. The acting was strong and made me crawl inside the characters to feel what they were feeling. Similarly scenes between Brody and the other two were also well acted. Brody has a great screen presence that makes his characters as believable as possible within the script.

Likewise the directing was marvelous. I remember an acting class lecture from one of my undergraduate professors, a gentleman who still believed ladies should wear skirts and gloves to class, where he chided us that actors should never turn their back on an audience for a scene. "An actor can rarely use his back to communicate with an audience." I disagreed then I disagree now. When I see a scene where the actors are in profile or 1/4 face I feel like a total observer, an unknown and potentially unwelcome observer -- a lurker. Some scenes need that feeling of potential intrusion, and the scene between Ivy and Lucian on the porch at night is one of those scenes. That was a smart directing choices and I will remember it.

Now having already said that Brody's portrayal was "as believable as possible within the script' I have to talk about the script. Hubby and I were both conscious of inconsistency between the time implied by the script, in an opening scene you see a new grave stone that says 1800-1809 (as memory serves), and the look and sound of the film. I was struck that the language was wrong for the period so I wondered are they playing current language because they don't think their audience will get it. I was also struck by the finely woven fabrics used in the clothing, not homespun but linen and finished into pintucks. Fabric like this would have to have been imported into the village which would have been impossible in a place totally cut off from other people. Hubby noticed that tools and implements, not to mention the livestock (where are they going to get more sheep?) for the same reasons they were inconsistent with a local that is cut off from the rest of the world.

There are many more problems I could point out here but I have no desire to totally dissect the film online. I just want to add one final comment on the "twist." The Village is a social-psychology experiment that would be impossible without outside involvement. Someone living outside, and more likely several someone's, would have to know they were there to keep the borders safe. Trusts run out of money, outside parties happen onto things, and disasters happen. Someone would have to watch their backs. Sorry folks but money doesn't tie up people's tongues or cover their eyes indefinitely.

So while I can't recommend the film for a paying audience, I would say it would be worth watching when it hits the tube.

Posted by prolurkr at 12:44 AM | TrackBack

Little Black Book

Well I packed myself off to see Little Black Book. When I looked through the listing of movies available locally it seemed like the potentially most enjoyable one I had not already seen. I was right about that. The plot revolves around the techno-social phenomena of Palm Pilots, PDAs in general, and how much information is available inside one of those little silver boxes. *eyes her own Palm Pilot suspiciously and is glad it is not internet ready* What happens when prying eyes, in this case a curious girlfriend, gains access to the treasure trove? The ending is a believable twist, that truthfully makes the movie. Most of the reviews I've read on the film try to judge it against some classic great film barometer, it's just a good fun film. And isn't that enough?

Posted by prolurkr at 11:33 PM | TrackBack

Writers block or brain drain or something

Today is just not jelling. I'm working on the paper from my Digital Generations presentation for submission to their edited volume. This should be easy to write this paper as I've done five related presentations on the topic since April. I know the material. I know my perspective on the data. I know what I want to say. But for some reason I can't get the words to flow. It's like I'm trying to write with a quill and no ink, I'm just scratching at the keyboard.

The really silly part is that I'm brain locked over the introduction. I never write introductions first, normally I write everything else and then pull the introduction together last. For some reason this paper seems to be demanding that I write the introduction first. I've tried doing the easy stuff, the methodology and data description, but those sections are just not coming together either so it's back to the introduction.

It probably doesn't help that I can hear the submission clock ticking. I need to get this paper done and to my proofreader very shortly because, 1) it is due Sept 15, 2) I want enough time to make editing changes after it is proofread and before submission, and 3) I need to get waist deep in quals like yesterday and this piece is the last thing on the desk before that happens.

In actuality two submission clocks are ticking, one for this paper and one for quals. I just want to jump in the car and point it in a direction to get away from both of them. And that is from a women that has spent in excess of six weeks away from home since the beginning of April. Clearly it's not a vacation I need as much as getting this debris cleared out of my head so the jam can be broken. What do you do when you gotta do something and it's just not coming together?

Well I'm sitting here staring at this w.bloggar screen because even in the blog the words are not coming. I started this entry because I was hoping that at least the act of typing for the silent audience might help get things flowing...no such luck for this girl today. Think I will pack myself up and head for the movies. Maybe a couple of hours being sucked into an interesting story, crossing my fingers that I can find an interesting story, will help me focus.

