I thought that I'd take a moment to explain the title of my blog. "Misadventures of the Non-Traditional" is my own tactful way of describing an adult student returning to school after a lengthy hiatus. Currently, I am a part-time student who works full-time in a relatively unglamorous profession to support my family. About 2 years ago I experienced a resurrection of determination and decided to finish what I started and return to school. I began matriculating at Penn State-Berks (91' & 92') , and then went off to University Park in 93' & 94' . My exit from Penn State 10 years or so ago was by no means willingly. Poor grades and a terrible study regimen prompted the University to put me on "academic probation". My own efforts put me in that position, obviously, but it was near impossible to dig yourself out. When you have the scarlet "AP" put on your back you were assigned the latest dates to schedule classes and seemingly the most difficult or undesirable courses remained. Penn State eventually dismisses you and you are sent to the penalty box for 4 years to ponder your shortcomings. I suppose I could have gone to a different school and transferred my credits, but I choose to wallow in misery, despair, and wee bit o' Yuengling. Seriously, I was disappointed when I had to leave, but I just started working and living. There was too much wallowing.

Fast forward 10 years, with work and family responsibilities entrenched in my life I return to school. I love Penn State and I am Penn State proud. I knew I wanted to finish up there. The main problem is that with all my responsibilities I knew I could never return to State College to finish up my Broadcast/Cable Bachelors in the School of Communications. I live about 5 miles from Penn State -Berks in Reading. The past few years Berks began offering Bachelor degrees in various career offerings. Long story short I choose "Professional Writing" as my major and started out need ing roughly 40 credits to graduate. Well, I'm halfway through those 40 credits and my sub 2 GPA is now in the 3.6 range. Sweet! Believe me, I am not bragging, but it is satisfying to exorcise the demons and overcome. Frankly, I do not know if I will honestly even enter a writing field after I graduate. One of my secret motivations for returning to school was to set a good example for my children when they grow up.

My path to this point was certainly not a straight line. Things happen for reasons, and my plight is no exception.

I am shown here posing with Phillies hall of fame centerfielder Richie Ashburn. The photo was taken when the Phillies opened Citizen's Bank Park on 4-12-04. By the way, I am the short one on the left.
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Ten month old Joseph finds time out of his
hectic schedule of learning to walk and putting things in mouth to pose with dad and rookie
blogger Darren. Joe has recently been informed
that he may be the subject of frequent blog
postings by his dear old dad,... "If you want the
constant smiling and semi-predictable sleep pattern at night to continue I'd suggest an accurate protrayal of the unglamourous life of a ten month old. " The young lad continued, " I may put anything I can lift into my mouth but I trust that my dad will not put words into my mouth, that would stink like my Huggies after a lunch of broccoli and meat sticks. Hopefully my dad will intrique and entertain you as thoroughly as he does me, enjoy the blog!!"

The Maiden Post

I have never known a fellow male to keep a diary. At no time is there a moment where a father tells his son that he should scribble his inner-most thoughts into a little journal. Could you picture such a ridiculous scenes, " You know son, when I was about your age my father sat me down and lectured me about the importance of expressing myself, not publicly, but rather in a private journal for your eyes only." To be honest the only experiences I have had with diaries are the fond memories of the 80's sitcoms usage of the taboo teen journal. Who can forget the hijinx when Jan misplaced her diary on the Brady Bunch or when Alex P. Keaton stumbled upon Jennifer's on Family Ties. The diary has always been a fallback plan for those sitcom writers who couldn't come up with any decent ideas for the upcoming episodes.
Nonetheless, the point of this babble is that I have never had the urge to scribe my inner-beliefs or truly had a forum to do so until now. Will I write scathing accounts of man's failures or embarrassing testimonials or any thing that pops into rising hairlined head? We'll see. It will depend on my mood.