Dissertation Thank Yous

To each and every person who gave me advice, offered encouragement, or provided some diversion along the way, I thank you. Your support has kept me moving forward, made me think, and helped me retain my sense of humor.

I must thank my committee chair, Dr. Catherine Luther. From the first moment I sat in one of Dr. Luther’s classes, I saw the teaching and research missions of academia exemplified. Dr. Luther truly models intellectual reasoning and diversity of thought. She allows her students to grow and learn while navigating the sometimes-constrictive path of current media philosophies and technologies.

I would like to thank the other members of my committee, Dr. Ben Bates, Dr. Michelle Violanti, and Dr. Suzanne Kurth. Dr. Bates graciously bailed me out each time I called on him. He provided an endless stream of resources and is incredibly generous with both his time and his knowledge. Dr. Violanti is simply wise. And she has graciously shared her wisdom with me. From the beginning of my graduate studies she has offered me nothing but good counsel and great encouragement. Plus she gets brownie points for being a Lady Vols basketball fan. Dr. Kurth expanded the boundaries of my work by illustrating a feminist approach in the classroom. This freedom allowed me to engage with the texts I studied in new and different ways. I am richer for having studied with her.

To my friends--many of whom I have been friends with for more than thirty years now and whom have shared with me their abundant life experiences--you have guided me both intellectually and spiritually in this endeavor. I carry a little piece of each of you in me. You are my family. You make life deep and meaningful and fun. I love each one of you dearly.

To Melissa and Michael I hope I have made you proud. I have attempted in some small way to carry your torches. I miss being able to see your faces and tap your collective intellects, but I still hear your voices. I hope you still hear mine.

I am grateful to my parents who made me believe that education is the key and who worked diligently to provide me with an opportunity to follow my academic dreams. I thank you for giving me intelligence, and values, and a sense of responsibility. Those tools have served me well throughout my life.

And finally I must thank Pam, my partner in all things. It is Pam who on occasion takes my hand, reminds me to breathe, and then jumps off a cliff with me. She challenges me, supports me, and makes me laugh. She has given so much of herself to be part of my life, and she so beautifully shares her life with me. For her I am thankful with all that I am.

Are we bloggers or jounralists?

I read an interesting article this morning about the differences between bloggers and journalists. The article at http://tinyurl.com/ch9kev states that both bloggers and journalists are valid content creators and each serves a separate and unique purpose. According to Mr. Lunn journalists have an ethical obligation to present unbiased information and search for the truth while bloggers have the freedom to espouse their self-annointed expertise on any particular subject.

In reality that difference seems pretty blurry to me. A flip through the 200 or so channels on most local cable systems will find the same topic presented as significantly different "truths" depending on the journalist or news organization. Additionally in presenting these "truths" most news organizations now engage professional bloggers and seek out viewer feedback. Broadcasting these opinions and comments legitimizes the voice of both bloggers and viewers elevating them to the rank of information originators. Is co-opting the ideas of these citizen journalists just more of the "truth" seeking or is it "truth" dilution?

The real "truth" is that we all--journalists, bloggers, viewers, whatever--bring our own lens to information. Whether we are creating or consuming it, the idea is packaged with our biases and filters. My idea might become your journalism which becomes someone else's blog. We are all in this crazy, glorious interconnected reality. Please retweet ;)

The Whys of Blogging

I find myself wondering why I don't blog. I log in every 6 months or so and add some trivial tidbit or cheer on the Lady Vols, but I never really make much of a mark on this blog space. As a media professional I consume a steady diet of of blogs and message boards, and as a media consumer let's not forget my daily ration of television. But I no longer create content--not blogs, not videos, not even post cards. Once I couldn't get enough of message production. I worked tirelessly to acquire the technology and opportunity to publish my works. Now I have more technology available in my home office than I did at the first television station I worked for, and I can't remember the last time I actually edited a video.

Is there some media apathy that comes with age? I think anyone who knows me would laugh wildly at the thought of me having nothing to say. What prevents me from harnessing the communication power at my fingertips? Just something to think on.

Oh, and Go Lady Vols!!! Bring home an SEC Tournament Championship!

