November 30th, 2009 by purplelara
I’ve been sitting on this post for a while, but it’s been brewing in my head for ages. It bubbled to the surface a bit during the great Rogers debacle, but I haven’t been able to put my thoughts in order. I’m going to try now.
Let’s talk about Twitter, shall we?
A lot has been said about Twitter and those who use it and the reasons it is used. Those who use it are often called narcissists. I’ve heard people say it allows stalkers to watch you. I’ve heard it called stupid and a ridiculous waste of time and even an end to real life human connections and interactions.
Twitter can indeed be used by narcissists, stalkers and time wasters. It can also be used for charity, supporting others and for saving time. Twitter is great, not stupid, because of the diverse ways people have found to use it. There is no right or wrong way to use Twitter, and this is the very reason why it’s so amazing.
Twitter is a giant repository of opinions, humor, sorrow, news, facts and lies published by an every growing number of individuals, businesses and other sources. Celebrities tweet, news agencies tweet. Your local restaurant or a hotel a world away may tweet information that is relevant or useful to you. You can find information on your hobby, you can research purchases or trips, you can make career connections – people are even finding jobs on Twitter these days.
I use Twitter primarily for two things I love – humour and exploring the diversity of the crazy human race. I love laughing and I love that people are so different. To me, people are utterly and endlessly hilarious and fascinating and Twitter allows me to hear from and connect with people like me and with people who on the surface seem nothing at all like me. People with vastly different lives can share jokes and thoughts and opinions with others – and we may find we have more in common than we originally thought.
Does everyone on Twitter share the same opinion as me on every topic? Of course not. How very boring would life be if we only read about and communicated with those with the exact same opinions. For the most part, and for my own reasons, I choose not to involve myself in debates that pop up, but others often do. As long as it’s done respectfully, it all adds to the discussion and I love seeing how differently so many people can see one issue. Sometimes it’s frustrating but it’s almost always fascinating.
I follow, among others, stay at home moms, fitness freaks, food freaks, dry witted Brits, and an utterly lovely 104 year old who tweets about her life in a nursing home. I follow quick witted and intelligent bloggers in the States and a couple of amazing writers from my own backyard. I follow web developers, software testers, news feeds, social media experts, one or two hilarious celebrities and even a couple of fictional characters (coughdondraperobsessioncough). I want to expand my view of the world. I want to hear what other people think and I want to learn and expose myself to new ideas. To me, closing off your mind to new ideas, different points of view and new people is a sure fire way to remain immature and grow old at the same time.
I’ve used Twitter to listen to or connect with people I never would have otherwise, and to me, that is an amazing social experience. I’ve also used it to research events in my own city and while traveling. I’ve used it to save money, I’ve used it to resolve a conflict with a large corporation. I’ve used it to keep up on breaking news, to hear about updates to products and services and I’ve used it to share information with others.
Are my ways of using Twitter the only ways to use it? Of course not (you are paying attention, aren’t you?) To some people, promoting their business is extremely important. Some want a way to feel connected to minor or major celebrities. Some use it to seek out what is being said about them, both positive and negative, around the web. Some use it as a research tool. Some contribute information back out and others do not. Some people only want to follow those with similar opinions to theirs. Some want to connect with as many people as possible and engage Twitter in such a way to allow that. Some keep their feed private and use it only to communicate with others they know. Some seek a more diverse collection of connections. Twitter can be used for all or none of these reasons.
Those who say Twitter is stupid are not only closing themselves off to a wealth of information, they are telling millions and millions of users they are stupid. This attitude blows me away. There are so many things in this world I’m not interested in. Does that mean I tell people who play baseball or collect stamps they are stupid? No, we’re all different and again, how boring would the world be if we weren’t?
Because I don’t use Twitter in some ways that others use it doesn’t mean the way I use it is right, or the way they use it is wrong. It means it is an amazingly diverse tool, a tool you can make in to anything you want it to be. Is it all about what you had for breakfast? Is it narcissistic? Does it invade your privacy? Is it a waste of time? Does it lead to less human interaction? The answer to all those questions for me is no, but it could just as easily be yes, if I let it.
