Thursday, March 29, 2012

Facebook rules the world


Facebook rules the world, right?
MySpace became passe` the moment that Facebook became the new 'it' site for social networking. Even Twitter cannot compete with the ruling surpremety that is Facebook.
You got something to say, longer than 140 characters, you say it on Facebook.
It's addictive, telling people, some family members and others complete strangers what is going on in your life and letting them comment on it (or 'like' it). We can show them photos and videos about what our life is like in the moment and even check into places we go to.
And if someone isn't on Facebook, or doesn't live for it's status updates, we look at them in wonder, amazed that they choose to stay away from it.
Facebook rules so much of our public opinion. If someone shares something personal, it's immediately open for celebration and ridicule. And ridicule it people will...
As with all popularity, Facebook does have it's nasty underbelly. Bullies are able to use it to torment their victims in new ways, making public humiliation go to new extremes. Teenagers need to feel accepted so they will automatically be'friend' everyone they think they know, and when it backfires, it happens on such a higher scale.
Groups use Facebook closed groups to keep people in the loop, small businesses can create pages to promote themselves and, like on twitter, Celebrities can interact with their fans to whatever level they feel comfortable with.
Over several million people use Facebook, which means, in terms of a network for businesses, it's a market that they should, and do, tap into frequently.

It's safe to say that Facebook rules my world. I use it for work and for play. I have pages for my self-published book and for my business. I update somewhat regularly and comment/ like/ repost where appropriate. If someone tells me something I have already seen on Facebook, I tell them so. I think I know people better when I read their status updates, even though some I haven't had much verbal interaction with, but I never make the assumption that we're the bestest of friends (or in some cases, friends at all) because one of us clicked 'accept' on a friendship request. When I share things, it's because I find them genuinely interesting or because it's related to what I do, not because of a Facebook friendship compels me to.

So yes, Facebook does rule the world, but it is up to it's users to use it's power responsibly.

Facebook logo taken from: http://topnews.com.sg/category/companies/facebook?page=5

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Alien Interaction



Are there really little green men out there? If they are out there, does this make us the science project for alien students, to be studied, poked and prodded? (Of course, in this instance, it would make those that study us possibly slightly less intelligent than those they answer to)
When it comes right down to it, we cannot be the only beings in this universe or any other that is somewhat capable of "intelligent" thought processes.
Deep down, I believe that we possibly want there to be aliens, because it means that, once we destroy our own planet (come on, let's be realistic, it's coming), there might be salvation on another one somewhere.
- Meanwhile, an alien race out there is probably thinking the same thing... -
There are common elements to every alien abduction story, whether it's due to constant re-telling that implants itself into peoples' minds or truth, is simply too far out of our reach to know. If aliens are abducting people, are they purposefully choosing people with a predisposition for paranoia, or is that simply a by-product of alien interaction along with the ability to maintain cohesive memories and partial repression of being probed by inquisitive alien minds.
Growing up in the 80s, I was inundated with the friendly alien types like ALF or E.T, who just wanted peaceful things (or in Alf's case, pieces of cat). There might have been aliens out there, just looking for friendly safe harbour before they can return home.
Of course aliens could also be like those that featured in the movie Mars Attacks... Those guys were not looking for peace of any kind and were definitely more intelligent than those they came up against.

For any type of argument against their existence, I simply ask this.
Why not? Why can't they exist?

This post is dedicated to my late grandfather, Robert Charles Kent, who passes away 10 years ago. I truly believe that interest in sci-fi can be passed along the bloodlines.

The original image used for this post was taken from http://apgaylard.wordpress.com/2008/03/23/will-little-green-men-save-the-world/

Image manipulation completed by blogger

Thursday, March 22, 2012

A sketchy type day

So, I've been working on a new book of blogs. I may have mentioned it earlier. Basically it will be a zine type publication that I can offer as a freebie to places like libraries, coffee shops, etc. It's been an interesting experience re-educating myself about how to use Publisher, but then the discovery of an online image manipulator a couple of days ago really helped me with my work. I spent yesterday, between putting together bookmarks (another project), sketching and scanning my book illustrations.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Easter Comes But Once A Year (but the chocolate stays on the hips much longer)



It's only a few weeks till Easter. Or Eostre. Or Zombie-Jesus Day. Or just simply Chocolate-Related-Holiday-That-Causes-Shops-To-Close-For-Fear-Of-Religious-Attacks.

Seriously, it's freaky. Shopping centre car parks become a ghost town where few cars fear to roll their tyres. If any store is open, they are met with derisive looks of "I can't believe you're open on this weekend" from passers-by.
As you might have been able to tell by previous posts, I'm not religious in any real way. I've dipped my toes in different religions and not found the answers that I'm looking for.
But I do love chocolate, as well as the highly discounted easter eggs that appear on shelves after it's all over. And really, isn't that what they've made it all about?
If you're Catholic it's the time when Jesus rose from the dead (hence why some people call it Zombie-Jesus Day).
If you're Pagan, it's Eostre, where we celebrate fertility (which might be where the origin of the 'Easter Bunny' came into being...hmmm).
If you're on facebook, you see multiple posts about zombies and chocolate
Anf if you're a kid, or a kid at heart, you just want those expensive foil wrapped, chocolatey treats that stores with their crass commercialism tell us are the way to show love.
I've witnessed a shift in the last couple of years. People are slowly pulling away from the pressure of the religious few to open their stores on these, their most holy of days, because if they do not follow that religious dogma, why should the closing hours apply to them?
After all, if they're open, they can sell more stuff.

However you celebrate it, Happy Holidays to all! Stay safe on the roads if you go away for the long weekend.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Valerie - Glee Cast

Okay, so this is a bit of 'getting to know you' fun from facebook. I did it several years ago so it will be interesting to see what changes.

RULES:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag AT LEAST 10 friends (including me so I can see your results).
5. Everyone tagged has to do the same thing.
6. Have Fun!



IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY [I AM]?
The best damn thing - Avril Lavigne

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Big Mistake - Natalie Imbruglia

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Who we are - Hope Partlow

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Sweet Transvestite - Glee Rocky Horror

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON THAT YOU LIKE?
Loser Like Me - Glee cast

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Disconnected - Kelly Clarkson

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
Don't Rain on my parade - Glee Cast

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Fear - Stop Making Friends featuring Pauley Perrette

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Prisoner of Society - The Living End

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Technicolour - Paloma Faith

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Are you going to be my girl - Jet

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
One way or another - Blondie

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Hold - Superchick

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Game of Love - Michelle Branch and Santana

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Hey Hey - Superchick

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Checkin it Out - Donnas

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Alive - Superchick

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Theme to St Trinians - Girls Aloud

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Something in the water - Brooke Fraser

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
Raise your glass - P!nk

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Coz I Can - Ana Johnson

WHERE DO YOU WORK?
HIt me with your best shot/ one way or another - Glee Cast

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Valerie - Glee Cast