I've been trying to be more social recently. Essentially, I have stopped assuming that my friends are always busy, and I have been calling them to make plans. It sounds extremely basic, but this is a habit that I grew out of with the advent of email, Facebook, and the like, and with age and the growing of responsibility as well. So far, so good. I got a hold of John and Meg last weekend, and went out for coffee with Hink on a weekday. And here I thought going out on a Monday just didn't happen anymore. It was good times.
I need regular human contact to keep my mental and emotional sanity, especially right now, since I'm only working 2-3 days a week. All of that free time could easily be wasted away at home, but I've been trying to set tasks for myself to keep myself busy. It's given me a chance to sit down and get through a book or two as well, which is always nice. My "to read" pile is still at around thirty titles, but if I'm diligent and don't go out purchasing more books to add to the pile in the near future, I should be able to finish it off within a year. I might just start a book review blog for my own personal perusal, and anyone else who is interested. I'll post the link here if and when I get around to doing it. Maybe I'll title it "The backlog," listing the books on my list, and chronicling my progress. Thoughts?
Off to a sushi lunch with the lady, to celebrate our two year anniversary. I'm grateful for this love and comfort.
It was supposed to be a massive and comprehensive archive of information. We were meant to have grown more enlightened from the ability to share our theories, ideas, and philosophies with everyone around the world. Through instantaneous access, the Internet was supposed to be the great equalizer, giving voice to rich, poor, powerful, oppressed, and everyone in between. So, why do I feel betrayed?
The bulk of information on the Internet that is actually viewed by people is garbage. From inane youtube clips, to pornography, and to message boards that are often nothing more than vacuums for group think and one-note 4chan memes, the Internet is largely a place where the lowest common denominator meet to waste time and further dull our brains. Read the comments pages of most youtube clips, and they are littered with racism, discrimination, childish back-and-forth fighting, and unoriginal comebacks.
I think my main problem with the Internet is that it seems to have become another visual medium, versus a useful platform for meaningful discussion. The attention span of the average surfer does not lend itself to reading long articles or participating in well-structured and calm debate. Everyone seems to want the bottom line, or a Photoshopped image to poke fun at the topic at hand.
In terms of my own web habits, I have limited myself to email and Facebook checking, followed by browsing the usual 3-4 websites that I always do. I suppose I am part of the problem, and that perhaps with greater detective work, I would be able to find the type of information I think the Internet should be providing. I know it -is- there, but when I think of the most common sites, such as social networking pages or youtube, I feel like I'm back in a high school classroom again, where it is the popular kid or the prankster who gets all the attention. I'm not saying these sites don't have their place. They do, but they seem to be the focal point of a lot of people's Internet habits, and I see that as being potentially dangerous.
How to combat these trends? I suppose I can try to set my own example by posting material or browsing sites that I feel have genuine worth to my own personal growth, and which have something meaningful to say on a given topic. Again, if I am not trying to fight against the current but am merely rolling along with it, then I truly have no right to complain. And what is "meaningful" material, anyway? It means different things to different people.
I suppose the other option would be to unplug. But that would just be silly. A more realistic solution is to curb my browsing habits, limiting the time I spend on websites I know are merely time wasters, and actually spend some time doing an activity that I feel is more worthwhile. You know, like breathing the air outside, or reading a bound paper book.
65daysofstatic - I Swallowed Hard, Like I Understood
Does anyone still read this thing?
My sleeping habits have been utterly screwed up this week, and I don't have a rational idea as to why.
I've lost 5 pounds over the past month, which I'm told is healthy. I do wish progress was quicker at times, but I've come to accept that being diligent and patient is the best option with most things. Just have to remain consistent. Forcing myself down to the gym is a trial sometimes, though.
No luck with finding full time work for the fall right now, though I know I could and likely should be trying harder. I'm applying around the Toronto area, as well as Montreal. It's essentially a waiting game at this point; as soon as I get work in Montreal, Grace and I will be on our merry way.
I now have glasses. Thank you, year of call centre work. I shake my fist in your general direction.
This is merely a way of procrastinating and keeping myself from doing what I should be doing. At least I've accomplished most of the things I wanted to today. Just have to prepare a lesson for the class I'm subbing for tomorrow, and I'm set.
On Saturday morning, Grace, Maggie, and I are heading off to Long Island, to visit my sister and her husband. It should be fun times.
I <3 Millennium Actress, so here is some artwork from the movie.
What an incredible year. So many ups and downs, and so many hills and mountains that the team had to climb in order to get here. From almost missing the playoffs, to Hossa leaving, to trading away Whitney to get Kunitz, to Guerin, to Craig Adams, to DAN BYLSMA, and to Sid, Geno, and Fleury stepping up at various crucial moments in the playoffs. What a year. What a team. No one can take this away from them. After this, we walk together forever. Let's go Pens!
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I have found them. I was sure they existed, but just wasn't sure where to look. Yep, it's a POLISH post-rock band. Awesome! This music video is filled with cheese and WIN. (please, stomach the first 1:30 of lame and witness the glory of the rest) I love the zebras and giraffes at the end. Seriously, I do. Yay, a Polish band I can be proud of. I <3 instrumental rock.
This is from episode 3 of the second season of Flight of the Conchords. This just might be my favourite song the guys have done so far. "I feel like a prize asshole, no one even mentions my caserole." So awesome. Please watch this show.
Other gems to check out from this season (so far), include:
This is pretty much my new favourite show. It's geeky, it consistently references science fiction and geek culture, and it's brilliant. Please watch it! This is a small sample.
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