2ndchance

Friend Smoothie

Facebook continues to amaze and amuse me.  What has really struck me lately is how it takes friends and acquaintances from wildly different parts of my life and puts them all in the same place.  One friend of mine called this 'homogenization' of people. (Thanks Mark) I guess I am used to my friends being compartmentalized. . .college, former youth, family, online friends, etc.  Some of these friends know some things about me. . .others are privy to a whole different slate of information.  (For example, many people know what the name of this blog signifies.  Many do not.)

Just the other day, a several friends posted their status messages, as usual.  The first one was one of my more conservative friends who was ranting about President Obama.  Directly after that, was a status from one of my gay friends talking about a Pride March he was in.  Right after that was a family member talking about moving from one state to another.  And after that was a Christian friend of mine, using her status to broadcast her faith.

You get the idea.  I had to chuckle.  I started to think, which one of my friends would unfriend me if they could see all my other friends.  Would my pro-choice friends disown me because I also have pro-life friends?  Would my atheist friends sneer at my christian friends?  Would my straight friends be shocked that I have gay friends?  What kind of conversations would ensue if everyone was gathered in one room?

It only makes sense.  I usually describe myself as a mutt when meeting new people.  I have threads of many different philosophies, beliefs and choices flowing through me.  It helps me to relate to individuals and groups of many different backgrounds.  I was just always the kid who had friends of all different kinds, shapes, and colors.  I always try to respect other people for their beliefs; while still holding intact my own beliefs.  So my FaceBook friends are a reflection of all of this.

I would like to bring everyone together in one room.  Just to see.  How many people would get into heated conversations.  How many people would make new friends.  How many people would storm out of the room.

Wouldn't it be fun to watch.

Holistic health

I began a new fitness/weight loss program this week.  With all the hospitalizations, illness, and basic sedentary lifestyle I've had over the past four or five years, I have lost out on physical wellness.  Not to mention the meds that cause one to crave carbs and sweets.  So I have saved money for over a year and have finally taken the plunge to work on my physical well-being.  After working so hard on mine and others' mental health, I figured it was time to address holistic health.

This program is medically supervised, and consists of a 10-week 'boot camp' of workouts and of lectures on nutrition; followed by at least 8 more months of 'continuation' where we put into practice all that we have learned.  I have been inspired by one of my supervisors who lost over 100 lb's in a year's time with this program.  It is well known in my metro area, and my primary care physician is very happy that I have joined.

The first lecture was this past Wednesday night, and I was surprised at how interesting/fun it was and also at how many people were there.  Then I had my first supervised workout last night.  The trainers were cracking the whip.  Several people had joined together. . .couples and friends, etc.  So they were partnering up with weight training, etc.  I didn't know anyone there except for a few of the trainers.  It felt kind of like being the last kid to be chosen in gym class to not have a partner.  But the trainers helped and I made it through.  It seems likely that I will meet some other people as we move along.

I went back to work out today, although I don't have to again until tomorrow morning.  Trying to discipline myself with focused exercise.

Of course the other half of this is diet.  I am now eating 5 small meals a day. . .healthier meals. . .and journaling everything that I eat.  Snacking is not allowed.

More later as things progress.  Now it's time for a shower, heh.

RIP David Carradine.

CNN is reporting that actor David Carradine has died in Bangkok, Thailand, while filming a movie.  There is some speculation about this being a suicide, as he was found hanging by a rope in his hotel room closet.

However it happened, Kung Fu was one of my favorite tv shows when I was growing up. . .and he was great in the role of Caine.  I hope that he finds peace. 

:(

Frogs for Rainforest Conservation

To learn more about this issue, look here.

Surprise!

Watch this.

Passing

A friend's beloved cat died yesterday.  'George' had been with my friend for nearly 15 years; and although he has other pets, George was special.

