So, this is just what's on my mind today. I was born in 1969... my childhood, which I don't remember much of, was lived in the 70's. However, my formative years were the 80's. The age of big hair, legwarmers, colorful clothes, Madonna, Duran Duran (my favorite!) and the start of the technology revolution of cell phones and computers.
Ofcourse, computers existed when I was a kid. I do remember my dad working while he was finishing his college degree, on HUGE room-sized computers, and bringing home the punch cards for me to play with.
I also remember the movie "Beverly Hills Cop", when Axel went to Beverly Hills and saw someone driving down the road on a 'cell phone'... remember? Those big bag phones that EVERYONE thought was the wave of the future.
Now, granted..I thought by the year 2000, we'd all be flying in cars, teleporting to other places, and spaceships instead of planes would fly us everywhere. I also thought that we would be living on other planets, a la The Jetsons.
Well...that hasn't happened. We haven't had a World War (although, theoretically, I guess you could say we've had a couple), and we're not flying and living on other planets... In fact the space program has all but died.
However... technology by way of computer and cellphone technology has sky rocketed. And, here's what I think about it. Those who know me can stop right now..because you all know how I feel.
I'm a computer junkie. Have been since the discovery of AOL at a job where I had no responsibilities, and I was bored out of my gourd. However, I discovered that you can find out information on the internet, and even make "Friends"...haha...the chatroom! But, to this day, I am the "Google Queen"...and can find almost any little tidbit of information on the internet. Consquently, I'm totally obsessed with finding news, celebrities, and Facebook. I love re-connecting with old friends, making new ones, finding common ground with people that I never thought I would (thanks Susie), and really finding a network of support that I wouldn't have though I could ever have. However, the downside is the wasted amount of time that I spend on Facebook, and the internet, throughout the day. I have been very unhappy with my job since the onset of "She who must not be named" has come to work here, and I really just don't want to be here...therefore, I really don't do much work. I do what comes to my desk, but my enthusiasm, and my initiative to get things done has just gone by the way-side. I'm hoping that once the summer comes, and it's gone... that problem of mine...that I'll get back to the way things were. Caring about my clients, and my job.
And..then there are Cell phones... or should I say now "Smartphones"...which allows you to pretty much have anything you want at your fingertips. Does anybody understand what this does to relationships? communication? society??? How many times has this happened to you? You're in the grocery store, and following someone who is wandering the aisles, getting in your way, blocking everything... all while on the phone? completely oblivious to anything going on around them? I can't tell you how much this bugs me. Like, there is nobody in the world besides "me" and whoever I'm talking to on the phone... Have you also noticed that people, who aren't even on the phone, still take this mentality. Nobody in the entire world exists other than "ME"...
have you noticed this? parties, restuarants, personal conversation has gone by the wayside in the form of Facebook posts, constant updates, and checking emails. Look around a restaurant the next time you go out...count the people on their phones... or the ones who have them in their hands... all while 'trying' to have a conversation. Look at the other person at the table...are they looking around the restaurant totally bored? Parties! OMG!!! I love looking around at parties, a supposed 'social occasion'...and nearly 1/2 the people are on their iPhones...getting the latest updates. It's almost like people can't even live in the moment anymore!
Even children are doing it... It used to be going to a restaurant would be a family outing. Or skiing, camping, whatever.... only to be taken up now by texting, video games, and portable DVD players.
It sickens me to know that society is falling to technology...and it's only going to get worse. Laptops are becoming obsolete, being replaced by iPads, and netpads ... go on the internet wherever you are. No wireless connection...no problem - 4G hotspot technology! You don't even need an internet cafe anymore.
Mom and Pop stores are closing due to internet shopping. Nothing is personal anymore. Nothing is face to face. It saddens me to no end to know that my daughter will grow up in this world.
Oh! and the people who actually think that my daughter will be behind in school because she doesn't have her own computer with video games on it... REALLY?!?!?! you think she's less intelligent because she reads books and plays outside... talk to me when she graduates college.
Anyway, this is something I'm fairly passionate about. Like I said, those who know me know this rant...
my cell phone is due for renewal in July. My phone makes phone calls, and texts... that's it. I've been tempted to get a smartphone... I guess time will tell if I fall into the trap of "bigger, better, faster, stronger..." I really hope not.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Human Nature and Technology (Facebook - part 2)
well....this has been a very emotional couple of days for me, and I'm still not understanding what happened. I find it very interesting that something I posted on a public forum to anybody who would listen turned into a personal attack against me for a supposed intention that wasn't even there...
so, this is what I have to say about it - technology has turned people into the most selfish society...and everybody lives in their own bubble, without any regards for anything going on around them. Cellphones, video games, facebook, internet... all cause people to forget that everything they say is personal, everything you do is looked at... and everything can be misinterpreted.
