Well I finally started a blog...

At 35 I figure it's about time I have an online presence, and one that I can feel some investment or, dare I say, pride in. So here we go. I've set this blog up to sync with Facebook. People who've paid any attention to my posts on FB know that I really needed a blog a long time go. Not because I have some amazing wisdom to impart, but due to the amount of scientific and political stories and comments I post on FB - a practice that really is better reserved for a blog.

So what will be the focus of my blog. Having never, and I mean never, kept a journal or diary; I suspect I will not be the best blogger ever. However, while I've never had an inclination to much introspective writing, I am widely noted for my ability to run my mouth about anything that does not involve my inner self. Therefore, this blog will probably be less about who I am, than what I am reading and thinking bout specific subjects.

What will those subjects be.....women's shoes.....no just kidding. I am a counseling psychologist by trade so much of my ramblings and sharing will likely be focused on issues pertaining to psychology, mental health, families, adolescents, generally how to keep one's sanity. This will likely include posting my thoughts on research and projects me and my team at my University are working on as well. So basically this will be a riveting experience for anyone brave enough to partake.

My academic interests are in two broad areas 1) adolescent mental health and juvenile delinquency and 2) the psychology of religion as it pertain to personality traits, altruism and coping. A heavy amount of what I'll likely post will pertain to these two broad areas.

Lastly, I think I'll indulge some discussion of politics, though primarily to the extent they intersect with science in general and psychology in particular. OK who am I kidding that part of the discussion will be any political stories and readings that illustrate the utter absurdity of the political process and particular of political extremism. In that same vein I reserve the right to post things that are just crazy odd or absurd. The ability  to discover such stories is the single most important thing the Internet has brought to my life as an adult. Where would I be if I wasn't able to pick up on every new ridiculous and inexplicable cultural meme or viral phenomenon? Where I ask?! So with that introduction away we go....