bookface
Wow.
Being away from Facebook for 21 days is possible... and 'freeing'.
Not having Facebook was difficult at first but I realized that you could live without it. If you don't want to be the first to know something, then it is more convenient. The main things get relayed by word of mouth but you won't be the first to know.
Few things I realized while being away from Facebook:
- Facebook seemingly chops time. For instance, you tend to go on Facebook 1) in between activities 2) to take a break from what you actually should be doing 3) to see what is going on in people's lives (so not thinking about your life) All these segmented activities make you feel busier than you actually are. Doing something and getting it off your plate frees up more time or more concentrated time later. So filling these blocks of time takes more creativity, resourcefulness, and management.
- Facebook is a very tempting creature. That little red 1 can be as addictive as sunless tanning to the men of Jersey Shore.
Few things I realized since getting back:
- Double-booked! Looks like there are a lot of events I missed and dates I have double booked because many of my social events are Through Facebook Only.
- You see what is going on in people's lives. Whether it is a photo album of an engagement, birthday parties, or just awesome photography shots. You read statuses to get a mini glimpse into what people are doing, thinking, and had for lunch.
- Facebook gives me more stuff to write about. I don't know why but I get more ideas when 'seeing' more people. Maybe it is the relinked posts. Maybe it is the videos. Or maybe it is the albums.
You don't need Facebook to live but you do need to live to use Facebook. Uh questionable. Here is a 5 step program to happiness with Facebook.
Share on FacebookParty: Private Facebook Event Style
Facebook Events.
We have all made one. We have all hosted a party, event, or birthday celebration. Recently, I have noticed an increase in SPAM Facebook events. You get all excited to see where you have been invited to find out that someone got a hold of your friend's account...
As a host, you have to cater to size of party because you may not want to overcrowd the area you are in, food quanitities if you are gracious enough to provide food, drama as we select people on who makes the cut or who doesn't (obviously I want everyone to be there and there is NO drama in my life 
), and many other factors.
I haven't actually thrown a party or made a Facebook event in a long time so this is not to hate. I just felt it curious on our thoughts to the whole Event thing. Here are my raves, rants, and desires as a responder or a host:
Sticky scenarios I have had as a responder or host to a Facebook event:
- You get invited to a 'private event'. You feel honored. Privileged. Exclusive. But you are hanging out the next day with the host and some other people. Do you bring up the event, meaning the person not invited will have to be invited because of shame and guilt or just not invite them, leaving the non-invitee braised, hurt, and annoyed. OR do you not bring it up at all?! Obviously, you don't want to be the guy who ruins a surprise birthday party to the birthday guy/gal. Do 'private events' force us to check the whole invite list? To find out who and who isn't invited? Obviously there are logical reasons for having a private event if cost or space is an issue but does that mandate all invitees to check who is in and who isn't? I say 'private event' because after the event is over it won't be private. Pictures. Statuses. People talking about their life.
- Facebook events should only be YES or NO. As I have found out, Maybe means NO. Probably less than 5% of maybes will show up to the event. Why? Maybe means there is a conflicting event and I will only go if that thing doesn't work out. OR if you can persuade them (incent them) enough to come.
- People who say YES only in support. Facebook should have a support section. People who respond YES only for support skew total numbers. Facebook etiquette for supporters should be to leave a post on the event wall that they are not attending but support the event.
What social issues arise in relation to Facebook for you?
Share on FacebookDreaming With A Bowl’n Heart
As the Huskies win on a last minute drive, I wrote this song for my love.hate relationship with them this season. One win away from the Holiday Bowl!
When you're dreaming with a bowl'n heart
When Jake throwing it up is the hardest part
You roll off the couch and down on your knees
And for a moment you can hardly breathe
Wondering do we really have a chance?
Is this season really done?
No it's not, 'cause we won, won, won, won, won!
When you're dreaming with a bowl'n heart
The giving up is the hardest part
Sark takes you in with his stalker eyes
Then all at once we have to wonder why
Do we really need one more?
Will we make it to the bowl?