I'm saddened that this person is so angry at something that she felt the need to make me feel small, or put me on the defensive. I know I will get through this... I hope she will too - whatever it is.
so, this is what I have to say about it - technology has turned people into the most selfish society...and everybody lives in their own bubble, without any regards for anything going on around them. Cellphones, video games, facebook, internet... all cause people to forget that everything they say is personal, everything you do is looked at... and everything can be misinterpreted.
I never say anything, ever, on a public forum without completely understanding my intention, and wording it so that it doesn't offend anybody. If I think that could happen, I reword it to explain exactly what I mean, or I don't post it at all. I also stand by what I say... I wouldn't post it if I didn't mean it.
I started this blog because sometimes I just have something to say... read it or don't...I don't really care - but recently I have been attacked by someone who I thought was my friend over a misinterpretation of something that I said. And, by attacked, I mean accused of somehow attacking her over something she said...that I didn't even read in the first place!
So, my point is this... I'm not going to put it out there if I don't mean it. If you think I insulted you, or somehow attacked you... how about asking me first. Email and facebook posts and anything in writing doesn't have any inflection, you can't read the person's eyes to know if they're kidding or not, or sarcastic. Sometimes caustic words that are meant as a sarcastic point are misinterpreted...
I've been guilty of misinterpreting myself... whether someone said it in a post, or in a text... or an email. "What did that mean"... "was she talking about me?"... "I never said that"... when it wasn't even about me!
We can't be so selfish to think that everything that's said or done in the world of the internet, or facebook... or wherever - has ANYTHING to do with us. It could be something entirely different.
I don't mean to offend, I never intended to make anybody angry at me. But I will not apologize for anything that I've said. It's my opinion...read it or don't... but please don't attack me for something that you really don't understand.
I know who my friends are. The outpouring of love from those who I may not have known for 20 years, but I know I could count on in a heartbeat. Neighbors, SAR friends, old college friends (who are not the person who attacked me)... have come forward to tell me that I need to let it go.
I'm saddened that this person is so angry at something that she felt the need to make me feel small, or put me on the defensive. I know I will get through this... I hope she will too - whatever it is.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Excuses...
Okay...I spent the last weekend dog training, and helping out a team from Virginia do some dog testing... overall a fairly successful weekend, with 4 out of the 5 dogs testing.
Now, for the reason for my post - and I in no way intend to insult anybody or anything, and names will be left out... but I'm tired of people who make excuses for not exercising or not getting healthy.
I'm guilty of it, I know that, and I really am not trying to preach. But, think about it, if we made excuses for everything that inconvenienced us during our lifetime, or that we didn't want to do, or that was uncomfortable..... we would all die at the age of 3o because we wouldn't go to the doctor, we would all be uneducated because school is hard, and we wouldn't make any money and all be poor because we don't really 'want' to work, right???
I'm a dog handler that runs a trailing dog... I walk a lot. I found myself getting out of breath, and not being able to keep up while I was trailing after my dog, or other dogs....and I panicked when the scale got above what I've ever been in my entire life. I've been told I am not fat, but I didn't feel comfortable in my own body, and decided to do something about it.
I have struggled with my weight my entire life. It's a product of my genetics, it happens, I really can't help it. Coming from German and Hungarian ancestors, the tendency to get a bit "stocky" is an understatement! But, I don't have to let it get the best of me!
Maybe because I hit my 40's, and want to be able to continue to be a dog handler for a very long time. Maybe it's because I had my daughter later in life, and want to be able to do things with her in the yard, or ride bikes with her and not get out of breath, or feel like I'm going to die. Maybe I just wanted to fit better in my clothes, and not feel like a huge blob all the time... I don't know, but I decided that it was time to STOP MAKING EXCUSES about not wanting to exercise...and find a way to fit it into my routine.
That's right.....ROUTINE. I'm a busy person. I work full-time, I have a 6 1/2 y/o daughter, I have to get her from school every day, and get dinner on the table, then get her ready for bed, and wind-down at night in time to get up and do it all again! When the hell was I ever going to fit in a half an hour a day to exercise... well - I did, and continue to do so...because I schedule it into my routine. 4 or 5 times a week! It's about making sure that I fit it in, and making sure that it happens.
Yes...there are times when I don't want to. But, I think about the fact that I have to do something after work the next day, or go out of town, or clean the house....and dammit, I better get it in today, or I'm not going to be able to get my 4 or 5 times exercise in this week.
