Stand Up For the Little Blogger
I've discovered my new favorite hobby. That is, blogging. It makes sense. I say I'm a writer, and what better way to show it than to flaunt it? (Hey, I can hear you snickering, and I don't like it)
This job isn't as easy as it might seem. You have to get over a strange brand of stage fright. You have to think of something interesting to say. And you have to write in all in a way that is provacative and plain makes sense. I've already received constructive criticism as to how I could make my blog more appealing. And don't you know that I stay up late almost every night sweating over what the next blog topic will be?
Here is a ground rule set by some self-proclaimed guru of bloggers:
Celebrities and other well-known personalities -- actors and entertainers, politicians, corporate CEOs -- are the only people who can get away with "themeless" blogs, because readers will tune in to find out what they have to say about pretty much anything. For example, millions of people will flock to a Brad Pitt or Charlize Theron "what I did this weekend" blog; but no one, besides family and friends, will really care what you or I did this weekend. So, unless you have a very unique writing style or an oddly interesting life, your blog must have a theme -- general or specific.
I object! I do I do I do! It's like this guy thinks he is King Kong, and he wants to run around squashing all the little blog uprisings.
I'll admit it: My blog is THEMELESS! Does that make me boring? Perhaps, and if so, move on to the next one. I happen to think that every now and then I will have something good to say. Sure, this guy is talking about the people who think they can blog every day and make money off of it. But simultaneously, he is crushing the inner writer in all of us.
You see, there has been a problem devoloping alongside this fancy internet world. While we focus on faster, easier ways to communicate, we are losing the art of communication itself. When was the last time you sat down and wrote a letter? And who has time for Christmas cards any more? That's right, only little ol' granny sitting at home (cause she's afraid her computer will take over the world).
The solution? Certainly not emails. Oh no no NO! Emails are one of major problems leading to our communicative downfall, along with it's evil little brother, text messaging. What will set us straight again are little things like blogs. Sure, half of them are terrible. But they'll get better over time. And every now and then, a Blogging Star will emerge over the horizon. Who knows, in fifty years there might be an English course called History of the Blog. I even think this blogging generation could spawn the next Charles Dickens. Imagine, a complex blog interwoven with every blog entry before and after it; a serial of electronic life!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Friday, September 22, 2006
The Cell Phone Sagas
Sounds like it might be a good movie, right? Yet when we see them going on right in front of us, we cringe, we get angry, we demand to know what is wrong with society!
I'm pretty easy going about cell phone use. I take mine everywhere, and I use it just about everywhere. This afternoon, I've taken time to find out why the world thinks cell phone use can be a problem. These are the ones I completely agree with:
Safety: Driving with one hand on the wheel while complaining about the idiots on the road would be an example.
Content: I'm not sure what has desensitized people to talking loudly about their bodily (mal)functions. In addition, I would like to point out that background noise counts as content, to the person you are talking to. To that end, do the women who talk on their cell phones in the bathroom while they are tinkling and flushing really think their friend on the other end really wants to hear that?
Timing: DO NOT answer your phone while we are having dinner without asking if it is ok. I think it's rude to assume that your companion wants to hear your one-sided half of a conversation. There are other obvious situations: movie theaters, job interviews, funerals...
Tone: You don't want to reveal your true colors to the public if you don't have to (especially if you are really really nasty)
Speaking of nasty, the following is also a big no no...
Now for the things I think we could be more lenient about:
Multi-Tasking: I do not have a land line at home, so I rely on my cell phone for all communication to my family in Colorado, and to my fiance who is often away on trips. These people call me on their schedule, not neccessarily on mine. Sometimes I happen to be grocery shopping. As long as I'm not broadcasting my personal life, why should anyone care? As long as I'm paying attention to my surroundings, why should anyone get upset? There are times when multi-tasking is not appropriate (like driving, as discussed above). But we should recognize that the more technologically advanced we become, the more multitasking is going to become a part of our lifestyles.
Proximity: Why is anyone complaining about this? I've heard that the proper etiquette is to stand with a 10 foot radius around you while speaking on the cell phone. Sure, this is easy enough. Now imagine you are in an elevator, and someone is gabbing away on their phone. It bothers you. Why? What if they were having the same conversation with the person standing next to them? Would you still be bothered? This leads to a hypothesis...people must not like the idea of seeing someone talking to thin air. If they can't see what's going on, they get frustrated. There may be hundreds of explanations. Ultimately, it might be that people are still not used to seeing humans interract with technology. It's just a hypothesis.
To sum things up here, let's remember that our society is changing. With so much technology growth, we're seeing stretch marks in our daily expectations. These will go away, and they'll smooth down. When the generation that has caused all the need to grumble ages enough to grumble about the generation following, we'll probably be complaining about a neo-letter writing campaign. We'll say: "Why doesn't anyone use their cell phone anymore?"
Sounds like it might be a good movie, right? Yet when we see them going on right in front of us, we cringe, we get angry, we demand to know what is wrong with society!
I'm pretty easy going about cell phone use. I take mine everywhere, and I use it just about everywhere. This afternoon, I've taken time to find out why the world thinks cell phone use can be a problem. These are the ones I completely agree with:
Safety: Driving with one hand on the wheel while complaining about the idiots on the road would be an example.
Content: I'm not sure what has desensitized people to talking loudly about their bodily (mal)functions. In addition, I would like to point out that background noise counts as content, to the person you are talking to. To that end, do the women who talk on their cell phones in the bathroom while they are tinkling and flushing really think their friend on the other end really wants to hear that?