Yes we can, 'cause we won, won, won, won, won!
Now do I have to fall asleep with Bibles in my hands?
Do I have to fall asleep with Bibles in my hands?
Do I have to fall asleep with Bibles in my hands?
Do I have to fall asleep with Bibles in my , Bibles in my hands?
Do we know where Pullman is?
I don't care, 'cause we'll win, win, win, win, win!
When you're dreaming with a bowl'n heart
The giving up is the hardest part
Food Review: FROST Donut
Now I rarely, almost never, eat donuts. I try to eat right from the beginning of the day, not start my day off on the wrong foot. So it had been a while since I had a donut. Because I rarely have donuts, I figured I would go all out and only try the best out there.
I had heard a lot about the maple-bacon bar from Voodoo donuts in Portland. Most of the attention from Food Network shows from Guy Fieri or Unwrapped. So when I heard that Seattle had a similar but cleaner style donut shop, I had to try it! FROST Donuts in Mill Creek's new shopping centre. My mouth was salivating from the moment I walked in. Literally, my eyes were glazed over (pun intended). Now I never buy anything without a deal so using Groupon, I bought a $6 coupon for FROST Donuts a couple months back.
Only until now have I fully experienced the glory that is FROST Donuts. My friend Shawn & I made the trek up to Mill Creek. It was a clean, small shop. I showed the lady our coupon and she said we could choose from 3 tags, one for $0.99, $1.59, $1.89. We had the Mix and Match coupon so we could get any of the donuts. I was in food heaven! There were soo many options there it was unbelievable. Probably 30 choices but we had a dozen deal. The first donut that caught my eye was the Butterfinger™ Blast. A round chocolate topped donut with Butterfinger toppings. We got one of those and then Shawn wanted a Cinnamon Crawler. After that, I chose the rest. Only after the fact did Shawn point out that I had selected almost exclusively all the purple tags, which were the premium $1.89 donuts. Ooops. So pretty much $24 worth of donuts for $6.
Here are the donuts we got:
- Butterfinger Blast
- Cinnamon Crawler
- Caramel Apple Fritter
- Autumn Pumpkin Spice
- Aztec Chocolate
- Blueberry Bismarck
- Chocolate Caramel Turtle
- Glazed Cinnamon Twist
- Maple Cinnamon Twist
- Marcona Almond & Tart Cherry Bismarck
- Salted Caramel
- White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle
As you can see, they ran out of the maple-bacon bar. But we did fill up on some tasty delights. The Butterfinger Blast is soft, moist, and melt in your mouth deliciousness. The Blueberry Bismarck was sweet but not overpowering. The Chocolate Caramel Turtle has walnuts covered with caramel and chocolate frosting, so sweet it gives Cadbury eggs a run for its money.There were two old fashioned style donuts: the salted caramel and the white chocolate raspberry. The salted caramel one was delicious. The white raspberry was kinda funky tasting. Both cinnamon twists were solid.
The Litmus Test: Was trying all of those donuts worth the one week of working out? I don't know if it was THAT good but it was definitely worth a couple days in the gym. FROST is worth it for one or two donuts, not the whole window casing. Until then, I will have to conquer the maple-bacon bar some other time. At the rate I eat donuts, most likely in 2012. Now off to the gym and no more sweets until Thanksgiving Day for pumpkin pie
How the Brangelina + Jen love triangle has affected us.
Remember when you loved Friends and thought Jennifer Aniston was like the GND? She was so relatable that women saw themselves in her fictional role on Friends. She was even relatable to guys. She wasn't all fake like the other celebrities and gave hope to guys everywhere that they could find their 'Jen'. This phenomenon then turned into relating to her on the personal level. We liked Jennifer Aniston. We wanted her to succeed. She was pretty, nice, and more 'human' than other celebrities at the time. She made B- movies and made us laugh.
Remember Brad Pitt and all the awesome movies he made? Se7en, 12 Monkeys, Meet Joe Black, Fight Club, Ocean's 11? Or I guess his hot bod and amazingly chiseled face sent from Heaven? Brad was the crème de la crème of social people. He was the sexiest man alive, making amazing movies, and he was single. He was the typical fantasy for women everywhere.
