Class readings and the thoughts they have provoked.

The Technology Age, and our place among the systems we use is an interesting, if not mercurial evolution. I say among, not within, because I believe there to be a big difference. Seems to me that so many of the articles that we have been reading in class, from Robin Dunbar's You Gotta Have (150) Friends, to Peggy Orenstein's I Tweet, Therefore I Am, feel that they have to project this persona within these communities. My first thought on that is, don't we tend to do that in the physical world as well? How is it so different from social media? In everyday life you see people that are trying to project an image for all to see. The guy driving the new car is trying to show you his stature in his workplace. The guy, or girl dressed to the nines to draw attention to themselves showing their current trendiness is trying to fit into a society riddled with fashion awareness. Let's go deeper -- the wolf in sheep's clothing, a priest who projects the protection of the cloth, and yet hides sinister urges. How is this any different from the profiles you see among the site you belong too? Even the sinister lies you fear. I get that there is even more people, yet funneled into a more focused arena of this media, but an arena that you have control over. Shouldn't we be talking about how to assert the right and wrongs that we have learned in life and how to apply them in this alternate format that mirrors the physical world problems that we still face everyday? It is like the movie Tron... YOU are the USER people. Act like it, use your discretion, and above all remember, you are an individual in both the virtual and physical realms. The hardest thing to do in either world is be yourself.

Encouragement

Welcome!

Although I do write for myself and my enjoyment, my hope is that you will find it entertaining as well.

Please feel free to leave comments on anything you have read. 

The Giver - Thoughts while I read.

       I have been reading The Giver by Lois Lowry as a reading assignment, and find a number of quick things come to mind while I am reading. The first is the feel of the writers pace. Lowry peels back the layers as he writes, slowly unfolding the story step by step, clue by clue, and leaving you with an edgy feeling that something is amiss the whole time. I am about to start Chapter 15, and I am just waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop, and reveal that what is behind the curtain is sinister and appalling. I have faith it will. The faith comes from my second thought, or feeling rather, that I have while reading this book. Even though the publication date is 1993, The Giver has a story telling style that I experienced before from other novelist. Science Fiction novelists from the 30's, through to the 60's had a distinctive style of drama to their stories unraveling events, and Lois Lowry's work is almost an homage to the likes of Arthur C. Clarke and Ray Bradbury. I swear it is like the secret handshake that these writers learn at a convention we are not privy too, that they have this ability to stylize and captivate us in the way that they do.  

Spring has Sprung!

     Spring is springing up all around me right now. It has sprung a leak, and is seeping into my psyche more and more each day.

     Just like some old Disney cartoon, you see couples emerging from being hunkered down through a cold winter and showing their love for each other. I have noticed this courtship custom everywhere I go recently, of course, no more so than on Valentine's Day that has just passed. Ah, young love in bloom.

     Here in California we do not exactly get four seasons, so we have to rely on little things that are noticeable around us. I have been noticing the Sun a lot more in recent days. Days that are longer with the Sun's presence! With the Equinox, comes the ritual of greener hills and blooming flowers. Here in California we have a beautiful State Flower that provides fields of vibrant color for us to enjoy. A signature statement of Spring in bloom.

      O.K., I have been waiting to get to this point because I have seen one more sign of the season that is SO obvious to me! It is one of the ceremonial announcements of Spring, and is heralded by the trumpeted sound of people everywhere, (sometimes literally) and wouldn't you know, it carries the same name in it's title. That is right! Spring Training is here. A tell tale sign post that Spring is upon us. Here things bloom as well, even if they are of a different nature. The habits of fans and players start to spring to life, in the hopes and dreams that bloom from the birth of a new season on the horizon.

  

     Take a look around you today, or tonight, and see if there are things in your everyday life that are trying to tell you about the change of season. Is it sunny warm days, with chilly nights? Is it love in the air? Or could it possibly be a hot dog and a cold one in your hand while you enjoy the sounds of the park? (I know for San Francisco Giants Fans it is, and hopefully will be again this year!) I hope the details that you notice are beautiful, and when Spring has sprung for you, enjoy the season. See you at the park!