Insanely Awe-dical

...in this life, as we should.

Memoirs of a Geisha was excellent. Part of me wants to discuss what I liked about it, but I feel unable to articulate it. Rather than butcher a review out of the words in my mind, I will simply leave you with the above quote, reminding those who have seen it of the Chairman's kindness. As Kate's shirt proclaims, "Kindness can change the world." Spontaneous acts of kindness may be more powerful than we know.

The Generation Multitasking? Generation Media?

Time Magazine posted an article (sounds like a message board or a blog) about a new generation of youth insistant on text messaging/IMing/computer using.

Being a computer junkie, I'm well ahead of the curve. I was doing this stuff while occupying the phone line from 3pm-6pm + 9pm-?pm. Over 8 hours a day on average says Time magazine is spent doing such activities. Please -- try doing that over dialup. BOOYAH.

However, I do realize the adverse effects of doing homework while IMing or downloading or browsing the web.

Imagine if my even shorter attention span was consumed with it at a younger age?

Either two possibilities:
1. The youth will develop the need to multitask and do multiple things equally well at the same time and will be able to function and focus at a more effecient rate or
2. The youth will be overly distracted by the multitude of lights, sounds, and text that will distract them from efficient work.

Personally, I believe that these things are entertainment, and really shouldn't be mixed with work -- at least to the degree they're explaining. However, this depends on the person. It's hard to judge when they're making excuses or if they're really like that.

Kate can watch TV and do homework very well. I listen to music or watch videos, but at times my mind wanders. A environment of stone silence may makes my mind wander too -- I'm ADD like that.

Depending on the maturity of children -- they may like to be downloading/chatting/browsing/myspacing while doing their homework, and make an excuse by saying that they're doing both at the same time equally well. IMO, that is not acceptable. Homework needs to be the primary; the others need to definitely take a back seat. Chatting/myspacing/browsing require reactive attention, and that takes attention away from the work.

TV is a gray area -- it may eventually pull you in. I can watch old episodes of friends/scrubs and do hw without a problem. New eps may pull me in.

Music is also gray, but definitely better. I have learned the the more senses that are actively connected to the study material, the easier it is to learn. If you read out loud at times, it helps focus since you're listening to the material; something you can't do while listening to mp3s. However, I doubt most people don't do this.

...and somehow I had flashing images of high school angst/hilarity. Images of Loyola and hanging out with Ailla's crew. Jack-in-the-box after school.

I've had images burned into my head from songs. My fellow Cubs will probably agree that Baba O' Riley elicits the same image for many of us.

This isn't so distinct though. It's just super random. I guess I first heard that song during that Blink-182-early-high-school period, but still doesn't seem big enough to elicit some very clear images.

On another note, I'm playing my ipod sorted by "song name" and I just heard two good songs called "Hold on" -- both with differing tones and moods, but both enjoyable.

"Hold on...if you feel like letting go
Hold on...it gets better than you know

Don’t stop looking you’re one step closer
Don’t stop searching it’s not over"
-- Good Charlotte

"Hold on to the light that guides you,
Hold on to the air that cools you,
Hold on, hold on to me
Hold on to the light that guides you,
Hold on to the air that cools you,
Hold on, hold on to me "
- The Starting Line

...and somehow I had flashing images of high school angst/hilarity.  Images of Loyola and hanging out with Ailla's crew.  Jack-in-the-box after school. 

I've had images burned into my head from songs.  My fellow Cubs will probably agree that Baba O' Riley elicits the same image for many of us. 

This isn't so distinct though.  It's just super random.  I guess I first heard that song during that Blink-182-early-high-school period, but still doesn't seem big enough to elicit some very clear images. 

...in exchange for decreasing the effect of a crowning moment in life?

This question comes in response to Neon's post about saving the Trussels and the effects it may have.  They are expanding the 241 toll road, and this will lead to affect a fair amount of "nature."  I use quotes since I have not done the research myself, and am not sure exactly what is being affected, but I'm sure it is somehow related to natural trees/grass/land/rivers and that extent.

The idea is that one's daily freeway toil will be reduced; a recurring savings that will tally up to a fair amount of time.

However, the land that was set aside to maintain the natural beauty that has made OC a green and lush area. 

Imagine, if you will, a rock climber reaching the top of the hill.  He was out of shape a year ago, and a climb like this was impossible.  He had trained for a year, cleaned up his drug habits, reunited with his estranged father in the meantime and has turned his life around.

He is finally able to climb this mountain, a symbol of the struggles in his life, and is finally able to breath the thinner, but fine air at the higher elevation, overcoming the obstacles that has claimed a fair portion of his life.  He scans the horizon as the sun sets, relishing in this victory his hard work has claimed.  This is the feeling of life at its purest; what hard work and goals culminate in, the cheering and glory of one's own self-discovery and achievement.

However, his view passes over the terrain of the land, and a gouging freeway has punctured the purity of the land. 

His crowning achievement has not been taken away, but the effect has been dimmed a bit. 

Imagine that a similar experience happened to 10 other people.  100 other people.  1000 other people.  For every person saving 10 minutes of their commute to work and home; what if this happened to them?

Is it worth it?

…that Beefaroni = Beef + macaroni?

I wonder when Filipino spaghetti, soon to be known as Hot Doghetti will be released to the public in can form. 

...I feel censored.

Censored is a bad word to use.  Repressed sounds like I was molested as a child and self-conscious sounds like it's purely my fault.

Self-conscious sounds better though.

I hate it when I'm self-conscious.

I'm not even really censored.  I just want to be able to jam to my music unsupressed.

Maybe jam, maybe cruise, maybe rock, maybe skip, maybe swim, maybe ride a bike.

Maybe that's what makes clubs so much fun.  The crowd eases the "fear of someone watching you" as does alcohol.  The music vibes with lights and the male/female dance (literally and figuratively) add the aspect of mystery and desire.

"You wanna party with the lights on.

Come on, I like the dark!

You always wanna hear the same ol' song.

Come on, play another song!"

-- Slaeter-Kinney

…and it’s been a while.

I don’t know what to think about it.  It’s just been a while.  How I’ve missed that level of comfort. 

I worked there for not even 2 years.  Imagine fostering relationships over 3 years.  4 years.  5 years. 

Considering the turnover rate, that seems highly impossible.  But when I hit my career stride and stay somewhere for 25 years, I hope I can have that sort of relationship with my colleagues, even those I’m not too close too.  I’m glad that I’ve been missed; the feeling is mutual.