Posted by prolurkr at 07:12 PM | TrackBack

Thoughts on the passing of J. Irwin Miller

J. Irwin Miller, known locally as "J. I.", passed away on Monday August 16, 2004 at his home in Columbus Indiana. He was 95. While I did not know him well, having only been introduced to the man a couple of times when I was a teenager, my world was none the less framed by his actions and thoughts. Miller was always the power behind what went on in Columbus, as the cities wealthiest and most influential citizen what he wanted happened. Thankfully what he wanted to happen, though sometimes painful for the short-term, was usually very good for the city.

Miller guided Cummins Engine Company's growth from small town business to multinational powerhouse. In the 1960's Miller made a series of good business decisions that were also good public policy. He advised his managers that they would hire nonwhites for positions at the company. This was not tokenism, rather he looked for and nurtured bright capable individuals irregardless of race, nationality, sex, etc. When the people his company was hiring could not find living quarters in this predominantly white blue-collar town he entered into agreements with local developers so that they would build apartments with the promise that the company would underwrite a number of rental units for their employees without consideration to the characteristics of those employees. This was before many of the equal opportunity and access laws were in place and his actions, though highly controversial at the time, opened up the community to people of difference. A very good change in my opinion.

Mr. Miller's personal philosophy about the equality of all individuals is best characterized in this oft-quoted remark he made in 1983.

'In the search for character and commitment, we must rid ourselves of our inherited, even cherished biases and prejudices. Character, ability and intelligence are not concentrated in one sex over the other, nor in persons with certain accents or in certain races or in persons holding degrees from some universities over others. When we indulge ourselves in such irrational prejudices, we damage ourselves most of all and ultimately assure ourselves of failure in competition with those more open and less biased.' Taken from Business Wire

Miller's initiated the Cummins Engine Foundation program that allowed Columbus organizations to build world class architectural structures. If an internationally known architect is to design the building then the Foundation will pay for the architect's fees. This decision has lead to the construction of many award winning structures in and around Bartholomew County and increased tourism well beyond what one would expect in a small rural city. Architectural design leaders rank Columbus Indiana (pop. 39,059) along with New York, Washington, and Los Angeles as United States showcases of modern architecture. For more information on Columbus architecture click here.

Word on the street locally has always been that National Democratic Party officials tried to get Miller to run for President in the 1960's and 1970's. I wonder what the world would be like if this visionary had held it's most powerful office. Would be nice to think that it might be a much better place having had a man who believed in human dignity and art pulling the strings.

Lists updated August 19, 2004

Online resources about or by J. Irwin Miller

Indiana Reality by J. Irwin Miller

J. Irwin Miller to be honored with IU's Herman B Wells Visionaries Award

Google search listing

Obituaries and elegies:

Indiana
Businessman-Philanthropist J. Irwin Miller Dies At 95: Sen. Lugar Hails Ex-Cummins CEO As 'Titan Of Indiana History'

J. Irwin Miller dies

'A great Hoosier': Columbus native built Cummins into a Fortune 500 firm and transformed his hometown into an architectural gem

Columbus businessman-philanthropist Irwin Miller dies at age 95

United States
Cummins Mourns the Loss of Visionary Leader; Former Chairman, Chief Executive Officer J. Irwin Miller's Legacy Touched Thousands
Architectural Benefactor J. Irwin Miller Dies

Obituaries

International
Former NCC President J. Irwin Miller Dies; Led on Race, Peace

Posted by prolurkr at 10:45 AM | Comments (1)

Great leisure reading, books by Wil Wheaton

In the last couple of days I've been doing some reading for fun, but with an academic bent of course. To explain, several months ago I discovered WIL WHEATON DOT NET: 50,000 monkeys at 50,000 typewriters can't be wrong while checking links for our most recent BROG research project. Now I will not debate that I am slow in finding this particular site as Wheaton has been blogging, under a couple of different site names, since 2000 making him a fairly early adopter of the technology. I have enjoyed reading his entries about life, working in LA, and his family.

For those of you that may not be either a movie or a sci-fi fan, Wil Wheaton is an actor, as well as a writer. He stared in the film Stand By Me (1986) and the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1990) both of which made him a cultural icon for his generation.