So inevitably, all of America was hot in their panties when they heard that Brad Pitt was dating Jennifer Aniston in the late 90's. It was a dream come true. A match made in heaven. When they decided to marry on July 29th, 2000, it was the cumulation of our (societies) dreams being crushed in one hand and new dreams popping up in another. I say dreams being crushed because Brad was now 'off the market'. The new hope/dream was if this dream couple would actually make it.
For the most part, the Brad + Jen saga was going without a hitch. After the honeymoon stages, some issues would arise about Brad wanting babies and Jen (couldn't or wouldn't I forgot). Either way, the tumbling began to happen. Here is a great timeline of the fall out.
The third point in this love triangle is Angelina Jolie. The vixen who stole away Brad. The girl you dread because she does everything 'bad' and gets everything she wants. Every woman's nightmare. The marriage crasher. The woman who stole our dreams and hopes. During the blissful years of Brad + Jen, Jolie was going through her own separation with Billy Bob. Like a well orchestrated symphony (check out the timeline), Mr. and Mrs. Smith was the perfect time for a weak, selfish Brad to meet the UN Ambassadored vixen Jolie. You can read between the lines of the timeline to see -ish was going down on the set.
So after this, we were left with a lonely Aniston and the vixen winning out again by taking what she wanted. America was left with an image that you can do whatever and get away with what you want. Hmmm sounds vaguely familiar with the financial crisis we just went through..... you have one paystub? PERFECT! Here is a loan you won't be able to afford!!
Now don't confuse Jolie's humanitarian efforts and adoptions, which are awesome, with her being 'good person'. If you are going to be a good person, you wouldn't adulterize/seduce/vex another woman's husband.
So why am I writing about this? Well I got thinking after reading some Bill Simmons' mailbag. I don't know if it is more interesting or ironic but in Mr. and Mrs. Smith, the movie opens with the couple discussing their marriage woes and that they had been married for "five or six" years. Another interesting subplot was the Vince Vaughn was in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Vince is pretty much the rebound to Jennifer Aniston, as they dated for a bit while filming The Break-Up.
So how does this all affect America? Whether you like it or not, our celebrities mirror some of the images of our society and what we think. If it wasn't the case, we would disregard those who are 'not aligned' with our views and they would not be on TV. But they are on mainstream TV because we, as a society, are associated in some way, entertained in some way, and desire in some way, something about them. You can't just appreciate their beauty, because when you advocate someone, you are promoting them as one person. You are subconsciously accepting their personality. We have accepted and made more tolerable those who 'crash houses'. People who ruin marriages and ultimately, ruin the union of one man and one woman. Divorce is a big issue. I believe a huge part of how America was founded, was upon the foundation of the family. We get guidance from the father as well as the mother. When you are missing one of those pieces, we get lost children.
As a society, the 90's could be labeled as Jennifer Aniston. The 00's could be labeled by Angelina Jolie. What does the 10's have in hold? I guess we will find out... for better or for worse.
Share on FacebookThe Lost Proverb: Where are all the True Men?
After archiving Proverbs 31 and by popular demand, I have found the Lost Proverb!! By no means am I trying to degrade the Holy Bible in any way. I simply created a humorous post for your enjoyment. In the upcoming days & weeks, I will hypothesize why true men are so hard to find in the church today, especially the twentysomethings.
He is more important than houses, his value is far above cars.
The heart of his wife trust in him confidently and believes in him securely,
He considers new investments before he buys & accepts them,
He puts his head in a book, and his hands are on the shovel.
He opens his house to the homeless & cares for the widows & orphans.
He does not fear false judgment from his neighbor,
His wife is held in honor, as he meets with leaders of society.
He is not lead into bad business dealings, he forgives petty quarrels.
Peace & Joy are his clothing and his position is strong & secure.
He gets excited over the future (knowing that He & his family are in readiness for it!)
