"This is life inside the Panopticon. It's changed a lot since I started this site, but it's still interesting, it's still diverse, and most importantly... it's still mine. Mostly. Professor, Governor, student, hero (and villain), musician, husband, virtual caretaker, radio DJ... it's been an interesting ride so far. Since you're here, allow me to explain.

Business first. I'm an Assistant Professorin the School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts at Central Michigan University. I currently teach Broadcast & Cable Law, the Senior Seminar class, the Advanced Electronic Media Design course, serve as the Assessment Coordinator for the School, and act as the Internship Director. As of Fall 2012, I'll be adding our introductory Electronic Media Design course to my portfolio as well.

In November of 2009 I successfully defended my Doctoral Dissertation, and in March of 2010 I officially graduated from Ohio University with my Ph.D. in Telecommunications. My dissertation focused on the formation of identity, community, and culture in online text-based role-playing games, which is linked to my long-time association with Aurealan Realms MUD (more on that below). Prior to my Ph.D., I received my Master's Degree from the same School I currently teach at. Before that, I earned my Bachelor's Degree from Adrian College.

In March of 2012, I was elected to the Board of Governors for the National Broadcasting Society, for which I am currently the faculty advisor of the Central Michigan University chapter. Our 2013 convention is 99% likely to be in Washintgon, DC, and the students are already getting excited about it.

Outside of school, I am a home-studio musician, and have been active in vocal performance since the elementary school. Since then, I've done one opera, many comic operas, musicals, the occasional dramatic stageplay, and have been fortunate enough to be part of two different bands. Most recently, I was as a vocalist with a folk/rock band, "Bob Stewart and Friends" down in Athens, Ohio. I also run my own small weblishing company, called The CyberSinger's Cafe' (or CSC for short), and have since 1995. Originally specializing in non-profit arts organizations, CSC now handles web-design for a wide variety of small, local businesses and organizations.

I am happily married to the woman who was, and continues to be, one of my best friends. We've known each other for going on 30 years now. I created an online Wedding Album as a wedding gift to my her, but she doesn't mind sharing, so if you want to take a peek, go ahead. I'm not particularly enamored of how I look in those pictures, but I can't exactly change that now at this point, so I've learned to live with it.

For many years, I ran a MUD called Aurealan Realms, which I inherited from its creator (James Rhone, aka Vall) in November of 1997. The MUD has now been closed down as of January 2012. The world has moved on from text-based online roleplaying to graphic roleplaying, so there was no reason to leave it running any longer. The MUD was the laboratory (or sorts) for my dissertation, and it will always have a warm spot in my heart, thanks to the many friends I made during its active years. Additionally, the writing on the MUD, done by a wide variety of very talented artists over the years, was some of the best I'd ever seen in this venu. All that it was has been carefully archived and stored to preserve all that it represented and facilitated over the years.

My friend Jamie Breckenridge and I created a virtual memorial to one of the best friends either of us have ever had, Michael "Big Daddy Pi" Pyorala. I visit the site every day to make sure no one has defaced it, polluted the guestbook with spam ads, and to otherwise ensure it is as pristine and peaceful as it was the day we created it. Rest in peace, Pi. We still miss you, every single day.

One of my areas of study (and primary leisure-time activity) is Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games. I am currently playing Star Wars: The Old Republic as my primary, but still keeping up with City of Heroes, which was my first MMO. One of the continuing draws of these MMOs (for me) is that I am able, through the marvel of modern technology, to play with many old friends, as well as many new friends made through the game, all across the continent.

From 2007 to 2010, I was a part of a streaming radio station, now closed down, called w00t Radio which catered to the players of MMORPGs. I started as a DJ, doing two shows there, and eventually rising to become the Station Manager, working with my good friend Michael "DJ Jester" Theis. My primary show was the Theatre of the Mind, which featured a wide variety of film and television soundtracks and scores, spanning several decades. As with all things, however, Michael decided to call it quits, and as much as I miss the station, I agree that it was time.

This, however, and other hazelnut-related incidents, led to the creation of a new streaming radio station, which went live on March 1st, 2012, called SoR Radio. "SoR" stands for "School of Rock" which is the flagship program on the station (and was a Summer terrestrial broadcast program from 2005-2011). I am one of six owners of the station, and currently do two weekly broadcasts: The School of Rock Thursday nights from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. Eastern, and The Sunday Morning Solarium, an exploration of the softer side of Classic Rock.

I am also a retired reviewer of Films. I started Prof J's Movie Reviews in June of 1998, and retired it in May of 2006. The reviews are still there, however, and someday I may return to reviewing. For now, however, I only review films verbally when I talk to people.

This information is current as of April 22nd, 2012. Thanks for your interest, but seriously... if you've read this far, you're either A) Me, B) delusional, or C) really, really bored (but thanks all the same :)." -Jeff