Time Flies

Well here I am again. Wondering how months have flown by without even an attempt to post a blog. How in the world do people keep up with social media… like juggle multiple platforms like a pro, blog, work and find time to have a social life and oh yes, the ever important self-care?

So, I am going to give this blog another shot. Why torture myself, you ask? I could just say, why not? Because I have a tendancy to be an over-achiever or so I am told. The truth, I used to write all of the time and I have a project in mind, so I need to dust off the cobwebs.

No way, I am telling you about this new project because it is a totally for me project. I may or may not share if and when I complete it. We will just have to see how it goes and then how I feel about it in the end. Support would be appreciated…even though you don’t know the project you can still send support that I am just me and pull off something outside of the box and crazy. You know, being my own brand of happy, crazy and entertaining.

So what to brief you on and how, with so many months and miles between us. Hmmm, so let’s go with opportunities that came out of no where, goals I set and achieved and tease you with the fact that I have a major announcement coming soon. The “act” has already come to fruition and it includes more than just me and makes the community service, teacher, and person who doesn’t take NO for an answer so unbelievable proud and happy. Surprised…not at all because I believe that everything can be accomplished if enough effort and heart are put into it. And we did and will continue to do so. Intrigued…I hope so because it is something beyond my wildest imagination. That says a lot!

Those opportunities I mentioned, came in the form of being the subject matter expert (criminologist, victimologist…) on multiple shows and a bunch of episodes for new shows on Oxygen. Mark of a Killer, Charmed to Death and a new show previewing in January are under my belt. Guess what, I liked. No, I loved it. It is something I never imagined doing. I get to bring attention to my school (Indian River State College), get my students to engage in their criminal justice studies, and made a bunch of amazing contacts and friends along the way. A lot of those have spoken with, been interviewed by, offered jobs to and given lectures to my students. That is the best part of the whole thing.

I spoke again this year at CrimeCon, and was joined by my podcast co-host PCubed (Pierre.) We are joined each year by more students and alumni. Watching them network, while I do the same is so much fun. How does the saying go, “It is amazing what you can accomplish when you don’t care who gets the credit?” We encourage them and then watch them fly. That is the teacher in both me and Pierre - making an impression on others so that they believe in themselves and reach for the stars. And that is where they belong.

If you wondering why I haven’t mentioned the podcast that is because I have a “day job” as well. As a criminal justice professor, it has been a crazy ride, with ups and downs, changes and challenges thanks to Covid and quite a few other forces to deal with. But fear not, P’s eye rolling will be returning soon and I have researched myself up one side and down the other to bring you new cases, entertain you as well, annoy PCubed which is always a favorite and most importantly bring the victims to life as they are who we should truly focus on.

Hmmmm, so much to do still tonight, so off I run. I hope you are glad to hear from me and get back on track following me and encouraging me to continue trying new things and reach for my own stars.

Glad to be back!

Dr. M

OK, I have Peace and my Creativity back so now what?!?!?

So now what? Well last night I am pretty sure I flipped my husband out when I told him as we had agreed upon last fall, that I truly wanted to go back to school. He was all in until I tossed out the cost of the two year Masters degree I want when I already have two plus my PhD…..that broken blood vessel in his eye that showed up late last night might, just might, be my fault BUT then again I am NOT the kind of doctor!

I have a million projects that I have either half completed or half designed within my head. I have been blessed with the love of learning, the gift of being able to accomplish goals and knowing when to stay in my own lane. Please oh please, why can’t people stay in their own lane? It really isn’t that difficult.

I was shown the effort of hard work at a young age. The importance of meeting the right people. How to speak and when, how to dress and when and thank God manners! So, I have taken some time off from using all of these skills, trying new things and redefining the shape of the “box” we are supposed to stay in. I am pretty sure my high school geometry teacher would fail me on my idea of the “box.”

So, here is what I think I am going to accomplish within the next six month and in no particular order, except for those things that have time restraints on them….. such as a national presentation. You know, those pesky little timeframe things. Wow, I just realized how much I don’t like boundaries and restrictions, no wonder I am not the best at setting or following them. Ah, but that is a new skill being worked on this year along with that self-care and making time for adventure.

