It's Been a While...

A colleague of mine sent an email last night about a new blog project, and I was reminded I have been away from here for quite a while. I do enjoy having this space to write about my personal and professional interests, and life in general, but I have found in the past few months that I have not had a great deal of "compelling" things to chronicle.

When I last wrote, I had returned from my "grad school tour." I did make a choice, although a different one than I had anticipated. That said, I am looking forward to it with the same excitement and think I made a good decision.

I had a birthday last week. Does 25 feel different than 24? Nope.

I need to go through my sidebar and take out/add a few things. Watch for changes.

Happy Valentine's Day

I know I have been a very bad blogger. I seem to be alternating between busy with other things and being not motivated enough to write. Let's see what I've been up to the first month and a half of 2009:

• Following current events, as always.
• Attending a couple of parties
• Cultivating friendships with new and existing friends, attempting to fulfill a goal of sorts for myself to get out more and avoid "hermit" status.
• Attended an MCPA meeting and two drive in workshops.
• Been working a lot on graduate school applications.
  

Four Years

Four years ago yesterday, I started blogging.

Wow.

Back to Bemidji, One Year Later

I returned yesterday from my first trip back to Bemidji since I graduated, to attend the MCPA Board meeting. While I ended up feeling icky yesterday and opted to return with my carpool instead of staying until today and taking the bus back as planned, it was still a nice return to the place I spent my college years.

We made it Thursday night in near record time, thanks to my recommendation of a shortcut well known to anyone who has done the Cities to Bemidji trip a few times...Highway 64 instead of 371. Upon arriving in town, I saw that a few things have changed, but not much....couple of new fast food places and a bank.

A few of us went out for a bit, ending up at the popular Bar 209. It was nice to get to know a few of my new board colleagues informally. We chatted about our history in student affairs and swapped a few random stories. We got to talking about finding our names on the internet/Googling ourselves, and I mentioned the time I got misquoted by the CyberIndee in Winona. To my surprise, one of them said he'd seen my blog entry...which means he must really have read my archives considering the entry was in 2005.

The meeting was good, and it was nice to be back on campus and see a couple of folks. I told one it was like being home...I love that place. I'm also looking forward to my new involvement this year. It is a good group of people, and especially nice as a way to stay engaged right now with professional discourse as I seek new employment.

What's Your Feed Reader of Choice?

A few months ago I started experimenting with feed readers to keep track of the blogs I enjoy.

First I tried Shrook.

Now I'm using Net News Wire and overall like it better. The problem? I tried synching with a free NewsGator account online and the online version says I have tons more unread posts than I actually do, and doesn't display my flagged items. Since I like to read entries and flag for later comment, I need to see those flagged items whether I'm on my MacBook, the family iMac, my iMac at the office or another machine.

Could Google Reader be worth a try?

Readers: Comment--what feed reader do you use and why?

Back For Another Year

Morgan is teaching another group of BSU students to love blogging, and wiki writing too!

The class is just beginning. If any of you out there are curious about what got me started blogging, check them out:

Weblogs and Wikis course site
Weblogs and Wikis Daybook

My Blog's Story, Revisited

Loralee recently posted about how she got started blogging, and how the BSU Blogs and Wikis course has played a role in her blogging adventure.

Of course, this blog began as a result of that class. And nearly three and a half years and 600 plus posts later, it is still here. I took a look at my Final Reflection from back then, and while some things have changed, others have stayed the same.

Then: I posted nearly every day.
Now: I post more sporadically...a few times a week.

Then: I wrote about academics and Student Senate.
Now: I write about job searching, politics, and life after college.

Then: I practiced a degree of self censorship.
Now: I still do.

Then: I read the blogs of classmates and a handful of others.
Now: I read upwards of 100 blogs of friends, old classmates and profs, and many others. I have "blog friends." Thank god for feed readers!

Then: I contributed to multiple blogs.
Now: I still do, some public, some more private.

Then: I contemplated moving my blog.
Now: I still do...most often to Word Press, now that there is a free version.

But no matter where this blog ends up, it will still be. I love it!

Looking For The Perfect Holiday Gift?

If you are looking for the perfect holiday gift, or perhaps just a laugh, our friend Matt has some ideas, folks:

MRLT Culture Guru--Holiday Gift Guide

(Yes, I know the Frat Brother gifts are "rated R"...just laugh at the description and avoid clicking the link, boys and girls)

The Blog and Facebook Conundrum

I want to take a minute to address something that's been bothering me lately: the demise of some of my favorite blogs. In the years I have been a part of the blogosphere I have seen many come and go, it is a natural cycle.

Recently, though I am starting to notice people dropping their blogs (and Facebook) for reasons beyond being tired of them. I'm seeing great blogs die because the writers are becoming overwhelmed with a feeling of overexposure or are tired of dingbats leaving nasty comments under the guise of "Anonymous."

It's really sad. While I am fully aware that we all have to watch ourselves online, blogs are supposed to be a medium of free expression. They are supposed to be the writer's domain. Obviously there is a line...we shouldn't be writing slanderous lies about our friends and enemies, but being authentic should be applauded.

