Spring/summer is here...well, sort of. It's more like RAIN season! (but I love the rain so that is cool).
Most of you know that I am back in the world of academics. I am very excited indeed! I did quite enjoy my time in industry for the most part, meeting some very interesting, kind people and doing some exciting work. However, I realized somewhere along the way that I am more of an academic type person; a researcher, an idealist, one who has the freedom and ability to devote intense and large amounts of time to investigate why things are the way they are; and one who has the freedom of opinion and choice and the ability to act on such (e.g. to use and be a proponent of open source software ala Richard Stallman style and not to simply succumb to the windoze way of life that is indicative of industry...cough...yuk!). I found out that industry is not as tolerant in these respects.
That all said, the primary reason for my decision to head back to school was that during the last half year while working in industry, my research had all but come to a halt. Having completed a large chunk of my degree program and realizing that this aspect of my life was going nowhere fast, I decided to move on it. After all, I have found out that researching and teaching are the things I truly get excited about; what I really love. Although things were going very well for me in industry, I decided to resign my position and head back to complete the ol' PhD. It was a very difficult choice/decision but one that needed to be made and I'm glad I did it.
So, in terms of my academic life. Over the summer I will be working with Daryl to finish up old business and refine new ideas. Daryl and I have come up with a very interesting research path - one that I think will enable me to be a part of something great and I am very excited about the potential of it all.
I have also re-integrated my web consulting activities back into my life, having been asked by Luther College to come back as a part-time web consultant over the summer. And of course there is my continued work with RCE Saskatchewan. While working in industry I was barred from doing such activities as they posed a conflict of interest (I never really did see how though). Regardless, I am happy to be back working with these two organizations as we are really doing great work (especially with RCE Saskatchewan).
With this new found exploration in academia I have obtained a renewed vigor and energy to complete my degree and successfully defend. It is really great! I am also taking steps in a similar sense in my home life, having a renewed energy and drive to become a more healthy individual, integrating healthier eating and exercise into my daily routines. For me, the exercise has never been an issue as I do quite a bit of walking and weights, it's the eating that I need to work on. It will be hard as I lead quite a busy lifestyle and it's so easy, perhaps this is a cop-out, to eat all the garbage and processed foods out there; It's something I need to work on - changing my habits. I have been reading Michael Pollan's books on the subject and have found them to be quite enlightening. The great thing about this aspect of my life is that it relates to my academic research so, in essence, I can be a guinea pig for my own work which is truly exciting!
I have also had a rejuvenation of sorts re: my musical endeavors. I have recently picked up the ol' electric guitar again. Having been strictly an acoustic guy for the last 3 years, I have found playing ol' blackie (my fender strat) to be quite refreshing. Before resigning my industry position I was able to purchase some musical upgrades - a new amp (Fender Blues Junior tube amp that sounds most spectacular) and some effects pedals. With these mods/additions I have begun writing new material and hope to have an album released by the end of this year under the moniker interaction. My ideas for musical exploration include exploring the possible musical interactions between humans and computer generated music and augmented human/computer musical devices. I've written some very raw new songs, all of which have a jam type feel very reminiscent to what Brett and I used to do back in our high school years oh so many years ago :-) I'm very excited about it! I also have a number of songs written for my next acoustic album which will also hopefully be out this year; I have about 10 songs written - they just need to be recorded! Jason and I will hopefully get things back going again too!
Other stuff: Both sisters are having babies this summer...so many baaaabbbbiiieessss....ewww :-) It should be good though. Tess is on #3 and Krista #1. Exciting news for them indeed! Iron Maiden, Tool, Rush, and the Folk Fest are all music concerts I am really looking forward to. As well, I'm the conference chair of the 2011 graduate student conference - I'm really looking forward to this - planning is starting very early (next month), Rider season!!, IPAD! (need I say more), and Ubuntu on my Macbook...awesome!
All in all, a great summer is planned. Like always, I'll try to post more regularly. -tMac
