Showing posts with label the internet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the internet. Show all posts

Friday, April 15, 2011

Day 35: Strange (online) bedfellows

Who is the most random person you follow online? Choose someone you don't know, don't know how you found, or even someone you love to hate. Why do you do it?

I've been wanting to write a post about this for months. I follow Mike Tyson on Twitter. I should really hate Mike Tyson, and I think in many ways I do. But he's also unbelievably interesting, and his transparent quest for grace over the past few years has been undeniably compelling.

Let's look at the facts: the man was convicted of rape in the 90's, and of spousal abuse in a marriage that his ex-wife called "torture, pure hell." He has eight children, from multiple women, and until recently, has said that he felt no reason to be faithful to his girlfriends or wives. Oh and he bit a man's ear off.

Mike Tyson is a terrible human being, certainly. But he's the first one to admit that now.

"The first stage of my life was just a whole bunch of selfishness. Just a whole bunch of gifts to myself and people who didn't necessarily deserve it. Now I'm 44, and I realize that my whole life is just a fucking waste... So if there's a big plan now, it's just to give—it's selflessness, caring for the people who deserve it. Because I think I'm a pig. I have this uncanny ability to look at myself in the mirror and say, 'This is a pig. You are a fucking piece of shit.'" - Details magazine, Aug. 2010

Tyson was raised amidst violence, and then made a career out of what he calls "wanting to kill, maim" people - he says that all good boxers are trained to act like monsters in the ring. Then he took this lifestyle outside the ring, and he lost everything because of it. When his daughter died tragically in 2009, he reevaluated his life and has since dedicated himself to a full, lifelong recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, as well as his admitted rage issues.

In a culture where we seem to forgive and forget horrific acts committed by the rich and famous (Vick's lauded NFL comeback, Sheen's current sold-out tour) after minimal apology or retribution, I think it's admirable that Tyson is consistently working to apologize for his past transgressions rather than ignore them. (Perhaps he could tutor Chris Brown?)

He tweets about philosophy and his new vegan lifestyle, of sitting with his wife while she breastfeeds their child. On a recent trip to Prague, he wished to be at home with his kids. He talks often about how his wife's love is the greatest gift he's been given, and that he doesn't feel he deserves it. I really want to believe it's not an act, even after his account this week changed from gratitude to promotion of his new iPhone game.

Why am I so invested in his recovery? I think it stems from knowing the inherent narcissism of addicts firsthand; Tyson represents the post-addiction stage that friends and families of addicts always wish for, but aren't ever sure is possible.

Last week he tweeted, "I'm glad I grew up to be a human being, instead of a millionaire or billionaire."

I hope that first part is true, though I suspect he's still a millionaire.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Lent!Blog! participants

I'm excited to share the news that Lent!Blog! is overtaking the whole of the internets. Seriously, the Twitter servers reserved solely for the Biebs have nothing on Lent!Blog!

The talented bloggers who have at least hesitantly committed to this strenuous project are:

Jamie of Jamie JD
Jamie is a 1L (also studying for her MPP) living in D.C. with her fiance, MW. Areas of expertise: law school, politics, domestic life, working out (homegirl's training for a marathon, in the middle of 1L), and trashy ABC family television.

Joe of Holly Was a Hoodrat
Joe is a 2L (also studying for something else at Humphrey Institute. Could be an MPP? Why can't you all just quit being such overacheivers and get one degree at a time?) Areas of expertise: law school, environmental policy, politics, lover of indie music and anything on vinyl, running, and hipster collectibles that act as homages to F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Teresa of Music of the Moment
Teresa is a fellow Badger, currently rocking the non-profit scene in NYC after a stint as a journalist in Colombia. Areas of expertise: the future of print journalism, politics, how to survive in the kidnapping capital of the world, running, pandas, and glitter.

Jenny of The Balow Bunch
Jenny is my coworker, an internet marketing rockstar who is also mother to the cutest baby I've ever seen. Areas of expertise: new motherhood, religion, politics, baseball (esp. MN Twins), marketing and social media, justifying a daily white mocha from Caribou coffee.