Twitter won’t *make you* into anything. Narcissists can use it to further their narcissistic tendencies. Stalkers can use it to stalk. Researchers can use it for researching. Communicators can use it to communicate. Business owners can use it to promote their businesses. Bowlers can use it to find new bowling shoes and porn aficionados can use it to find porn and/or interact (ahem) with it’s *providers*. Twitter didn’t make you interested in bowling or porn and it didn’t make you a narcissist or a stalker or a researcher.
Twitter can positively or negatively impact your life in any way you want it to. The choice is yours. My choice is to use it for the reasons I’ve stated above – to hear the humor, opinions, ideas and thoughts of others. Some make me smile. Some make me sad. This is life, this is what I appreciate in life, and Twitter has brought many new thoughts, ideas and people, however tenuously, into my life and I love it for that.
And by the way, I had a muffin for breakfast.
November 28th, 2009 by purplelara
I’ve password protected a lot of my posts – not all of them, but I can’t share many of them without a major re-write. I am going to work on that in the next few weeks but some may be permanently protected if I can’t find a way to re-write them that allows my stories to remain honest and accurate. I’ll try to roll them out as they’re updated – stay tuned.
I have received so many emails from people who enjoyed my travel posts, thank you for your support and I hope to be back soon.
I’ve also made my Twitter feed private for a while. That will also be restored in a bit too, but for now I’m partying it up behind closed doors over there. Whooohoo!
November 21st, 2009 by purplelara
I’m stealing this from Chibi Jeebs, even though I wasn’t tagged with it, because I’m home alone (for once!), there’s nothing on TV, I feel like writing, and god forbid I should come up with an original idea myself these days.
- Name someone with the same birthday as you?
Britney, bitches. Although a way, way, way different year, obvs.
- Where was your first kiss?
I believe that was in Kirsten J.’s living room. Which was also the same time and place of all of my girlfriends’ first kisses – we went to a small school and there was only one eligible boy, so we took turns. Yeah, uck.
- Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else’s property?
I don’t think so. Not on purpose, anyways, but I am a klutz so I don’t doubt I’ve caused some material damage somewhere along the way.
- Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex?
Yes, my ex-husband. I’m not super proud of it but when you’re pinned up against a wall with a 6′1″ man yelling “GO ON HIT ME”, well, sometimes you just do.
- Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people?
Haha, oh hell no. And trust me, all large numbers of people on the planet thank me for it. Oh but wait. I guess I did in elementary school choir. But – again wait. I knew even then I sounded horrible and tended to mouth the words. Let’s stick with hell no.
- What’s the first thing you notice about your preferred sex?
Not that I’m currently *looking* but when I was – Height. Eyes. Left hand ring-finger.
- What really turns you off?
Bad breath. Disproportionate ego. Small feet and hands (not for the reasons you’re thinking. I just find them icky and girlie for some reason.) I like a manly-man.
- What do you order at Starbucks?
This is embarrassing. At this time of year it’s a Decaf Venti Non-Fat Half-Sweet No Whip Pumpkin Spice (or Gingerbread) Latte.
- What is your biggest mistake?
Marrying the wrong person. But then again, I feel the whole debacle ultimately made me a better person, so hard to say.
- Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose?
Again, not on purpose, but again, I’m a klutz.
- Say something totally random about yourself.
I think I have really nice feet. I’d rather have a really nice ass though.
- Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?
When I was younger and skinnier and had a similar hairstyle, I was told fairly often I looked like Winona Ryder. Then a few years later I got Jennifer Tilley quite a bit. I think it’s just the high voice and giant boobs.
- Do you still watch kiddie movies or TV shows?
No but I’ll admit to loving the Spongebob Squarepants movie.
- Did you have braces?
Nope and new dentists always think I did. I guess I have really straight teeth, but again, would trade that for a nice ass.
- Are you comfortable with your height?
Yes, I guess so. I’m just under 5′7″ but have at times wished I was more petite and more statuesque, but all in all, I’m fine with it. Least of my body issues, let’s put it that way.
- What is the most romantic thing someone of the preferred sex has done for you?
I’m the type who is blown away by little gestures, like a perfectly timed kiss on the forehead. My boyfriend is great and knowing just when I need those little things. I’ve also received some “grand gesture” type romantic stuff, but honestly, if it rings false, it’s just not that impressive.
- When do you know its love?
