It's amazing how much we are dependent on technology. If any one of us had to be transported 200 years back in time, I don't believe we would make it! After knowing what its like to have everything at our fingertips, and never having to wait longer than 3 minutes for anything, I think we would slowly go insane without everything we have become accustomed to.
The power went out at work the other day, and it surprised me how much I take it for granted. Even though I knew there was no power, I still kept trying to turn things on without thinking; things like the microwave, the stove, the computer and the TV. I knew the lights were out, and I never tried to turn them on, but my subconscious hadn't yet realized that everything else wasn't working as well.
Remember Y2K? Everyone was in a panic because if the computers were to go down, life as we know it would cease to exist. Scary, isn't it? I mean, if the world came to a sudden halt, just because some machines stopped working, who is running things? Us or them? (It's just a thought...)
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Inconceivable!
Yesterday I watched The Princess Bride for what had to be the millionth time...Ok, so maybe I exaggerated a bit! It is the only movie that never gets old, no matter what. A timeless classic...move over Disney!
Since I'm learning Espanol and I can probably quote this movie line for line, I decided to watch it in Spanish. I ended up switching it back to English (with Spanish subtitles!) about halfway through, (the Miracle Max part) because there are just some times when you need the original voices! (Inconceivable!)
The Princess Bride. It has everything: romance, satire, and of course, mawwiage and love - twue wove! If you haven't seen the special features yet, go ahead and watch them. Criminal Minds' Mandy Patinkin, who played Inigo Montoya, actually cries as he talks about how proud he is that he was a part of the movie. I never knew his name was Mandy before, and while I respect him as an actor, I don't know how he made it through life with his name! What were his parents thinking? No wonder he cries easily...
I Googled the book, and could not find the original anywhere; only the abridged movie version is available. As I searched, I came across a title that I had to check out - "The Totally Geeky Guide to the Princess Bride." Thank goodness the website let me read a few pages of the book...it was hilarious, but I think the author, MaryAnn Johanson, took it a bit too far!
She basically said that we can apply the ideals in the movie to any situation in life. Some carry over, but not all...I mean, who would want to waste their life on revenge? Anyways, it was still an interesting book, but not something I would spend money on. The original Princess Bride book however, I would gladly fork over a few dollars for - if I could FIND IT!!!
Since I'm learning Espanol and I can probably quote this movie line for line, I decided to watch it in Spanish. I ended up switching it back to English (with Spanish subtitles!) about halfway through, (the Miracle Max part) because there are just some times when you need the original voices! (Inconceivable!)
The Princess Bride. It has everything: romance, satire, and of course, mawwiage and love - twue wove! If you haven't seen the special features yet, go ahead and watch them. Criminal Minds' Mandy Patinkin, who played Inigo Montoya, actually cries as he talks about how proud he is that he was a part of the movie. I never knew his name was Mandy before, and while I respect him as an actor, I don't know how he made it through life with his name! What were his parents thinking? No wonder he cries easily...
I Googled the book, and could not find the original anywhere; only the abridged movie version is available. As I searched, I came across a title that I had to check out - "The Totally Geeky Guide to the Princess Bride." Thank goodness the website let me read a few pages of the book...it was hilarious, but I think the author, MaryAnn Johanson, took it a bit too far!
She basically said that we can apply the ideals in the movie to any situation in life. Some carry over, but not all...I mean, who would want to waste their life on revenge? Anyways, it was still an interesting book, but not something I would spend money on. The original Princess Bride book however, I would gladly fork over a few dollars for - if I could FIND IT!!!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Name or No-Name?
Is there a difference between the name brand and the no-name brand? I recently went to the store to buy allergy pills, and in the past, I have always saved a couple of dollars by buying the no-name brand. Sometimes I saved more than a couple of dollars, since the price of certain name brand medication is very over-priced!
In the last few weeks however, I've been bombarded with TV commercials for Benadryl, Reactine, Claritin and all the rest of the allergy meds out there. So, for the first time I was actually thinking about branching out and trying one of those names instead of my usual pills that have worked great for years! (How commercials rob us of our sense and logic...)