It got me to thinking about my own two cats. ( As I type this, Miss Daisy is sitting in my lap with her head on my arm. )  They are almost 12 years old.  As they have aged, they have become more and more attached to me.  They wait outside my bedroom door every morning, and follow me around the house.  They both try to sit in my lap at the same time when I am in the front room, and Bonkers will talk freely to me throughout the day.

I tell myself that I am really a dog person.  I love dogs. . .especially big dogs.  But it wouldn't do for me to have a dog, as I would have to keep it tied up or confined for most of the day.  I acquired my two cats when I lived in the country and had mice and moles and voles.  The cats would go outside every morning to run and play in the fields and be waiting for me on myporch when I would come home in the evenings.  When it rained, they would take shelter in my old shed.  They made the adjustment to being indoor cats surprisingly well when I moved back to the city.

These days, they sleep alot; although they still play with all of their toys.  Bonkers likes her jingle ball and Miss Daisy likes the feathered stick attached to a ball.  They have a joint blog which is attached to this blog.  I sit and look at them, and I can't imagine life without them.  They give unconditional love and companionship.  They get along fine with other people in the household, and even visitors.  They continue to be in good health.

But I know someday that there will be a parting.  I realize that I have become as attached to them as they are to me.  Although I have lost other pets. . .dogs, gerbils, ferrets, etc.,  I don't think that I have ever been so attached to animals.  It will be very hard to say goodbye.

So in the meantime, I try to spend 'quality time' with them each day, and not take them for granted.  And I will call my friend and empathize how he feels after losing George.  If you have pets, be sure to love them as they love you.

Facebook Part II

Here is an interesting article on the complicated social relationships found with Facebook and Twitter.  A friend of mine posted this on. . .of all places. . .Facebook, lol.  It's rather involved.. .be prepared.

Facebook: Is it evil?

Much has been written about the evil addiction that is Face Book.  All you have to do is google 'Facebook evil' to find articles about how bad the social networking scene is.  These articles range from incoherent rants to angry diatribes to thought-provoking essays.  Then of course, within the past six months, there has been great controversy over FB owning rights to content even after accounts are canceled.  Luckily, that concept provoked such a big backlash, that FB backed off.

I'm not here to argue the technical aspects of the FB/MS phenomenon.  And although I wouldn't mind being the billionaire inventor of FB, I'm not going to address the business side of it either.  As a student of human behavior, I'm fascinated by how it works from a sociological standpoint.

I'll admit it.  I have a FB account which I really enjoy.  Along with about 175 million other people.  Through my account, I have been able to re-connect with college friends and former students.  FB also lets me keep tabs on current friends and family; some who live in town and others who live all over the world.  Status messages are quicker than e-mail, and easy to check.  The site is blocked at work, which is ok with me because I'm usually too busy to deal with personal stuff on the agency timecard.

So is it evil?  Some have described it as a 'social virus' which replicates in an out-of-control manner.  Others are all into the 'how many people can I friend' thing.  Still others have replaced regular social contact with daily FB contact.  I'm of the opinion that sites like MySpace and Facebook are fine in moderation. . .they allow the users to connect via cyberspace with current friends, acquaintances, long-lost friends and family.  As long as one does not rely on FB and MS as their only social outlet, and spend hours a day on it, it can be a good thing.  For some people though, it can be a problem.

I liken FB to that other potential addiction:  World of Warcraft.  There was a time when I spent good chunks of time each day playing the online game.  I met all kinds of interesting people and had lots of fun fighting monsters alongside my guildies.  Real life concerns kept me in balance with my online play time. . .preventing me from playing all day long.  However, I know people who literally play WoW every waking moment of their lives. . .when they are not working and some people play even at work.  They are very hardcore about their commitment to the game, and even eat meals in front of their computers whilst playing simultaneously.

There is a side of FB which can be like that.  I have noticed that some people pour their whole lives into their status messages:  i.e. 'I just put on my socks', or 'my car won't start'.  Others, like me, play Mafia Wars and other FB games throughout the day and into the night.  Still others add just about every app that passes their way. . .answering 50 questions or listing their favorite movies or posting what kind of animal they would be. 