Greta of Adventures of Peanut Butter and Jelly
Greta is another Badger, currently rocking a much-coveted position at a huge ad agency in Minneapolis. Areas of expertise: advertising and marketing, running and working out, politics, showing major Wisco pride at all times, baking, coffee, and repping for hot redheads worldwide.

Oh and me. I'll be writing the prompts and keeping up the general enthusiasm of all participants so this doesn't fall flat after three days.

Am I missing anyone? I think these are all those who have confirmed. Thanks for jumping on my whim, amigos. If you're reading this and wishing you were a part of it, then join in! Leave your URL in the comments and I'll add you to the list.

I think I speak for everyone when I say this is going to change our lives.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Waka Waka, Etc.

Waka Waka
Is a new song by Shakira. It was the official World Cup Theme Song and it's fabulous for working out, cleaning, or playing on repeat for no reason when you're in an upbeat mood.

Warchalking
Warchalking was loosely based off ‘hobo language’, where hobos used to mark safe/unsafe zones with chalk to warn or help their fellow road warriors. Warchalking was created in 2002, when a group of people who thought they were internet ninjas techies created a series of symbols that were meant to inform passersby of where they could locate an open wireless port.

This trend got a lot of media attention, and it was thought by some that it could turn into a major grassroots effort worldwide. However, within a year of its inception, the idea that free wi-fi had to be shared via covert chalking was dead- replaced at first by free wi-fi in businesses like coffeeshops and eventually... nearly everywhere, until even our cell phones carried their own signal.

In an article that describes the demise of warchalking in 2003, a blogger wrote of the future:
"You'll walk into Starbucks or [Walmart] or Barnes and Noble, or you'll be walking through your neighborhood, or perhaps some place near a payphone. You'll have the web around you, all of the time. At home, at the office. Everywhere. It'll be like air or water. Wi-Fi will just be there. At some point, you won't have to worry about where you are. Wi-Fi or some other related wireless network will provide you with an internet blanket, and you'll always feel warm and cozy."

Aside from the payphone reference, he kind of nailed it. Isn't it astounding to see how far we've come in just seven years?

What This Town Needs is a Kid in a Well
My favorite Onion article, ever.

Whoo Whoo Whoo
My friend Tali is trying to bring back this 90's gesture (:06- :07). Far be it from me to deny her this dream- readers, please begin to incorporate the low dog bark/fist circle at all moments of excitement from here on out.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

JunkToss 2010

I came across an awesome collaborative blog/experiment this week called Six Items or Less. Basically, a whole bunch of online folks are going to pick 6 items of clothing and wear only those items for a month (excluding working out, pajamas, and any work uniforms). Each participant has a slightly different reason for participating- some to make a statement about consumerism, others about mindfulness, still others because they want to cut down on their morning prep time.

I think it's a really neat concept. I'm guilty of buying clothes that serve one purpose- a fancy work shirt, casual hang out tees, skirts that are just a bit too short to wear to my office, etc. etc. I am always in awe of my future roomie, who has a clear knack for buying pieces that she can pull off in all settings. (Side note: I could not be more excited to double my closet in a week and a half.)

So, while I'm not going to participate in this challenge of 6 items or less (seriously, are they insane?) I am going to do a mindful experiment of my own: choose 10 items every week for the next 5, to give/throw away. Five per week will be clothing, and five will be 'things'- in my case, it's undoubtedly going to be something I hold onto for nostalgia sake. For example, I found my Big Willie Style CD in my room a few weeks ago. WHY?

Good things will come of this. My new room, in my new fabulous apartment, will be less cluttered. I'll hopefully find patterns among the stuff I throw away, so I'll become a smarter shopper. I think I'll document my toss-aways once a week on here. It will be a good way to learn iPhoto, and I have a feeling you all will enjoy the absurd crap that I own for no reason.