Snow days

We had our first real snowfall of the year today. Unfortunately I had too many meetings, so I couldn't declare a snow day. I trekked off to the office in my trusty red Subaru at daylight. The closest I got to the snow was pointing the webcam in my office toward the door of my building and watching on my computer monitor. Pam was able to capture a bit of the snowfall for me in still pictures. It was beautiful while it lasted. The Smokies got up to ten inches in places and may get more tonight. I'll take whatever I can get even if it is only a few flakes. Snow makes me smile...

Lamb Jams of Yore

I'm missing Little Rock today. This weekend marks the anniversary of a Labor Day weekend party known by 40 or 50 of my most intimate friends as "Lamb Jam." It began as a housewarming party for me, my college roommate, Z, and our friend, Baby Jane. As I recall the first one started on Thursday evening and ended sometime late on Monday. Jobs, kids, and other commitments have impacted the party along the way. But once a year we all managed to get together on Saturday evening for a meal of lamb and fixin's. The party waned for a few years in the mid 90s. I prefer to think of it as, we had satellite parties at a few different locations rather than one big blowout. Of course, part of the party is free-flowing libations thus leading to some memorable moments.

I guess most of all this year I'm missing Michael. His loss means we can never have the whole gang back together again. So, with nods to Michael here is one of my favorite Lamb Jam conversations:

400 Pine Street, LR, Saturday of Labor Day weekend 1983
Police Officer: Sir, is everything all right here?

Michael: I'm standin' on my front porch, (pause) drinkin' my beer, with my friends (looks to left, looks to right) yessir, everything's all right.

Police Officer: Well, son, do you think you can take your friends and your stereo speakers back inside and tone it down a little?

Michael: Yessir I believe I can.

So to all of my Lamb Jam crew. I'm going to the liquor cabinet to get the Southern Comfort and the Amaretto, and I'm toasting you all with a big kiss. I love you all. Happy Labor Day!

Blessings

While staring at the clock at 4:11 a.m. one morning, I decided that I should start my days by (no matter how corny it seems) counting my blessings. I lead a very charmed life. I'm healthy and happy. I live a very comfortable lifestyle, and basically want for nothing. Perhaps I should spend more time positively contemplating my wealth rather than fretting over things I cannot control. So with that in mind I'm starting a list of things I'm grateful for.

First I'm grateful for Pam, my partner in all things sane and insane. It is very humbling to have to depend on another human to totally care for you--to feed you, to dress you, to drive you halfway across the country, etc. I have been there, and when I was there so was Pam. Pam who, after spending 7 hours with me in an emergency room (when I broke my ankle), followed the moving van to unload our belongings at our new house 10 hours away while I slept on a borrowed couch in a pain pill induced stupor. Pam who has made a complete cat person out of a devoted dog lover and who adopted my dogs like they were her own. Pam who on occasion takes my hand, reminds me to breathe, and then jumps off a cliff with me. Pam who challenges me, supports me, and makes me laugh. Pam who has given so much of herself to be part of my life and so beautifully shares her life with me. For her I am thankful.

Secondly I'm thankful for my family. Most of you are scattered around central and east Arkansas and northern Mississippi. My parents who are in their young 70's and are just beginning to settle into retirement. I am thankful that you are willing to continue growing and seeking new adventures whether it's relocating to a new city or learning to navigate the internet or just admiring the new flowers springing up in your garden. My niece and nephew have become such amazing young adults with families of their own. I couldn't be prouder of the choices they are making.

I'm also thankful for my Lady Vol family. 99.9% of whom I have never met but on any given day thousands of whom will join me in cheering for undeniably the greatest women's collegiate basketball team and organization in the country. These are fans who are perhaps more proud of the 100% graduation rate of our players than of the 8 national championships. This is a fan base that will travel half way across the country to fill the stand with orange--many times in larger numbers than the home team. These are the people who stand and applaud a competing coach who soundly beat us yet because they know what she has meant to the game of women's basketball. These are the people who will honk and wave enthusiastically at your car on a freeway hundreds of miles from home when they see your Lady Vol license plate. My glass is raised in a special familial toast to you all.

A bit of patio renovation... This spring we replaced our aging concrete patio with an updated custom paver version. The original had gone through a 60s era astroturf stage at some point and then was painted green. After several years of trying to remove the green paint, we finally decided replacing it was the only option.

Congratulations Lady Vols!!!! National Champions!!!!!