Whew! Once again I have cut it close ... just made the submission deadline for the N(ational) C(ommunication) A(ssociation) February 15th deadline. My competitive paper is titled Virtual Communication in MMORPGs: Evolving forms, practices, and meanings: don't be intimidated by the length, the content has been written for quick read. So pull up a chair and join me in close inspection of the interaction and communication that occurs in online communities. I am also pleased to have added a freelance client to my list of current projects. Look for link to redesigned website for Allen and Leapheart, Attorneys at Law. All my best ...

They have managed to do it once again! Microsoft snuffs out the competition by simply buying them out. Is this the end of WINAMP as we know it? I hope not. Funny, this is all over the underground, but I can't find a thing about it online to refer my loyal readers to. Keep your eyes peeled ...

We are definitely in full swing now!! My mind is ever consumed with any one of the eight (feels like million) projects I currently have going on. A paid-intern opportunity has presented itself close to home. I am perplexed with my first video editing project. When I have a moment to spare, I need to begin preparations for the inevitable teaching demonstrations and portfolio presentations to occur in weeks to come. A creative brief of my graduate capstone proposal is soon due. Then there is always the research paper (topic still in formulation, I might add) rough draft due February 15th for the NCA's November 2003 Conference! Yikes! Remind me again what I'm doing here .... Amidst it all I have managed to make time to connect with a couple of long lost friends ... always thinking

I've fallen in love ... with a piece of software, that is. If you haven't yet checked it out, now is the time! Don't settle for your local radio mix, download WINAMP3 now and listen to all your favorite music via shoutcast streaming radio. Be warned that patience is required, as these evil geniuses who have developed the interface have not provided much in the way of documentation. If you've got a few minutes to kill trying to figure it out, the reward is sweet. My favorite station I have come across so far is Milwaukee's The Well. I'd supply a link, but I haven't figured this out that far .... more to come! (lol)

Women Against War-Rebuttle Before you jump on the bandwagon, please consider .... What is it going to take for military action to be justified? I have read this statement and find it opposes war as a solution to the terrorism. If war isn't the answer, then what do you suggest? I oppose sitting on our asses in oblivion while terrorist countries like Iraq build arsenals of nuclear weapons, etc. to destroy and dominate us all with. If we don't take action who will? Who is to pay the price for the lives these monsters have taken worldwide??? How many of you have been keeping up on these recent tragedies? I happen to value the fact that I can hold and job and make my own life decisions. Standing up for these rights is important to me and should be to all women alike. Would you all rather enslavement and domination? All this statement does is oppose, yet does not offer meaningful or valuable solutions for consideration. Although, I am sympathetic to the loss of any lives it is important to remember that nearly every past generation has had to sacrifice troops in support of our rights and freedoms. This isn't Vietnam, the terrorists brought us into this by targeting the U.S. The original petition submitted by Beth Grossman can be reviewed at: WomenAgainstWar.net I am curious as to how other women feel about this issue. Please email me your thoughts.