1) National presentation - which still involves research, building the presentation, order new shirts and fun things to give away and lots of reading! This is a priority because of that pesky calendar.

2) Finishing the book that I started….well I have several but there is one that I am currently passionate about and that one I am setting my own timeframe on which is no later than the end of summer to see have it published. I have another one I was working with a publisher on but its a totally different type of book. You guys will get to see exactly have diverse I am or how much of a butterfly I am, which is what my husband and long term friends and family have always called me.

3) Organize the thousands of pictures I have taken. Another book? Another website? Or just share them as the urge hits me? We shall see.

4) An important friend just gave me a chat that going back to school is not beneficial for me and that research or working with a think tank is where I should be adding to my career now. My husband with love and thank her. And I must say I am intrigued to hear more of what she has to say.

5) And just for me and just for fun. Travel…. I have several locations on the table. Just kind of depends on what is going on in the world when I have the time to escape.

Well, that is all I have to say for now. Not really because we all know I talk and talk and talk….. so how about talk again soon!

Dr. M

COVID has slowed me down enough....back to work

So many things have happened within our county this past year ~ No socializing, some people couldn’t/can’t go to work, businesses have been lost and so on and so on……. I count myself amongst the most lucky that I have not gotten sick and have been able to work the entire time.

It has changed my life in selfish ways. I am used to being super busy and am not happy unless I am in the middle of a dozen or more things. There have been no seminars, no travel, no face to face True Crime and a Glass of Wine events, and very few of us, any of us, have celebrated a major holiday in the manner we are accustomed.

Well, I am done with that since it looks like this pandemic may be around a bit longer. I am back to writing which will make some publisher very happy. Our podcast is about to take on an entirely new and extremely in depth new season…. new episode with updates happens this Monday. Film studios are opening back up so I have just completed six episodes for a new show and am in negotiations with a producer on a special event. ALL WILL BE DONE SAFELY AND SOCIALLY DISTANCED AS EACH LOCATION REQUIRES!

Now my REAL job….that college professor thing that I do and love more than anything. Well, I am going to shake that up too. Our Administration has given me the green light to dream big….and then go bigger! That even terrifies myself….lol The Institute for Cold Case Investigations is back up and running and working on some promising leads. The students are engaged and learning more and more about how criminal justice works in the REAL world NOT just in the classroom. That is how my ENTIRE department feels about teaching and I couldn’t ask for a better team to be a part of.

As I have not written and updated you in forever, I could go on and on but instead I think I will try to be more diligent in keeping you current and leave you intrigued for now.

Hope you are all staying safe, be well and don’t forget to enjoy life!

Dr. M

January 2, 2021

I want to tell everyone how thankful I am for each and every one of you. Those of you who have complained about “nothing” but felt like making sure we heard you talk….. I am thankful you taught me to speak and complain less. Let’s rephrase that… my friends and family thank you and want to know how in the world you accomplished what they have never been able to do.

For those who were bummed that traditions were not kept, shopping did not get down and why we are hearing fireworks on Christmas instead of the 4th of July. WHO CARES…. thank you for making my dogs bark, having me hold them, hide them and drug them…. that was part of making my life normal!!! (In July anyway.)

There is absolutely no way I can thank everyone on Earth, ETHEREAL and in my heart for all that you do and did for me this past year. What have I have learned this year? Well (sort of) patience, not to expect people to text or call back, that I can free dive with sharks and not cry like a baby or get eaten like a wuss. OHhhhh, and you can stop worrying about how I have gotten in shape. I did the happy, healthy, doctor approved way and love the routine I will now continue for life. I will cycle race you up any mountain, anyone except Heather! I will NEVER cycle anywhere with Heather! lol

For those who needed or I wanted to know…. I got to ring the bell last week. Look out for when I am back at 100%… keep up and enjoy life. Every day and every thing is a gift. LAUGH…. don’t forget to laugh!

You want to laugh? I told my friend MaryAnn about ringing the bell and that I got a random email from a serial killer. She was thrilled about the bell and I was thrilled about the email?!?! One of us is nuts but we are both special!