I'm fairly certain I own enough stuff to do this. It didn't seem fair to audit my closet before beginning...

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Follow-up on Mean Girls

I was happy to see the NYT e-published some LTEs today regarding last week’s “Mean Girls” article that I blogged about here. Many others stated similar issues with the authors' reasoning that lower rates of illegal violence among young girls meant there was less bullying occurring in general.

Meanwhile, a new story in the headlines is again highlighting the modern-day bullying problem. In February a high schooler in Mississippi, Constance McMillen, was told she could not bring her girlfriend to her prom. The media and LGBTQA groups led a barrage of attacks against the school until it was decided that she could attend a private prom sponsored by some parents (the regular prom, as far as I could tell, was officially canceled). As it turns out, Constance was sent to a ‘fake’ prom while the heteros partied a few miles down the road.

As KC correctly observed in my comments, it’s not always right to blame the parental involvement of kids. I can attest to the truth that some of the shittiest people I know came from loving, fabulous parents. I also agree with Joel that parents should engage with their kids while maintaining authority in order to raise them to be happy, well-adjusted, and caring adults.

However, this wasn’t just mean girls acting out, and it wasn’t parents and school administrators turning a blind eye to the problem (as in the case of the girl in Massachusetts). It was a joint effort of students and adults to exclude Constance, her girlfriend, and other kids who don't 'fit in'.

In the end, what could have been an important lesson in civil rights and acceptance turned out to be a devastating night for one extremely courageous 18-year-old.

The only good news I can see is that, according to my happiness flowchart, the shameful people who did this must be really miserable. Just as they deserve to be. (Pronto, two can play at shameless self-promotion).

Friday, April 2, 2010

You keep me young, god bless

Continuing on with the April Blogging Challenge... Numero dos:

I just read “The Myth of Mean Girls” and frankly, it pissed me off. The authors state that the recent suicide of a 15-year-old Massachusetts high school girl is being used to propagate the idea that teen violence, specifically among girls, is out of control. They give a bunch of statistics showing that crimes committed by teen girls (murder, weapon possession, assaults, robbery, etc.) are actually at their lowest in years, thus debunking the ‘mean girls’ myth.

There’s only one problem with their logic- that the suicide of the young girl in question was prompted mostly by non-criminal harassment, and especially by verbal taunting. No one is claiming that the female bullies tried to attack her with a weapon or rob her house. They called her the “Irish slut” because she dated a cool senior guy, and their cruel text messages sent her into a state of self-doubt and perhaps even self-hatred. By all reasonable logic, she didn’t commit suicide because she was afraid for her life- she did so because they made her feel that her life was not worth living.

Some adages fade away as modern culture deviates so greatly from the past. Others don’t. The idea of “sticks and stones” is alive and well. This case isn’t about violence (and it must be mentioned that the movie “Mean Girls” wasn’t either. It was about high school girls spreading heinous, sometimes untrue rumors about one another). It’s about the use of words, their impact, and the responsibility that people must take for their rhetoric.

If the authors want stats that may better relate to the prevalence of mean girls, here are some:
Surely, it's a good thing that teenage violent crime rates are down. And certainly not all kids are on Facebook to mess with one another, or sending taunting text messages. But the truth behind 'mean girls' AND mean boys is that there is skyrocketing usage of new media and technology among teens, lower parental understanding and monitoring of these new communication vehicles, and low reporting of cyberbullying by victims. Mean kids still exist, below the old-school parental radar.

I propose parents quit trying to be the cool mom. Be the uncool parents- my dad used to answer the phone and razz my friends for 3 minutes before letting me talk to them. As a result, I didn't even want the cool kids calling me. I'm better for it.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Adios, Aughts


December 25: Gift
What's a gift you gave yourself this year that kept on giving?

I stopped trying to quit coffee. It makes me happier in the morning, I work more efficiently, it keeps me warm in my freezing cold office. Oh, did I mention it tastes like love in a cup? Because it does, and I'm going to spend the rest of my life allowing myself to drink it. (Thanks, Gret, for getting me on your guilt-free bandwagon.)

