20 Apr

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Social Media and Technical Communication

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I’m very happy to report that I’ve completed and submitted my capstone project for my Masters degree. Huzzah! The project, to create a university, graduate-level course on social media and technical communication, was a big task and represents a lot of hours of work over the course of this semester. I’m very pleased to have it in the bag.

I’m not quite done, however. Next Tuesday, April 26th I’ll be doing my defense presentation for my department faculty, my peers and other interested parties. As you might imagine I’m pretty nervous but also confident in my knowledge of the subject matter. And I’m looking forward to really being done.

I’m including a copy of the defense presentation below. The project work can be seen on my website: http://www.jenreally.com/675project.
Please feel free to look it over and add comments or provide feedback if you have some. I really want this to be a conversation piece and jumping off point for future improvements and the doubtless revisions that will need to be made to a project on something as dynamic as social media. Any interest is appreciated!

Social Media and Technical Communication: A Course in Progress

View more presentations from Jen Riehle

05 Jan

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News & Events

Welcome, 2011

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Had a really fantastic Christmas and New Year. While they haven’t lacked for stress and drama, the last two weeks have been informative – transitional – as the time around the new year often is.

There are three relationships that got some consideration over the last couple weeks. Despite the fact that I have a blog and occasionally expound upon my feelings at length I’m generally pretty uncomfortable doing so publicly. But I feel the need to make a few comments here and now – for posterity, I suppose.

The first relationship is with work – with my job, office, whatever you wanna call it. It’s not in great shape and I’m really going to have to take some time over the next year to figure that out. Hopefully things will look better with time and if nothing else I’ll have finished my grad degree in the next year. It is sobering, after dealing with the stress of the last few weeks of work to realize that this stuff – stressful though it may be – doesn’t mean nearly as much as the other two relationships. That helps to put this issue at least, into perspective.

The second is with my cousin. We had somewhat of a falling out over the holiday. I understand her perspective and naturally, I understand my own. I need to talk to her but I also need to give that some time – for both of us, I think. I’m sad and a little worried about it but I’m confident that with a little time and discussion all will be resolved. Hey, we’re family. I love her and she knows it.

The third, I will leave vague and say only that relationships can be a terrible, stupid, mess of complexity. And they can also be fantastic. It’s even possible for them to be both at the same time. I’m giving up on someone that is very important to me because I know it’s for the best but it doesn’t make it feel good. And I know it won’t feel good for awhile.

Despite what sounds like a sad and pathetic blog post I’m really doing ok. Sure, I had other plans for this week- hell, for this year – but you make do with what you have in life and the people you’ve got. There’s a lot of good things on the horizon and I’m really excited to see what’s to come in 2011. I have high hopes. Bring it on.

23 Jan

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General Information

I had a wonderful day!

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I had a wonderful day!

I woke up still feeling sick but got progressively better as the day went on. I had a nice, leisurely lunch with a good friend. I got lots done at work, far more than I expected. I went to a hockey which we won in OT after an incredible come-from-behind two goals in the final two minutes. And I got to play with my adorable one-year-old nephew (his birthday was Saturday!) and chat with old friends, new friends and lots of family. Oh, and I found out I got an ‘A’ in my class this semester (phew!).

This is what life is all about. It’s so nice to be able to appreciate the good days. I so often whine about the bad days on here that it’s rewarding for me, and probably refreshing for you, to remember all the good and beautiful things that I am so lucky to have in my life.

I’ll update you on Progress Energy another day.

28 Nov

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Busy, busy, crazy busy

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God, I haven’t written in SO long. Bad blogger!

Quick update:

work is stressful and busy
my class is stressful and keeping me busy
barely made it to Thanksgiving but did get some much needed R&R over that weekend

Coming events:

UNC CAUSE conference for work
Christmas parties – including my own
Christmas shopping and cards (WAY behind on that stuff)

Roommate is making me nuts. There are reindeer ALL OVER. I don’t think I can make it through another year living with her. I hate clutter and there is just too much stuff in this house. Unfortunately, I also hate confrontations so I haven’t yet worked out how to talk to her about any of this.

Sadly I am even to busy to make this post engaging or fun. This is all you get! I’ll try to do better next time.

28 Sep

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marit’s week in review

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I’m a little behind so here’s the week recap.

Weekend: ‘rents had the annual Oktoberfest. Tasty beer, tasty food. Neighbors brought over a 1961 bottle of Crown Royale which, other than making my dad a bit sad to stop drinking beer, made my parents very drunk and happy.

Conference in the ATL: here’s my consumer report– Sheraton Buckhead was not good. Power went out at the hotel (only the hotel, thank god the bar down the street was unaffected) for 8 hours. Whether because of that or something else the lobby and basement (where the conference sessions were being held) was without AC for the second day of the conference. No internet access (hotel and host companies fault) so I purchased the access for my room, but even when there was no power for 8 hours they didn’t discount or pro-rate the bill. Really disappointing, especially for a Sheraton.

And work: I’ve never heard of, let alone seen, so many people lose faith in a place so fast. I’ve heard of turnover where the staff all got fired. This staff all wants to quit. Myself included. I actually like my job most of the time. And I love my boss. But I can’t watch my department let good people go– all but force them to go with bad decisions and a lack of support. I don’t want to be left in that mess, so I’ll be updating the ‘ole resume this weekend. I’m angry though. Really, really mad about it all.

12 Sep

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Wednesday Evening, 10pm

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I broke my rule a little bit. The 9/11 post was long so here’s a quick update my day-to-day shit:

This weekend looks perfect. Football (State) on Saturday and hockey (Canes) on Sunday! Next weekend is the Oktoberfest (yes, I know it’s not October- not my decision!). All I have to do is get through the week overflowing with work and class readings.

Speaking of work, I’m getting to do more stuff I want to but not getting to drop the other stuff I have to. I haven’t cracked yet but I think the strain is beginning to show.

Roommate is in the throes of new-relationship joy with yet another guy. This one takes her to watch sunsets which I think is probably boring, somewhat suspicious and definitely cheesy. I hope neither of them read this blog.

Several coworkers who have moved since I have are now planning house-warming parties. I think that means time has expired on mine and I haven’t done anything to the place since painting part of the stairway 2 months ago.