Tomorrow I think I will record a single podcast episode and just have fun BEFORE we get down to the business of giving victims’ their due, looking for those who are missing, ripping into cold cases and trying to get the general public to be more aware of their surroundings.

I take my job seriously but nothing thrills me more than annoying my co-host P-Cubed and having him deny me or roll his eyes. And I definitely can’t wait to get Larry, my favorite unicorn back on the air. Larry, I miss you tons and hope to see you soon.

Keep your peepers open for a new show on Oxygen, probably in March, (I will give you the name later) that will have yours truly in six episodes. Talking with publishers about a book. Working with Katie to take a few years or a decade off of my face….you got this Katie! lol

My REAL job has the potential to be amazing this year, so cross your fingers.

Not going to say much more because my life is amazingly insane, challenging and absolutely a dream come true at this time. So I guess I will just have to keep you up to date on here. Love you and love me….

~Kimberlie

One Insane Week

This has been one of the weirdest, most enlightening, fun yet challenging weeks, I think I have ever experienced in my life. First last Friday evening, (9-11-) I ran into a man that I speak to almost weekly when I go out to dinner. I knew he was a firefighter who worked the Towers on 9-11. He told me some very passionate, sad and heroic tales. Well this past Friday he came in and he looked really tired and I asked him what was up. I was not prepared for him to tell me that he had just gotten back home from NYC, where he had attended THE 9-11 Memorial Tribute. I was shocked and wasn’t sure what to say to this hero before me that I have known as “just a regular” guy. So, I hugged him. Said I was sorry for what he went through and then thanked him. What a humbling experience.

I managed to make it in time to see the sun rise TWICE this week. I used to make it much more often but somehow I let everyday life get so busy that I have missed out on this most precious gift of the start of the day. I have; however, made it to the second most amazing part to the start of the workday. I get to hear revelry and see the raising of colors. I consider this an honor and wish more people had this opportunity.

The most exciting thing, a podcast I did was released this week. The pilot episode of Anything You Say, turned out to the point I was very very happy with. I also received an email from the Executive Producer who forwarded and email from the investigators of the Chris Watts case and thanked me for my analyzation and interpretation of their behavior. They may reach out to me and I hope they do. I want to thank them for validating me and what I do…..my first thought? How can I get them to Zoom with my Spring Semester students for Criminal Investigations….lol Always thinking…..love my professor job and the tweaks I can bring to it that add to my students’ educational experience.

Went out for date night last night and realized that I would rather be locked up, on my own with a prison full of inmates than hang out with a couple of girls. Geez, now they can reek much more havoc than inmates. You may be able to wear that dress but aren’t you a little old for it?!?! LOL like seriously?!? At first I was hurt. Then I was annoyed, followed by mad and then I found it funny. Jealousy doesn’t look good on anyone.

ICCI, my cold case institute made a lot of progress this week. I am beyond excited with them.

This was one roller coaster of a week and I am looking forward to the next one.

Dr. M

Podcast Antics with my College Bestie

This week’s episode is more like a long chat with an old friend you haven’t seen in forever. If you have participated in any of our True Crime and a Glass of Wine virtual events, then you have already met Kerri Lynne Black. If you haven’t met her yet just imagine a tall, red-headed Irish New Yorker…. she will make you laugh till you cry and then be just as quick to tell you what she thinks of you. She can kill you either way…. that’s why I love her. Not to mention when I go to visit, she takes me on tours on iconic crime scenes and vineyards!

PCubed created this concept for the podcast that lets the listener control the topic. People think things don’t happen in “my backyard.” Well we gave you the challenge to look and see what HAS happened in your own backyard and you guys are delivering.

Did I say Kerri lives on Long Island? She definitely had her pick of topics for our crazy fun but informative discussion. So who did she choose? The guy just down the street, Joel Rifkin!

Thanks PCubed for this weird way to host this series! Just so everyone knows PCubed will be back on air soon and he at some point will be hosting his own “Hometown Murder.” His episode topic is famous and changed everything…..

Dr. M