This is my 92nd published post, though I also have a few "drafts" that might merit revisiting. When I hit 100, that will be a reason to celebrate, no? I'd better put on my thinking cap and come up with a few more worthwhile ideas. I will be celebrating another personal milestone in two months that revolves another round number. Let's just see if I can get the timing on those two things to align properly....
Note: I realize this is pretty short as far as posts go. No matter. I'm counting it as #92 anyway!
Monday, July 22, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
I Like Social Media Because...
I frequently take different social media sites for granted. They're not as "new and exciting" as they used to be; they're just a part of everyday life. But sometimes I really appreciate having so many ways to communicate. In no particular order, these are some reasons that have recently come to mind.
It makes me feel "cool." OK, on society's cool-o-meter, I may not even register. (The fact that I used a term like "cool-o-meter" proves that.) But in my own little world, I finally feel like one of the cool kids. I blog, I tweet, I use Facebook, I'm familiar with my Klout score, and I even have a Pinterest board. I know some of the lingo. (Really, Sandy? Lingo?) My eyes don't glaze over when I see the terms on TV or online. And it helps when I'm having a conversation with a younger person to understand the social media they use. Sure, they'll always be one (or ten) steps ahead when it comes to what's popular, but at least I don't feel miles behind. It doesn't hurt that I post on Twitter to my niece and get a response, or post pop culture references on another nieces's Facebook timeline and not have her figuratively roll her eyes at the "old lady." (If they do snicker at me, they hide it quite well!)
It isn't difficult to find others who share your interests. I learned this early in my Twitter life. There are people out there who love the Oxford comma as much as I do! There are people out there who obsess over grammar more than I do! Fans of the show Firefly? Out there (in more ways than one). Faithful Psych-watchers? All over the place! Pick a show, a celebrity, a food, a hobby...you might be surprised that you're not the only one. If you want to interact with people who like the same things as you, and your family is sick of hearing you ramble on that River Song is Melody Pond (spoilers!), you can find them with social media.
Speaking of celebrities... Do you remember writing good old-fashioned fan letters? (Do you remember writing plain old letters?) I specifically remember sending one each to Scott Baio ("Chachi," as in "Joanie Loves..."), Lee Curreri ("Bruno" in Fame), and Philip Michael Thomas ("Tubbs" in Miami Vice). There may have also been notes to David Cassidy and Donny Osmond, but that I can neither confirm nor deny. Nowadays, if you want to try to connect with an entertainer, you can "like" their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter. I realize that they rarely talk directly to you, but you can feel closer to them than when you were young and hung their posters on your wall. (I know I'm not the only one who did that!). It's nice to have interaction with someone, knowing they read your stuff, but I get an extra kick out of getting a retweet or some other response from a "famous" person. Makes that "six degrees" theory seem realistic!
While we're on the subject of television, there's something extra-special about how immediate a response can be. There was a time when we had to wait 10 or 12 hours to discuss who shot J.R. Now, a show's season premiere or finale can be a Twitter trending topic in moments. Facebook posts can be filled with references to a touchdown or a referee's bad call almost instantaneously. You can look to your favorite site to fill you in on a scene you missed or share your theories about which character isn't going to make it to next season. There is almost always somebody else watching the same thing as you. I have to laugh, though, at people who ask that their friends refrain from posting about a show because they can't watch it until later. Sure, a hundred people could change their habit just for you. Or, um, you could maybe possibly just stay away from your social media for an evening... I am not that addicted to any site!