Oh, I’m slow at that. I don’t know. I have never had an “I just knew” moment with any man, but eventually, one day, I just realized I did.
- Do you speak any other languages?
Non.
- Have you ever been to a tanning salon?
Not in a very, very, very long time. And I’m told I’m aging well. Stay away! Stay away! You’ll be glad you did.
- What magazines do you read?
The only magazine I buy every month is Vanity Fair, although I’ll sometimes pick up a People mag to read during lunch or something.
- Have you ever ridden in a limo?
Lots of times. Not that I live a limo riding lifestyle, but years and years of wedding stags and weddings mean many limo rides.
- Has anyone you were really close to passed away?
I’ve lost three of my grandparents (one under a year ago), but all in all, I’ve been very, very lucky (touch wood).
- Do you watch MTV?
Yeahhhhh, no, I don’t think I get that channel.
- What’s something that really annoys you?
My boyfriend biting and picking his nails! PICK PICK PICK. Arrrrrrrrrgh. Oh and also racism, I guess.
- What’s something you really like?
Wine.
- Do you like Michael Jackson?
I like most of his music and I think he was really misunderstood. I don’t like defending his relationships with children because he was an adult and they were children, he should have know better. BUT I also think he was asexual and had mental health issues. I don’t think he ever intended on harming them, even though I certainly acknowledge that doesn’t excuse that he ultimately may have.
- Can you dance?
Yes, and like most people, my skill and desire to dance increases with every drink.
- What’s the latest you have ever stayed up?
I stayed up overnight – partying and then going to work – once in my life, ONCE. I love me some sleep and don’t often choose to miss out on it. I’ve also been on some epic flights that necessitated long stretches without sleep, but it certainly wasn’t by choice (I can’t sleep on planes, like AT ALL, which makes 10 hours flights torture in the extreme).
- Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room?
Thankfully, no.
- Do you actually read these when other people fill them out?
ALWAYS!
1. Name someone with the same birthday as you.
Well, first and foremost, I have the honour of sharing my birthday with my grandmother. <3 Oh, and the Queen. How d’ya like them apples?
2. Where was your first kiss?
Down a hill by the wooden fence at the back of the school in the winter (snow) in grade 6. His name was Allen. He was a tool. I’m not sure of his tool status now.
3. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else’s property?
No. The worst I did was drive the car that a friend hung out the passenger window of to very angrily throw a beer bottle at someone’s driveway.
4. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex?
Yup. Really long, 14-year old hormone-driven story short, a boy called me a slut (SO far from the truth it’s laughable. Now.), so I hauled off and slapped him across the face. It was loud enough people heard it down the hallway and it left a nice, red hand print on his face. Evidently “slut” is a button-pusher for me.
5. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people?
Other than the obligatory elementary school Christmas concert (done as a group, BTW), no. And I haven’t sung in front of a small number (one) of people since I was 12 and my mom asked me to stop singing because I sounded like a frog. (In her defence, I had a cold. And it WAS Wilson Philips I was warbling along to. So, there’s that.)
6. What’s the first thing you notice about your preferred sex?
Eyes/smile
7. What really turns you off?
Liars. Cheaters. Bad breath/obviously uncared for teeth. Mouth-corner-crusties. Eye boogers.
8. What do you order at Starbucks?
Probably a mocha because it’s the only thing I “know” and I only darken Starbuck’s door *maybe* once a year.
9. What is your biggest mistake?
I dunno: I like to be one of those assholes who views everything as a learning experience. *ahem*
10. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose?
Not unless tattoos count.
11. Say something totally random about yourself.
I really, really have to pee right now.
12. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?
*snort* Um, no.
13. Do you still watch kiddie movies or TV shows?
I don’t watch children’s cartoons, but I’ll watch “adult” ones. And any animated movie is fair game.
14. Did you have braces?
*sigh* Yes. Damned orthodontist originally told me I’d have them for a year and a retainer for six months. TWO YEARS LATER (and grad pictures in the can), I was threatening to slash his tires if he didn’t take them off before the banquet & dance. Still had to deal with the damned retainer for a year on top of that. H.E.L.L.
15. Are you comfortable with your height?
Kind of pointless not to be, isn’t it? But yes, I am: at 5′2, I’ve never had a problem finding long enough pants or tall enough boyfriends.
