My new semester began yesterday, and my multimedia journalism class is already providing ideas about how to fix my website. (This is one of the numerous reasons I love being a college student.)  While I clearly did not learn the wonders of the virtual universe in one class period, I did realize just how limiting Weebly, the website that I used to create this website, can be regarding certain blogging aspects.  Namely, I can post YouTube videos on my blog, but only links to videos on Vimeo or Vevo; I also cannot indent my paragraphs.  In addition, I would like to implement several formatting changes.

I want to ensure MasonPlanet.com is exactly as I desire it to be, so I have begun pursuing other options.  I could switch host websites, but I think the more compelling option is to build a custom website through Dreamweaver.  Since I have already been taught how to use that software, it should not be too challenging; the only downside is the difficulty keeping my previous blog entries.  However, I think this issue is trumped by the ability to use an individual logo, implement custom  HTML and finally ditch that darn Weebly advertisement at the bottom of every page.

The point of this entry is that I believe I have outgrown using a host website.  Growth is good, right?

-M

For the past ten months, I have been nurturing Mason Planet to become an authentic website, and not just somewhere I could share information with friends.  As such, I can happily boast that my baby reached a big milestone today: someone finally commented on one of my blog posts.  (Yes, you read that correctly: I am celebrating a single comment!)  

At any other website, a single entry could get numerous posts in an hour, but I received one comment in ten months. (I will probably write stand up comedy about this one day, or cry about it to my therapist.) Someone was bound to comment eventually, and not surprisingly it was for a TIM post, but I am grateful I did not write the first comment. (I am also thankful that first person was not my mother, who by the way celebrated her... 29th birthday today.)

While most readers simply view my blog from afar, Susan, the gorgeous saint of the Internet, felt the need to take that magical first step. Seriously, I am grateful to Susan, whomever she might be in real life, for illustrating that she enjoys my blog posts.  I love writing this blog, and, while I think it's awesome that my posts are shared on social networking websites, I am excited to see readers commenting on my blog posts. 

Again, I thank you for visiting my web site, and for reading my blog.

-M

In between updating my website and writing stories, I am always on the lookout for interesting blogs to read. Below are three blogs that have caught my eye.  (Side note: I am aware this post is very meta, since I am blogging about blogging.  Now that we have that settled, please continue.)

Kat Candler, one of my great friends and mentors in the world of film, writes a blog about her experiences in the industry.  Kat has been blogging for seven years, and while she has been posting less frequently, her personal opinions, experiences and photographs are truly unique.  Disclaimer: Kat has mentioned me several times over the past few years, so naturally I am biased towards her blog.

Isabelle, a friend of mine that I recently met through YouTube, has been writing a blog for the past couple of months.  While she writes in a youthful and casual style, Isabelle successfully manages to question American culture, while simultaneously writing about the perils of high school.  Yes, Isabelle is young, but don't let her age discourage you from reading her blog.  (After all, as of this writing, I am only 19.)

Meghan, one of my favorite childhood swim coaches, gave birth to her first child last month.  Meghan recently started blogging about her experiences as a new mother.  Her posts are realistically humorous, yet heartwarming at the same time.  I plan to postmark Meghan's blog for when I become a parent, although that hopefully won't happen for many years!

Three blogs, each covering a different topic: film, social attitudes and motherhood.  If anyone knows of any other interesting, poignant or creative blogs, please feel free to share them with me. 

-M

*Note* Functional Five is the name of my new advice column, which I will post semi-regularly on the blog. 

Many people may become bored or absent-minded at work.  Considering that is my personality specialty, at the ripe young age of 19-years-old, I have lots of (unscientific) advice to offer.  Here are some simple solutions, to be done outside of the office, which can improve your productivity.