I spent a few minutes looking at the smorgasbord of allergy pills on the shelf, and then I decided to ask the pharmacist. I told him my allergy symptoms, and asked him if the no-name brand was as good as Benadryl, Claritin and Reactine. Let me tell you, none of those TV commercials could have prepared me for what he told me!
He cleared his throat, nervously looked over his shoulders and then said, "I shouldn't be telling you this, but... (How many times have I heard that delicious phrase!) ...the no name brand is no different than any of the name brands - in fact, it actually can be better for you."
Well, you could have knocked me down with a baseball bat. ;) My only regret is that I didn't ask him how the no-name brand is better for you...or maybe I didn't really want to know the answer to that one! I walked away once again having saved myself a few dollars, and I am once again using my trusty no-name allergy pills. (That work!)
It's amazing how much trust we put into "them." Who are "they?" The people or companies who tell us that something is good for us, or is needed by our bodies. How do we know they are telling us the truth? But I could write a novel on this topic, so I think I will save it for another day!
In the last few weeks however, I've been bombarded with TV commercials for Benadryl, Reactine, Claritin and all the rest of the allergy meds out there. So, for the first time I was actually thinking about branching out and trying one of those names instead of my usual pills that have worked great for years! (How commercials rob us of our sense and logic...)
I spent a few minutes looking at the smorgasbord of allergy pills on the shelf, and then I decided to ask the pharmacist. I told him my allergy symptoms, and asked him if the no-name brand was as good as Benadryl, Claritin and Reactine. Let me tell you, none of those TV commercials could have prepared me for what he told me!
He cleared his throat, nervously looked over his shoulders and then said, "I shouldn't be telling you this, but... (How many times have I heard that delicious phrase!) ...the no name brand is no different than any of the name brands - in fact, it actually can be better for you."
Well, you could have knocked me down with a baseball bat. ;) My only regret is that I didn't ask him how the no-name brand is better for you...or maybe I didn't really want to know the answer to that one! I walked away once again having saved myself a few dollars, and I am once again using my trusty no-name allergy pills. (That work!)
It's amazing how much trust we put into "them." Who are "they?" The people or companies who tell us that something is good for us, or is needed by our bodies. How do we know they are telling us the truth? But I could write a novel on this topic, so I think I will save it for another day!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
What Are Hashtags?
I am sitting here teaching someone how to blog and as I am talking, she keeps giving me strange looks, like I am speaking another language. When did the internet create a whole new way of communicating? 5 or 10 years from now, I am sure that dictionaries will have an entire different list of words, like blogosphere, networking, Twitterific, hashtags, Googling, etc. (I have been wondering what hashtags are for a while now...)
I guess its not enough that teenagers have to have a language that their parents (or even people just a few years older) can't understand - now anyone under the age of 30 uses words that mean absolutely nothing to the "old" generations.
Apparently I have fallen prey to this new way of speaking, and I don't think there is anything I can do about it - actually, I don't mind it...much. Sometimes it is a bit frustrating to have to explain myself to people older than 30, and then have to explain my explanations as well, but when they look at me with awe, it makes up for it! (However, the more you know, the more they ask you...) If you know it, they will come!
By the way, my friend ended up starting her blog, in spite of me and my internet spiel! Check it out at: jeshuashealing.blogspot.com.
I guess its not enough that teenagers have to have a language that their parents (or even people just a few years older) can't understand - now anyone under the age of 30 uses words that mean absolutely nothing to the "old" generations.
Apparently I have fallen prey to this new way of speaking, and I don't think there is anything I can do about it - actually, I don't mind it...much. Sometimes it is a bit frustrating to have to explain myself to people older than 30, and then have to explain my explanations as well, but when they look at me with awe, it makes up for it! (However, the more you know, the more they ask you...) If you know it, they will come!
By the way, my friend ended up starting her blog, in spite of me and my internet spiel! Check it out at: jeshuashealing.blogspot.com.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
My Gem of a Phone (Pun intended!)
I just got a new cell phone, and I must say, I never thought I could have this much love for an inanimate object! My lovely Blackberry Pearl is my new favorite toy. I've had it for a few days, but I think I'll still be finding new things it can do months from now.