December 26: Insight or aha! moment
What was your epiphany of the year?

I stopped trying to please everyone. I called it my bitchpants epiphany. I stopped apologizing and I stopped killing myself to make other people's lives easier. I sleep better now.

December 27: Social web moment
Did you meet someone you used to know only from her blog? Did you discover Twitter?

I became friends with Emily! We'd been friendly in high school- I vividly remember coveting her Rocket Dog Mary Janes and excellent poetry analysis in AP English. Five years later, through the miracle of Twitter and blogs, we discovered that we are essentially the same person (right down to the kettle chip obsession). We've now met up in the real world and I met her fabulous fiance over Thanksgiving. SO often, social networking creates a false sense of camaraderie and connection- in this case, it led to the development of a real-life friendship. Take that Twitter-haters!

December 29th: Laugh
What was your biggest belly laugh of the year?

Unfortunately the topic of our conversation is not blog-appropriate, but I just had a great belly laugh with Em and J a few weeks ago. At one point we were all gasping for air as tears streamed down our cheeks. It probably looked a lot like this:


Pretty typical, but amazing nonetheless.

December 31st: Resolution you wish you'd stuck with

Last year's only resolution was to start over- see my last post of '08. I took that pretty seriously. New real-life job, my first ever 9-5. A new after-work job coaching dance team, the best decision I've ever made for myself. I finally left Madison in the past while learning how to keep the best parts of it close to me. I learned how to breathe and think clearly in moments of chaos, a skill that comes in handy every night before a big presentation. I re-entered the dating scene for pretty much the first time in my adult life, and am loving the freedom it has given me so far. As I mentioned before, I let go of some toxic habits that I'd built up over a lifetime of pleasing other people before myself.

I've come a long way in a year... I can't wait to see what comes next!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

"They teach this type of stuff on Blue's Clues"

"You've never watched the Kim Kardashian sex tape?" a friend asked me incredulously earlier this year. **

Er, no. Can't say that I have. For many reasons, the least of which being that I haven't ever seen anyone's sex tape and I'd like to keep it that way. I'll stalk celebs within an inch of their crotch in the limo exit pictures, but that's where the old fashioned gal in me stops. Also, I'm relatively safe with my computer usage- no downloads, clicking on pop ups, or password memory between log-ins. I learned my lesson the hard way when my dad had to completely rebuild my computer freshman year and unapologetically left me with only Pink Floyd- Z in my music folder. I still haven't fully recovered, and neither has my iTunes.

Imagine my confusion, then, when I start getting popups that say "DANGER! Your computer has been infected 2920 times. Click here to prevent permanent damage!" I hadn't run my clean up software in awhile, so I clicked. When I told my dad about the flurry of pop ups that came after that, he told me my computer was probably fine until I DID click on that pop-up, which was a virus. "Only people who know NOTHING about computers would click on that," Johnny tells me. Those tricky bastards.

This leads to my computer technician father cleaning up my computer and inevitably asking questions like, "What kind of sites are you going on anyway?" in exasperation. In reality, he'd probably rather have me lie than tell the truth. Liberal blogs, dad. Lots and lots of liberal blogs. I then recall all my friends who apparently watch Kim and her pals on a regular basis, and have virus-free computers. Those lucky bastards.

"How bad is it?" I ask tentatively. If I am not going to be getting back any of my documents and music, I don't want to be surprised.

"Let's put it this way. If I were at the shop, I'd call all the guys over to take a look at it and laugh at you," he says cracking up. Seriously, they must have interviewed him for the Nick Burns skit. It's uncanny.

In the end, he replaced my drive and handed it back to me a few hours later, still shaking his head at my stupidity. It's hard to feel animosity towards a man who replaces your computer's main parts for free in two hours, so I thanked him and apologized profusely. Secretly, I know he enjoyed it. I have a feeling my dad was the guy who filled in the "Enjoy very much" bubble on the "do you like to take things apart just to put them back together and make them work better?" question of the lame job placement test everyone takes in 7th grade.