That's it... plan it, FIT IT IN!
I am a member in a large community of volunteers that has to work next to Law Enforcement every day, to help THEM do their job finding missing people. What do you think their impression of us is when an overweight person gets out of the truck, that looks like they might get lost or die in the process of finding the lost or dead person??? I know, I know, some law enforcement are questionable in the health department...but still. Why would you portray that image?
I go to conferences and seminars all the time, and am AMAZED at the overweight - out of shape people there are. How the hell do you expect to be able to work a scene for 5 hours, walking acre after acre of an area, or mile after mile of a trail? Really? It's a liability for all involved to have you out in the field.
So, I got a little angry at someone for making excuses about why they couldn't exercise. This person worked a lot, and trained...yada yada... There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for not walking half an hour or fitting something in for half an hour every day. Can't fit it in at night? do it in the morning! Tired after work??? bet it will make you feel better. Plus, you eat less after you exercise!!! because you just don't feel like it. Eat less, exercise... isn't that how you lose weight and get healthy???
All the excuses in the world aren't going to hide the fact that something else is going on... or you're just going to be that way for the rest of your life. There's no excuse for not fitting 1/2 hour of time out of your day to dedicate to yourself! We like to pamper ourselves, get massages, go buy something...whatever - displace that time with exercise! When you start seeing the results, you'll want to do it more than ever.
I've heard and used excuses all my life...and at 41... I'm just finally tired of hearing and using them myself.
And most of all..... I want to instill in my daughter that living a lazy, television, video game, technology overwhelmed life is not the way to live! Go outside, enjoy the sunshine, the birds, the trees! Take a walk, look at the earth around you! Even THAT will make most people feel better!!!
It's EASIER to sit on the couch and not exercise... but I've learned that life isn't supposed to be easy... and how much better is it to accomplish that first mile on the treadmill??? It CAN happen! You need to take the first step.
Now, for the reason for my post - and I in no way intend to insult anybody or anything, and names will be left out... but I'm tired of people who make excuses for not exercising or not getting healthy.
I'm guilty of it, I know that, and I really am not trying to preach. But, think about it, if we made excuses for everything that inconvenienced us during our lifetime, or that we didn't want to do, or that was uncomfortable..... we would all die at the age of 3o because we wouldn't go to the doctor, we would all be uneducated because school is hard, and we wouldn't make any money and all be poor because we don't really 'want' to work, right???
I'm a dog handler that runs a trailing dog... I walk a lot. I found myself getting out of breath, and not being able to keep up while I was trailing after my dog, or other dogs....and I panicked when the scale got above what I've ever been in my entire life. I've been told I am not fat, but I didn't feel comfortable in my own body, and decided to do something about it.
I have struggled with my weight my entire life. It's a product of my genetics, it happens, I really can't help it. Coming from German and Hungarian ancestors, the tendency to get a bit "stocky" is an understatement! But, I don't have to let it get the best of me!
Maybe because I hit my 40's, and want to be able to continue to be a dog handler for a very long time. Maybe it's because I had my daughter later in life, and want to be able to do things with her in the yard, or ride bikes with her and not get out of breath, or feel like I'm going to die. Maybe I just wanted to fit better in my clothes, and not feel like a huge blob all the time... I don't know, but I decided that it was time to STOP MAKING EXCUSES about not wanting to exercise...and find a way to fit it into my routine.
That's right.....ROUTINE. I'm a busy person. I work full-time, I have a 6 1/2 y/o daughter, I have to get her from school every day, and get dinner on the table, then get her ready for bed, and wind-down at night in time to get up and do it all again! When the hell was I ever going to fit in a half an hour a day to exercise... well - I did, and continue to do so...because I schedule it into my routine. 4 or 5 times a week! It's about making sure that I fit it in, and making sure that it happens.
Yes...there are times when I don't want to. But, I think about the fact that I have to do something after work the next day, or go out of town, or clean the house....and dammit, I better get it in today, or I'm not going to be able to get my 4 or 5 times exercise in this week.
That's it... plan it, FIT IT IN!
I am a member in a large community of volunteers that has to work next to Law Enforcement every day, to help THEM do their job finding missing people. What do you think their impression of us is when an overweight person gets out of the truck, that looks like they might get lost or die in the process of finding the lost or dead person??? I know, I know, some law enforcement are questionable in the health department...but still. Why would you portray that image?
I go to conferences and seminars all the time, and am AMAZED at the overweight - out of shape people there are. How the hell do you expect to be able to work a scene for 5 hours, walking acre after acre of an area, or mile after mile of a trail? Really? It's a liability for all involved to have you out in the field.