It is basically a mini computer. I can download (upload?) Excel, Word or PowerPoint docs from my computer to my cell, work on them, save them and then email them - and all from my phone! Wow. I can't believe that just 20 years ago (in my lifetime) cell phones were called car phones and were bigger than some of the home phones we use today. Amazing, isn't it? In the last 100 years alone we have seen more technological advances than in the last 1000 years...
But back to my Blackberry...I have never been the type to read the instruction manual - that would be far too easy! Instead, I stumble along, discovering new things by accident along the way. Doing it this way takes a little longer, but hey, I get that "I did it myself" feeling. ;) If I had been born 600 years ago, (and born a man) I probably would have been the explorer who set the record for most miles traveled without finding anything!
So if you are looking for a cell phone that will give your life new meaning, pick the Blackberry Pearl - it is well worth the high price - I can say that because I didn't have to pay a cent for mine!
Hmmm, Blackberry ought to send me some free stuff for all this promotion!
It is basically a mini computer. I can download (upload?) Excel, Word or PowerPoint docs from my computer to my cell, work on them, save them and then email them - and all from my phone! Wow. I can't believe that just 20 years ago (in my lifetime) cell phones were called car phones and were bigger than some of the home phones we use today. Amazing, isn't it? In the last 100 years alone we have seen more technological advances than in the last 1000 years...
But back to my Blackberry...I have never been the type to read the instruction manual - that would be far too easy! Instead, I stumble along, discovering new things by accident along the way. Doing it this way takes a little longer, but hey, I get that "I did it myself" feeling. ;) If I had been born 600 years ago, (and born a man) I probably would have been the explorer who set the record for most miles traveled without finding anything!
So if you are looking for a cell phone that will give your life new meaning, pick the Blackberry Pearl - it is well worth the high price - I can say that because I didn't have to pay a cent for mine!
Hmmm, Blackberry ought to send me some free stuff for all this promotion!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Like Mother, Like Daughter?
Is it inevitable? Do we even have a choice of whether or not we turn into our parents? Lately I've been having these odd sort of Deja Vu moments, but not the kind where you think you've done this before; the kind where you've seen someone else do it. Namely, my mother!
The older I get (not that I'm old by any means!) the more I notice I'm saying and doing things that I never thought I would - things that my mother always said and did. This genetic "copycat" behavior has even penetrated into the littlest of things, like what I do when I rinse my fingers at the sink, how I say certain things and what I do when I'm on the phone.
When I was a teenager, I was (or I tried to be) the opposite of my mom, but things changed when I grew up, and now my mother is also my friend. That was a little weird for me at first, and sometimes it still doesn't seem natural, but I'm getting used to it! However, the more I "get to know her", the more I'm realizing I'm just like her!
I can't help but wonder how much of this we have control over. Are we genetically predisposed and/or environmentally predisposed to become our parents, or is it a choice we subconsciously make? In my opinion, it is completely genetic/environmental because we do it without even realizing that we are copying our parents' behaviors.
I guess I should take a good, long look at my mother and resign myself to the fact that slowly but surely, I am becoming just like her! Don't get me wrong, my mom is great, and she has many admirable qualities. I just never thought that all of the little things she says and does would someday be my little things as well!
Like mother, like daughter and like father, like son. How far does it go back? When I copy my mom's way of rinsing her fingers, is that how her great, great grandmother did it too? I wonder if she has noticed the little behaviors that her mother passed down to her...
To answer my first question, I guess it is inevitable. There are just certain things we cannot change, no matter how hard we try! And when I have a daughter of my own, she will find herself shocked at the fact that she is caught in the cycle as well - she'll probably rinse her fingers differently too, and doodle the same word over and over again while she is on the phone. She may never even realize that those actions are not her own!
The older I get (not that I'm old by any means!) the more I notice I'm saying and doing things that I never thought I would - things that my mother always said and did. This genetic "copycat" behavior has even penetrated into the littlest of things, like what I do when I rinse my fingers at the sink, how I say certain things and what I do when I'm on the phone.
When I was a teenager, I was (or I tried to be) the opposite of my mom, but things changed when I grew up, and now my mother is also my friend. That was a little weird for me at first, and sometimes it still doesn't seem natural, but I'm getting used to it! However, the more I "get to know her", the more I'm realizing I'm just like her!
