I've been away for a bit, but I've been busy studenting (a new word in honour of the impending replacement of W). I expected somewhat of a challenge from the shift to being a full-time student but I will freely admit that it has been a bigger challenge than I first anticipated. It has been more of a mindset question more than any other factor (and perhaps this has been exacerbated by the fact that I am accustomed to being at the front of the room standing and doling out information rather than sitting down and absorbing). But I have indeed gotten past most of those mental adjustments; I have departed from the field of my regular existence from the past several years and taken on the challenge of adopting a completely different mindset. I would swear that there have been occasions as I've sat in class or been studying that I could feel neurons firing down dusty, seldom used paths. As I felt this little fit going on in my brain (hoping that it wasn't a sign of a more serious medical condition) I wondered about the brain and how it works. It seems that this activity, that I think I've detected, are alpha waves (scroll), and these are the functions related to learning. It is indeed a privilege to be able to take this opportunity but the point of this post, is that it should not have to be. All professionals should have the opportunity and be forced to face the challenge of taking on something that is removed from their day-to-day existence, going to a conference does not count, the challenge should be prolonged. I am becoming convinced that all parties involved, including employers, would become greatly advantaged.
As for me, I don't plan on being away as long this time, in fact, I have a plan to enlist Slaw-er types in a project in the very near future.
Welcome back, Mark. Sounds like you are learning lots–that is great!