Its been ages, I’m sorry. I did know that postings would dry up a little once I got back to uni, but even so, there has been a real hefty delay since my last update.

Every blogger will say, quite rightly, that they don’t blog for the sake of their audience. However, it’s still very nice to have someone comment on your blog – hence the ability to on all blogs these days.

So it was very nice indeed to be told by another student – David – that he had read my blog and liked it. Describing my blog to a friend, he said: “He’s actually a serious writer!”

Wonderful!

In other news, the debate about my online unit at Lincoln Uni has taken a positive turn. After my blog ‘Old Skills’ was posted a couple of weeks back, the unit co-ordinator at the University has asked me to write an email outlining my worries. Whether or not they will be acted upon is one thing, but it is very encouraging to find that my views haven’t just been tossed aside and dismissed as they so easily could have been.

I will link this entry to a copy of my email once it has been sent.

The whole situation has spurred me on a little. I’m in the process of gathering opinions to put forth in an article. I’m aiming high (as ever) and looking at national publications that deal with the media. I’m utterly convinced this is a nationwide issue, and one that needs to be acted on quickly if journalism degrees/qualifications are to retain any kind of employable value.

And finally… more dissertation news. I have chosen my subject matter – still Michael Jackson – but I’ve narrowed it down to: What role did the media play in the development of public opinion in the Michael Jackson trials?

I’ve dug out my copy of J. Randy Taraborelli’s “The Magic and the Madness”, probably the most accurate and honest biography of Jackson out there. Even more honest, I’d say, than “Moonwalk”, Michael’s own autobiography. Not surprising really, Moonwalk is the Jackson equivalent of Wayne Rooney’s book. In other words, crap.

Sometimes things just al go wrong at the same time.

My day yesterday began with me sleeping in; ten minutes late for my first session. Then, the piece I was supposed to have emailed to myself was swiftly forgotten – I was supposed to do it in the morning before I left. Not to worry.

The newspaper I run was due to go to print today. It hasn’t. After submitting the final proof for copy approval at the SU, there were several problems with content – trivial matters – but it meant it had to be edited.

No problem, but between leaving uni and getting home, the quark file managed to corrupt itself, and is currenly unreadable. So I’m a bit stuck. Going to get the file down to PC before the weekend, but I’m not holding my breath.

Moving on: it’s dissertation time. Gulp.

Arrived at a seminar this morning – on time, yay – to be told a little more about our dissertations. Now, I’m a bit of a last minute man (the whole newspaper copy approval proves all that), but I’m determined to not make that mistake here. After all, it would cost me my degree.

But what to do? 10,000 words takes a bit of research, and without a strict subject, I worry I’ll drift.

They always say you should write about what you know. Now, aside from a dissertation ony myself, that leaves one subject that jumps out at me: Michael Jackson.

Crazy, you might think, but I reckon I could be on to something good here. The Michael Jackson trials created the most insane media circus ever seen. Opinions flying about glossed over in fact-ish presentation.

Any suggestions?!