16. What is the most romantic thing someone of the preferred sex has done for you?
Snuck down to the car after I was asleep to stick a Post-It note on my steering wheel that said “I love you” the night before my first day at a new job.
17. When do you know its love?
When you’re comfortable enough to pee with the door open? I don’t know. Again, one of those assholes who “just knew.”
18. Do you speak any other languages?
Ihay eakspay eatgray igpay atinlay. Sadly, after four years of high school French, I retained very little.
19. Have you ever been to a tanning salon?
Yup.
20. What magazines do you read?
I have subscriptions to Chatelaine and Canadian Living (mostly because they were super cheap). When I’m feeling particularly trashy, I’ll pick up a Glamor or Cosmo.
21. Have you ever ridden in a limo?
Once. With my dad. LAAAAAME. (And my sis, but she’s NOT lame.)
22. Has anyone you were really close to passed away?
Yes, and very recently.
23. Do you watch MTV?
*blarglegagfrak*
24. What’s something that really annoys you?
People who scuff their feet when they walk. They’re SHOES, people, not cross country skis. PICK UP YER DAMNED FEET ALREADY.
25. What’s something you really like?
Music
26. Do you like Michael Jackson?
Don’t know him personally. Enjoy some of his music, though.
27. Can you dance?
If there’s enough liquor involved, yes.
28. What’s the latest you have ever stayed up?
28-ish hours. And then I promptly got sick, so that happened a grand total of once.
29. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room?
No, actually. *knocks wood*
30. Do you actually read these when other people fill them out?
Yes. It’s an affliction of being a meme whore.
November 21st, 2009 by purplelara
I need help! I’m sure that’s not news to many of you, but this time I’m serious.
I’ve password protected the post below, for reasons that will become apparent when you read it, but I would really, really, really like to hear your opinion.
Please either email me (purplelara / gmail) or leave a comment and I’ll send the password to you. I know I never do that when I come across password protected posts, but trust me when I say I WANT YOU TO. I NEED YOU TO. I’M SERIOUS.
Edited to add: Oh man, you guys are awesome! I’ve received such great comments and emails about this. I really appreciate your help, thank you!
Edited, part 2: He loved the ski pass, thanks for the input! I’m still keeping the post locked since some of the other things mentioned may be Christmas presents. Thanks again for your help!
November 21st, 2009 by purplelara
I need your help. As you may know, my birthday and Andrew’s are only days apart, which means he turns 40, three days ahead of me, in about a week.
I need advice on a present for him. The first year we were together, I gave him a day pass to Whistler. I came up with the idea myself, he hadn’t hinted at it, and I wrapped it up with a card that said something like “What I want to give you more than anything is happiness, and I know how happy being on the mountain makes you. I hope that when you use this pass you are filled with happiness and maybe, just maybe, think of me.”
I’m awesome.
It was such a big hit that I gave him the same gift last year, even though it felt like a bit of a cop-out to get him the same gift two years in a row. But he loved it.
And so now, it’s his birthday in a week again. His 40th birthday. I’ve asked him what he wants and he said, unsurprisingly, “ski passes”. I want to get him what he wants, but I also want to make this birthday special, and I don’t want to give him the same present every year for the rest of his life.
Another idea I had was to get him a Bluetooth headset for his phone. He is in his truck, speaking to clients, all day long. Early next year a law will come into affect making cell phone use illegal while driving, except with a headset.
I know this would make a crazily un-sexy gift, but I also know he will HATE to part with the money to buy one himself.
If I was a lesbian and had a girlfriend, I would know, for certain, not to buy this for my partner as a birthday gift. Practical is not what we chicks want in a birthday present.
But what about men? Would he appreciate not having to spend his own money on a head-set? Could it be seen as a new toy? What about the fact that I’d be buying him the gift of “No Tickets” and “No Jail” and maybe even “Not Dying”?
As I write this, I’m leaning towards maybe giving him this as a Christmas present, instead of a 40th birthday present. But that leaves the question of what to get him for his birthday open.
Help me! Men – are practical gifts appreciated or lame? Women – what have you bought your significant others lately that they really loved?
Any help would be appreciated – thank you in advance!