February 2009 Posts
Greetings from Downtown Portland
Hello there,I am a civil servant for the local county here in Portland, Oregon. I love working downtown. Above is a snapshot of the view from my office building. It's a far cry when I lived on E.N. 16th St in Abilene, let me tell you.
I'll never forget visiting Portland from Abilene in twice in August of 2001. Going from daily +100 degree days to the 70's and rainy (it actually doesn't rain that much in the summer) was pretty fabulous for a big guy like me. Though I miss the excellent bar-b-q and authentic tex-mex of Abilene, I don't regret the decision to move here for a minute.
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25 Random Things About Me
Dear Gravel Journal,What the heck is up with 25 Random Things on Facebook? I keep getting tagged by my female friends who want me to read them. I refuse to respond, or even read any of the random items. The name itself, "25 Random Things" is even irritating me. Before you read any of the "random" things, there is this paragraph:
Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
I don't like rules like that. And when someone has put in the effort to write 25 random things, and then took time to take me, I wonder if they are going to think I'm a jerk for not even reading.
My questions:
1. Do I have to then write a note with my own 25 random things?
2. Am I going to make someone feel bad for not reading theirs?
Thanks,
Gavin
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No Gavin, thank you.
Here is 1 random thing about me: I have no problem writing a question to myself in the form of a journal entry.
I've been thinking a lot about 25 Random Things About Me from Facebook recently. This NYT article explains it pretty well, if you aren't sure what "25 Random Things" is.
Time has an excellent article here about some of the annoying nuances of this feature, pointing out that 5 million of these notes were written last week. The author, Claire Suddath, refers to this as "viral narcissism", which is apropos given that people share completely boring and unfunny facts about themselves on these lists. Wouldn't 5 Random Things been a much better idea? Less fluff.
Salon.com points out that people really do write some insightful things here and there. But I don't want to put in the effort to read all that stuff to find a couple gems. The wonderful slate.com gets some science in there to talk about the parasitic nature of "25 random thing" and how it's evolved.
Now to your questions. You do not have to write your own list. You can just leave it alone because--and this answers your second question--with so many people tagged, nobody will notice that you haven't made a list. Just forget that you were tagged, and pretend that the lists don't exist at all. Wait for the really important "25 random" lists come out--maybe an ex-girlfriend publishes her list--then check it out to see if you are on it.
Wife My New Editor - Part 2
More conversation about the editing. Find the Facebook reference:
Wife My New Editor
Received this post this morning:
I'm like, "Hey, get your own blog!"
But not out loud. Ok, not even in an email reply.
But I said it in my head. And she's going to have to read my blog again to hear my snappy retort!
I'm like, "Hey, get your own blog!" But not out loud. Ok, not even in an email reply.
But I said it in my head. And she's going to have to read my blog again to hear my snappy retort!
SEXY PEOPLE: My Wife's Favorite Website
http://www.sexypeople-blog.com/
And it's quickly becoming mine. It has clothed pictures of people the exact opposite of sexy. So the title of the blog is sarcastic, rather than inaccurate.
Why didn't I come up with this idea? What does America have tons of?
Fat? yes
Poor grammar? yes, lots
Delusions of grandeur? loads
But most importantly, zillions of bad family pictures. And here they all are. Enjoy yourself, and try your best to dupe your boss and appear busy when you click through the "lasers" section.
And it's quickly becoming mine. It has clothed pictures of people the exact opposite of sexy. So the title of the blog is sarcastic, rather than inaccurate.
Why didn't I come up with this idea? What does America have tons of?
Fat? yes
Poor grammar? yes, lots
Delusions of grandeur? loads
But most importantly, zillions of bad family pictures. And here they all are. Enjoy yourself, and try your best to dupe your boss and appear busy when you click through the "lasers" section.
Facebook Etiquette Update
In my previous entry I advised 'nowiwannaturnofffacebook' that he friend and ignore whomever he pleases. According to this article in the WSJ, however, it may behoove you to friend all who find you in cyberland.
Send your question to Gavin
Send your question to Gavin