He opens his mouth in skillful & godly Wisdom,
Many men are faithful, humble, kind and hardworking,
The Like in real life
Yesterday I wrote an analysis on the Facebook Like button. I stated that the like button can be confusing for businesses, as well as social-ites who are trying to decipher what each person likes about the new post.
It got me thinking about the similarities between the Facebook Like button and the real life word: like.
People use it ALL the time. I like this. I like that. I like, like that. But it is difficult to gauge how much they like the item. I like bagels. But I really LIKE a blueberry bagel. I like, like aka LOVE a Noah's blueberry bagel. I like peanut butter. I really like peanut butter with jelly. I like the sun. But I 'like like', not a typo, being in the sun on a summer day next to a body of water.
What Facebook got right (which are many) is between how ambiguous we use the word like in real life and how it is used on Facebook.
We have no idea the depth of how much you 'like' something. I like hamsters but I would never own one. I really like the black and white cookies at Specialty's and I would buy you one if you had never tried it.
Let's diverge into relationships a bit. After understanding there is a whole spectrum of liking something, you tend to get confused when you hear the phrase: I like you.
Does she/he like me like...
The Spectrum of Liking:
- I...like...the t-shirt you are wearing. means they found the first thing they could think of to avoid that fact that they think you are not cool.
- I like you as a friend. or. I like you but... meaning you are a super cool, fun guy/girl which is why you are my friend BUT I like you like a brother/sister. and NO I would not date my brother/sister.
- I...would like to get to know you more... meaning exactly that. So slow down. Actually all the words are pretty self explanatory. We just like to confuse ourselves or hear something we didn't actually hear.
- I like you. Don't get confused. It is three simple words. I-like-you. You don't have to be thinking about bagels or cookies or hamsters. You don't have to confuse yourself.
- I 'like like' you. meaning I really, really like you! However, you may not like me as much as I like you...
The Facebook Like button
I hit the like button on pages all the time. I like your picture. I like your comment. I like the fact you had fun on your vacation. I like your status. I like the fact that you are my friend.
It doesn’t mean I want to get into a long involved conversation or see all your vacation pictures. It just means that something about that status, picture, or link piqued my interest. The Like button is very informal and it takes little to no effort to do: a click.
The Facebook Like Button: An Analysis::
I like your picture.
- I wish I was there.
- That food looks delicious!
- You guys look really good. I look really good.
- That scenery looks amazing!
- That place looks so fun! Mental note.
I like your cleverly laid out status update.
- How long did it take you to think that? Couple minutes, Couple hours, Couple days? Probably a couple hours. It's ok, everyone tries.
- That is fricking hilarious!!!! My friend is a genius!!
- Wait, where did they steal that from...
I like your comment to the status.
- Touche.
- BOOM Roasted.
- SUCKA!
- PWNed
I like your link, video, image.
- You can run and tell that. RUN & Tell that! HOMEBOY!
- You saw that video too? That thing is so fricking hilarious! I didn't know you were so cool! We are 'closer' friends now that we both like this ridiculous video.
- Wow, that link is good! Good post.
I like the jeans you are selling on your website . I like them because I already own a pair. I am not giving you permission to contact me and try to sell me something or to suggest to my friends that they should buy them because I like them.
I like the book you just read. I would like to buy a copy. It would save me time if by liking this book someone would contact me from Amazon with a link to quickly allow me to buy it.
“Liking” something can have any number of meanings. Unless FB comes up with a solution for the problems caused by the misinterpretation of these meanings, the Like button will quickly become a nuisance.
So whats the solution?
Colors.
Let us click on the Like button until the color and meaning we agree with shows up.
A green like button with the word (BUY) next to it would send a message to the website to send me a link to allow me to buy it now
A yellow like button with the word (Info) next to it would send a message to the website to send me general information
An orange like button with the word (Stop) could send the message to leave me alone. I just wanted to say I liked it.
A red like button with the word (Dislike) needs to be near the like button. I like statuses but sometimes I DISLIKE statuses! It would create a whole new level of conversation and time idling on Facebook!