I'm also sure he was relieved that my internet history didn't include "Kim Kardashian XXX". Being liberal is one thing. Supporting Ray J's film career is quite another.


** You know who you are

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Raindrops on roses

I recently read a super corny article interviewing Kate Hudson, who says that she writes down three things she is grateful for every day. She learned of this exercise from (don't kill me) Oprah. Never one to take advice from the O, I nevertheless tried it out. As I lay in bed last night, I began thinking of things that never fail to make me smile. Here are a few newer discoveries, with old favorites thrown in for good measure.

1. John Mayer's new cover of Tom Petty's Free Fallin (not including the video or John's performance face will ruin it for you. Just trust me and download it without the visuals...)

2. My favorite scene from The West Wing. If you don't watch the show, you might not understand why this is so fantastic. Try it anyways.

3. This highlight video of the 2007 Boise State win in the Fiesta Bowl. Trick plays, underdogs, and a last minute comeback? Check, check, check. I'm not saying this to look like I care about sports- I'm the girl who STILL doesn't understand why the runningback always runs directly into the pack of people when there is perfectly good open space all around. My brothers just occasionally clue me in on impressive sports feats, and this is my favorite one. (Taylor and I just watched it though, and he mumbled something about me being a tool for thinking this was more impressive than Vince Young's running touchdown in... yeah, stopped paying attention.)

4. The text message I received from J. Vox on Katie's 23 birthday. It described how she flunked the sobriety test a bouncer gave her and reads, "Katie had to count to four three times using her fingers. She counted in reverse the last time and failed." I love that girl.

4. Ballsy writing on topics that aren't covered by the MSM. This article by Nora Ephron on Huffington Post is my favorite recent example. Work it out girlfriend.

5. Finally, something I appreciate that did not come via technology. The nights have been cooler lately, and there are few things more amazing than falling asleep with crisp Midwestern autumn air blowing through the windows. All you cold weather haters can say what you wish about Minnesota winters. Occasionally, we get the other seasons and they are heavenly.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

I think I need to quit facebook

I have just become FB friends with two of my three brothers, and I must say it's a little disconcerting. Taylor has a lottttt of ladies writing on his wall, and apparently he's earned the nickname "Sexy Tay Tay" from a few of them. YIKES. I decided to stop looking at his pictures, and I'm trying really hard to not chastize him (through FB) about his casual use of the word "gay". Is it a rite of passage that all high school boys must go through, that they all call each other gay constantly? (I just hope he is one of the ones who grows out of it, instead of being the guys from my high school class who to this day write "wanna know how I know you're gay" jokes on each other's walls... )
Then I get an email asking me to confirm friendship details with Rob. Rob would like to confirm the following fact. You are friends with Rob because: You are siblings. Thank you, facebook. Without your assistance, I probably would have forgotten that.

Friday, April 4, 2008

I'm a new soul, I came to this strange world

This was the fourth most popular story on CNN today... I would totally rip on that more, but I'm clearly part of the problem because I'm sharing the link.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/04/04/facebook.love/index.html


I can't lie and say that I've always been opposed to facebook relationship status updates- I was committed via FB to my first boyfriend for over a year during the beginning of college. Excessive wall posting and picture tagging wasn't enough back then. I wanted full disclosure of our commitment. Plus after a lifetime of being single, facebook was the most convenient and socially acceptable way to express a virtual "suck on that" to all the boys from my past.

I learned my lesson when it all came to a startling halt post breakup. Was I now single, or mysteriously unattached? Needing to untag or simply remove this picture? This album? Even worse, what the hell do I do about all those drunken wall post declarations? It was both scary and sad to know that within seconds, I could effectively erase all public record of a relationship that had once meant so much to me.

