I don't have much to write, but I thought I'd make one last post for the month of February. It's hard to believe we're almost into March. I've battled a nasty cold and cough for more than a week now. I lost my voice and blew my noise every few minutes. I'm finally feeling better, but I'm still coughing. Hack, hack, hack!
Being sick put me behind in grading and reviewing papers for a conference, so I'm catching up this weekend. I'm so glad Spring Break is soon because I have a lot to accomplish for some upcoming conferences in Virginia and Las Vegas in April. The fun never stops...
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The results are in...
I had the oral defense of my comprehensive exams Friday afternoon, and my committee members were pleased with my responses, so I officially passed. I can now call myself a Ph.D. candidate instead of a Ph.D. student. It's also known as "ABD," or all but the dissertation. Ironically, ABD are my initials.
We also had a discussion about my dissertation, so I have lots to think about and figure out in regards to the research I want to do dealing with the ethical ramifications of journalists who blog.
I haven't felt much like celebrating this weekend because I'm battling a nasty cold. I was losing my voice during Friday afternoon's meeting, and now I can't stop coughing.
The weather changes up here as fast as it did in Florida. It was 59 degrees yesterday, and this morning we woke up to snow on the ground and highs in the 20s today. It's just a dusting, and much of it has melted, however, I was able to get the girls to go out in it briefly. The evidence is below since they quickly made their way back inside the warm house.
We also had a discussion about my dissertation, so I have lots to think about and figure out in regards to the research I want to do dealing with the ethical ramifications of journalists who blog.
I haven't felt much like celebrating this weekend because I'm battling a nasty cold. I was losing my voice during Friday afternoon's meeting, and now I can't stop coughing.
The weather changes up here as fast as it did in Florida. It was 59 degrees yesterday, and this morning we woke up to snow on the ground and highs in the 20s today. It's just a dusting, and much of it has melted, however, I was able to get the girls to go out in it briefly. The evidence is below since they quickly made their way back inside the warm house.
Dr. Dolly
The University of Tennessee is expected to award Dolly Parton an honorary doctorate in May. Pending approval of the Board of Trustees, Parton will be only the second person to receive this honor. Former U.S. Senator Howard H. Baker Jr. received a doctorate of humane letters in May 2005. Parton's hometown is Sevierville, Tenn., which is in neighboring Sevier County.
It's interesting that UT has only given this award twice in its history, and the University of Florida gives honorary degrees at least once or twice per year. Visit http://www.president.ufl.edu/hddesc.htm to see a list of all of them.
In other UT news this week, system-wide president John Petersen is resigning. His official resignation date is June 30, 2009, but he's stepping down March 1, so the interim president can take over and deal with budget issues. Petersen will receive $400,000 as part of his severance package. He is UT's fourth president during the past decade.
It's interesting that UT has only given this award twice in its history, and the University of Florida gives honorary degrees at least once or twice per year. Visit http://www.president.ufl.edu/hddesc.htm to see a list of all of them.
In other UT news this week, system-wide president John Petersen is resigning. His official resignation date is June 30, 2009, but he's stepping down March 1, so the interim president can take over and deal with budget issues. Petersen will receive $400,000 as part of his severance package. He is UT's fourth president during the past decade.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Get Drunk, Fall and Get $2.3 Million
A 25-year-old man fell onto the tracks of a subway train after getting drunk during a hockey game at a bar. A train ran over him and severed his right leg. His lawyer claimed the subway driver had time to stop, and a jury awarded him $2.3 million. Read more about it at:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/18/drunk.amputee.payout/index.html
What would America do without lawyers? I'm glad I became a journalist and now a journalism educator! :)
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/18/drunk.amputee.payout/index.html
What would America do without lawyers? I'm glad I became a journalist and now a journalism educator! :)
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Happy Valentine's Day!
We celebrated Valentine's Day yesterday, which was also our five-year wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe we've been married for five years and together for nine. For a gift, David bought each us matching Saint Valentine medals and chains to wear. They are beautiful, and I haven't taken mine off. He's such a sweet guy.
We celebrated with an evening at home and a homemade meal, designed and prepared by David. He made smokey mushroom portabello soup from one of our favorite Disney restaurants, Artist Point. We also had cedar plank salmon with creamy dill sauce, rice pilaf and vegetables. It was delicious! Thanks honey. I love you! Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Anniversary!
The Flame Goes Out
On Wednesday, Knoxville and surrounding areas saw a fast moving thunderstorm roll through during the afternoon. The storm was moving more than 50 miles per hour, so it swept through quickly, but the winds were strong, causing some damage and power outages.