Family is more important than television. Some folks may retreat to their computers and avoid interacting with people in their own homes. I'm sure I have my moments, but overall we still have conversations as a family. But what about the extended family? Other than those under the same roof, I don't have any relatives in town. Again, back in the "old days," people would write letters and send photos through the mail. There's nothing wrong with that, and we could use more of it. (Nothing quite like holding a piece of paper in your hand and reading what someone has written just to you.) But not everyone has the talent or the time for that. And when you sit down with a pen, everything you wanted to say seems to have suddenly escaped you. Enter Facebook. Someone can--with the proper privacy settings, of course--post a picture of their new baby or new house or new pair of shoes for all their interested friends to see. (And if you don't really care about shoes, feel free to skip past that particular post.) Here's one place you can share important moments, and some totally ordinary moments, in your life with just a few clicks and keystrokes. I'm able to watch my great-nephews grow and get cuter on a regular basis. If it weren't for social media, I might have to be satisfied with a quick visit on a major holiday. I've connected with friends who had been off my radar since high school or college. With sites like these, I've discovered that we still have things in common, and have re-discovered why we became friends in the first place. It may sound corny, but with a little effort, social sites can make for closer connections with those you choose to have in your life.
Honestly, I'm not just shilling for any of the sites I've mentioned. They wouldn't particularly care what I have to say, anyway. But for any holdouts who haven't gotten their feet wet in the world of social media, you might just find something there you like. Now, I wonder if Scott Baio has a Twitter account...
It makes me feel "cool." OK, on society's cool-o-meter, I may not even register. (The fact that I used a term like "cool-o-meter" proves that.) But in my own little world, I finally feel like one of the cool kids. I blog, I tweet, I use Facebook, I'm familiar with my Klout score, and I even have a Pinterest board. I know some of the lingo. (Really, Sandy? Lingo?) My eyes don't glaze over when I see the terms on TV or online. And it helps when I'm having a conversation with a younger person to understand the social media they use. Sure, they'll always be one (or ten) steps ahead when it comes to what's popular, but at least I don't feel miles behind. It doesn't hurt that I post on Twitter to my niece and get a response, or post pop culture references on another nieces's Facebook timeline and not have her figuratively roll her eyes at the "old lady." (If they do snicker at me, they hide it quite well!)
It isn't difficult to find others who share your interests. I learned this early in my Twitter life. There are people out there who love the Oxford comma as much as I do! There are people out there who obsess over grammar more than I do! Fans of the show Firefly? Out there (in more ways than one). Faithful Psych-watchers? All over the place! Pick a show, a celebrity, a food, a hobby...you might be surprised that you're not the only one. If you want to interact with people who like the same things as you, and your family is sick of hearing you ramble on that River Song is Melody Pond (spoilers!), you can find them with social media.
Speaking of celebrities... Do you remember writing good old-fashioned fan letters? (Do you remember writing plain old letters?) I specifically remember sending one each to Scott Baio ("Chachi," as in "Joanie Loves..."), Lee Curreri ("Bruno" in Fame), and Philip Michael Thomas ("Tubbs" in Miami Vice). There may have also been notes to David Cassidy and Donny Osmond, but that I can neither confirm nor deny. Nowadays, if you want to try to connect with an entertainer, you can "like" their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter. I realize that they rarely talk directly to you, but you can feel closer to them than when you were young and hung their posters on your wall. (I know I'm not the only one who did that!). It's nice to have interaction with someone, knowing they read your stuff, but I get an extra kick out of getting a retweet or some other response from a "famous" person. Makes that "six degrees" theory seem realistic!
While we're on the subject of television, there's something extra-special about how immediate a response can be. There was a time when we had to wait 10 or 12 hours to discuss who shot J.R. Now, a show's season premiere or finale can be a Twitter trending topic in moments. Facebook posts can be filled with references to a touchdown or a referee's bad call almost instantaneously. You can look to your favorite site to fill you in on a scene you missed or share your theories about which character isn't going to make it to next season. There is almost always somebody else watching the same thing as you. I have to laugh, though, at people who ask that their friends refrain from posting about a show because they can't watch it until later. Sure, a hundred people could change their habit just for you. Or, um, you could maybe possibly just stay away from your social media for an evening... I am not that addicted to any site!