Am I authentic? Yes. Could I be more so? Yes, but some personal details need not be revealed just for revelation's sake.

When did openness and honesty in blogging become a bad thing?

Now, even my MOTHER has begun to question me about my blog and Facebook profile. I had to remind her of two things:

1) I have studied blogging and writing online
2) I participated in several discussions about Facebook profiles and the ability of employers to see your online identity.

Thus, I do not believe there is anything on this blog, or on my Facebook page, that I would fear getting out there. I'm pretty sure I've scarecely used a swear word on here in 3+ years with the exception of "hell" which is debatable as a cuss word to begin with.

And in fact, the ability to function in an online world may actually prove a benefit in my professional life over time, since email/blogs/Facebook etc. are the ways students communicate, and even staff communicate, to a degree that will grow over time.

What do you think?

Reader Comment- A $500 Sweater?

Yesterday I mused about wanting to spend too much money on a piece of software.

Last night I noticed this comment from Matt, who has become a regular visitor here in Berne's World:

"I believe I left my willpower at the Barney's counter where I paid $500 for a Theory hooded sweater.

But you better believe I'm wearing that damn thing every day!"

I had to chuckle, because based on what I know from his blog, he's also 23 and in need of employment. $500 for a sweater makes my desired purchase seem like a bargain. Still, I'll hold out a few weeks.

Oh the things we impulse buy...

That must be one hell of a sweater!

Thursday Tidbits

- I was up before 9 this morning. I'm ashamed to admit it was the first time in a while.

-I am quite surprised by the number of blogs I now read. There are currently 44 in my feed reader and I'm adding new ones by the day. I don't know why I did not discover the feed thing sooner--it makes keeping current so much easier. If you're not using a feed reader, I suggest trying it out...and if your blog has no feed, enable it.

-It seems downright chilly the last couple days, compared to Sat. and Sun. I'm doing laundry and the seasonal switch out today...Polos get packed away and long sleeves and sweaters come out.

-I have a new phone number. It took a little longer than expected at the because the contract I'm under was old. So, if I understood right, I'm on the new "basic plan" (I don't use many minutes) and they gave me night and weekends at 6 PM for no extra charge because it's not my fault my plan is old, and you're not supposed to have to change for a new number. (If you are someone who might need it, email me)

-Today is National Coming Out Day--please remember to be an ally to those you know who are GLBT...I know I try to be.

Feed Readers

Are neat. I finally decided to give one a try. I'm hoping that it will save time by allowing me to see which blogs have been updated so I don't have to click in each individually to see if anything's new.

Shrook for Mac--check it out.

"Berne's World" Refreshed

After the issues I had yesterday with Blogger layout, You'll notice that the template and sidebar look a little different, as I basically chose a new template, deleted all the existing page elements, and started from scratch.

I suppose since the blog just turned three it was time for a refresh.

Check the "People" list for several new additions as well.

A Blogging Pooch?

Yes, that's right. My friend Julie's dog has a blog:

A Dog's Life

I guess animals ARE part of the family and blogging is a good way to remember puppydom. It's pretty funny.

But...I doubt this would work with my pets...cats sleep most of the time and they don't go on adventures in the city.

bernechristiansen.com

I bought my name as a web address in anticipation of creating a website at some point...

For now, www.bernechristiansen.com will direct to this blog.

MnSCU Trustee Rumors

Over the past week there has been quite a bit written on blogs about a potential candidate for the MnSCU Board of Trustees. A sampling:

Taking the Trust out of Trustee
MnSCU Student Trustee Post Becoming Even More Partisan?
NARN - The Patriot - King Banian Interview with Adam Weigold
The Cucking Stool: Manchurian Candidate
The TruthSurfer Blog on Pawlenty and Hellier
Dump Bachmann Reader Comments

My take on this is that if one is being appointed to a seat to represent State University students, he/she ought to have some experience at a state university prior to being appointed. No matter the political stripes, that person shouldn't be a privately educated political operative.

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

Move?

I'm wondering....should I move my blog?

I have been on Blogger a few months shy of three years. I've been contemplating a move over to WordPress again recently. I had set up an account some time ago, and even imported my posts last week. Part of me wants to try something new, part does not.

What do you think readers? If I moved Berne's World, would you follow?

The Year's New Crop of BSU Bloggers

Weblogs and Wikis, the original reason for the existence of this blog, is back in session. Check out the Spring 2007 crew on the New Daybook.

Labels

I was going to sit here and label all my previous posts since I'm now converted to the new Blogger...I've decided that's a bit much work.

Something From "The Lodge"

Checking out "The Lodge" today, I came across this post. Apparently, the U is considering adding language to their conduct policy that would punish students for off campus violations if they were serious enough.

Read the full article on wcco.com.

Definite food for thought for a student leader, especially as we've been discussing honor and conduct codes this past week. The big question related to this article--who decides which offenses are "serious" enough??