One of my students, Samantha Sutton, is a photographer and captured some great images before, during and after the storm. They are published in a slide show story at http://tnjn.com/2009/feb/11/ut-campus-after-the-storm/
One of my favorites is the torchbearer with his flame extinguished, which is a very rare site on UT's campus. I've heard that an opposing football team was able to make the flame go out once. I'm assuming this time the winds were so strong that the torchbearer's flame couldn't withstand them. Great job Samantha!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Where did the muppets come from?
Ever wonder how Oscar the Grouch came to be? According to a blog on Mental Floss, a lot of of Jim Henson's famous puppets are based on real people.
I never knew that Count von Count lost his ability to hypnotize people for fear he would scare children. Also, Miss Piggy is from Iowa apparently. Telly Monster, who is one of my favorites, originally was obsessed with TV, but producers were concerned about his influence on children, so they made him a constant worrier. Those of you who know me well know why I relate to him so well.
I never knew that Count von Count lost his ability to hypnotize people for fear he would scare children. Also, Miss Piggy is from Iowa apparently. Telly Monster, who is one of my favorites, originally was obsessed with TV, but producers were concerned about his influence on children, so they made him a constant worrier. Those of you who know me well know why I relate to him so well.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
The Future of Journalism...in Nashville
Last week, I went to Nashville with several colleagues for an Online News Association one-day conference. We drove over that morning, traveling across the Cumberland Plateau, and returned Friday evening. It was a long day, but a good one.
I have been to Nashville several times (including several visits to the Grand Ole Opry and once with front row seats!), but the drive was always from Florida, so this was the first time I had driven through this part of Tennessee, which was quite mountainous and beautiful.
The conference was held at the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute, close to the campus of Vanderbilt University. We actually ate lunch at a cafeteria on campus, and I snapped a few shots of Vanderbilt in winter.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
No Snow Day for UT
When I started teaching at the University of Tennessee in 2006, a colleague told me that UT rarely closes for snow days. Since I have been here, the university has only delayed opening for two hours one day, and this was after I had driven on icy roads to teach my 8 a.m. class, only to receive a text message when I pulled into the parking garage letting me know about the delay. What perfect timing!
Some UT students have suggested that UT rarely closes for snow days because of a snowball fight near campus that happened more than 40 years ago and is attributed to three deaths. The administration has denied this is why UT never closes, but it is still an interesting story. I told my students to research the snowball fight, and they found articles in two local papers, The Knoxville News Sentinel and The Daily Beacon
written several years ago that recount what happened on February 25, 1965.
Essentially, UT students were on Cumberland Avenue near campus (the equivalent of University Avenue in Gainesville for my Gator friends) and throwing snowballs. At some point, the students apparently opened the door to a truck that was driving on Cumberland and started throwing snowballs at the driver. He reacted by taking the gun he carried in his truck and shooting into the crowd of students, fatally wounding a male student. He was tried for murder, but was not convicted. The city of Knoxville was outraged about the students' behavior. You can read about the other two deaths that are blamed on the snowball fight by clicking on the story links in the above paragraph.
I've never been a part of a snowball fight since I grew up in Florida, so it's hard to imagine that what seems like innocent children's play could lead to death. But if the circumstances are right, anything can happen at any time.
Some UT students have suggested that UT rarely closes for snow days because of a snowball fight near campus that happened more than 40 years ago and is attributed to three deaths. The administration has denied this is why UT never closes, but it is still an interesting story. I told my students to research the snowball fight, and they found articles in two local papers, The Knoxville News Sentinel and The Daily Beacon
written several years ago that recount what happened on February 25, 1965.
Essentially, UT students were on Cumberland Avenue near campus (the equivalent of University Avenue in Gainesville for my Gator friends) and throwing snowballs. At some point, the students apparently opened the door to a truck that was driving on Cumberland and started throwing snowballs at the driver. He reacted by taking the gun he carried in his truck and shooting into the crowd of students, fatally wounding a male student. He was tried for murder, but was not convicted. The city of Knoxville was outraged about the students' behavior. You can read about the other two deaths that are blamed on the snowball fight by clicking on the story links in the above paragraph.
I've never been a part of a snowball fight since I grew up in Florida, so it's hard to imagine that what seems like innocent children's play could lead to death. But if the circumstances are right, anything can happen at any time.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Snow Days!
We've gotten the most snow in Knoxville during the past few weeks since we've been here. Fortunately, it's beautiful to look at, and there hasn't been major traffic disruptions. Knox County schools closed early yesterday and are also closed today, but UT never closes. Below are some photos I've taken during the past couple of weeks.
Dolly was not happy about being outside in the cold snow, but she loved eating a snowball!
I built a very small snowman on a table on our back porch. It took it several days to finally melt as you can see from the photos below.
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