In his book Just a Geek, Wheaton tells funny and insightful stories about his struggles as a currently "former TV and child star" looking for work in the industry, being a step-parent, and developing his technical skills as a blogger. I laughed so loud in places hubby came in to the room and requested I read whatever was that funny so he could enjoy it as well. This book is a great read for anyone who has a technical side or has ever been associated with "the business." Personally I can see I will be quoting Wheaton and his reflexive view of blogging in my papers.

His second book Dancing Barefoot arrived in today's mail so I have not done more then bend the covers to peruse the five stories included in this slim volume. More on this book as I work my way through it.

Full citations:

Wheaton, Wil (2004). Dancing Barefoot. Sebastopol CA: O'Reilly.
Wheaton, Wil (2004). Just a Geek. Sebastopol CA: O'Reilly.

Posted by prolurkr at 12:42 AM | TrackBack

Indiana Brown Bat's in the House

Invasion of the bat kind. Hubby found an Indiana Brown Bat sleeping in the outside entry to our basement. The door is standing open waiting for it to awaken and fly out. Oh please please fly out. As a kid who grew up in a house whose attic was infested with the critters I have a love hate relationship with this species. I love them outside and have little affect for them inside. *sigh* So fly little bat fly outside.

Posted by prolurkr at 07:11 PM | TrackBack

Personal portrait

I spent some time this afternoon having a new professional portrait taken. I worked with Kimberli Myers of The Studio to get a couple of professional but not to stuffy shots. I think my goal was achieved quite nicely and I am very happy with the photographs even before they are digitally touched-up. Once I have the pictures on CD I will be posting at least one of them on the blog. I'll let you know when I have them in hand.

Posted by prolurkr at 07:49 PM | TrackBack

Kathryn La Barre...Candidate

Word has filtered out that Kathryn La Barre has officially passed her quals and candidacy paperwork has been forwarded to the Indiana University, Graduate School. Way to go Kathryn.

Posted by prolurkr at 07:21 PM | TrackBack

Friends on their way to Ireland in September

Geek-guides.com announced that John Paolillo and Elijah Wright's paper has been accepted for the "1st 'Workshop on Friend of a Friend, Social Networking and the Semantic Web', to be held next month at the National University of Ireland, Galway." I think travel is in the air.

Posted by prolurkr at 06:47 PM | TrackBack

Vanity pressings and online research

Yesterday I received a copy of a book I had ordered through Amazon. (Tracy, Donna. (2001). Chatroom Voyeur. Bloomington IN: 1st Books Library.) I had ordered the book based on the topic and the comments I found in the Amazon entry. Any book about chatrooms catches my eye, as does any book that purports to be a "must read" for parents of teens who go online. Imagine my surprise when this book arrives and I find it was published by a vanity press.

Now in retrospect there were clues that I missed, too trusting I guess. 1) the publishing house has changed it's name from 1st Books Library, as listed in the book, to Authorhouse, as listed on Amazon. The new name should have been a clue. 2) there are two reviewers listed on Amazon, the first has no other reviews listed on the site and the second is anonymous. Probably the author and/or her friends.

The book itself is mostly a compendium of chatroom conversations the author has culled from a variety of "Adult" spaces. She divides the book into two main sections "The Men" and "The Women." The sections mirror each other through three sexual preference/life style subsections - Bi, Gay, Look'n; Str8 Submissives; and Str8 Dominators. Interestingly she lumps "The Couples" and "The Teenagers" under "The Women" section. There is no explanation for this arrangement.

Oh well it was not a wasted purchase and I shall surely use sections of the book in teaching because it contains a significant variety of teen chatroom dialogues that can be instructive particularly as the world of chat contracts and declines.

Posted by prolurkr at 08:59 AM | TrackBack

Midwest weather

Usually this time of year I am trying to figure out the boundaries of modesty for a women my age when the weather is very hot and very sticky. In August we usually have a week or so of temperatures in the high 90's with close to 100% humidity. That I know how to deal with. But what does one do with this weather?

(Clipped from MSN Weather)

Yes that says tomorrow is a high of 70 and a low of 49...49 is October temperatures. This is unreal. And I'm cold.

Posted by prolurkr at 07:33 PM | TrackBack