I can't help but wonder how much of this we have control over. Are we genetically predisposed and/or environmentally predisposed to become our parents, or is it a choice we subconsciously make? In my opinion, it is completely genetic/environmental because we do it without even realizing that we are copying our parents' behaviors.
I guess I should take a good, long look at my mother and resign myself to the fact that slowly but surely, I am becoming just like her! Don't get me wrong, my mom is great, and she has many admirable qualities. I just never thought that all of the little things she says and does would someday be my little things as well!
Like mother, like daughter and like father, like son. How far does it go back? When I copy my mom's way of rinsing her fingers, is that how her great, great grandmother did it too? I wonder if she has noticed the little behaviors that her mother passed down to her...
To answer my first question, I guess it is inevitable. There are just certain things we cannot change, no matter how hard we try! And when I have a daughter of my own, she will find herself shocked at the fact that she is caught in the cycle as well - she'll probably rinse her fingers differently too, and doodle the same word over and over again while she is on the phone. She may never even realize that those actions are not her own!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
What (or Who) Are Internet Ghosts?
Friends, there are ghosts among us... Not the spooky, white sheet kind of ghosts, but the low-paid, desperate kind.
How many times are you on the internet in a typical week? How many Google searches do you make? How many articles do you read about the topics you've searched? I would hazard a guess that at least 80-90% of the population now researches and asks their questions on the net pretty often. Some people build up a trust with a particular author and follow their articles regularly.
I have some news that may shock you. Or it may not surprise you at all, considering the standards we have grown accustomed to as a society. That news is that chances are, the articles you read on the internet, are probably NOT written by the person whose name is attached to them!
Who wrote them? Freelance writers, that's who. Freelance writers who need the extra money and don't think about the consequences. Freelance writers...like me!
The consequence of being an "internet ghost" are discovered one day, when you are Googling something, you come across a cleverly written piece that makes you sit back and say, "that is a good article...sounds like something I would write myself! Must be a more good writers out there after all." Unfortunately, when you take a closer look, you realize that you DID write it, and someone else is taking the credit for it!
We don't think of that at the time however; all we think about is the $15, $5 or even $2 we will be getting in return for those 500 words that we can never take back or take as our own. Those 500 words will belong to someone else, and we won't even be able to use them as a reference.
I have written hundreds of these, and it makes me wonder how many so-called writers and authors out there have ever written a single line for themselves. If you are skeptical, Google "freelance writing jobs" and take a gander at how many websites there are devoted to the subject. Then have a look at the job postings - there are almost no employers that want your name on the article.
The part that gets me the most about this is that when you come across those too-familiar words, and you look at the website they are on, usually you realize that you could have written this article yourself, put your name on it and they would have accepted it and published it!
But there are way too many freelancers out there who need the quick buck and are probably too stressed to think about anything other than the bill they can pay with the small amount they are getting paid to remain in the shadows.
I was one of those...once. Now have a job that has nothing to do with writing, but I still have that burning inside of me that only a writer can understand. So I blog...I don't get paid very much for it, but it's MINE! Someday, by the sweat of my brow (or the sweat of my fingers!) I will be able to pay my bills with my writing, and it will be harder to do this way, but I don't want to waste my time promoting other peoples' names anymore. It's my turn!
I don't mean to put down other writers who are ghost-writing...it's not a bad way to get experience, and like I said before, I did it for a few years. The point I want you to walk away with, is don't do it forever! Branch out...your writing deserves to have YOUR name attached to it!
How many times are you on the internet in a typical week? How many Google searches do you make? How many articles do you read about the topics you've searched? I would hazard a guess that at least 80-90% of the population now researches and asks their questions on the net pretty often. Some people build up a trust with a particular author and follow their articles regularly.
I have some news that may shock you. Or it may not surprise you at all, considering the standards we have grown accustomed to as a society. That news is that chances are, the articles you read on the internet, are probably NOT written by the person whose name is attached to them!
Who wrote them? Freelance writers, that's who. Freelance writers who need the extra money and don't think about the consequences. Freelance writers...like me!
