OK, here goes nothin'...

Overview:
The following survey is for bloggers who are actual or aspiring academics (thus including students). It takes the form of a go-meme to provide bloggers a strong incentive to join in: the 'Link List' means that you will receive links from all those who pick up the survey 'downstream' from you. The aim is to create open-source data about academic blogs that is publicly available for further analysis. Analysts can find the data by searching for the tracking identifier-code: "acb109m3m3". Further details, and eventual updates with results, can be found on the original posting: http://pixnaps.blogspot.com/2005/09/academic-blog-survey.html

Instructions:
Simply copy and paste this post to your own blog, replacing my survey answers with your own, as appropriate, and adding your blog to the Link List.

Important (1) Your post must include the four sections: Overview, Instructions, Link List, and Survey. (2) Remember to link to every blog in the Link List. (3) For tracking purposes, your post must include the following code: acb109m3m3

Link List (or 'extended hat-tip'):
1. Philosophy, et cetera
2. Pharyngula
3. evolgen
4. Science and Sarcasm
5. [Add a link to your blog here]

Survey:
Demographics
Age - 42!
Gender - Female
Location - Central Michigan, USA
Religion - No, thank you.
Began blogging - March 2005
Academic field - Biology (Agronomy and Soil Science)
Academic position [tenured?] - Staff and graduate student [someday...]

Approximate blog stats
Rate of posting - 4-5 times per week
Average no. hits - about 60-80/day
Average no. comments - 0-2/post
Blog content - Natural science, lefty politics

Other Questions
1) Do you blog under your real name? Why / why not?
No, anonymity is my preference for now. I have too many bosses who may not approve of my opinions or even the fact that I have a blog. This, of course, is none of their business. Anonymity is my insurance that it stays that way.

2) Do colleagues or others in your department know that you blog? If so, has anyone reacted positively or negatively?
Nope. That's also my preference.

3) Are you on the job market?
Not for a couple of years.

4) Do you mention your blog on your CV or other job application material?
No. I prefer to separate my blog writing and my academic life.

5) Has your blog been mentioned at all in interviews, tenure reviews, etc.? If so, provide details.
No, they are not aware of it. By design.

6) Why do you blog?
I like to write about non-work topics once in awhile. I think this helps my writing in general, both technical and non-tecnical writing improves. I have opinions to share, friends and family to inform, new blogger relationships to find and develop...