Timing: DO NOT answer your phone while we are having dinner without asking if it is ok. I think it's rude to assume that your companion wants to hear your one-sided half of a conversation. There are other obvious situations: movie theaters, job interviews, funerals...
Tone: You don't want to reveal your true colors to the public if you don't have to (especially if you are really really nasty)
Speaking of nasty, the following is also a big no no...
Now for the things I think we could be more lenient about:
Multi-Tasking: I do not have a land line at home, so I rely on my cell phone for all communication to my family in Colorado, and to my fiance who is often away on trips. These people call me on their schedule, not neccessarily on mine. Sometimes I happen to be grocery shopping. As long as I'm not broadcasting my personal life, why should anyone care? As long as I'm paying attention to my surroundings, why should anyone get upset? There are times when multi-tasking is not appropriate (like driving, as discussed above). But we should recognize that the more technologically advanced we become, the more multitasking is going to become a part of our lifestyles.
Proximity: Why is anyone complaining about this? I've heard that the proper etiquette is to stand with a 10 foot radius around you while speaking on the cell phone. Sure, this is easy enough. Now imagine you are in an elevator, and someone is gabbing away on their phone. It bothers you. Why? What if they were having the same conversation with the person standing next to them? Would you still be bothered? This leads to a hypothesis...people must not like the idea of seeing someone talking to thin air. If they can't see what's going on, they get frustrated. There may be hundreds of explanations. Ultimately, it might be that people are still not used to seeing humans interract with technology. It's just a hypothesis.
To sum things up here, let's remember that our society is changing. With so much technology growth, we're seeing stretch marks in our daily expectations. These will go away, and they'll smooth down. When the generation that has caused all the need to grumble ages enough to grumble about the generation following, we'll probably be complaining about a neo-letter writing campaign. We'll say: "Why doesn't anyone use their cell phone anymore?"
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
I'm growing up.
Yes, after 26 years (very nearly), I have found a reason to embrace responsibility. I get up early. I make my lunch for work. I've been going on walks, doing my dishes, and this is the longest my room has been clean since my mom gave up cleaning for me when I was six. I'm getting my homework done on time...actually, the procrastinator in me is still going strong. But overall, I have changed.
And what brought on this change, you might ask? Did my stirring blog from a couple weeks back have that large of an impact on my lifestyle? Did my doctor tell me I only have a few months to live? Or am I on medication that has whipped me into shape? Nope. None of the above...I got a dog.
For the first time in my life, someone is completely depending on me (sorry David, but you are way more independent than this pooch). He needs me to wake up and walk him so he doesn't pee on himself. He needs me to keep him from barking at the strange noises coming from the speaker. He needs me to keep him from soiling a shoe and chewing my dirty socks. I have an important job.
Everyone, meet Oscar:
How could you resist giving this guy what he deserves? His original owner was a crack addict man named Monica, who brought Oscar (then named Tokyo, bleh) and two other dogs stuffed in a duffel bag to the shelter. Oscar had mange, and now is afraid of anything bigger and louder than him. Except me, that is. This guy follows me from room to room, he sits by me every chance he gets, and he cries like someone sat on his tail every time I try to leave the house. Very cute. Very time consuming. Very different from what I expected.
I'll keep Oscar around. He's already learning so much. I have him in a secret competition with my brother's dog, who is also quite a looker. So far my dog has a better name, and is apparently smarter. By the time the two meet, my dog will be a perfect gentleman and try to make nice. His dog will jump on my dog and try to tug his ears. Oh well, it's how doggies play.
On a final note, I'm running out of plastic grocery bags--you know, for the poo. If any one is reading this and is in town, I'd be happy to take them off your hands. Sheesh, I'm in too deep (not in poo, in puppy love!).
Yes, after 26 years (very nearly), I have found a reason to embrace responsibility. I get up early. I make my lunch for work. I've been going on walks, doing my dishes, and this is the longest my room has been clean since my mom gave up cleaning for me when I was six. I'm getting my homework done on time...actually, the procrastinator in me is still going strong. But overall, I have changed.
And what brought on this change, you might ask? Did my stirring blog from a couple weeks back have that large of an impact on my lifestyle? Did my doctor tell me I only have a few months to live? Or am I on medication that has whipped me into shape? Nope. None of the above...I got a dog.
For the first time in my life, someone is completely depending on me (sorry David, but you are way more independent than this pooch). He needs me to wake up and walk him so he doesn't pee on himself. He needs me to keep him from barking at the strange noises coming from the speaker. He needs me to keep him from soiling a shoe and chewing my dirty socks. I have an important job.
Everyone, meet Oscar:
How could you resist giving this guy what he deserves? His original owner was a crack addict man named Monica, who brought Oscar (then named Tokyo, bleh) and two other dogs stuffed in a duffel bag to the shelter. Oscar had mange, and now is afraid of anything bigger and louder than him. Except me, that is. This guy follows me from room to room, he sits by me every chance he gets, and he cries like someone sat on his tail every time I try to leave the house. Very cute. Very time consuming. Very different from what I expected.
I'll keep Oscar around. He's already learning so much. I have him in a secret competition with my brother's dog, who is also quite a looker. So far my dog has a better name, and is apparently smarter. By the time the two meet, my dog will be a perfect gentleman and try to make nice. His dog will jump on my dog and try to tug his ears. Oh well, it's how doggies play.
On a final note, I'm running out of plastic grocery bags--you know, for the poo. If any one is reading this and is in town, I'd be happy to take them off your hands. Sheesh, I'm in too deep (not in poo, in puppy love!).
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