The consequence of being an "internet ghost" are discovered one day, when you are Googling something, you come across a cleverly written piece that makes you sit back and say, "that is a good article...sounds like something I would write myself! Must be a more good writers out there after all." Unfortunately, when you take a closer look, you realize that you DID write it, and someone else is taking the credit for it!
We don't think of that at the time however; all we think about is the $15, $5 or even $2 we will be getting in return for those 500 words that we can never take back or take as our own. Those 500 words will belong to someone else, and we won't even be able to use them as a reference.
I have written hundreds of these, and it makes me wonder how many so-called writers and authors out there have ever written a single line for themselves. If you are skeptical, Google "freelance writing jobs" and take a gander at how many websites there are devoted to the subject. Then have a look at the job postings - there are almost no employers that want your name on the article.
The part that gets me the most about this is that when you come across those too-familiar words, and you look at the website they are on, usually you realize that you could have written this article yourself, put your name on it and they would have accepted it and published it!
But there are way too many freelancers out there who need the quick buck and are probably too stressed to think about anything other than the bill they can pay with the small amount they are getting paid to remain in the shadows.
I was one of those...once. Now have a job that has nothing to do with writing, but I still have that burning inside of me that only a writer can understand. So I blog...I don't get paid very much for it, but it's MINE! Someday, by the sweat of my brow (or the sweat of my fingers!) I will be able to pay my bills with my writing, and it will be harder to do this way, but I don't want to waste my time promoting other peoples' names anymore. It's my turn!
I don't mean to put down other writers who are ghost-writing...it's not a bad way to get experience, and like I said before, I did it for a few years. The point I want you to walk away with, is don't do it forever! Branch out...your writing deserves to have YOUR name attached to it!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Whatever Happened To?
Has anyone heard anything about Taylor Hicks? I fell in love with him during the fifth season of American Idol (yes, I know that he has gray hair and dances funny, but you can't help who you fall for, okay?), but I haven't heard squat about him since he won.
Personally, I don't think he was right for AI (or Artificial Intelligence for that matter!) :P I know he was struggling, but I think American Idol ruined him. He should have pressed on, and I think eventually he would have made it, and we would be hearing about him! But what do I know...I'm not a struggling musician by any means, and no one knows what they would do until they are actually in the situation they are judging!
So where is he now? We hear about the winners of American Idol all the time - even some of the runners-up. (Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry for example.) The winning process is supposed to be the same for everyone. First you release your first single (that someone else wrote for you), then you do a set of Ford commercials, then your album comes out and you go on tour, do music videos, appear on MTV and the entertainment/late night talk shows. It is a formula that has worked for many, but something went wrong with Taylor Hicks. I think he is making music, but the public seems to have forgotten him completely - sort of like a shooting star, he has disappeared.
Who knows what happened? Maybe he fought the system. Maybe he didn't like the way they took over the song writing. Maybe the American Idol Mafia made off with him in the night...okay, I know that last one was a bit far-fetched!
Where are you Taylor? I would like to see you again, but if you are coming without the old, real you, then I'm no longer interested. I liked the charisma, the gray hair and yes, even the goofy dancing!
Celebrities Are People Too!
I live alone, and before I resort to talking to myself (out loud!) I usually turn on the TV for "company" in the evenings. Lately I've been noticing how many shows are completely devoted to the celebrities of Hollywood. One of them even follows people around with a video camera - and they get paid to do it! How do they get paid for this? They are able to receive what is probably a substantial paycheck because we, the public, watch the shows!
Some of these shows include TMZ, ET, ENews, and there are many more. Not only do we watch these shows, but we want to watch them...we watch them eagerly. But hey, who am I kidding? It's so exciting to see Shia Labeouf sitting outside the drugstore smoking, or see Halle Barry (with no make-up!) out with her child. And I'm simply dying to catch a 4 second interview with Denzel Washington about his latest movie - an interview that is kept until the last 4 seconds of the show!
People, people, why are we watching these celebs when they are out doing NORMAL PEOPLE THINGS? Watch them in the theatre when they are getting paid millions of dollars by all means, but can we leave them alone and let them live their lives when they are at the grocery store?