There are lots of colors that can offer lots of different action/non action suggestions. Cycling through them when you click the like button would be easy. Sending the appropriate information to a monitoring program would be easy.
It’s the Like 2.o solution.
And while Facebook is at it, can we do the same thing for Poke...
P.S. Feel free to like this post. No judgment because I have NO CLUE why you like this post anyways That is until Facebook implements my ideas...
Top 23 Oxymorons
- 23. Resident alien
- 22. Airline Food
- 21. Business ethics
- 20. Synthetic natural gas
- 19. Extinct life
- 18. Chocolate Nilla Wafers (I love Nilla Wafers!)
- 17. Modern Classic
- 16. New and Improved
- 15. United Nations
- 14. Fresh Frozen
- 13. Microsoft Works (actually I love Microsoft)
- 12. Political science (ouch my major)
- 11. Plastic glasses
- 10. Taped live
- 9. Clearly misunderstood
- 8. Non-Denominational Church
- 7. Fat Free ice cream
- 6. Temporary tax increase
- 5. Safe sex
- 4. Government organization
- 3. Graduate Student
- 2. Exact estimate
- 1. Twelve-ounce pound cake
What’s Eating Leo?
It may have to do with that sinking-ship film (and all his dead wives).
From left: DiCaprio in 'Shutter Island', 'The Departed', 'Revolutionary Road', and 'Inception'
Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the most respected actors of his generation (he’s 35), so why is he always so pissed off in the movies? It’s not for lack of admiration. Last year, Zac Efron and Chace Crawford were separately asked whose careers they’d like to emulate, and they both confessed their man crushes on Leo. A few weeks ago, The New York Times singled out DiCaprio as the rare star who escaped his tween past to become a real actor, as a kind of comfort to Twilight’s Robert Pattinson. The Guardian threw its weight behind a Brit in Harry Potter, asking: “Is Rupert Grint the new Leonardo DiCaprio?”
He might be, because the old Leo has clearly moved on. DiCaprio got his start on TV’s Growing Pains, earned an Oscar nod for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, and then achieved titanic stardom in 1997 in a movie about a sinking ship. But then, instead of trading on his heartthrob looks, he leveraged his box-office muscle to work with A-list directors including Danny Boyle, Martin Scorsese, Ridley Scott, Sam Mendes, and now Christopher Nolan. For those of you counting at home, Inception is the third movie in a row in which DiCaprio’s crazy wife suddenly dies. (The other two: Revolutionary Road and Shutter Island, which, from the first shot, echoes Inception so closely it’s odd that DiCaprio made both films back to back.) DiCaprio’s career has been engineered to make audiences forget Titanic, but he has swung so far in the other direction that he has alienated the female fans who made him a star. That’s undoubtedly the idea, though that doesn’t make it a good one. He seems interested only in characters who project a certain kind of masochism, and misogyny. His best film of the decade, The Departed, featured a nearly all-male cast. He was nimble in Catch Me if You Can, but that was in 2002, the last time we saw DiCaprio in a comedy.
That’s not to say that DiCaprio should stay away from dramas, but he would help himself tremendously if he lightened up, costarred with an actress like Reese Witherspoon, or at least did a movie where his wife survives until the closing credits. What’s worse: DiCaprio has spawned a whole generation of actors who are so serious they’re making movies only for people on antidepressants. Efron dropped out of the Footloose remake to do Charlie St. Cloud, about a guy who talks to the ghost of his dead brother. Pattinson’s first post-Twilight movie, Remember Me, took place on September 11. Daniel Radcliffe took a break from Harry Potter to get naked with horses in Equus, and Shia LaBeouf, Tobey Maguire, and Jake Gyllenhaal are in some kind of mega–scowling contest. That leaves us with one heartthrob who isn’t afraid to play to his strengths, and his abs. Can Taylor Lautner actually act? The jury is still out, but he’s getting $7.5 million per movie. As the rare Hollywood hunk who isn’t afraid to smile, he deserves it.