Ignore my Blog Much?

Yeah yeah, I know...I have been neglecting this blog for far too long, even though I swore I would write it in more often. I guess my mind has just been all over the place lately for a variety of reasons (Hint: Mostly due to course and research work) and I completely forgot to follow one of New Years Resolutions: Write in the blog more often. Consider this to be a weak apology for ignoring this blog, I will try to do better in the future.

I rarely plug other people's blogs in my own but I do have to bring some attention to http://myskeets.blogspot.com. This blog is written by one of my classmates and if you enjoy reading about the process of communication, this blog does a wonderful job. Writing on a variety of topics, Dan helps to make complex concepts such as conflict and patient-provider communication easily accessible to the average person. These short communication vignettes provide an insightful introduction into the realm of communication studies and I highly recommend you give this blog a read.

Speaking of communication, I am almost done with my first year as a graduate student at George Mason University. Overall, this has been an incredible experience. I have been fortunate enough to work with and learn from the students, scholars and professors that are present here at Mason. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I could learn so much in such a short period of time, and that includes both academic and real world knowledge. Granted, I am fairly busy most of the time but it is better to be busy doing something you love than remaining idle doing something you can only tolerate. It is worth sacrificing free time to work on projects that can make a difference. Mason, and everyone involved in the program, has given me that opportunity.

Aaaaaand I kind of rambled on up there. I realize that praise is not exactly the most interesting read but honestly, I had to get it out there for the public (i.e. the 3 people that read this blog) to see. To make up for it, here is a bit of controversy: VH1 is reviving "Behind the Music", a last ditch effort to retain credibility or a solid move (come on now, who doesn't want to see the behind the music of such legends as "Wham", "Third Eye Blind" or "Hoobastank")

Note: The Decemberists album "The Hazards of Love" is brilliant and is highly suggested. In an age of promoting only singles, digital downloading and no album cohesion, it is refreshing to find an album that tells a COMPLETE story. Each song bleeds into the next as a classic tragedy is explicated and mused upon by a variety of distinct characters. This tale through song has been called a rock opera but considering the musical stylings of The Decemberists, it is more appropriate to call it a classical victorian tale of woe. That is not to say that the music is a complete downer, there are multiple tracks that truly blend upbeat with melancholy and vice versa. Give it a listen at some point, you won't be sorry.