On a side note, I just did a spell check, and can you believe that the word "celebs" is a real word? Now I am really convinced that the world is run by Hollywood. They have taken over our dictionaries; there is no hope! :P
Some of these shows include TMZ, ET, ENews, and there are many more. Not only do we watch these shows, but we want to watch them...we watch them eagerly. But hey, who am I kidding? It's so exciting to see Shia Labeouf sitting outside the drugstore smoking, or see Halle Barry (with no make-up!) out with her child. And I'm simply dying to catch a 4 second interview with Denzel Washington about his latest movie - an interview that is kept until the last 4 seconds of the show!
People, people, why are we watching these celebs when they are out doing NORMAL PEOPLE THINGS? Watch them in the theatre when they are getting paid millions of dollars by all means, but can we leave them alone and let them live their lives when they are at the grocery store?
On a side note, I just did a spell check, and can you believe that the word "celebs" is a real word? Now I am really convinced that the world is run by Hollywood. They have taken over our dictionaries; there is no hope! :P
Thursday, April 16, 2009
It Happens Every Time..
Every year, when winter unhooks its cold, cruel claws and the sun crawls out, bringing warmer weather to those who deny winter's existence...every year when I want to be outside enjoying the spring temperatures...every single year about this time I get SICK!!!
It begins with a sore throat, and moves on to a stuffed-up nose and a worse sore throat, all of which keeps me fairly miserable. I would like to know what brings it on (every single year!) and how to put an end to it. :(
It begins with a sore throat, and moves on to a stuffed-up nose and a worse sore throat, all of which keeps me fairly miserable. I would like to know what brings it on (every single year!) and how to put an end to it. :(
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
I'm back!
Hello Blogosphere!
I am back and it feels good. Loving the warmer weather - it had better stay this time! I've almost given up on listening to the weather people...There, now that I've talked about the weather, I can move on to more important things - like "Facebooking" versus "Tweeting" (Twittering?"). I have given into both and have accounts with both of these well-known time-wasters and I love it. I spend a pathetic amount of time trying to think of things to tweet about, yet I am on Twitter multiple times throughout the day!
One of my last Facebook statuses was "Facebook old. Twitter new and exciting!" I think that about captures what a lot of people are feeling right now. Facebook does have a lot more applications and things to do, but on Twitter you get to have followers! That tends to give people a sense of power (false power, but power nonetheless!) Who among us would rather have friends than followers?
As new and exciting as Twitter is, I am sure that in a couple of years, or maybe even in a few months time there will be a more new and exciting website out there, and Twitter will become a thing of the past for many people. Where does it stop?
On a side note, if you are on Twitter, and you like to tweet, does that make you a Twit? If it does, then I say more people should be Twits!
So maybe it doesn't have to come down to Facebook versus Twitter after all. Facebook, you can have the fun but meaningless applications, quizzes and games, and Twitter, you may continue to give people a reason to wake up in the morning - for now.
I am back and it feels good. Loving the warmer weather - it had better stay this time! I've almost given up on listening to the weather people...There, now that I've talked about the weather, I can move on to more important things - like "Facebooking" versus "Tweeting" (Twittering?"). I have given into both and have accounts with both of these well-known time-wasters and I love it. I spend a pathetic amount of time trying to think of things to tweet about, yet I am on Twitter multiple times throughout the day!
One of my last Facebook statuses was "Facebook old. Twitter new and exciting!" I think that about captures what a lot of people are feeling right now. Facebook does have a lot more applications and things to do, but on Twitter you get to have followers! That tends to give people a sense of power (false power, but power nonetheless!) Who among us would rather have friends than followers?
As new and exciting as Twitter is, I am sure that in a couple of years, or maybe even in a few months time there will be a more new and exciting website out there, and Twitter will become a thing of the past for many people. Where does it stop?
On a side note, if you are on Twitter, and you like to tweet, does that make you a Twit? If it does, then I say more people should be Twits!
So maybe it doesn't have to come down to Facebook versus Twitter after all. Facebook, you can have the fun but meaningless applications, quizzes and games, and Twitter, you may continue to give people a reason to wake up in the morning - for now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