Without real f to f contact or phone contact, FB can actually be rather shallow. . .lacking the depth necessary for even a longer, more thoughtful email.  On the other hand, the brevity of FB might just be indicative of the multi-tasking which pervades in our current culture.  For example, last night I was sitting in front of the TV with my laptop in my lap.  While watching a dvr'd Supernatural, I was chatting with my sister's niece, playing Mafia Wars, and giving attention to Bonkers the cat (who insists on monitoring my internet use from the arm of the chair), and talking with my housemate (who was texting with his gf on his IPod). 

Whew!  No wonder FB can often be short and shallow.  Between keeping up with multiple tasks, 597 friends, and keeping a steady stream of tweeting (another time for that one), there are not enough hours in the day to go into more depth and still have a life.

And yet. . . .

All those apps can be fun.  (although I pick and choose very few of them.)  Seeing pics of former youth and their families is actually kind of thrilling.  How often do we get to pick up with someone, 20 years later?  Putting out a hit on another mafia boss, who just robbed your casino, is very satisfying after a day spent at work.  Coming up with a few pithy status messages can challenge one's creativity.  Reading others' messages and commenting on them provide a connection.

Ok, so bottom line for me is that I like FB and think it is fun.  From the ubiquitous status messages to the chat to the apps to the games, it is a great social outlet.  Reaching out to the larger electronic village is a given in the 21st century.  Is it evil?  Of course it is.  Just remember to turn the computer off on a regular basis, and go out to a movie with your friends.  You'll be glad you did.

Snow

I've been in the process of writing a post, but have hit writer's block.  In the meantime, I can report that my area received about 6-8 inches of snow.

I love snow.  It reminds me of my growing up years in New England.  We seldom get a decent storm down here in the south.  And work is closed today. . .the first time in over 5 years.  Guess it is play time. .

Here is a pic from earlier today:

What a day

Whatever your politics, you have to admit that today has been amazing.  My agency had arranged a conference room with a large-screen TV so that we could watch the new president and vice-president take their oaths of office, etc.  At around 12 noon, I was in an adjourning conference room with a client, when I heard a huge cheer come through the walls.  As soon as I finished with my client, I ran for the standing-room-only crowd in the big room to witness Obama's speech.  I looked with awe at the 1 million plus crowd of people chanting 'Obama, Obama, Obama'. 

For the first time in over eight years, I feel pride in my country.  I'm not naive to think that all of our problems are going away overnight.  But I can honestly say that I believe in President Obama, what he represents, and what he plans for our nation.  I feel a sense of hope that we can overcome the challenges which lay ahead. 

I have spent the last few hours, after coming home, reading over blogs and message boards.  Everywhere I have looked people are abuzz. . .discussing the day, discussing our differences, discussing what the future holds.  What has been really interesting, is to read what people in other countries are saying.  Here is a quote from a friend in Ireland:

It's the beginning of an exciting time. People over here don't care one bit about who is Republican or who is a Democrat, it's all the same to us, but Obama is genuinely different. Perhaps he won't deliver, but it seems like he's going to try to turn things around. The last eight years have been downright depressing, and not just because of who was in office, because of how negative the world was. I hated disliking the United States as much as I did, but I can't deny that I did. I think if everybody gives him a fair chance it's possible he and the country he will represent can achieve great things.

We live in a fractured world. This inauguration, and the hoopla surrounding it is our way of saying "good luck" to him and his new administration. I'm all for it. American citizens should have a great time today, there's reason to be hopeful. Tomorrow the world might be a better place

I just finished watching a recap of the days events; and in particular, Yo Yo Ma and company performing one of my favorite songs. . . Simple Gifts.  And that's really what it is all about. . .Simple Gifts.  Everyone has gifts.  Our new president has made it clear that it will take all of our individual gifts and effort to turn things around.  Let's all be about the work of change.