A girl in the article proudly states that our generation has no shame, and is willing to publicly announce their entire range of emotions to anyone who will listen. Speak for yourself, honey. For me, FB relationships and constant status updating are good for nothing (except adding fuel to the fire of our emo-tastic generation). If there is anything I've learned in the four years of college, it's the importance of keeping your cards close to your vest.

Okay, so I made one exception a few months back. I realized that I had not declared my interest in men on facebook. Knowing that the inevitable "Gina is now interested in men" would show up on everyone and their mom's (literally, people's moms are now on facebook?) news feeds, I decided that I had to make the change. For two very specific reasons...

1. Joel informed me that leaving this field blank automatically makes you seem like you are hiding something. If you are straight, why would you not post it? If you are gay, you are a coward. (** update, Joel doesn't think he used the word 'coward'. We agreed, though... my blog, my twisted version of the truth. It's staying **)

2. I'm a women's studies major who has had to deal with the lesbian question a thousand times since my declaration sophomore year. Darling as my red-blooded straight male friends are, they can't seem to understand why I dedicate my time to women's issues if I don't want to sleep with them.

There it is. I'm interested in men, and all you stalker bitches are going to have to actually speak to me in order to find out which one in particular. Also, if I kiss you and you relationship status me, I'm probably going to spread heinous rumors about you.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Like, are you strong enough to be my man?!

If it weren't so cliche and embarrassing, I'd really like to be one of those people who shamelessly uses song lyrics to convey their inner thoughts. Not in the angry Avril Lavigne way when your boyfriend breaks up with you ("so much for my happy ending"). Or the Dave lyrics that contemplate your future, or lack thereof ("eat drink, be merry, for tomorrow we all die?" Yikes!) My current facebook favorite is those ladies rockin' Colbie Caillat ("Jane Doe is wishing you'd just realize what I what I just realized". Trust me, sister, a facebook plea for help, helps NO ONE).

However, if I were to use song lyrics to push an agenda, I'd aim a little higher. I'd align myself with the solid songwriters of yesteryear. Legendary Performer friends, I am not talking about Bix or Bessie. I know I'm not that cool. I'm thinking more along the lines of... 60's and 70's singer-songwriters. Oh yes, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon. Van the MAN Morrison, and a little Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Sweet mother, James Taylor lyrics would be spewing from my fingertips and into cyberspace like there was no tomorrow.

Before everyone was writing sugary sweet pop music, these fellows were taking chances, writing of course about their failed or successful relationships; they were also writing some sweet appeals for social change. And this was the popular music of the day. When I try to think of current songs that talk about social change, I can remember a few songs from Green Day's last album. Or maybe the gem 'What's Goin On' Marvin Gaye cover that somehow managed to feature Fred Durst, Nelly, and Bono. Sure, that song made a lot of money for an AIDS foundation. But I try not to take moralistic lessons from people like Durst, as he wrote the lyrics "you act like a whore, so just drop dead". Ditto Nelly, whose 'Tip Drill' song advocates having sex with ugly women from behind, so as not to see their face, with the words "it must be yo ass, cuz it ain't yo face".

Strung out as they may have been, my men were pretty socially appropriate. This is why I would use Bob Dylan in the event of a bad breakup. When he was screwed over by Edie Sedgwick, he wrote a few scathing songs about her. ("I wish that just for one time, you could stand inside my shoes. You'd know what a drag it is... to see you"). Angry, to the point, zero references to her sexual choices. Good work Bobby!

Contemplating the meaning of life? Welll, I think we all know where I'd go. James Vernon Taylor, 'The Secret of Life', where he tells me that "the secret of life is enjoying the passing of time".

Wanting a lover to realize what I just realized? Back to my friend Bob. "If you find someone who gives you all of her love. Take it to your heart, don't let it stray."

Unfortunately, I'm not quite tacky enough to fall into that trap yet. Or maybe I just haven't yet been in the situation where I can only attack my ex via social networking sites. I really hope it's the former.

P.S. Em, how proud are you of me? I waited until my fourth post to be a music bitch.