Family is more important than television. Some folks may retreat to their computers and avoid interacting with people in their own homes. I'm sure I have my moments, but overall we still have conversations as a family. But what about the extended family? Other than those under the same roof, I don't have any relatives in town. Again, back in the "old days," people would write letters and send photos through the mail. There's nothing wrong with that, and we could use more of it. (Nothing quite like holding a piece of paper in your hand and reading what someone has written just to you.) But not everyone has the talent or the time for that. And when you sit down with a pen, everything you wanted to say seems to have suddenly escaped you. Enter Facebook. Someone can--with the proper privacy settings, of course--post a picture of their new baby or new house or new pair of shoes for all their interested friends to see. (And if you don't really care about shoes, feel free to skip past that particular post.) Here's one place you can share important moments, and some totally ordinary moments, in your life with just a few clicks and keystrokes. I'm able to watch my great-nephews grow and get cuter on a regular basis. If it weren't for social media, I might have to be satisfied with a quick visit on a major holiday. I've connected with friends who had been off my radar since high school or college. With sites like these, I've discovered that we still have things in common, and have re-discovered why we became friends in the first place. It may sound corny, but with a little effort, social sites can make for closer connections with those you choose to have in your life.
Honestly, I'm not just shilling for any of the sites I've mentioned. They wouldn't particularly care what I have to say, anyway. But for any holdouts who haven't gotten their feet wet in the world of social media, you might just find something there you like. Now, I wonder if Scott Baio has a Twitter account...
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Glitter-Fly
What shall I call you?
Midge? Mayfly? Lake fly? Bay fly?
You flit about at night
Wherever you find light
Like tiny fireworks on the Fourth of July
Like twirling ribbons from a miniature dance troupe
Like flakes falling on a snow-globe landscape
Like confetti at a birthday you’re celebrating on the porch
You jitter in the air because it is a part of you
You dance like there’s
no tomorrow because, well…for you…
What shall I call you?
Tonight, I shall call you glitter-fly
And silently applaud your sparkly show
Thursday, July 4, 2013
July 4th
The time has come again to celebrate our nation's "birthday."
There generally isn't cake or gifts. There might be some singing, and there will surely be parties of one sort or another. Fireworks are still a big part of many celebrations. Done right, that can still be an impressive and inspiring sight.
But I know that I can use a reminder of what you might call "the reason for the season." This holiday isn't about honoring any one particular person or group or political belief. It's about honoring the much grander concept of our entire country, with all its faults and imperfections. This is a day that should stir patriotism in the heart of every citizen. It's a chance to step back from politics and media and rhetoric and be grateful for all of the freedoms we enjoy.
I'm not suggesting looking at our world through rose-colored glasses (though some that are red, white, and blue might be helpful). No, our elected officials don't always reflect the wants of their constituents. Our government is far from a well-oiled machine. But we are still free to vote and choose what we think is the best option.
We can voice an opinion that runs contrary to any law or politician and not be tortured for it. Sometimes that leads to what might be considered persecution by others in the community. Yet they enjoy the same freedom to express their opinion.
We have crime and poverty and diseases of the body and the mind. But in general, Americans are getting by. (And everyone is free to debate if "getting by" is really enough.)
Our country isn't perfect, and neither are its citizens. But, gosh darn it, this is my country and I am proud to be an American! It took a lot of courage and sacrifice and hard work to establish a nation such as this. And it's taken a lot of courage and sacrifice and hard work along the way to maintain it. Yes, it will continue to take all of those things in the future, too.
In the morning, I will proudly hang my flag on the porch. For all of our troubles, we shouldn't have to ask:
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
It still waves at my house, on holidays and any day I need a little burst of patriotic spirit.
For at least one day, let's try to put our differences aside and not take for granted this great nation we call home. On this Fourth of July, I will take at least one moment to celebrate my country:
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice
for all.
Happy birthday, America!
P.S. You can read here about the patriotic feelings I had last year at this time.
P.S. You can read here about the patriotic feelings I had last year at this time.
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