So, I got a little angry at someone for making excuses about why they couldn't exercise. This person worked a lot, and trained...yada yada... There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for not walking half an hour or fitting something in for half an hour every day. Can't fit it in at night? do it in the morning! Tired after work??? bet it will make you feel better. Plus, you eat less after you exercise!!! because you just don't feel like it. Eat less, exercise... isn't that how you lose weight and get healthy???
All the excuses in the world aren't going to hide the fact that something else is going on... or you're just going to be that way for the rest of your life. There's no excuse for not fitting 1/2 hour of time out of your day to dedicate to yourself! We like to pamper ourselves, get massages, go buy something...whatever - displace that time with exercise! When you start seeing the results, you'll want to do it more than ever.
I've heard and used excuses all my life...and at 41... I'm just finally tired of hearing and using them myself.
And most of all..... I want to instill in my daughter that living a lazy, television, video game, technology overwhelmed life is not the way to live! Go outside, enjoy the sunshine, the birds, the trees! Take a walk, look at the earth around you! Even THAT will make most people feel better!!!
It's EASIER to sit on the couch and not exercise... but I've learned that life isn't supposed to be easy... and how much better is it to accomplish that first mile on the treadmill??? It CAN happen! You need to take the first step.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Okay, I'm a Facebook junkie... at first, I was skeptical, and didn't want my entire life posted out on the internet for the entire world to see.
I've discovered that it is what you make of it. I was introduced to Farmville, Fronterville, and any number of group-type games that you need 'neighbors' for, and you grow things, look for treasure, complete tasks... TIME SUCKER!!!
I gave it up. I would go away for a weekend, and have 200 gift requests when I got back. Much to the disappointment of my neighbors...gonzo for me!
I've also used it as a networking tool... however, I have also turned into a stalker, and a lurker...
that's sad, huh?
I keep track of some 'frenemies' who haven't gotten the memo that you need to make your wall private if you don't want just anybody to see you. I also get peeved when people discover that - LOL!
I also can talk to some people that I wouldn't normally be able to talk to on a regular basis. I've networked an exercise/health group, Search and Rescue people, and some friends of friends over the country that I would otherwise never have met.
I have re-connected with friends I lost right after highschool. Friends that I haven't seen since college... and friends that I've only met on Facebook - it is what you make of it.
There's also the flip side of being friends with absolutely everyone, and mistakingly posting something that may get back to them...even if they're not on Facebook. Lesson being, don't post anything you might get in trouble for :-)
Other than using it more often then I should during the day when I'm at work... I love it! I can post pictures for my inlaws to see of my daughter, post pictures from trainings and SAR events for others to see that may not have been there. Or, to appease the 'camera hog' who just CAN'T WAIT to see their pictures...and wonder why you didn't get more of them!
Anyway, it can get you in trouble sometimes...but I find that it's been a valuable tool for me over the past couple of years... if at least some way to pass the time when Reese is watching iCarly for the thousanth time ......
I've discovered that it is what you make of it. I was introduced to Farmville, Fronterville, and any number of group-type games that you need 'neighbors' for, and you grow things, look for treasure, complete tasks... TIME SUCKER!!!
I gave it up. I would go away for a weekend, and have 200 gift requests when I got back. Much to the disappointment of my neighbors...gonzo for me!
I've also used it as a networking tool... however, I have also turned into a stalker, and a lurker...
that's sad, huh?
I keep track of some 'frenemies' who haven't gotten the memo that you need to make your wall private if you don't want just anybody to see you. I also get peeved when people discover that - LOL!
I also can talk to some people that I wouldn't normally be able to talk to on a regular basis. I've networked an exercise/health group, Search and Rescue people, and some friends of friends over the country that I would otherwise never have met.
I have re-connected with friends I lost right after highschool. Friends that I haven't seen since college... and friends that I've only met on Facebook - it is what you make of it.
There's also the flip side of being friends with absolutely everyone, and mistakingly posting something that may get back to them...even if they're not on Facebook. Lesson being, don't post anything you might get in trouble for :-)
Other than using it more often then I should during the day when I'm at work... I love it! I can post pictures for my inlaws to see of my daughter, post pictures from trainings and SAR events for others to see that may not have been there. Or, to appease the 'camera hog' who just CAN'T WAIT to see their pictures...and wonder why you didn't get more of them!
Anyway, it can get you in trouble sometimes...but I find that it's been a valuable tool for me over the past couple of years... if at least some way to pass the time when Reese is watching iCarly for the thousanth time ......
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